For everyone who has been wondering what this “Epic Fishing Trip” is about, here it is. Tomorrow we head out on an adventure! Rob Devore, Jim VanPelt, Chris Patricella and myself are heading up to SC/NC to begin our quest. The International Game Fish Association recognizes several lifetime achievements called “Royal Slams”. Anglers who catch a variety related fish such as salmon, billfish or trout over the course of time can apply for the Royal Slam designation. One of these groupings is the Bass Royal Slam, consisting of seven bass species ranging all over the U.S. Only fifteen anglers have completed this slam, and none have done it using only a kayak. The plan is deceptively simple. We will travel to South Carolina and meet up with Stewart Venable and fish the area for smallmouth bass. Then we will head to Georgia to meet Eric Hughes and Evan Howard to fish for the rest of the species. I plan for a one week trip, hopefully completing a lifetime achievement slam in a week or less. Chris Patricella, our cameraman, will use a Panasonic DVX video camera as well as a Canon Vixia and various waterproof video cameras like GoPros and Playsports to capture the action. Rob Devore, Mr. Yaktastic Adventures, will film using DSLR cameras and will be directing the filming. Rob is also editing the entire project. The result will be a documentary style film. It will chronicle the planning, staging, travel, angling and hopefully the success of the entire event. The film will include interviews with people from FWC, IGFA, various guides and locals, Jim VanPelt and myself. When completed, the film will be entered in the Reel Paddling Film Festival as well as other fishing or outdoor related venues. The film will be uploaded on online distribution sources like Vimeo and YouTube. I plan on writing a companion behind the scenes article about the project for distribution to online magazines and websites. Kayak Angler Magazine also wants to run a feature article on the trip. Several sponsors stepped up to help us make this idea into a reality. Estero River Outfitters, YakAngler, Plano, Ego Nets, Unfair Lures, Yak Gear, Bending Branches, Culprit Bait, Flying Fisherman and Gator Dave’s Apparel either gave us cash to help with expenses, much needed product, or both! And they all helped sponsor knowing that we would not “commercialize” the film! Thanks to all our sponsors and thanks to Stewart, Evan and Eric of River Stalkers for agreeing to guide us!
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:23:14 +0000