A YEAR IN REVIEW
As we welcome in the New Year, we at Hooked Media would like to thank all the people that made 2023 such a memorable one for us. There was no bigger highlight than the Bassmaster Classic win by our longtime contributor and friend Jeff Gustafson. In early January last year I was on the phone with Gussy talking about his season on the Bassmaster Elite circuit when he brought up the Bassmaster Classic Event. It was being held in Knoxville, Tennessee at the end of March and Gussy dropped a bombshell. “Don, he said, you should attend this event, I think I have a good chance to do well.”
That really got the wheels turning in my head and while at the Winnipeg Boat & RV Show at the end of January I asked longtime friend and professional photographer Darrin Bohonis if he would like to go with me. He thought about it for a day, checked with his family and he agreed to come along. As it turns out it was indeed the experience of a lifetime which you can hear all about on my podcast here.
Of, course the rest is history as Gussy pulled off the win of a lifetime, the first Canadian to ever win this Superbowl of bass fishing. Luckily for me and Hooked during that same phone conversation in January I asked him to give me a date during the summer that he could come to our 15th Anniversary Celebration to be held at Kendall’s Point Lodge. After checking his calendar he got back to me a week later saying he could come for two days in early July.
Close to 20 of our writers, friends and sponsors showed up for the event. Hooked Contributor Matt Gelley offered to film the event and came up with this well done video.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
For the first time, we are offering our digital version of the magazine. This has been a big hit for those wanting to read about all that western Canada has to offer to the those who love the outdoors. We also still have our bi-weekly fishing report and e-newsletter, all available on our digital platform.
I have continued also with The Complete Angler podcast and will add more as we move through 2024. I also had some memorable fishing trips with friends and family. The August long weekend saw us at Rafferty Reservoir with Ralph Smart and family. The fishing was great and so was the time with the family.
Then it September was my annual trip to Lake of the Prairies with a group of friends. The fishing, as always, didn’t disappoint with some incredible walleye action. We at Hooked continue to support Wes David and all his great work in the outdoor industry. Wes just won the Leadership in Conservation Legacy Award from the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. Huge congrats my friend.
Looking forward to another great year!
All the best, Hooked Media-Don Lamont and Kevin Stobbe