The stats below show how the drama unfolded.
Essentially Hong's 13" sardine was the fish to beat from February to September. In fact, sadly, The Fisher Kings never beat that damn sardine. By the end of September The Fisher Kings had a big push for the cumulative length prize with Eric's 7 Largemouth Bass. But For The House squashed those dreams with a very strong showing in the middle of October. With 5 fish over 16" and the cold Michigan weather basically shutting down fishing for November and December, the Fisher Kings were sunk. One of those 5 fish was the winner of this year's largest fish prize.
That would be Hong's 23" beautiful Bonita. According to Hong, that Bonita put up an excellent fight. The Fisher Kings wouldn't know what a fight like that feels like.
There were some wonderful fishing outfits in 2009. I personally enjoyed Hong's use of the blue with white stripe windbreaker throughout the year. Desiree's cutoff sweats and striped tube socks in September raised the bar a bit. Kimmie's blue and white bathing suit with white shirt and black gloves while gutting fish will not soon be forgotten.
Photo of the year is a close call between Hong's bird catch and Eric's fish in a fish moment.
The Fisher Kings feel good moment of the year came in September when Kimmie broke the teams streak of consecutive unsuccessful fishing. Her 8" Crappie caught on 9/4/09 will be immortalized in Fisher King lore as the first fish blessed by angler royalty.
For The House also had an excellent feel good moment when Ameer took time off work to fish with Hong on his birthday weekend. That, my friends, is what it's all about.
That, and catching some big ass fish.
2009 was a successful competition.
In 2010 the Fisher Kings will ready to go. We've procured a motor for Gary's boat, so tooling around his river will be easier. Trolling for big fish may be an option.
With the whole ocean coast to work with including the Lion's Den and all of La Jolla, For The House will be competitive if not dominant for years to come.
Negotiations have begun for the 2010 Fishing Competition Rules.
2009 is in the books.
Here's to 2010... Good luck!
| For the House | Length (in.) | ||
| 2/2/2009 | 10 | Rockfish | Hong |
| 13 | Sardine | Hong | |
| 10/12/2009 | 13 | goldfish | Hong |
| 9 | Baitfish | Hong | |
| 10 | baitfish | Hong | |
| 10/14/2009 | 16 | Sandbass | Hong |
| 17 | Sandbass | Hong | |
| 23 | Bonita | Hong | |
| 16 | Mackerel | Hong | |
| 16 | Mackerel | Hong | |
| 13 | Mackerel | Hong | |
| 14 | Mackerel | Hong | |
| 11/13/2009 | 13 | Sheephead | Hong |
| 13 | Rockfish | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 12 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 9 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 8 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 9 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 7 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| 7 | ? | Ameer/Gene/Hong | |
| Total | 248 |
| The Fisher Kings | Length (in.) | ||
| 9/4/2009 | 8 | Crappie | Kimmie |
| 6.5 | Crappie | Kimmie | |
| 9/6/2009 | 7.5 | Crappie | Gary |
| 6.5 | Crappie | Kimmie | |
| 6.75 | Crappie | Kimmie | |
| 6.25 | Crappie | Kimmie | |
| 9/21/2009 | 11.5 | Largemouth Bass | Eric |
| 11 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| 11 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| 11 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| 11 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| 11 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| 10.5 | Largemouth Bass | Eric | |
| Total | 118.5 | ||
