For the first time ever a Bassmaster Classic champion hailed from the state of California. Along with the champion, Skeet Reese, the Bassmaster Classic trophy made it’s first official appearance in California at the Rohnert Park Outdoor Pro Shop on May 16, 2009.
Maybe Champ - but, still just Daddy to Courtney - Skeet's youngest daughter
Skeet Reese along with his three biggest supporters, his wife Kim and his two daughters Lea Marie and Courtney arrived at Outdoor Pro Shop at 11:00 AM for his 12:00 to 4:00 appearance and autograph session. Skeet didn’t waste any time as there were at least a dozen early birds on hand to get Skeet’s autograph and to see the trophy.
Skeet Reese talking shop with Outdoor Pro Shop Owner Ken Elie
Skeet signed autographs and took pictures for over 5 hours but, better yet Skeet talked fishing with the locals that he often helped catch fish while he was a manager at this very store. Skeet commented, “This was a blast from the past.” Skeet’s old high school friends and even an ex-girlfriend or two swung by to see the 2009 Classic champ.
A Skeet fan with a signed visor
Among the topics overheard throughout the day were lead by Classic stories, of course. Another topic that was on everyone’s mind was the angler of the year race for 2009 where Skeet is just a few points behind leader Kevin VanDam. There were plenty of old tournament stories about Skeet taking it to the locals on many lakes around the area like Clear Lake, Sonoma and the Delta. One of my favorite comments I overheard was someone telling Skeet, (I’ll take some freedom here and paraphrase) “We thought you were crazy chasing the dream of fishing and now look at you, Champion of the World.”
Skeet signed everything from hats to "Float Tubes"?
Skeet’s handling the title of World Champion with a lot of class, taking it with modesty and offering up “thank you’s” to all those who have helped him along the way. Overall it was great to spend the day with the Classic Champ and here the stories and see first hand that his drive hasn’t been put on the back burner at all – in fact, he’s turned up the heat and we can all expect some big things from Skeet in the near future.
Tags: Bassmaster Classic Champion, Outdoor Pro Shop, Skeet Reese
