Usually, scandal and intrigue are not part of the DK Open, but this year’s fall event was the exception with several ‘incidents’ occurring. First thing in the morning, the team of MadWags and djkimmel had ‘words’ with the local team of genie and spinninbug due to unsubstantiated charges (no official protests were filed) that we ‘cut them off’ on a spot. Things were tense throughout the day as genie would run by honking his horn while yelling “Cheaters!!!”
I actually thought he was yelling “heaters!” due to the cold, but Wags said, “no, he’s yelling squeakers” because apparently, that is what genie normally catches.
Well, let me backup a little (and go forward too). Questions where raised at the weigh in about the impartiality of the day’s partner draw when it was found that one djkimmel had been teamed up with the spring 2008 DK Open champ MadWags. I assured everyone present the draw had been completely random… well, with one exception.
I got a PM just before the draw from a certain member who shall be unnamed for privacy reasons. This member asked that she not be drawn with her husband for the event. I honored that request out of courtesy and that is all I can say about that issue. Well, other than it was not alright to message my phone with a picture of her hubby’s 6 pound smallmouth bass caught in practice Friday afternoon while I was still at work myself!!!
So rumors about a rigged draw and the nonexistant cutoff aside, here’s the real scandal of the fall 2008 DK Open October 4th on Hardy Dam Pond. While I was working hard weighing all the bass (ok, not that many) and handing out fabulous prizes, my boat mysteriously drifted away…??
Once it was brought to my attention, a determined rescue effort was attempted. Everyone else already had their boats on trailers, but the luck of the Irish was with me as a civilian angler boat was just coming in.
My despair was being replaced by hope as the locals volunteered to assist in the boat recovery effort.
The civilian anglers are kind enough to slingshot my Ranger Boats back to shore so I can recover my baby (the boat… and the motor too). I thank the guys, particularly the one with the nice Michigan sweatshirt on.
As shocking as this incident is, no one seems to have seen anything. The well-seated boat apparently came free on it’s own? Maybe the lake (it’s a resorvoir) level rose right that moment due to melting snow upriver? One participant claims he saw a couple release bass swim under the boat and supposes they lifted the hull loose from shore.
A brief investigation ensues upon which the only available evidence as to what might have transpired is discovered after reviewing digitally recorded images. This picture below accidently captured a potentially significant clue that this may have been a retaliatory incident.
At this writing, authorities are reviewing a digitally enhanced blow up of a ‘person of interest’ in what is now known as … the case of the boat that floated free all by itself (supposedly). Here is the picture. If you see this person anywhere, please call 1-800-CHEATERS! Thank you.