Bruce Condello

[Tony Livingston]

Let me tell you all about Bruce... I met him for the first time just a couple weeks ago, at the PondBoss conference. My wife and I walked in, and I recognized Bruce seated at a table. I was determined to meet him, so I nervously walked up and introduced myself. I know, that doesn't sound like such a hard thing to do. However, I don't perform well in social situations where there are a lot of people present. I've suffered with this my entire life.... I'm trying to do better, but usually fail miserably.

Luckily Bruce doesn't have the same affliction. He shook my hand and talked to me like he had known me forever. Later that evening, as my wife and I were were having dinner, Bruce and TJ, (another PB regular), joined us at our table. The first thing I noticed was that he never stops. And he's dispensing valuable information the entire time, all while doing his best to make everyone feel at ease.

He said one thing that really stuck with me however. I was relating the story of two 8 pound Largemouths that I had seen come out of our big lake, when Bruce, in between bites of his dinner, simply said "cannibals"

What?

"They're cannibals. I've seen it before. They got that large by eating other Bass. Tie on a Largemouth colored crankbait and you may catch another"

I was stunned, as I knew for a fact that one of those fish had been caught while reeling in a smaller, 6" Bass..........

Then, as the conversation shifted, Bruce talked about feed training Redear... a particularly difficult thing to do. He was sure that I could get them to three pounds in our ponds. If I have a free cage this upcoming spring, I will put his instructions to good use. And I will absolutely have a free cage.

I always thought of Bruce as the Bluegill guru, but I was wrong. He's a fish guru...all species. And a heck of a nice guy. If I can conquer my fears I hope to meet up with him again one day. Thanks again for all you do Bruce!