Is BBG Ready for National TV?

[Jim Gronaw]

OK...think about it, guys and gals...a high-end , national TV series that doesn't show redfish in the shallows, trout on the fly, or 270-pound bubbas skating 2 pound bass across the surface on 50-pound braid. Nope, none of that. Instead, we see darkwater Dixie swamps with Abney-like anglers poking here and there with the long pole, selectively harvesting some dandy coppernose, then releasing the brutes. We see Federico on a Texas gem, void of boats due to the late fall season, popping deepwater crackers and rediculous redbreast with refined skill. Another episode has Spoon Guru Bill Modica doing that deepwater, clearwater thing on magnum weight northern strain gills and pumpkinseeds. And check out Tony and those crazy big hybrids that he and the boys are catching ... they look like saucers with fins!

Then, the camera follows Walt Foreman, as he skillfully puts the finishing touches on one of his classic bluegill rods. Toss in Bruce slaying giants at Richmond Mill... that is, if he can keep the 4 to 6 pound bass off of his lures. Meanwhile...Jeff Soto and LedHed are using exacting techniques to get those repulsively rotund coppers and 'crackers at Perris and beyond, in a beautiful, desert setting. Then, we go north, and watch Bullworm jig up some monsters of the north through 20 inches of ice.

Finally, we'll sit down with Tooty and a couple other geezers, and spin some tales over the tying bench as one bluegill slayer after another comes off of his vise. Then...it's back to the real basics, and we watch a group of our children and grand children as Nathaniel DeLoach, Jeffrey Abney and myself haul a bunch of kids around and get 'em going on gills.

Maybe, from time to time, we'll do a show on yellow perch, hang out with John Sheehan and his bluecollar panfishing and soothing guitar licks as a post trip treat. How about that young upstart, Jacob Hill? He would embarass the most of us with his angling skill. And we can't turn down a float tube trip with Jen and Greg as they long pole it for gills and crackers on the prairie waters.

NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TV SHOW TO ME! ' PANFISH NATION'  HERE WE COME!

[carl hendrix]

hey greg  how did you get the hat and shirt!!   make mine a extra large  hahahahahahhaha

[Greg McWilliams]

Tony, I think You are almost right!!!!!! I do however believe that catching a TROPHY BLUEGILL is harder that catching a trophy bass!!!!! I have CAUGHT 8 lb. BASS probably would have looked nice on the wall !!!!!!!! Waste of a FEMALE ready to spawn, but gettin past the 12" REDEAR or 11" BLUEGILL continue to ELUDE ME!!!!!!! BUT I LOVE THE CHALLENGE!!!!!!

[dick tabbert]

Amen

[Walt Foreman]

I'm guessing, Jim, that Steve Quinn might have brought this up with you?  I talked to a creative exec with Al Lindner's production company about a month ago about a national TV show devoted to bluegill, traveling around the country fishing different prime locations for different episodes.  The exec said he shared the idea with Quinn.  (The exec liked the idea and evidently was trying to gauge interest in it - evidently he found some.)  

[Jim Gronaw]

Actually Walt, site member Larry Houghton mentioned it to me in an email and I just went with it on this discussion. Haven't contacted anybody at all about such a project...just thought it would be cool to throw the idea on the BBG table. It would be cool if some one took the idea and ran with it!

[Mark Stine]

oh yea move over "Swamp people!"

[Tony Livingston]

I can just envision me stretched out in my recliner, a tall glass of sweet tea within reach, remote held tightly in my trembling, sweaty hand........ eagerly awaiting the premier episode of 'Panfish Nation'......

AND THEN IT'S ON!  My glasses fog up from the sheer excitement. All of the spots I've read about, every one of the lakes, ponds, reservoirs, streams, and swampy backwaters.......displayed in high definition. But it gets even better: Showcasing each one of those honey holes are the anglers I've come to know right here on BBG! Demonstrating the tricks and techniques they've learned from years spent pursuing my favorite fish.

Up until now I've had to remain content with posted stories and photos. No longer! Now I can see and hear my BBG brothers and sisters as they share their knowledge with the rest of the angling world.....me included.

Man ,that would be awesome!

[dick tabbert]

Tony That would be a great thing. Tired of bass fishing all the time although I did find a crappie fishing show a couple times this month.

[dick tabbert]

Besides that the wife and I would have to fight for the remote and I'm her to tell ya she will win.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

How right you are Tony !!!!!!!!!!! We could call it" BBG TV " !!!!!!!!!!!!! NOTHIN BUT PANFISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AS JACKIE GLEASON USED TO DAY  " ON WITH THE SHOW " AT the end of the show we would have Bruce exit the show walking through a darkened stage through the spotlights on the floor like Jimmy Durante used to on his show. GOOD NIGHT MRS. GILDERSLEEVE WHERE EVER YOU ARE ! ANY OTHER GEEZERS OUT THERE REMEMBER THIS STUFF OR AM I THE LAST DINASAUR ?  LAWRENCE WELK COULD be the leader of the band and have 40's and 50's music in the background . Youngsters on here don't remember any of these fellas , but I do and spose a few others on here too..........

[dick tabbert]

Davie lets not go overboard on Lawrence Welk I want a pleasurable experience.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HHHHHHHHHA HHHHHHHHA DICK DIDN'T YOU LIIKE THE LENNON SISTERS? AND that goof ball Bobby the dancer ?!!!!!!