Hi, my name is Fred “ 38 miles left “ Raby. I have been
nominated for the annual “ Hammer Award “. I received my nomination following the 1 st tournament of the new fishing
year of 07-08 ( November). The circumstances surrounding my nomination
are as follows: On November 10 th, I was attempting to retrieve
my Ranger boat form Claiborne at Cobb landing. Cob landing is noted by the
steep incline on the ramp. I had difficulty determining how many club members
were needed in the Ranger and how many in the back of my truck. Once we
got the ratio of members in the Ranger and the truck correct, but with still
great difficulty, got my Ranger out of the water and up the ramp. Prior
to this occurring I had noticed that my speedometer on my New “07” GMC read
38 miles” left in gas range. “This was prior to the difficulty with the
steep ramp. I started back to Pensacola figuring I had enough gas to get
to Monroeville, Wrong!!I had to get enough gas from another club member’s
boat( in the convoy ) to be able to get to Monroeville
to get gas. Somehow the loss of rubber on the tires of my truck cause me
to miscalculate or fail to notice the new “ miles left in gas range “ It
is for these 2 events at our club’s 1st tournament
of the new fishing season gave me the honor of
being the 1st. nominee of our prestigious “ Hammer Award”
.
2
Hi, my name is Frank Bost, better known as “ Sarg “. I have been nominated for the annual “ Hammer Award “. I received my nomination following the
3 rd tournament of the new fishing year of 07-08 ( January).
The circumstances surrounding my nomination are as follows: On January
5 th I was attempting to back my trailer from the parking area of
Smith’s when the prior affliction ( magnetic attraction of my truck to
other member’s trailers) returned.I managed
to put a fine scratch in the front of my new “red “ F150 4x4by coming
in with “ Big Rich’s trailer. I thought by getting a New
truck this affliction would go away, but apparently not. It is for this
event at our club’s 3 rd tournament of the new fishing season gave me
the honor of being the 2 nd nominee of
our prestigious “ Hammer Award” .
Although previously nominated for the
Hammer Award, I felt it imperative that in order to stay in the running
so I took a page out of Cliffy’s book and went
swimming at Miller’s Ferry although, unlike Cliffy, I stayed in my boat.
I merely forgot one small detail prior to launching. I failed to put my
plug in. The boat quickly filled up with water prior to my starting my
bilge pump. I did manage to finish 3 rd in the tournament and won the
booray My first purchase from my winnings will be an automatic bilge
pump. It is for this my Hammer Award nomination updated.
3
Hi,
my name is Steve Graham. I have
been nominated for the annual “ Hammer Award “. I received my nomination following the 3 rd tournament of the new fishing year of 07-08
( January). The circumstances surrounding my nomination are as follows:
On January 5 th I
was in such a hurry to get started fishing the “
great Escambia River “, I got out of my truck and immediately forgot step
1 of preparing to launch my boat and went to steps 2-4. Once
completed I jumped in my boat and Charles Loyed
backed me down into the water. It wasn’t until my boat failed to
come off the trailer that I remembered, “opps”
I forgot step 1, that of unhooking the bow strap. It was touch and go
for just a few minutes to be sure the boat was safely on the trailer where
Charles could go forward enough to un hook the
bow strap then back me down into the water to get launched. I guess I
provided a lighter moment that proved to be one of the few for the day.
The truth of the matter ( that’s my story and I’m sticking to it “, I
hated to see Fred as the only name on the hammer nominee list and wanted
to give him a bit of completion. It is for this event at our club’s 3
rd tournament of the
new fishing season gave me the honor of being the 3 rd nominee
of our prestigious “ Hammer Award” .
Hi, my name is John " Sandman " Stafford. I have been nominated for the annual “ Hammer Award “. I received my nomination following the 4 th tournament of the new fishing year of 07-08 ( February). The circumstances surrounding my nomination are as follows: On February 9 th I contemplated my course of action while traveling to our tournament site, Tensaw out of Cliff's. I had been there the previous week and caught fish North of Cliff's. Since I had located those fish I choose to go south first in order to see if I could locate even bigger fish North, prior to going to my 1st choice of spots.While cruising to my 2 nd location I saw a promising spot that I knew must be holding fish. I glanced away from my depth finder for just a few seconds (" that is my story and i am sticking to it"). Then without warning my boat came to an abrupt halt.I remained there from 9:30AM till 4:00PM. I had found the most beautiful beach I could have possibly found. I looked all around and in my delusion I saw many beautiful young ladies in the skimpiest of bikinis. I also got the distinct opportunity to use by bump board to measure the depth of the water. I determined I had bested both Frank " teacup " Kelly and Billy " bud light " Blackwell by 1/4 of an inch giving me the Panhandle Bass Club record for shallow water entry. Just like some fish I have caught, the depth came up short. What started out as a day of fishing became a day at the beach and I had failed to bring my swim trucks or sun screen. One consolation was I had this beach to myself and I certainly wasn't going to disturb fellow club members to come to my assistance. I wanted this beach all to myself. Oh by the way, I caught no fish to add to such an exciting day.
Removed from consideration due to resignation from the club
5
Hi, my name is Cliff “ Black Cloud” Armstrong. I managed to make it till the 5 th tournament ( March 08 ) before I made
the “ treasured list
" of this Hammer nominees. Just when I thought my luck had changed
we returned to the scene of my last year’s calamities that started
a string of events that continued throughout 2007. I had no more mentioned
this when my luck ran out. Although I did manage to stay in my boat
while upon the water, I did take a wave over my bow that knocked the
head off of my trolling motor. I managed to repair it and finished
out the tournament. I called my Billy Blackwell impersonation. It
is for this singular event that I received my nomination for this
year’s Hammer Award.
6
Hi, my name is Billy Blackwell, better
known from this time forth as “Jacques Cousteau “ for my underwater
adventures, which I have received my nomination for the Hammer Award.
On the 1 st day of our 2 day tournament at Miller’s Ferry I was racing to secure my spot to fill my live well with a limit,
I noted that the water
was extremely choppy, but this didn’t concern me till I saw this
very high wave approaching my boat. I was trying to decide whether
I wished to go airborne or visit the underwater world (
of “Jacques Cousteau “ ). I have heard the saying “
he who hesitates will lose”. Well I hesitated just a bit too long and the wall of water decided
for me. Up over my bow it came with such force it ripped my GPS
from the boat and nearly took my head off while removing my face
mask and hat from my head. I at this point remembered this same
type of event occurring at another tournament. Guess lightening
( water ) can strike twice in same spot
( to the same person ). To add insult to injury ( figuratively speaking ) I caught no keeper fish that day.
I ended up going home without catching a fish on Sunday also because
this same wall of water had made my trolling motor inoperative.
It is for this that I received my nomination for the Hammer Award.
