A Rookie’s Education

ALL OF THE anglers who ever won a Bassmaster Elite Series event or an Angler of the Year title all had one thing in common: they were once rookies feeling their way through a profession that’s different than what most aspiring pros expect.

I used to see it every year when I did rookie profiles. Before the season, I’d talk to this bright-eyed young kid who seemed to have the world by the tail. Then when the season was over — or perhaps even sooner — I’d talk to that same kid again, and he’d look and sound like he’d aged 20 years.