Why was Larry Triplett not allowed to fish?

TC · April 17, 2011, 01:40:57 AM

Just wondering what the justification behind the decision to not allow Larry to fish was? I have heard second hand accounts; just want to hear it from those involved.

BassinColorado · April 17, 2011, 09:26:23 AM

Here is what I know. Remember, I was just the "fish measurer guy" and not part of any committee. I heard chatter after the group meeting later on Tuesday night and got the simple facts later that evening before bed. This is what I believe took place, but Larry K. and Larry T. would have to verify these thoughts.

Both Larry's had this discussion at home, days "before" leaving for the tournament. Larry T. was told at that time that based on the rules, every boater had to sign up with a non-boater partner to be in the tournament. Larry T. could fish, but his "observer" would have to be a CBF member and pay the entry to be registered in order for both to be in the tournament. Larry T. had that person available, so everything was cool and that is where it was left and understood, from what I heard from Larry K.

I had heard that Larry T. was picking up his new boat out in Arkansas anyway, so he was going to be just down the road, kinda sorta, so "I" expected him to show up with his non-boater or observer, registered and ready to go. I had no doubt he was fishing and was going to be a major player that I was going to have to contend with for one of the 12 spots on the team.

Apparently, something changed along the way and Larry T. didn't have a non-boater partner, nor an observer signed up when he arrived. I believe that is where the discussion went to, "we have used observers before," but I didn't hear any of that when it was taking place at the "after meeting" at the marina between Larry K. and a few contenders.

What I do know is that Larry K. was put in a tight spot and taken by surprise just a little, because it was already discussed and thought to be handled "before" leaving town for this tournament.

I would have adapted to either decision, as would most of us, but I see the potential for opening a can of worms by changing things right there on the spot without taking time to think about everything. Here are a couple of my thoughts as to why Larry K. "may" have said, "an observer is not happening."

1) It was discussed and handled "before" the practice days and the meeting at the marina.

2) Obviously, another person in the boat fishing, takes fish out of an area, as an observer does not.
Advantage goes to the boater drawing the observer. I would have had a heyday without another stick
pulling my 3 lbers out of my areas, even for one day, I promise. I am sure other boaters could have
done the same.

3) "Many" other folks, that stayed home, may have came had they been able to bring an observer. Not
fair to those guys that didn't make it because they couldn't find a partner, but could have gotten an
observer, if that is how the rule was going to turn out.

4) In the future, suddenly everyone starts bringing observers; wives, girl friends, best friends, etc., and
the interested, paying non-boaters, get left out of the qualifier. Can't see this happening?
You better look at that potential a little closer. Not a good thing to be happening either.

In the end.....a lose, lose position for Larry K., if you ask me, as most tournament directors get into a spot like this at every event. Comes with the territory. Just ask Mike H.
Larry K. might as well make one person unhappy with him, a person that knew the possibilities "before" going to the lake, rather than open the can of worms and the potential to have many other folks upset at him; like when a boater comes in with a load of fish and had the observer with them, or when all those folks at home, that didn't make the tournament, hear that they could have came had they had an observer.

Tough spot and even tougher call to make, no doubt.

Mike Garrett · April 17, 2011, 10:39:15 AM

I think it's unfair for anyone to say Mr Triplett was not allowed to fish. He could have fished but needed a non-boater partner. It was his decision. I agree with Joe that allowing an observer would have really created more problems.

Read the tournament rules posted on the Federation website. If you don't like the rules attend the meetings and push for changes. Same goes for the format..if you want it changed, make a proposal...get support from the chapters and vote for a change.

One solution would be to make the tournament boaters only. Another would be to make it like a Pro-Am with the top 6 boaters and top 6 non-boaters making the team. The other solution is to leave it like it is. Everyone had plenty of time to work out a partner, in my opinion, and everyone one knows the rules as presently written.

Sadly, there were lots of mechanical problems at this event. Motors quit, trolling motor and live wells died, and at least one angler fell in. Is it safer to have two people in the boat? I think so. Would I be willing to go as just an observer? I don't think so.

Actually, it was a pretty good tournament even though the weather got crappy the last day. Bucksaw is a nice facility and Truman, as you all can see by the results, produced some quality fish.

TC · April 17, 2011, 11:06:33 AM

Again, I was not there and probably don't know the whole story, but this is what I do know... We have had observers in the past (only one observer per tournament). At Truman a few years ago, I had one for a day. At Amastad, Audrey was an observer and caught a 7 and 5 lb fish out of the back of Ray Fraziers boat, putting pressure on Ray. Last year at GLOTC, there was an observer as well. It seems to me that there was already a precedent set that was not adhered to. So Mike, Larry showed up with an observer, which has been OK in the past, and was not allowed to fish. On the surface, seems like a bad decision to me but that's why I am asking the question; maybe it was the right decision. Was there a committee formed to make this decision or did LK make the decision on his own?

BassinColorado · April 17, 2011, 11:22:38 AM

I am sure Larry K. will respond to all this at some time. He doesn't get on this forum very much, but will get word he might need to address this topic.
I don't think there was any decision on forming a committee, nor even the thought of it at the lake. It was discussed prior to the actual tournament and apparently the solution was ok and put to rest between the TD and the potential contestant.
Otherwise, I would think those involved would have made a call for a committee with the BOD, well before the actual start of the tournament. I know that if I wasn't satisfied with the answer I got here at home, I would have said something before going to the lake, that is for sure.

I wish Larry T. would have figured it out and fished. He has some bassin wisdom he could have passed on to some of the learning non-boaters, and maybe even some for me, with what he might have figured out about the fishing out there.

1. RULES CHANGES:

1.Great effort, study and research have gone into the formulation of these rules.
2.Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director.
3.In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director may impose such sanctions, as he deems appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments.
4. A representative from each club will be called upon for a decision for Tournament disqualification only.
5.The decision of the Tournament Director and Tournament Officials shall be final in all matters.

21. PAIRING OF CONTESTANTS:

3. Two "contestants" will be assigned to each boat. Wherever possible, no two competitors will fish together more than one day.

TC · April 17, 2011, 10:20:24 PM

In that case the decision makes sense. Thanks for your explanation and clarification Joe.

Mike Hubbard · April 18, 2011, 11:55:23 AM

I am very dissappointed with this. I have not talked to Larry T yet but I will.

Larry called me prior to the tournament to let me know his non boater had to back out. I informed him of his choices.
1. find another non - boater
2. find an observer
3. have the marina provide an observer

Larry asked if Audrey could fish as a club only participant. My decision was yes and that Audrey could pay $60 at the meeting and be entered in the draw and would not be able to fish with Audrey. He said thats what he would do. I decided on this to keep the draw even and make the field the same. Everyone with a person fishing out of the back of the boat and not giving an advantage to the one boater that drew Audrey. I did make the note that she would not be entitled to the front of the boat for half the day.
Larry K and Larry T should have contacted me. This is not a commitee decision it is a TD decision. The rule that everyone sign up with a nonboater is to keep the field even and not allow an advantage to anyone. Larry and Audrey should have been allowed to fish. It is rediculous that after traveling that far that they were not allowed to fish in the tournament. Audrey is the Secretary of the federation not a wife or a girlfriend just entering to enter. She has acted as an observer before at no cost, and other boters that have not signed up with a nonboater have always been allowed to fish.

Mike

BassinColorado · April 18, 2011, 12:35:33 PM

Ah! There is more to the story than meets the eye!
If the "CBF TD" had already discussed this situation and then "communicated his decision to the acting TD," then I can't see how things could have ended up sideways.
Sounds like there was a lack of communication and a couple of ends left loose and dangling.

Time for the TD's to figure it out from here.