News
President Bush Meets with 2008 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Champion
10:11 A.M. EDT March 26, 2008
Oval Office
THE PRESIDENT: I've got the fishing champs of this year. And, Judy, thanks for coming. She is from Many, Louisiana. She won the Women's Bassmaster. And Alton Jones from Waco, Texas, won the Bassmaster Classic.
And I thought it was important to welcome these champs here to the White House so that -- you know, to encourage people to fish. There's nothing better than fishing. I had a fantastic experience with Alton and our friend, Charlie Pack. He was a famous local fisherman. And he said, do you want to go fishing with a fellow named Jones? I said, I've never heard of him, there's a lot people named Jones. (Laughter.) It turns out the man I was fishing with is the -- wins the Bassmaster Classic. READ MORE
Living a Dream
BRISTOL, Conn. — As Alton Jones was being driven to the ESPN headquarters at 6 a.m. Monday, he was still trying to grasp what had happened to him in the past 24 hours.
"(Sunday) morning when I took off to go fishing, I had no idea I'd be on a plane headed to Bristol, Conn., that night," Jones said. "I had no idea of the opportunities that I'd have." Read MoreWhat would you do if given the Bassmaster Classic trophy for a day?
It's All Alton
ESPNoutdoorsmedia.com |
"I thought I had an outside chance," Jones said. "I never dreamed that would be enough for a victory, based on what had been caught the first two days."
In the end, no one else's catches could keep up with Jones'.
In his 11th Classic, the Waco, Texas, pro came back from 10th place on Day One to claim the $500,000 top prize in the biggest event in bass fishing Read More
Texan Alton Jones Surges to Lead in Day 2 of 2008 Bassmaster Classic
GREENVILLE, S.C. — A sweet, deep spot helped Alton Jones to a second-day catch of more than 18 pounds and the Saturday lead at the 2008 Bassmaster Classic.
The Waco, Texas, Bassmaster Elite Series pro amassed 36 pounds of Lake Hartwell bass after two days to edge first-day leader Charlie Hartley, an Elite pro from Grove City, Ohio, who had 34-13 — less than what he could have had if he hadn’t lost a bass he estimated to be in the 4- to 5-pound class.
Read more: Texan Alton Jones Surges to Lead in Day 2 of 2008 Bassmaster Classic