Family has always been important to me, and so has the outdoors. I have my grandfather to thank for my love of the outdoors because my dad didn't fish. But that doesn't mean my father didn't help me get into the outdoors. In fact, he contributed more than anyone. He gave me his time, money and love.

By his love, I mean he spent time fishing with me because he knew how much I loved it. To me, him doing something he didn't care for just to be with me is a show of love of the highest degree. He went out of his way to give me the opportunity to fish. He even went and bought a lake house in east Texas and a 15 1/2-foot boat with a 33-horsepower motor. That was a hot rig back in the day, and for a 12- or 13-year-old kid to have that, that's really something else. There is no way I can thank him enough for what he's given me. Read More