Weathering Monsoon Season
Well, I’m still over in Korea working my butt off and doing a little fishing in between. The fishing has been deterred some with a particularly bad monsoon season. We ended up having a couple KSA events cancelled because we had so much rain. I’ve also not been able to make a couple because of work so I’ve been dying to get out. I was actually all ready to go to a tournament on a large lake near the DMZ, but was held back because of an incident at the DMZ which had us on lockdown for awhile. My new tournament partner Sergeant Major James Moore is actually in charge of security there.
So far we’ve only fished one Open, but finished 5th place overall. Even with missing some events we’ll still have a chance to make the Classic. The boat issues are still proving to be an issue without a dependable livewell or trolling motor. I have to freeze water bottles to try and keep the fish alive since the livewell doesn’t work that well. The trolling motor doesn’t have an arrow on it so you kind of have to get the feel for it as well. Also, the boat doesn’t hold much gas so you have to be careful running far. It definitely makes me miss my boat. I wish there was a way to get mine over here, but hopefully I’ll be able to get back to it soon.
I’ve been dying to get back home. It really has nothing to do with my job or the people I’m with because I truly love what I do, but I miss fishing back in the states. I miss my fisheries and the camaraderie of the tournament fishing. I’m being considered for a handful of promotions. Right now there is a position in Italy, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, North Carolina, along a with a couple others I’m up for. If I ended up around Georgia or North Carolina I would definitely have some buddies that would flip out.
Honestly, I feel close to getting back home. My family got to go home for a vacation recently and I was denied. Thankfully, my wife made a stop at Bass Pro Shops and got me some of the drop shot hooks I like plus some other equipment. She knows that not fishing at home has gotten to me. She said she doesn’t feel like I have it in my heart like I do when I’m back in the states. It’s even had some effect on some of my sponsorships. I talked to everyone before leaving, but it has become an issue not being in North America for some of them including potential sponsors.
On a positive note, I was awarded for my service recently. I was given the Commander’s award for civilian service. It really made me feel good. They actually surprised me on this one. I went to an employee appreciation day and when I got there they had a seat up front with my name on it. There were a lot of people there for ceremony. I was nervous, but not quite as much as before hitting the weigh in stage. I was acknowledged for running six programs which was great. It was my fourth achievement medal and I’m truly grateful. Like I said, I love my job. I love helping soldiers and their families. It’s the things like that help make it a little bit easier being so far away from home.
