Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Do you have a favorite tournament trail that you fish? I’d imagine you think mine would be the NPFL—especially considering where this article is published. While the NPFL holds an extremely dear place in my heart and is the reason I have a professional fishing career, that’s not my favorite.
My favorite is the Tuesday Night Tournaments on the Arkansas River at Little Rock. I started fishing these tournaments 20 years ago when I was in my teens. With the exception of life getting in the way for a few random years throughout that span, I’ve fished them all with the same partner. Those two reasons alone are enough to make them special to me. But that’s just part of my reasoning.
Some of my earliest memories fishing with my dad and grandpa revolve around that pool of the river. Back then, we lived five minutes away. Now, I’m 45 minutes away. It’s still my favorite place on earth to catch a bass. A lot has changed since back then. It was a 14-foot metal boat with an 8hp motor trolling crankbaits for stripers and running jugs for catfish. Guess what? My tournament partner now is the same kid that was in the boat with dad and I in those days, too. I have to step back and remember I’m living what I was only dreaming about back then.
I remember Jason Christie winning an FLW Tour event on Grand Lake. During the final day he talked about how he had spent his life on Grand and how he was flipping willow trees that were just little bushes when he first started fishing. That hits home. I catch fish off islands that used to not exist and sandbars that used to be rock dikes. Much of the landscape has changed yet it’s still the same water that molded me as a tournament angler.
Sure there have been wins and points titles along the way. Plus, more losses than I care to admit. In fact, the only two times I’ve ever been in contention to win a boat was on the Arkansas River, and I blew it both times. It’s built a foundation for my career. Confidence, decision making, learning how to fish to win, learning how to lose—you name it—it’s been the epicenter of who I am as an angler.
However, the most important thing the Arkansas River has built for me is friendships. I’ve fished against some of these guys for years. Guys from different walks of life that I never would have met without fishing. Some don’t fish any more and some really good guys have passed on along the way. And I meet new guys every year, too. They have always supported me and my journey. I fished a championship the morning after my Toyota Series win. Those guys were the first to congratulate me in person. When I had the worst finish of my career a few weeks ago at the St Lawrence, those same guys were there to tell me they were still proud of me, and I’d “get ’em next time.” And when I win my first NPFL shield, those guys will be the ones that celebrate it with me.
Sit down and think about the “why” behind your tournament fishing. Your favorite memories may not be of the biggest tournament of your life. It may be of the three-hour weeknight derby with your buddy.
Catch y’all next week!
Hunter Baughman – Angler Profile
