 There
are several things you should know before you choose a
partner. The individual should be one you can work with
in harmony, sharing expenses, ideas, opinions, responsibility
and knowledge openly and without either of you being offended.
The team that works together has a much greater chance
for success. Spend as much time as possible fishing together
before you commit to each other. Eight plus hours in the
same boat can be a long day and season if you are not
a team that shares the responsibility for success and
failure.
Good partners are hard to find and many teams do not finish
the year together. It is important to remember, your success
or failure is dependent upon your ability to fish together
and communicate openly. Trust is another factor that must
be in the team make up. If you cannot trust the individual
with your fishing secrets, you most likely will not be
compatible or successful. Once you decide on a potential
partner, get a copy of the Official Rules for the trail
you want to fish. Both of you must read and understand
the rules and schedule commitment you are about to agree
to.
All tournament rules are not the same, read them carefully!
If you are new to the state, the state may have requirements
you are not familiar with. If the trail rule states the
dead fish penalty is .20 lbs, and the state rule says
the penalty is greater. The state rule prevails. Some
trails allow substitute partners, others do not, and some
place limitations in the sub rule. Again all Tournaments
Rules are not the same. Read them carefully and contact
the Trail Director for clarification, if you have any
doubt or questions. Do not take someone else’s word.
Most rules have been established based experience and
are necessary to insure the integrity of the trail. They
are important and you should know them. Read the Rules.
Signing an entry form commits you and your partner to
the tournament, releases the director from liability,
and is verification that you have read, understand and
agree to follow the rules. Insure your partner reads and
understands the rules. Discuss them to insure you agree
on their meaning and purpose. Disqualification for rule
violation is common. When a written protest is presented
to the director, he or she becomes Judge and Jury. Read
the Rules.
The Trail Director should be happy to answer questions,
provide you a written copy of rules and entry forms, as
well as provide discussion and clarification on any rule
or subject related to the trail. If the director is unwilling
to do so or fails to respond to your email or phone calls,
find another trail. Good luck and good fishing.
|
