The Bassmaster Legends Major began this morning at the Arkansas River. Of course, the venue is steeped in history. It was the sight of back-to-back Bassmaster Classics in 1984-85. In the case of the 1984 event, two future presidents stood together onstage – Arkansas governor Bill Clinton and vice president George Bush.
Rick Clunn won the 1984 Classic as his father, Holmes, lay in a hospital bed in a near coma. After Clunn's victory – which is still the largest margin of victory in Classic history (25-08) – he dedicated the win to his father, who later recovered from his illness.
BASS founder Ray Scott was there too. And he's at this week's Legends Major 22 years later. After all, the Legends event was named in his honor, and he'll be in the BASS booth at the expo this Saturday and Sunday to meet BassFans and sign autographs.
Scott had the following message for BassFans: "I'd like to extend a personal invitation to each of you to join me at the Bassmaster Legends in Little Rock, Ark. This is a tremendous honor for me – and for the State of Arkansas, since the birth of tournament bass fishing started right on Beaver Lake – and I invite each of you to come help celebrate."
And a very significant piece of history can he had this weekend for the highest bidder. ESPN is holding a special Ray Scott eBay auction to benefit the V Foundation for cancer research. Up for grabs is an original jumpsuit and autographed hat, worn by Scott during the fledgling years of BASS. To view the auction, click here.
If you plan to attend the Legends Major, here are the key details:
> Anglers will launch daily at 6:50 a.m. CT from North River Landing (100 Locust St., Little Rock). Weigh-ins will begin at 3 p.m. each day at the Statehouse Convention Center (100 E. Markham).
> The ESPN Outdoors Expo will take place Saturday and Sunday at the convention center. Doors open at 10 a.m.
> Receive a free gift when you stop by the BASS booth. The first 100 children through the door on Saturday and Sunday receive a free BASS Youth goodie pack, including a rod and reel.
