BASS Founder Scott Says Both Sides Share Blame

The friction between BASS and the BASS Federation has reached what could be a breaking point. The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF Inc.) – which represents the various incorporated state Federations – feels BASS was wrong to "mandate" a $5 dues increase with no account of where the money would go.

TBF Inc. stands by its position that state Federations should not recognize the dues increase – which it says BASS does not have the authority to enact – and furthermore, state Federation members should submit

their dues directly to their state Federations, with moneys to be withheld from BASS until a Jan. 7 meeting.

BASS feels the additional dues were needed to offset increasing costs, and the company was fully within its rights to institute the increase. It dismissed the six Federation divisional representatives (as well as TBF Inc. VP Roger Fitchett), stripped them of BASS membership and accused them of planning "illegal activities."

In the week that followed, correspondence ensued between TBF Inc. and various state Federation presidents and members. All's been quiet on the BASS front. But a question has lingered throughout the course of events: What does Ray have to say?

BASS founder Ray Scott always considered the Federation to be the "bowels" and "heartbeat" of BASS. He cares deeply about it, and its mission. So much in fact, that when BASS and the Federation came to a head in 2003, he stepped in and helped ensure that cooler heads prevailed.

The industry hasn't heard much from Scott since the recent rift exploded, except a quote in an open letter published by BASS VP and GM Don Rucks. In that letter – which also announced that the Federation divisional reps had been dismissed – Rucks said Scott agreed there was no other course of action. The situation had to be dealt with swiftly.

Scott stands by that assessment, but told BassFan that both parties – BASS and TBF Inc. – share blame. And what's at stake right now, he added, is not just the Federation, but the future of bass fishing itself.

The Most Important Part

"I'm disappointed in the current environment surrounding our Federation," Scott said. "I have explained for many years that the Federation is the most important part of BASS. It was an absolute miracle how it came about, and it has continued to be a very important part of the whole BASS phenomenon."

He's not taking sides, though. "I'm disappointed with all parties in this mess. I'm just upset with everybody. I think everybody in here has contributed to the current dilemma. The reason for this is I think all parties have forgotten why the Federation was born."

Communication Breakdown

So Scott's assessment of the current relationship between BASS and TBF Inc. boils down to a few things. One, he sees a lack of communication. Two, he thinks many of those involved have lost sight of the Federation's true mission - to promote fishing and conservation at the grass-roots level.

"The reason I'm distressed is we have missed a great opportunity to communicate regularly with the Federation – its whole anatomy. A (Federation) guy has a question, he calls (BASS) and doesn't always hear back promptly. This is not deliberate. It's not done to tick people off. But it's not the way to do business in my opinion."

In terms of the Federation's blame, he said: "On the flip side of that, I'm disappointed further that the original (divisional) representatives who are to speak for each of the regions had grown from a simple function of the Federation communication system to a small cancer that has grown and is motivated by greed and a desire for power."

Strong words, but he's still adamant he's "not taking sides." Instead, he's "disappointed" with both sides.

"I don't think anybody at BASS or anybody with the Federation or anybody anywhere understands the real nature and intention of the Federation," he said. "The problem is we've drifted away from the purposes of it. It was always designed to be a communication link within the communities it served.

"That is, in my opinion, the most important single function of the Federation – the enlistment of new members and functionaries. Every bass club in America is a beacon of what's right about bass fishing and BASS.

"Whether they park their boats in the parking lot at a hamburger joint or they're walking around their community wearing BASS patches, they set an example for any would-be interested angler. This has been so since Harold Sharp brought the first bass club into affiliation with BASS."

The Cancer

A large part of that "drift" away from the Federation mission, according to Scott, takes root in the divisional representatives. That runs counter to the reps' argument that they're in place to "represent" the state Federations in their dealings with BASS.

"I recommended that (the divisional reps) be done away with 2 1/2 years ago," Scott said. "We had one of the first-ever meetings with these 'representatives,' and it was my recommendation that they be released that night and that BASS communicate with the Federation member clubs and Federations directly.

"I looked at it then as a growing cancer on the end of the extremity, and recommended it be removed and not be allowed to grow further to disrupt the BASS and BASS-Federation relationship."

He also said: "The Federation member is the heart of BASS – the guts. He's what makes the organism function. The greatest sin of all is everybody's not recognizing that."

What to do?

Scott was credited with helping save the Federation when trouble erupted in 2003, but so far, neither BASS nor TBF Inc. has asked him to step in and mediate. He'd be willing to help, he said, if asked.

"I haven't been asked to, but yeah, I'll help out. And I've spoken with Federation people more than I have with BASS. You know, we all fail sometimes in communications. Great problems in the history of man can be attributed to lack of communications.

"But saying that, I don't like saboteurs and troublemakers and those whose primary motivation is to dislodge the Federation from BASS. I don't like torpedo-men who might work for others."

So according to him, the only way out of the current mess is a sit-down, which as of yet has not been organized. And it might never be organized, since BASS refuses to communicate with the dismissed divisional reps, and many state Federation presidents have thrown their support behind those reps.

"We don't need any indifference on the part of BASS regarding the Federation and we don't need any arrogance on the part of the Federation," Scott said. "Everybody needs to get off their butt and realize we're serving America in the greatest way – enlisting new fishermen and kids. The losers in this are young kids and new fishermen.

"We've got to work together. It's to the benefit of all parties that we work together. And I want to say this: I think that as tragic as this incident appears, I think it can be a marvelous milestone of setting us all straight toward our goal. It can only happen with good will and willingness to work together."

He added: "It all starts with communication – honest communication and a renewal of our awareness of the reason BASS was created in the beginning. It was to bring together an organization of anglers that focused on one species and all the people who loved that species - men, women and children.

"The Federation is the single most important part of what BASS is all about. And I don't think everybody has embraced those reasons. We need an old-fashioned revival meeting where we lay down our weapons and talk about the things we need to do together."

Notable

> Scott noted he felt the $5 dues increase "was totally justified."

> He also feels the fighting between the sides is wasted energy, considering all the threats to bass fishing out there today. "We're wasting great energy when we should be out fighting the devils against bass fishing instead of fighting among ourselves. I'm darn tired of it."

> TBF Inc. president Robert Cartlidge told BassFan there has been "a lot" of communication between the Federation and BASS. "I've got at least 10 CDs of our meetings, and probably 20 or more CDs full of emails and communications between BASS and the Federations," he said. "So there's been lots of communication, but evidently not lots of effective communication."

> Cartlidge also said support for TBF Inc. has been "absolutely overwhelming." For example: "Since this letter (from Rucks) came out on Nov. 18th, I've got a little over 7,600 emails in my dues folder. All but one was very positive in support of the divisional reps and state presidents."