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Top of the class
"This victory is certainly the one that has gotten the most publicity, with ESPN involved," said the 56-yearold grandmother and full time guide on Toledo Bend Reservoir. "But the first championship was my first tournament win and encouraged me to continue competitive fishing after being winless and almost quitting." Despite the disparity between the compensation she received for the woman's title, $60,000 in cash and awards versus the $500,000 received by her male counterpart, Alton Jones He won the elite Bassmasters' Classic held two weeks after Wong's victory. Wong is not discouraged but sees greater opportunity for women's competitive fishing.
In a sport dominated by men Wong is at odds to explain why men seem to be more successful at it since the fish have no idea who is holding the fishing pole. "Maybe men are more motivated to the sport full time as opposed to women." said Wong. "Women have not relied economically on fishing as men have, to raise a family. I am only one of three women I know in the WBT who are solely supported by bass fishing. Perhaps I should take only enough money to get to the tournament. I would have to do well enough to earn money to get home or to the next lake." Marketing has become an important part of a professional angler's life, be they male or female. Wong said that anglers can find sponsorship or help from various sources. Local businesses, even doctors and lawyers may be interested in helping. "It's a two way thing with you and your sponsor," said Wong. "They promote you and you promote them as best you can." One sponsor Wong acquired since arriving to Toledo Bend in 2005 is the Sabine Parish Tourist Office. Wong's Ranger boat is wrapped with colorful scenery of Toledo Bend Country. The same scenery and words are found on the Chevrolet SUV and on her fishing jersey and are seen by millions in person and on film, promoting Sabine Parich. The Ranger Boat pro, who thanked Cheeks Marine for the preparation and care of her boat, is not sure how long she will continue fishing. She was named to the Academy Sports + Outdoors 12-person team for 2008, assuring another year on the trail. The support of the women's team shows the commitment by Academy to promote women sports as they are the major sponsor for all 2008 events. Wong will try to be the 2008 Angler of the year and earn a berth to the Bassmasters Classic, where she will make history. She had only fished Lake Keowee one time in practice in November before the championship event. "I was familiar with a nuclear power discharge lake like Lake Keowee," said Wong of her championship victory. "I spent time fishing in a Lafayette County nuclear powered lake when we visited my in-laws when I first started bass fishing." Key to her win was the lure presentation. When the fish came up schooling at the warm water discharge Wong used a wacky rigged Senko. When the fish submerged and went to the 20-30 depths she used a Senko on a _ ounce Picasso jig head. It was the first time she had used such a presentation with the football jig head. She caught mostly spotted in the 15-fish limit over 3 days. "With experience I was more adaptable to give it a try," said the champ who was only one of three anglers to bring 5-fish limits to the scales each of the three days. "I executed flawlessly. I caught every fish that bit. You have to have no mistakes to win at this level." "Most years the season championship was the big prize," added Wong. "But it will be AOY that will be most wanted now." "I am also beginning to transition to my retirement and that of my husband," said Wong, who is an accomplished artist in the mediums of acrylic and oil paints. On April 3 she will unveil the painting she is donating to the Toledo Bend Bass Unlimited. The group's main purpose is to raise funds to keep Toledo Bend as a world class fishery. Their yearly fund raiser, the Bass Unlimited Banquet, is to be held April 11 at Cyprus Bend Marina. "I have the first tournament of the year that weekend and can't be there so it's being unveiled earlier." The original art work, still a guarded secret, will be auctioned and limited signed prints will be made available. Wong, who prefers to paint outdoor scenes to anything else, is an avid hunter with several trophy hunts credited over the years. She will be presenting President Bush some of her art work March 23 during an invite she received by the president. Wong, wed to Glenn for 37 years and who attended this win and one other title event, is most proud that she has her signature on a line of rods she designed and that are made by American Rodsmiths. The titanium series rods have a fuchsia colored blank, and the highest quality materials, with weight consideration. "They are light, sensitive and strong," said the transplanted Houston. "They are available through Academy stores and locally at Toledo Town Tackle and Ann's Tackle in Jasper." "Just do it if you are thinking about fishing in the WBT," said Wong. "Register for one or all events as a non-boater and come fish. The women of the circuit are the best group of people and you will learn about the sport." Judy is available for guide trips on Toledo Bend and maybe contacted at 318-256- 1090. Information about the WBT can be found at: http://sports.espn.go.com/o utdoors/tournaments/wbt/i ndex Information about the Bass Unlimited fund raiser can be found at: http://www.toledobend. com/tbla/auction.asp  |
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