Thanks to all who fished with us in 2004. The feedback we have gotten has been outstanding and we appreciate the kind words. Our sponsors are pleased as well and all have re-upped again for 2005. Strike King will again be the title sponsor of the trail. We also have added Ultimate Lure Saver, the manufacturer of titanium re-useable split rings to our growing list of sponsors for 2005. Terminator is also on-board fulltime and will be even more involved in 2005 as the spinnerbait and jig sponsor for the trail and also be a presenting sponsor. Of course, Ranger and Yamaha, BassFan, Kistler, Plano, Midwest Fin and Feather, Garmin, and Castrol will be involved again as well. We are presently working on several other companies who see the value in working with this trail. That speaks very well to all of you that participated and purchased sponsors products during the year. It was indeed noticed.
With all of that said we have some work ahead of us. We will continue to be the only trail in Illinois with a 100% payback but we really need to add some teams. It was our goal at the onset to make this a 20 team per event. We have not met that mark. We need your help. Nothing works better than telling your buddies about your experiences with us and asking them to participate. The sponsors will continue to raise the bar and with 20 teams at each event they are commited to providing more each year. Remember, this is your trail, we just organize it. The more you put into it the more you get out of it.
Finally, we want your feedback....both positive and negative. We try our best to make this a professional trail but we are not perfect and may have missed some things. Let us know, give us your thoughts.
One final thing I forgot to mention after the Classic, a special thanks needs to go out to Mike and Dave Hunt for allowing us the use of their scales for the last two years.
Give us a call or email Mike or I anytime and hope to see you at the boat shows this winter!
Terry Brown and Mike Blake