I rolled up to the Briery Creek Lake boat ramp and found this character hanging out. Chad Hoover, of Kayak Bassin TV, and cameraman/ producer Ken Whiting from Heliconia were in town to film for the show and cover the Yak Attack Tournament. I got the opportunity to paddle around and fish with these guys for a couple days across Briery and Sandy River Reservoir. It was an at times, entertaining, informative and interesting experience.

Ken Whiting, is a former world champion whitewater kayaker, and my wife had filled me in on his accomplishments. They crossed paths back in the 90's heyday of whitewater competition kayaking. It was great getting a chance to now hang with him in the kayak fishing world these many years later, as he filmed for the TV show with Chad.

We hit Briery Creek Lake the first morning, and then moved over to Sandy River Reservoir in the afternoon. We were joined by Troy Meyerhoeffer, Wilderness Systems Pro, and Terry Miller, Renegade Rods, in the morning, and Troy and Kameron VanScoyoc, from Anchor Wizard in the afternoon.

Troy had the big fish stick that day, even catching a hawg right off the launch at Sandy.

He followed that up with another good one back in a cove.

The day ended with me catching some little dink bass, all off camera. It was frustrating. But overall, I learned a great deal watching the filming go down. And watching Chad Hoover operate on the water was enlightening. The man can fish. Much like a home run slugger stepping to the plate, calling his shot and then making it happen, Chad can anticipate the catch, calling over Ken, the cameraman, before he even makes his cast. I was impressed..

The next day dawned a wet, cold, rainy mess and I paddled out into Briery, on my own, for the YakAttack tournament. Naturally, with no cameraman around, I caught 10-11 decent bass. Figures.

The following day I met up with Ken and Chad, for Kayak Bassin TV, one more time. Luther Cifers, YakAttack owner, and John Hipsher, YakAttack Marketing, and Kameron from Anchor Wizard were out as well. The day started much like the previous with wind and cold rain. So of course, in my element, I snatched the first bass of the day from the water.

The rains did clear and the sun came out as we paddled back into the Cypress coves at Sandy. I snapped this picture 2 minutes before Chad called Ken over and hooked a 4-5lb. bass in front of us all.

I had to run home and handle some family business, so I said my goodbyes. But later that night I texted Chad and asked how the rest of the afternoon went. He texted me back a few pictures that perfectly confirmed my impression of Kayak Bassin TV's outrageous host. Like many a TV celebrity, Hoover has a large personality. He always seems to be on, cracking jokes and telling stories.  While that does it for most folks, what impressed me was that his passion for fishing is still red-lined at 10. And he backs that passion up with skill. The man can catch big fish and he's always psyched to share his knowledge, of that pursuit, with anyone he meets. In true Hollywood fashion, Hoover hooked this 8.5lb. beauty of a bass on his last day in Farmville, to close out the show.

Big thanks to Chad and Ken for letting me tag along and get my learn on. It was a great experience and I look forward to next time. iCast is almost here! See y'all soon. And we'll keep you informed when the Farmville episode airs.