Angler Jones reels in the opportunity of a lifetime

Alton Jones won the Super Bowl of bass fishing last Sunday and on Tuesday received a call from a fellow Texas angler by the name of George W. Bush.

“He wanted to congratulate me on winning the world championship and to let the world know how strongly he supports fishing,” Jones said during a phone interview moments afterward.

“He also invited my family to the Oval Office for a personal tour. It was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.”

Amazing what winning the Bassmaster Classic can do for a person.

Jones, 44, had competed in 10 previous Classics but finally struck gold with his Booyah Pigskin jig at South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

Anglers are allowed to weigh five fish after each of three days and Jones’ total weight was 49 pounds 7 ounces -- five pounds heavier than runner-up and already-forgotten Cliff Pace.

“I can’t tell you the feeling of relief that came over me when I found out I was going to be sitting on top of the food chain,” Jones said of his win.

“From a fishing standpoint it’s just another tournament. But from a notoriety standpoint, and from importance within the industry and the world, this is the win.”

The triumph was worth $500,000 and will boost Jones’ stock as a corporate pitchman for existing sponsors, and present new opportunities.

Certainly, it will make the Waco angler a power player in the increasingly popular bass-fishing fantasy leagues.

To be sure, pro bass fishing has come a long way since Bobby Murray won the first Classic in 1971, receiving $10,000 and a pat on the back.

Now there are two lucrative tours meandering throughout the South, Southwest and East. Each stop lures hordes of admirers out of the backwoods.

Nearly 40,000 attended this year’s Classic, causing traffic nightmares for typically slow-paced Greenville. More than 13,000 jammed the Bi-Lo Center to witness the crowning of Jones as confetti rained and fireworks blared.

Jones was then whisked, via private jet, to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., where the Bassmaster Elite Series pro appeared on national radio and participated in a live web chat.

His wife and three children tried, as Jones said, “to maintain some semblance of life as usual in the midst of all this wonderful chaos.”

On Tuesday, Jones was back on Lake Hartwell, with his family, conducting photo shoots for Yamaha Outboards Bassmaster Magazine.

That’s when President Bush called and chatted with Jones and his 15-year-old son, “Little Alton.”

On Wednesday, Jones began an autograph tour at Bass Pro Shops stores in Denver, Mesa, Ariz., Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga.

He’ll appear at the Southland outlet Sunday morning before flying to Florida to participate in the Elite Series opener.

Keeping up with the Joneses is not difficult. Just follow the tournament trail, a six-month grind that also involves wife Jimmye Sue, daughters Kristen, 13, and Jamie, 10, and Little Alton.

Jimmye Sue doubles as schoolteacher and Jones denied he was depriving their kids of a normal lifestyle by making them live as modern-day gypsies.

“When we’re home they really miss their friends on tour because there are other families that travel together also,” Jones explained.

Besides, he added, “Traveling in itself is a really good education because they get to see all the different cultures that America has to offer.

“The main thing, though, is that it’s an opportunity for us as a family to be together and we’re willing to make some sacrifices in other areas to be able to do that.”

At least now they can afford to travel in style.

Rockfish and trout

Saturday marks two noteworthy openers: that of rockfish season in Southern California, enabling half- and three-quarter-day fleets to target a variety of delectable denizens; and the early trout-fishing season in a portion of the Eastern Sierra.

The “Early Opener” south of Bishop will be celebrated with a $5 derby at Diaz Lake, organized by the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce: (760) 876-4444.

Creeks in the Lone Pine/Independence areas are well-stocked and the trout ought to respond nicely to spring-like weather on tap for the weekend.

The Eastern Sierra general trout-fishing season opens April 26.

Gray whales: about-face

Pacific gray whales are concluding business in Baja California’s lagoons and will soon begin the long journey to Arctic home waters, newborns in tow. The American Cetacean Society’s Orange County and Los Angeles chapters have scheduled daylong trips coinciding with peak northbound migration period off Southern California.

The former is an around-Catalina adventure March 16 out of Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach. Cost: $75, or $65 for ACS members. Details: (949) 673-1434. The latter, departing from 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro on March 22, explores the region west of Catalina. Cost: $65 and $55. Details: (310) 548-0966.

Show information

The Fly Fishing Show is Saturday and Sunday at the Pasadena Center. Admission is $15 ($2 for children 12 and younger).

The Fred Hall Fishing Tackle and Boat Show begins a five-day run Wednesday at the Long Beach Convention Center, and moves to the Del Mar Fairgrounds March 26-30. Admission is $15 (free for children 15 and younger).

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