Mark Menendez – Shop with a Trooper

I made my way across the state of Kentucky for a promotional event I drove through Wolff County, KY. This is a county where 55 mph means 55mph! I felt as I might have an exemption as I was on my way to help the Kentucky State Troopers from Post 9 with a benefit bass event.

The “Shop with a Trooper” Events are designed to raise money to Christmas presents for children that might not get a Christmas without the Troopers. The Troopers partnered with Wide Open Outdoors in Pikeville, KY. The good folks at Wide Open Outdoors are a full line Yamaha Dealership. If you are looking for an ATV, motorcycle, generator, or a Skeeter Boat with a Yamaha Outboard this is the place!

Early Friday morning, I went to the local radio station and did an interview on the “Dave and Jill Show”. We talked about fishing opportunities in the Eastern Kentucky Mountains. There are three major impoundments, streams, and a few smaller lakes. Smallmouths were the favorite fish of all in the conversation.

Saturday ushered in a light rain and overcast for the 60 teams in the tournament. The tournament was held on Dewey Lake. This lake is a small picturesque mountain reservoir. I was able to spend time with all the anglers. The Troopers feed the crowd with ribeye steak sandwiches, grilled chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs!

I gave several eye opening Skeeter Boat demo rides on behalf of Wide Open Outdoors! The anglers did not know the handling capabilities of the FX21 I was driving. I put the boat through the paces during the demo rides to pleasure of all that rode!

Wide Open Outdoors presented the Troopers with a check that was a portion of their gross sales during Friday. A 50/50 pot added to the revenues going to the kids. The final tally made all the work worth the effort for the Troopers. They are going to be able to make a lot of kids smile this Christmas!

I had fun with such a good event. The Troopers from Post 9 were happy that Skeeter Boats had me on hand for the event. As I left the parking lot heading back through Wolff County, I asked one of the Troopers if this gave me a pass on a ticket if I got one in Wolff County. He said, “I drive 55 mph through there. I would suggest you do the same!”

Mark Menendez is an Elite Series Angler. You can follow him at Facebook and Twitter.