| BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Arkansas native Harvey Horne capped off his first season as a Bassmaster Elite Series angler with his best finish of the year at Oklahoma’s Lake Tenkiller and a 12th place finish in the Rookie of the Year point standings. Horne has taken a different path to becoming a pro than many athletes, but at age 43, embraced the opportunity to learn new lessons. “My first season on the Bassmaster Elite Series was definitely a learning experience,” said Horne. “It was so different than anything I have done before, and it has made me a better fisherman and competitor.” In a recent column for Bassmaster, Horne reflected on the lessons he learned in 2019 and offered advice for every rookie, whether it is the first year in a corporate position or as an angler. You are never too old to be a rookieIf you are living, you are learning. Age should not dictate what you can and cannot achieve. I have learned so much about my capabilities and myself this year. I have been challenged and stretched in so many ways, but it has all led me to become a better fisherman. So, take every opportunity to learn from those who have come before you and those on the journey alongside you. Dreams come true if you work at them Since I was five years old, all I have wanted to do is fish. Patience and perseverance are the keys to living out your calling. Both are achieved when you employ your faith and lean into your strengths. You cannot give up when it gets tough or when you think the odds are against you. Fight through it and remember why you do what you do. Dreams are built not on a single moment but a multitude of moments. Use your strengths and be prepared to discover others Realize what your strengths are going into everything you do. It could be flipping, sight fishing or offshore fishing. The Elite Series and even the Bassmaster Opens allowed me to discover what my fishing strengths are — fishing deep clear water and dirty shallow water. The tournament year has helped me become more methodical and more adaptable to the conditions I face on the water. It also helped me identify my other strengths. Perseverance saw me through the toughest of tournaments. I also discovered that I love to help others learn more about fishing while supporting Angler Alley at the Bassmaster Outdoors Expo and other local events. It is okay to take your time I was able to meet (B.A.S.S. Founder) Ray Scott 12 years ago. At the time, my wife and I had just moved to Northwest Arkansas, had a four-year-old daughter and a son on the way. The goal was for me to be a stay at home dad to help save money, and, once the kids started school, I would start building my fishing career. Mr. Scott looked at me and said, “Take your time.” Becoming a professional at anything does not happen overnight. It happens after you have devoted the time and energy to become your best self, and invested in the right relationships with those in the industry. Never be afraid to ask questions or be coached As a rookie, you have the freedom to ask all the questions. No one ever teaches you about the business side of things. You may not know about how to market yourself. And unless you have lived there, not everyone will teach you the secrets of catching smallmouth bass up north. You will never have all the answers even as a veteran, so surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are in the things you need to learn about. If you don’t know anything about building the right partnerships, get to know people who can. If you struggle with using certain techniques, ask for help and practice. But you never know until you ask. It is okay to be yourself There are times where someone may give you advice, and you will have to decide how to use it. My wife tells me that feedback is a gift. I have gotten all kinds of feedback; some I have used and some I have not. Make sure you know what you stand for and who you are. People will respect you more for your true self. I have been very blessed to have the support system that I have. My family, friends and partners like Xpress Boats have never hesitated to be there. Lastly, this year cemented something I have always known; results reflect what you put into the task. Do the work and all the good things will come back to you. About B.A.S.S. B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.-30- |
