Future Pro Fisherman

     Well...the story starts a year ago, little did I know it would lead to something absolutely amazing and something I would never forget in my life. Maybe it coincidence, or maybe it was just meant to be? Whatever it was, it happened. The WBT came to Neely Henry which most of you know is my home lake in 2008. This was the first year that I really started trying to chase down the pro dream I have wanted since I was a kid. So, I decided to ride to the weigh-in, and meet some of the girls and just see what all the fuss was about. I get there and meet some really nice girls and then I talked to her...Stacy Zhelesnik a.k.a. Lunker Girl. She was different, wore converse shoes, dressed kinda hip, not your average fisherman or fisherwoman by no means, a lot like me. So we talk for a while while her husband was videoing the other girls as they weigh-in. Well, I go home, get on myspace, and find some of the girls I met, Stacy being one of them. She finished that tournament in second place just ounces out of the lead. Me and Stacy soon became very good myspace friends often talking about our fishing trips and our careers as we advanced through the ranks.
     This year, the WBT decided to come back to Neely Henry. Little did I know what was about to happen. Stacy Z calls up her sponsor Secret Weapon Lures and they tell her to contact a local guide and prostaff member on the lake Dustin King, little did she know we were already friends! She soon contacted me with the big news, she would be coming to fish with me! So, we line up a date and here they come from New York. I met her and her husband Lou, at the city boat launch Sunday and we drive to my house where we backed my boat in the water. The fishing was slow to start off with but we eventually got on a pattern that I hoped would help her win. We had a great evening fishing and took the boat out at dark.
     The first day of the tournament, I went to the weigh-in and Stacy came in with a nice sack of fish and finished the first day in 10th place I believe. Day two "cut day", Stacy only brought in 4 fish to the scales and we were worried how this might affect her going into the final day of competition. Luckily she finished the day in 6th place, and made the cut....one problem....she was a big 5pounds out of 1st place which we all know is very hard to make up. The last day of competition, I again go to see how she does. As she walks through the weigh line slowly making her way to the stage she sees me and gives me a big 2 thumbs up. I about have a heart attack haha. Me and Lou could not wait to see her weigh-in! But, we both knew the 5pound deficit would be hard to make up. Finally it was her time, she places the fish on the scales, I felt like I was fishing the tournament myself, all 3 of us were nervous. We wait....STACY Z TAKES THE LEAD ON THE CO-ANGLER SIDE!!!! The crowd went crazy and so did  I !!! She proceeds to pull out a couple of really big Neely Henry spotted bass! I do not know who was more happy, me or her, that was the best moment of my tournament fishing career to date but, we still had several more ladies to weigh.
     As the ladies slowely made their way through the weigh line one-by-one it seemed as if it took hours as Stacy sat nervously in the "Hot Seat". Then came the moment of truth, the last co-angler. As she made her way onto the stage and placed her fish on the scales the crowd held their breath, everybody was silent....and we waited....STACY Z WINS THE WBT ON NEELY HENRY!!!! I do not think I have ever been so happy in my life! As she made her way to thank all of her sponsors I know she would have thanked the wonderfull guide that took her out but she was so happy she could barely speak haha. It was an awesome experiance!
     I say all of this to congradulate Stacy on her first big WBT win! That is an awesome accomplishment! I know without a doubt I have made two life long friends this weekend and honestly could not be more happy had I won the tournament myself. I know that Stacy, Lou, and I will have more fishing trips together in the future and today honestly was the best day of my fishing career to date! Congradulations Stacy and thanks to you and Lou for letting me share the experiance with you guy's! I will never forget it and I know you will not as well.
Friends Forever,
Dustin King