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Rolling Out the Red Carpet for the BASS Tour
Open House at Yamamoto's Toledo Bend Pro Shop
By Jim Alphin

Feb. 20-23, 2003

It was five short years ago when I first met the folks at Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits. It changed my life. Charlene at Yamamoto's Mineola, Texas store gave me my first real opportunity to work with quality people in the fishing industry. Charlene arranged for me to work at a fishing extravaganza put on by a local church and hosted by Jay Yelas in Tyler, Texas. I was on cloud nine! Here I was just an ordinary local club fisherman one day, and the next day I was standing next to one of the best bass fisherman in history and telling all who would listen how good the Senko really worked for me. Little did I know this was going to lead to my working at the Yamamoto Toledo Bend Pro Shop. I am by far a much better fisherman for the time and effort spent working with Gary Yamamoto and company. The real gain for me has been the chance to visit with some good people when they stop by the store, including Kelly Jordan, Tommy Martin, Takahiro Omori and the list just gets longer everyday!

As most of you know the BASS Tour is coming to Toledo Bend on February 20-23, 2003 and it is going to be an exciting time for the local community and Yamamoto's Toledo Bend store as well. With each of the days that the tour is here we are going to give you a chance to talk with the Touring Pros, Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend guides and people in the fishing industry. It will be the best chance that you will ever have to just set down and talk fishing. Have ever wondered how to catch fish on the north end of Toledo Bend? Or find the bedding fish on Big Sam? Well, here is your chance to ask. I am inviting all of you to come to our house and let us talk fishing!

We are going to have people from Champion Boats, Yamaha, and Lowrance here as well. Just a hint, if you want to get the inside scoop on how to use your electronics in deep water and how to read contour, you need to spend a much time as you can with Ben Matsubu. He grew up fishing those deep-water Western lakes where electronics are key. Takahiro Omori, now he has a truly unique way to work a trick worm in the spring that has been a real money-maker for Takahiro the past few years. As for Gary Yamamoto, he is kind of like E. F. Hutton because when Gary speaks, everybody listens!

Now this Open House is not just for the guys either. In addition for the lady fisherman Beverly Yamamoto and Judy Wong will also make appearances. Just in case any of you did not know Judy is the WBFA Women's World Champion two years in a row, and she has her share of Yamamoto fishing secrets she just might share with you, ladies!  So, come on down.

Bring the kids too, because they are the future of our great sport. Hot dogs and cold drinks will be here and a good time will be had by all!

We are going to have some new colors in the Senko and the new line of Cut Tail worms to show off. We've got a great new fishing video that you may not have seen yet either. Plus we'll be giving away five $50 certificates good for Yamamoto soft baits to lucky attendees.

On behalf of Gary and Beverly Yamamoto, the staff at the Toledo Bend store, Donna Wilkerson, Ben Matsubu and myself this is your personal invitation to come by and take part in this open house.

We're on Highway 21 East at the Pendleton Bridge in Hemphill, Texas. That is Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits! If you have any questions feel free to call us at 1 409 625 0495.

We hope to see you there.

Keep a Good Eye on a Tight Line

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