WON BASS DIRECTOR RESIGNS

Bill Hutcheson · Post by **Bill Hutcheson** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:44 am

To my fellow anglers

For a myriad of personal and professional reasons, I have decided to step down as the director of WON BASS after serving you, the anglers for the past 5 seasons.

Many of you are aware that down times such as these often present select golden opportunities. I have been offered such an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an up and coming company in the Outdoor Industry and have decided to take on this challenge. I will be immediately starting with California Sportsman, a new and growing monthly publication covering fishing and hunting in the state. This new position will allow me to spend more time at home with my family and recover from health issues incurred durng the course of my tenure as a tournament director.

While I cannot say who will be taking my place since I have been asked to leave WON immediately - something that is standard when you go to work for the competition, our WON BASS coordinator Ashley should be able to fill you in on whomever will be taking over. Anyone interested in the position might wish to contact Chuck Buhagiar at (949) 366-0030 ext 32.

WON BASS has been the longest running tournament circuit in the West and still has some of the best team directors to be found anywhere. It has been my honor to work with these individuals. My decision to resign is in no way a reflection of the performance of these hard working guys and I would strongly urge you to continue to support the circuit.

Again, it has been an honor and priveledge serve each and every one of you at the over 60 tournaments I have held over the past half decade. Best of luck to all.

Bill Hutcheson

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:47 am

WOW!!!

I'm giong to miss you in your capacity with WON BASS, but I'm sure you'll do extremely well in your new endeavor Hutch.

Best of luck, and I'm sure we haven't seen or heard the last of you sir!

Roger

World Boat Outlet, Inc. · Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:47 am

Best of luck on your new position Bill.

Kevin Johnson
World Boat Outlet, Inc.

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:48 am

Best of luck in the new endeavor Hutch!!!!

sTony

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:52 am

I wish you nothing but the best in your new endeavor Bill. Your professionalism and humor will be missed.

keithcant · Post by **keithcant** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:00 am

Frankly, to the point.....maybe the downward spiral will cease ....but surely significantly slow. A step FORWARD!

I know I could keep my $.02....but I am far from the only one....I WILL voice my sentiments.

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:12 am

Best of luck Hutch. Your wit and humor will be missed greatly.

Bill Cook · Post by **Bill Cook** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:27 am

Bill- I want to say publicly what a pleasure it has been to work with you for the last 5 years. I know the situation has not always been the best, but I feel like you have done an excellent job. Good luck with the new endeavor and keep in touch.
Bill Cook

William Pointing · Post by **William Pointing** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:33 am

Should have let Bill fish, Go luck!

GKramer · Post by **GKramer** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:59 am

Bill, always enjoyed working with you. I guess this means we're not going to hold that "Grunion Rodeo" like we planned.

But hey, I think the new director has the right combination of experience, enthusiasm and trust that will drive WON BASS weekend tournament fishing to its highest level. Great choice!

www.kramergonefishing.com

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:28 pm

WOW!! Didn't see this one coming. Congrats on your new position/job. Best of luck with it. I take it you'll be working with Shangle, he is a great guy. Wishing you the best, now we have to break in a new tournament director

Again, best of luck.

Anyone got an idea who will be taking the reigns? Plenty of guys looking for a job in the industry. Who would be good at it though? This is sure to be interesting.

jrbasspro · Post by **jrbasspro** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:46 pm

Hutch

I wish you the best of luck and go kick some A--

Walt Kondracki

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:55 pm

Hutch, I never expected this. I wish you the very best. With your vocabulary and passion for writing you will do great.

THANK YOU for all that you have taught us even being the "competition." You have always treated Mike and I like a friend. Anytime that you have "free time" come fish one of our events and Mike and I personally will pay your entry. It'll be fun for you to be on the sidelines without any worries.

You are truely blessed to be getting paid for your passion of writing and the outdoors. Good luck with recovering from your back injury.

God bless you and best wishes to you always,

Mike and Lynne Peterson

William Pointing · Post by **William Pointing** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:29 pm

George, Who's the heir to the throne? Don't keep me waiting, Curious Minds want to know.

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:17 pm

Best wishes in your future endeavors.

Guyle · Post by **Guyle** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:53 pm

Congrats on the new job - good luck

mclouse · Post by **mclouse** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:08 pm

This is wonderful news!Why didnt you quit before the tri states?I am sure the 15 boats that were still in the water at 4:00 and were supposed to be off off by 3:00 thank you alot and it was even pointed out to you by 2 other anglers or the 10 guys that came in late for registration after 5 ocklock thank you.I believe I shouldnt have gotten a penalty if all these other people didnt recieve one as we'll.Of course your comment was we'll have to maybe change the rules for next year,or did you know already at that point you were leaving so whos cares.For you to compare you or won bass to FLW is just amazing to me,espically when you sat there at boat check the 1st morning(when i was the 1st one in the water) and talk **** not only about me and my partner but several other teams that I will not mention.I mean you are supposed to represent WON bass and be compared to FLW.I could see it now Charlie Evans sitting there on the ramp talking **** about people in the morning at the ramp and laughing about it,you're lucky I didnt get out of my boat after I launched it Bill.I hope won bass will find someone with a back bone and go by the rules and not bend them.I would also like to point out the reason registration was 70 miles from town at callville bay marina was because Sunset Staion wouldnt give Hutch and crew a free room there....just pay for them!You only had 58 boats , the worst turnout ever!All I can say is im glad youre gone and for that reason alone I may rethink fishing won bass.

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:25 pm

Best of Luck Hutch!
It's was a pleasure working with you.

Andrew Jackson · Post by **Andrew Jackson** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:02 pm

Wow Marcus, Sorry things happened the way they did. I do not know all the words exchanged between you and Hutch but I heard you verbally assualted the man at sign in. What is interesting is that 50+ teams knew the guidelines going into the tourney and only a handfull did not. Only 80+ teams qualified to fish the TOC, per Hutch. I do believe the penalty for late sign in was a tad steep. 1/2 pound probably would have been palatable. I agree with you on the degradation of the Tri-States as far as being THE premiere TOC of all of them. If we look back many years we are still only fishing for a boat as the grand prize. Pretty stagnant if you ask me. Not just WON. The man did a good job with what he had to work with. Could he have done better, perhaps. Don't put all the blame on him for what happened to you and your partner and the few others.

Take care and good fishing, Andy

mclouse · Post by **mclouse** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:54 pm

I am not saying that i didnt do anything wrong.Sure I deserved the penalty because my partner and I didnt read the paper that was sent to us 2 months ahead of the tournament.All I am saying is if your going to follow the rules from the rules book then follow it.I never verbally assaulted anyone,hell I never made it to sign in,I came the next morning.

CharleyA · Post by **CharleyA** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:14 am

So are the Pro-Ams still a go for 2010 or not? Really need to find out what the back-up plan for WON is until a new Director hired. Cant really set our schedules for Shasta until then.

GK- you got any skinny????

Thanks,

GKramer · Post by **GKramer** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:17 am

The guy I had fingered for the job (I just found out) has NOT been approached for the job. In other words, I'm out in the dark with everybody else.

But I'm pretty sure all scheduled events with permits are a go. WO management would handle any interim details.

And to answer the other most emailed question here: No, maybe when I was 40 this would have been an exciting challenge. I'm better suited now on the sidelines.

www.kramergonefishing.com

kb · Post by kb » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:26 am

Kramer for WON Bass Director

I am all for Kramer as the WON Bass Director. C'mon George you can fix all that is wrong with the West. We are all right behind you George you are the man for the job

kb

Rick G · Post by **Rick G** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:28 am

I say Chris Jones. Do It. Rick G.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:31 am

Chris would be good for sure, if he could get permission. How about Ron C. ?

Jerry Fournier · Post by **Jerry Fournier** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:45 am

Hutch,
You and your team have done a great job! Following after Mike was a difficult task and you my friend did a great job!

Good luck to you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Jerry Fournier

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:04 am

Hutch, it was always a pleasure working with you from both sides. Good luck with the new endeavor.

Terry

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:58 am

WOW,
Hutch good luck in this new venture in your life. We have known each other for many years. Too long to say on this board. I wish you the best.
I hope your back get's better as well. I know the back problem deal since I have a messed up back and deal with it every day. I wish W.O.N. would have kept you to train the next person but unfortunatly that is not the case.
Again I wish you the best and call me anytime and we can talk.

Tony Lain · Post by **Tony Lain** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:06 pm

Good news on the new job. Hutch, you still have a beat down com'in from me and Shabazz when the DVL night season starts

Bill Hutcheson · Post by **Bill Hutcheson** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:05 pm

You're on Tony.

I have had my wife practice casting in the dark all summer long. on the back patio. Had to lock the patio door for motivation. The neighbors think it is some type of spousal abuse.

I have also taught her the difference between catfish and bass, so hopefully the nexct 8 poounder she brings to the boat will be green and won't have whiskers!

See you and Ricky on the water this summer!

Hutch

Kenneth Haring · Post by **Kenneth Haring** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:36 pm

WOW AGAIN; A gentleman, a friend and an all-around great GUY. A guy who makes everyone feel right at home if it is your first event or your hundredth, a guy who remembers everyones name AAA or Pro. Bill, you will be truely missed. Ken

Darkman · Post by **Darkman** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:24 pm

good luck

wccjanel · Post by **wccjanel** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:25 pm

Bill,
It's amazing the ways God directs our lives, eh?
You have been a great brother to have in this roller coaster industry, and a mentor when I needed one. I know you know I did not have to put that on a public forum either, but I did because you deserve it. Godspeed my friend.
James

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:49 am

Go gettum Hutch................
jb

mike goodwin · Post by **mike goodwin** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:34 pm

Hutch- best of luck with your new gig. You were always a
gentleman and had open ears to our suggestions out our
way. YOU made events better and fisherman friendly here
at Havasu.
Hey, your money is good so enter in some events if at all
possible.
Take care brother.

Wake up Won Bass, CHRIS JONES and give him free reign
and you will take over the west coast.

my .02........MG

CharleyA · Post by **CharleyA** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:04 pm

Anybody talked to Chris Jones lately. What's he doing?

j10b · Post by **j10b** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:33 pm

Good Luck Bill. Only a few bitter guys out there. I guess you can't please them all. Some will never be pleased and I quote " Winning the US OPEN did nothing for me" Then I look at the names that won and where most are now and I think.... gee what did that guy do wrong.

Then he posts a BS line like that and I know why winning the US OPEN did nothing for him.....

Again Good luck and way to take the High Road. You took a ton of heat for not giving payouts you didnt have and were bashed all over. Of course its ok for the Anglers to bash on you

Again you took the high road. Good luck

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:51 pm

Good luck to Hutch. You just added 10 years to your life and rid yourself from hearing any complaints that were out of your control.

Sounds to me like you made out like a fat cat you lucky dog:)

LV Ba$$ · Post by **LV Ba$$** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:05 pm

Whatever happened to respect, class and intergrity when conducting oneself with another? Even if I disagree with someone, I at least show respect. Seriously people?

BEST OF LUCK HUTCH!!!

-David Zachgo

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:47 pm

This post just made National News......

Bassfan.com

DL · Post by DL » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:43 am

LV Ba$$ wrote:Whatever happened to respect, class and intergrity when conducting oneself with another? Even if I disagree with someone, I at least show respect. Seriously people?

BEST OF LUCK HUTCH!!!

-David Zachgo

+1

Its better to be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. Classless posts and pot shots at a guy as he's going out the door is weak and speaks way more about the man delivering the words than man they are directed at...

Bill, good luck with your next venture...