PAINESVILLE, OH — When I received the invitation to attend the Cool Running Bass Club/North Coast Bass Anglers Association banquet in early March, I accepted before my GPS notified me that it would be a 400 mile round trip. Dennis Knowles texted me the invite and added that it would make a good story. Dennis made a career in the media so I knew better than question his call. All those miles never had a chance against all the smiles the event produced.
Cool Running’s members are predominantly white. North Coast is predominantly black. However, the only colors that carried any weight belonged to the bass, be they green or brown. After one member of Cool Running joined North Coast to involve his sons in the Prime Time Junior bass club sponsored by North Coast, members from both clubs began joining each other’s club.
The result is a super successful merger that has the two clubs sharing tournaments throughout the season. Debbi Boutilier is the president for Cool Running while Lorenzo Jones serves that role for North Coast. I want to thank both clubs for the invitation they extended to Mary and me.
The dinner at Hellriegel’s Inn was as outstanding as the camaraderie between these two bass clubs. Mary won a candle that works without a match in the raffle at the end of the dinner. The last two prizes on the raffle table were donated by Bob Davis and me. Even though I had not won a prize, I only became depressed when my friend Bob Davis had the winning ticket. He grabbed the gift bag full of lures I had purchased that afternoon at Fisherman’s Central in New Franklin.
When Debbi read the numbers on the final raffle ticket, I took the “L” off my forehead and collected the last prize standing, you know, the one Bob brought to the banquet. So, he won mine, I won his, but the best part of this prize winning spree has yet to be told. Bob and I were at Fisherman’s Central at the same time and even discussed the lures we were buying for the prize giveaway.
To Cool Running and North Coast, I wish all of you another great season on the water. Thank you again for the invitation and the great evening. Hope you all have five bass limits when you need them most.
Cool Running Bass Club and the North Coast Bass Anglers Association posed for this group photo
The two bass clubs posed for this group shot after a great evening of fellowship and fine dining at Hellriegel’s Inn at Painesville, Ohio.
Debbi Boutilier, president of Cool Running
Debbi Boutilier, president of Cool Running, conducted the raffle drawing that had so many prizes that even Bob Davis and Doug Clifford were winners.
Bob Smith (L) of the Cool Running Bass Club and Eric Evans (R) of the North Coast Bass Anglers Association
Bob Smith (L) of the Cool Running Bass Club and Eric Evans (R) of the North Coast Bass Anglers Association took home most of the hardware for the 2024 season at the banquet held in early March.