Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 24, 1993 TAG: 9308240646
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Randy Udavcak
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
To be honest, I wasn't exactly enthralled at being hauled out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to go watch a bunch of guys play with worms. As a transplanted Yankee, I had yet to learn that in these here parts, a fishing tournament is a top news story.
Given the burly, outdoorsmanlike image I convey at 6-feet-1 and a scant 143 pounds, the folks at the bureau thought I would be the perfect person to cover the annual WJJJ-Claytor Lake fishing tournament this summer. (Translation: They couldn't get anyone else to do it.)
This was logical, I reasoned, since I do know more about fishing than I know about field hockey (I know NOTHING about field hockey.)
Arriving at the lake with ace photographer Keith Greene, I soon realized we were at a disadvantage in the whole affair and suggested a change of strategy.
"Keith," I said, "We gotta get us a BOAT!"
And so, climbing back in the company cruiser - an '86 Chevy Celebrity that looks as if it had been used for combat training missions - we motored out to a spot on our map marked "marina." After commandeering a 16-foot vessel with a tired outboard motor (and charging it to the Roanoke Times & World-News), I christened it the S.S. Newsworthy and quickly took the helm.
Sensing the degree of my seafaring experience, Keith lashed his life vest so tight he could barely breathe and held on to the side for dear life as I brought the recalcitrant power plant in the rear to life with a bit of tinkering.
"Cast off the main yards," I cried. "Hoist the mizzen-topsail!"
With Keith's eyes bulging, I gunned the throttle to full and pulled away from the dock with a spray of white water.
We had a story to write!
Our strategy was perfect. I would steer toward some unwitting fisherman in his boat and Keith would snap a few candid shots with his zoom lens. Then I would cut the engine to drift alongside and casually interview the subject.
It was then that Miss Kentucky rammed us with her jet ski.
Perhaps I should elaborate.
Somehow or another, we found our boat running alongside a young woman on her personal water craft, and Keith started shooting pictures.
"Hey, she's getting closer," I said.
"Hey, she's gonna hit us!" Keith shrieked.
In a moment, the force of the impact had subsided, and both of our crafts sat rocking in the water.
Fortunately, the speed was low enough that none of us suffered any injuries, and she immediately began apologizing. She explained that the steering had gone out on her craft earlier, and she didn't know how else to get our attention.
I am not making this up.
In the course of the conversation, she happened to mention that she had just finished her reign as Miss Kentucky and was taking some time off at her parents' summer home on the lake.
So, being the chivalrous type that I am, I pulled her on board the Newsworthy, lashed her disabled craft to the stern with a tow rope, and turned 15 degrees to starboard, setting a course for the dock.
No, I know what you're thinking, but I would never do something so cheap as to ask her for her number in this, her moment of distress.
She does have mine, however. So if you're out there, Tonja, feel free to call anytime.
Sigh. The things I do for journalism.
Randy Udavcak is a graduate student at Virginia Tech and covers exciting assignments for the newspaper _ such as fishing tournaments.
by CNB