From Jay Kumar's Latest BassBlaster

Of particular concern in today's issue was the fact that Ranger Boats founder Forrest L. Wood (left) has been hospitalized in critical condition at Baxter Regional Medical Center since Tuesday evening, Jan. 21.

That's the word from Keith Daffron, Wood's grandson, who went on to note that "the outpouring of love and support we have already received means so much. Please pray for Nina and our entire family. We will do our best to communicate any changers as we can."

Another news item in the same issue revealed that veteran bass pro Rick Clunn is responsible for Abu Garcia adopting a thumb bar for their baitcasters. Until then, anglers had to reach across the top of the reel and push a button to release the spool.

Said Clunn, "After I won my second Bassmaster Classic (1977), I contacted Abu Garcia and inquired if they could come up with a better way... . Their introduction of the thumb bar made them the first company to ever offer that feature."