re: The Official Kayak Thread

the response from the "cheater"


"Dear all members of the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club and Dave Woodard,

It is with deep sadness that I write this letter to all of you. If your time and consideration is given, it is greatly appreciated, as I know it is not required.

Firstly, thanks to everyone of you for your friendship this past year. I’ve gotten to know a lot of you well and enjoy the conversations and interactions that we have had.

That being said, there are things that happen in life that are at times unexplainable to others and unbelievable to yourself. What I did at the end of this year is one of them. I take full responsibility for my actions and expect no acceptance of them or even of this apology.

This has been a great year for me full of many successes and accomplishments, but it has also been very difficult. With my fiancé moving to California at the end of the summer our relationship has been unstable. Instead of dealing with it correctly I delved into intoxicants to solve my problems. This is never a good decision and has caused many problems in my life in the past. On the final day of the Masseys Fish Pics Tournament I was on a dangerous binge and in a “blacked out” state. I don’t recall a lot of that week and I am glad that I did not do anything even more damaging than what was done. When I received Dave’s email sober I was horrified as I flashed back to the day before when I recklessly submitted that photo.This is not an attempt at making an excuse but I want you to know that this behavior is not a part of my true character. I am currently taking steps to address my issues as I know how dangerous they could potentially become.

I would like to offer a donation of the Wilderness Systems ATAK kayak that I won in the previous year’s fish pics contest as a form of apology. It has only been used a handful of times and would be a great kayak for a raffle or tournament prize. I do not plan on competing in any more tournaments and I am rethinking my angling career. Thanks to all of you for your time and great service in the kayak fishing community.

I wish only the best for all of you and am forever grateful,

Josh