Before I get into the actual reasons for this I want to personally thank each of my sponsors for their continued support. My Fans, wow!, what a great bunch of people you are. I am so thankful for the career I have had and for my fans. There were many times I wasn't sure if I could keep going and a fan would come up and ask for an autograph, or just a kind word would be said and that was all it took to re boost me.

To all my loyal fans THANKS from the bottom of my heart.

Now a little explanation for all of you. First, I am not going to disappear.  I have many projects I am working on to stay a major part of the angling world. But this, I will get into a bit later in this letter.

I have had a rough year. My health has not been great. I have been battling a severe case of anxiety and depression and have been under doctors care for this. I am excited though to be able to write this letter to all of you now. 12 months ago, there would have been no way I could have gathered myself together enough to have done this.

Last fall just prior to the Elite season starting I had lost my major sponsor do to economic times. I few months latter right before the first Elite tournament was to start I had my secondary sponsor contract expire and again do to the economic climate they did not renew. This put me in an extremely tough financial position to even consider competing in the Elites. Sometimes it is so hard to figure what you are supposed to do. I thank God that all this has happened. It was just before this that I was starting to see a doctor for my anxiety and depression. I don't know if it got worse because I wasn't competing or if that would have happened even if  I was out on the tour. I do know this, if it would have happened while out on the tour their is no telling how bad I would have gotten. But thanks be onto God I am much better now.

Well, through all my career I have been know for my many God given talents in design, marketing and promotion. I have always been on the leading edge. This leads to where I am now and what I am doing with myself.

First, I have begun a much closer walk with the lord and am trying to help others do same. I have launched a website ministry www.eyesonjesus.com. this is purely an inspirational site to bring prayer and praise to our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Second, I am working real hard to continue to bring the latest and hottest fishing information to all my fans and anglers across the world. I am doing this through our well received Fishin Factors on  www.ProAnglers.com. I am so excited about this site and the support all of you have given to it. We are as of this writing approaching 10,000 registered members. Remember membership is FREE.

And finally, I am focusing on my Graphic design, promotional and web development skills. The lord has blessed me with these talents and many times while I was competing I would find myself working on these items in the evening to relax and get my head straight. I have worked with branding and design imaging for many anglers and companies alike. This was a true blessing for me after realizing I would not be competing in this years Elites. I am now taking this direction from God and putting these talents to work for many. I have consolidated all my graphic design, wraps, uniforms, autograph cards, business and angler branding along with my web development services  into www.007DesignSeries.com. We have been doing boat and vehicle wrap designs, uniforms and internet marketing for anglers and companies for years. 

I guess in short, I am feeling great, the lord is blessing me beyond measures and I am ok with taking some time away from competition (for now) knowing I will still be here and involved in growing the sport of competitive angling which I am so passionate for.

May god Bless You,

Sincerely your friend