Ultimate Match Fishing ( WOW) fair or unfair?

[Vince Borges]

Did you all see the show yesterday with Luke & Brent. I was in total shock. I know Luke didnt mean anything by his actions ( Or so he said) but then to quit fishing in the 4th qrt and not even give Brent a chance. That was way un cool with hint of chicken sh-t in my opinion. Brent was pretty cool about the hole ordeal but you could see the red in his face, he looked as if though he was on a mission to kill.

Vince

[Gator]

I watched that too and couldn't believe it. I thought that Luke would say "I'll do the last quarter as a payback for me messin with you". It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Guess everybody can get coldblooded when there's $50 g's on the line.

[Blue_R70]

A good number of these hijinks are fake acts of spontaneity and are encouraged by production staff to spice up an otherwise boring television show. I always thought UMF was boring (neat concept though) and I really hate the referee schtick...

[Vince Borges]

i dont think this was part of the show, Joe T looked pretty P. O.ed about it when it happened.

[Blue_R70]

i dont think this was part of the show, Joe T looked pretty P. O.ed about it when it happened.

Wow, if he really got POed I'd actually like to see that. I just deleted the series from my DVR--I'll try to catch it as a rerun. Maybe UMF should partner up with MMA/UFC type franchises. Cage fishing contests?

[Caudawg]

You are right BlueR...the referee schtick is irritating. But nowhere near as irritating as the old days when Ewell (sp?) Parker used to run that show. This was over 20 years ago when Rich Tauber came on the scene.

It was the most phoney baloney shows ever. There were even shows where they had obvious soundtrack problems and I think they splashed water around in a bucket to similate the sound of jumping bass.

The referee used to blow that whistle and call the fouls...and get on the megaphone to say "cease fishing gentlemen...that is the end of the 3rd quarter....please change control of the boat". Anyone remember those days?

Hey Tauber...can you tell us about that show?

[Blue_R70]

That's interesting, Caudawg...I didn't know the show went back that far. And to think the current version retained the silly referee schtick!

I still think the contestants are encouraged to ham it up in order to make for some good teevee. In this case, the act probably didn't come off as Clausen intended...

[Caudawg]

If memory serves me...this strategy was also used on the old version of the show. I actually don't see a problem with it. It's a part of the show to stick it to your partner. This included positioning the boat so that the guy in the back can not make the key casts. The guy in the back would then have his chance at revenge once he switched to the bow position.

[Rich hamilton]

fubar

[ash]

Copy pasted off of Ultimate Match Fishing's website.

http://ultimatematchfishing.com/clausenreply.php

-CLAUSEN VS. EHRLER-



In response to your emails, the producers of Ultimate Match Fishing wish to offer insight into the match between Brent Ehrler and Luke Clausen. Many of you have written with concerns about sportsmanship and how bass fishing in general is being portrayed in UMF this season. We consider your concerns to be legitimate, and to that end we have made adjustments to the UMF rules for all future matches. But before we spell out those rule changes, here are some facts about the match that unfortunately you, the viewer, did not get to see.

After the incident in question, Joe Thomas, referee Mark Randolph, Luke Clausen, Brent Ehrler and the show's producers met for close to an hour to discuss the incident. Mr. Ehrler and Mr. Clausen both agreed that no animosity was present during the action. Luke Clausen stated, and as was witnessed by everyone there, that he felt that Brent Ehrler had the fish in his hands at the time he bit Brent's line, and it was an unfortunate turn of events that the fish slipped away from Brent. Luke's actions were simply geared toward having a little fun...as his on camera explanation later revealed. Brent Ehrler agreed, and though the circumstances surrounding the event were unfortunate, they were in no way intended to misrepresent what Ultimate Match Fishing is about...entertainment, fun, and action.

Now, here is what you didn't get to see when the cameras were not rolling. Luke Clausen offered Brent the opportunity to take any fish from his live well to replace the bass he lost. Mr. Ehrler refused. The bottom line is that Brent Ehrler realized that Luke Clausen's actions were in no way intended to be anything more than what they were...an attempt at humor that unfortunately went wrong.

However, this event, regardless of the fact that we believe it was intended with a total lack of malice, has made us reconsider the rules of Ultimate Match Fishing. From this point forward, no angler will be allowed to touch the other angler's tackle, gear, or fish in the live well. While we did not, nor do we ever foresee such an event occurring, we do believe that stating such a rule is necessary to maintain the overall feel of the event. And while some of you have called for the disqualification of Luke Clausen, we respectfully disagree based on the clear intent of his actions, and the sincere apology he offered to Mr. Ehrler, the producers, and the viewing audience.

One a final note, we do wish to address the element of sportsmanship in UMF. While we all believe that sportsmanship is an integral part of tournament bass fishing, the structure of Ultimate Match Fishing is very different from other tournament based shows. Ultimate Match Fishing is intended simply to entertain our audience by putting two of the best bass anglers in the world in one boat, on one lake, with a very simple set of rules designed to enhance the experience of both the anglers and the audience. Unfortunately, many of you may view positioning the boat where the angler in back cannot cast to productive water to be “unsportsmanlikeâ€

[NaCl]

in context. From what I read, these guys worked through their situation in a reasonable and mutually acceptable manner. Nobody was whining. IMHO, it is wrong for others to pass judgment on these two respected anglers.

Also, the sponsoring organization learned soemthing from the experience and has already incorporated adjustments. What more could you ask from any organization?

.....NaCl

[Rich hamilton]

fubar

[Hollywood]

I figured the name of the show gave it away as well as the rules? Guess not! People will bash Luke no matter what. Luke is a class act.

If these people don't like the show or the rules they play by, then simply don't watch it but to say he is unethical or not a true sportsman becuase he was palying by the rules of the event is just wrong!

The bashers will always talk $hit no matter what!

[Caudawg]

I agree with you Hollywood. It is how That GAME is played. It is not a draw type tournament where things are (or should be) completely different.

[Wally]

But if Clausen would have done that to me I would have shoved my rod butt up his and kicked his *** overboard. Ultimate Bass Fishing it would be.

[Rick G]

There has been so much smoke blown up you know what on this deal that I could no longer keep quiet. First off Brent is too much of a class act to go in the mud on this issue, so I will sling a little for him. Brent and Luke are not buddies, and if Brent was'nt worried about sponcer issues would have kicked Lukes butt on the spot. What they do not show you is Luke running the boat around on Brents spot after he had dried off and making sure he did not catch any more. This whole concept and statement by the show producers that they all sat around and agreed that it would be good TV and it was all in fun is a total lie. Total fabrication by the shows producers and when Brent confronted Joe Thomas on the issue he said "I had nothing to do with that, its all the producers fault". This deal is all about Luke not wanting to lose his crown as Champion and the greed that comes with a overinflated ego. Well paypacks are a MF and guess what the next time Luke fishes he gets DQ'd for having over-limit in his livewell. Not sure if we have seen that show yet, but its coming. The show's producers have also asked Brent to come back next year and he has told them to pound it. 50k for first is no laughing matter and that is how Brent makes a living. This was a bad situation made to look good for TV, but all it has done is make the show look stupid and Luke look like a spoiled brat. Truth told. Rick G.

[Levy]

Rick G please keep quiet next time. I do not need your version of the truth and I do not appreciate you telling me what happened on a show that has not been aired yet.

Enough said
Jon Levenson

[Kevin]

Rick, thanks for keeping it real.

[Rick G]

Jon, that is the real story. I was going to keep quiet untill I heard the bogus story from the producers. There is enough soap opera's on TV as it is. I have been associated with Brent since he was 16 and he has climbed the fishing ladder the way all up and comer's should by hard work and class. Sorry if I burst your bubble. I also know who wins the whole show, but am not posting that info. Just thought Luke got what was coming to him, thats all. Rick G.

[Robert F]

Rick G please keep quiet next time. I do not need your version of the truth and I do not appreciate you telling me what happened on a show that has not been aired yet.

Enough said
Jon Levenson

If what Rick says does happen in the later show I guess you will know he talked to somebody on the inside. Brent is one of Rick's team members. I would expect him to stick up for Brent's side. As well the show has issued a statement to back up their edit of their event. That said, until I know that the producers or Rick has bent the truth, I choose to hear more. To tell somebody to keep quiet because you have your mind made up about a situation is just as irresponsible as the person making up a story. I say tell us more. Give us something official from Brent, Luke, or both. If as stated by Rick, Brent has told the show to piss off, he should not have a problem stating the facts. It is never unprofessional to tell the truth. Only to lie. But who said TV producers are professionals?

[Levy]

Hey Rick I was just upset that you gave away what happened on a upcoming episode (I should have left the derogotory statement out). I agree that what Luke did was Chickenshxx. I meant nothing personal in my post.

Tight Lines
Jon Levenson