We lost a fellow angler, folks.  Yesterday, Tony Strickland, a guide and pro from central Florida, lost his life to a freak wave while fishing a BFL tournament.

He was a seasoned pro, and very active in the bass fishing community.  I had exchanged emails with him through the past several years.  He was passionate about bass fishing, the environment, and promoting the sport.  He was President of Central Florida Bass Anglers which is one of the largest clubs in the state, Co-founder and Tournament Director of the Florida Disabled Anglers, and Director of Volusia County Teen Angler Program.

Can't say I was a personal friend of his, but kinda weird finding out somebody you "knew" is now dead.  The accident serves a reminder to take it easy out there - especially in "big" or unfamiliar water.

Info about the accident:
http://www.centralfloridabassanglers.org/Tony_Strickland.html