A Legendary Meeting of Bass Men
by Bill Baab
After learning that Manabu Kurita was to attend the Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans in February, I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to make a side trip to Georgia.
I contacted the Skeeter boat company and was put in touch with Martin Peters, of Yamaha. I told him that it would be neat if Kurita could come to Georgia and check out Montgomery Lake where George W. Perry had caught his world record bass. Thanks to the generosity of Yamaha and the McRae Rotary Club, Kurita and his party stayed at Little Ocmulgee State Park Lodge, attended a lunch given by the Rotarians in his honor, visited the Telfair County Museum in Helena where George Perry memorabilia was on display and then traveled some 20 miles to the lake.
He was astounded by its small size compared to giant Lake Biwa in Japan where he caught his big bass which tied Perry's record. He also was given a copy of my book by the Rotary Club.
Many thanks to Bill and Bea Baab for sharing these photos with us! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.
-- Dr. Todd
