Alex and Scott Richmond may currently reside far apart, but the father-son duo made the effort to spend quality time together at Lake Hartwell for the esteemed Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament.
As people grow older, they often experience a bittersweet physical separation from loved ones, whether due to college graduations or new job opportunities. This is the case for Alex Richmond and his father, Scott.
Alex grew up fishing for fun with his dad and eventually developed a passion for tournament bass fishing, participating in his high school fishing team and continuing his love for the sport at Grand Valley State in Michigan.
Despite Scott living near Chicago and Alex now in North Carolina, the two managed to synchronize their schedules this year to share a fishing experience at the 2024 Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament.
After the registration, the two were seen in a hotel parking lot, indicating their serious preparation for the event.
“We practiced this morning for a few hours and it was actually pretty good,” Alex shared. “It’s been much better than we expected, so we’re feeling optimistic. But with the cold front coming in, who knows what could happen tomorrow.”
When discussing fishing conditions and strategies for the tournament, both Alex and Scott emphasized the sheer enjoyment of their time together.
“This has been so much fun and so enjoyable already,” Scott remarked. “To be able to fish and spend time with my son is a true blessing. This is my first Tundra and it won’t be my last. Towing has been effortless, and I’ve had zero issues. Coming to an amazing event like this and meeting our favorite pros, like Mike Iaconelli and Gerald Swindle, is the icing on the cake. We talked about hunting with Gerald; he’s so down-to-earth. It was great to find things we have in common.”
For Scott, the 13-hour drive through city traffic and busy roads was worthwhile as he arrived at the scenic autumn dogwoods among towering pines in Anderson, S.C. Being with his son and doing what they love the most was all that mattered.
The Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament offers exciting raffles and gear for anglers; however, its true value lies in the connections it fosters, especially among family and friends. Regardless of whether the Richmonds catch anything, Scott will undoubtedly wear a huge smile as he watches his son fish, cherishing their essential one-on-one time together. This is a unique gift that the Great Outdoors provides, and the Richmonds are grateful for it.