But there I was four years ago at the annual Catch a Cure for Cancer charity fishing tournament trying to tell myself it was OK that my partner, Roy Hawk, and I had failed to land any legal smallmouth bass and only some scrawny little walleye.

I was in the process of telling myself it was OK because I knew my entry fee was going toward a charity that sends kids with cancer to summer camp. About the time the last skinny walleye swam out of my hands, I realized I wanted more than anything to catch my limit at this tournament.

I was on assignment the next year and missed the tournament, but Roy and I showed up at Starvation two years ago determined to end up in the money, which is awarded to the top three teams.

I should say that 90 percent of the teams that finish in the money at Catch a Cure pose for a picture with the check and then hand it back to the organizers as a donation to the event. But it seems like every year there is a team that just can't hand back the money. We wanted to reduce the odds of that happening by finishing in the top three spots.

Things were glum. With an hour to go, we had two smallmouth in the live well. Roy pointed the boat to a secret spot, and suddenly we were having so much fun I could hardly stand it.

Smiles were exchanged as we landed some big smallies - well, at least larger than we already had. We even had to cull a fish or two.

Come announcement time we were hopeful, but not expecting to crack the top 5. Turns out we squeezed into fifth place and out of the money. The plaque sits prominently on my desk and serves as a reminder of my goal to hand back one of those checks.

I've never been this competitive. It is kind of exhilarating. I was out of town once again for the tournament last year, and I have been champing at the bit to get back out there. My usual fishing partner at Catch a Cure is off winning $100,000 bass tournaments, so I'll see how good my buddy George Sommer is at finding secret stashes of tournament-winning smallies.

brettp@sltrib.com

Charity fishing tournament

The eighth annual Catch a Cure for Cancer charity bass and walleye team tournament is June 21 at Starvation Reservoir. The entry fee is $125 to fish either the bass or walleye side of the tournament. Teams can also fish for both species. A barbecue and charity raffle will start at 2:30 p.m. and will be open to the public. Anglers have raised more than $88,000 through the tournament, with all proceeds donated to Camp Hobe, a summer camp for children with cancer. Visit www.utahbassfederation.org for more information and to register for the tournament.