Photos: What I learned as a Marshal

Skip Walden has served as a Bassmaster Marshal several times. What follows are photos from his trips out with the best bass pros in the business.

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<p>Skip Walden has served as a Bassmaster Marshal several times. What follows are photos from his trips out with the best bass pros in the business. Read Walden’s story <a href=
Skip Walden has served as a Bassmaster Marshal several times. What follows are photos from his trips out with the best bass pros in the business. Read Walden’s story here.
Walden has watched fish catches up close and in person by multiple pros, including Elite Series veteran Stephen Browning.
Walden has watched fish catches up close and in person by multiple pros, including Elite Series veteran Stephen Browning.
Former Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett caught this chunk right in front of Walden.
Former Bassmaster Classic champion Boyd Duckett caught this chunk right in front of Walden.
Walden had a front-row seat with Charlie Hartley.
Walden had a front-row seat with Charlie Hartley.
Even though Walden said he would not get starstruck, he said he did get a bit giddy when he found out he would be out with Kevin VanDam in 2013 at the Alabama River.
Even though Walden said he would not get starstruck, he said he did get a bit giddy when he found out he would be out with Kevin VanDam in 2013 at the Alabama River.
VanDam had a rough day on the river, breaking a rod and bruising a rib. And yet he caught so many fish that Walden could barely keep up with entering the BASSTrakk info.
VanDam had a rough day on the river, breaking a rod and bruising a rib. And yet he caught so many fish that Walden could barely keep up with entering the BASSTrakk info.
Walden caught it on camera when Chad Morgenthaler ripped this bass out of the water, a view you can’t get anywhere except the back of the boat …
Walden caught it on camera when Chad Morgenthaler ripped this bass out of the water, a view you can’t get anywhere except the back of the boat …
… and the same goes for this photo.
… and the same goes for this photo.
Brandon Palaniuk taught Walden a whole new approach to fishing. “He doesn’t pull into a place to fish,” said Walden. “He pulls in to catch a fish that he knows is there.”
Brandon Palaniuk taught Walden a whole new approach to fishing. “He doesn’t pull into a place to fish,” said Walden. “He pulls in to catch a fish that he knows is there.”
If Palaniuk pulls into an area where he’s got his eye on a 6-pounder and only catches a couple of 2-pounders, he’s off to another spot.
If Palaniuk pulls into an area where he’s got his eye on a 6-pounder and only catches a couple of 2-pounders, he’s off to another spot.
Walden wouldn’t use the word “patient” to describe Palaniuk, but he does say the Palaniuk is willing to wait for the good ones rather than take a few average ones.
Walden wouldn’t use the word “patient” to describe Palaniuk, but he does say the Palaniuk is willing to wait for the good ones rather than take a few average ones.
Bassmaster photographer Seigo Saito watched nearby to take photos of Palaniuk whenever he got onto something good.
Bassmaster photographer Seigo Saito watched nearby to take photos of Palaniuk whenever he got onto something good.
Walden learned a trick from Russ Lane that he used in his next local tournament, and he earned $300 with it.
Walden learned a trick from Russ Lane that he used in his next local tournament, and he earned $300 with it.
Walden had reservations about going out on the boat with Morizo Shimizu because of the language barrier, but he ended up having a lot of fun with him.
Walden had reservations about going out on the boat with Morizo Shimizu because of the language barrier, but he ended up having a lot of fun with him.
Shimizu taught him about Japanese baits that are not available to stateside anglers like Walden.
Shimizu taught him about Japanese baits that are not available to stateside anglers like Walden.
<p>Randall Tharp hit such a frenzy of fish at BASSfest on Chickamauga that Walden had plenty of BASSTrakk and blog work to do.</p>
Randall Tharp hit such a frenzy of fish at BASSfest on Chickamauga that Walden had plenty of BASSTrakk and blog work to do.