Brothers in bass

For their first time as partners in a tournament they did okay. In journalism circles, this is what we call an understatement.
Kirk and Gene Boyer, who have fished non-competitively a countless number of times together since childhood and have been in numerous tournaments with other partners, had never competed together in a tournament. But at the 10th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships, they didn’t surprise many with their fifth-place performance.
Only themselves.
“Did you know this is the first time we’ve been partners in a tournament?” asked Kirk Boyer.
“No, I didn’t know. Why is that?” responded a curious observer.
“Well, you know, over the years Gene has fished a lot of tournaments and I started fishing on the amateur side, and then when we’d go to a Pro-Am, we’d be in the draw, but never got to be partners,” Boyer said, who currently resides in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, while Gene lives in Savage, MN.
“When I started taking it more seriously, I started partnering with a good friend of mine, Mike Shulz (who came in 80th place with John Craig in this year’s FFCBC). So Gene and I never fished together in a pro tournament before as partners,” he added.
“So, considering your strong finish, what are the chances of you and your brother staying as partners?” asked the observer.
“Let’s put it this way. I don’t think this will be the last time you see us together,” laughed Boyer.
Their total weight after the three-day tournament was 46.90 pounds (6.92 pound shy of James and Bill Lindner’s first place total of 53.82 pounds) with their biggest weight coming the first day with a bag of 18.00 pounds.
“It’s nice to have this kind of weight from the first day, but this tournament is about consistency, so we’ll what happens,” Boyer said after the first day as they held third spot.
What happened was a 14.78 pound bag on the second day that gave them the fourth spot, and a 14.12 pound bag on Day Three to put them in fifth.
“Anytime you get through the tent is a blast. We’re just up here for fun. We’re not the big-time professional guys. Gene has been through the tent before (4th place in 2001) and this is my first trip, so we’re pretty happy about it,” said Boyer, who used to be a professional snowmobile racer, and is “kind of used” to big crowds.
“Being able to fish with my brother, being on beautiful Rainy Lake, and having fun. This is what this means to me,” said Kirk, with a look of gratitude in his eye, as he waited to be called to proceed to the tent for the top 10 drive in.
“The money and the prizes are great, but even if we didn’t get them, we would’ve still had a great time.”
And as Kirk Boyer’s last comment was made, his older brother sat on the driver’s seat of their bass boat. His right arm extended to the steering wheel, one leg crossed over the other in a slouching, relaxed position. Gene nodded in agreement. He made the gesture with a look of fulfillment in his eyes that showed the joy felt in his bursting aorta.
They both smiled. That same Boyer smile they have shared so many times before and a smile they will continue to share. But this moment was different. This was a first. The hair on their forearms was standing a little taller. The hop in their step a little higher. Their smiles a little wider.
It was a feeling the Boyer brothers had never shared before, but it certainly won’t be the last. In journalism circles, this is neither an understatement or an exaggeration, but a statement of actuality.