Page 15 - Crappie NOW - April 2019

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

here are many great people who making changes quickly. Sometimes
fish the tournament trails, but one it’s a matter of just enjoying the fishing
T team people admire is Phil and or staying with a spot where fish were
Eva Rambo. They are in their late 70’s, yesterday instead of changing when they
but they still have a desire to compete. should.
More importantly, they are good people Pet peeves? “Myself. I forget and say
and great representatives of the sport of a few blue words sometimes when things
crappie fishing. aren’t going right. Eva fusses at me and I
have no comeback because she is right.”
What are some of the memories How do you spend time when not
fishing has provided? Eva says, “Some fishing? “We have five grandsons,”
of my greatest memories have come from says Phil. “They all like sports and the
camping and fishing with tournament outdoors so whenever we can be with
by Tim Huffman fishermen. We have met many friends, them and their parents, we have a bit of
lost a lot over the years, but have time together. Church is a big part of our
memories that we would have never had time when we’re home.”
otherwise. Also, we’ve gone to Canada American heroes? Phil says his dad.
for many years and have had great times Although he says he shouldn’t say it
with our girls up there. All of those times because politics are so controversial,
and memories are special.” President Trump.
Phil says, “Friends and good times are Fishing heroes? Eva says Bill Dance
top on the list of memories. Fishing is and Hank Parker are favorites.
like being on vacation and we often don’t
want to go home. A highlight was when
Eva caught the big fish at a Crappie USA Home: Bloomington IN
Classic on Kentucky Lake and her photo Home Lake: Monroe IN
showed up in Sports Afield.” Ages: Phil boned 1940; Eva in ‘41
The team is known for travelling the Married: 58 years this June
country with a boat behind their RV. They Careers: Phil teacher & principle; Eva
are easy to spot. Their RV allows them middle & high school teacher
stay at a campground near the lake and Tournaments: -Phil tournament fishing
it has given them the advantage of being
able to stay for weeks instead of renting since 1993; Eva since 1997.
a motel for a few days. -They’ve fished Classics/National
Favorite place to fish? Phil says, Championships with Crappie USA;
“Grenada is at the top because you can NACA; CAST, Crappie Masters, and
catch a three-pounder there quicker ACT. They’ve fished all Crappie Masters
than any other place. There are many Classics except for the first one, and
good places like St. John’s River and finished 10th in the 2013 Classic
D’Arbonne, but we’ve caught more three- -Won two tournaments
pounders at Grenada than all the others -Big fish in several events including
combined.” Eva says she always looks Crappie USA Classic
forward to Grenada because they often -Third in points race two years in a row
catch really big crappie when pre-fishing Highlights: -Sportsman of the Year in
for tournaments. It’s fun. two circuits
Team strength? They try to be good
slow trollers but are probably best long -Received Lifetime Achievement Award
lining with Eva in the back and Phil in from Crappie Masters
front. -Tournament wins and points race
Team weakness? Both agree, it’s not finishes

15 Crappie NOW April 2019