“There are a lot of anglers just like me who love the shooting sports.”
Story
by Matt Pangrac
Posted
- January 6th, 8:04am CST
Norman, OK – Try contacting a Bassmaster Elite Series or FLW Tour angler during the early winter months and there’s a good chance that your call will go straight to voicemail. It’s no secret that around the time of year ice begins to form in rod guides, the majority of professional
anglers trade in their fishing tackle for hunting gear and are more likely to be found in the woods than on the water.
Elite Series pro, Kenyon Hill, is no exception. Growing up fishing and hunting in Oklahoma, Hill can rattle off rifle and handgun models just as quickly as he can trim the skirt on a jig. So it’s understandable that Hill is excited about his newest sponsor addition for the 2010 season, Smith &
Wesson.
Photos
by Mark Jeffreys and Matt Pangrac
“It’s a natural fit,” said Hill. “Typically, the shooting sports are a very vertical market, meaning that they strictly market to other shooters. To my knowledge, this is the first time that they’ve been involved in the fishing industry. Smith & Wesson is the first company in the shooting industry to step up and realize that the fishing industry is a viable marketing tool.”
Hill first became aware of Smith & Wesson as a kid watching the movie Dirty Harry. “I am a member of the Tri-City Gun Club here in Norman (Oklahoma), and I really enjoy the shooting sports. Obviously, I’m also an avid hunter. Smith & Wesson is a company that has always been dear to my heart because of the products that they make,” explained Hill.
The Shooting Fraternity
When not on the road, Hill tries to shoot at least one day a week. While not active in shooting competitions, he said that he focuses on accuracy and becoming proficient with all types of guns. Currently, he’s working on perfecting his handgun skills.
Hill believes that the partnership with Smith & Wesson is also a perfect fit for him because of the camaraderie and relationships that have grown from his love of hunting and shooting. Since the 2009 season concluded, he has spent 10 days in Missouri hunting deer with former Bassmaster Classic champion Dion Hibdon and the Hibdon family. He has traveled to Kansas in search of a monster buck, and also spent a week in Kansas duck hunting with friends.
“There are a lot of anglers just like me who love the shooting sports. Hunting and shooting is a common thread among the guys on Tour, especially the ones that I run around with. It ties in really well. Smith & Wesson is an American company, their products are made in America, and they have a great reputation. They know that a lot of fishermen and outdoorsmen use their products for hunting, recreational shooting, or personal defense.”
Looking Toward 2010
Smith & Wesson will be the primary sponsor on Hill’s boat wrap for the 2010 season and he said that the wrap is sure to turn some heads. “The boat wrap will feature some empty shells and cartridges. We also added a few fake bullet holes, so it looks like the boat has been shot a few times. It’s pretty cool.”
On his 2010 jersey, Sebile will be the namesake sponsor but Smith & Wesson will also be present in a unique way. Each side of his jersey will sport a graphic of a Smith & Wesson Model 500 Magnum. “It will look like I’m packing them around,” explained Hill.
With his sponsorships falling into place for the 2010 season, he is ready to start fishing, regardless of the location. “I really don’t care where we go fishing,” said Hill when asked about his thoughts on the 2010 schedule. “I used to look at a schedule and pick out lakes that I liked and lakes that I didn’t but now I just enjoy going fishing.
“We’re starting out in California and the downside to that is that it’s an expensive trip and it’s a long way out there but, quite frankly, I enjoy fishing there so I’m looking forward to it.”
When it comes to improving from his 2009 season, where he finished a disappointing 77th place in the Toyota Trucks Angler Of the Year
standings, Hill said that he plans on improving his time management during practice. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to spend more time practicing but I’m going to manage that time better than I have in the past,” he explained.
As far as setting concrete goals before the start of the season, that’s not really Kenyon Hill’s style. “Goal setting is obviously a good thing to do from time to time but I’m not necessarily a goal setter. I try to fish for the day and go from there. That’s more my approach.”
With a wrap featuring empty cartridges, bullet holes and Smith & Wesson emblazoned on the side of his boat, one thing’s for certain – There’s not going to be many competitors brave enough to “hole jump” on Kenyon Hill during the 2010 Elite Series season.
