Big Mamma Crappie Tournament Benefits Camp Looking Glass Bill Cooper for 3/19/21 The grounds of Southern Star RV and Cabins near Chatham, Mississippi took on the aura of an emerging circus arena at daylight on March 6, 2021as the Big Mamma Crappie/Bass Tournament began to come to life. Bright red and blue lights flashed on the roof of a Washington County deputies’s vehicle, as dozens of others driven by sponsors, vendors, anglers, guides and the general public converged on Lake Washington, a premier crappie fishing lake north of Vicksburg. Fondly referred to as Big Mike, Mike Jones of Bait-N-Thangs Bait and Tackle Store hustled around the grounds taking care of business as he had done for the previous 18 annual Big Mamma Tournaments. “There has been a special kind of reward for me to host this fishing tournament over the years to benefit the cause of Camp Looking Glass, a camp for the handicapped near here,” Jones said. Jones himself had lost a sister to Downs Syndrome. As rose-colored hues appeared in the eastern sky over Lake Washington, members of the Mississippi National Guard Color Guard smartly marched to the boat docks and posted the colors. Members of fishing teams, who were already in their boats, sponsors and the public stood with hats and hands over their hearts to pay respects to the National Anthem of the United States of America. At the conclusion of the National Anthem, Rev. Eddie Painter offered a moving prayer of well wishes for the Big Mamma Tournament, it’s participants and attendees. It was the most inspiring launch of a fishing tournament I had ever witnessed. The incredible beginning of the Big Mamma Crappie/Bass Tournament on Lake Washington proved to be the initial inspiration for a touching event that affected the lives of everyone present and of many far beyond the boundaries of Lake Washington. Chatham, Mississippi is a small community on Lake Washington. However, through the inspiration and leadership provided by Mike Jones, the community came together to organize and orchestrate a benefit tournament for Camp Looking Glass. At the end of the day, more than $7,500 had been raised for the noteworthy cause. Hamilton Hog Hides quickly became a major attraction at the event as they fired up large kettles to begin cooking what most refer to as pig skins. The aromas drifted across the grounds as everyone began following their nose to the bbq shed. The Hamilton’s donated all of their proceeds to Camp Looking Glass. Christopher Jones and Larry Moore, of Moore Body and Paint, worked a big smoker and rolled out pork butts, burgers, chops, and sausages to the delight of the attending crowd. Mark Reynolds and John Willard manned the boiling station, where they stirred amazing aromas with a vat full of crawfish, corn and sausages with southern style seasonings. Across the way, Charles “Buck” Ray, Rodney Hayes, and Terry Reed tantalizing taste buds with golden fried crappie filets that Rodney Hayes bough from Illinois. Darlene Jones provided the icing on the cake by making her famous hushpuppies. As weigh in time approached, the crowd began to gather around the stage to watch as crappie and bass fishermen came off of the water. In the meantime, Mike Jones recognized the first Lake Washington Crappie Fishing Legends. Ernest Stone fished Lake Washington all of his life and promoted the area heavily. He was posthumously awarded the first Lake Washington Crappie Legends Award. Ernest’s mother, Ethelene, received the award on his behalf. John Bull, from Vicksburg, dedicated mush of his life contributing woodworking items and food to Camp Looking Glass benefits. Jones revealed that Bull had fished Lake Washington for 40 years. He became Lake Washington’s second Crappie Fishing Legend. Next Mike Jones introduced two very unique gentlemen from Lebanon, Missouri. Jim Thorpe and Jim Hough are two Vietnam Veterans who have fished together for 35 years and completed 2,400 fishing trips together. “Thats’s like being married for 75 years,” Jones said. Thorpe said he and Hough had caught hundreds of thousands of fish together, most of which were crappie. The crowd gave a huge round of applause to recognize these mens’ dedication to country, fishing, and one another. Fourteen year old Jesse James was inducted into the Youth Fishing Hall of Fame. “Jesse field in his eighth Big Mamma Tournament this year,” Jones said. “Jesse knows more about crappie fishing than most adults. He has placed in the top four in every tournament. For the last three years, Jesse has taken first place in the Youth Division. Too, Jesse is a perfect young gentleman, and exemplifies what we aspire for our young people to become.” Dedication to Camp Looking Glass became apparent among attendees as they opened their hearts and pocket books to support the effort of the camp for handicapped individuals. Troy Garrett took first place overall in the 19th Annual Big Mamma Crappie/Bass Tournament. He received $1,000 for his win and quickly announced he was donating his prize money to Camp Looking Glass. Several other winners followed suit. Mike Jones has plans to host a bigger and better event for the Big Mamma Crappie Tournament for 2022. “We are planning to host 10 sponsored veterans next year. We hope to see every boat entered in the tournament next year flying an American flag.” Kody Lucas, of Edgar Springs, and host of Living the Dream Outdoors TV, attended the Big Mamma Tournament and vowed to return in 2022 with a caravan. “The Big Mamma Tournament was one of the grandest showing of love for community, fishing and our fellow man I have ever witnessed.” While covering the Big Mamma event, I ran in to people from Cuba, Lebanon, Steelville and Sullivan. Should you like to participate in the Big Mamma Tournament in 2022, google up BaitNThangs. Announcements will be posted there.