I have known for years that something was off. I always felt dizzy, experienced vertigo, or just didn’t quite feel right. It was off and on since I can remember. In middle school, I even went to the hospital and an ear specialist because my vertigo and dizziness were so bad. We never thought to do scans.

Fast forward a few years, I was doing well. I was overcoming anxiety and living the dream. I barely ever felt dizzy and rarely experienced an anxiety attack.

I remember the day where I felt that genuine fear and panic for the first time that I hadn’t felt in years. I was sitting in my room eating a cinnamon poptart and drinking chocolate milk in Mt. Carmel, IL at my duplex. My brother, friend, and I had moved there and stayed together to attend Wabash Valley College on a fishing scholarship.

I was sitting there and my body flooded with pure panic and anxiety. I got the sudden urge that I was going to pass out, I was absolutely distraught. No one was at the duplex, and I was 3 and a half hours away from home. I laid on the ground in front of the fan on the phone with my mom for at least 2 hours. Crying and trembling in fear, begging my brother to skip class and come home.

I had made myself physically ill due to the stress I was putting on my body. It was genuinely the most miserable day I’ve ever experienced. My brother finally came home and I had calmed down enough to get in the car. He met my mom about 2 hours away so mom could take me home.

I was so miserable I could barely function for days. I finally started to feel better and was able to go back to school a few weeks later. I was still dizzy and dreaded driving home, but I blamed anxiety.

A few weeks later my brother and I were on Grand Lake, OK practicing for a tourney. I put my head down while we were running because I was cold. When I lifted my head up, the lake was spinning. I genuinely felt like I was upside down. I made my brother take me in, I couldn’t handle the dizziness anymore. It got to the point that I couldn’t fish.

That’s when I knew something was wrong. I sucked it up enough to fish the tourney, but I almost wasn’t able to. I went home later that week and went back to the doctor. I explained my symptoms again: dizziness, vertigo, head tingling/numbness, headaches, and sometimes blurred vision. I was diagnosed with anxiety and sinus issues. I said “okay” and ran with it.

A week or so later I couldn’t take it anymore, so I went back and told them I needed an MRI. I finally got the MRI and they called us almost immediately after. I was half asleep on the couch when I heard the doctor say on the phone “they found a mass” to my mom. My face went pale, my body was hot, and I ran outside to throw up.

My immediate thoughts were not ones you want to be thinking when you’re 20 years old and still have so much life left you want to experience. My family came to see me that day, but I was so out of it I could barely interact. We had no idea how big the tumor was or if it was cancerous or not.

The next day I went in to get a cat scan with contrast. It was confirmed that the tumor was about the size of a golf ball, smashed in my orbital region—running from behind my eye to the front of my ear. It was millimeters away from my brain. The doctor confirmed that it did not look cancerous, but if we would have waited much longer it would have grown into my brain. A tumor that size hitting my brain could have been extremely destructive. I know that God’s timing was perfect, and He saved me from a potential disaster.

After it was confirmed—the size and risky location—the doctor appointments started immediately.

Emotional and Mental Impact of the Diagnosis

When I received my diagnosis I was completely numb. I’m not going to lie, I was completely hopeless. I know I shouldn’t be that way as a Christian, but my mind immediately went to the worst case scenario. The waiting game was absolute torture.

After we saw many specialists and figured which surgery would be best for me, due to the rare location, time moved by so slowly but so fast. I didn’t want to have surgery. I knew there were so many risks. I was absolutely terrified.

I got to the point where I wasn’t comfortable driving, I didn’t work, and could barely fish. I fell into a state of deep sadness and severe anxiety for about 3 months. The whole process was about 6 months, so before I found out I had a tumor I was also so anxious I didn’t enjoy life anymore.

I was having multiple anxiety attacks a day—trembling, crying, couldn’t breathe, thought I was going to pass out, all of those symptoms. It got to the point where I didn’t have the desire to leave my bed anymore. I was going to the hospital because I thought I was having heart attacks. I did not enjoy my life anymore. I wanted to be here, but I didn’t want to endure the mental and physical pain any longer.

So I kind of gave up. I let the devil win. I stayed home and sulked. My family tried so hard to dig me out of the hole, but I was stuck. I was angry. I was so angry. I had already had severe anxiety my entire life, so just doing everyday tasks has always been difficult for me. My worst fear that I obsessed over for years was having a health issue.

God was watching me struggle mentally, and gave me my worst fear. I asked God every day, “why me?” Well, why not me? That’s the conclusion I came to. Why not me. God specifically chose me for this battle. God gave me my worst fear and said “Braci, I got you girl.”

I slowly started to fill that hole in. I still have bad days, and anxiety, but life is getting more enjoyable again. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started doing something about it. I have to thank my family for a lot of that. They had to show me some tough love, and that’s what helped me get out of the hole I was so deeply in.

I started reaching out to people and seeking the help I needed. My friend/therapist shared this verse with me that changed my entire perspective:

Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

I interpreted this as—the devil intended to harm me. He wanted to see me give up and sulk in my sadness. God didn’t choose that path for me. God called me to share my story and help others. So, that’s what I started doing. I started sharing my story and being vulnerable even in my weakest moments.

Let me tell you, everyone has something. Everyone is struggling with their own battle. My favorite verse for this situation is “the enemy thought he had me, but Jesus said, ‘you are mine.’” The enemy almost had me, but Jesus claimed me. He saved me.

I still have so many questions, and I still struggle daily, but handing my fear and anger to God is what helped me persevere. When the devil hands you bad situations, you can sulk, or you can glorify God. Don’t let the devil win.

The Medical Journey

The medical journey has been tough, but as I suspected. I went to many different specialists to schedule a surgery. One said he wanted to go through my temple, another said they wanted to go through my skull, and finally my surgeon who did the procedure confidently said he could go through my eyelid and cut my eye socket out to access the tumor.

I waited a few months, as I said before, to get surgery. Prepping for it was odd, I had to get more scans and spend a day in the hospital getting checkups, another MRI, and another CAT scan. I got a cooler full of a breathing machine, special protein shakes made for surgery patients, and a special soap I had to wash with to kill any germs. I drank my shakes, brushed my teeth 4 times a day, and did my breathing exercises for a week.

The morning of the surgery I got up at 3:30. I had to be there at 5:30 to be prepped. It was a surreal feeling. I woke up and immediately was filled with fear and anxiety. It felt like a bad dream. I took a shower with my special soap and got in the car to head to Methodist hospital in Indy.

We got there and my whole family was there—16 of us. I was obviously a mess, throwing up and crying. Even thinking about it brings the feelings back of complete hopelessness and fear. We sat there for about an hour before the nurse brought me back.

The waiting room was full of people going in for surgery or waiting for a family member. My family gathered and my grandpa Davis prayed over me. I went back to get prepped and genuinely considered bolting. I had it in my mind that I was not getting surgery. Every single bad thought you can possibly think of, I had already played out in my head.

My family came back in pairs to wish me luck. I was in bad shape, I couldn’t even breathe, I was so upset. The neurosurgeon even had to come in and talk me out of the spiral I was going down. I finally calmed down enough to lay back and before I knew it they gave me this special medicine that made me extremely loopy.

All I remember is the surgical room—it was cold and stiff. Then they put a purple oxygen mask on me and I was out.

I was under for 4 hours once all was said and done. I had 2 surgeons in the room with me—a neurosurgeon and an orbital surgeon. Both great guys with so much knowledge. All I remember is waking up to “Braci, wiggle your toes.”

I was in intense pain when I woke up. I just wanted my family. I waited until they were allowed to come back. I was given the good pain meds and was slightly out of it, but was there enough to see my family. I don’t remember all of it, but I do remember how loved I felt. No way I was getting through that without my family.

I was in the recovery room for 8 hours. I was one of the last ones there. Some of the noises I heard and things I saw I will never forget! I was in and out of it all day, which I expected.

My nurses were a few years older than me. If I wasn’t in the state I was in, I really think we could have become great friends. They took great care of me.

I finally got my room for the night. I got settled in and calmed down and they called me down for an MRI. I freaked out. The contrast last time I had gotten an MRI made me sick. I finally was able to convince myself to go into the MRI machine after sitting down there for an hour begging them to let me go back up to my family. Shoutout to that nurse for dealing with my drama.

I got back to my family and settled in for the night. I slept great that night honestly. I was in pain, but I was exhausted. I woke up that morning early to get some more meds.

I had some doctors come in and check me out. I was originally supposed to be in the ICU, but surgery went so well, I was in the unit down from the ICU. My eye was swollen shut and I was pretty miserable, but they decided to release me that day. Somehow I walked down to the car—it was hard but I did!

I got to go home and the healing journey began. For a week my eye was still swollen shut, bad headaches, and blurry vision, along with extreme dizziness. After week 1 my eye started to open up and I started eating more. I had lost some weight and was not in the healthiest state.

Once my eye started opening I started trying to go on walks and be more active. Now, while writing this, on week 3, I am driving again. I am moving around, and my eye is almost completely open. Still not 100%, but I am here.

My hope is to be able to fish this fall, praying I get released! I am more than relieved to be heading uphill now. It has been one heck of a journey.

What Has Helped Me Get Through the Hardest Days

There have been so many things that have helped me get through my hardest days. I will start with Christ. Without His love for me I wouldn’t even be able to reach others and talk to them about my faith. His Word calms my soul. Even just talking to Him as a friend helps me overcome my worst moments.

Secondly, my family. My mom, Kimbi, and my dad, Aaron, have been huge assets to my healing process. They gave me the gentle love I needed, and the tough love I needed as well. They told me things I didn’t want to hear, but needed to hear. They dug me out of the worst season of my life I have ever experienced.

My step mom, Ashley, and step dad, Mike, along with his kids, and pastor, always encouraged me and sent kindness my way. Encouragement and kindness I needed to overcome this obstacle life threw at me.

Next is my siblings, Brody and Avery, my absolute best friends in the entire world. Brody hauled me around, dealt with my anxiety attacks, and stayed patient with me on my worst days. My brother doesn’t get enough recognition for all he had to deal with. I couldn’t possibly ask for a better brother. He got me through some of my worst moments without ever complaining.

Avery, my little sister, she knew something was wrong, but not quite what. She never hesitated to give me hugs, kisses, or try to make me laugh. Avery is so selfless and kind, unless she doesn’t get her way then she may get a little aggressive, haha.

Next up is the rest of my family. My beautiful grandparents, the Ault’s and the Davis’s. They checked up on me constantly, and never hesitated to bring me food, or even come hang out with me—even though they live far away. The rest of my family as well. My Aunt’s who also came to my surgery, along with my uncles. My boyfriend and his mom who showed me great encouragement in this hard time. As well as my cousins, and my other Aunt and Uncle who have supported me and came and seen me as well. Also my step family on both sides, who I am so thankful for!

Third is my church family. A very kind lady, her name is Jamie, put together a prayer service for me, 2 days before surgery. I want to thank and appreciate everyone who came to support me. Their prayers and presence helped me to overcome the demons attacking me spiritually.

Next is my fishing family. To everyone who messaged me or just even came to support me—I could not have done this without your support and love. I have never felt so loved in my life, and that’s what helped me overcome. I think everyone deserves to feel that love. It is a feeling I will never forget.

Also to everyone who supported me financially—surgery isn’t cheap, and neither is recovery! My family and I truly appreciate you so much.

Fourth is those who sent me cards, messages, or just encouraged me in any way. Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed.

Fifth—fishing and hobbies. I pond fished on the days where I felt good enough to. Any bass made me forget about my situation for a while. I had an escape, which I so desperately needed.

Next was my animals! I would often play with my lizards, dogs, or my mini horse. That tended to take my mind off of the situation for a while too. Or even just watching hunting or fishing videos!

Last but not least are my amazing friends. Bailey, one of my closest friends, never hesitated to come hang out with me on my worst days. I just met Bailey 2 years ago at college, but she has been so great to me. Also my friend Liv, from work, she encouraged me and helped me conquer my worst days as well. My cousin Reese, always making sure I was okay.

Kylie, who supported me at my benefit tournament. Also Campbell, who checked up on me constantly. I can’t forget about Phil from Poorboys Baits as well for always supporting me, and making me a better person. Phil even took his time to make the long drive to come see me and attend my benefit tournament. I am thankful for my sponsors like Phil and J from Poorboy’s Baits and Bass Pro as well for checking up on me.

I have many other friends who reached out and checked on me as well, and for them I am so thankful. I am so fortunate to be shown the love that I have been receiving.

The Benefit Tournament

The idea of the benefit tournament was one that I never expected, but will remember for the rest of my life. There is a local mechanic shop around here, called Rothrock Tires. The owner, Brian Rothrock and his wife, Erica, have taken great care of us for years.

A few days after my diagnosis I finally decided to let the media know. A couple hours later Brian Rothrock and our friend, Kyle Need, were out fishing on Shafer and posted the idea for the benefit tournament. When I first saw it I was obviously very emotional, but I figured it would be about a 20 boat tourney with a few hotdogs maybe after.

As time went on, donations started coming in. So many donations that we had to start an auction as well as a raffle. I was overwhelmed and emotional in the best way possible. The video blew up, it got 24k views. Big names like Carl Jocumsen, Jacob Wheeler, Alex Redwine, and Easton Fothergill started following along with my journey as well. Along with the multiple companies that offered donations.

Brian Rothrock as well as his wife Erica, and our friend Kyle Need organized the entire thing. They kept track of everyone who donated to the raffle, auction, or financially. They got food catered in (Bob Oliver’s—it was amazing), as well as Mor Sweets custom made cookies (so good!). They kept everyone’s entry fees in order, kept all of the items donated in order, made flyers, sold raffle tickets—everything and anything possible.

The morning of the tournament I thought I would be the earliest one there. I was wrong! My dad and I showed up around 4:15. There were already 20 people there setting up. They set up tables for food and raffle items, they organized all of the raffle items, and hung up fancy lights. I was in awe, I couldn’t believe that all of it was for me.

Then all of the people started pulling in. We ended up with almost 50 boats and 200+ people showed up to come support me that day. People even drove long ways to come to the weigh-in. It was the most loved and supported I have ever felt in my entire life.

I can’t say thank you enough to the Rothrocks and Kyle for putting this together for me. I hope you guys are reading this, and I hope you know that what you did for me is something that has changed my life. It made me so much stronger and so very thankful for the amazing community I have around me.

Meaningful Moments from the Event

Some of the most meaningful moments—well gosh, there are so many!

I will start in the morning. The takeoff was absolutely beautiful. I got to see and meet so many new people, and people that I have missed so much. The sunrise was one of the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen—thank you Jesus!

After the boats took off my friend Russ, who drove pretty far to come support me, allowed me to FaceTime Jacob Wheeler! That was pretty legit. I appreciate both of them taking time out of their busy schedules to support me.

Later on in the day our friend Dirk Ryan took a few of us out to go see a sign our good friends the Schroeder’s hung up on the dock for me. It was a huge sign that said “Reeling in Healing.” I was trying so hard to not get emotional all day, but that did me in!

We came back in and started preparing for weigh-in. People started showing up, more than I could have ever imagined. All of these people for me!

One specific story hit me hard. I was stopped by a gentleman who said he knew what I was going through. He was so kind and so open about his struggles. He stated that he had battled with tumors in his head that turned into cancer. He fought for his life and said he almost lost it.

He told me he hadn’t been out of the house in months because he wasn’t feeling well, but he was brave enough to conquer the heat that day for me.

Now here is the crazy part—Bud Smart, a great friend of ours, built a very high quality, beautiful rod to raffle off. Thousands of tickets were sold. They allowed me to pull out the ticket. Guess whose name I drew out? Yep. The gentleman who had won his battle with cancer and was brave enough to come support me that day.

As if I wasn’t already emotional enough, Bud surprised me with a custom rod he built me. Him and my dad secretly worked on it together for me. It was my favorite color, blue, it has a cross on it, a fish with a cross inside, and my favorite verse written out on the handle:

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.”

It’s by far the most beautiful rod I own.

After that, the rest of the raffles started going. Everyone went home with something, even if you didn’t get a raffle item, you got a goodie bag and some dang good food as well!

Then as prizes started getting handed out for the winners, almost every single paycheck was given back to me. I insisted they keep it, but they were adamant about it.

Someone even made shirts for me that said “fish for Braci,” and their whole family wore them.

As the whole day winded down I was sad. Reality set back in. Thank you for giving me a day full of hope and kindness. It was exactly what I needed.

The Impact of the Fishing Community

The community has done more than I could have ever imagined—supporting me financially and emotionally. Financially we raised more money than I ever thought was possible.

But the emotional support is what means the most to me. The hundreds of people that reached out from all over the world surprised me the most. People introducing themselves and sharing their health journeys helped me realize I wasn’t alone in this battle.

To everyone that came and saw me during my ugliest times—you are truly selfless people and I love you.

Galatians 6:2 states that we should carry each other’s burdens—my supporters helped me carry mine, making it so much lighter. I experienced love and support I will never forget, and for that I am so thankful.

What the Fishing Community Means to Me Now

The fishing community meant so much to me before, but now I feel like I personally know everyone. I met so many people, and learned so much about them as well. Not even just in Indiana—people from multiple states, college and high school circuits, B.A.S.S elites, MLF fishermen/women—so many.

I realized that the fishing community is full of selfless, genuine people. Although this tumor hasn’t been enjoyable, I’m thankful it gave me the connections God knew I needed.

We are all just trying to catch a bass. We all love this sport and God’s beautiful creations He allows us to fish in. I’m so thankful that I had and have my community to lean on.

Looking Ahead

As I continue to heal, I’m looking forward to just feeling normal again. At first I was sad that I couldn’t fish, but then reality hit. I missed doing normal everyday things.

I’ve always heard people say “don’t take this life for granted.” I never thought anything about it—until I did. Now my whole perspective has changed.

Although I still struggle with negativity, everyday is beautiful. It’s beautiful to be alive and healthy. Please don’t take your health for granted.

I’m truly so excited to be getting back to my life. I struggled mentally before the tumor. It sounds weird, but the tumor is helping me heal mentally too. I really think God saved me from myself.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to fish again—but honestly, I think I’m more thrilled just to be able to live again.

A Message to Others

My message to those struggling mentally or physically is—do not let the devil win. The devil will make you think you are weak. The devil will make you think you are alone.

God doesn’t create evil—the devil does. The devil tried to destroy me with the tumor, but God had better plans for me. God took something evil and He made it beautiful.

It’s okay to have bad days. It’s okay to have weak moments. Take that anger and sadness to God.

Always remember that you are so much stronger than you think you are. You will have moments where you want to give up, I know I did. But always remember—do not let the devil win.

Depending on what part of the country you live they may be called fruit jars, wildcats, week-nighters, jackpots, derbies, or opens, but regardless of the region this community of anglers looks and feels about the same.  BassmastHER ambassador Maggie Jo Carsello will be the first to tell you, there is something special about weeknight derbies and local tournaments.

“Small, local tournaments are my favorites because they are almost always lighthearted and fun,” Carsello said. “You don’t have to have a $80,000 bass boat with all the latest gadgets for this kind of fishing, any old Jon boat or bass boat with an operational livewell will get the job done. Everyone gets to know each other, and it really does become a tight-knit community.”

Juggling a fulltime job, content production for her burgeoning social media, and her role as a BassmastHER representative keeps Maggie Jo plenty busy; but she still fits as many local tournaments into her weekly routine as possible. Her longtime boyfriend Andrew is the tournament director for the Madison Bass Club and Maggie is his right-hand woman.

The two run their Wednesday night tournament trail from 5:00PM to 8:00PM each week, along with select weekend tournaments that span the more traditional timeframe of sunrise until 2:00 or 3:00PM. Maggie and Andrew also squeeze in competing in a Tuesday night league and try for at least one team tournament each weekend.  

There is no lack of opportunity and Maggie believes there is no better place for an angler to get their feet wet with fishing competition than at the local level.

“It’s always intimidating to try something new but people who are passionate about fishing want to see the sport grow and are quick to be supportive,” the Team Toyota pro offered. “I started out as one of the only females in our hometown trail but now there are lots of lady anglers competing. These tournaments are welcoming and these days there are more resources to get involved than ever.

“You can find a regional Facebook fishing group to join and ask questions in. You can become part of your local bass club, or your high school and college fishing team if you’re still in school. If you’re struggling to make connections, go to a local weigh-in and don’t be afraid to be a beginner. It’s an easy way to strike up conversation and it’ll help you feel more comfortable.”

Maggie has been obsessed with the outdoors for as long as she can remember and has been fishing local tournaments around her home in Wisconsin for close to decade, but she got her start in tournament fishing through many of the tips she laid out.

“I was introduced to tournament fishing in college at UW Stephens Point,” Carsello said. “I joined the school fishing club and made some great friends. I was convinced to fish a bar-league muskie tournament where I met a super friendly man named Greg who kind of took me under his wing. I was super inexperienced, but he had a young daughter and was gracious with his time.

“He invited me to fish my first bass tournament, the Waupaca Open on the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes. We didn’t win the tournament or anything, but we had such a good time! That experience opened my eyes to bass tournaments, which has gone on to become a huge part of my life.”

The community feel and low-stress nature of local bass tournaments is what lured Maggie in and remains her favorite aspect of competing ‘around the house’. These events offer anglers the opportunity to scratch their competitive itch without a cutthroat, “me-first” undertone.

Where you want to beat your peers, but once you’re standing around the scales at the end of the evening, you’re the first to cheer on and congratulate one another. A scene where competitors are quick to lend a hand if mechanical issues arise. You can find these examples at all levels of bass fishing, but the seeds are planted and grown at local tournaments.

“Every week when we show up to host a tournament and fish, I am just reminded of the love I have for fishing,” Carsello beamed. “Whether there are 70 boats or 14 boats doesn’t really matter, it’s just an excuse to chase some fish, have some fun and spend time together.”

The low-cost, low-stress, and welcoming nature of local tournament trails is why so many people start their competitive fishing journey here. Some aspire to compete at higher levels, and they may move to bigger stages, while others may fish the same tournament trails their entire lives.

That’s the beauty of fishing. It’s a recreational hobby that can be whatever you want it to be. For some, an hour of fishing may be best spent kicked back in a lawn chair on a shady bank, watching a bobber with a worm wiggling a few feet below. Others may need the competition of a smaller-scale tournament to satisfy their fishing desires, and some will not be content until they chase their fishing passions all the way to highest levels of competition.

Strong roots grow tall trees, and the community of local tournaments have grown many of bass fishing’s biggest names. Regardless of where you want to end up with your fishing pursuits, these local events are a great place to start.

With every cast, Patterson is winning over anglers across the country, not just with her skill but with a gratitude so profound it feels like a prayer, a testament to the spirit of the outdoors and the divine calling that keeps her hooked.

A childhood hooked on fishing

Down in the Lowcountry fishing is more than a pastime—it’s a sacred rite. For Anastasia Patterson, it’s been her heartbeat since she was barely old enough to toddle. 

“I grew up hunting and fishing before I could walk,” she says, her voice rolling with the slow, syrupy cadence of Charleston. “My mom—she’s not the biggest fishing person by any means, but my dad would take me all the time. I’ve loved it since I was 4 years old. I was getting newspaper articles written about my love of fishing back when I was that age, believe it or not. It’s always been an integral part of my life.”

Picture a little girl, pigtails swinging, standing on a weathered dock with a rod taller than her, her dad’s steady hand guiding her as she reeled in her first bass from a pond. The water lapped at the pilings; the air hummed with cicadas and young Anastasia was smitten. 

“The Lord kept calling me back to fishing, no matter what I did,” she says, her words heavy with the weight of destiny. “When I went to college, we didn’t have a college fishing team, but we convinced them to make one. And that was a huge catalyst.” 

That team, born from her and others’ sheer love for the sport, was the spark that lit her path to the professional circuit, where she’s now a rising star apart of the BassmastHER movement.

A sport that shapes the soul

For Patterson, fishing isn’t about the fish—it’s about the lessons, the moments, the quiet revelations that come with every cast. 

“I can think of a million ways this sport has shaped me,” she says. “Kristine Fischer and I are actually staying at an Amish farm in Maryland right now getting ready for a Bassmaster Open. We talk all the time about patience, kindness to yourself and other people on the water. I’ve also learned passion from the pursuit of wanting to do this for a living and in tournament fishing, I’ve learned everything from character to integrity. Each time I go fishing, I feel like the Lord reveals something new to me.”

Back at Anastasia’s roots, where the herons glide over the marsh and the sky burns pink at dusk, Patterson finds a classroom on the water. She’s learned to silence the inner critic that whispers after a bad tournament day, drawing strength from 2 Corinthians 10:12. 

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 

“Often times, it’s easy to compare yourself to what everyone else is doing,” she says. “Even though we’re fishing tournaments, you’re your own worst enemy. But I’ve learned that if I have a poor attitude going into day two after a bad day one, I’m already setting myself up for failure. No matter how long you fish, you’ll never know everything. I’ve had to learn to be kind to myself and give myself some grace.”

That grace extends outward, too. 

“In being kind to myself, I’ve had to learn respect; you inherently give people an olive branch, and they may not give it back to you. And that’s okay,” she says. 

In the competitive world of bass fishing, where rivalries can sting like a marsh mosquito, Patterson’s approach—rooted in faith and hospitality—sets her apart. She’s the angler who’ll offer a smile to a competitor, share a kind word with a fan or pause to pray over the water, all because she believes in living the love she feels from above.

A woman’s path in a man’s world

In a sport where women are still fighting for their place, Patterson’s journey has had its share of challenges. 

“When it comes to being a woman, there are some tough times in this business,” she admits, her voice steady but candid. “When it comes to business, it definitely was a lot harder at one point to get taken seriously because some may think you don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

But Patterson doesn’t let the skeptics dim her fire. 

“The Lord himself has haters, so if someone is displeased with what I’ve done out of good faith and character, I’ve just kind of learned to ignore any mean or nasty comments,” she says.

Her mantra, “Head up, hammer down,” is her rallying cry. 

“No matter what happens in life, you have to keep your head up, whether it’s in the classroom or on the lake,” she explains. “You have to keep your head up for what the Lord has in store for you. And you have to hammer down, because you have to go all out.”

It’s a creed that carries her through the grind of tournaments or travel, the sting of a tough weigh-in and the weight of being a trailblazer in a male-dominated sport. With every cast, she’s proving that a South Carolina girl can hold her own—and then some.

Developing a strong interest in fishing during her middle school years, Whitfield endured relentless bullying simply for being the only girl in her class that enjoyed the sport.

Undeterred and encouraged by her mother, Kapi, the Bradenton native outlasted the small-minded ridicule, earned her Captain’s License at 18, established her own fishing brand, and channeled her frustration into an motivation. 

Not only did she prove her critics wrong by winning her first tournament before she could drive, Whitfield went on to build an inshore charter service and launch a television show that chronicles her work in hosting differently abled kids that might not otherwise get to experience the thrill of bending a rod.

In 2022, Whitfield debuted Their Life, My Lens, a fishing program produced by Outdoor America and available on multiple streaming apps. Aboard her 21-foot Yellowfin boat, custom built to accommodate child size wheelchairs, she films eight episodes each year and mostly focuses on kids with physical and/or developmental challenges.

The Backstory

As Whitfield explained, “Their Life, My Lens,” is the media vehicle for Chastenation, the non-profit she started at 18. Now 25, Whitfield has a well-established reputation for motivational speaking, benevolence and charitable support.

Right after winning her first tournament, she donated her winnings back to the charity-based event. Whitfield would go on to organize an all-girl tournament team named “For A Cause,” which competed in charitable events with the goal of winning money that they could return to the tournament’s stated cause.

Since her teens, Whitfield has visited schools, churches and Girl Scout meetings to teach basic fishing lessons. These public appearances often yield opportunities for one-on-one interactions that allow Whitfield to share her perspectives on social media and bullying.

Prior graduating high school, Whitfield was recruited by Savannah College of Art and Design to compete on the all-girls college bass fishing team. Earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in TV and Film provided the tools to conceive and construct the TV show, through which she focuses on her guests’ abilities, rather than their disabilities.

A Vision Emerges

While official non-profit status is only available once a person turns 18, Whitfield actually started taking kids fishing when she was 16. Each outing was meaningful, but one particular interaction proved transformative.

“I was doing a fishing camp on one of the local piers and this little boy rolls up in a wheelchair,” Whitfield recalls. “He was 4 years old and he had spina bifida. He was the only boy on that pier catching fish.

“He was doing donuts in his wheelchair and saying, ‘Miss Chasten, I caught a fish! I caught a fish!’”

Impressed with the boy’s enthusiasm, Whitfield suggested they get him onto a boat for an expanded angling experience. The boy’s response was both heart wrenching and motivating.

“He said, ‘No, I have to fish off the dock because I don’t fit in a boat,’” Whitfield said. “I was 16 and my boat, at the time, was small, so I found one of my friends who was a charter captain whose boat was big enough to fit a wheel chair.

“We took that young boy fishing July 4, 2016, before the waters go too crowded, and he caught so many snapper, we called him the ‘Snapper Master.’”

Relating the tale with crystal clarity, as if it happened a week ago, Whitfield said the experience of watching fishing’s uplifting power literally defined her future course.

“He was a little scared (on the boat), but the minute he started catching fish, you could see his confidence build, “Whitfield said. “Toward the end of the trip, he said, ‘We can go fast now. I said, ‘Are you sure?’ and he said, ‘Yep, and I want to drive the boat.’

“His mom got him out of the wheelchair and got him behind the console so he could steer a little bit. I was so cool, because when he first got in the boat, he was timid and shy and when he caught fish, it boosted his confidence that much.”

Reflecting her own takeaway, Whitfield said: “That’s what really hooked me. I was like, ‘You know what, I think I want to do this for the rest of my life. This is pretty cool, and I haven’t stopped.”

All About the Kids

Whitfield grew up around the fishing/boating industry, so she knows her stuff. However, she’s quick to point out that every episode of “Their Story, My Lens” represents a personal learning experience.

“They teach me more than I teach them,” Whitfield said. “They teach me life lessons, I just teach them how to fish.”

Admittedly, Whitfield has wrestled with the mindset of a charter captain pursuing maximum productivity vs. that of someone pursuing maximum smiles.

“I tend to stress myself out, because when I take a kid fishing, I’m so focused on that kid,” she said. “Are they having fun? Are they okay? Is it too hot? Is it too cold? Are they bored? Are they tired?

“I’m always running these scenarios through my head and I’m always worrying about if they’re having fun, but then I’ll look over and the kid is smiling, eating his snacks and having the best time. I’m like, ‘You’re right. We’re on a boat, this is awesome and I need to chill out.”

As Whitfield has learned, multiple metrics define a successful fishing trip, but none so clearly as the simple question: Did you enjoy the day?

“I want the kids to have fun; I don’t want them to catch a few fish and be so whupped they don’t want to fish anymore,” Whitfield said. “I don’t want it to be boring, so I tell them, ‘This is your day. Tell me if you’re getting tired.

“I also tell the parents, to let me know if they sense (their child) is getting tired and they want to go swimming, go to a sandbar or a beach, go find dolphins. Some kids just want to go fast, so I say, ‘We can absolutely go fast! Let’s turn the AC on and let’s keep going.”

Maximize the Experience

When she’s hosting one of her differently abled guests, Whitfield favors live scaled sardines (aka “whitebait) that she typically nets near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay. An effective option for snook, trout and redfish, these baits also tempt small coastal sharks when older kids are up for a bigger challenge.

Along with the fishing fun, Whitfield weaves a handful of key lessons into her trips.

Patience Pays: Live baiting tends to have a short wait time, but sometimes, you gotta let the moment develop.

“Sometimes, the kids want to cast the bait and reel it back in, cast and reel it back in,” Whitfield said. “I tell them, ‘You have to leave the bait in the water, so it will swim in front of the big fish’s face and they’ll eat it.’”

Protect the Resource: In 2015, Whitfield caught a 178-pound tarpon, which, at the time, would have been an International Gamefish Association all-tackle Junior (female) record. Whitfield received an IGFA catch certification, but she declined the opportunity to set an official world record, because she chose to live release the magnificent giant.

She stresses the same stewardship ethics with her tackle choice: “I use circle hooks because they’re conservation-friendly (less chance of deep hooking) and kid-friendly. The kids don’t have to set the hook; all they have to do is reel.”

Live the Moment: Stressing the therapeutic benefits of truly embracing the fishing experience, Whitfield tells her guests to let loose and let their soul sing.

“I tell them, ‘If you do get a fish, reel and scream like crazy,’” Whitfield said. “I tell them to use their outside voices and scream and hoot and holler as loud as they want.

“Some people think you have to be very quiet in certain areas, but I tell them, ‘I want everyone to know you’re catching a fish!’”

Because fishing is for everyone.

What she thought wasn’t good enough turned out to be plenty.

With a two-day total of 172.75 inches, the Weeping Water, Neb., native claimed her first B.A.S.S. title, earning the top prize of $7,500 and a spot in the 2026 Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. Fischer opened the tournament in second place with a 90.5-inch limit of largemouth before jumping into the top spot with 82.25 inches Day 2, which included one smallmouth. 

The BassmastHER ambassador now has victories with three different national trails. 

“I’m honestly in disbelief,” Fischer said. “I thought the big fish bite was better today, and I had the bites today that I knew I would have needed to win the tournament. But the two biggest bites I got didn’t get to the boat. You get a gut feeling when one of those gets off that it was going to cost you, and I definitely had that feeling. I’m a big believer that when it is your time, it is your time. A lot lately, it hasn’t been my time, and I was just hoping to stay in the Top 3. 

“I’m still reeling a little bit that I actually pulled it off.”

Oklahoma’s Luke Aryan finished second with a two-day total of 171.25 inches followed by Missouri’s Micah Funderburgh in third with 170.5 inches. Kansas angler Stony Floyd and Connecticut’s Ryan Nye rounded out the Top 5 with 170.5 and 170.25 respectively. 

Fischer’s first tournament on Lake Tenkiller came early last year when she finished 36th in the 2024 Kayak Series Championship. As a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Division I angler, Lake Tenkiller was her third and final Kayak Series tournament for the season, and she knew she needed a good finish to qualify for the 2026 Championship through the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race. 

“Your best three events (determine AOY), and I can only fish three,” Fischer said. “I knew I had to get a Top 30 finish to make sure I am in the Championship, so I had some pressure on me.”

The water levels on Lake Tenkiller changed every day. After heavy rains moved through the area, the lake rose to 8 feet above full pool midweek before the Corp of Engineers began releasing water late in the week and into the weekend.

Targeting floating docks sitting over 15 to 45 feet of water, Fischer skipped 5-, 6- and 7-inch shad-colored swimbaits (including a 6-inch Berkley Cull Shad) under those docks to generate her biggest bites. She used sidescan to locate docks with baitfish underneath before turning around and making long skips to the backside of the particular dock. 

In practice, Fischer discovered some issues with her forward-facing sonar, and she was unable to use it during the tournament, which she felt turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Some of the bigger bites were way under the dock. You almost had to hit the back of the dock,” Fischer explained. “Some of the times I couldn’t even see what was underneath.

“I didn’t turn it on once. I think that helped me. Sometimes when you have it on, it distracts you. I just did my thing around the banks and docks.”

She also flipped a Berkley Crud Craw around flooded bushes she came across during the day.

“As the water dropped, I pulled out to the midcreek areas, and anywhere I had a steeper bank with flooded bushes I would flip,” she said. “I also threw the big swimbait there and would crawl it through the flooded bushes. I got a lot of big bites doing that and had a lot of followers.”     

During practice, Fischer caught quality smallmouth and largemouth. Once the tournament began, largemouth became the predominant species in her areas. After achieving a small limit in the back of a creek to open Day 1, Fischer moved out to deeper water and filled out a limit measuring just under 90 inches in the first two hours, which included a 20.5-inch largemouth. 

A move down to the dam produced two culls around a stretch of chunk rock. 

“I caught smallmouth in practice fishing bushes, which was very strange. They were very much mixed in with the largemouth in practice,” Fischer said. “But Day 1 I never got a smallmouth bite. The sun might have had something to do with that.” 

On Day 2, Fischer felt fishing the floating docks would give her the best chance at winning. She filled out a limit around midmorning but lost a quality smallmouth and a big largemouth that would have given her a comfortable cushion over the field. Fortunately for Fischer, she didn’t need them.

“I had the big swimbait in my hand all day. I didn’t put it down,” she said. “I was hunting for those big bites, and I got them. I knew I was doing the right thing, but I felt like I needed to stay in the area and hammer down.”

West Virginia’s Phillip Backus claimed the $500 Big Bass bonus with a 21.25-inch largemouth he landed on Day 2. Rus Snyders also landed a 21.25 on Day 1, but Backus broke the tie with a 20.25-inch bass. 

All anglers earned points toward the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Kayak Series Angler of the Year race. Those standings will be updated in the coming days.

The Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft is scored by TourneyX.

Full results from the Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Lake Tenkiller presented by Native Watercraft are scored by TourneyX and can be found here.

The Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association hosted the tournament.

Introduction to fishing

My first fishing memory that I can remember was when I was really little and my dad would take my family out all the time to go sand bass fishing. We would have about four rods out, and one time all four rods got hooked up almost at the same time—so it was chaotic but so much fun!

My dad got me hooked into fishing from the get-go. I’ve been fishing with my family since I was a baby.

Experiences and challenges

A positive experience that I, as a woman in the fishing community, have encountered is the support from so many people!

A negative, though, is that a lot of people still believe that women can’t fish, so they say things like, “Oh, I bet your boat captain caught all your fish,” and just snarky remarks toward us since we’re females. But that’s the stuff that drives us to stay with it and do better.

Perceptions and attitudes

The majority of the fishing community now has really accepted female fishermen, and it’s been really supportive!

Support system

Yes, I have found some great groups of females that really encourage other women to just stay strong and always stay confident—and that we do belong there too.

Representation and visibility

I do believe that women have been really represented in such a strong and amazing light these past few years in the fishing industry. The amount of women that are joining leadership roles in the fishing community is incredible.

Changes over time

When I started fishing, there were pretty much no other females fishing. So seeing it totally flip over the past few years has been so fun—getting to know other female anglers!

Equality and inclusion efforts

I think the inclusivity and equality side of all of this is gradually getting a lot better, so I’d love to see it all slowly grow and watch all the phases. I can’t wait to see it grow in the next years.

Personal achievement

I wouldn’t say this is specifically personal—it includes my fishing partner, so I’d like to share our achievements: winning state champs two times out of our six-year career and qualifying for Nationals five times.

Fishing style

I personally like to finesse fish. I like the slow fishing that makes you really dig deep and grind it out. It can also be so fun catching big fish on spincast reels!

Advice for aspiring female anglers

I would definitely say—whatever anyone tells you or says about your passion for this sport, don’t let them diminish your fire for what you love to do. If anything, use that and be more determined to do better than the people that discourage you.

Introduction to fishing

My mom and dad used fishing as their date nights growing up, so I have been on the boat with both of them since I could hold a pole myself! Both of them have been a huge part of this journey, but my dad has been my true inspiration for it all.

Experiences and challenges

In 6th grade, my partner, Abigail, and I got the chance to fish a local junior tournament that my dad had heard about. We were the only girls there and a little intimidated for sure. However, by the grace of God, we ended up winning the tournament—which was actually the Junior State Championship—and qualified for our first National Championship!

We’ve now qualified for Nationals through our two trails a total of five times throughout our six years of fishing. We recently won the State Championship on the same lake where we won our very first tournament and have made history once again! Not only are we the only all-female team to win the Junior State Championship, but we are also the only all-female team to win the High School State Championship. We were also Anglers of the Year our 8th grade year—and are still the only female team to hold that title.

It’s been an absolutely blessed and amazing journey through and through, and the support we’ve received from the families and friends of this community have made it the dream it has been for us. We still receive some backlash on occasion for the success that we’ve had. High school boys don’t like to lose—especially not to people who aren’t “supposed” to succeed in their field. However, the naysayers are few and far between anymore, and the community has been beyond amazing and welcoming!

Perceptions and attitudes

I would honestly say 99% of people are genuinely happy and excited to see women continuing to grow in this field. It has definitely gained popularity throughout our time fishing, and women are not really a shock to see anymore—which is amazing!

The parents have been some of the most excited, especially the moms. I’ve met so many moms who are thrilled to see girls succeeding in something they were told years ago they couldn’t do. We not only do all of this for ourselves and our families, but also for all of the women who had the passion and weren’t able to pursue it—and for the younger ones who might feel like they don’t belong.

The boys have been fairly welcoming as well. We’ve met some of our best friends through our years on the trail and have definitely made genuine connections to last a lifetime. There’s always going to be that 1% who doesn’t believe it’s right and never will—but when the rest of the community is so great, it’s hard to focus too much on the 1%.

I believe being taken seriously as genuine competition has required a little more success than it typically does, but if anything, it has given Abigail and me even more drive to succeed to the best of our ability!

Support system

The support all around has been indescribable. The women in the community who fish at the professional level know and have experienced firsthand the struggles we all face, and it has been beyond comforting to have someone with experience be so open and supportive of everything we do.

We’ve been connected to the BassmastHER community for some time now, and they have been the most welcoming women I have ever met. They show both passion and grace with every success and failure they experience. They are the perfect example of what women in the sport should look like, and I could not be more thankful to have them in my corner.

Representation and visibility

I believe the opportunities we’ve been given to get our names out to the media have been beyond amazing. From day one, the community, sponsors, media, friends, and family have been how we’ve received the representation we have.

My father put everything into giving us not only the resources to succeed but also the connections to succeed. The media has been more than excited to support us, but my father has been a large part of that process as well, and I could never thank him enough.

Changes over time

As women have continued to grow in the competitive field, it’s been amazing to watch them thrive in the field we’ve grown to be accepted in. I’m personally never surprised when I see a woman take checks from the boys in our field now more than ever—and I believe it’s becoming a very normalized thing. It’s amazing to watch for sure!

Equality and inclusion efforts

The only efforts I can suggest are for women to continue to grow this sport! Make it something people see every day rather than a woman here and there succeeding. The more we continue to grow our community and succeed, the less anyone—no matter who they are—will be able to say.

Personal achievement

My entire fishing career has been what has put me in the positions I’m in today. All of the successes and failures have molded me into the angler I’m growing to be. I am proud of never losing sight of what I believe in and always pushing myself to reach the potential I knew—not only myself but also my partner and I—were always capable of.

Fishing style

I love finesse fishing, and I believe it’s been a huge part of the success Abigail and I have had. Fishing is not easy more often than not, and typically will require someone to slow down and make the fish bite.

Although I do love a good topwater and spinnerbait bite, I will always love getting to slow down and finesse some fish.

Advice for aspiring female anglers

Do not ever let someone who doesn’t know anything about your abilities tell you how successful or unsuccessful you can be. Know your drive, know your abilities, and know you can do it just as good—if not better—than the ones doubting you!

You can follow Rhiauna Switzer on Instagram: @rhiauna_switzer