Larry Russell Memorial Crappie Camp

To All - Larry Russell has been a friend and mentor to many people and has influenced many lives thru crappie fishing and Crappie Pro. He will be sorely missed. A thought came to me tonight while I was helping with supper. I am suggesting that we rename the Oklahoma Crappie Camps to the Larry Russell Memorial Camp to honor this gentle man and his impact on the crappie fishing industry. Ranger and I briefly discussed this tonight and he thought it was a sound idea.

So what say you Oklahoma C.C members?

Respectfully,

Cricket George

As one of the original Crappie Camp organizational members I spoke with Larry several times about the camps and urged his attendance. He was in full support of the idea of the Crappie Camps, especially the annual one that is family and youth oriented. However, for his own reasons he did not want to spend time at them. I encouraged him to but he said he didn't want to appear to be a centerpiece at the Camps. I do believe we need a lasting memorial to Larry and his influence on the Oklahoma and the national Crappie fishing scene. Since the camps will be rotating to various lakes I would propose something else.

Larry never failed to ask me how I was doing fishing and when I complained about the wind or lack of success he always said that I should be on Gaines Creek. That was his favorite place on Eufaula and it became mine because of him. I know he especially enjoyed sponsorship of the first Gaines Creek Challenge tournament in 2013. That tournament was a huge success and had a large number of attendees - me being one. I propose that there be an 'Annual Larry Russell Gaines Creek Open Crappie Tournament' each year during a time when the creek would produce good fish. I'm not especially interested in tournaments but would be proud to enter that one each year as a memorial to Larry. I would even say we should do something with most of the $$ as a scholarship or charity benefit in his name. Just another suggestion as an idea to preserve Larry's name with Crappie fishing. If this happens and the tournament chairs agree I would be proud to assist them in any way.

Yeah I believe it would have to be something Gaines Creek related too.

I like it IkenI.

I like the idea IkenI!!! I think it is neat that it would tie in with Gaines creek.

Good idea!

Someone who has done so much for so many deserves lasting recognition, and where better than at his favorite place.

Then let's make it happen

Larry and Janice has been so good to me and some of the groups we have in Kansas so I'm in.... Let me know when and where. Sometime we have benches or memorial items put on our lakes here that people purchase with donations. Maybe we can do something like that at Gaines Creek boat ramp. I have never been there but that an idea that came to mind.

Shane Eustice - Crappie Pro Pro-Staff

I think an annual Larry Russell Gaines Creek tournament is an awesome idea. I am in.

Odie

Just let me know what I need to do to help make this happen folks.

Great idea gentlemen.


Bobo

What would be a good time to have the 'Annual Larry Russell Gaines Creek Open Crappie Tournament' on Gaines Creek? What are the better times of the year to fish Gaines? We should be able to work it into the Tournament and Camping schedules.

EB and I discussed this yesterday. The Gaines Creek Challenge was sponsored by Crappie Pro as we all know. Gaines Creek always held a special place in Larry's heart so with that said look for EB to work on a date and month for this to happen. Probably in June would be my best guess but that's EB's call and a lot depends on local rainfall and conditions....Ranger