Oak River Media captures the essence of what it means to be a “good student” in a Brushpile Fishing classroom as Penny Cox, Sarah Baker, Lisa Weakley and Kristen Anderson prove to be diligent notetakers. With the volume of information being tossed around daily, jotting it down is the only hope for retaining as much information as possible. (Photo by Mary Beth Scott)
Building Lasting Legacies & Lifelong Friendships
by Madalyn Roberts
As an alumna stepping into a leadership role for the first time at the first-ever all-female and young-adult Brushpile Fishing Academy, I perceived my biggest challenge to be finding adequate words to convey to the class how my interactions with Ron Wong and members of my Brushpile Fishing family have, quite literally, changed my life.
Ron Wong was an iconic figure in the fishing world, and an even more legendary friend. To know Ron was to love him, and his legacy lives on in each of us if we allow it to do so. With the creation of the Ron Wong Legacy Foundation (RWLF), many of us have found a way to honor Ron’s legacy and continue his mission of growing the crappie fishing industry and making it accessible for everyone. Ron helped me realize that fishing is about so much more than catching fish. More importantly, it’s about the people met along the way. To this day, he challenges me to live outside my comfort zone, which we all know to be exhausting work.
What I had hoped the class would take away from my story is just how rewarding it can be to let your guard down and trust that the people whom you choose to surround yourself with are going to lift you up and provide a support system in which you can thrive and become the best version of yourself.
My challenge to the class was to take diligent notes and be inquisitive as they listened to some of the most talented instructors (who generously donated their time and equipment) teach class both on and off the water over the course of the next three days. In doing so, I could only hope they would be just as inspired as I have been to be better and do more for the crappie-fishing community.
What transpired demonstrated that the ladies and one young gentleman not only arose to the challenge, but they blew all expectations out of the water. By the time the closing ceremony rolled around Saturday evening, there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the room. It was at that point, I realized my most challenging task would be yet to come.
The attendees of the Spring 2026 Brushpile Fishing Academy at Holmes Bend Marina on Green River Lake didn’t just show up to learn. They made a statement, proving that not only is there space for women and youth to succeed in the crappie-fishing industry, but there are many folks who want to support these efforts. Attendees of all ages were loud, welcoming and supportive of one another. Molds were broken, and barriers were crushed.
From the first morning together in the classroom, where the gentle buzz of conversation over breakfast was palpable, what this group of attendees brought to the table were positive attitudes, an eagerness to learn and serious attention to detail that made a world of difference in picking up on new techniques of fishing. They demonstrated that when ego is set aside and a support system is substituted, magic happens.
These participants quickly learned that people, and not fishing, were going to make the weekend special. Catching fish is certainly a bonus. What makes an academy special is that it is for everyone at every skill level of fishing.
Beyond it being an academy specifically for women and young adults, other firsts we celebrated over the weekend included our first female instructor, Krystal Cleary of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, owner of Krystal’s Outcast Fishing on Dale Hollow Lake. Cleary is an absolute hammer on the water. Even so, she knows firsthand what it’s like to be doubted as a female in a male-dominated industry. She advised that her resilience and discipline easily translated from her time spent serving in the United States Marine Corps to her crappie-fishing guide service and pays dividends daily.
In her new teaching role at the academy, Cleary demonstrated just how far knowledge and confidence will take a person in life. She believes what made this academy so special was the sisterhood and friendships that were formed, which in turn gave all the attendees the support needed to step outside of their comfort zones and have confidence in their new skills.
Krystal was joined by another new instructor, Ernest Strouse of Greenville, Michigan, owner of Wicked Crappie Guide Service. Strouse is Brushpile Fishing’s first academy participant turned instructor, which made his experience incredibly relatable.
Strouse advised that for him, this weekend meant personal growth on a completely new level, in addition to a whole lot more family than friends.
“To be considered alongside the seasoned instructors such as Steve Coleman, Kent Driscoll, David Jones and Russ Bailey, it was just a privilege to be a part of an event that touched so many lives,” he said. “Going into the event, the goal is for instructors to teach attendees, but the reality was the instructors learned just as much from the attendees.”
To anyone on the fence about attending an academy because of the price tag, I would encourage you to look beyond the tangible value to what it means to be a part of the BPFA family. In her reflection of the weekend, B’n’M Fishing and Crappie Magnet ProStaffer and academy attendee Kristen Anderson shared why one cannot put a value on the experience of attending an academy.
“As a tournament angler who fishes with her husband, this weekend taught me I don’t have to be the one holding the net,” she said. “Being seen as an equal and treated with respect allowed me the opportunity to form my own identity and not just be ‘someone’s wife.’ For years, I felt like I wasn’t going to fit into society, like I missed the chance to become what I thought I was supposed to be. But the crappie industry showed me something better. It gave me a family, a place where I’m accepted, valued, and a place where I get to be exactly who I am—someone who supports, encourages and shows up for others.”
A huge thank you to all the Brushpile Fishing sponsors and all the RWLF donors who made scholarships possible. Word count won’t allow me to thank you all individually. However, please know the success of the academy would not have been possible without y’all. Special thanks to Doughboy Recreational, B’n’M Fishing and Crappie Magnet for sponsoring participants.
(Madalyn Roberts is from Kansas City, Missouri, although she considers herself a southern transplant, having lived in Kentucky for 17 years. She serves her Louisville community by working for a non-profit organization facilitating free home repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners. In her spare time, she enjoys being in the outdoors in all capacities, most especially fishing, hiking and camping.)
Sidebar
What does tuition for a Brushpile Fishing Academy cover?
- Four nights lodging
- 2-1/2 days in-classroom seminars taught by some of the most knowledgeable crappie anglers in the country
- Four on-water fishing experiences with four different instructors
- Three meals Thursday-Saturday
