It is no secret that Mike is my favorite call maker. Seeing his calls really made me want to give call making a try. I began to become friends with Mike over the last year through Rick Harros auction and such. He and I would text back and fourth about call making and I called him a few times for insight. At the PA state banquet he took time out to give me a little call making lesson before it started. It was amazing to see some of the things he does do ensure constancy in his calls. He made it a point that in the custom call, and other outdoor activities that consistency is what really separates you from the rest. I took that advice to heart and applied it to my flies. I am so thankful for the tips he gave me and hope to one day join the ranks of the amazing PA Call makers.
Anyway, I found a Mike Lapp call on ebay the other day. The call had on the lid, "Made for the 2008 NWTF Convention" With my knowledge of Mikes Achievements I knew that he had won his 3rd Gibson award and retired from making box calls for competition that year.
I asked Mike how many calls you could enter and such, and believed this may have been one of the calls that he sent to the competition. I was determined to win this call and give it back to him for all he has done for me. Heck he even made Corbin (My 3 year old son) a push pin call for his calling contests.
I had a few bigger fly orders come in and set my reserve price on the call. I was in the lead bidding, and it was getting a bit up there. I had asked mike if he was bidding on the call that he and Eric Rice made for the Midwest calling competition, and any other calls. He told me no, so I knew I wasn't bidding against him. He said he checks on there every once in a while and only saw one other call that he made in 08. He told me that wasn't one of the ones that placed.
TALK ABOUT BEING BUMMED!! I told him what had happened and what I was trying to do for him. He was a bit speechless and felt a little bad about it. I told him that I was still up for giving it to him, but he told me to keep it, check it over, and he would inspect it if I desired to make sure that it was all ok.
I told him that it is still a special call and that it will be getting a lot of woods time.
Well here is my first Lapp Long box. I am not the best at long boxes but will be learning. Heck I never really ran pot calls before January of this year all that much and just kept practicing at it. I am no pro but took 3rd place in my first calling contest. So me having this call right now makes me feel like a nerd taking the prom queen out on a date.
Here is what I make to be able to fund my custom call addiction as well as my call making supplies.
I think Mike is a member on here and just wanted to say thanks again for all the insight on call making and calling. Who know maybe a few years down the road I may be able to send a call to Nashville.
Thanks for the read. I need to go take this call back out to my jeep so I can get work done today and stop staring at it. LOL
