To Listen to Rodeo weighmaster Bruce Cheves give his review of the Jeremy Piven film, Smokin’ Aces and discuss the subtle plot nuances between the the 1958 and 1988 versions of The Blob is to experience the Destin Fishing Rodeo on a weekday afternoon.

“The newer one had a lot more gore,” the weighmaster says with a grin.

It is days like these that have been known to test the endurance, love and dedication of even the truest of Rodeo bleacher bums. It is hot — really hot and there isn’t a fish or a boat in sight.

Less than 20 people have braved this steamy, yet bizarrely picturesque October afternoon and sit waiting on the bleachers for a big catch. Today has been a slow day down on the docks, thus far. Just five boats and one angler on foot have visited Mr. Cheves and his scales so far.

But the Rodeo faithful and their beloved weighmaster know this won’t be the case for long.

“It’s has been a little slow this morning but this afternoon could be a zoo,” he said. “We have had days where we were slammed from the time we opened the scales until about three in the afternoon, we have a little break and it starts right up again. You just never know.”

The weighmaster cited last night, the Rodeo’s first night, as evidence of how weekday life works down on the docks.

Cheves said in the first four hours, he weighed just 24 fish. When he called it a night at about 7:30, the first day of the Rodeo finished with 66 fish and their anglers in the books.

Expect a wild night tonight.

-Patrick Donohue

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