There was definitely a giddy atmosphere in the conference room of The Journal Monday as Kristi Taylor and Bonita Ysen discussed preparations for the International Falls Bass Championship set to kick off Friday.
“We love this time of year,” the women of the tournament’s only all-female team said with wide smiles. “Every year we get more experience, more prepared, we’re ready.”
As they discussed pre-fishing strategies, getting tackle in order and making sure they packed extra fishing line before hitting the waters of Rainy Lake or Rainy River Friday, the women of team No. 31 pointed out finding the biggest bass wasn’t the only challenge they were faced with this year. Ysen was 8-1/2 months pregnant with her first child, who was expected to make his or her debut around Sept. 10.
“I don’t even have the nursery ready yet,” Ysen admitted. “I’ve been too busy fishing.”
But maybe she should have been setting up the crib, folding burp rags and stocking up on diapers because not 12 hours after being interviewed by The Journal, Ysen’s went into labor.
“My water broke around 1:15 a.m.,” she said Tuesday. “Then I started having contractions...I told my husband, I think we better go in.”
Audrey Maria Ysen made her debut at 5:47 a.m. Tuesday weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces.
“I got a text from Bonita this morning while I was at work,” Taylor said. “It said, ‘Better call your backup.’”
Beneath the text was a picture of healthy baby Audrey.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Taylor said. “I’m very happy for Bonita, but very sad at the same time. I’m going to miss her this year.”
On the same note, Taylor added she is looking forward to her longtime friend, Amy Carew, fishing with her, but is nervous about making all the decisions in the boat.
“Bonita and I tell each other what we’re thinking, what we’re doing and what spots we’re going to hit,” Taylor said. “She knows spots I forget about and has a lot of ideas and I’m not going to have that...I’m going to have to make all the decisions. But as long as Amy can cast – and she can – we’ll be good to go.”
IFBC girl power
This would have been the fifth year Taylor and Ysen fished the tournament together and the two have a noticeable bond in and out of the boat.
“She’s my best friend,” Taylor said, adding back in 2009 when she put a post on Facebook asking for an IFBC partner, Ysen jumped at the chance. “We’ve been in this together ever since.”
Shortly after finding out she was pregnant, Ysen said she was undecided if she’d participate in the championship this year. But, Taylor wasn’t having it.
“I’m not in this to fish with someone else,” she said. “I’m in it to fish with her.”
Ysen said she realized fishing in the tournament wouldn’t be an issue because she would likely be pregnant past her due date.
“As long as we stay within cell service range, we’ll be fine,” she said Monday. “My doctor knows I’m doing this.”
Just in case, Taylor was ready to come prepared. She fashioned a baby kit complete with a blanket, disinfectant, gloves and pink camouflage bandages to keep alongside the rods and reels in the boat.
“If she gives birth in the boat and (the baby) is healthy, we’re weighing it in at the tournament,” Taylor said with a laugh.
From her hospital bed Tuesday, Ysen said it would be hard to watch the tournament from the sidelines.
“I’m happy Audrey is healthy and she’s here,” Ysen said glancing at her sleeping daughter, “but I’m going to miss fishing with Kristi.”
Taylor said if Ysen is feeling up to it Thursday, she and Audrey will make an appearance in the parade of boats.
“She might be throwing ‘It’s a Girl’ candies,” Taylor said.
And, Taylor isn’t the only one having to call in a last-minute partner. Because Ysen had a cesarean section, her husband, Nick, will also forgo his spot in this year’s event.
But it’s worth it.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Nick Ysen said of his daughter as he came down the hallway of Rainy Lake Medical Center carrying a handful of baby clothes. “My whole life just changed.”
