As I noted previously, my disappointment in the 2010 tour schedules doesn't end with BASS.

In fact, I'm probably more disappointed with what FLW Outdoors laid out.

That disappointment isn't just about the tour stops, because let's face it, the FLW Tour schedule has been pretty uninspired throughout its history. Repetition's been the rule, not the exception. Last year was a little more exciting with Guntersville thrown into the mix, but the schedule's never been about a diversity of waters.



That's even more true next year with no northern Tour finale at Champlain or the Detroit or Potomac Rivers. A final Tour stop on northern water helped round out the schedule and it made the Angler of the Year title mean more. Remember the Detroit River a year ago, when David Dudley passed so many others who trainwrecked?

Or how about the showdown this year at Champlain, where Clark Wendlandt showed he's the consummate veteran who can do it all anywhere, anytime?

A true Angler of the Year title should test pros on all types of water.

But beyond that, FLW really dropped the ball when it cross-scheduled two of its events over BASS.

Remember that BASS released its 2010 Elite Series schedule way back in June 2008. Late last month, FLW Outdoors announced its Tour schedule with an opener at the Red River in February that takes place during the official Bassmaster Classic practice, plus a Chickamauga event that falls smack dab on top of the Smith Mt. (formerly Amistad) Elite Series.

There was a time when the two leagues cooperated to avoid schedule conflicts. They operated under the knowledge that there wasn't enough money in the sport to support 250 to 300 pro anglers.

That changed as Don Rucks and BASS ramped up the Elite Series and "Bass Block" on ESPN2, while FLW Outdoors signed major sponsorship contracts with folks like BP and the National Guard to significantly expand its tournament offerings and purses. The Federation split seemed to stoke the fire.

The climate is decidedly different today.

It's almost certain that Walmart will scale back significantly with FLW Outdoors, and there's the usual rumors of other potential sponsor drops or changes. Aside from rumors and speculation, FLW Outdoors last week filed a lawsuit against sponsor Evinrude, so Evinrude won't be returning. And Chevy and Ranger are in bankruptcy.

FLW Outdoors officials are currently in Minneapolis at what's presumed to be a planning meeting for 2010. There's plenty to be excited and positive about, but at least some of those conversations, I'm sure, won't be pleasant.

The leagues are having difficulty with sponsorships, the pros are having difficulty with sponsorships, and it's absolutely not the time to cross-schedule.

Many of the top-name BASS pros need to fish the FLW Tour to improve their bottom line after BASS's retreat to an eight-event, 4-month schedule. And the FLW Tour needs the star power those BASS pros provide. Just one example: Cup attendance at Pittsburgh was abysmal, except on day 4.

FLW's move to a closed field with a no-info rule and limited practice was a massive step forward, and I'd say about half of the Elite Series field would love to fish the FLW Tour right now because of it. But they can't, unless they want to eat $4,500 to $9,000 in entry fees with no chance at a Cup berth for Classic competitors.

It's definitely an era of contraction and a time of retreat. But it's also a time when clearer heads should prevail. The leagues need to sit down to secure the future.

BASS offered an olive branch with its schedule announcement in 2008. FLW should have accepted it.