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“ I ’ ve definitely fallen short of some goals ,” says Moynagh . “ I ’ ve yet to win an Angler of the Year . I haven ’ t won a tournament since that one on Minnetonka . I haven ’ t quite hit the goals I set , you know . It really bugs me .”
His angst doesn ’ t stop with fishing success . Most would think that having won $ 1 million and been backed by top-end sponsors , he ’ d at least be set financially , living a lavish lifestyle and traveling often . Instead , Moynagh spends every night on the road sleeping in a 1994 truck bed camper , which he bought used for $ 3,000 a decade ago . He ’ s “ done a few good things ,” but he ’ s never gone to Alaska to fish for salmon or gotten to travel the world . Heck , he had to get a part-time job at Gander Mountain this year to make ends meet , and he openly admits that had Bridgford not come along , it might ’ ve been the end of his career .
It ’ s not as if he lived a life of comfort in the beginning , either . Moynagh had a station wagon he slept in when he first started , and then he had a full-size van until 2007 . Even after his big win , Moynagh says his ex-wife ’ s income was necessary to keep them afloat through much of his career , especially during the lean years .
So why does he keep doing it ? Because all the ambition that originally drove his competitive spirit still lingers . On the inside , Moynagh is still the young man he once was , the one who still gets just as excited about fishing – and winning – the next tournament as he did back then .
“ I still love the competition ,” says Moynagh . “ I ’ m still nervous and wound up the first day of every tournament . I ’ m always excited , thinking I can win ; thinking about the 20 rods I have rigged up and which one is going to be the one . I think ‘ holy smokes , I hope I get a good catch today ’ and what I have to do to do it .”
Then there are the goals he hasn ’ t reached ; the ones always in the back of his mind , fueling that competitive fire even more .
“ I still think I can reach them ,” says Moynagh . “ At this point in my life , winning another tournament , or especially the Forrest Wood Cup , would help the most financially . But I ’ d rather have the Angler of the Year title . Lightning can always strike once and you can win , but to win Angler of the Year you did pretty good all year long . That ’ s what still drives me .”
And still keeps that old truck on the road , bound to the next tournament stop with a dream as a travel companion , pointing the way .