When Sulphur fly-fisher Barry Shrader received the call he thought he was having just another pipe dream.But then, the reality came about.
The call came from Jim Reilly, assistant editor of Fly Rod & Reel magazine.Reilly had good news for Barry and his fly-fishing friend Bruce Dixon of Whitewright, Texas.The duo had been chosen to participate in the 2005 Trout Bum Tournament, a distinction offered only to five two-man teams across the nation.
”My goodness, I didn’t think Bruce and I had a chance.I mean an Okie and Texan participating in a sport that is legend in areas such as the Catskills, the AuSable, Wyoming, and Colorado?”“I really thought we were toast from the day we completed the application.”
The Trout Bum Tournament requires teams to camp and fly-fish for ten days straight in five different trout areas.Shrader and Dixon plan on doing just that over the ten-day period in three different states.“It’s going to be tough.”Shrader says.“Not much sleep, lots of fly fishing, beanie weenies or vienna sausages for breakfast, lunch, and supper, and a concerted effort to raise awareness of something far beyond fly-fishing.”“It’s gong to be really tough.”
However, Shrader and Dixon both agree they wouldn’t miss the experience and the chance to help a special cause for anything.
Shrader and Dixon have chosen the name Blue River Bummers for the Trout Bum Tournament and the duo plan on taking advantage of their position to raise awareness about an issue very close to both of them.
”From now until the tournament is over for Bruce and myself, which will be around June 26th, we plan on doing everything we can to attract attention to the issue that surrounds the future of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer.”Shrader said.
”Without a doubt, the Arbuckle-Simpson is where our hearts are.”Shrader says.“Bruce and I both call Blue River our home water and I grew up on Rock Creek spending many of my school lunch hours exploring the wonders and gifts of that little creek.To this day, I still spend my lunch hour on Rock or Travertine creek fly-fishing.”“Bruce is one of the most devoted fans of Blue River and this area I have ever met.”“Both of us want to see these waters flow for generations to come.”
As part of the tournament rules the Bummers have to send in daily email reports about their fly-fishing adventure.As a part of those reports the magazine want the Bummers to share their fly-fishing philosophy in the reports.The Bummers agree that the thesis of their fly-fishing philosophy is the need to insure the health and future of streams, rivers, and waterways for the generations to come.
The daily reports the Bummers send in will become material for use in future articles of the Fly Rod & Reel, a nationwide fly-fishing magazine.“This is a chance for the Bummers to capture the attention of a larger audience and share the story of the Arbuckle-Simpson.”“We applaud that opportunity”, the Bummers said.
”Our mantra will be the story surrounding the aquifer and what the Citizens for the Protection of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer (CPASA) is doing to protect our springs and streamflows.”Shrader said.
The Bummers are hopeful that area residents and business support their efforts through supporting CPASA directly.“If we can achieve that, then we’ve already won the tournament as far as we’re concerned.”Shrader concluded.
Our quest begins June 15, 2005. Follow our travels in our posted daily reports.
Coming soon!
Blue River Bummers Quotes Official Blue River Bummers Blue River Bummers Gear Reviews Trout Bummer Bruce Dixon's Flytying Tips Trout Bummer Bruce Dixon's Guide Service Trout Bummer Bruce Dixon's Casting & Flytying Classes
