Outdoor Guide
Page 6
July-August 2022
Tips, Tricks and Thoughts for the Great Outdoors
That man in the Tennessee cap
By LARRY L. WHITELEY
You can’t see a white-paneled, orange-brimmed University of Tennessee “Trucker Cap” without thinking of Bill Dance. Back in the late 1960s, the football coach at Tennessee asked Bill to help him recruit a player who loved to fish. It worked, and the grateful coach sent Bill a Tennessee cap in appreciation. He has worn it ever since. Bill Dance planned to be a doctor like other generations of Dances. Driving home from medical school one day, he came upon a horrific accident and at that moment he knew he didn’t want to be a doctor anymore. He loved to fish, and fish
he did. He began competing – and winning – in bass tournaments. The lifelong Tennessean has been named B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year three times and has 23 national bass titles. He has been inducted into every Fishing Hall of Fame in America. THE TV PIONEER He is a pioneer in outdoor television programming – Bill Dance Outdoors premiered in 1968 and continues to have a nationwide following among anglers and non-anglers. Bill Dance’s greatest ac-
complishment may be the life advice he provides through his fishing shows and videos. Even if it’s by accident. Bill doesn’t rely solely on words to get his message across. Sometimes it’s showing you what to do and sometimes what not to do. When Bill makes mistakes, he doesn’t hide them. He puts them on display for everyone to see, learn, reflect, and laugh about. But mostly laugh. Today he oversees a fishing empire that includes his TV show, tackleendorsements, how-to seminars, and a series of popular “blooper” videos. Bill has a special knack for connecting with his fans. People love him, and that, folks, is the key to the success of the man in the Tennessee cap.
OUTDOOR
GUIDE
July-August 2022
MAGAZINE
HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL
Volume 30, No. 4 • Published six times a year Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103 News department — 618-972-3744
www.outdoorguidemagazine.com e-mail: news@outdoor-guide.com COVER created by Kathy Crowe, graphic designer.
Carl Green, editor – carl@labortribune.com John Winkelman, associate editor — ogmjohnw@aol.com Bob Whitehead, editor emeritis – ogmbobw@aol.com Lynn Fowler, circulation manager Kathy Crowe, graphic designer — Account executives — Dan Braun, marketing director 314-256-4136 Lauren Marshall 314-614-5175 — Regional and specialty editors — Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler
Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones
Bill Seibel John Neporadny Jr. T. J. Mullin
BILL DANCE QUOTES
• “You can’t dwell on the past. Keep your eyes on the
future. And maybe the trailer hitch.” • “Surround yourself with friends who love and support you. Or, at the very least,
warn you when a giant bird is about to attack.”
• “It takes two to tango.
Coincidentally, it also takes two to get your boat stuck on a log.” GOD BLESS AMERICA Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July. When you are out on the water fishing or playing, having family cookouts or picnics, and watching or setting off fireworks, I want you to think about this – think about why we celebrate this day. Think about those who died on the beaches of Normandy, the fields of Korea and Vietnam, the deserts of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan, the buildings in New York and Washington D.C. and so many other places around the world. Our flag still waves because of their sacrifices. As a fellow veteran, I salute and thank all of you men and women who served and are serving our country and for the sacrifices you made. I ask God to please bless America! SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
Tennessee’s football coach sent Bill Dance his first Tennessee cap, and he’s worn them ever since. – OutdoorChannel,com photo
– Theodore Roosevelt THE MAGIC OF FIREFLIES The sun slowly sinks, gathering shadows in its journey. A whippoorwill calls from a tangle of blackberries. Tall fluffy clouds gather on the horizon. The bottom layer lights up salmon pink and honey melon orange as heat lightning pulsates in its depths. Slowly the darkness unmasks the first tiny twinkling orb. An age-old mysterious performance is about to be unveiled. Suddenly the summer night is bombarded by a myriad of twinkling lights. How many of you, as a child with glass jar in hand, ran to capture these jewel green sparks piercing the dark. It was a magical time, racing about filling your jar. Your eyes twinkled as much as the stars, your laughter pierced the silent night.
Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent Ron Bice
– In Memoriam —
Joel Vance • Ron Henry Strait • Jared Billings • Charlie Farmer • Richard Engelke • Mark Hubbard • Spence Turner • Hank Reifeiss Kay Hively • Bill Harmon • Barbara Perry Lawton • Danny Hicks • Ron Kruger • TJ Stallings • John Sloan
zine
Ma y - June 2018
OOr aga OutdG uide M
TRAVEL SHOOTING • • BOATING • G • CAMPING HUNTING • FISHIN
Claudette Roper Gerald Scott Bill Keaton Charlie Slovensky Jerry Pabst Ryan Miloshewski
Kenneth Kieser Terry Wilson Bob Holzhei Jeannie Farmer Jo Schaper Jed Nadler
— Staff writers —
Don Gasaway Mike Roux Craig Alderman Randall Davis Larry Potterfield Tom Watson
Daylight Savings ................Page
Tim Huffman Russell Hively Roxanne Wilson Michael Wardlaw Tyler Mahoney Richard Aites
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White Perch ......................Pag
Strange Seeds ..................Page
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Albino Catfish ................Page
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Hobo Meal .......................Pag
Scrapes Tales ...................Page
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Asian Carp ......................Page
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MISSOU RI
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ILLINOI S
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EXCITIN G AND OTHER
OUTDOO R
DESTINATIONS
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at Back Issues of Outdoor Guide Magazine by Visiting outdoorguidemagazine.com
And then, as if saying goodnight, the tiny sparks blinked off one by one. Who can step outside on an early summer night, gazing at these slowly pulsating lights, and not feel the stirring pleasures of childhood? Fireflies are not just for kids. They can spark the excitement of the kid living inside each and every one of us. PLAYING ‘BRIDGE’ If you want to catch summer crappie, just learn to play bridge. Summer crappie like to hang around bridge pilings and the deep riprap often found around bridges. Use your fish finder to spot any fish concentrations and their depth. When you mark fish, back away. Cast beyond them, letting your jig or minnow fall to the correct depth. Keep your bait very close to the pilings. If you fish riprap, under the bridge will be best because of the shade of the bridge. The deepest edge will be the best of the best. Work a jig, small spinner bait or minnow, and prepare for some real fun. Larry L. Whiteley has been an award-winning magazine and newspaper writer, radio host and blogger for more than 40 years. His book, “Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors,” is on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
