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CLAY DYER AT TTBC SUNDAY--NO LIMBS NO LIMITATIONS
By OLDRUSTYBUCKET1 in WHY ARE THEY IN THE POT?
October 15, 2009

CLAY DYER is a pro bass fisherman, guide, inspirational speaker, and all around good cheer ambassador. He's slated to speak at a C.A.S.T. FOR KIDS program Sunday at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (surely before the final weigh-in, at Montgomery, TX at the lake headquarters below the Lake Conroe dam. I met him as he was a competitor in the initial Toyota Texas Bass Championship on Lake Fork near Quitman, TX. That was in April, 2006 or 07. Having pushed many a wheelchair(and had been pushed in a few)his wearing tournament duds drew me to him. When we went to shake hands, he offered the stump of his right arm,that was all he could offer. We planned an interview but things were too hectic. Being born with no legs and no left arm had his parents concerned about what kind of a life he would have. That was unfounded worry, nothing could stop him doing whatever he set his mind to. He asked no concessions playing basketball with his older brother. He learned to swing a baseball bat. I'd bet he hit the ball too. Somewhere there is a photo of what appears to be a celebrating bunch of Little League ball players. He was nine when he fought a 26 pound catfish nearly a minute a pound before landing it. He was hooked from then on with dreams, and plans, to become a professional fisherman. At 15 he entered his first pro bass tournament. He drives his own boat, ties on his lures with his tongue, tucks the rod handle under his chin and with a left to right twist of his body casts to a likely spot. Although he's won over 25 tourneys, he's still trying to make his first second day cut in a major event. Brother pro anglers say that he'll make it someday soon and that that accomplishment will bring down the house. Lots of his practice fishing days for a major event will find him on the road en-route to speak in a church, or to a group of underprivileged and/or disabled kids, or wherever he's been scheduled to encourage an audience. His motto is, "If I can You can." If you need a lift or know of someone feeling sorry for themselves, just Google "CLAY DYER". If that don't start your fire your wood's too wet.