Entry 10-3

Fishing with Clay Dyer

Larry Hopson On Fishing With Clay Dyer

Editor's Note: A giant among bass fishermen, Clay Dyer of Hamilton, Alabama, is probably the greatest bass fisherman. Fishing since he was five years old, Clay has tournament fished since age 15 and has been a full-time professional bass fisherman since 1995. Clay, at 24 years old, is almost 40 inches tall and weighs 86 pounds. He has no legs, but he does have a partial 16-inch-long arm on his right shoulder. If you see Clay in a fishing tournament, you won't think he has a disability either. Clay is highly competitive and fishes two to four bass tournaments a month. A member of the Strike King Fishing Team, Clay tells his story in his own words.

Question: Larry, how long have you been fishing with Clay?

Answer: I live in Hamilton too, and I'm just one of the people who fishes with Clay. We have been fishing buddies for about six years. We fish tournaments together, and we fish together for fun.

Question: What is being in the boat like with Clay?

Answer: Fishing with Clay is really interesting. He does not want you to help him do anything. And if you're not careful, he'll beat you.

Question: Why do you like to fish with Clay?

Answer: He is a real inspiration to me. When I get to feeling down about my fishing or my lack of catching fish, I can go with Clay and feel a whole lot better. The only thing you have to do for Clay when you go fishing with him is put him in the boat and put his life jacket on him. He can handle everything. You may have to open him a soft drink or a bottle of water every once in a while, but that's about it. He and I just have a good time together. I enjoy his company.

Question: When you show up at a tournament with Clay, do many people ask you about him?

Answer: Yes, I have a lot of people asking me about Clay. The number one question I get is "How does he fish?" I always explain that the best way to learn how Clay fishes is go with him and watch. Clay is a totally-amazing fisherman to watch. I have seen him cast, take lures off, put lures on, tie knots, thread worms on hooks and tie on spinner baits and crankbaits. I watch him run the trolling motor and see him cast with pinpoint accuracy. And even though I have fished with him hundreds of times, I'm still not sure how he does what he does. He is an amazing man with an amazing talent.

Question: What do you feel Clay's strongest form of fishing is?

Answer: He is a master at pitching docks. His accuracy in casting is unbelievable. His pitching accuracy is much better than mine is. He can consistently ring a Styrofoam coffee cup from 30 to 50 yards away.

Question: When you're in a tournament with Clay, how do you decide who fishes in the front of the boat and who fishes in the back of the boat?

Answer: We usually take turns. We also take turns with our boats. We usually fish in my boat one time and in his boat the next time.

Question: What was fishing with Clay like for the first time?

Answer: I was a little apprehensive at first. To be honest, I was a little nervous about his driving a boat at 70 miles an hour. However, within five minutes of being on the water with him, I was relaxed and comfortable and knew he could handle the boat. When he started fishing, I just sat back and watched for a while, to see if he could fish, how well he could fish, and to try and figure out how he was fishing. To look at Clay, you wouldn't think he was competitive. But if you spend five minutes with him when he is fishing, you will know that he is not only competitive, but that he is very competitive. He can and will beat you. I never feel like I'm at any disadvantage when Clay is my partner in a tournament. I believe that Clay and I have as good of a chance to win as any other two-man team.

Question: What is the number-one question you get asked at tournament sites about Clay Dyer?

Answer: Most fishermen want to know, "What do you have to do to help Clay when you're fishing with him?" I say, "You don't have to do anything." He knows how to get his own lures out of the tackle box and tie them on. If his reel backlashes, he knows how to straighten it out himself and can dig out the backlash. He lands his own fish. He takes his fish off the hook and puts them in the livewell. Really, there is no difference in fishing with Clay than anybody else.

Question: Why do you like him as a person?

Answer: Clay Dyer is a super human being. He loves the Lord, and he is fun to be around. We laugh and cut up every time we get together. Really and truly, Clay is just like any other fisherman.

You can contact Clay Dyer at 5321 Steel Street, Hamilton, Alabama 35570.

Fishing with Clay Dyer

Larry Hopson On Fishing With Clay Dyer

Next: Clay At His Best

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