Hooked on a Cure
Celebrity Fly Fishing Classic 2004
by Tommy Garner
"Where would you like to go?" the guide asked us as we loaded into the long,
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Wanda and Darrel Binkley
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flatbottom boat made for running rivers. "Everywhere they are fishing today," I replied as Wanda and I readied our equipment. No, this trip we would not be fishing. She and I had fished earlier in the day with fishing guide and friend Darrel Binkley, where Wanda had caught an impressive walleye in the brief time we had to fish. Instead, we were documenting this day by shooting video and taking pictures, and we had plenty of willing subjects to document. "I want to video Emily Whitlock," I told the guide. "She is upstream and we will need to catch up with her when she breaks for lunch at the rendezvous point," came his reply.
I did not argue with this reasoning, as there were many other famous fly fishers on the White and North Fork Rivers today. They were all here, it seemed. The "John Waynes" of the fly fishing world, all assembled at one place, at one time. An almost unprecedented gathering of the elite of those who have gained fame by brandishing long, whip-like rods, floating fly line, and dry flies, and teaching others to do so by their many books, television programs, videos, world record setting casting accomplishments, magazine and newspaper articles.
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| Constance Whiston & Davy Wotten |
"That's Davy Wotten and Constance Whiston," I said as we neared a boat holding just below a shoal. Wotten, from Wales, is an internationally known fly fishing instructor and is one of the most colorful people in the sport. Whiston, who was honored as the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council 2001 Woman of the Year, was representing Bass Pro Shops. "And there's the Bear," I continued as I exchanged greetings with Jonesboro's own Denny "Bear Flies" Reed.
Farther down the river we caught up with David Klausmeyer,
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Denny "Bear Flies" Reed
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Group Editor at American Angling magazine, Duane Hada, acclaimed artist and coach of the US Youth Fly FishingTeam, author William Tappley, Design Award winning Ian James from Canada, Jack Dennis, co-host of "Fly Fish TV", Tom Rosenbauer, Senior VP of Marketing for The Orvis Company. Before the day was over we had caught up with most of the other celebrity anglers which included legendary flyfisher Mel Kreiger, David Whitlock, Emily Whitlock, Sister Carol Anne Corley, known as the Tying Nun, Marla Blair, John Barr, John Gulley, Lori-Ann Murphy, ESPN television host Rick Ruoff, and U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Gold medalists John Wilson.
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Sister Carol Anne Corley
"The Tying Nun"
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During the three-day event, a guide, a celebrity and a fisherman who had paid to have the opportunity to fish with the celebrities would pair up and head out to the North Fork or White River, spend part of the day on the water, meet at a designated rendezvous point for lunch, then return to fishing. Later in the day, there would be a gathering for the other festivities, live auction, silent auction, raffle, and a chance to mingle with those present who chose to participate for a common goal. Wanda and I were honored to be asked to participate in this great event as media guests, and are already making plans to take part in the third annual "Hooked On A Cure Celebrity Fly Fishing Classic".
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Tommy Garner and Ian James
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What could cause a gathering of fly fishing celebrities of such magnitude? A simple desire to help fulfill a statement made by Danny Thomas: "No child should die in the dawn of life". These celebrities were joined by representatives of outdoor companies, media guests, fishing guides, Premier anglers and many others who have the same desire, and whom had chosen to participate in the "Hooked On A Cure Celebrity Fly Fishing Classic" recently held in the Mountain Home area. "Hooked On A Cure" is a unique event, raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and is the result of a single idea with a purpose by former Pro Golfer, April Conrad. While giving a golf lesson to a patient at St. Jude, an overwhelming desire and determination to help St Jude Children's Research Hospital fight the battle for children’s lives gripped Conrad. Over a period of time, with a lot of planning, hard work and help from many volunteers, April's dream to save a child one cast at a time became a reality, thus the gathering of the elite of the fly fishing world.
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