Everybody Loves Ray

Current SABAA President, Craig Fraser with Ray Scott and BOR founder Gerry Leach. Ray Scott, Founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S) and architect of worldwide competitive bass tournament fishing needs no introduction. Every angler knows the B.A.S.S. boss, but few know of his deeply rooted connection to Africa. A couple months ago, I spoke with the celebrated American icon about formation of B.A.S.S., his contributions to fishing and conservation, and of course his association with Africa. It becomes difficult to imagine Africa bass tourney fishing of any sort without Ray Scott. “Well, I truly love Africa,” Ray tells me from his home in Hope Hull, Alabama and reminds me of his many hunting and tiger fishing trips and later, his engagement with the bass fraternity. He speaks about his love for the people, their spirit and energy and says he still yearns for the wild spaces of Africa. Ray, now semi-retired and 85 years old, celebrated last year the 50th anniversary of B.A.S.S. It was on June 5, 1967 that Scott launched his first tourney on Arkansas’ Beaver Lake with 106 anglers from 14 states. Each of the competitors paid $100 for a shot at $5,000 in prize money. The inaugural success inspired Ray to create a large fraternal bass fishing organization. The early days, Ray (left) weighing in one of many Roland Martin (middle) stringers. Image: Bassmaster Media The American entrepreneur began enrolling members in B.A.S.S. during 1968 and the concept launched tournament bass fishing into the sporting mainstream. B.A.S.S. became the model for all the other tournament circuits operating in North America and abroad, including Africa. Several years after Ray launched B.A.S.S. stateside, a clutch of Rhodesian (now Zimbabwe) anglers formed a club based on the bylaws of B.A.S.S. and grew the organization under the leadership of Alex Henderson and Gerald Leach. The Bassmasters of Rhodesia (BOR) became the first international B.A.S.S. Federation. Similar clubs began forming throughout South Africa and eventually led to the formation of another B.A.S.S. affiliated organization, the South Africa Bass Anglers Association (SABAA). In those early days there were no Florida’s in Africa, only Northern Bass. A central precept of BOR was to import Florida Bass to southern Africa and in 1980 they fielded a team of seven anglers to compete in the BASS Federation Championship at Grand Lake in Oklahoma, USA. The mission was to not only test skills against elite American anglers but to meet Ray Scott and lobby his help in bringing Florida Bass to Africa. “Well, when I learned they had bass in Africa, in any species it was a surprise for me, it was a tremendous opportunity for a new market with bass fishing. It wasn’t until BOR expressed their excitement and interest in Florida Bass that the potential for serious bass fishing really hit home,” Ray tells me. The American B.A.S.S. boss formed a quick connection to the African anglers and took a special shine to BOR President, Gerald (Gerry) Leach. Ray describes him as a bass fishing pioneer who led the parade to make bass fishing a popular international sport. “Gerry is an extraordinary individual. He talks a little funny and I joke with him about his accent a lot, but our friendship has remained strong throughout the years and I can assure you, wherever there are bass in Africa, if you look really close you will likely find Gerry Leach’s thumbprint nearby” says Ray in his deep southern drawl. In 1981, Ray made the first of four bass related appearances in Africa to implement the Florida Bass project. The idea seemed relatively simple, but it quickly grew to an enormous and almost insurmountable task. Ray admits to initial bouts of apprehension and scepticism. “When I first sat down with BOR members the room vibrated with excitement and anxious anticipation. You have to understand, these folks weren’t just ‘kicking a can’ around and speculating, they had a plan of attack much like a military operation,” says Ray of the reason he became fully committed to the project. Finally, in 1982 Ray assisted BOR members with importation of 2500 Florida Bass fingerlings. As we know today, the project was a major success and Florida’s from the Ray Scott shipment have found there way to all corners of southern Africa. The current All-Africa record of 18.26 pounds caught by Maxwell Mashandure in 2004 at Zimbabwe’s Darwendale Dam, bears testament to the success of their efforts. “I was flabbergasted, an 18-lb. plus bass,” Ray tells me, still brimming with excitement like it happened yesterday. The B.A.S.S. founder immediately booked a flight for Africa to meet and congratulate Maxwell. The legacy of the Florida Bass project can be credited with the growth of both tournament and social bass angling across the southern range of Africa and the kickstart for international bass fishing as we know it today. Africa was the first country to put bass anglers onto the world stage with many other countries following. Ray agrees that the trend toward international bass fishing that began in Africa has spread to many places around the globe and considers it a good thing. He cannot help but note that anglers from southern Africa are ‘always right up there and in the mix’ and is quick to acknowledge the importance of fishing on a social and personal level. Ray laid the groundwork for pro bass fishing and its celebrities such as Aaron Martens. Image: Bassmaster Media “I have always been amazed at how our sport of bass fishing seems to bridge all boundaries. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, the colour of your skin, your gender, what job you hold or how much money you make, when an angler picks up a fishing rod and gets onto the water they all share that same bond,” Ray says. It would be remiss to not ask while I have his ear, about how he views his life mission and what he believes to be his greatest contributions to the world of fishing. “The simple answer is, I’ve been very blessed - I am deeply honoured to have been the founder of B.A.S.S. and so very proud of each and every member,” Ray tells me, and adds the proviso that he had great help along the way from dedicated individuals who worked hard and shared his vision. The luminary B.A.S.S. Founder names several significant conservation issues initiated and promoted by B.A.S.S. such as Catch and Release, Live-Wells and the Kill Switch. The organization continues to take on environmental issues like waste and chemical pollution, trash/litter disposal and sends a wakeup call (to legislators) that B.A.S.S. stands for more than just fishing. Of course, there is also the African Florida Bass project. “It was an incredible accomplishment and one of the most significant programs I was ever involved in,” Ray says. I ask Ray about the current drive to make bass fishing an Olympic World sport and he tells me of the old and tired epithet used in 1967 in a vain attempt to sully his dream: ‘Tournament bass fishing would never take off, the naysayers suggested. “But, just take a look at where we are today,” he points out. “It would be a great honour to see bass fishing as an Olympic World sport. Why not? Bass fishing just keeps getting bigger and better,” he adds, never one to think small. I have heard it said that once a person touches African soil it leaves an indelible print in your soul and a longing to return. I ask Ray if he feels Africa in his blood? “Nothing could ring more true,” he answers with feeling. “Over the years I have met so many great people, visited so many places and every time I left I knew I wanted to come back.”