TEAM DYER NEWSLETTER
John 21:15
July-August, 2007
Message from Clay
Sometimes, I feel like the luckiest man alive. I know some people look at me and feel sympathy because of my condition. I look at my condition (physical limitations) as one of God’s best blessings on my life. My condition has given me opportunities to go and do things beyond my wildest dreams. It has also given me opportunities to inspire others to do likewise. I believe we have a responsibility regardless of our station in life to help others who might be similarly situated find happiness and peace irrespective of their circumstances. Remember, if I can you can
June’s Recap
Clay began this month in Washington, D.C. fishing in the FLW Tournament on the Potomac River. Clay then traveled to Enid, Oklahoma, and spoke to the members of the First Church of the Nazarene on Father’s Day. After a short stay at home, Clay traveled to Lafayette, Georgia, and spoke to members of the Ridgeway Baptist Church.
Outlook for July and August
Clay will spend the first part of July at home to celebrate the 4th of July. He will then travel to Detroit, Michigan to fish in the FLW Tour on Lake Erie. Following the tournament in Detroit in July, Clay will return home for a much needed rest and family vacation. Clay begins August by participating in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour on Lake Quachita in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Later in August Clay will speak at Youth Sunday at the Antioch Baptist Church in Phil Campbell, Alabama on August 19th. This engagement will be followed by a speaking engagement at a Sportman’s Banquet at the Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover, North Carolina. Clay will end the month by speaking at an annual event for Texas Parks & Wildlife in Athens, Texas.
Questions and Answers with Clay
Q. If you are faced with very inclement weather and thunderstorms while tournament fishing, when do you stop fishing?
A. Any time I am fishing whether it is practice or in a major national competition, I do not take any chances with lightning. As soon as I see it, I put my fishing rod down to avoid any possible strikes. I will keep fishing through torrential downpours, very strong winds, stifling heat and brutally cold conditions, but I play it safe and do not fish if there is lightning. I want to live to fish another day!
Q. Do you like to use rattles in your lures?
A. First of all, I like to try to make my lures appeal to all five bass senses. I believe this increases your chances of a bite dramatically. I do use rattles a majority of the time. The only time I might not is if I am sight fishing for a bedding bass. There are times a rattle will cause the bass to spook and be skittish. If they are reacting that way, then I will not use a rattle.
Q. Do you have any issues with fishing out in the extreme heat?
A. We all need to be very careful in the heat. I don’t have any issues with it, but I make sure I have plenty of ice cold water, Gatorade, PowerAde or Propel sports nutrition drinks and drink approximately 20 ounces every 30 to 45 minutes. I carry a lot of towels to pour water on and wipe down with. I also wear light colored, long sleeve, loose fitting "vented" shirts and a cap that has flaps to cover my ears and neck that has sun protection built in to it to protect myself and maximize my performance
If you have a question for Clay, please email it to qnawithclay@smgoutdoors.com, and we will make sure it is submitted to Clay. Needless to say, he will not be able to answer every question. He will, however, attempt to answer three or four representative questions each month
Clay’s Inspiration for July and August
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to live my dream of being a professional bass tournament angler. There are days when there are many obstacles and adversities to overcome in order to accomplish the success that I desire to have. I always want to be the absolute best witness and missionary I can be! Recently I saw a young man who has been working through a tough situation with his family. This young man’s father tried to harm some family members and the young man made a very courageous decision and thankfully was able to take care of the situation with the help of law enforcement. I watched the way this 15 year old handled many terrible incident with truly amazing courage and strength. Observing his strength and heart makes me so thankful to be where I am in my career and to want to improve my performances more and more!
Clay’s Challenges for July and August
I want to thank all of you for all your prayers and thoughts. Please pray that my health and strength will continue to be strong as I am right in the middle of the busiest part of my schedule for 2007. Thank you and God. Bless you all.
TeamDyer
Team Dyer continues to grow at a rapid rate and we appreciate your support and encouragement. For those of you who do not know, TeamDyer now has its own website. You can visit the TeamDyer site at www.teamdyer.com. For those of you who are interested, TeamDyer merchandise will be coming soon. This merchandise will include Clay’s book, photographs and clothing.
Clay’s Blog
Please help us support Clay’s sponsors who are instrumental in helping Clay "live his dream" and to follow Clay as he continues the 2007 tournament trail by visiting Clay’s website and the websites of his sponsors and checking out his blog that is updated weekly. Clay will also be contributing to SMG’s "On tour notes and blog." You can follow Clay’s thoughts and progress every day of each tournament this year by checking on this link.
C.A.S.T. for Kids
As you know, Clay is the National Spokesperson for C.A.S.T. for kids. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation was formed in 1991 to join volunteers who love to fish with disabled and disadvantaged children for a day of fishing in the outdoors. C.A.S.T. for Kids furthers its mission by increasing awareness of disabled and disadvantaged children in our communities and teaching appreciation for natural resources.
Upcoming events for the Eastern Region include:
|
Abilene, TX |
Fort Phantom Lake |
Aug 11 |
|
Providence, RI |
Roger Williams Park |
Aug 25 |
|
Rapid City, SD |
Lake Sheridan |
Sept 6 |
|
Leesylvania, VA |
Leesylvania State Park |
Sept. 8 |
|
Gladewater, TX |
Gladewater Lake Park |
Sept 15 |
|
Jasper, TX |
Ebenezer Park |
Sept 22 |
|
Hazelton, PA |
Beltsville Lake |
Sept 22 |
|
Norman, OK |
Lake Thunderbird |
Sept 22 |
|
Monroe, MO |
Mark Twain Reservoir |
Sept 29 |
|
T or C, NM |
Elephant Butte |
Oct. 6 |
|
Montgomery, TX |
Lake Conroe |
Oct. 13 |
Upcoming events for the Western Region include:
|
Warden, WA |
Potholes Reservoir |
Aug 11 |
|
Wanship, UT |
Rockport Reservoir |
Aug 11 |
|
Boise, ID |
Black Canyon Reservoir |
Aug 18 |
|
Ashland, OR |
Hyatt Lake |
Aug 18 |
|
Spokane, WA |
Waitts Lake |
Aug 25 |
|
Renton, WA |
Lake Washington |
Sept 8 |
|
Oroville, CA |
Lake Oroville |
Sept 8 |
|
Forest Grove, OR |
Hagg Lake |
Sept 9 |
|
Perris, CA |
Lake Perris |
Sept 15 |
|
Page, AZ |
Lake Powell |
Sept 29 |
|
Castaic, CA |
Lake Castaic |
Oct 6 |
|
Fresno, CA |
Millerton Lake |
Oct 6 |
|
Boulder City, NV |
Lake Mead |
Oct 13 |
|
Ouray, CO |
Ridgway Reservoir |
TBA |
If you are interested in learning how to put together a CAST for Kids event in your area, or participating in one of the above events, for the Eastern Region, please contact Art Pasley at
art@castforkids.org. For the Western Region, please contact Jim Owens at jim@castforkids.org .
If you know of anyone who would like to receive Clay’s Newsletter, please feel free to forward him or her this Newsletter. If you have received this Newsletter and are not a member of "TeamDyer," but you would like to be, please go to claydyerfishing.com and click on the "TeamDyer" link and enter your email address. The website will automatically mail you a link to the Newsletter, but in order to be subscribed to receive the Newsletter you must click on that link provided in the email.
I would like to recognize the following sponsors who have been supportive and who have made it possible for me to "live my dream."
CLAY’S PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
CLAY’S PRIMARY SPONSORS
CLAY’S SECONDARY SPONSORS
Ranger Boats
Minn Kota
Pflueger Rods & Reels
Daiichi and X-Point Hooks
Plano Tacklelogic Tackle Systems
All Star Graphite Rods
