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RAY
SCOTT OUTDOORS, INC. Of Birds,
Bass & Beliefs What does a seagull, world bass fishing champion Rick Clunn and professional bass fishing tournaments have in common? The answer may lie in the bold statement-"There Are No Limits"-emblazoned on the back of Clunn's fishing vest. For some the answer to the "question" is simple: Seagulls mark feeding activity and fish, and Rick Clunn's awareness of Nature's food chain. True. But, in Rick Clunn's true character the obvious is so misleading as the glitter of fool's gold, like copper pyrites, only like "gold" in color. There's more to the man than a fisherman. Author Richard Bach in his novella writes: "A mile from shore a fishing boat chummed the water, and the word for Breakfast Flock flashed through the air, till a crowd of a thousand seagulls came to dodge and fight for bits of food. It was another busy day beginning. "But way off alone, out by himself beyond boat and shore, Jonathan Livingston Seagull was practicing. A hundred feet in the sky he lowered his webbed feet, lifted his beak, and strained to hold a painful hard twisting curve through his wings… "Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight-how to get from shore to food and back again. For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight." As a matter of record Rick Clunn has broken the sound barrier of flight (i.e. bass fishing) with amazing angling achievements. As the four-time BASS Masters Classic world champion, a record string of 28 consecutive Classic qualifying performances and establishing the seemingly untouchable Classic all-time winning mark of 75-pounds, 9-ounces, August 16-18, 1984 on the Arkansas River at Pine Bluff. What separates Rick Clunn from the flock? Without question Clunn has elevated the level of expectation and achievements in professional bass fishing. But, at today's level of play, angling skill and experience are the tools of the trade known well by many proven pros. How-to is not the total answer. There's the total belief in Clunn-like conviction. Understanding his creed (i.e. faith, the fact-"There Are No Limits!"-is a basic introduction to the "wind beneath his wings." Understanding Rick Clunn is an oxymoron. Anglers admire his winning ways, but question his ways. Reportedly his unique behavior of outcasting himself from the distractions of tournament competition. Camping alone in a remote campsite, rather than in the middle of the motel muddle. Not being so-social is Clunn's way of getting in tune with Nature. Being aware of the surroundings and alert to the seasonal patterns for finding and catching more bass. But, wanting to look beyond the surface, under the façade, there's the challenge to reveal Clunn's concealment. If like others, you search for answers in Richard Bach's story with the haunting dedication: "to the real Jonathan Seagull, who lives within us all." All the more to understand Rick Clunn's amazing angling powers. Reportedly, Jonathan Livingston Seagull's message is the inner-voice that plays so clearly in Rick Clunn's mind. The book's narration on tape for the moments of metaphysical reasoning on the long road trips between tournament sites. If these abstract thoughts have aroused any curiosity, the recommendation is to read Richard Bach's tale, a rather short narrative of less than 9,000 words. Published by Avon Books, titled "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." Further suggestion is to substitute the character, Rick Clunn, for J.L.S. in the reading. In the story the "Gull of Fortune" had smiled on Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who in a "great roaring shriek of wind and feathers" had survived terminal velocity…a 214 miles per hour dive. "It was a breakthrough." As Jonathan believes: "How much more there is now to living! Instead of our drab slogging forth and back to the fishing boats, there's a reason to life! We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!" And, as Rick Clunn's motto encourages to excel, to
be above the flock of fishermen: "There Are No Limits!" |