When I was growing up we only received one channel on television. We didn’t have cable back in the hills where I lived and satellite TV was science fiction in those days. So whatever we watched was on WCYB-TV out of Bristol, Virginia.
But, one of the programs you always caught there was Bill Dance Outdoors. I would marvel at the man who could catch a gigantic bass with every cast. I was unfamiliar, as a youngster, with the concept of editing for a 30-minute or 1-hour TV show. I was sure he was catching those fish one after the other.
I couldn’t understand in those days why he threw back every one of those fish. When I was a kid the concept of catch and release hadn’t reached where we lived. We implored the rule “release to the grease.”
Dance was a pioneer. He was one of the first TV fishing show hosts. His popularity grew and he was an inspiration to me. His knowledge and ability to catch fish were amazing. His homespun delivery was warm, open, and friendly and where I grew up, that “T” on his fishing cap only added to his allure. I faithfully watched his show and was a big fan. In fact, Bill Dance and Curt Goudy who hosted the “American Sportsmen” were my two biggest influences to someday have my own show about hunting and fishing.
Back in 2000, while covering the Bassmaster Classic in Chicago I got the opportunity to meet Bill Dance. He was as friendly and warm when I met him as he was on the TV show. He’s the genuine article.
What I didn’t know about Bill in those days, but have since learned through mutual acquaintances and YouTube is he’s one of the clumsiest individuals to ever live. There are literally volumes of Bill Dance bloopers which are as entertaining as his fishing show seen today on the NBC Sports Network.
A new one was recently released and you can see it below. I’ve often heard being able to laugh at one’s self is an admirable quality. It’s one of the many admirable qualities Bill Dance has and what makes him so beloved among anglers and the non-fishing public alike.