Why I'm Pulling for Gary Klein

Gary Klein in 4th place, less than 5 pounds off the lead, going into the final day of the Falcon Slam. BASS photo by James Overstreet.

If Rick Clunn hadn't brought ridiculously big bags to the scales for the past two days and wasn't in serious contention in the Falcon Slam, major attention would be on another legend of the sport. Clunn did do those things, though, and that has allowed Gary Klein to fly somewhat under the radar.

I've been pulling for Klein since I was 13 years old, though, so that's not going to change this weekend. I'm pulling for Klein to notch win No. 9 and push his career earnings past the $2 million mark and to do so in Texas. With a Day 1 catch of 21-11 followed by back-to-back days of catching 28 and change, Klein obviously has something solid going and is only a couple of extra-big bites away from making a win happen. At Falcon, though, the same could be said about the entire Top 12.

I first learned about Gary Klein by reading Bassmaster Magazine. Specifically, I read about him winning the Bassmaster Invitational on Lake Powell in 1979 in only the second B.A..SS. event he ever entered. I took note because he was a young angler -- only seven years older than me -- and best I recall, he pretty much put down everything he owned to fish that tournament, took the top prize and never looked back. He was a 20-year-old living the then-new bass fishing dream.

Beyond that, though, Gary Klein was (and still is) always smiling in photos, and he always seemed to be the first one mentioned when stories were written about pros encouraging young anglers, taking extra time to sign autographs or helping fellow anglers. I've never met Klein and have only talked with him on the phone once for a story interview; however, other pros and fishing writer friends I know well always say that he's the same behind the scenes as he is in front of the camera.

I have a couple of friends in the Top 12, and I'd be thrilled to see them win, and like most folks I'd enjoy seeing Rick Clunn pull off the win. Forced to pick a single favorite, though, I have to go with my boyhood bass fishing hero.