Ray Scott

Flashback: Ray Scott’s first tournament

This is the first Ray Scott tournament, which he held right before he founded B.A.S.S.

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The 1967 All-American Invitational Bass Tournament was the precursor to B.A.S.S. tournament fishing. Ray Scott hosted the event on Arkansas' Beaver Lake.
The 1967 All-American Invitational Bass Tournament was the precursor to B.A.S.S. tournament fishing. Ray Scott hosted the event on Arkansas’ Beaver Lake.
Ultimately, 106 anglers competed in the event. Oddly, that's the same number of anglers who qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series in its first year, 2006.
Ultimately, 106 anglers competed in the event. Oddly, that’s the same number of anglers who qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series in its first year, 2006.
A local paper, the Springdale News, interviewed Scott as part of the promo for the event. Scott referred to the All-American as
A local paper, the Springdale News, interviewed Scott as part of the promo for the event. Scott referred to the All-American as “the World’s First Big Award Bass Tournament.”
The prizes included 20 trophies and a total of $6,000 in cash and other awards. The winner, Stan Sloan, won $2,000 plus a fly fishing trip to Acapulco, Mexico, with his wife.
The prizes included 20 trophies and a total of $6,000 in cash and other awards. The winner, Stan Sloan, won $2,000 plus a fly fishing trip to Acapulco, Mexico, with his wife.
A reception banquet was held the night before the tournament began. From left are Bill Dance, Charles Spense and Dennis Demo.
A reception banquet was held the night before the tournament began. From left are Bill Dance, Charles Spense and Dennis Demo.
The Skunk Hollow Gang, a local band, entertained the crowd of 200 or so at the banquet.
The Skunk Hollow Gang, a local band, entertained the crowd of 200 or so at the banquet.
An early morning takeoff, '60s-style.
An early morning takeoff, ’60s-style.
<p>The old leaderboard was updated manually. The Top 10 spots go to Stan Sloan, Bill Dance, Alderson Clark, Ray Murski, Wes LIttlefield, Carl Dyess, John Tate, Troy Anderson, J.G. Wells and J.L. Johnston.</p>
The old leaderboard was updated manually. The Top 10 spots go to Stan Sloan, Bill Dance, Alderson Clark, Ray Murski, Wes LIttlefield, Carl Dyess, John Tate, Troy Anderson, J.G. Wells and J.L. Johnston.
Stan Sloan was issued his trophy, with his wife, Liz, by his side.
Stan Sloan was issued his trophy, with his wife, Liz, by his side.
In the 1960s, none of the bass were released alive. All were harvested and contributed to a charity. At the Beaver Lake event, the beneficiary of the 700 pounds of bass was the Boys Land of Arkansas.
In the 1960s, none of the bass were released alive. All were harvested and contributed to a charity. At the Beaver Lake event, the beneficiary of the 700 pounds of bass was the Boys Land of Arkansas.
Bass were hung from boards before the cleaning ...
Bass were hung from boards before the cleaning …
... and to the butcher's block they went. B.A.S.S. instituted a catch-and-release policy beginning in 1972.
… and to the butcher’s block they went. B.A.S.S. instituted a catch-and-release policy beginning in 1972.
It was several months before coverage of the tournament came out. The June 1967 event was covered in the first issue of Bassmaster Magazine, which was the Spring 1968 edition.
It was several months before coverage of the tournament came out. The June 1967 event was covered in the first issue of Bassmaster Magazine, which was the Spring 1968 edition.
Read more about Ray Scott's first bass tournament and see additional event pictures in the June 2017 issue of <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine.
Read more about Ray Scott’s first bass tournament and see additional event pictures in the June 2017 issue of Bassmaster Magazine.

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