Bill McElroy
Well-Known Member
Got this from the BPS website,....we were talking about him a couple of weeks ago!! Peace Billy,..you are in the land of the SuperToad Brownfish now.....thanks for all you did!!
In Memory of Billy Westmoreland: Mr. Brown Bass
Two weekends ago, the world suffered a tremendous loss.
The name Billy Westmoreland will stir memories of the early-day fishing heroes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Tournament Trail. During the beginnings of B.A.S.S., one man from the hills of Tennessee stood out for his sheer size and ability to catch his favorite fish, smallmouth bass.
Billy liked to call the bass "brown fish." He was a professional fishing guide at Dale Hollow Lake, and one of the masters of light-line, clear-water fishing.
As a big man, Billy attracted attention at the tournament weigh-ins, but most times it was because he seldom came to scale with a small sack of bass.
Billy Westmoreland, was not only an extraordinary angler, he was also an extraordinary person. If not for Billy, Johnny Morris might never have had the opportunity to mail his first catalog.
In 1974, Johnny Morris and his partner Bob Craddock from Kentucky were fishing a tournament. The water was extremely rough on the water that day, and it wasn't long before some waves swamped their boat. In those days, upright flotation wasn't required in fishing boats, so when it swamped, it went under. Both fishermen had on the standard tournament life vest, but in the rough water were having serious trouble. Suddenly, a six-gallon, empty gas tank dislodged from the boat, and popped to the surface. Johnny Morris managed to grab hold of the tank and his partner grabbed him by the neck.
The bright red gas tank, bobbing in the waves, caught Billy Westmoreland's attention from the safety of the protected cove. Billy told his partner: "There's somebody in trouble out there. Let's see if we can help." They discussed the dangers, but Billy didn't hesitate.
It seemed to take forever, but they got within reach of the two men in the water. Almost swamping themselves, and running two bilge pumps at full bore, Billy was able to grab Bob Craddock by the back of his jacket and haul him in. Then, he pulled Johnny Morris into the boat, still grasping the gas tank.
Few anglers are truly regarded as "legendary anglers." Billy Westmoreland will be remembered as such.
Billy Westmoreland died following an apparent heart attack. He will always be remembered as a great angler, and a wonderful person.
In Memory of Billy Westmoreland: Mr. Brown Bass
Two weekends ago, the world suffered a tremendous loss.
The name Billy Westmoreland will stir memories of the early-day fishing heroes of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Tournament Trail. During the beginnings of B.A.S.S., one man from the hills of Tennessee stood out for his sheer size and ability to catch his favorite fish, smallmouth bass.
Billy liked to call the bass "brown fish." He was a professional fishing guide at Dale Hollow Lake, and one of the masters of light-line, clear-water fishing.
As a big man, Billy attracted attention at the tournament weigh-ins, but most times it was because he seldom came to scale with a small sack of bass.
Billy Westmoreland, was not only an extraordinary angler, he was also an extraordinary person. If not for Billy, Johnny Morris might never have had the opportunity to mail his first catalog.
In 1974, Johnny Morris and his partner Bob Craddock from Kentucky were fishing a tournament. The water was extremely rough on the water that day, and it wasn't long before some waves swamped their boat. In those days, upright flotation wasn't required in fishing boats, so when it swamped, it went under. Both fishermen had on the standard tournament life vest, but in the rough water were having serious trouble. Suddenly, a six-gallon, empty gas tank dislodged from the boat, and popped to the surface. Johnny Morris managed to grab hold of the tank and his partner grabbed him by the neck.
The bright red gas tank, bobbing in the waves, caught Billy Westmoreland's attention from the safety of the protected cove. Billy told his partner: "There's somebody in trouble out there. Let's see if we can help." They discussed the dangers, but Billy didn't hesitate.
It seemed to take forever, but they got within reach of the two men in the water. Almost swamping themselves, and running two bilge pumps at full bore, Billy was able to grab Bob Craddock by the back of his jacket and haul him in. Then, he pulled Johnny Morris into the boat, still grasping the gas tank.
Few anglers are truly regarded as "legendary anglers." Billy Westmoreland will be remembered as such.
Billy Westmoreland died following an apparent heart attack. He will always be remembered as a great angler, and a wonderful person.
