PARK FALLS, WIS. (May 20, 2024) – Inspiration serves diverse purposes and comes in different forms. For many anglers, the act of fishing – in itself – serves as inspiration for the various other areas of our lives. It’s a direct conduit with nature, which can inspire us to value and take steps to do what we can to conserve and protect the natural world. It’s a respite from life’s stresses, which can inspire us to return to the challenges of our day-to-day professional and family lives with newfound energy, insight, and purpose.
Of course, inspiration comes from people, too; folks who contact our lives with abilities, outlooks, and stories that are so remarkable that they change our perspectives in positive ways.
From wherever or whomever it comes, inspiration helps us grow and become better.
Anyone who has met or listened to Clay Dyer speak will tell you that he is an inspiration. Born May 23, 1978, without any lower limbs, no arm on the left side, and a partial arm on the right, Clay Dyer has never let physical limitation dampen his determination or spirit. He began fishing at age 5 and started fishing competitively at age 15.
“Like a lot of kids who grew up in small-town rural America, there wasn’t a whole lot to do besides school, school sports, and spending time outdoors,” Dyer recalls. “In my family, spending time outdoors meant hunting and fishing. I was an athlete in high school and always had a competitive drive to compete at the highest level. As I got older, I realized fishing was my best avenue.”
A man whose abilities and determination are only overshadowed by his faith, Dyer fished with FLW from 2000 to 2010 and began his career with B.A.S.S. in 2012. He currently fishes Division 2 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series Presented by SEVIIN Reels, but his main calling remains helping others remove barriers to their true potential.
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Clay for many years,” says St. Croix Vice President of Marketing, Jesse Simpkins. “There are no combinations of words I can string together that accurately describe everything he is or all he represents to the people he meets, but at the end of the day, Clay makes the people around him better. He just does. And that’s the same thing St. Croix has endeavored to do for anglers for the past 75 years. Each of us here at St. Croix Rod and SEVIIN Reels are incredibly excited to welcome Clay to our staff and family.”
Anyone who has watched Dyer fish could easily imagine how fishing rods, reels, and other equipment might be modified so that it’s easier for him to use, but Dyer says it’s a conscious decision to use the same gear as everyone else. “I’ve never wanted anyone to treat me any differently because of any perceived disability,” he says. “I take pride in using the same gear everyone else does, because I can. In fishing and in life, I don’t want any asterisks next to my name. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad and grateful that wonderful technologies exist and are available to anglers who need them, but personally, I just want the best gear I can get, so I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership with St. Croix and SEVIIN. Everyone knows St. Croix crafts the “Best Rods on Earth”, and SEVIIN is earning a reputation for making some of the most-reliable and easiest-casting reels available, but what’s equally remarkable about these companies is the people behind the brands. It’s a company of anglers, owned by the same family for the past 47 years, that’s been making fishing rods right here in the USA for the past 75 years. Where else do you see that these days?”
Dyer and St. Croix and SEVIIN begin their formal partnership on June 1. Dyer will fish St. Croix rods and SEVIIN reels on tour beginning with the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series Presented by SEVIIN Reels event, June 20-22 at Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma.