Rick Clunn at 70

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To celebrate Rick Clunn’s 70th birthday, we dug through the archives to find 70 images of the Elite Pro’s B.A.S.S career.
To celebrate Rick Clunn’s 70th birthday, we dug through the archives to find 70 images of the Elite Pro’s B.A.S.S career.
Rick Clunn was born on July 24, 1946, and he began fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments in 1974.
Rick Clunn was born on July 24, 1946, and he began fishing B.A.S.S. tournaments in 1974.
He has 15 1st place B.A.S.S. wins.
He has 15 1st place B.A.S.S. wins.
Rick Clunn fished 28 consecutive Bassmaster Classic appearances (1974-2001)
Rick Clunn fished 28 consecutive Bassmaster Classic appearances (1974-2001)
He’s one of five anglers to win multiple Classics
He’s one of five anglers to win multiple Classics
On Nov. 5, 1976, Missouri angler Rick Clunn claimed his first Bassmaster Classic victory on Lake Guntersville.
On Nov. 5, 1976, Missouri angler Rick Clunn claimed his first Bassmaster Classic victory on Lake Guntersville.
Clunn's perfect game plan led to a weight of 59 pounds, 15 ounces.
Clunn’s perfect game plan led to a weight of 59 pounds, 15 ounces.
In 1977, he won first place in the B.A.S.S. Champs competition on Nashville's Percy Priest Reservoir with a total catch of 47 - 2.
In 1977, he won first place in the B.A.S.S. Champs competition on Nashville’s Percy Priest Reservoir with a total catch of 47 – 2.
In 1977 Clunn collected two tournament Top 5s and ended up winning the Bassmaster Classic again.
In 1977 Clunn collected two tournament Top 5s and ended up winning the Bassmaster Classic again.
Clunn became the first angler to win back-to-back Bassmaster Classics in the burgeoning sport of bass fishing.
Clunn became the first angler to win back-to-back Bassmaster Classics in the burgeoning sport of bass fishing.
Clunn had a total catch of 27 pounds, 7 ounces in the 1977 Classic.
Clunn had a total catch of 27 pounds, 7 ounces in the 1977 Classic.
Clunn’s back-to-back victories showed the bass fishing world that the Classic could create stars of its own.
Clunn’s back-to-back victories showed the bass fishing world that the Classic could create stars of its own.
Clunn used the Classic stage to build his legend like no one before or since.
Clunn used the Classic stage to build his legend like no one before or since.
Between his 1977 Classic win and his 1983 victory, Clunn finished in the money 32 times, and he was in the Top 10 13 times during that stretch.
Between his 1977 Classic win and his 1983 victory, Clunn finished in the money 32 times, and he was in the Top 10 13 times during that stretch.
In 1977, Rick Clunn endorsed a fishing board game called “LUNKER”.
In 1977, Rick Clunn endorsed a fishing board game called “LUNKER”.
His first book, Rick Clunn's World Championship Bass Fishing came out in 1978, and now hardcover copies of the book sell for as much as $500.
His first book, Rick Clunn’s World Championship Bass Fishing came out in 1978, and now hardcover copies of the book sell for as much as $500.
Rick Clunn and Roland Martin fish in 1978.
Rick Clunn and Roland Martin fish in 1978.
In 1983, Rick Clunn broke a six-year win drought.
In 1983, Rick Clunn broke a six-year win drought.
In August of 1984, Clunn scored his third Bassmaster Classic win, and this iconic photo of Ray Scott, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton was taken.
In August of 1984, Clunn scored his third Bassmaster Classic win, and this iconic photo of Ray Scott, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton was taken.
In the end, Clunn outdistanced his closest competitor by 25 pounds, 8 ounces and set a record for total weight (75-9) that still stands.
In the end, Clunn outdistanced his closest competitor by 25 pounds, 8 ounces and set a record for total weight (75-9) that still stands.
“Only in America can we follow our dream of chasing little green fish,” Clunn said.
Clunn is one of five to complete the B.A.S.S. Grand Slam (AOY, Classic, $1 million in prize money and the Century Club – more than 100 pounds of bass in an event)
Clunn is one of five to complete the B.A.S.S. Grand Slam (AOY, Classic, $1 million in prize money and the Century Club – more than 100 pounds of bass in an event)
Clunn has four Bassmaster Classic titles and more than 400 total B.A.S.S. events on his resume.
Clunn has four Bassmaster Classic titles and more than 400 total B.A.S.S. events on his resume.
Back on Lake Guntersville, the site of his first Classic win, Clunn won the 1987 Alabama Invitational with 42 pounds, 6 ounces.
Back on Lake Guntersville, the site of his first Classic win, Clunn won the 1987 Alabama Invitational with 42 pounds, 6 ounces.
Clunn’s only Angler of the Year title came in 1988.
Clunn’s only Angler of the Year title came in 1988.
Clunn had four Top 10 finishes in 1989.
Clunn had four Top 10 finishes in 1989.
In 1990, Clunn claimed his fourth Classic victory on the James River with a weight of 34-5.
In 1990, Clunn claimed his fourth Classic victory on the James River with a weight of 34-5.
Rick Clunn's 1991
Rick Clunn’s 1991 “Pro League Bass” trading card.
Clunn's first win after the 1990 Classic was in 1991 at the Missouri Invitational on Truman Reservoir.
Clunn’s first win after the 1990 Classic was in 1991 at the Missouri Invitational on Truman Reservoir.
“This is not a legend. This is the legend.
“This is not a legend. This is the legend.” – Steve Bowman on Rick Clunn. In this 1992 photo of the legend, Clunn reels in a fish.
Clunn had three more Top 10 finishes in 1993.
Clunn had three more Top 10 finishes in 1993.
Clunn missed a check only once during 1994, and he published a four-part fishing course in 1996 called Angler’s Quest.
Clunn missed a check only once during 1994, and he published a four-part fishing course in 1996 called Angler’s Quest.
Clunn made it to the Classic in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2009.
Clunn made it to the Classic in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2009.
In 2001, Clunn was inducted in to the Freshwater Fishing and Bass Fishing Halls of Fame.
In 2001, Clunn was inducted in to the Freshwater Fishing and Bass Fishing Halls of Fame.
Clunn caught 53 pounds, 12 ounces to win the Megabucks event on Douglas Lake in Tennessee. The format had anglers fishing one hole at a time, and he bested Dean Rojas, Mark Davis, Jay Yelas and Mark Rose to take home $135,000.
Clunn caught 53 pounds, 12 ounces to win the Megabucks event on Douglas Lake in Tennessee. The format had anglers fishing one hole at a time, and he bested Dean Rojas, Mark Davis, Jay Yelas and Mark Rose to take home $135,000.
In 2002, Clunn won the first B.A.S.S. Outstanding Achievement Award.
In 2002, Clunn won the first B.A.S.S. Outstanding Achievement Award.
Clunn scored a victory in the Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas in 2002. Clunn was born in Raisin City, California, but moved to Texas with his family at a young age. He currently lives in Missouri.
Clunn scored a victory in the Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas in 2002. Clunn was born in Raisin City, California, but moved to Texas with his family at a young age. He currently lives in Missouri.
Clunn won ESPN’s Greatest Angler Debate in 2005.
Clunn won ESPN’s Greatest Angler Debate in 2005.
After a three year Classic drought, Clunn qualified again in 2005.
After a three year Classic drought, Clunn qualified again in 2005.
Clunn fishing the 2005 Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh, PA.
Clunn fishing the 2005 Bassmaster Classic in Pittsburgh, PA.
Rick Clunn hugs Roland Martin in this 2005 photo.
Rick Clunn hugs Roland Martin in this 2005 photo.
“Human nature, unfortunately, we have the tendency go through a period where we’re at our highest point. Hopefully that lasts for a while, maybe 10, 15, 20 years,” Clunn said. “When you get older and come out of that peak period – I’m using myself as an example – human psyche wrongfully tells us your best is behind you.”
“Human nature, unfortunately, we have the tendency go through a period where we’re at our highest point. Hopefully that lasts for a while, maybe 10, 15, 20 years,” Clunn said. “When you get older and come out of that peak period – I’m using myself as an example – human psyche wrongfully tells us your best is behind you.”
Clunn does a segment for ESPN in 2006.
Clunn does a segment for ESPN in 2006.
In 2006, Clunn finished 21st in the first wintertime Classic.
In 2006, Clunn finished 21st in the first wintertime Classic.
Rick Clunn on the water during the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic in Kissimmee, Florida.
Rick Clunn on the water during the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic in Kissimmee, Florida.
Despite his winless streak, Clunn still made the Top 10 in four B.A.S.S. events in 2008.
Despite his winless streak, Clunn still made the Top 10 in four B.A.S.S. events in 2008.
Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam in 2008.
Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam in 2008.
After a year off, Clunn returned in 2010.
After a year off, Clunn returned in 2010.
Clunn hooks up during the 2010 Elite on Kentucky Lake in Paris, TN.
Clunn hooks up during the 2010 Elite on Kentucky Lake in Paris, TN.
Clunn talks lures on the docks of Pickwick Lake in 2011.
Clunn talks lures on the docks of Pickwick Lake in 2011.
Something about the 2011 Sunshine Showdown made Rick Clunn smile.
Something about the 2011 Sunshine Showdown made Rick Clunn smile.
Clunn made the Top 12 cuts in 2 Elite events in 2011: Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida and Lake Murray in South Carolina.
Clunn made the Top 12 cuts in 2 Elite events in 2011: Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida and Lake Murray in South Carolina.
In 2012, Clunn earned checks in seven of 10 B.A.S.S. events. His highest finish was 12th on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis.
In 2012, Clunn earned checks in seven of 10 B.A.S.S. events. His highest finish was 12th on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wis.
Dave Mercer interviews Rick Clunn on Day 2 of the Elite series event at Bull Shoals in 2012.
Dave Mercer interviews Rick Clunn on Day 2 of the Elite series event at Bull Shoals in 2012.
Clunn caught the two biggest five-bass limits of his career during the Elite Series event on Falcon Lake in Texas. He had 32-9 on Day 2 and 36-14 on Day 3.
Clunn caught the two biggest five-bass limits of his career during the Elite Series event on Falcon Lake in Texas. He had 32-9 on Day 2 and 36-14 on Day 3.
Rick Clunn shows his catch off to the camera.
Rick Clunn shows his catch off to the camera.
Clunn reels in a catch at an Elite Series event on Toledo Bend in 2014.
Clunn reels in a catch at an Elite Series event on Toledo Bend in 2014.
Clunn’s metaphysical approach to the sport led to his nickname, “The Zen Master.”
Clunn’s metaphysical approach to the sport led to his nickname, “The Zen Master.”
Clunn on the water during Day 2 of the Central Open on Red River in 2014.
Clunn on the water during Day 2 of the Central Open on Red River in 2014.
Rick Clunn weighs in on Day 3 of the Elite Series event in Branson in 2014.
Rick Clunn weighs in on Day 3 of the Elite Series event in Branson in 2014.
Clunn has said he wants to play in the World Series of Poker.
Clunn has said he wants to play in the World Series of Poker.
In 2015, chatter about Clunn no longer being able to compete at the Elite level got louder.
In 2015, chatter about Clunn no longer being able to compete at the Elite level got louder.
Rick Clunn’s wife, Melissa, took this photo of him for a sponsor. He thinks it’s the only picture of him with all four of his Bassmaster Classic trophies.
Rick Clunn’s wife, Melissa, took this photo of him for a sponsor. He thinks it’s the only picture of him with all four of his Bassmaster Classic trophies.
At the St. Johns River, Clunn broke his winless streak, and the 69-year-old angler became the oldest to win a B.A.S.S. event. It was the first Elite tournament of the 2016 season.
At the St. Johns River, Clunn broke his winless streak, and the 69-year-old angler became the oldest to win a B.A.S.S. event. It was the first Elite tournament of the 2016 season.
Clunn caught five bass that weighed 31 pounds, 7 ounces on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event on the St. Johns River.
Clunn caught five bass that weighed 31 pounds, 7 ounces on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event on the St. Johns River.
“Never accept that all your best moments are in your past,” Clunn said after his victory. “I’m not in my peak, everybody knows that, but that doesn’t mean you’re still not going to have great moments.”
“Never accept that all your best moments are in your past,” Clunn said after his victory. “I’m not in my peak, everybody knows that, but that doesn’t mean you’re still not going to have great moments.”
Clunn’s victory in the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels in 2016 was his first since 2002. With his first win coming 39 years ago, Clunn also easily set the record for longest gap between his first victory and his most recent.
Clunn’s victory in the Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels in 2016 was his first since 2002. With his first win coming 39 years ago, Clunn also easily set the record for longest gap between his first victory and his most recent.
Alan McGuckin shows off his autograph from Rick Clunn.
Alan McGuckin shows off his autograph from Rick Clunn.
“My early victories, the only people there were the local high school band and my family,” Rick Clunn reflected on his career. “I’ve never experienced a victory with this much attention ever, not even close … The immediacy now is completely different.”
“My early victories, the only people there were the local high school band and my family,” Rick Clunn reflected on his career. “I’ve never experienced a victory with this much attention ever, not even close … The immediacy now is completely different.”