Country‑music legend Terri Clark, a longtime Grand Ole Opry member who calls Nashville home, is set to take part in the Champions Celebrity Pro‑Am on Old Hickory Lake this Sunday. The event, held near Nashville, pairs celebrities with professional bass anglers for a day of competition and camaraderie.
Bandmates Suggest Therapy, Clark Laughs It Off
During an exclusive interview with OutKick OutDoors, Clark joked that her band thinks she might need therapy for her “fishing addiction.” She said the band’s suggestion was all in good fun, noting that she often practices fishing knots on her tour bus and can’t resist a new knot tutorial on Instagram.
Learning From the Pros
Clark will be on a boat with one of the world’s top professional bass anglers, taking a master class in bass fishing. The three‑day championship that precedes the Pro‑Am draws about 60 of the sport’s best anglers competing for a $3.25 million purse.
“Everybody thinks I’m such a great fisherwoman,” Clark said, adding that professional anglers operate on a different level, studying underwater topography and adapting to unfamiliar lakes. She plans to bring that knowledge back to her favorite waters on Lake Erie.
Tech and Tactics
Clark owns a Humminbird MEGA Live 2 sonar system but hasn’t installed it yet, saying she doesn’t want to spend the whole day staring at a camera. She hopes the Pro‑Am will show her new spots on Old Hickory Lake that she can later revisit by kayak.
Chasing the Elusive Musky
Beyond bass, Clark is fixated on landing a 50‑plus‑inch musky, a predator she recently pursued on Lake Erie. Strong easterly winds and warm lake temperatures delayed the fish’s fall movement, but Clark remains determined: “I’m gonna get one though.”
She’s even considering targeting Tennessee’s Caney Fork River, closer to home, to increase her chances.
Inspiring More Women Anglers
Clark hopes her high‑profile participation will encourage more women and young girls to try fishing. She described the experience of watching a sunrise over Lake Erie as “being part of nature’s heartbeat,” a moment that often brings her to tears.
Her advice for beginners is simple: find a knowledgeable mentor, start with basic gear, and don’t overlook the humble wacky rig, which she says catches bass reliably.
Looking Ahead
Clark’s bucket‑list goals include headlining at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and finally landing that massive musky. When asked which she’d choose, she replied, “Don’t ask me which one.”
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
