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Fishing News Latest Fishing News Billy Bass - A catch of a different kind
Fishing News Latest Fishing News Billy Bass - A catch of a different kind 
| Billy Bass - A catch of a different kind |
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| Written by Craig Nyhus | |
| Sunday, 27 May 2007 | |
 WALL OF FAME: Co-owner Larrry Richardson shows some of the Billy Bass hanging from the ceiling of the Flying Fish Restaurant in Dallas. Photo by David J. Sams. Remember the obnoxious “Billy Bass?” Many of the singing, head-moving fish plaques have found a new home at the “Billy Bass Adoption Center” located at the Flying Fish Restaurants. The first Flying Fish, a southern Cajun restaurant, began in Little Rock in 2002. Shannon Wynne, one of the owners, came up with the idea to “retire” the toys by hanging them on the restaurant wall. When the Flying Fish opened in Dallas’ Preston Center in February of 2004, “the investors and family members hung eight Billy Bass,” said co-owner Larry Richardson. The craze took off from there, and now more than 300 “retired” Billy Bass grace the walls and are even hung upside-down from the ceiling. The Billy Bass reached its height of popularity in 2000 and 2001. The motion-detecting fish moves its head and sings songs like “Take me to the River” and “Don’t worry, be happy” when someone passes by. “We had to take the batteries out of them though,” Richardson said. “Some of the young kid’s thought it was fun to push all of the buttons, making all of the bass talk at once. But some of the customers didn’t appreciate it.” The idea is now a staple of the Flying Fish, with additional restaurants in Garland, Memphis, Tenn., and soon-to-open in Fort Worth. “Customers bring in the Billy Bass, fill out adoption papers, and get a certificate – kind of like with the old Cabbage Patch dolls,” Richardson said. “They receive a free catfish basket for the donation.” Men usually aren’t the donors. “Almost all of them are brought by women,” Richardson said. “Most of them ask us to please get this out of their attic – or garage – or house, and they all tell us, “’If he comes looking for it, don’t tell him it’s here.’” Youngsters also bring them in. “They like the certificate – and the free catfish basket,” he said. Other Billy Bass have been donated in memory of an old fishing partner, or in honor of sons or relatives fighting in Iraq, he said. The numerous plaques have confused some customers. “One big-haired Dallas lady pulled up in a red Cadillac and tried to buy one here,” Richardson said. Representatives from the manufacturer came out as well. “They brought us a talking deer,” Richardson said. “But that didn’t work out.” Some of the Billy Bass are painted pink, many have beads, some of the plaques are draped in the Texas flag, some have wigs, and there are a few “skeleton” Billy’s. The “World Record Billy Bass” holds the center position. The fishing theme holds throughout the restaurant. All employees wear fishing shirts with “We Catch and Release into Real Hot Grease” embroidered on the backs. “We started with employees wearing hunter orange caps,” Richardson said. “And then a good customer, John Barnes, who is the president of a lure company, noticed and gave us all orange caps with the Strike King Lures’ logo.” The “Liar’s Wall” is filled with fishing photographs brought in by customers. “Many of these are brought in by fishermen who lost a fishing buddy,” Richardson said. “When they come back in they say it brings back good memories.” |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 27 May 2007 ) |
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