They came from the hills of Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in reply to a call for help from Texas anglers. They weren't Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone, but to a fisherman, they were even bigger heroes: Ray Scott, the "Father of Professional Bass Fishing," and Doug Murphy, the Aquatic Weed Manager for the Tennessee Valley River Authority.

The Man Behind the Call

The cry for help was sent out by Ed Parten. If you ask any bass fisherman in the state who Ed Parten is, nine out of ten will tell you he's the man who led the battle to keep grass carp out of Lake Conroe. Though he lost that specific fight, he has won many others. No individual has done more for Texas bass fishing than "Big Ed."

Standing with Parten was Ray Murski of Strike King Lures, alongside thousands of concerned anglers from organizations like Texas Black Bass Unlimited (TBBU), the Texas Association of Bass Clubs (TABC), and Honey Hole.

The Threat to Lake Bastrop

The mission? To prevent the destruction of Lake Bastrop, located less than a hundred miles from the Alamo.

According to Parten and his allies, chemical companies—selling "toxic herbicides" for as much as $2,000 per gallon—have influenced river authorities and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TP&W) to pour thousands of gallons into our lakes. While everyone agrees that weeds need to be controlled, the debate is over how.

A Smarter Alternative: Mechanical Harvesting

Smart management programs in the north-central U.S. use Mechanical Harvesters instead of chemicals. These machines offer several benefits:

• Water Clarity: They leave the water clear and clean, whereas chemical eradication often leads to "Algae Blooms" and murky, unhealthy fisheries.
• Habitat Preservation: Harvesters can mow vegetation down to five feet below the surface, leaving habitat for fish and filtration for the water.
• Cost-Effectiveness: A recent test at Lake Bastrop proved this.

The Bastrop Test

Ray Scott wrote to Governor George W. Bush, asking for a moratorium on toxic herbicides and a feasibility study on mechanical harvesting. Bush agreed. Scott then arranged for a harvester to be brought from Tennessee to Lake Bastrop.

The results were overwhelmingly positive. In less than two days, the vegetation was managed without killing a single fish. The cost? Only $8,000—a fraction of the $100,000 typically spent on chemicals. Surprisingly, it wasn't the power companies or the state that paid for the test; it was paid for by over two hundred individual anglers and fishing companies who sent in checks ranging from $5 to $1,000.

The Path Forward: SMART

To continue this mission, the SMART organization (Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Together) was formed. The goal is to raise funds to purchase a harvester for permanent use in Texas.

Join the "Evening with Ray Scott" Fundraiser

• When: August 14, 1998
• Where: Hotel Sofitel Greenspoint, Houston, Texas
• The Guest List: * Roland Martin: Legendary tournament winner.
  • Bob Cobb: 30-year pioneer of B.A.S.S.
  • Glen Lau: Cinematographer of "Big Mouth Forever."
  • Earl Bentz: Founder of Triton Boats.
  • Bill Dance: Bass fishing superstar.
• Tickets: $100 (Limited to 500). Each ticket holder is entered to win a 1999 Dodge Quad Cab truck.

To volunteer, call "Big Ed" at 713-648-6152. To contribute, mail your check to: SMART PO Box 11729, Houston, Texas 77293