It’s almost here! On May 4, 1996, the Texas Black Bass Unlimited (TBBU) Fishfest and Gala will take over the Sam Houston Race Park. This date coincides with the annual Derby Day at the track, promising a high-energy atmosphere for a vital cause: the restoration of Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston.

The Leadership Team

Co-chairpersons Randy Nichols (Louis Delhomme Marine) and Vicki Follmar (Boots Follmar Marine) have spent months coordinating this massive effort. They are backed by an Advisory Board representing the titans of the Texas boating and media landscape, including representatives from Family Boating Center, Captain Kirk’s Marine, Redwing Boat Company, and Texas Fish and Game Magazine.

A Legend-Filled Guest List

This event features a "Who’s Who" of the fishing world and beyond:

• Fishing Royalty: Forrest Wood (Founder of Ranger Boats and Hall of Famer) will be an honored guest.
• TV & Media Stars: * Keith Warren of Texas Angler will host the event.
  • John Hope will introduce his new ESPN program, Tracking Trophies.
  • Billy and Bobby Murray (ESPN’s Guides) and Mike Dyes & Lonnie Stanley (Sportsman’s Challenge) will be in attendance.
• Sports Celebrities: Houston Oilers legends Elvin Bethea and Dan Pastorini.
• Conservation Leadership: Andy Sansom, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The Main Event: Mark Chesnutt

While the fishing stars are a huge draw, the evening’s highlight will be a performance by fellow fisherman and country music superstar Mark Chesnutt at 9:30 PM.

The Venue: Sam Houston Race Park

For the first time, the 240-acre Sam Houston Race Park infield has been reserved for the fishing industry. Steve Hofmann (Director of Retail Sales) and Richard Linihan (Publicity and Marketing) have coordinated to ensure the massive facility—complete with two horse tracks and a 20-acre lake—is ready for the crowds.

Boat dealers will be on-site showcasing the newest 1996 lines from:

• Astro, Champion, Ranger, ProCraft, Skeeter, Stratos, and Tracker.

The Cause: Healing Our Lakes

The funds raised at the '96 Gala are earmarked for improving the aquatic habitats of Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston. These fisheries have suffered for years from pollution and the loss of the native vegetation necessary to sustain healthy bass populations.

Ticket Information

• General Admission & Concert: $10.00
• Gala Dinner & Celebrity Photo Session: $50.00

Tickets are available at all major Houston boat dealerships, including Boots Follmar Marine, Captain Kirk’s, and Louis DelHomme Marine.

As Randy Nichols puts it, this event is "designed to maximize the collective force of freshwater anglers while simultaneously bringing more people into the sport."

See y’all at the races!

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Why this article is a "Golden Nugget"

The Technology: John Hope "tracking" trophies via radio tags (telemetry) was groundbreaking tech in 1996 that changed how we understood big bass movement.

The Mark Chesnutt Connection: Catching a country star at the height of his fame (just after hits like "Goin' Through the Big D") shows how much pull TBBU had in the mid-90s.

Forrest Wood: Having the founder of Ranger Boats travel to Houston for this was a massive endorsement of the Texas conservation movement.