Tom J. Sully

Growing up in North Central Texas I lived and live on a ranch and farm. Cattle and cotton kept food on the table.

Stock tanks and the Clear Fork of the Brazos River with their fish held my attention often. My family first fished the river in 1915. I learned its secrets. I walked its banks, under trees that were there before I existed. I saw where people had lived and camped on its banks for thousands of years as evidenced from shell middens and arrowheads.

I saw the peaceful river, and I saw the power of floods that took lives. I came to understand the river, as if it were my backyard.

Now I was there. I hunted and I fished. I went through tough times and good times.

At age 18 I married the love of my life. A woman that shared my passion for fishing. When possible we fished. We traveled to fish. From Alabama to Washington. Big fish, small fish. If it is a fish we're game to try fishing. The experience of reeling up and touching a 200 pound fish, releasing it to watch it slide back into the deep was ours. Such made up the memories we share.

I took a job that beat me down over 40 years time. 50, 60, 70 hour weeks in burning heat and bone chilling cold.

We raised a son. A man I am proud to call son.

10 years back, big lakes and big fish caught my eye. Every available hour was spent on the water. I learned along with my wife it's secrets. We fished in tournaments. We became fishing guides. We met and talked to hundreds of people. Good people.