Velvick named new ‘Bachelor’
FLW Outdoors angler beats out ‘city boy’ on hit reality TV series
The roses have been handed out, and FLW Outdoors pro angler Byron Velvick will be the one to seek out love on the hit ABC series “The Bachelor.” In a twist on previous seasons, this time around the 25 bachelorettes were asked to pick between two bachelors on Wednesday night’s premier episode. As the down-to-earth angler beat out a “big city boy” in the “Lady’s Choice Ceremony,” 40-year-old Velvick now starts a search to find true love on the show.
“The Bachelor” may have followed the usual format of the groundbreaking reality TV show, but there was a big change in store for the sixth season premiere. The show started off with the introduction of Velvick and his competition – 40-year-old Jay Overbye of New York City. The differences between the two men were apparent from the start.
As a pro angler for more than a decade, Velvick spends his days on the water searching for bass. As Velvick said on Wednesday’s episode: “My office is every beautiful lake in the country. It’s a great place to work.” Velvick currently ranks 162nd in the FLW Tour standings and 197th in BassFan.com’s world rankings. He has fished 22 FLW Outdoors events since 1995, twice ranking in the top 10 for tournament finishes. Velvick is also a two-time WON Bass U.S. Open winner.
A former model, Overbye spends his life in the big city, selling residential real estate. While Overbye described Velvick as “an imposing, confident guy,” Velvick said he was determined to not let this chance to find love slip away. “This guy is not going to take my future wife away from me,” said Velvick.
After the bachelorettes arrived at the villa, they were introduced to the two candidates. The fact that Velvick makes his living as a professional angler did garner a lot of attention from the ladies. Many of them acknowledged the difference in personalities between the two men, calling them complete opposites. While many described Velvick’s personality and profession as “fun” and “rugged,” some seemed to think his competition had a more stable and conservative lifestyle.
Most didn’t dwell on the monetary aspects of the bachelors’ careers, but one bachelorette did show her naivete about the sport of bass fishing and its income potential. Krysta, a 28-year-old from Oklahoma City, Okla., has described herself as a high-maintenance type of woman. “Unless Byron has some sort of family money, I don’t know what a bass fisherman makes these days,” Krysta said. She must not be familiar with the professional bass-fishing tours and the potential to make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Let’s hope Velvick brings her up to speed.
Toward the end of the two-hour special, the ladies’ rose ceremony was held, and Velvick came out on top. He then had his own rose ceremony, narrowing the field of women from 25 to 15. From here on, viewers will see him spend the next few weeks with the bachelorettes, voting them off until only one remains. The once-divorced Velvick says he is excited about the chance to meet his soul mate. “I’m totally immersed in the possibility that I could find the love of my life,” Velvick explained.
During a reality TV show filled with roses and elaborate dates, it appears Velvick won’t forget to teach the ladies a thing or two about his sport. Promotions for upcoming episodes show that he’ll take some of the bachelorettes fishing – something definetely not seen before on “The Bachelor.” It seems Velvick is determined to find love without forgetting about what he calls his true love – fishing.
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