Byron Velvick makes top-10 cut – ‘Bachelor’ style

Contestant Jayne appears to fall for the California native, hook, line and sinker

Everything's coming up roses: Boulder City, Nev., pro angler Byron Velvick hopes to find true love on 'The Bachelor.' Photo by ABC Television Network. Angler: Byron Velvick.

October 1, 2004 • Rebecca Czaplewski • Archives

(Editors note: Rebecca Czaplewski will follow FLW Outdoors angler Byron Velvick throughout the entire season of the “The Bachelor.” Her weekly summaries will be posted on FLWOutdoors.com.)

On the second episode of the hit ABC reality series “The Bachelor,” FLW Outdoors professional angler Byron Velvick trimmed down the field to 10 women. But before any roses were handed out Wednesday night, Velvick and the ladies went on a few dates – including one that featured a romantic night on the water.

In a season already filled with twists from the regular “The Bachelor” format, the show’s producers unleashed another surprise at the start of the show. Bachelor Velvick and his “girl” – his mixed-breed dog Sabrina – moved into a room in the bachelorette villa. Living with the ladies seemed to be a sure fire way to get emotions up. The women seemed to be more competitive about Velvick’s affections than usual, each trying their best to get his attention. That meant flirting with a focus on food. When bachelorette Andrea asked Velvick what he likes to eat when he’s out on the water, she decided to make him his angling snack of choice – a peanut butter sandwich.

Early in the episode, two women were chosen to go on a private date with Velvick – Cheresse, a 31-year-old director of advertising and marketing from St. Louis, and Jayne, a 37-year-old dog groomer from Key Largo, Fla. Cheresse and Byron’s date consisted of a night at a club as well as watching a special private performance from pop singer Brandy. Overall, it seemed to be a success. There seemed to be a connection between the two, and Cheresse looked to be impressed with Velvick’s demeanor. “I think he gives a woman a lot of respect when he’s with her, and that’s what I’m looking for,” said Cheresse.

But while they seemed to be a match, the chemistry failed to produce the same sparks as Velvick’s date with Jayne. They spent a night on a California lake, fishing beneath the stars. When they first got to the lake, Jayne noticed that Velvick’s face lit up at the prospect of being on the water. “There’s nothing like seeing a man in his element, and this is truly his element,” said Jayne. “I completely understand where he was coming from, that he would make this his life.”

However, there was one little catch – Jayne had never fished before. It didn’t seem to be a problem – who better to teach a novice than a pro like Velvick! He took her through the basics, and soon she was casting for a trophy catch. In a perfect made-for-TV moment, fate and fishing seemed to cross paths when she got her first-ever fish. When Jayne caught her fish, she gave it a kiss – something Velvick called a “beautiful moment.” It seems he does the exact same thing when he gets a big catch. “It’s absolutely unheard of to kiss the fish like I do,” said Velvick.

And who said fishing isn’t romantic?

The show continued with the rose ceremony. Usually, the ladies and bachelor get a chance to talk and mingle before the ceremony begins. But not this time. Velvick was allowed to pick three women to chat with – he chose Natalie, Jayne and Kristie – for only a few minutes before he was asked to make a choice. After much deliberation, he handed out 10 roses at the end of the night. Those who received a rose were: Tanya, Amanda, Elizabeth, Cheresse, Andrea, Suzie, Jayne, Kristie, Krysta and Cynthia.

Viewers will have to tune in next week to see which bachelorette gets hooked next!