(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.)
FLW Outdoors pro Byron Velvick was in for a big surprise on Wednesday night’s episode of `The Bachelor.’ On the third episode of the hit ABC series, the pro-angling bachelor had a few ghosts from reality TV’s past thrown into the mix.
So far, it’s been an unprecedented season of firsts. On the premiere show, there were two bachelors for the ladies to choose from – with one being our own professional angler. After the ladies chose the fisherman over the businessman, it was announced that Velvick was to move into the women’s villa. And on Wednesday night, yet another surprise was unveiled – two `all-star’ bachelorettes from past seasons were back and looking for love. That meant the field, already narrowed down to 10, actually grew by two.
But before that latest surprise was announced, the women were set to find out which one of them would be picked for a one-on-one date. It was high suspense in the household, especially since Velvick admitted that he was falling for several of the ladies. “I’m absolutely committed that the woman I am going to spend the rest of my life with is in this group,” said Velvick.
The bachelorette chosen for the date was Andrea, a 33-year-old dental hygienist from Colorado. And it was a date perfectly suited for the nature-loving Velvick. The two took a ride in a restored bomber plane along the California coast. It was a romantic evening, complete with dinner and drinks afterward. “To be in a plane high along the coast and looking at the sunset with a beautiful woman next to me was so great,” said Velvick. Andrea seemed just as smitten, even going as far as to mention the “L”-word. “It feels like I’m falling in love with Byron,” said Andrea. “It feels natural.”
After a serene evening, the two returned from their date, not knowing they were in for some big news. Velvick was preparing to go on another date the next night – only to find out that none of the bachelorettes in the house would be accompanying him. He arrived at the scene of his next date to find a pair of surprises. Two bachelorettes from former seasons of “The Bachelor” were there, ready to enter the competition for Velvick’s heart – Heather from the second season and Mary from the fourth season.
Byron has always maintained that he had never even seen “The Bachelor” before appearing on it – and it certainly seemed as if he’s spent more time on the water than in front of the TV. He didn’t know who the two women were – although the other bachelorettes certainly did! Sparks seemed to fly especially between Velvick and Mary, a 36-year-old real estate agent from Tampa. They both bonded over the fact that they’d someday like a family. Byron even alluded to the family- friendly scenes at angling tournaments around the country to make his point. “I go to tournaments and pull up to the dock at the end of the day and these kids run up to the end of the dock,” said Velvick. “And the kids are saying, `Daddy, daddy, what did you catch?’ I want that.”
After the dates were over, it was time for the nightly rose ceremony. With a task to trim down a field of 12 women to eight, Velvick seemed visibly stressed at the thought. After a few final conversations with the ladies, he was ready to make his choice. Eight women received the red rose that ensures they’ll stick around for the next episode: Andrea, Jayne, Elizabeth, Cheresse, Tanya, Mary, Cynthia and Krysta. Viewers will have to stay tuned to see which bachelorette gets hooked on Byron next week!
Related links:
Byron Velvick makes top-10 cut – `Bachelor’ style
Velvick named new `Bachelor’
FLW Outdoors pro angler an eligible `Bachelor’