A ‘Bachelor’ no longer

FLW Tour pro Byron Velvick makes his final choice and proposes

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.

November 29, 2004 • Rebecca Czaplewski • Archives

After weeks of competition in the game of love, FLW Outdoors angler-turned-“Bachelor” Byron Velvick finally narrowed the field down to two. There was Tanya, a vivacious 31-year-old teacher from Texas that Velvick said could be the one. And then there was Mary, a 36-year-old, two-time “Bachelor” contestant from Florida. It was clearly the most difficult decision Velvick had faced. “I’m feeling really good about both Mary and Tanya,” Velvick said. “I can’t look back and put anyone else in the place of these two.”

The final episode started with a kind of “group” date. Velvick’s parents, Byron Sr. and Joan, arrived to meet the bachelorettes and their parents. Earlier, Mary had expressed some doubts about introducing her parents to Velvick – considering the possibility that she may not get the final rose. But she finally gave in to her heart. “Why shouldn’t I introduce him to my family?” Mary asked. “Why shouldn’t I show them what I feel for this man?”

The meeting went very well, with both Velvick and Mary’s parents approving of each other’s choice. Velvick’s profession as an angler also scored points with Mary’s father – considering he was a fisherman in his native Cuba. The meeting made Mary’s emotions for Velvick even stronger. “I felt like I was on cloud nine. I felt great,” Mary said. “But at the same time, I need to remember there is one more beautiful girl they are going to meet.”

Of course, that next girl was Tanya. Arriving with her mother, Tanya sat down for dinner and drinks with Velvick and his parents. Right away, they were impressed with her poise and confidence in the situation. They were also struck by Velvick’s obvious joy when he was with Tanya. “I’m seeing the Velvick I haven’t seen for a couple of years,” Byron Sr. said. As the date wound down, Velvick and his mother talked privately about the difficult choice he had ahead of him.

The next and final round of dates involved a trip to Velvick’s hometown of Lake Mead. The ladies finally got to see him in his environment – spending time on the water. Tanya was the first one who met up with Velvick at what he called his “office” – his boat on the lake. They met up with some of Velvick’s friends for a boat ride around Lake Mead and later even tossed out a few fishing lines. It looked like Tanya hadn’t fished much before, but she admitted she was seeing the sport in a whole new light with Velvick. “I loved seeing Byron in his element,” Tanya said. “I’m picturing myself in his world.”

Next was Mary’s turn to meet up with Velvick at Lake Mead. She also met with some of Velvick’s friends – and faced some intense questions from a few of them. Because she had been on the “Bachelor” once before, some were wondering if she cared more about winning the game than winning Velvick’s heart. But she shot down those thoughts, saying: “I’ve waited 36 years, and I’ve never been married. I want that man to love me as much as I love him.” Later that day, the pair took a helicopter ride above the city. It was a romantic route, with Velvick pointing out landmarks and his favorite fishing spots from high above.

But eventually, the dates came to an end. And it was finally time for Velvick to make his choice. On the day of that final rose ceremony, Velvick picked out an engagement ring – it seems this “Bachelor” wanted to go out with a proposal.

During past rose ceremonies, Velvick was visibly nervous with the decision at hand. But this time, he seemed to be the picture of calm. It was clear that his mind was made up. “I’m happy because I know where I’m at,” Velvick said. “I’m in love.”

And at that ceremony, he finally revealed which bachelorette he loved. Calling her the woman he couldn’t live another minute without, Velvick got down on one knee and proposed to Mary. Both called it a fairy-tale ending and said they couldn’t wait to start their lives together. So for now, Velvick will have two big jobs in the upcoming months: planning a wedding and gearing up for the start of the FLW Outdoors tournament circuits.