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  • Benton Buchmann, left, proudly displays the 6 1/4-pound largemouth bass she caught July 1 at Thornton Lakes near Gadsden. While a “bird’s nest” in her line was being fixed by Ray, right, Benton reeled in the fish using her husband’s rod. Contributed

    Benton and Ray Buchmann

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July 13, 2011

LOCAL SPORTS: Couple finds joy in fishing

By Rob Ketcham The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — In this day and age, the number of places people can go to truly experience peace and quiet is quickly diminishing.

For one Cullman husband and wife, however, they frequently participate in a sport that still gives them the opportunity to enjoy periods of solitude  — fishing.

“The cell phone doesn’t ring,” Ray Buchmann said. “We’re usually out there by ourselves. When we do run into people, they’re all pleasant.”

Buchmann and his wife, Benton, have fished all over the world, including destinations like Alaska, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. When it comes to local fishing spots, though, the couple tends to favor North Alabama’s Thornton Lakes near Gadsden.

Buchmann said largemouth bass are generally targeted at the private lake because the location is rated highly when it comes to the chances of catching a bass weighing at least 5 pounds.

This rating proved its worth July 1 when Ray and Benton took on Thornton Lakes in hopes of enjoying the outdoors — and catching fish while they were at it.

According to Ray, his wife reels in the larger fish most days while he dominates the quantity brought in.

“She always catches the big ones,” he said. “I usually catch more, but she always gets the bigger ones.”

This day was no different as Benton pulled in a whopping 6 1/4-pound bass.

In a mix of fate, Ray let Benton use his spin cast rod while he tended to a tangled “bird’s nest” in her line. Shortly after casting, Benton said she felt the massive bite of the large bass. The odds were against her because of the rod’s light weight, but she said her husband coached her all the way until he helped net the beast.

“He was very good to me, letting me use his rod,” she said. “It really should’ve been his fish.”

Even though the fish was quite large, Ray said it wasn’t the biggest Benton has hooked. Also accomplished at Thornton Lakes, he said her biggest capture was 8-pound, 8-ounces.

Although Ray discounted his ability to bring in big fish compared to his wife’s frequency to accomplish the task, he said he is in Florida’s fishing hall of fame for reeling in a 11-pound, 4-ouncer at Stick Marsh near Fellsmere. He said catching a fish of at least 10 pounds is required to earn the honor.

While many have their largest catches mounted, Ray said he and his wife prefer to have Fiberglas replicas made using a good photo of the fish, as well as a few measurements.

“The big fish are too precious to kill,” Ray said. “We like to release them because they’re the top of the gene pool.”

In addition to Thornton Lakes, the couple also likes to fish within the region at the Tennessee River, especially below the dams.

He said, “There are all kinds of opportunities if you can be patient enough to know where they are.”

With 14 baited rods always ready for various types of fishing — spin cast, bait cast and fly reel — Ray, 74, said he has enjoyed the sport since his dad put him on a boat when he was 5.

He and Benton have been fishing together for the past 20 years, though.

When he took her out on the water for the first time, he figured she would only stay interested if she were constantly reeling in fish.

With Ray baiting her rod with grasshoppers and giving instructions, Benton did just that. She said the two caught nearly 70 fish that day.

“After that, it was history,” Ray said.

Benton added: “Here we are, both of us near our 70s. As long as we can get in the boat, we’re going.”

Rob Ketcham can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 257 or at robk@cullmantimes.com.

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