Who misses Larry's Sport Center and his show Fishing the West?

[Dancin' Bear]

My favorite place to go and get fishing gear and info used to be Larry's Sport Center in Oregon City. Does anyone else think that place was the best or was it just me? I was also remembering the old fishing show that used to air on TV on Sundays hosted by Larry Schoenborn called Fishing the West. I loved watching that show and looked forward to it every Sunday. I think I was around 12 or 13 and I give credit to that show for getting me into salmon and steelhead fishing...

[ 12-06-2002, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: Dancin' Bear ]

[drift fishing fool]

geez i hadnt thought about that show in a long time. i used to watch the show all the time when i was a younger one. i dont really think the oregon city store(now fisherman's) has changed much though

[ 12-06-2002, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: drift fishing fool ]

[Pete]

I enjoyed the shows, but they seem corny now. At the time there wasn't much competition for TV sportfishing programming. That has changed. As for the Sports Centers, don't the stores that took over have the same little plastic bags? Over all, I can't really say I miss either one, but I can't register that option in the poll. Oh well.

[ 12-06-2002, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Pete ]

[Dancin' Bear]

Sorry Pete, I messed up there. Should have included that option... graemlins/stupid.gif

[Jennie@ifish]

Remember that Guy, Larry's son is in the hospital and needs our prayers and thoughts...

Thanks,
J

[Stew]

Originally posted by Jennie@ifish:
Remember that Guy, Larry's son is in the hospital and needs our prayers and thoughts...

Thanks,
J<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Jennie is right! Guy was in a very serious automobile accident in Montana and it's reported he is in very serious condition.

[Rusty]

I am so sorry to hear about Guy Schornborn's (sp) auto accident. Is there any way I could send him a card at the Hospital? Does anyone know what hospital and where it is located.

I did a one hour show for Larry many years ago and Guy was along as an extra boatman. He was real gentleman then, and I have known him for years. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Thanks in advance,

Rusty

[Bankbound]

Not to step on any toes, but I don't miss either. Not a big Larry fan. Guess I'm with Pete However my condolances go out to the man in the auto accident. :depressed:

[Wild Bill]

I am sure Brad Shoenborn would now how to get a card to guy(his brother). Brad is a buyer at Bob's in Longview.

[Nanook]

Actually I used to get great personal service at the Cedar Hills store, great selection and no delay exchanges on bad stuff.

Thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery.

Rick

[MountainLion84]

It was an interesting show. To this day we still say things like "Nice fish Larry," even though no one in our party is named Larry. We also say "Thank you Dave, and Thank you fish." I think alot of the handshaking and congratulating that you see on todays hunting and fishing shows, may have started back with Larry's show.

[Jennie@ifish]

I'll call a friend and get his address and post it here.

Last I heard, he was driving home from work, and a lady hit black ice and head on crashed him.

Both ankles are broken and one is really bad. He may lose it. I guess he's one heck of a hunter, too. Sad. :depressed:
I think they said that both arms are broken, too, but I'm not sure. Don't quote me, k?

Jen

[ 12-06-2002, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Norski]

:smile:
I meet Lary years ago as I us to work just down the street from his sporting good store and on a good day or bad I would stop in and pick up something and always said hello to him and his crew,spent time watching his fishing shows that were on tv's through out the store, and more than likly would end up buying what ever they were useing.
Guy is one great gentlman, sorry to here he is in such bad shape at this time.
I know some people did'nt like Lary or his shows but I know some of him has rubbed off on all of us. Lary you and your son is in my prayers, hope to see you out and about soon.

:smile: Now for us old timers do you all remember,,, The out door sportman show re: Doug lameer.

[speyfly]

Ok, heres one for ya. How many remember the Jim Conway fishing show and if you do remember, how many knew Jim and his guide John?

[PapaHog]

Sorry to hear about the man in the hospital. :sick:

My prayers are with him and his family.

Hog

[drift fishing fool]

what about fishing with shelly and courtney, thats one i will always remember. met them at a sportsman show one year. schwing :grin:

[rags]

I remember Jim Conway. Very nice man. I still have "Jim Conways Steelheading Guide." Here is what the cover looks like. I couldn't scan it all. By the way, I enjoyed Larry's shows. Everytime I met Larry he was a gentlemen. Always trying to sell you a trip to some exotic place but truly a nice guy like his sons. http://www.ifish.net/uploads/400521339.jpg

[Snapshot]

Speyfly and others, I knew both and appreciate what they taught me in person and on their programs. The Jim Conway show lead the way for Fishing the West. I have lived in Oregon since 1965 and in the service during 1966-68 and did not fish until 1970. I met Jim and Larry and have great respect for both.
They have done much to promote the NW fishing front and deserve a hand. I cannot find it in me to badmouth someone that has taught me and provided knowledge to increase my succuss without asking for a dime.
I find it easier to say thanks for the good times and all the personal contacts I had with both. Larry still turns to me with a smile, how are you doing and that friendly hand shake. Jim was always open to greetings and shared his knowledge openly. While we all enjoy qouting them, I do so in honor and respect rather than disrespect. I still love to say "There he is Larry" and refer to Jim as old "Huff and Puff". Perhaps if you know the health problems he was having and pain he sometimes went throught to make those shows for us, you would have a little more respect for him too.

I for one perfer to find the good in each of you and only wish I that I might be as well remembered as these two genlemen. If I can reach out and help a few others along the way, I might get a better fishing spot in that big pond in the sky. We do not know when our time is up and we have landed our last fish, so start thinking of how to build others rather than run them down and make fun of their success. Guy, my prayers are with you and get well soon.

new post coming: stories about our guides or tv show hosts gifts to us?

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

[Sturgeon Tom]

I enjoyed Larrys Sports Center very much, spent a lot of time and money there.
As for the TV show I enjoyed it until the news did a show on it showing how much of it was fake. Other people caught the fish and handed the rod off and when he fought fish that really were not there. That kind of ruined it for me.
Sorry to hear about his son. What a terrible accident. My wife and I will say a special prayer for him tonight.

[Manimal]

That just plain stinks! I was a huge fan of that show. Perfect way to end a Sunday afternoon. It was my way of getting out to fish, when I was too young to do it on my own. (No fishermen in the family). Remember the name of the song they played at the end of the show? One of my favorites. . . . :smile:

[rags]

Snapshot,
ditto.
Rags

[Dancin' Bear]

Snapshot graemlins/applause.gif

I started this post because I was remembering some good memories of curling up on the sofa and watching Fishing The West on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Manimal summed up my feelings best... "It was my way of getting out to fish, when I was too young to do it on my own". I am glad others felt the same.....

[blacktail]

Wow, I hadn't heard about Guy's accident. I will make sure and call my parents in the morning.

My folks grew up in Molalla with Larry and my Dad was best friends with him all through school. Mom used to sometimes babysit Guy and Brad many years ago.

Mike

[pearl]

Corlyn hit the mark in one of the above posts.

" Nice Fish Larry" is still quoted in my boat after every fish is landed. Some people get it, some don't. Larry's show was on at the time when I was just getting started in salmon and steelhead fishing. His show was always a subject of conversation on our next trip out.

We would see him and his film crew on a different rivers every Sunday which would give us the incentive to go fish different places around the N.W. and to try different techniques that we saw on Sunday afternoons.

This post brought back lots of memory's.

Bought my first graphite fishing rod from Larry's in OC ( still have it).

Thanks Larry!

[pearl]

double post

[ 12-06-2002, 11:35 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[Clackman]

"fish on five larry" is the qoute alot in my boat

[ssteelheadsteve]

If you have Brad Schoenborn's E-Mail address please send it to me.

SS

[ 12-07-2002, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: ssteelheadsteve ]

[ssteelheadsteve]

I had Larry on the " NW Sportfishing Report " TV Show (1985-2000) twice. We always had fun.
If Larry passes away before I do I will share some unbelievable " Fishng with Larry Stories".
Some of the best ones involve myself and master practical jokker and Walleye Guide Ed Iman. Just too funny and embarrasing to tell now. At least 2 of us went home with sore sides from laughing so much on every trip.Gee guess which two ? Last I heard of Larry he was supposedly doing Float trips on the upper Kenai. The TV Show is what brought his empire down. Good Video in those days cost at least a $ 1,000 per minute. Now you know why there is very little " Local Origination " TV in PDX. The market just won't support it. Looking at the lousy quality of most of the shows on the Outdoor Channel and ESPN Outdoors will help you understand that good video is extremely expensive. Out door field work is very difficult and expensive.

[fishhog1]

I too loved shopping at Larrys sport center the customer service was a-1 bought my first Lamiglas rod there and Caught lots of fish with it and I still have it. I grew up watching American sportsman and the outdoor sportsman show but when fishing the west came to be it changed everthing and come sunday at 4:30 I was glued to channel 6 I still hum the tune ( I know I am weird) and I have an update on Guy, he is to be released from the hospital today and although it will take him about 6 months to recover from his injurys he wont lose any limbs and should be able to carry on the Schoenborn tradition as a hunter and fisherman. He is working for Accusport in Montana and the family thanks everyone for their prayers. I fish, hunt and work with Guy's son Lee and got the update on Guy from Lee today we call him little Larry because he is a spittin image of his Grandfather 40 years ago and loves to hunt and fish.

[Thumper]

I will always remember hurrying home from fishing or trapshooting with my three sons on Sunday afternoons so that we could watch Fishing The West. I've always enjoyed Larry in person. He has the ability to focus on you in a crowd and make you feel like you are the only person in the room. I don't really care if his shows were faked in some regards. That's showbiz. They were great fun.

[DAB]

Brings back old memeries.
Got to know Larry and Guy at the gresham store when it was first opened, and to this day when ever I see either one I am greeted with a hand skake and a warm smile, They clued me in on a few fishing tips that helped . I also met Jim Teeny at Larry's, He to greets me with a hand shake and a warm smile.
I am no one special , But to have these men rember me BY NAME out of all the people they have met through the years and still greet me like an old friend says a lot about them as MEN.
watched thier shows , and liked them whether it was a put on or not .
How many of us could go out and do as good ????

My hat is off to all three of them.

DAB

[steelheadslayer]

I used to watch Larry and Jim's shows when I was younger. High school age when my dad decided the rivers were too crowded to take me steelhead fishing. Fishing with them both on tv got me kinda hooked. I miss a localized fishing show but now we get some satisfaction from Americas Outdoor Journal. Could do without the skiing shows in Colorado though. ssteelheadsteve, you can try Brad at Bobs in Longview, 360-425-3870. They have a website too, www.bobsmerch.com. (http://www.bobsmerch.com.) You may be able to get info to contact him either way. :cheers:

[Tilla]

I always enjoyed the show. I have also had good experiences meeting Larry and his sons. Them seem like real people. One thing I really enjoyed about the shows was the musical genius of local jazz pianist Tom Grant who did the theme song and background music. Most other shows you watch have some real synthetic or precanned garbage. The music added real class.

[Fish Hunter]

I always enjoyed Larry's TV shows. Getting a little taste of some new and different water really got my dream machine buzzing. Booked a trip though his travel business in '98. Larry and Ethel do a good job and know the trips they book. He tells some great stories. He'll call once a year or so and never fails to get me jacked up to book another trip. The guys life is all about getting after it.
He fishes all over the world every year all year. I look up to Larry as one who has succeeded in life chasing his dreams very aggressively.
Right on Rags and Snapshot.
Larry is :cool: .
We need a smily with side shaded fishing glasses! :grin:

[ssteelheadsteve]

Thank You Slayer ! :smile:

[novice]

"That's a hot fish Larry"
novice

[Stew]

I remember those shows quite well. Jim's shows on the Deschutes where he catches summer steelhead on his "Split-winged juicey bug" and then grills it right there on the river bank was one of my favorites.
Larry's Sports Center was a great place to go and buy bulk items like swivels, corkies and the like. Unfortunately Larry bit off more than he could chew and went bankrupt. That left a bad taste in the mouth of many along with the "coat hanger incident".
I also miss the old STS format. Some of the old writers from the 70's and early 80's have probably passed on by now but I miss their stories about local rivers. I have searched city wide to find the old issues and thanks to TFG I now have a "Zipper" place to buy them :grin:

[hawgcatcher]

I always liked to watch the show and I spent many a dollar and time in the store in Oregon City. I knew Larry when he was growing up and then at the store. When he first started, he was in the shopping center but in a smaller place. I believe it was in the area of where the spinner shop now is.

I fished with many of the people that were on Larry's show as I grew up. Tim Rooney and I fished bass at Rock Island on the Willamette. Clay Hood was a great friend and boy could he fish. Larry always said hi to me and made a special point of talking to me (sometimes to show me a new lure that he had to get me to buy it) but he always had a smile.

I hope that His son recuperates fast and gets back out there. My prayers are with him.

Some of the shows were corny but I still loved to watch them. Wish that there was a show on now that could match them and was filmed local. Sorry but I don't have cable access for Hot Tamale.

[TillamookChinook]

The earliest fishing show I almost remember was broadcast from Eugene in about 1954 when I was starting grade school and we got our first TV. It might have been called "Let's Go Fishin'". I don't remember much about the shows, but the stupid theme song is still stuck in my brain:

"Let's go Fishin'
Better quit the wishin'
Whatta ya' say we go away
For a YaHaHaHaHa"

Why do I remember something so stupid nearly 50 years later?

[garyk]

Thanks for the reminder Coralyn - I'd nearly forgotten why we sometimes say when catching an undersized trout -- "It's not big but little" -- one of those silly, ad-libbed lines that was on a single show that somehow stuck around to become part of our fishing vocab.

Good one Pete. Yes you can re-live some of the Larry's glory days in Fishermans Marine Supply, Hayden Meadows store, in their corky aisle where the bags still carry Larry's logo - man, they musta gotten a boat load of those.

Bummer about Guy, what's up with all the good folks having bad accidents this past year? :depressed:

[Al Fish]

I used to tape those fishing the west show's and watch them to get fishing tips from. They were great. Larry was a fine sportsman and my friends and I use that saying( Nice Fish Larry) as well...Ha. It was nice to see a fishing show in our local rivers.

[lost_sailor]

Guy was always very helpful - hope he's OK.

My wife got me a "Fishing the West" mug for Christmas one year, autographed "Nice Fish! Larry Schoenborn"

:grin:

[husker]

i used to watch lucky larry also..... "nice fish" saying killed me though.....big dark ugly buck and larry would be saying nice fish......i got turned off the show when my friends were fishing the NF of trask and larry and his show were up there filming.....1 of my friends caught a fish and larry's guys offered to it buy so they could catch it again.....

his stores were always full of product....not like some other local stores here.....service was good and help was great......

as far as my favorite sayings now....I try to do the roland martin ,,..."SON!"

[ 12-10-2002, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: husker ]

[Miss B Haven]

I always liked Larry's stores and the shows. Still have some tapes somewhere..hmmm. I do know some guys who hated him for doing a show on "their" zipperlip river. The one that comes to mind was the show on the Kilches chum run (they caught a Chinook that day - on a fly I think? - have to find those tapes).
I always chuckled at them cause I found out about all their zipperlip spots from them (while they were talking about Larry! - HeHe).
Larry - wish you the best and hope your son recovers fully! :smile:

[Bounty Hunter]

I'm too new to this country to see the episodes on TV, but you can rent them at some of the libraries. I got the "Up river Bright" episode this fall and learned about the jigging fishery up by the Deschuttes.

My favorite catch phrase is Scott and Giz's "That's a dark-bright fish" from Hot Tamale.

[Hottamale1]

Hello...

I too loved watching the old Fishing the West shows and to be able to shop the Larry's store in Cedar Hills..Bought my first pair of Hodgemans there!

But I must say that the guys at America's Outdoor Journal have done a good job of keeping the show and fishing/hunting in the NW, on the forefront of syndicated television not only in OUR backyard, but across the country!

It can be very expensive to produce a show like FTW, let alone AOJ-TV, and with very few sponsors willing to cough up the dough these shows require to get into synidication, unfortunately were somewhat stuck with Billy-Bob yankin' in the same old little green fish from a mud pond in Arkansas. Remember...B.A.S.S. is Big Business. Not everyone has a coastline which brings us big, beautiful Chromers in from the ocean, thus that's why the little green fish so darn popular.

"Ain't she a Beauty?"

Scott

[SteelieSteve]

I liked Larry's store in OC. Bought a lot of gear there. Found my finest Fenwick there too. The shows were ok, lots of nice scenery but the fishing involved was questionable, way to play that hanger Larry :grin: :grin:

[rags]

I think it would be great if someone would edit several of the good NW shows and sell them. $39.95 gets you 3hours of Larry! The Tom Grant music would be worth it.

[Slow Roll]

Hey Scott,
That has got to be my favorite tag line from his show. :cool:
I grew up on Fishing the West. Being from Montana and see all them big chrome fish just got my blood pumping to catch some. Now I finally get out here and them buggers ain't nearly as easy as catching bows and browns. graemlins/eek13.gif

Even now when my brother and I go fishing about every other fish is held up and the line "Ain't that a beauty Larry?" is quoted. :grin:

Just makes me smile and think about those sunday afternoons spent watching and wishing. :cheers:

Paul B.