Early days of bass pro Shops with my hero, Johnny Morris

I met Johnny Morris in 1970, long before there was a Bass Pro Shop, and I was impressed with his fishing ability and his many visions of the future. We fished together on the BASS tournament trail and he would bounce ideas like Opening a Bass Pro Shop in one of his father’s liquor stores which everyone thought was a joke. He took of and never slowed down and now look what he’s got, nearly 200 giant stores. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you a lot more about the most respected man I know!

[@hschne17]

Love the old stories, keep them alive.

[@Rick-kg4mt]

Coming home from Stockton Lake one day, pulling my boat. A Life jacket was left out in the boat and the wind caught it and it snagged on a bunch of my rod and reels. Sure enough, I watched in the mirror as about 8 or 9 rod and reels landed in the middle of the highway. A car about a half mile back didn't bother to slow down or move over and ran over most of them and broke several of the rods and reels. A few days later I walked into the Bass Pro Outlet in Springfiled mo. to see if the rod and reel repair shop was open. A manager saw me with my handfull of broken rods and asked me what had happened. I told him and he asked me where I had bought them. Of course I had purchased every single one of them at bass pro shop. The manager turned to an associate and said check the prices on each item and give him store credit or replace every single rod and reel. Needless to say, I still shop bass pro shops. This all happened about 25 years ago. I still shop bass pro every time I'm in Springfield. If you want to see the best Outdoor Store in the World you should stop by on South Campbell and Sunshine in Springfield mo and check it out. You won't be dissapointed.

[@JessieJames-v2h]

I love your stories.😀

[@billsutorius2753]

I love your stories Roland!!! I listen to every one of them and really enjoy them. Keep them coming please. 👍🎣🇺🇸

[@JAK-qk3dd]

Awesome video Roland, keep them coming!

[@gerorgemcgrath6321]

I am lucky we have a bass pro in our town 😀

[@angelasheppard7197]

Us too.Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

[@jack03111969]

Don butler and okie bug between 21st and 31st right off Sheridan I miss that place use to go there in the 80s small mom and pop tackle shop that bass pro in broken arrow put out of business

[@ThumperSpinnerbaits]

Was just in that store last week. My favorite store in the Sebastian area.

[@bassneckfishing2505]

I wish we had a bass pro here in Lumberton tx

[@markhamblin8195]

I got one 15 minutes away ....it's cool ..they just moved and reopened in Cincinnati

[@timviering9559]

Roland, what is the store you are coming to in Ohio? I live in Ohio and might be able to meet you.

[@suzrmx250]

With a dad that has money to back you it's kind of easy to take chances .l had ideas as a child with zero backing needless to say nothing ever happened with them

[@jukebox5308]

Without B-A-S-S people wouldn’t even know about conservation

[@outdoorswithjt6652]

Back when the American dream was for the American not people who don't deserve it.

[@arciefan]

I don't know Johnny Morris, but the utmost respect for him. He has always taken care of his friends, Roland, the legend of legends in bass fishing in m y opinion, Rick Clunn and Kevin Van Dam, who combined have 8 bassmaster classic victories, and others like Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and other legends of fishing. And they are always there to give him a helping hand for a new opening or whatever the occasion may be. So yes, again utmost respect for Johnny Morris

[@dannybryson3646]

Proud to say I got to help build the one and only Bass Pro in Columbia Missouri

[@terrybeeson8888]

As a resident of Springfield, I can tell you that Johnny is probably the most humble guy you will ever meet. I have had a couple of interactions with him and know several of his close friends and associates. Everywhere in this town, you see his input, but very little have the "Johnny Morris" name on them like you see "O'Reily" and "Hammonds." Johnny is just a great guy!

[@paulwescott6412]

I remember the Bass Pro Catalog couldn't wait to get it and look at it for days!

[@getoffmylawn8986]

That's my bass pro shop in the background.

[@GS-zv3qn]

His story about Johnny Morris is like the guy who started summit racing in a basement selling car parts, summit racing has some big store's but nowhere near as many as bass pro

[@stanleywoznick1102]

Roland, I love your videos, and for sure, I love when you tell stories, you should maybe do an episode of just telling a story each time I think everybody would love that, and I think that you’re channel would blow up!! As it should already be much bigger than it is right now!

[@timroyall6513]

Always loved when the new BPS catalog arrived. Just like the Sears toy catalog when I was a kid. Thanks for the stories Roland!

[@jonahlawrence6204]

Great video thanks for the story and the tour big fan always ROLAND

[@Demolitiondude]

1:11 would this be the brown derby concept store?

[@themajik1]

Yep, Bass Pro started in the Brown Derby Liquor store.

[@joepworther2284]

Great story !!!

[@tireballastserviceofflorid7771]

Mr Martin I met you one morning right at that door behind you. I happen to be leaving and you were heading in. Was a little shocked to see you. My dad and I spent so many hours watching fishing shows... Anyway thay was about 97 probably. Seems like a lifetime. Maybe I will see you in Florida one day..

[@rvfishingyet]

Always appreciate the anecdotes Roland, your insights and memories are always appreciated!

[@bigfishbrau]

Johnny needs to get down to Florida and help out somehow before they kill all the lakes spraying chemicals all over the place! the last 10 years all my good spots are gone. its a crime!!

[@bigjspec]

I loved them but now more like WalMart. No longer go there unless I need something no one else has. But loved the beginning when U could talk to a true fisherman behind the counter.

[@russelldooley6262]

BPS has been part of our lives for decades and that was a damn good story. Thx Roland from foxboro ,ma BPS

[@waxhawcreek1717]

Is Roland part Indian himself or does he just look like one?

[@KevinSmith-dq9tz]

My local BPS. Palm Bay, Fl. Woo hoo. You go Roland.

[@fishingwithhouse]

Great Video !

[@randallrandolph4977]

Wow great history teacher as well. 😂

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Awesome story roland

[@mikeo5283]

Great story’s

[@angelasheppard7197]

I was at Bass Pro Broken Arrow,ok during an event. You and Jimmy were there. What a day for me. Of course I got pics😅. I did not know this story of Johnny. Thats cool. I myself have worked at Lowrance in 1989-1993 til I had a child and stayed home. My father n law, Mark Sheppard Jr, worked maintenence and retired from there. I loved the company fish tournaments/cookouts. I've met Darrel Lowrance. Really nice guy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@mikebuniva6251]

Great story! Bass pro shops is the best. Thanks for sharing.

[@donsscooters]

Great story Roland. Made my day better!

[@jtee9548]

Love the old stories

[@SGFAdventures]

Thanks to the Morris family for what they have done for conservation and Springfield , MO. Fortunate to live down the street from the original.

[@angelasheppard7197]

I've been to the one in Springfield. Its awesome! We drove out of our way to be able to stop.