Here’s to Lewy
Lewy Fryer with a big Arbuckle bass
In Tuesday’s Oklahoman, there is a tragic story out of Guthrie about a daughter and boyfriend accused in a murder plot of the girl’s father back in May.
The 15-year-old girl, accused of enticing her 21-year-old boyfriend into killing her father, was ordered on Monday to stand trial on a charge of first-degree murder.
The victim is Lewy Fryer of Guthrie. I can’t say I really knew Lewy. I only met him once a few years ago when Oklahoma City still had the tackle show at the fairgrounds.
He stopped by my table and introduced himself, said he liked the job I was doing on the Outdoors page, so of course I immediately liked him.
I met a lot of people that weekend, but I remembered Lewy. We only visited for a few minutes but he made an impression. It was easy to see that he loved to fish. He just grinned from ear to ear while talking about it.
That was the only time I met him, but we did have a few more conversations over the phone and via email in recent years. From time to time, he would provide me information about his bass fishing club, the Backwater Bassin’ Club.
Three years ago, Lewy was my main source of information and photos for a story I was writing about tube fishing. Lewy could catch more fish in a float tube than most do in a bass boat.
“In the spring, I would much rather be moving along with my feet on the ground working the shallow spawning areas and the water weeds in a tube,” Fryer told me at the time. “It is much more quiet. And on a windy day, I have no worries about boat control.”
Fryer and other members in his club fished in modified float tubes, adding depth finders, trolling motors, dip-nets and multiple rods as accessories.
“When we want to fish a bank against the wind, we turn our trolling motors on number one speed and move right along and work the bank, just like a boat would do,” Lewy said.
A memorial bass tournament has been organized in honor of Lewy. Part of the entry fees will go to help Lewy’s son who is still in high school.
The tournament will be Sept. 25-26 at Sardis Lake. For information, call Jeff Joslin at 370-7702.
I’m just sorry I never got to fish with Lewy. I bet it would have been a lot of fun.
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Comments
Lewy Fryer was a first cousin to me and his passing was a terrible tragedy. His grand mother and my mother were twins
who married brothers, so he was like a nephew to me He had a
great sense of humor and loved a good joke. I know his fishing buddies will be hard pressed to find a better friend.
Ed,
Like you, my partner and I only new Lewy for a short time. He invited us into his club this year and did it with open arms, our friendship really took off. Lewy was a genuine guy who loved the outdoors and OU football. He’s in our prayers.
Thanks for the article,
Ed, what a wonderful tribute to my brother. You caught the wonderful person he was and how he loved life especially fishing. Our family grew up fishing on the weekends, and continues to be a wonderful family tradition. Lewy would be thrilled that you kept his zest for fishing alive. Thank you again for this wonderful article on my brother.
Thanks Ed that’s a good article, it’s really good to know That Lew made an impact on you. Lewy was like a brother to me as well as several others.We were friends for 28 years. sometimes wouldn’t talk for months ,just due to busy lives then pick up the conversation right were we left off. Fishing and football were his favorite things, Oh and telling stories,, all true of course..lol.. To every one that loved Lewy Fryer our world is quite a bit smaller this year.
I worked with Lewy and fished in the club so I got to know Lewy very well. I learned so much from him and will never forget all the memories we had. I have been thinking about him all week because Saturday is the season opener for OU. At work we would slack off and listen to the Sports Animal and talk about how OU is going to win it all this year. Football season and fishing will never be the same for me and many others. Thanks Ed for the article. Lewy was a great person and will never be fogotten.
Thank you so much for the article about my cousin Lewy.You did a wonderful job of showing his passion for fishing. He is missed.
Ed, thank you for the wonderful article about my brother. I could not have said it any better. Fishing is a part of the Fryer tradition and will always be. Lewy always had a certain innovation when it comes to fishing. He always found ways to make a lure catch more fish and was willing to share those ideas.
Thanks Ed,
I think your article & all the comments pretty much tells the story, What a great man & great friend.
Ed, thanks so much for the wonderful article about my cousin Lewey. He is so missed. He was such a loving person, also funny and full of energy when it came to fishing and OU football. Again thanks
Lewy was missed this Labor Day weekend by his family and close friends during one of our various camping and fishing trips together at Lake Eufaula. Stories were remembered and told again . . . but not nearly as well as Lewy could have told them! We all miss him dearly and greatly appreciate your wonderful tribute to him. Thank you.
Very sad for all concerned. Hope those who are left can heal, and hope the girl at least gets a fair trial.
Thanks Ed for the great article. Lewy and I were like brothers in fact we called each other family. His family and mine are extended family. Thanks for doing Lewy this honor.