Bassmaster Elite Series pro Gary Clouse will take a medical hardship and miss the remainder of the 2021 season. The third-year pro has been dealing with severe pain in his back and shoulder since the first event of the year on the St. Johns River.
Clouse led that event for the first two days of competition, but after making extremely long runs each day he started to notice a sharp pain in his left arm and shoulder. At the time, Clouse didn’t think much of the pain, but during the second event of the season the pain became more severe. After the Tennessee River event, Clouse received treatment to help relieve the pain but ultimately it had little to no effect.
“This is a really emotional time for me,” Clouse said. “I really want to be out there, but I know I can’t even be close to 100% right now.
“I just don’t want to do anything to damage my body that will affect me down the road.”
Over the next few months, Clouse plans to weigh the options he can take to get back to normal. One thing is certain, Clouse’s competitive nature won’t allow him to give up.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to get back,” he said. “There is no way I’m going to end it like this.”
Gary Clouse is the president and founder of Phoenix Boats and has fished more than 100 Bassmaster events. To learn more about Clouse, click here.
