How’d You Meet Your Angler? Pieces of Reeses

If you aren’t aware of the name Skeet Reese than you don’t know bass fishing. Now that Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam have retired from competition, the youthful Skeet has been promoted to Grandpa of Bass Fishing. His wife is even more youthful – it’s hard to believe they’ve been married 25 years. Here’s how they met, along with answers to some of those questions you want to know but didn’t have the guts to ask.

HPFC: Can you share the story of how you and your husband first crossed paths?

Kim Reese: Skeet and I met in 1997, we both were working the ISE show in San Mateo. I was working in the “Sep’s” booth and Skeet was working for various sponsors. I did see him at the casting pool, not a tank. In those days there was a pool that had obstacles and watching the anglers cast and seeing their accuracy was something I never saw before. Skeet eventually came into the Sep’s booth, he knew Sep and Marilyn. At some point he asked Sep if he could get my number. I ended up getting his card and it sat on a desk in my room for weeks. It was my dad who really wanted me to pursue this guy, because of his love for fishing. We ended up meeting for a fishing date.

HPFC: What were your initial impressions or your husband when you first met him?

Kim Reese: Good looking, seemed confident and outgoing. He wasn’t afraid to try things, had an undying passion to fish and be good at it.

HPFC: Did you know anything about fishing when you first met?

Kim Reese: I thought I knew a lot about fishing especially since my dad has a passion and I grew up enjoying it. I had no idea there was competitive bass fishing and after a first date fishing realized I didn’t know much.

HPFC: Was there a specific moment or event that made you realize your feelings were more than just friendship?

Kim Reese: I cannot remember an event or special moment but our chemistry was pretty much instant. We became engaged within three months and had a two-year engagement as to not freak out our families, mine especially. Skeet lived in Cotati and I lived south of San Francisco so we had a period of time where we commuted to see each other.  Eventually I moved in with him and that was very close to the time he went full time pro. 

HPFC: How long have you been married?

Kim Reese: Celebrated 25 years this past July.

HPFC: When you met was he already fishing professionally or did he have another job and what was his profession?

Kim Reese: Skeet was managing a tackle store in Rohnert Park, CA – Outdoor Pro Shop.

HPFC: How did the two of you come to terms with him going out and living his dream?

Kim Reese: I’m sure Skeet would have become a professional if I were not I the picture, but I was able to help to take the risk. Really what was there to lose? I grew up with a dad who had a passion that was his career. That is rare. I wanted Skeet with all my heart to follow his dream and passion.

HPFC: What doubts might you have had with him going on tour and how did you overcome them?

Kim Reese: I do not remember doubts, I remember excitement.

HPFC: How do you manage the frequent separation and limited time together due to his on the road schedule?

Kim Reese: Separation is not easy, ever! I remember having anxiety attacks in the beginning. It’s something you just have to manage and get through and sadly it gets harder when you have children. 

HPFC: How do you adjust when your husband returns home after being away for weeks at a time practicing or from competitions?

Kim Reese: Adjusting is brutal and not always successful! The dynamics in the house change so much even in a short period of time.  I think Skeet takes most of the abuse, he feels left behind.  What worked for us is when Skeet got home it’s dad and not a professional angler.

HPFC: Are there any activities or special events that you and your husband enjoy doing when you are together after he has been gone all season?

Kim Reese: Skeet and I both love to travel together or be with family and friends. We enjoy being outdoors and staying active.

HPFC: Do you have any pet peeves?

Kim Reese: Let’s just say he’s a little messier that I am.

HPFC: What do you think your husband’s pet peeves are of you?

Kim Reese: I’m too clean.

HPFC: What are your retirement plans?

Kim Reese: Retirement, we are all over the board. Travel for sure. We really love the weather in CA and where we live moving is an option but where?