Dale Bowman, longtime Sun-Times outdoors columnist, escapes for new adventure
After nearly 30 years of entertaining readers at the Sun-Times, Dale Bowman is saying goodbye.
Early Influences and Breakthrough
In 1997, during the Bulls’ championship run, Jerry Krause unexpectedly called Dale while in Cleveland and started a conversation about fishing. Bowman quickly began typing, producing his best column so far. Sports editor Bill Adee framed this column as a gift for Krause’s office at the Berto Center.
Foundations of a Long Career
Bowman credits three key early influences for launching his long tenure as the Sun-Times’ outdoors columnist:
- Jerry Krause, who gave him credibility by engaging in conversation.
- The Palmisano brothers at Henry’s Sports and Bait, who tipped him off about the Illinois-record brown trout before social media existed, instead of the Tribune’s well-known outdoors columnist John Husar.
- Ken Schneider and Carl Vizzone, who introduced him to notable fishing spots in Chicago and northwest Indiana and connected him with locals to build his street credibility.
Relationship with Jerry Krause
Krause openly expressed his dislike for Jay Mariotti, a Sun-Times sports columnist, to the point that Krause and Jerry Reinsdorf refused to speak to the paper. Despite this, editor Dan Cahill occasionally asked Bowman if he could get a quote from Krause for a story. Krause often declined but still chatted with Bowman about fishing and upcoming shows.
“Krause was right about Mariotti.”
Author’s summary: Dale Bowman reflects on the key relationships and moments that shaped his nearly 30-year career as a beloved outdoors columnist at the Sun-Times.