Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Memphis

    The Return of the Bank Fishing King

    Tony JonesBy Tony JonesSeptember 29, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Chester Allen/aka “BKing” says fishing inspired his recovery from 13 strokes. Courtesy photo
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Tony Jones

    MEMPHIS, TN — Chester Allen has a life tale for the ages. The 55-year-old supply chain manager had a debilitating stroke last year that left him totally crippled and with quadruple vision.  His best friend Preston Gibson passed away from Covid and his doctors told him he had no hope for recovery. 

    But the worse part about it all was that he would have to put “BKing” to the side. The rapper styled nickname stands for “Bank Fishing King,” laid on him because since the age of 6, he’s spent every moment he could beside or on some body of water throwing a hook. Good thing his wife enjoys it also, because outside of family it’s what he lives for.

    A bit more than six months after his strokes he was back to doing what he loves best, having a fish fry with some friends, one coincidentally also recovering from a stroke.

    “My wife and I went to Arkabutla Lake. It was the most exciting time ever. I had suffered 13 strokes and the doctors gave me no hope at all. I couldn’t walk.  I couldn’t see. I saw four images whenever I looked at anything. It was horrifying.”

    Only the news of Gibson’s death was worse. He told Gibson’s wife she could sell the boat they bought together so they could go fishing every chance they got. “She kept encouraging me that one day I would get back on it,” he says.

    “The doctors said that I was going to live that way the rest of my life. I just kept meditating on the Lord and after six months He gave me my left arm back. It was twisted up against my body, you know, the way you see people that have had a stroke. And all the time I kept seeing myself fishing again. That’s all I thought about. I just love it. I do.” He’s even recorded a CD called “Gone Fishing”.

    Advertisement

    According to tnvacation.com, Tennessee has 500,000 acres of lakes and 50,000 miles of streams to enjoy. In Dec. 2021, Gov. Bill Lee announced a $15 million improvement partnership creating Bill Dance Signature Lakes, named for professional fishing icon Bill Dance, who lives in Collierville. 

    The American Sportfishing Association cites 1.7 million people fish here annually, generating $1.2 billion in annual revenue and 7,480 jobs. Cane pole fishing poles sticking out of windows is still a common urban sight. You can see people every day fishing in little ponds right off Elvis Presley Boulevard. 

    Which brings up a long-standing question.  Should you eat fish from city fed sources?

    If you’re selective, Allen says. “They’re fishing off Nonconnah, which I never do. It picks up sewer water. I can think of over 20 spots right now in Memphis that are very clean. All you got to do is Google Earth to find out how long a lake’s been there and its water sources.”

    A rod and reel man himself, Lee said he owns more than a hundred. “I don’t have a favorite. I just grab one.” 

    He’s got the subtleties down. “Crappie require a lot of attention and patience. You have to get used to coordinating your hand, arm and eye movement. You have to know how to throw under trees, in the spaces. They like bright colors, and they don’t bite just anything. Bass are fun, too. They hang out close to the bank. And check this out, they lie down on their sides in the mud. And they’re territorial and ruthless. Ain’t nothing coming in his area unless he’s getting a commission!” he laughs. “Catfish are easy. We used to catch them with chicken livers but now they’ll eat anything. I like eating bream the best out of all of them.”

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Tony Jones

    Related Posts

    Remembering Frederick W. Smith, Visionary Founder of FedEx

    July 9, 2025

    Cohen’s District Director was “an Extremely Talented Administrator”

    June 23, 2025

    Young WallStreet Traders Expands Summer Bootcamp Program to Empower Students While Bringing Financial Literacy and Empowerment Tools to Youth Across Shelby County and Beyond

    June 18, 2025

    Stop Work Order to Affect Legal Services for Immigrant Children in Tennessee The decision cuts off legal services to 26,000 children across the U.S.

    June 11, 2025

    Meharry Expands Into Memphis With Training Site at Mississippi Boulevard Church

    June 9, 2025

    BREAKING NEWS: Officers in Tyre Nichols Death Get a Pass in State Court

    May 14, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Advertisement
    Business

    Charlotte Knight Griffin Takes Office as TBA President-Elect

    June 30, 2025

    EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

    June 19, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025
    1 2 3 … 384 Next
    Education
    Featured

    TSU Gospel Choir’s award-winning National Performance Now Streaming

    By adminJuly 13, 2025

    Tennessee State University’s award-winning New Direction Gospel Choir earned top honors in the inaugural Best…

    Fisk University Welcomes Antonio Barrino to Lead Band Program and Expand Music Education

    July 7, 2025

    Austin Peay’s MPH program receives $27K for childhood literacy initiative. Community LIFT Project to be implemented at Head Start centers this fall

    June 30, 2025

    TSU, State, reach agreement to reallocate $96M to school

    June 26, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/