NORTH ANDOVER — Nobody would have loved the Mad Fisherman coming to town more than Timothy Roberts.
Tomorrow, NESN's over-the-top cult fishing star Charlie Moore will make an appearance at the Reeling in a Dream Fishing Derby at the Brooks School to help honor the memory of the guy friends called "Bassman."
Moore is scheduled to show up around 2 p.m. to give a fishing talk, hand out some prizes and sign autographs.
The town has been buzzing since the announcement earlier in the week, with fishing fans and landlubbers alike excited at the prospect of meeting the fast-talking comedic host of "Charlie Moore Outdoors" and ESPN2's "Beat Charlie Moore."
Pat Roberts, Tim's mother, was shocked to hear he had agreed to come.
"Never in a million years did we expect this would happen. This is his taping season. But Charlie said he was touched by Timmy's story and his love of fishing," Roberts said. "He made time out of his busy schedule for us. We were like, 'Really?'"
The third annual Reeling in a Dream derby is a fundraiser and memorial to Timothy Roberts, an avid fisherman and North Andover High graduate who died of esophageal cancer in 2005 at the age of 22.
Proceeds go to the Reeling in a Dream Fund through the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, The fund aims to fulfill dreams of young adults ages 18 to 30 living with cancer.
"Timmy loved fishing," Pat Roberts said. "We do raise some money on this event, but we do it more to share Timmy's love of fishing. ... He spent a lot of time fishing in Stevie's Pond, Lake Cochichewick. It was his passion."
He was going to school for a fisheries and wildlife degree when he fell sick. And he was a big fan of the "Mad Fisherman."
Moore, 37, of Chester, N.H., is known for his fast-paced, trash-talking style and his stunts while on the water. He's done everything from jumping out of airplanes to kicking footballs with Adam Vinatieri off his bass boat. Everyone from former Gov. Mitt Romney to rock legend Ted Nugent has been on the boat with the Red-Sox hat wearing host.
"Tim really appreciated Charlie's type of humor," Pat Roberts said. "He'll be smiling down from heaven."
Besides the derby, the Roberts family holds a Tourney for Tim every August and a Bassman's Ball dance in March. They've raised about $150,000 in the past five years.
"People have been so touched by Timmy," Roberts said.
The derby is at Brooks School, where Timothy Roberts used to fish when he was a boy, giving this event a special meaning to his family.
People can either fish onshore for $10 or in a car-top boat for $25. Only electric motors are permitted.
Onshore fishing lasts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boats will launch at 7:30 a.m. from Brooks School, the old pumping station off Route 133 or the hatch by Stevens Pond.
This weekend is a free fishing weekend in Massachusetts, so no fishing licenses are required.
The derby awards prizes based on the size of the largest bass caught onshore and by boat. There is also a children's contest. Weigh-in takes place at 2:30 p.m.
To preregister for the derby, people can visit Treadwell's Ice Cream stand at Smolak Farms or go online at www.reelinginadream.org. People can also register the morning of the derby.
Pat Roberts said people coming by just to get a glimpse of Charlie Moore will have to pay the onshore $10 fee as well.
She really doesn't know how many people to expect.
"Everyone seems to be getting excited about it," she said. 'I just hope we have room."
Selectmen Chairman Rosemary Smedile said it was all some guys were talking about this week.
"All the men know who he is," Smedile said with a laugh. "The women? I don't know. But it's a real big deal for them."
Reeling in a Dream Fishing Derby
What: In memory of Timothy Roberts
When: Tomorrow morning
Shore fishing:
Where: Brooks School, 1160 Great Pond Road, south entrance
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $10 per person
Boat fishing:
Where: Brooks School, old pumping station, hatch
When: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $25 per person
Guest Appearance: Charlie Moore, NESN's Mad Fisherman
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