Keeping it in the gene pool: Bunny’s bait shop in Dixon reopens

DIXOn – As a 13-year-old boy, Curt Phelps used to work for his uncle, Ray Hays, at Bunny’s Bait & Tackle.

Now Phelps, 54, will be running the shop himself.

Ray and Irene Hays built Bunny’s Bait Shop, named after their daughter Veronica, back in 1978, and it has been the place to go for local anglers ever since. When Irene’s health began to decline last summer, however, Ray decided it was time to sell his business, and it closed on Oct. 8.

Irene died Dec. 1, and for the next several months, Ray, 84, debated what to do with the bait shop. It turned out he didn’t have to look past his own family tree.

Phelps has been in the water treatment business at various sites throughout the Midwest for more than 30 years, and he was interested in taking over the bait shop.

“I am very happy to keep it going and keep it in the family,” said Phelps, who reopened April 2. “There will be some new things happening, but mostly it will be business as usual. It will be like it’s always been done and worked for years.”

Located on a prime piece of property at 1024 E. River Road, Bunny’s is right next to the Rock River, making it easy for anglers to load up before trying to land a big one.

Hays had hoped that tradition could continue.

“We’re very pleased with the fact it’s going to stay here the way it was. We never liked the idea of it not being a bait shop. We had a lot of chances to change it into another type of business, but we held pretty tight in keeping it a bait shop. We’re happy Curt’s taking it over and doing this. I probably bent a little further than I should to make sure it happens.”

The vending machines on the west side of the building will continue to be stocked with supplies and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Shop hours will vary, depending on the season. It will be closed Mondays.

Hays will help out in the shop during the transition period.

“He’s here being a trooper and showing me the ropes,” Phelps said.

That will only last so long, though. Hays plans to enjoy his retirement, part of which will be spent finally trying to land some big fish of his own.

“If at all possible, I’m going to stay home and do things I want to do,” Hays said. “I’m going to try to do some fishing myself. I was never able to for the last 50 years.

“I used to fish every weekend. We’d spend our whole time out on the river, but once we started the bait shop, I only got to go once in a while, when the kids wanted to go.”

Reach Phelps, and for a while, Hays, at the shop at 815-288-3812. You can find updates on the Bunny’s Bait & Tackle Facebook page.