If you’ve been involved in any way in the motorcycle hillclimbing scene in the Midwest in the past twenty years, you probably know Bob Fisher – or at least know who he is. The ‘Flyin’ Fish’ thrilled our hillclimb crowds for years with his high flying rides on his wonderful Harley. Bob has passed that bike on to his nephew, Scott ‘Scooter’ Sheets Jr, who is riding it with his uncle’s skill and daring, while Bob is running well in the Senior (+40) class on Scott’s CR500.

Bob’s 16 year old daughter, Katie (‘Little Fish’) suffered devastating head injuries in an automobile accident on May 5, and, as of this writing, is still in a ‘waking coma’ at St Francis Hospital in Peoria. The Fisher’s are facing a long, painful and very expensive recovery period. Although Bob and Phylis (Katie’s mom) asked for nothing from their friends but their prayers, the hillclimbing family has drawn together around Katie. Three clubs at this writing, the Pleasure Riders, the Central Illinois M/C and the Rock River Riders have organized 50-50 drawings with the club’s share of the proceeds going to Katie. In addition, many riders have pledged or already given their prize money to the stricken teenager.

At the Central Illinois M/C hillclimbs on the June 8-9 weekend, just after the 125cc class closed, the top 2 riders Josh Denson and Billy Hanes came to the judges stand and announced their winnings were to go to Katie. Then Jacob Tackitt, form the 200cc class followed by Jared McKay from the 250cc class did the same. And it was if a floodgate had opened, with rider after rider giving over his winnings – just writing notes on their prize envelopes and handing them back. (‘Give it to Katie, please). 16 year old Jared McKay gave up $200 of winnings over the two day event. Including $187, Debbie McKay and Pam Denson (mothers of Jared and Josh) delivered over $1,000 to the Fishers at the Peoria hospital, over $800 of it coming from riders.

And that is just part of it. Many riders have just sent in money. The drawings at the Rock River Riders and Pleasure Riders are yet to come (as of this writing). Riders like Eric Wheelwright are coming through big – Eric already giving his $100 Fast Time money from the May 5 climb at Cayuga (the date of the accident), and pledging all of his winnings at the Rock River Riders hillclimb on June 15 – and challenging others to do the same. Jason Northrup wasn’t at Neoga and won’t be at the Rock River hillclimb, so he has pledged his winnings from the Pleasure Riders climb on June 22. And so on it goes.

To know Katie is to love her. She has been a part of the hillclimb scene since she was a small baby, and is one of our favorite faces in the crowd. I have never been prouder of my hillclimbing friends then I am now as I watch them one after another give what they can to a fallen friend. The Fishers have given so much to our sport – and now the sport is giving back to them. The family’s deepest, heartfelt thanks go out to all of those who have rallied around Katie.

[Editor's note:]  Any contributions you wish to make will be appreciated greatly.  Please send them to:

Bob And Phyllis Fisher 
1107 Main Street
Cazenovia, IL 61545

-OR-

Commerce Bank
One Englewood Drive
Metamora, IL 61548

Checks can be made out to "Katie Fisher Fund"