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Four
To Enter Bass Fishing Hall of Fame
40th Bassmaster Classic is Setting for Induction
Ceremonies
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Four legendary figures of bass fishing who have contributed greatly to the sport through
education, angling achievements, innovations and communications will join 32 previously inducted men and women into the Bass
Fishing Hall of Fame, Feb. 21.
The class of 2008 includes Charlie Campbell and Virgil Ward both of Missouri, Nick Crème of Texas and Buck Perry of North Carolina, as the seventh group of inductees. Crème, Perry and Ward
will be inducted posthumously.
Induction ceremonies Thursday, Feb. 21 will take place at the Hyatt Hotel in Greenville,
S.C., the evening before the start of the 40th Bassmaster Classic’s three days of championship
fishing on Lake Hartwell. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the induction
banquet and ceremony in the main ballroom at 7 p.m.
The four
honorees and their contributions include:
Charlie Campbell as a Missouri educator and celebrated coach for over 15 years would spend after-school hours and summers guiding nearby
lakes. Multi-dimensional he later owned a marine dealership, developed the "Charlie Campbell CC Spinner Bait,” and was
instrumental in the design of the Bass Tracker boat for Bass Pro Shops. He won a B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship,
fished five Classics and won a total of 67 tournament trail events. Among his many honors he’s been inducted into two
other halls of fame.
Nick Crème in 1949, created the first rubber worms on his kitchen stove which made a huge impact
as it revolutionized bass fishing with artificial lures in the 1950s and ‘60s. When professional anglers began winning
early B.A.S.S. tournaments on Crème Scoundrels and Shimmy Gals, the founder and owner of Crème Lures saw his business take
off. Crème became one of the first tackle companies to sponsor a pro angler when, in 1967, Nick offered John Powell of Alabama an $18,000 contract.
Buck Perry is widely acclaimed as the "father of structure fishing,"
as he opened up America’s lakes and rivers to a different style of fishing
than anyone had ever enjoyed. Before sonar, Perry was using his Spoonplugs and trolling tactics to catch deep water and offshore
bass that others did not even know existed. Perry spent his life educating others about bass migrations, habitat and deep
water methods. Even though he passed away in 2005, his Spoonplugging school is still a serious educational institution for
anglers.
Virgil Ward had one of the most popular TV showcases of bass fishing techniques for 27 years with his very
successful Virgil Ward's Championship Fishing Show. Syndicated nationally for 20 years, Ward‘s show in 1985 was rated
No. 1 overall. Millions of fishing fans followed his weekly shows on 253 radio stations and his advice in 450 newspapers.
In 1955 Virgil and his son Bill, started the Bass Buster Lure Company, designed the feather jig and patented the fiber weed
guard still used today by jig manufacturers.
"This group of four along with the other men and women inducted before
them are among the true legends and innovators of the great sport of bass fishing," said BFHoF president Sammy Lee. "Their
contributions and efforts have rippled through the waters of time and we applaud their inclusion into the Bass Fishing Hall
of Fame."
Among the currently enshrined Hall of Fame members are Ray Scott, Johnny Morris, Bill Dance, Cotton Cordell,
Denny Brauer, Stan Fagerstrom, Roland Martin, Bob Cobb, Guido Hibdon, Jimmy and Chris Houston.
Tickets to the banquet
are available through Feb.15th by calling 1-888-690-BASS (2277) or through the Hall’s web site at www.bassfishinghof.com.
The evening will also include the introduction of the four newest members
to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board of Directors. They include Kathy Magers and Dick Hart of Texas, Gene Ellison of Massachusetts and Hobson Bryan Jr. of Alabama who were named to three-year terms
beginning January 1 of this year. The board is comprised of 15 members from within the fishing industry.
Established in 1999, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame,
headquartered in Hot
Springs, Ark., is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. It‘s dedicated to promoting the sport of bass fishing through participants
and fans and establishing a shrine to the men, women and companies who have supported and elevated this sport to anglers around
the world.
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I was sad
to hear about the passing of Sherrie Brubaker. She was a remarkable woman and one that I was glad to call
a friend.
Sherrie was based out of Warner, Ok the mother of 2 and a devoted angler. I
had the pleasure to first meet her in 2004 when she was fishing a WBFA Tournament on Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas. Ironically,
I was there representing my company and supporting Breast Cancer.
About
6 weeks after that tournament, Sherrie called to tell me that she had been diagnosed and wanted to thank me for helping make
people aware. She was a strong woman and there was no doubt in my mind she was going to fight the disease.
Sherrie had been a champion by that point in the fishing world with amazing accomplishments:
1 Rookie of the Year,
3 Angler of the Year Titles
1 World Championship
8 National Championships
She was a consistant
angler and it was no surprise to find her somewhere in the top ten finishers if not the winner at almost all events.
If you looked into her sack... you knew the big bass was probably going to stick out his head. She had 15 big bass awards
and won 10 boats during her professional career.
Sherrie fished with Bass N Gal, the WBFA and had an opportunity
to fish an event on the Womens Bassmaster Tour in 2006.
I am so glad to have
been able to meet and get to know her. She has taugh many to love and enjoy the sport and will be sadly missed.
Terri
Join the Army ---- The American Girl Army...
Show your Support. Check out what Sammie Jo is up to.
BASSFEED
RECRUITING FOR THE "AMERICANGIRL ARMY"
Press Release: Sammie Jo
Denyes
Des Moines, Iowa — Listeners of the BassFeed Podcast, along with members of the BassFeed.com
forum, are banding together to support one of their favorite sisters in her 2008 WBT professional angling endeavors.
In
a first-of-its-kind sponsorship plan, BassFeed.com has guaranteed to pay the entry fees for Sammie Jo Denyes on the 2008 Women's
Bassmaster Tour. Listeners to the podcast, along with forum users, can help to satisfy that guarantee by joining the "A.G.
Army" and making any size donation to the sponsorship fund.
AG is short for AmericanGirl, Sammie Jo's username in the
BassFeed forums. The goal of the AG Army is to raise $3,250 to cover Sammie Jo's entry fees for the five scheduled WBT events
in 2008.
"Sammie Jo was an easy choice for this sponsorship program," said Billy Raymond, host of The BassFeed Podcast.
"Her enthusiasm for the WBT, her passion and skill as an angler, her obvious patriotism, and the simple fact that she is a
wonderful person makes her precisely the kind of angler BassFeed.com wants to be associated with. She clearly represents the
very best qualities of professional bass fishing and is someone that the BassFeed community is anxious to get behind and support."
Sammie
Jo is an outspoken and passionate supporter of all branches of the military, and even wrapped her Nitro bass boat in a patriotic
theme for the 2007 season. It was this patriotism that inspired the name "A.G. Army" and also helped to define the sponsorship
levels. Of course, it's no coincidence that the official launch of the A.G. Army (November 12) corresponded with the day America
pauses to recognize its veterans.
For as little as $10, supporters can join the "A.G. Army" as a "Recruit." Larger
donations earn higher ranks, all the way up to "Brigadier General." Each rank comes with an exclusive sponsorship package
that can include items such as an autographed photo of Sammie Jo, a special-edition hat or shirt, commemorative dog tags,
name/logo placement on Sammie Jo's truck and boat wrap, even a fishing trip with Sammie Jo herself!
All donations will
be accepted through PayPal. It is not necessary to have a PayPal account to make a donation. Contributors can choose to make
a one-time donation or a Pledge Donation with recurring monthly contributions.
To enlist in the "A.G. Army," or to
get more information about donation levels and ways to join, visit www.BassFeed.com. All donations will be accepted through PayPal
FISHING WITH MILISA
Lucy's Corner
Above and Beyond
In my rookie year on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour I had many opportunities that created incredible
and memorable experiences that I know I will never forget. However, there is
one that I believe I need to share with others.
I had the opportunity to not only fish with this professional angler once, but I actually was lucky
enough to draw her two times. And both times made a difference in my life.
On my first time out with her, it was almost the end of the day, and it was a hot one.
My boater was Robin Babb and we paired together in July on Lake Norman.
Robin had caught her first fish early in the morning, I was still looking in the water for mine and it was getting
to feel like a very long day. At around 12.30 I finally had on one and it was
heading to the boat, when all of a sudden it took a detour and headed for a brush pile.
Robin quickly started talking me through working the brush, but she realized that my fish was not going
to come easily. I worked at it and tired to coax it out, but it just wasn’t
going to budge, at one point I suggested just cutting the line and continuing on, but as Robin said lets keep working it so
I did. She actually stopped fishing and spent the time coaching me (remember
this is a competition.)
As she gently moved the boat towards the brush, we noticed that the fish had wrapped himself around
the timber that was below. Robin thought she might be able to move him out and
proceeded to lay her body down on the boat and reach over board.
With her arm, shoulder and half of her head in the water she grabbed my fish and yanked him into our
boat. To say I was in shock and disbelief would be an understatement. As much
as my husband loves me, he would never have put his head in the water to get my fish, no matter what. As he has since said “He may have held my feet and lowered me down, but he’s glad Robin was
there”.
Once the fish was safely in the live well, we jumped up and down, I gave Robin a big hug and told her
thank you and I would never ever forget what she had done for me and the amount of time that she took out of her fishing time
to help me get my fish.
When we arrived back at shore, that fish ended up making the difference for me. I had my first career check and first career top 20 finish.
I said Robin made a difference
in my life for a second time. I was fortunate enough to be paired with
Robin Babb again and I was able to not only take home a check, but also I place in the top 10.
Sometimes we don’t stop to acknowledge women that go above and beyond. Robin Babb is definitely one of those outstanding women.
Terri MacKinnon
If you have a special story to share, please feel free to send it.
Lets honour those that deserve to be honoured.
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