Five to be inducted Oct. 25 into 10th IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame

October 2008
By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

One of fishing's most celebrated evenings of the year will take place on Saturday, October 25, as five legends of the sport are inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. The annual event recognizes honorees from around the world for the important contributions they have made to fishing through angling achievements, the arts, literature, science, education, communication, an invention or administration of fishery resources. This year they include: the late Henry Chee, a renowned Hawaii guide and innovator of offshore lures; the late Dr. Roy Dean, founder of the Intl. Light Tackle Tournament Assoc., and early promoter of catch-and-release and researcher of billfish migration; Jimmy Houston, professional bass fisherman and TV show host; Kay Rybovich, co-founder of the Intl. Women's Fishing Assoc., conservationist and one of the grand ladies of sport fishing, and Karl Wickstrom, founder and editor-in-chief of Florida Sportsman magazine, who initiated and chaired the Save Our Sealife campaign that banned gill nets and revitalized Florida's inshore waters.

The class of 2008 represents the 10th year of inductions and takes place at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., USA. The evening's activities begin at 6 p.m. and include a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and the induction ceremony. Tickets for the evening are still available at $200 per person. The public is invited.

Seventy IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame members are currently enshrined and include Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Curt Gowdy, Ted Williams, Michael and Helen Lerner, Philip Wylie and John Rybovich.

For reservations, sponsorships or further information, contact Lesley Arico at the International Game Fish Association, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida, 33004.  Email: larico@igfa.org, by phone 954-924-4222, or fax 954-924-4299.