Industry role models

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Who are your role models in the industry.  One of mine that comes to mind immediately is Clay Dyer (Mojo thread)

(Not a "Clay Dyer" thread, please list "others", thanks)

I'm looking for people who really, really, really are in a class all their own.  Like Clay. People who inspire, people who promote personal growth or quality sportsmanship, etc

[fourbizz]

Mike Long, Paul Duclos, Butch Brown

[bassmaster8100]

KVD is my role model, first of all the guy is a fishing machine, he does it all so well. Everytime Ive seen him he's always conducted him self in a very professional manner and shows good sportsmanship out on the water.

[Tin]

I would definatley say the PVA director we met today, LBH. I was just like "wow!" I couldnt believe how into it he was and jsut a great guy, donating his time and efforts to make others happy.

 As for fisherman I would say Ike without question. Mainly because he is from up north and he just doesnt care what anyone thinks. I have been able to go to a couple of Bassmaster Classics and seen things that he has done off camera and he is just a great guy. Not what he is seen as on TV as this screaming nut who breaks light poles and break dances. He is really for the youth and making changes for the better in B.A.S.S. Pro tourney's.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Absolutely tin!!

Bill Decoteau-NEPVA director-outdoor journalist.  Put on a fantastic show today.  Top notch host/MC and his drive to make these guys lives better is inspiring for sure.

All GREAT answers guys!!!

A few more I have to mention as they have had a DIRECT affect on my life.

Glenn- No need to say more there.  He's the father of this huge family

Art Pasley- CAST For Kids Eastern regional Director/ World Fishing Hall of Famer

Mike Broggi-Stratosdadri- RI B.A.S.S. Youth Director- My partner in anything we do here in RI.  I'd be lost without him in many ways, not just fishing.  He and his family have become part of mine.

[Guest muddy]

LOW BUDGET HOOKERS: CAST, endless acts of compassion in the backround, never seeking glory or credit for it 8-)

AL LINDER AND BILL DANCE; For their instuctional capabilities and how they act as Ambassadors fro the sport. I don't really give a thought about Competetive fishing and they have reached out far beyond the trail.

ps That is not a knock on the Tourny Guys, I just don't get it personally.

[Catt]

Other than the ones Russ mentioned  

Jerry Mckinnis: The Worldwide Leader in Outdoor Television

Larry Nixon: first angler to a million dollars; one of the quietest, humblest, most easy going, laid back anglers you'll ever meet. At 57 still highly competitive

Tim Tucker: the greatest bass writer ever; Did more for this industry with out a rod than just about anyone.

[Mattlures]

Forbizz took the words right out of my mouth. Bill dance is a neat guy too. He has been around for 200 years and has done a ton for this sport

[Tin]

Agree 100% Catt, Tim Tucker.

[Branuss04]

Jerry Mckinnis: The Worldwide Leader in Outdoor Television

anyone.

Gotta agree with this.  I love watching his shows

[Redlinerobert]

Several that are mentioned I agree with. My personal hero though has to be Larry Dahlberg. I want to be just like him when i grow up and fish the world for exotic species. He totally inspires me

[jwo1124]

LOW BUDGET HOOKERS: CAST, endless acts of compassion in the backround, never seeking glory or credit for it 8-)

AL LINDER AND BILL DANCE; For their instuctional capabilities and how they act as Ambassadors fro the sport. I don't really give a thought about Competetive fishing and they have reached out far beyond the trail.

ps That is not a knock on the Tourny Guys, I just don't get it personally.

I would have to 100% agree. I was sort of stumped looking at this thread, as I don't really know too many of the pro tour guys. I know the big names like Van Dam, Iconelli, and others you see every week on Bass MAsters, but I don't really feel they have done much for me.

When Muddy said Al Lindner and Bill Dance my eyes shot open. I think these guys have done a lot for me personally as I can attest to sitting in front of the tv on weekend morning soaking in every word these guys said. I would have to go beyond to say Al Lindner would be my industry role model(industry meaning fishing in general) since he has provided so much information through Infisherman tv and mag. He also does this without trying to sell any products such as other TV Hosts do. Bill Dance is also a great fishing teacher, but his show is very commercial. When was the last time you have seen him use anything besides a YUM or Booyah product?

But without taking credit away from anybody. Anyone, pro angler, tv host, or the everyday man, who will take time to instruct, inform, or help another angler is an industry role model. Take a kid fishing, because I know it made a big difference in my life.

[mattm]

Everyone mentioned is good, but I can't believe nobody has mentioned Hank Parker.  I really respect that guy.  He just seems like a good guy.  My wife doesn't even nag me when his show is on. ;D

[Jeff H]

My hero/role model is no longer with us.  Buck Perry gave me more through his teachings then any number of people combined.  A true pioneer who opened up "the twilight zone" for many many people.  He was so far ahead of his time it was just incredible.

I also have a very big respect for Al and Ron Lindner and the educational empire they created.

I have more then a few tournament Pro's I respect for their accomplishments and methods and all are now members of the "old breed", first among them is Denny Brauer.  

[flyphisher #]

not all in bass fishing, but fishing none the less....

Have met Stu Apte, left kreh, and Chico martienez to name a few of the big name guys in things other than bass fishing... Stu Apte is a great guy, talked to me for a couple hours. Lefty too....friends met Jose from spanish fly and flip pallot at same shallow water expo the next day...also class acts....

Steve Kennedy and Boyd Duckett really impress me, and the lesser known Tony Couch, flw pro  who is from here....... those are the guys that pop in my head....

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Jose Wejebe is a great role model.  I've met him twice and he remembered me 3 yrs after first meeting him, I was impressed.

This guy found himself alone, in Fla at the age of 16.  He worked the docks and eventually got his captains license after many yrs of mating. (shut it Muddy,lol)

Look at him now.  He is also involved with helping kids catch the fishing bug.  This is one guy that never forgot where he came from and is about as down to Earth as they come.

[roadwarrior]

AL LINDNER AND BILL DANCE, for their instuctional capabilities and how they act as Ambassadors for the sport.

+1   8-)

[senile1]

jwo1124 state:

Al Lindner would be my industry role model(industry meaning fishing in general) since he has provided so much information through Infisherman tv and mag. He also does this without trying to sell any products such as other TV Hosts do. Bill Dance is also a great fishing teacher, but his show is very commercial. When was the last time you have seen him use anything besides a YUM or Booyah product?

Al Lindner and his colleagues use Berkley line and plastics almost exclusively.  They use Rapala for the majority of their cranks and jerkbaits.  Al and his group are subtle but they are pushing products just the same.  There is nothing wrong with this as it is necessary to pay for the show and make a living.  I would say that their method of promoting products is the one I like the most since it is so subtle.  

Back to the subject of the thread . . . . I would add Rick Clunn to some of the names already mentioned.

[fishfordollars]

Tim Tucker, Greg Hackney, KVD, Jay Yelas, Ray Scott(I am sure this will cause a ruckus but he is responsible for starting it all).

[Matt Fly]

Ray Scott opened doors and help usher in some innovative ideas that changed the face of bass fishing for ever.

Tim Tucker,    thanks for sharing his passions on paper.

Matt

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

I haven't seen FISH CHRIS's name!  He has inspired me as of late.  Chris, you dedication and approach rocks!  

[ABC123]

jwo1124 state:

Al Lindner would be my industry role model(industry meaning fishing in general) since he has provided so much information through Infisherman tv and mag. He also does this without trying to sell any products such as other TV Hosts do. Bill Dance is also a great fishing teacher, but his show is very commercial. When was the last time you have seen him use anything besides a YUM or Booyah product?

Al Lindner and his colleagues use Berkley line and plastics almost exclusively. They use Rapala for the majority of their cranks and jerkbaits. Al and his group are subtle but they are pushing products just the same. There is nothing wrong with this as it is necessary to pay for the show and make a living. I would say that their method of promoting products is the one I like the most since it is so subtle.

Back to the subject of the thread . . . . I would add Rick Clunn to some of the names already mentioned.

Al and Ron Linder, part of the original Nisswa Guides league along with some guy named Gary Roach. Quite a few well known fishing personalities from my neck of the woods. IIRC, the inventor of Lowrance sonar equipment was part of that group too.

I'm going to throw out the name O.G. Schmidt as someone who left a mark on the sport of fishing that is irreplaceable, and never strived for fame while doing it. His company though, is one of the most recognized names in fishing.

[YankeesWin]

Jose Wejebe is a great role model. I've met him twice and he remembered me 3 yrs after first meeting him, I was impressed.

Who in "The Wide Wide World of Spooorts" would NOT remember you??

The Videos, and Casting Kids things you do!! Not to mention "holding down the fort around here"

LBH, Bass Fishing should love YOU for what YOU do!! and you can take that all the way to the Hall Of Fame!

You have inspired more people than you know.

"OLD" Newbie,

YankeesWin

It's been a while, PM me if you would.

[fish-fighting-illini]

Kind of torn on this one but first maybe not a role model per say but one of the first fishing shows I ever watched. Was on every sat or sun in the early 70's ? I cannot remember his name but I loved his show. He always wore a flannel shirt and a hat and had fairly thick glasses and promoted Johnson products a lot and Uncle Josh pork rinds. Does anyone know his name?

Same goes for Al linder and Jerry Mcguinness. I always used to get excited about fishing from watching his show. These would be my role models as they made me want to fish.

On the flip side Ray Scott and Johnny Morris def had an impact on Bass fishing coming to the forefront. I'm not sure that isn't a bad thing though. Is the popularity what causes the lack of fish to catch and the 2 hr waits at boat ramps ( for some of you guys) ? I'm not sure one way or the other that all the commercialism is a good thing. Then again Linder and my other guy did the same thing just earlier in time. Kind of darned if they do and darned if they don't.