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Randy Lemcke, Chairman of the Board
American Sportfishing Association
ICAST Industry Breakfast
July 11, 2007
Las Vegas Convention Center

ASA Chairman of the Board Randy Lemcke, vice president, Plano Molding Company, speaks at the ICAST50 Industry Breakfast.

Little did I know when I attended my first ICAST in 1970 that I would be standing here in 2007 as ASA’s Board Chairman. It’s an honor and a responsibility to be in this leadership position and I thank you for your support. I can also tell you that the Industry Breakfast looks a lot different from up here than it does from down there!

We have a lot going on at ICAST. I’d like to invite all of you to this evening’s Chairman’s Industry Awards Reception. That’s where we’ll announce the winners of the New Product Showcase competition. The party starts at 5:30 in the convention center Ballroom.

Another event that I would like to invite you to is the Sportfishing Summit planned for Sanibel, Florida, in October. I wanted to put this on your radar because we’re going to cover some very important topics this year. One is the latest industry data and the other is the banning of fishing in marine waters and which poses a significant threat our industry. There are Save the Date cards on the tables and I urge you to put the Summit on your calendars.

With a show of hands, I’m interested in knowing how many of you are familiar with the efforts to ban saltwater fishing? The banning of recreational fishing in our coastal waters is one of the most significant threats to the future of our industry in the last 50 years. Unfortunately, California is leading the way in declaring these no-fishing zones as a means to mange our fisheries.

A special meeting is planned for August 23 in Chicago to discuss this issue and how we’re going to fund our efforts. Details about the meeting will be sent to all members after ICAST. As your chairman, I ask that you please read the information ASA sends you and be willing to respond when asked.

Although, as the issue of no-fishing zones illustrates, it is vital that we stay focused on our future, however, this is the year that we honor our past. Our Classic Product Showcase includes trend-setting tackle from the 22 companies that were at the Hotel Sherman in 1958. The Classic Showcase, along with the New Product Showcase, helps put 50 years of innovations into perspective.

In addition, a number of exhibiting companies have displays of their vintage tackle in their booths. Over the next three days, as you’re walking the show floor, please take a few moments and enjoy the displays.

At this time, we’d like to recognize our 50-year companies with a token of our appreciation on behalf of the entire industry. I invite all the employees from these companies to stand as I go through the list.

• Bagley Fishing Products, formerly Jim Bagley Bait Company
• Boone Bait Company
• Cortland Line Company
• Ed Cumings, Inc.
• Frabill, formerly Frabill Manufacturing Company
• Harrison-Hoge Industries, owner of the Panther Martin and Rockland brands. Another meeting prevented Cecil Hoge from being here.
• L&S Bait Company—unfortunately Eric Bachnik could not be here today. He also had a meeting conflict.
• Mason Tackle Company
• Penn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company
• Plano Molding Company. Our founder’s grandson, Pete Henning, is with us today.
• PRADCO Fishing, representing original exhibitors Fred Arbogast and James Heddon
• Pure Fishing, representing original exhibitors Berkley & Company and Denison-Johnson
• REC Components, representing original exhibitors Perfection Tip Company and W.W. Mildrum Jewel Company
• Roddy Manufacturing
• Sampo, Inc.
• Shakespeare Fishing Tackle
• South Bend Sporting Goods, formerly South Bend Tackle
• Water Gremlin Company
• The Worth Company
• Wright & McGill Company
• Yakima Bait Company, representing original exhibitor John J. Hildebrandt Corporation
• Zebco/WC Bradley

Ladies and gentlemen, please give everyone a round of applause and here’s to 50 more years!!

Now, we know these exhibitors aren’t the only show veterans out there, they just happen to be the easiest ones for us to track.  Now, how about everyone who’s been to 40 or more shows, please stand. I know Bill Cullerton, Bert Kaplan, Mark Sosin, and Clem Dippel are out there somewhere. Congratulations!

Now I’d like to invite everyone who’s been to the show for 30 years to please stand. 20 years? 10 years? Thank you to everyone for your continued participation in ICAST.

We also have some very special people with us today. These individuals have devoted their entire careers, in fact, most of them their entire lives, to the sportfishing industry. Gentlemen, when I say your name, please stand and be recognized by your colleagues and your friends.

• Berkley Bedell—Mr. Bedell started in the business tying flies when he was just 16.
• Bill Cullerton, Sr.—Fifty years ago, Mr. Cullerton was working as a rep for Doc Wellman
• Norm Gauch—Mr. Gauch’s first job in the industry was as general manager of the Hofschneider Corporation.
• Bill Gautsche, Jr.—In the late 40s, Mr. Gautsche designed the Billy Finn Bucktail lure which is still on the market.
• Jack Gillen—Mr. Gillen has other commitments, but he sends his warm regards. His first job in the industry was as a manufacturers’ rep.
• John Keith, Sr.—Mr. Keith started in the industry 67 years ago.
• Dick Kotis—Mr. Kotis started out in the industry with Fred Arbogast Company.
• Sandy Levin—Mr. Levin started out in the industry as a salesman for a sporting goods store.
• Jerry Rodstein—Mr. Rodstein is the founder of Roddy Manufacturing.
• And Ron Weber—Mr. Weber retired as Board Chairman for Normark and started his career as a regional sales manager for P. F. Ineges

Everyone, please give these gentlemen a generous and heartfelt round of applause.

Before we send you off with our best wishes for a great show, I’m going to turn it back over to Mike to wrap things up. Thanks again for being here this morning. Happy 50!

 

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