National Fishing & Boating Week 2005 Highlights
Sportfishing Champions Honored At Capitol Hill Reception
On June 7, 2005, the American Sportfishing Association presented its most
prestigious honors to two life-long sportfishing advocates during an evening
reception at the Dirksen Senate office building on Capitol Hill, as part
of the association’s National Fishing and Boating Week celebrations.
Jerry Gibbs, fishing editor of Outdoor Life magazine, was honored with the
Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award, and Gary Loomis, founder of
G. Loomis Rods, received the Future of Fishing Award.
“These two gentlemen are true champions for the sportfishing community.
Their numerous contributions over the years have played a tremendous role
in the shaping of sportfishing in America and we wanted to recognize that
fact,” said Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing
Association.
The Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the American
Sportfishing Association’s former Vice President for Government Affairs,
is presented for extraordinary contributions to fisheries conservation and
the advancement of sportfishing in America. The Future of Fishing Award pays
tribute to those who design new approaches to expand fishing participation.
Jerry Gibbs, one of Field & Stream’s 50 legends of fishing and
fishing editor of Outdoor Life magazine for 32 years, was honored for his
many years of unwavering -support and dedication to the overall fishing community.
“This award comes like one of those amazing, surprise tropical sunset
green flashes. That the more than 600 member American Sportfishing Association
thinks the job I’ve done deserves this kind of recognition is pretty
humbling. I only signed on to tell as many of our 44 million anglers how
great fishing is, and that’s what I plan to continue doing,” said
Gibbs.
Gary Loomis, highly regarded for his ingenuity and revolutionary rod-making
techniques, was honored for his impact on the sportfishing industry and his
innumerable contributions to the future of fishing. During the late 1970s
and early 80s, he spearheaded technological advances in graphite rod production,
raising the bar on rod technology throughout the sportfishing industry. In
1982, Loomis launched his company becoming one of the most successful rod
makers in the United States.
In 1995, Loomis launched Fish First, a member organization dedicated to
restoring the dwindling salmon runs in Lewis River, Wash., tributaries which
has received national recognition for its efforts.
“I’m grateful for receiving this award from ASA and I thank
them for it,” said Loomis. “But what’s more important than
any award is helping our fisheries. We need to keep our native fish alive
and change the harvest rules. If we do nothing else, we must do this.”
