Because of space and other limitations, we have presented the seed of an idea that hopefully will begin to grow. It is up to the sportfishing community to decide whether the International Congress of Sportfishing has the potential we think it has. Maybe it is time for several fishing clubs or associations to meet and discuss the merits of this concept. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) might be a logical organization to take the lead. Maybe one or more individuals could take the initiative. Gardner Grant, Steve Sloan, Francis Pandolfi, Bill Cullerton, Sr., Nathaniel Reed, Curtis Bostick, or Perry Richardson Bass are some of the people who have the experience and savvy and could spark and ignite this idea into a potent fishing organization that could, in effect, help save fishing. Years ago, this project would have required a tremendous amount of money to launch it; this is not so today. There are creative minds out there who would know how to get it done for a fraction of what it would have cost, say, ten years ago, thanks to the Internet/WEB.
We certainly have the talent in sportfishing, here and around the world. We have highly successful business persons who have built empires and could certainly help build this. There are giants in television and Hollywood and in the entertainment field who love to fish. We have outstanding writers, artists, and scientists who care about what happens in the ocean, on a lake or in a river. We have the expert anglers, such as Stu Apte, Lefty Kreh, Winston Moore, Billy Pate, Flip Pallot–hundreds of them–that can advise us. We are fortunate to have two former presidents, George Bush and Jimmy Carter, who love sportfishing and could make spectacular contributions to an International Congress of Sportfishing.
The talent, the brains, and the dream builders are all there. We need them to come together, for the sake of fish and, for the sake of fishing, and for the sake of future generations.
I pray that we nurture this idea, so it has a chance to grow and prosper.
I would appreciate your comments,
