Behind the Scenes of the 2016 Geico Bassmaster Classic
presented by GoPro
By Ben Martin
(Title Photo Caption – The Hall of Fame Plaques on stage prior to being presented to recipients Billy Murray, Gary Yamamoto, and President George HW Bush.)
In part 2, Ben Martin, President and Founder of Outdoor Action Ontario, discusses the surreal moment of covering the 2016 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, meeting hall of fame anglers and the biggest names at the top of the business end of North American Angling.
Earlier in the day, at the Media event with the Elite series Anglers who were prepping for Day 1 of the Bassmaster Classic, it was brought to my attention that there was a special Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place later that evening.
I inquired if Media had been invited, because I hadn’t seen anything official on my itinerary. Luckily for me, my inquiries were met with a pleasant surprise – I could secure a spot at the induction dinner, and cover the event in a freelance position for Outdoor Action Ontario. This was entirely unplanned, and thankfully I had enough time to travel back to our base of operations (aka Best Western Tulsa Suites on 79th St.) to get the gear I would need to cover the event in full.
Two iconic characters of the US Outdoors industry – Sammy Lee with BASS and Lydia Lohrer, famed Outdoor personality and Journalist.
Luckily I made the good fortune of introducing and getting to know several key players from the industry, who were only too kind to take me under their wings at the 2016 Bassmaster Classic to help steer me through the different “Deer in the Headlights” moments I had. The first of these was when I confused Ken Yamamoto from Yamamoto Baits for Gary Yamamoto, his brother and Founder of the company in question. Yes, this happened. However, despite feeling I had a foot lodged in my mouth, Ken Yamamoto was gracious enough to take me over to Mr. Yamamoto’s table and introduce me personally, as well as to his wife, Beverly, and numerous other extended family members and staff from his production facility in Arizona.
Not to be outdone, Mr. Yamamoto himself extended me the huge courtesy of an off-the-cuff interview, which will be shared at Outdoor Action Ontario in the coming weeks.
As the ceremony began, a lovely dinner was provided for attendees. Funds raised from the entire event are funnelled back into BASS operations, which vary from state to state and province to province, but are becoming truly global in reach. Mr. Sammy Lee and his entire board of directors deserve commendations for their leadership efforts in this capacity.
There were three honourees, Mr. Yamamoto, Billy Murray, and President George HW Bush, who was having his award accepted by no less than Mr. Johnny Morris, the founder and President of BassPro, perhaps the single most-widely known Outdoors company in North America:
An impressive Class of ’16 – Congratulations to all recipients from Outdoor Action Ontario
After the induction component, up and coming stars like Brooke Thomas were introduced and a silent auction was held. In between awards, celebratory drinks, and photos to capture it all, it was certainly an eventful evening to be remembered.
Editing photos later that evening it began to really sink in – Outdoor Action Ontario was in Tulsa, covering the Classic, and the goals I had originally envisioned for my media start-up suddenly seemed as attainable as ever.
Brooke Thomas, Chris Giles and JP DeRose
Coming up in Part 3, we take you behind the scenes for Day 2 weigh-in, and the final results from the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.