Virgil Ward, "Godfather Of Fishing"
Bill Schenley
http://www.ky3.com/newsdetailed.asp?id=6720 (w/photos)
One of the nation's most well known fishermen died at his home here on
Monday. Virgil Ward had bladder cancer.
Virgil Ward, who lived in Amsterdam, Missouri, died of cancer
yesterday at his home. He was 93.
Ward became famous among fishing enthusiasts through his syndicated
television show, radio show and a newspaper column. He filmed fishing
trips throughout the United States and in other countries, often
joined by celebrity guests.
He started the Bass Buster Lure Company in 1955, gaining a patent for
a weedless jig that is still copied today. The company still has its
headquarters in Amsterdam
He hosted his first TV show during the 1963-64 season in conjunction
with the Missouri Conservation Commission.
He also taught fishing classes at Southwest Missouri State University.
Ward won national and world fishing championships and received the
Dolphin Award, the highest award in sports fishing. He's in the
National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and the International Fishing
Hall of Fame.
"The Virgil Ward Championship Fishing Show" began on TV in 1964 and
was syndicated throughout the country. He stopped doing the show ten
years ago.
Guests on the show ran the gamut of American culture. Pro fisherman
Roland Martin, baseball players Stan Musial and Pete Rose, actors like
Glenn Ford and a host of non-celebrity fishermen and guides were among
those who appeared on his show.
The famous fish tank in which Ward ended every show by demonstrating
proper lure techniques still sits in his editing bay at the studio.
FROM: The Kansas City Star ~
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/9656518.htm?1c
Three weeks ago Virgil Ward went fishing with his son, Bill.
Although he could barely climb into the boat, Ward was determined to
fish. When the boat's motor went out, Ward insisted on helping Bill
paddle into shore.
"That was my dad," said Sandy Curnutte, one of Ward's three daughters.
"He always had a very strong will, all the way up to the end."
As usual, the day ended with a nice catch. It was the last time that
Ward, one of the nation's best-known fishermen, went fishing on his
private lake.
On Monday morning Ward died of bladder cancer at his Amsterdam, Mo.,
home. He was 93.
Ward achieved fame through his nationally syndicated television show
"Championship Fishing" and several fishing innovations.
"Virgil was one of the best fishermen in the country, and I've fished
with a lot of them," said Frank Fensom, who worked for Ward and owned
Frank Fensom's Sports Headquarters in Raytown. "He was honest, and he
didn't exaggerate. He just went out and backed up what he said."
In 1950, he and his son began the Bass Buster Lure Company in the back
of the family's appliance shop in Amsterdam.
They patented the fiber weed guard, which is still used in
manufacturing jigs. The feather jig was the first big success of the
company and was followed by the maribou jig and the Beetle Spin. The
company was sold to Johnson Fishing in the 1970s, but Ward's career
had long since taken off.
Ward built his reputation through several tournament victories,
including the 1962 World Series of Sport Fishing, the 1964 National
Championship of Fresh Water Fishing and the 1964 Outdoor Writers and
Broadcasters National Fishing Tournament.
By 1963, Ward was writing a column that appeared in 455 newspapers and
was host of a radio show on 200 stations.
"Championship Fishing" began in 1964 and was syndicated throughout the
country. Ward went fishing around the world and often included
celebrities like George Brett, Pete Rose and Wayne Gretzky. The show
lasted 27 seasons and was the No. 1-ranked fishing show for 24 of
them, according to www.bassinusa.com.
Last December, Ward celebrated his 70th anniversary with his wife,
Cleda. He is also survived by four children, nine grandsons and
several great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Schowengerdt Funeral
Chapel in Butler, Mo. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Twin Lakes Hospice, 304
Main Street, Warsaw, MO 65355.