- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,003
Farrior's hobby leads to California spin on IGFA's rules and records
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 4, 2003
Mike Farrior shows off a small portion of his collection of rods, reels and other fishing-related memorabilia. DON KOHLBAUER / Union-Tribune
A rare, one-of-a-kind complete set of Hardy fishing reels made in London for legendary angler and author Zane Grey graces one glass case.
Another display has Ernest Hemingway fishing and hunting memorabilia, including a hunting license from Utah and a fishing license from Idaho, both signed by the famed author and sportsman.
Michael Farrior's collection of fishing books, antique rods and reels, leather cases and much more has a collective soul all its own. And stashed in a classy room in his North County home, the treasures generate an atmosphere of an old fishing club, a trip back to the birth of sportfishing.
"I'm really proud of my collection," Farrior said. "It's certainly my proudest achievement. But I'm equally as proud that I got the International Game Fish Association to acknowledge California for its angling history and accomplishments."
The IGFA was founded 64 years ago as the record keeper for freshwater and saltwater world record catches and to create and maintain fishing rules to be accepted world-wide. Based in Florida, the organization always had an East Coast bias. But that changed in the 1990s, thanks to Farrior.
"I had a historical knowledge of California sportfishing that they needed to hear," Farrior said. "I knew we were the birthplace of sportfishing rules. And I knew that we caught the first tuna, marlin and swordfish on rod and reel."
Impressed with his study and dedication, the IGFA rewarded Farrior and California by admitting several famous anglers with West Coast ties into its Hall of Fame.
The anglers include Ralph Bandini, a pioneer big-game angler from the Tuna Club on Catalina Island; William C. Boschen, the first man in angling history to catch a broadbill swordfish on hook and line; George C. Farnsworth, developer with Boschen of the internal star drag reel; Charles Holder, the first man to catch a tuna with a rod and reel; James W. Jump, a light tackle fisherman and another Tuna Club member; Edward Llewellen, catcher of the first marlin with rod and reel; baseball star Ted Williams, one of the best freshwater and saltwater anglers ever; and Ted Naftzger, who caught an incredible 48 broadbill swordfish on rod and reel.
This past year, Farrior, past president and current historian of the Tuna Club at Avalon, was recognized further for his devotion to fishing by being named one of the IGFA's 25 trustees who represent 110 nations. He joined such fishing superstars as wildlife artist Guy Harvey, broadcaster and sportsman Curt Gowdy and fly-fisher Joan Salvato Wulff and such past trustees as Hemingway himself.
Farrior is taking his role seriously. Beginning with next week's San Diego Boat Show at the Convention Center, which runs Thursday through Sunday, Farrior is mounting an off-season campaign to enlist anglers, both juniors and adults, into the IGFA.
For the second straight year, the San Diego Boat Show is giving Farrior a booth, where he'll display and share some of his collection with the public and spread the word about the IGFA. Farrior will have some of his Hemingway collection along with some of the California inductees into the IGFA Hall of Fame.
"I want to do as much as I can to make Californians aware of their angling heritage and place in the sport of fishing," Farrior said. "Southern Californians were the first to institute angling rules, giving fair play to gamefish, the first to practice conservation through sportfishing regulations such as line size. The IGFA took those rules, and that's a greater legacy than catching the first tuna, swordfish or marlin. Today, part of every creed of ethics for freshwater or saltwater came from that."
Farrior said the IGFA filled an important void in 1939 when it was founded by Elwood K. Harry. The organization began identifying fish species throughout the world by their scientific names.
Today, the IGFA not only is the world's record keeper for all species caught by anglers, but it also plays a significant role in conservation issues, education through its museum and extensive library, scientific studies and encouraging youngsters to enter the sport.
Farrior said the IGFA's Junior Angler Program has added new interest in the sport for kids. There are angling records available in most species for juniors – small fry through age 10 and juniors 11 to 16.
Farrior's goal is to make California the No. 1 member of the IGFA in terms of total memberships.
Florida leads now with over 5,000 members. California has just 1,500, not good for a state with more than 2.5 million resident anglers.
"We're behind, way behind," Farrior said.
Farrior will offer plenty of incentives to prospective members, including a free shirt to any parent who joins and brings in a junior angler. For more information about joining the IGFA, call Farrior at (858) 756-3262.
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
January 4, 2003
Mike Farrior shows off a small portion of his collection of rods, reels and other fishing-related memorabilia. DON KOHLBAUER / Union-Tribune
A rare, one-of-a-kind complete set of Hardy fishing reels made in London for legendary angler and author Zane Grey graces one glass case.
Another display has Ernest Hemingway fishing and hunting memorabilia, including a hunting license from Utah and a fishing license from Idaho, both signed by the famed author and sportsman.
Michael Farrior's collection of fishing books, antique rods and reels, leather cases and much more has a collective soul all its own. And stashed in a classy room in his North County home, the treasures generate an atmosphere of an old fishing club, a trip back to the birth of sportfishing.
"I'm really proud of my collection," Farrior said. "It's certainly my proudest achievement. But I'm equally as proud that I got the International Game Fish Association to acknowledge California for its angling history and accomplishments."
The IGFA was founded 64 years ago as the record keeper for freshwater and saltwater world record catches and to create and maintain fishing rules to be accepted world-wide. Based in Florida, the organization always had an East Coast bias. But that changed in the 1990s, thanks to Farrior.
"I had a historical knowledge of California sportfishing that they needed to hear," Farrior said. "I knew we were the birthplace of sportfishing rules. And I knew that we caught the first tuna, marlin and swordfish on rod and reel."
Impressed with his study and dedication, the IGFA rewarded Farrior and California by admitting several famous anglers with West Coast ties into its Hall of Fame.
The anglers include Ralph Bandini, a pioneer big-game angler from the Tuna Club on Catalina Island; William C. Boschen, the first man in angling history to catch a broadbill swordfish on hook and line; George C. Farnsworth, developer with Boschen of the internal star drag reel; Charles Holder, the first man to catch a tuna with a rod and reel; James W. Jump, a light tackle fisherman and another Tuna Club member; Edward Llewellen, catcher of the first marlin with rod and reel; baseball star Ted Williams, one of the best freshwater and saltwater anglers ever; and Ted Naftzger, who caught an incredible 48 broadbill swordfish on rod and reel.
This past year, Farrior, past president and current historian of the Tuna Club at Avalon, was recognized further for his devotion to fishing by being named one of the IGFA's 25 trustees who represent 110 nations. He joined such fishing superstars as wildlife artist Guy Harvey, broadcaster and sportsman Curt Gowdy and fly-fisher Joan Salvato Wulff and such past trustees as Hemingway himself.
Farrior is taking his role seriously. Beginning with next week's San Diego Boat Show at the Convention Center, which runs Thursday through Sunday, Farrior is mounting an off-season campaign to enlist anglers, both juniors and adults, into the IGFA.
For the second straight year, the San Diego Boat Show is giving Farrior a booth, where he'll display and share some of his collection with the public and spread the word about the IGFA. Farrior will have some of his Hemingway collection along with some of the California inductees into the IGFA Hall of Fame.
"I want to do as much as I can to make Californians aware of their angling heritage and place in the sport of fishing," Farrior said. "Southern Californians were the first to institute angling rules, giving fair play to gamefish, the first to practice conservation through sportfishing regulations such as line size. The IGFA took those rules, and that's a greater legacy than catching the first tuna, swordfish or marlin. Today, part of every creed of ethics for freshwater or saltwater came from that."
Farrior said the IGFA filled an important void in 1939 when it was founded by Elwood K. Harry. The organization began identifying fish species throughout the world by their scientific names.
Today, the IGFA not only is the world's record keeper for all species caught by anglers, but it also plays a significant role in conservation issues, education through its museum and extensive library, scientific studies and encouraging youngsters to enter the sport.
Farrior said the IGFA's Junior Angler Program has added new interest in the sport for kids. There are angling records available in most species for juniors – small fry through age 10 and juniors 11 to 16.
Farrior's goal is to make California the No. 1 member of the IGFA in terms of total memberships.
Florida leads now with over 5,000 members. California has just 1,500, not good for a state with more than 2.5 million resident anglers.
"We're behind, way behind," Farrior said.
Farrior will offer plenty of incentives to prospective members, including a free shirt to any parent who joins and brings in a junior angler. For more information about joining the IGFA, call Farrior at (858) 756-3262.
