The former head of our nation will be posthumously given one of the highest honors in the fishing world.
Come September, former President George H.W. Bush will be among five other folks honored as inductees to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame.
Bush passed away in November, 2018 in Houston, Texas at the age of 94, so his induction will be posthumous. The induction ceremony will take place Sept. 14, 2019 at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame isn't just inducting Bush for the publicity; he was an avid angler who frequented the beaches of his Kennebunkport, Maine summer home for striped bass and made Florida fishing a regular retreat. In fact, one of his biggest angling accomplishments was a 135-pound tarpon caught in the Florida Keys.
During his time in office, Bush established 56 wildlife refuges and helped pass several amendments to the Sportfishing Restoration Act.
Our 41st President was also inducted to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2016, was given the Bass Pro Shops Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award, and received the Keep America Fishing Award.
Other inductees in the 2019 Fishing Hall of Fame class include IGFA World Record holder and marine conservationist Terri Andrews; fisheries policy advocate Robert Hayes; pelagic game fish researcher Dr. Julian Pepperrell; and tackle industry stalwart and conservationist Yasuhiko Tsunemi.
NEXT: 13-YEAR-OLD LANDS 67-POUND BLUE CATFISH IN TEXAS
WATCH
