The show's longest running sponsor was Bass Pro Shops.
Ranger Boats spent more money because of buying two spots
per show. Another old sponsor was Johnson Fishing.
Sponsors such as Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, Forrest
Wood of Ranger Boats and Sam Johnson of Johnson Worldwide
Fishing/Johnson Wax, had a much closer relationship with
Virgil than is expected with sponsors. They were actually
friends.
 |
 |
 |
| Johnny Morris |
Forrest L. Wood |
Sam Johnson (front,
far right), prepares to fly to another fishing trip
with Virgil (fourth from left) |
This same friendship carried over to his guests, whether
they were professional anglers like Roland Martin and
Charlie Campbell, country entertainers like Roy Clark,
Dotty West, Junior Samples, Box Car Willie and Mel Tillis,
sports celebrities like Pete Rose, Stan Muscial, Darrel
Porter, George Brett and Wayne Gretzky, entertainers like
Nanette Fabray, Hugh Obrien, Fred McMurray, Glenn Ford
and Marty Milner, guides such as Jim Rogers (trout angler
from Bennett Springs, MO), outdoor writers, or everyday
people.
Some guests were family members. His daughter Sandy, son
Bill and grandson Greg appeared on several shows.
Please
click here to view our photo gallery of Virgil Ward television
guests...
The show took Virgil on travels throughout the world.
Many locations having breath taking scenery, some of which
are seen in the documentary.
Virgil feels one of his best shows was a trout episode
shot in Alaska at Golden Horn Lodge. He said the fishing
was fantastic, with at least a five pound fish on every
cast.
Bill Ward and his son Greg have followed fishing careers
as well, although Greg's has led to guiding in fishing
and hunting in Alaska.
Another grandson, Jeff Ward, holds the all-tackle World
Record for the Arctic Char. This fish was caught on July
29, 1981, during a filming trip for the Championship Fishing
Show, but unfortunately was not caught on tape.
Other people who have worked with the show as cameramen
were Larry Wood, Spurgeon May and Tony Holden.
Many of the people in the outdoor media have had their
careers influenced either directly or indirectly by Virgil.
One such person is Al Lindner of In-Fisherman. After taping
a show in Minnesota with Virgil, Al and his brother Ron
decided to purchase a camera and start their own show.
Al tells about this turn of events in an interview within
The World of Virgil Ward, as well as making a special
salute to the grandfather of fishing shows.
Dan
Galusha, co-producer of The World of Virgil Ward,
says his career has a direct link to Virgil's advice.
From an answer to a simple fan letter in the early 70's,
Dan received the advice to find a job as a tackle sales
representative. Later he was told to try writing, which
started him in newspapers and magazine, and then the ultimate
opportunity arrived with invited to be a guest on the
Championship Fishing Show. This lit the fuse for Galusha
to head his career towards radio and television.
Throughout Virgil's life there have been numerous honors
bestowed. He is a member of the Ozark Fisherman's Hall
of Fame, the International Fishing Hall of Fame and the
National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. He was the
recipient of fishing's highest recognition, the Dolphin
Award, and was included in the Living Legends of American
Sportfishing.
In 1975 Missouri's Governor Christopher S. Bond proclaimed
October 19 as Virgil Ward Day. Governor Bond said, "Virgil
Ward, through his many efforts, has made an invaluable
contribution to Missouri Tourism, and has made millions
of Americans aware of the world of fishing."
Today you can still find Virgil working in his old editing
studio dubbing tapes for old friends. However, most of
the time you will find him fishing closer to home. He
enjoys outings on his private lake, trips to Bennett Springs
State Park with his grandson Eric and daughter Sandy,
and a short drive to fish Truman Lake with his son Bill.
No matter where he fishes you can still see the intensity
and concentration being applied to the task at hand.
Virgil's advice to future generations is to practice catch
and release,and show a great respect for nature.
Virgil Ward was a pioneer in many things. He taught us
the importance of catch and release, and the proper way
to dispose of our old fishing line and trash. This was
long before either of these issues were popular subjects.
What's more important Virgil is an excellent role model.
He is one of the nicest, and most honest people you could
ever meet.
What makes Virgil so popular with his audience? It's his
ability to transmit his personality and friendship right
through the television screen, and then if you have an
opportunity to meet the man, you will be meeting that
same person.
Thanks Virgil for making this a better world.
Let's keep the World of Virgil Ward alive forever.
|
