Ellison, a Professional Bass Angler himself, elaborated on the birth of the Professional Anglers Association (PAA), “The PAA was formed as an organization to unify the voice of Professional Bass Anglers, with both short and long range goals that will enhance bass fisheries and opportunities for growth within the sport of bass fishing for all anglers.”
A trip to the PAA web site reveals the organizations Mission Statement: “To give professional anglers a unified voice in order to grow the sport of professional bass fishing, strengthen communications and relationships with tournament organizations, and to maximize the opportunities for it’s members to earn a living through the sport of professional bass fishing.” (www.proanglersassociation.com)

Gene Ellison’s organizational business skills come from his highly respected ability to forecast and structure investment programs, while deciphering stock patterns and trends within the high speed ever changing directions of Wall Street. “As an investment manager with CFN Investments, I am deluged with challenges everyday, and this is where I receive my strength. I seem to produce much better when I am under pressure and in control of a situation.” Pausing for a moment, Ellison looked at me with eyes of honesty and said, “I have to say that while in the position of Executive Director of the PAA, it was indeed the most challenging undertaking I have ever experienced.”
Ellison’s director chair not only encompassed the actives of anglers within the United States, it also worked in conjunction with World Wide PAA organizations, striving to be recognized and heard as their reflective operational mission goals were piloted towards preserving natural resources, while commitments encircling family values extended to supporting children’s charities with an investment in the growth of America’s youth.
Gene Ellison’s starting tenure as Executive Director of the PAA can almost be compared to driving to a destination with out any directions or road maps! “While, the Professional Anglers Association knew what they wanted to accomplish, who they wanted to support tied together with a mentoring example second to none………we had no structure,” suggest Ellison. “Here in laid our foremost responsibility, building a team of capable individuals who in turn would except the accountability associated with the responsibility.”
“I am elated to say, today the PAA has grown to over 375 members, supports a full time staff, has developed, promotes and keeps current an updated web site with constant feedback from PAA President Professional Tour Angler Mark Davis. While, the PAA Board of Directors is composed of men who stand firm to integrity, truth and the highest moral character traits found anywhere!”

Thinking that membership to the PAA was exclusively limited to Professional Anglers; Gene Ellison was quick to affirm just the contrary! “Membership is open to anyone who enjoys fishing, or for that manner anyone who believes in preserving our nations natural resources.” Ellison added, “Besides being part of the worlds most premier bass fishing organization you are also associated with the worlds most educated and talented bass anglers.”

When I confronted Gene Ellison with the question, “What would you consider your most accomplished activity during your three years as Executive Directory of the PAA?” He jumped on the question as fast as a smallmouth bass on a Berkley Feeding Frenzy!
“That’s an easy answer, however the path leading to the answer was one that most “PAA Doubting Thomas’s” thought never possible,” chuckled Ellison as he re-positioned himself at the helm of his Nitro Z-9 CDC. (www.nitroboats.com) “It was indeed the Toyota $1,000,000 Texas Bass Classic, at Lake Fork, Texas on April 13-15, 2007.” Listening to Gino, as his peers affectingly call him, re-play the highlights of the Texas Bass Classic, was contagious as his enthusiasm for every aspect of the event allowed me to actually envision the three bass busting record breaking days of bass histories first ever professional bass tournament owned-operated-ran and competed by Professional Bass Anglers!

Professional Bass Angler Pete Gluszek of Franklin, NJ. is quick to applaud Gene Ellison on his work involvement with the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. “This tournament was a monumental achievement in the world of competitive bass angling. I firmly believe Gene Ellison spearheading the program, working with every aspect of the event and interjecting his positive friendly personality onto everyone involved, played a key role structuring the PAA Toyota Texas Bass Classic into the most spectacular, well attended, fan friendly, competitive Professional Bass Tournament I have ever participated in! And, did I mention it was also extremely fun…... Hat’s off to Gino!!!”

Obviously, Pro Angler Pete Gluszek wasn’t the only individual appreciating Gene Ellison’s work ethics. Not long after Ellison gave his notice that he would be resigning his position as Executive Director of the PAA, the Lynnfield, Massachusetts Professional Angler received a call from the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, extending their appreciation for his work within the PAA.

“I can’t tell you how honored, excited and flattered I was just to receive that call, however when I was asked to become a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Elite Board of Directors, I knew then that my prayers had been answered,” says Ellison. Continuing our conversation, Ellison explained his compassion for educating and working with the youth of America, his dreams of involving long-lasting family activities within the outdoors, centered on the importance of balancing our natural resources with environmentally friendly conservation.

“The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is so much more than a gallery of Professional Bass Anglers who have contributed to our sport. Their goals, philosophies and structure run parallel with that of the PAA, and this is what excites me the most,” claims Ellison. Elaborating further Gene Ellison made me privy to the  Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s vision of constructing an interactive building whereas people attending will be able to not only experience a museum of bass fishing history, watch video clips recording bass busting records, witness the ecosystem actually working before their very eyes, but to establish an environment that all people of all ages will appreciate, enjoy and take an active part in. (www.bassfishinghof.com)

Making our way through Bass Pro Shops newly opened Foxboro facility, I asked Gene Ellison what his fishing plans were for 2008. “With a bass eating grin he replied, “Demonstrating my ability to entice some lunkers to eat my drop-shot and shaky worm presentations from the fish tank!”

Watching “Gino” entertain a crowd of bass enthusiasts surrounding the tank, it was quite apparent, Gene Ellison was definitely within his environment!!! Anglers interested in following Gene Ellison’s angling results in 2008 may do so by logging unto www.flwoutdoors.com and goggle Gene competing on the FLW Series and Northern Stren Series trails.

God Bless and Best Bass’n


Woods and Waters USA
Office: 1.413.467.9982
www.woodsandwatersusa.com
Column: THE BASS BUREAU
February 2008 Issue