By Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau

            It’s a good thing Gene Ellison drives a Toyota Tundra Pick-up Truck; he needs it just to carry his 2008 accolades!!! Log unto www.TheFishingMachine.net receive a warm welcome and plan on spending the rest of your day and night trying to keep up with Ellison’s busy schedule.

The year 2008 will certainly go down in history for a variety of astonishing accomplishments and changes, but since I’m not writing a history documentary on American Government, I’m not even close to being a scientist of sorts although at times I do feel a little spacey, I better just try to end 2008 by writing a simple column covering some of the “Outstanding 2008 Accolades of Gene Ellison The Fishing Machine!”

For Gene ‘Gino’ Ellison 2008 began with an appointment to the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Elite Board of Directors. Most individuals would consider this seat a respectable retirement position, assumed by those who have paid their dues, shared their experience and extended a helping hand throughout their career, branding their names along side Bass-fishing legends like Ray Scott and Forrest Wood. But, for Ellison it was merely a launching pad catapulting an opportunity to serve others…………..By sharing his Passion for Fishing!

With a contagious voice of enthusiasm Ellison elaborated, “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 Professional Anglers Association. What excites me the most with the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, is their never-ending 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 unfolding of an ecosystem actually working before their very eyes, but to establish an environment that all people of all ages will appreciate, enjoy and have the opportunity to participate in.” (www.probassfishinghof.com)

The key word here is participate, and while others wave the banner of ‘No Child Left Behind’, Gene Ellison’s Environmentally Friendly Mercury Opti Max is running at full-throttle, handing out fishing rods to every child he comes in contact with! “My goal is to put the first fishing rod into the hands of 1 million kids.  It’s an ambitious goal, but I am in the habit of making no small plans,” echoed the words of Gene ‘The Fishing Machine’ Ellison, upon receiving the prestigious PAA Lifetime Achievement Award from Professional Anglers Association President Tim Horton and Executive Board member Kelly Jordan, at the PAA Corporate Cup Awards Dinner in Florence, AL. (www.FishingPAA.com)

According to PAA President Tim Horton, his PAA podium stands firming secured built by the foundational efforts of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Gene Ellison. “This award represents the Highest Achievement in Professional Bass Fishing! And, we do not plan on handing this award out on a regular basis. It may be five or ten years from now before this award is presented again.”

Mortared together with three dedicated hard working years as Executive Director of the Professional Anglers Association, Ellison listened as Horton continued. “As the first recipient of this award we want to recognize Gene’s unparalleled commitment to building and then guiding the Professional Anglers Association (the PAA), growing the sport of bass fishing, introducing children and families to our sport, as well as his devotion to conservation efforts and his performance as a successful tournament angler.”

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.fishPAA.com)

Pausing for a moment, Ellison looked at me with eyes of compassion and honesty, “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.”

“When you believe in something as deeply as I do for the Professional Anglers Association, each PAA member becomes like family and you develop a compassion for their individual needs, while envisioning each members personal goals with heartfelt admiration.” Ellison, himself, a Professional Bass Angler commented 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 bass fishing for all anglers.”

When Ellison says ‘All Anglers’, he indeed means ‘All Anglers’! In March of 2008 Gene ‘The Fishing Machine’ Ellison learned of the New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail’s (www.NEPVA.org) need for Volunteer Boat Captains at each of their five regional tournaments, so he quickly re-worked his 2008 Tournament Schedule and registered as a Volunteer Boat Captain, participating in every one of the New England PVA events ranging from Connecticut to Maine. 

“As I became more involved with the New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail, it was obvious that their goals were very similar to my goals. As a member of the Toyota Tundra Fishing Team, I brought forth the idea of Toyota of New England supporting Our American Hero’s via Toyota’s strong involvement within the fishing industry,” recalls Ellison.

Donning his Toyota Tundra fishing hat, Ellison became the liaison between the New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail and Toyota of New England. Toyota’s excitement was unparallel and within a short period of time Gene Ellison had secured Toyota Tundra’s sponsorship for the New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail. “Toyota came on board as “The Toyota Tundra Big Bass Award”, says Ellison. “The Team that weighed in the largest bass at each of the NEPVA Tournaments received handsome Toyota Tundra Big Bass Plaques accompanied with a nice Monetary Prize!” 

“I will never forget how excited and honored I was on April 26, 2008 while competing in my first New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail Tournament on Congamond Lake in Southwick, Massachusetts,” recalls Ellison. “My partner was former New England PVA Sports Director Mike Guilbault a Navy Veteran. As our day on the water continued and our conversations centered on catching bass I had forgotten totally about Mike’s physical disabilities. Our shared passion for fishing had brought us on an even playing field, developing what I pray will be a life-long friendship.”

Pausing for just a moment, Gene Ellison smiled and responded, “There are so many wonderful blessing I have received in 2008, but none compare to the smiles I see on the faces of those individuals I have had the opportunity to spend time with………………..(Pausing once again)………….By sharing my Passion for Fishing!”  

God Bless and Best Bass’n