Members of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame Class of 2017 were honored on Saturday, Oct. 28 in a ceremony held at their new location in Springfield, Montana. The 2017 inductees include Rick Clunn, Larry Dahlberg, Peter Fithian, Mike Levitt, and Dr. Eric Prince. These anglers join 116 fishing greats in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
Rick Clunn is a four-time Bassmaster Classic winner and is a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. When he’s not fishing, Clunn shares his love of the sport with children across America. He was recognized for his endless enthusiasm for bass fishing, his unmatched four decades of winning B.A.S.S. events and his amazing bass fishing prowess.
Larry Dahlberg has fished for more than 50 years in 80 countries and is the host of The Hunt for Big Fish. He created the unique Dahlberg Diver fly and is responsible for many other fishing innovations. He’s received the Henshall Award by the Federation of Fly Fishers, is a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the 1999 IGFA Conservation Award. Dahlberg is recognized for his lifetime of fishing innovations, his award-winning television career and his conservation efforts.
Peter Fithian is best known as the founder of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT), the “Grandfather” of all billfish fishing tournaments. The HIBT is one of the longest running tournaments of all time and the birthplace of countless innovations in angling tactics, tournament management and billfish conservation. Fithian also founded the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation (PORF) to learn more about Pacific blue marlin, and was instrumental in the foundation of the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA). Fithian is recognized by the IGFA for his lifelong commitment to improve tournament sport fishing and for his efforts in the conservation.
Mike Levitt developed a passion for light tackle in the 1960s, which led him to the IGFA. He has held 16 world records, including light tackle records for black and white marlin. A former Chairman of the IGFA, Levitt spearheaded efforts to build the IGFA Headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida. Levitt led the design and financing of a succession of custom sport fishing boats, which helped to develop the prototype for boats widely used today. The IGFA recognizes Levitt for his angling achievements, charitable acts and innovations in sport fishing.
Dr. Eric Prince is considered one of the world’s top fisheries scientists, and is an angler, researcher and proponent for the sport of fishing. He’s had a 35-year career as a billfish biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service. Dr. Prince has been a driving force in the Adopt a Billfish satellite tagging program and a leading researcher and proponent of the use of circle hooks. He’s served conservation through his research and helping to create The Billfish Foundation, which earned him the IGFA Conservation Award in 2016. Prince is recognized by the IGFA for his research on important recreational species to ensure sustainable management.