Laurel Beager – International Falls Journal
Borderland fishing guide Barry “Woody” Woods got a surprise in the mail earlier this month.
He opened an envelope containing a letter informing him he will be inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame for 2014.
“It kind of surprised me,” Woods admitted. “I am still trying to get my arms around it.
“It’s very humbling,” he added.
“I think about the many old-school guides that are deserving that have been on the lake, like Butch Lessard and a host of others; most of whom are dead but some are still alive.”
Woods’ name will be added to a list of prestigious people involved in a variety of aspects of the fishing industry, including another local angler, Larry Bollig, who was inducted in 2010 in the legendary communicator category.
From one Hall-of-Famer to another, Bollig said Woods is very deserving of the recognition.
“I know guiding and Woods epitomizes good guiding,” said Bollig.
“I am very happy for him.”
Woods will be inducted in March. He was informed of the recognition in a letter from Emmett A. Brown, executive director of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
“It goes without saying that this honour recognizes you for your contribution, dedication, and service to the fresh water sport-fishing industry,” Brown wrote.
“With this, your pioneering spirit will always be remembered.”
The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, located in Hayward, Wis., is the international headquarters for education, recognition, and promotion of fresh water sport-fishing, according to its website.
Individuals and organizations are recognized for outstanding achievements in fishing, science, education, conservation, communications, technology, or other areas related to fresh water sport-fishing.
More information, and a list of previous inductees, can be found at http://www.freshwater-fishing.org
Woods, known as a media darling among many outdoor news outlets, has been guiding since his first trip at age 13.
“So I guess that’s 40-plus years as a guide,” he remarked.
“I moved away for a short period of time, but I always seem to come back to this and I guess this is what I like to do.”
Woods estimates he spends nearly 200 days on open and hard water, guiding people through scenery that’s enough to draw many visitors—and to world-class fishing opportunities that brings many back time after time.
He’s got a couple of open-water trips in November, he noted. Then after the boat is tucked away for the winter, he pulls out the ice-fishing gear and enters the next busy guiding season.
“It’s not an easy way to make a living, not a big-money thing, but I like it and I like meeting people and it’s fun,” Woods reasoned.
Guiding is not just about catching fish, he stressed. Anyone who has fished with Woods knows talking, laughing, and learning about the history of the lake area is a big part of the experience.
But Woods said the stories he hears from the people he guides about their lives and experiences, as well as about their trip to Borderland, is a part of his enjoyment.
“It’s like taking a trip without ever leaving the farm,” he remarked.
“They do other stuff and talk about that, and everything in between.”
While marketing promotions often show fishing guides experiencing sunny skies, warm temperatures and calm waters, that’s not always the case for Borderland guides.
“I wish it was,” Woods said. “You know damn well that if there are 30 m.p.h. winds from the east and it’s raining, you’ll have a trip.
“And if it’s 75 degrees outside and calm, it’s questionable whether you will have a trip.”
Editor’s note: Reprinted with permission from The Falls Journal (Oct. 19/13).
