The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association held its annual Washington Banquet earlier this month in Federal Way which doubled as a 20th anniversary celebration for the organization.
More than 200 people attended the event, which was held at Twin Lakes Golf Course and sponsored by Outdoor Emporium, Sportco and Cabela’s. The event raised approximately $50,000 to help NSIA in its mission to protect, restore and enhance sport fisheries and businesses dependent upon them.
Silver Horde Fish Supplies was honored with the Buzz Ramsey Foot Soldier Award for its long-standing support of the industry.
“Every time we need something, they are overly generous in helping us out,” said Fabian Lomas, vice president of the NSIA. “They have supported the NSIA from the beginning and we appreciate it.”
Silver Horde was started in 1948 by Lew and Gladys Morrison and they continue with the fourth-generation of the family operating the business from the Lynnwood, Washington headquarters. Kelly Morrison accepted the award at the event.
Professional auctioneer and outdoor guide, Grant Putnam ran the auction this year, which included more than 20 items ranging from a couple’s retreat at the Tucker House Inn, to fishing with ESPN radio personality Tom Nelson. Nelson was also the MC of the event.
Washington Senator Pam Roach also spoke of the importance of the sportfishing industry for the state and urged people in attendance to contact her with issues or items they think the Washington State Legislature should take on.
We would also like to thank all of our 2013 donors, including:
Alderbrook Retreat
Allen Company
Alpen Alps
Atlas Mikes
Auburn Sports & Marine
Beau Mac
Benchmade Knives
Benelli
Bentz Tackle
Bogs
Bradley Smokers
Brad’s Lures
BS Fishtales
Burke, Carl
Bushnell
Cabela’s
Caddis
Cascade Crest Tools
Catcher Co.
Childs, John
Clear Channel Radio
Columbia Sportswear
Coombs, Mike
Crimson Trace
Crosman
Cumings Nets
Danielson Co.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Equinox Business Law Group
Dick Nite Spoons
Eagle Claw
Farwest Sports
Fishin Maps
Flambeau
Frank Amato Publsihing
Fred Meyer
Frontier Northwest
Grundens
Guides Choice
Hall, Ryan
Hamilton, Liz
Helly Hansen
Hogue, Don
Holthe, George
Holthe, Ward, Lomas
Hughes, Josh
I Love Guns & Coffee
Integrity Financial Group
Izorline
Jim Teeny
Johnson Outdoor
Kershaw Kinives
Kilcup, Aime
KIRO Radio
Knives of Alaska
KPMS
KZOK
Lamiglas
Leight, Howard
Leisure Sales
Leonard, Eric
Leupold & Stevens
Lok Safe
Lomas, Fabian
L.H. French Company
Little Canyon Shooting Club
Lull, Brian
Mason Tackle
Maschmedt & Associates
Meyer, Bill
Morton & Associates
Mount, Ron
Muck Boot
Nelson, Tom
Northwest Marine Trade Assn.
Northwest Sportsmen Magazine
Nakata, Gene
Norcross
Okuma
Panther Martin
Parnel, Dan
Pautzke Bait
Pelican International
Plano
Poly Form
Pro Cure
Pro Troll
Pure Fishing
Putnam, Grant
Radians
Rainbow Plastic
Ranger Products
Reddon, Jason
Ron Bizieff
Ruger
Schalkle, Bob
Schmidt, Lonnie
Scotty Downriggers
Shimano
Shooter’s Choice
Silver Horde
Sports Afield Safes
Sportco/Outdoor Emporium
Stahl, Jim
Taylor Brands/Schrade
The Harmon Tap Room
Three Rivers Marine
Tica Rods
Tim Bailey Co.
Tom Posey Co.
Traditions
Tucker House
Twin Lakes Country Club
Vortex Optics
Weatherby
Willapa Marine
Worldwide Distributors
Woolrich
Zeiss
We also would like to thank volunteers Bonnie McDonald, Diane Strauss, Don Grier, Brad Perkins, John Dahl, Sandy Lomas and Susan Basch. The Washington Banquet and Auction Committee also did a great job and included, Chairmain Fabian Lomas, Bob Schalkle, Dan Parnel, Dick Figgins, Gabe Miller, George Holthe, Jason Reddon, Jeff Morton, Josh Hughes, Kevin Hollingsworth, Larry Albert, Lonnie Schmidt, Matt Bley, Mike Perusse, Ryan Reed, Steffen Gambill, Steve Quarders, Amie Kilcup and Jan Williams.
“Without this huge list of donors, volunteers and committee members, we wouldn’t be able to put on these events,” said Liz Hamilton, executive director of the NSIA. “I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved and participated in this successful event.”
Proceeds from the event benefit The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association which was founded in 1993 by a group of sport fishing industry business leaders who understood the need for a strong voice in the local, state, regional and federal governments. The NSIA is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and improvement of sport fisheries and the businesses dependent upon them.
The NSIA Oregon Banquet is scheduled for December 7 at the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Portland. For tickets contact the NSIA office at 503-631-8859.