NSIA Celebrates Raising Vital Funds for Sportfishing at the 17th Annual Oregon Banquet
The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association is excited to announce today that sport angling professionals raised nearly $45,000 at the 17th Annual Oregon Holiday Banquet on Saturday, December 5th in Portland. More than 230 NSIA Members and sportfishing advocates came together over the weekend to show their support for more fish and better fishing.
The money raised is vital to NSIA’s continued efforts to promote healthy, economically successful sport fisheries in the coming year. In addition to the main proceeds, banquet attendees donated $5,500 to NSIA’s Oregon Political Action Committee. That money goes towards supporting lawmakers and policy that will benefit the sportfishing industry for years to come.
NSIA also thanks event title sponsors, Pro-Cure and Cabela’s, for making it possible for the banquet to succeed. Without dedicated, responsible companies like these, NSIA could not have the reach necessary to support the sport angling business in the Northwest.
Supporters had the opportunity to bid on exciting prize packages in this year’s live auction hosted by fishing guide and professional auctioneer, Grant Putnam. Attendees won vacations like fishing trips with some of Oregon’s best guides, golf packages, and multiple day skiing get aways. Bidders also went home with custom-made pieces of art, lots on brand new, top-of-the-line fishing gear, and even had the chance to bid on a rare, collectable rifle.
The 2015 recipient of the Buzz Ramsey Foot soldier Award is Robert Campbell of Fisherman’s Marine and Outdoor. Robert has invested 17 years in strengthening Oregon’s sportfishing industry, most recently as the Head of Retail Operations for Fisherman’s Marine and the well-known author of the popular book “Illustrated Rigging for Salmon. Mr. Campbell regularly gives his time and energy to supporting important fisheries causes by testifying at hearings, promoting events, recruiting volunteers, collecting donations, and marketing NSIA’s largest boat raffle of the year. Robert is also a gifted photographer, an incredible fisherman, and a devoted father. NSIA is glad to have people like Robert who make up the foundation of our industry and always present themselves as outstanding anglers and members of their communities.
Previewed on display at the Auction was the 2016 Willie Drift Boat that will be given away on April 9th at the 24th Annual Spring Fishing Classic presented by Fisherman’s Marine and Outdoor. Stay tuned for more details after the Run Forecast Meeting on December 15th
Proceeds from the banquet benefit the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, an organization founded in 1993 by sportfishing industry leaders who understood the need for a strong voice in local, state, and federal governments. NSIA is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and improvement of sport fisheries and the businesses dependent upon them.