Feb. 4—LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — The Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for 2022, and this year’s roster features four anglers and two organizations.
Inductees in the Individual Legends category are Marty and Scott Glorvigen and their digital media platform, Wired2Fish; Al Baert, founder of the Minnesota Fishing Museum; Gregg Thorne, entrepreneur and partner in Elliott Fishing Rods; and Joe’s Sporting Goods.
The Hall of Fame annually recognizes up to four individuals and two groups or organizations that have made a major impact on Minnesota’s sport fishing industry. The Hall stands to recognize all passionate fishing promoters, whether they have made a difference through education, legislation, guiding, manufacturing, media promotions or other means.
Individuals must be state residents who have lived in Minnesota at least 25 years, be at least 50 years old, and they must have made meritorious contributions to the sport of fishing.
Businesses and organizations may also be nominated, provided they are registered in Minnesota and have made similar noteworthy contributions to fishing, according to a news release from the Hall.
Nominations are accepted from the general public, and the list is reduced to the top 10 by current Hall members, after which finalists are voted on for induction.
Here’s a look at this year’s inductees:
In 1987, Marty and Scott, identical twins from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, started Gemini Sport Marketing, a fishing accessory and custom apparel company — a business model that mixed fishing and retail. As fierce competitors on several professional walleye circuits across the U.S. and Canada, they also enjoyed a 23-year run with “Pro’s Pointers Television” in TV broadcast markets educating and entertaining anglers with “how-to” tips aired in primetime broadcast news.
In 2008, they successfully launched Wired2Fish, which has become one of the most influential digital media platforms in the outdoor industry today. Wired2Fish was launched in February 2008 and has become the leading content provider in freshwater fishing. Wired2Fish serves original, 100%-owned, authentic and well-produced written and HD video content as well as award-winning creative photography to everyday anglers (and pros, too), with tips and tools from people that are relatable to all anglers. The team offers fun, valuable information to anglers that want to learn how to be better anglers.
Wired2Fish recently became the namesake of a new CTV Channel (Wired2fishTV) launched in 2021.
It all began with an offer of a measly $3 for his 1912 Surf Oreno fishing lure and a homemade brochure asking for donations of fishing equipment. Baert and his longtime friend, Morrie Sauve, partnered up to amass over 20,000 artifacts. Over the years, additions to the collection have included an aquarium, an ice fishing display, artwork by Minnesota artist Les Kouba, outboard motors, dozens of trophy fish and so much more. This collection is now known as the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame in Little Falls.
Fishing was never a leisurely pastime for Gregg Thorne. An obsession for fishing led Gregg and his brother, Paul, to begin building custom fishing rods in 1981. This was the beginning of Thorne Bros Custom Rod & Tackle, the Fly Angler and the Muskie Fever mail order catalog. In 1993, Gregg and Paul sold the business and pursued separate career paths. Gregg became a regional manager for the Cortland Line Co. and Diamondback Rods and for the next 13 years traveled overseas for rod design and development. In 2008, he joined PRADCO Fishing and became the Lindy brand manager in 2012. In 2016, Gregg started Elliott Rods and recruited brother Paul to join him in the rod business, forming Two Brothers Innovations, manufacturing Elliott and 2B fishing rods.
Joe’s Sporting Goods started as a Buick repair garage in 1930. When founder Joseph J. Rauscher recognized his customers’ need for live bait, he began selling minnows. The garage soon became known as Joe’s Live Bait and quickly grew to include a wide range of outdoor activities. The current Joe’s Sporting Goods store in St. Paul opened in August 2003, and the online store followed soon after to serve customers nationwide.
Today, the store is owned by Joseph H. and James Rauscher, sons of Joe and Loretta.
The official enshrinement into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame will take place Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at the Rice Creek Hunting, Rec and Event Center in Little Falls.
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