Over my many years of fishing bass tournaments, I’ve met and visited with several who left an impression not just on me, but the fishing world as well — several men who were true legends of professional bass fishing.
Men who were innovators in bass fishing products and techniques. Anglers who left their mark through outstanding tv productions. There was one meeting that I’ll never forget; the first time I met Forest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats!
In 1998, in the span of eight hours, I was offered the opportunity to represent two boat companies as one of their pro staff members: Skeeter or Ranger Boats.
At the time, Ranger was still the king of bass boat manufacturing, and I knew that this was going to be a tremendous opportunity to be a part of something special.
The following day I called Ranger and accepted their offer. This was something I took great pride in and wanted to help Ranger Boats any way possible.
Each year during the first week of December, Ranger held what they called a “Product Knowledge Tour” exclusive for Ranger Pro Staff members and participating dealers.
All the big dogs in the professional bass fishing world were there. Names like Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston, Larry Nixon and Dion Hibdon. Anglers who helped lay the foundation for Ranger Boats.
After my very first “Product Knowledge Tour,” I left at the end of Day Two to head back home. However, right next door to the Ranger Boat manufacturing facility is the Ranger Boats Museum.
I just could not pass up the opportunity to see what was inside. I had already heard about how much history was on display in this museum and wanted to take the time to go inside. The minute I walked in the door, I heard this deep voice off in the distance yell out, “Welcome to Ranger Boats!”
Low and behold, it was the man himself, Forest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats! With the distinct sound of cowboy boots, he headed towards me with the same walk as the movie actor John Wayne.
He reached out to shake my hand, and we talked like we had known each other for years. Forest was a very personable man who never met a stranger. There was a quiet charisma about him which was probably developed over his many years as a fishing guide on the White River.
It was as if I was talking with my grandpa … and then things got even better! Moments later, the matriarch of the Wood family appeared in the form of Mrs. Nina Wood, his wife. Now I was even more impressed as she came over and gave me a hug like I was one of her own.
But that’s how Ranger Boats operated back then. If you were on their pro staff, you were family, and they treated you as such. Forest then took me on a personal tour of the museum and left no stone unturned.
An hour later I walked out in awe, got in my truck and headed back to Louisiana. While the museum was awesome and I highly recommend you stop in and see it if you’re ever in Flipping, Arkansas, my biggest take away was meeting Forest and Nina Wood!
They were two people who took the time to introduce themselves to a young man who was just another angler. They could have just sat in their office at the museum and let me tour on my own.
But no, they took the time to say hello and make this young man feel special and for that I will always be grateful. Rest in peace Forest and Nina Wood.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com