bass fishing history, spencer fullerton baird, most influential bass anglers

spencer fullerton baird never cuaght a bass by ken duke

®

Spe nc e r

p n a e r v S t t e o I ry r I by c K a E u N g D h U t K a E bass:

B F auir l dlerto n

ust as it’s true that not

J

every important po-

litical leader rose to the

position of President of the United States, there are

critical figures in the history of

bass fishing who weren’t great

anglers … or even avid fisher-

men. In fact, several seminal

influencers of our sport never

caught a bass.

This series started in the

last issue of Western Bass with

Thomas Jefferson — statesman,

architect of a nation and creator

of the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, which is probably

responsible for more bass

water than any other entity.

Despite his critical impact on

bass history, we have no reason

to believe that Jefferson ever

caught a bass.

22

Portrait of Spencer Fullerton Baird

(1823-1887)