For today’s Throwback Thursday, both a historical photo as well as a historical ad. It would be another half dozen years before his show hit widespread national viewership with its placement on ESPN. But in 1974, The Fishin’ Hole and Jerry McKinnis were starting to spread out from their regional presence, jumping onto television sets scattered throughout the country. The show had grown and was available on nearly 70 television stations, and the then 36-year-old would soon become a fixture in people’s living rooms every weekend for years to come.
The ad appeared in Fishing Facts magazine, then one of the most respected pure fishing magazines at the time, with a huge Midwest presence.
Sponsored by Eagle Claw, Chrysler Marine, Igloo and Champion Spark Plugs, Jerry was set to tour the country, from Ontario to Mexico, and Washington to Minnesota, some 20 trips scheduled for the year. A write-up in the Indianapolis Star earlier that year mentioned that he would travel between 80,000 to 100,000 miles in order to shoot a full season’s worth of shows.
Joining him along the way was camera man Billy Murray. Both Billy and Jerry had fished a handful of Bassmaster events together, including four events in 1974, but Jerry would give up the tournaments and focus on the show and television production soon after. Billy would soon start down the road of bass fishing education, pairing up with Clifford Paulin and Indiana State University, along with brother Bobby Murray, and form the Bass Fishing Institute.
I remember the advertising for The Fishin’ Hole. Jerry McKinnis had become a well-known name in my neck of the woods, along with Babe Winkleman and Al Lindner. As I understand it, McKinnis had a colorful life, even starting out as a professional baseball player for a while. I learned that he passed away from a staph infection he contracted from an accident he had while on a fishing trip.
Jerry McKinnis was one of my early fishing heroes and I loved his laid back, folksy manner that came across on the Fishin’ Hole. Later finding out he was a native of St. Louis like myself added to his charm. He was blessed to live in the era when the White River dams created the famed Ozark lakes like Bull Shoals and Table Rock. It was on the White River where he famously met fishing guide Forrest Wood, eventually becoming a guide himself.
He was an early competitor on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail and onetime roommate of Bill Dance. In his later years he was a co-owner of B.A.S.S. and a neighbor and good friend of Rick Clunn. He lived a legendary life in the fishing industry and his sudden death was a tragic loss. For a great read, check out his book, Bass Fishing, Brown Dogs and Curveballs. May he rest in peace…….
Does anyone know how to find info on a Jerry McKinnis eagle claw i have come across it is the pistol grip cork handle still in its original packaging unfished in perfect condition from what i have gathered they are a very very rare rod even in used condition i believe i may have found a one of kind ive tried reaching out to the fishing hall of fame with no luck on a response
Jason,
I assume it was made by Eagle Claw? One way to find out info would be to look at Eagle Claw catalogs from the period. It was to have been made between 1970 and 1980 plus or minus a couple years on each end. Let me look in my collection of catalogs and see what I can find, if anything.