Michael Fowlkes | Executive Producer of "The History of Sportfishing"

Michael Fowlkes joins the show to talk about his latest project: a 12-part documentary series called “The History of Sportfishing”. Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories about key figures like Bill Dance, Bill Shedd, and Lefty Kreh, and discusses the origins and development of sport fishing techniques and tackle, conservation efforts, and the vital importance of introducing the next generation to the sport.  The discussion also covers the transformation of Michael's project from a movie into a series, his extensive collection of angling artifacts, and the evolution of fishing boats and technology. Essential viewing for any angling enthusiast! 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 00:07 The Evolution of the Fishing Project 04:06 Personal Fishing Stories 05:25 Historical Fishing Achievements 10:50 Unexpected Discoveries in Fishing History 13:42 Fishing Conservation Efforts 20:46 West Coast vs. East Coast Fishing 29:46 The Evolution of Sport Fishing Boats 39:14 The Evolution of Fishing Reels 40:02 Mentorship and Influential Figures in Fishing 41:16 Fishing Techniques and Regional Differences 42:12 The Role of IGFA and Historical Tournaments 43:22 The Spread and Popularity of Bass Fishing 47:08 Technological Advancements in Fishing 55:57 Conservation and the Future of Fishing 01:02:42 The Importance of Introducing Youth to Fishing 01:11:59 Collecting Fishing Memorabilia 01:14:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🚀 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Star brite https://bit.ly/TomRowlandPodcast 👋 Stay Connected with Tom Rowland: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tomrowlandpodcast Website & Show Notes https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 Text: +1 (305) 930-7346 Email: podcast@saltwaterexperience.com 🔗 Explore More: All Socials and Links https://linktr.ee/TomRowlandPodcast 🎥 Discover More of Tom’s Shows: Saltwater Experience https://bit.ly/4by096g Into the Blue Fishing https://bit.ly/48VZYju Life on the Water https://bit.ly/3Pp9rbs 💬 Let’s Keep in Touch! Text: +1 (305) 930-7346 Email: podcast@saltwaterexperience.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices