Wade Bourne, legendary journalist, broadcaster and host of “Wired2Fish/Hunt Radio,” receives the prestigious 2016 Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award from the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).
The Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award presented by POMA and ASA recognizes a journalist who exemplifies the dedication to fishing, extraordinary talent as a print/broadcast/web journalist in outdoor media and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of sportfishing communicators; as displayed by the award’s namesake – legendary outdoor journalist Homer Circle.
“The body of work and professional accomplishments of Wade Bourne are truly exceptional. He is not only a leader in the fishing industry but one of the nicest men in the business. Wade truly embodies the spirit of the Homer Circle Award,” said Kevin Orthman, executive director of POMA. “The fact that he knew Homer makes this year’s award especially fitting.”
The award was presented July 14, during the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), produced by ASA, the sportfishing industry’s trade association.
“Homer Circle was one of the most inspiring and generous people I’ve ever known. To be associated with him through this award is truly humbling,” said Bourne. “In accepting it, I share it with many others: my wife and children; my editors and fellow writers; my industry friends who have been generous with their time and support; and my fishing and hunting buddies who have joined me in countless outdoor adventures and misadventures through the years.”
Bourne’s name is one of the most recognized in outdoor media with his work appearing regularly before national reading, listening and viewing audiences over the past four decades. He is founder and host of the award-winning syndicated fishing/hunting radio show, “Wired2Fish/Hunt Radio,” that airs year-round throughout the United States on approximately 280 stations. Bourne hosted “In-Fisherman Radio,” the largest syndicated outdoor radio show in North America for the 16 consecutive years prior to the founding of “Wired2Fish/Hunt Radio” in 2000.
“I can’t imagine a more fulfilling career than covering fishing, boating, hunting and other outdoor pursuits. I tell people I’m a salesman; I sell fun, and that’s a good business to be in,” said Bourne. “I also sell conservation, close family ties, healthy lifestyles and other activities that make people’s lives more rewarding and interesting.”
Over the past 10 years, Bourne has hosted/co-hosted “Ducks Unlimited TV” on the Outdoor Channel and Pursuit Channel. He hosted the weekly hunting/fishing adventure series “Advantage Outdoors TV” on The Nashville Network for seven years. He is Editor-at-Large for Ducks Unlimited Magazine and Senior Writer for Bassmaster Magazine and is a veteran contributor to the nation’s leading outdoor magazines with more than 3,000 articles published. He has also authored six books including: “Fishing Fundamentals,” “Fishing Made Easy” and “Fishing Basics.”
Bourne is a 2003 inductee into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame and a 2005 inductee into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
“Each day when I see the sunrise, feel the wind and hear waves splashing, I thank my maker for his creation and allowing me to enjoy it,” said Bourne, “These blessings continue to inspire me to spread the word that our outdoor resources should be protected zealously and the joys of fishing and hunting should be – must be – passed on to future generations.”
POMA accepts nominations year-round for the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. Nominations can be submitted online at www.professionaloutdoormedia.org/awards/award-honorees.
About POMA
POMA is the premier professional organization in the traditional outdoor sports industry connecting media and industry and helping members grow their businesses. POMA is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners, who believe in, defend, support, and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting and other traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography, and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments, and enhance their businesses.
For more information, contact:
Kevin L. Orthman, Executive Director
korthman@professionaloutdoormedia.org
248-894-4903
Shelly Moore, Membership Director
smoore@professionaloutoormedia.org
814-254-4719
ABOUT ASA:
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organi814zations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people. www.asafishing.org