By Craig Lamb
Bassmaster, June 2003
The caption written in faded blue ink across the yellowed label of the small green box reads, "Fisherman File, 1967." Inside is a stack of worn index cards arranged in alphabetical order with handwritten addresses and names that include Don Butler, Bill Dance and Jack Wingate.
The cardboard box belongs to Ray Scott, and 35 years later it remains one of his most prized mementos. And rightfully so, considering the file box and its contents were a keystone for what has become the world's largest fishing organization.
Before it was a piece of bass fishing history, the obscure box held the names of 106 bass anglers who fished the first All-American bass tournament. By the next year, the crude filing system was upgraded as Scott launched a new organization with 2,000 members. He called it B.A.S.S., an acronym for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.
Scott's intent was to energize America's bass fishermen with a common cause, namely through the spirit of fellowship and competition. As B.A.S.S. (now BASS) took off, Scott served as its visionary leader. Yet he attributes the early success that fueled the phenomenal growth of his organization to a uniquely qualified cast of believers. They showed unwavering support and passion for Scott's vision of making bass fishing a legitimate professional sport, complete with heroes of its own.
Some worked quietly behind the scenes, satisfied to stand in the shadow of the glaring spotlight following Scott, the quintessential promotional wizard. Others served as front men and became successful entrepreneurs and superstars.
