“Wally Marshall’s outstanding accomplishments as a trailblazer in the sport of crappie fishing are unparalleled,” said Dan Kessler, Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame selection committee chairman. “His leadership in bringing forth new ideas and innovative products to crappie fishing and the fishing community in general are second to none.”
A Good Ol’ Boy Makes a Splash!
by Dena Vick, King Eider Communications
Wally Marshall Inducted into Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame
The Texas Freshwater Fishing Center (TFFC) Hall of Fame is adding the Wally Marshall, better known as Mr. Crappie, to its ranks.
Every year, the TFFC committee selects a new inductee from the public submissions for inclusion in their Hall of Fame. For 2023, the committee unanimously voted to induct Wally Marshall. Marshall is one of those iconic anglers everyone knows about, and so many have owed their angling successes to his endeavors as a teacher and gear designer.
Tom Lang, Director of the TFFC, said, “We are trying to recognize folks from all different walks of life that contribute to the sport of fishing in Texas. It’s not a tournament angling Hall of Fame, although we have inducted tournament anglers, and they’ve been very important. It really talks about the breadth and diversity of the people who have come together to make significant contributions to freshwater fishing in Texas, and Wally is certainly one of those.”
Regarding the honor, Marshall said, “To represent Texas in the outdoor world is just such an honor! Texas is a big place, and there are lots of people who are qualified for the honor of being selected, and it’s not just anglers. It’s outdoor writers, biologists, and industry organizations. It’s all kinds of different people that move the needle in Texas. Tom Lang told me it was a unanimous decision with all twelve board members. I was like, ‘Man, this is just the peak, you know? It’s probably the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me!’”
Marshall received his award October 6th in Athens, Texas. He is the 38th person inducted.
