Hughes honored as 1998 sportsman of the year
WHEN LARRY VIVIANO first
purchased West Coast Bass back
in 1983, he met Howard Hughes at the first Tournament of Champions.
Howard, who was fishing the event, had a few complaints about the quality of the articles in the publication. "Howard didn't realize that would earn him a spot as a feature article writer in the next issue," stated Viviano. "and that article wasn't any better than the ones we already had been running, but Howard never complained again."
Howard was surprised when he was
announced as the Sportsman of the year at this year's West Coast Bass CLASSIC. and his emotional speach touched everyone at the banquet. Howard lost his father earlier in the year and said that the award would have impressed his father more than wining a tournament. Howard whished his father could have seen him receive it.
Howard has been responsible for bringing many new anglers into West Coast Bass as semi-pros, and a large number of them have graduated to the pro level. Among these are John Harper and Chad Dwyer, both West Coast Bass CLASSIC Qualifiers. Howard joins Pat Clement, Dee Thomas, Gary Okusako and a long list of other respected anglers who have received this award.