McKinnis Lived A Storybook Life
WHILE ADDRESSING COMPANY meetings and get-togethers, Jerry McKinnis would almost always say, “I want to tell you a little story …”
McKinnis, who died Nov. 2 at 82, would go on to twist a tale that sometimes would be poignant and relate to the mission at hand. Other times, his stories bent on the fantastic, some even magical. He put life into his storytelling, and his life as a pioneer in the world of fishing is quite a story itself.
“It’s a sad day,” B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin said. “Jerry packed a lot in those 82 years, that’s for sure. He contributed so much to the sport of fishing. Jerry was a true friend of the angler. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Growing up in St. Louis, McKinnis’ infatuation with playing baseball was replaced with fishing, and he worked to become one of the most influential people in the outdoor TV industry. McKinnis was the beloved host of the The Fishin’ Hole television series, the guy who almost always had his little brown dachshund with him. His show aired for 44 years, including a run on ESPN that still ranks second in longevity to SportsCenter.
His connections with the network and meticulous broadcast standards led his
