Jerry McKinnis passed away early Sunday, Nov. 3 at 82, and his life has since been chronicled in media outlets across the nation. It hit the fishing world hard.
Bassmaster.com has run stories, “McKinnis, fishing legend, passes away,” and “McKinnis lived storybook life” as well as videos in honor of him.
His service Friday in Little Rock was incredibly moving, with many of the people he worked with and whose lives he touched present to pay their respects. There has been an outpouring of condolences and comments, and the following are the thoughts of those close to him and those who felt close through his long-running show, The Fishin’ Hole.
Some of the following comments have been edited for length and style.
“Sad day today … He was on my Mt. Rushmore of bass fishing along with Forrest Wood, Ray Scott and Johnny Morris.” — Chris Brimager
“Oh my. Just found out we lost Jerry McKinnis to the great fishing hole above. My regards to his family and friends. Jerry was a personal friend of mine and the sport of bass fishing!” — Larry Nixon
“Jerry McKinnis has now moved on the greatest and only eternal Fishin’ Hole. Worked with Jerry and JM Associates when we first started the FLW Tour. Was a very caring and genuine man. Catch one for him on your next trip … He was the glue!” — Bill Taylor
“Waking up in the mornings on Saturday with my dad and watching … was so important to me. He meant more to fishing to me than anything that I could have never known. … Thank you Jerry McKinnis for bringing my father and me closer together growing up.” — Matt Hargarten
“The ESPN community is saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry McKinnis.” — ESPN
“Jerry was truly a force of nature. He got mad at me a few times, but that just showed me he cared deeply. Even though he was a legend in fishing and television, he also had a vulnerable side. It made him human. I’m honored to have worked with Jerry McKinnis. — Jim Sexton
“What a force he was.” — Mike McKinnis, Jerry’s son
“I loved The Fishin’ Hole and the way Jerry narrated each program … made me feel like I was experiencing everything he was experiencing.” — Bill Montgomery
“He was an amazing man! Davy and I were blessed to know him. Mike, we are thinking of you and your family.” — Natalie Hite
“What an amazing life!” — Dave Mercer
“Met him one time in Arkansas, nice fella … may be funny to say it, but McKinnis’ show always had a calm, peaceful feel … as if Mr. Rogers made a TV fishin’ show. It was more like real fishin’ than just about anything else on TV (Jose Wejebe also had this characteristic, IMO). Jerry came across like an ol’ buddy you went down to The Fishin’ Hole with on a pretty summer evening to catch a few fish. Godspeed to his soul.” — Gordy Gordon
“Saddened by the news of the passing of Jerry McKinnis today … He was the definition of outdoor TV – Thank you for all you did.” — Mark Zona
“R.I.P. to a wonderful ambassador to the world of fishing.” — Roland Martin
“Jerry invited Bonnie Campbell and me to his place in June 2016. It was the eve of his 79th birthday. We talked for over an hour about his life and times. I admired and respected him for his accomplishments. He was one of the big movers and shakers of fishing in America. It was an honor and a thrill to spend some time with him. I’ll always remember that day.” — Tim Campbell
“R.I.P. You changed the world of fishing and helped change the world of tournament bass fishing.” — Ray Leyerly
“His voice, delivery and passion for fishing had a profound effect on me.” — Paul Greene
“One of the coolest things I’ve ever done bass fishing was being on Jerry’s show. Jerry and I put his boat and truck on a ferry at the tip of Door County, Wis., and went across to Washington Island and filmed a two-part show whacking smallmouth on light line with a spinning rod … We stayed up there nearly a week and it was one of the most awesome trips I’ve ever been on. … He had a huge impact on my life.” — Bink Desaro
“The fishing world has lost a legend. A true gentleman with a big heart who was instrumental in bringing fishing to the TV world. R.I.P.” — Ron Wong
“I was there when Norman landed a bluegill. When other guys would be content easing off, he spun into action to save a great organization and created a castle on a mountain. How blessed we all are to have had him our lives.” — Jay Hyer
“No boss ever cared about his team more than he did, were more personally involved or worried about every tiny detail like he did. He gave everything he had to Bassmaster, literally! He made Rick and every other fisherman look good. He elevated the sport. He cared too much. His big heart made him vulnerable, but he loved people anyway. I’m grateful for every hug, every moment, every brainstorming breakfast burrito meal Rick and I were lucky enough to have with him. We are heartbroken.” — Melissa Clunn
“Our industry lost a Pioneer this morning and I lost a great friend and Mentor. The support he has given my family is such an indication of the man he was. I already miss him …” — Keith Daffron
“So sad to hear the news of the passing of Jerry McKinnis today. Jerry was an icon, legend and pioneer in outdoor television that changed the way that fans viewed bass fishing. His vision and passion will be missed by all. I am very thankful for the memories of our time together. Rest In Peace.” — Kevin VanDam
“In his book, Bass Fishing, Brown Dogs, & Curveballs, Jerry claimed to be no one special. Anyone that knew or met him, knows that was his humility talking. Truth is, he was incredibly special. Special because of his friendship, love of the outdoors, and genuine passion for fishing. He enjoyed people and, because of that, he was inspirational.” — Vexus Boats
“This man is the reason bass boats have carpet in them!” — Russell Marine Products
“Saddened to hear the news about Jerry McKinnis. He’s an inspiration to trailblazers and taught countless viewers the peace that’s found in a quiet fishin’ hole.”— Jake Kelso
“R.I.P. Mr. McKinnis. Thank you for all that you did for the greatest pastime ever. You will be missed indeed. Thanks for all the memories from your TV shows too. I grew up watching you and would not be the man I am today without those memories.” — Greg Cain
“Back in October when we were trout fishing in Wyoming, I watched him a lot … To watch him orchestrate his vision of an outdoor life and fishing in places we mostly dream of. He fished pretty much all of them … multiple times. Found the best of the best.
“I feel he wanted you to see it … like he did. But that he knew you never could … so he brought it to you. And you watched it for years. We all did. We were all watching a huge part of an incredible life. His life … what an adventure.
“To the man I referred to on the back of his book as ‘he Teddy Roosevelt of Fishing’, it was my incredible honor. Thanks for always taking the time to take us fishing.” — James Overstreet
“At the end of his show he always thanked his dad, who always had time to take this kid fishing.” –Mike DeBruyne
“Nice guy. We had a great talk with him one time when I gave him a ride from the Detroit airport to the Silverdome. He was quite the baseball player. R.I.P. Jerry.” — Mike Gnatkowski
“One of the pioneers of outdoors fishing shows. I spent hours watching him and his little wiener dogs on The Fishin’ Hole T.V. Show. R.I.P. Jerry!” — Bob N Tangi Cunningham
“I spent many hours watching, listening and learning from Jerry … We became good friends way back when, and he holds a special place in my memories of all of these outdoor adventures. We spent time together on the water and around numerous fishing events. He was a great man and oh, yeah … he could fish!” — Bruce Holt
“R.I.P., sir. You are one of the reasons I enjoy fishing. The Lord’s fishing team got a major upgrade.” — Steven Jung
“Oh my, Jerry was truly my fishing deep inspiration. I thought of him each time I mimicked how Jerry would gently put his fish back into the water. He will be missed.” — Don Adam
“As a kid, I spent many a Saturday morning watching Mr. McKinnis and his beloved dog … Through his adventures I vicariously fished in places I will likely never be able to fish or even see in person.” — Scott Hall
“I watched The Fishin’ Hole every week for years and still think it is the best fishing show ever produced. The sport will miss you dearly.” — Jim Sugai
“Such a loss … Best friend and mentor/advocate to ALL things angling.” — Barb Elliott
“Today will be the first of two services I will go to for my grandpa … I’m trying to wrap my head around this reality that he is gone and want to just curl up and lay around being sad and thinking of the memories. But as I think of him and the times we had, it makes me think what would he do, what would he want? I know he wouldn’t want this … he would get busy and get to work. So that is really the only way to honor a man of his stature.
“If I could just produce 1/10th of the effort that he put in, I will be able to get to the next level in whatever I want. He made a living off doing something he loved, which I always believed he never truly worked (in his mind). He was so passionate and so driven and one of my biggest role models … and I never thought he would be gone … not like this. So I will keep pushing harder and harder because I know that’s what you would do … I love you grandpa.” — Blair Nardi
“I am immensely grateful and extraordinarily lucky to have been loved by this man for 27 years. It was an amazing journey.” — Angie Thompson