MUSCATINE, Iowa — Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame member Dan Galusha, Milan, Illinois has announced he has nominated Muscatine Journal outdoors writer Johnnie Crain for Hall of Fame induction as a Legendary Communicator.
The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame's website state Legendary Communicators "are persons who have developed a unique communication means or avenue which was instrumental in introducing fishing to the public or in maintaining public interest or awareness."
Johnnie and his wife Mary, moved to Muscatine from Ava, Miss. in 1971. They have two daughters, Lisa and Kellie, and one grandson, Trayven Howard, and one grandaughter, Madalie Jane Marie Bravo, all of Muscatine.
Johnnie began bass tournament fishing at the local level with the Muscatine Bass Club in 1973 and won several events including Bassmasters of the Year. He then moved to state, regional and national events with good success.
"Crain's career has included writing for Midwest Outdoors, Adventure Sports, Fishing Facts, Iowa Outdoors, Iowa Sportsman, Hawkeye Outdoors and Southeast Iowa Outdoors for which he has won several writer's awards. Crain also writes fishing and hunting columns for the Muscatine Journal and other newspapers," Galusha said.
Crain has been a repeat guest on Dan's Fish 'N' Tales radio and television shows hosted by Dan Galusha for the past 10 years. Crain has hosted his own show "Outdoors With Johnnie Crain" on KWPC Muscatine radio, and also has performed some of the Midwest's largest fishing seminars at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Peoria, Ill., The QCCA Boat Shows, and numerous smaller venues.
"It is estimated Crain has taught several hundred young anglers to fish and has donated fishing tackle to most of them," Galusha added. "He has even taken his name off all his fishing trophies and donated them to kids who win events."
To become a Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame member as a Legendary Communicator, Crain was nominated by Dan Galusha and sponsored by Tru-Turn Hooks, Midwest Outdoors Magazine, Adventure Sports Outdoors Magazine and Rat-L-Trap Lures.
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame executor director Emmett Brown notified Crain that he has received all the photos, sponsor information and induction nomination. Information will be submitted to the awards committee at its August 2013 meeting. If accepted, Crain will be notified in April 2014 for formal induction to be held at the Freshwater Hall of Fame Headquarters in Hayward, Wis.
