Greetings Pond Boss Family!

We have exciting news to share. We’ve decided to start an Annual Pond Boss Willis Legacy Award. As many are aware, Dr. Dave Willis was head of the Natural Resources Department at South Dakota State University, a Pond Boss forum and magazine contributor, and a dear friend and mentor to many of us on the forum. While his life was cut tragically short, his influence lives on through all those whom he touched, and his legacy serves as the impetus for this award.

Those fortunate enough to have met Dave would agree he was vastly knowledgeable and a talented communicator and teacher, a leading expert in his field, who shared his experience willingly and patiently with anyone who requested it with humility and kindness. The Annual Pond Boss Willis Legacy Award will be awarded to a Pond Boss Forum member who shares his fishery/pond management experience with others in an effort to assist them in realizing their goals and dreams.

Long time forum member and moderator, T.J. Hudson, serves as the Willis Legacy Award chairman. He has built a selection committee comprised of five Pond Boss forum volunteers: Dave Davidson, Ken Grymala, Al Hall, Tony Livingston, and Scott Schillig. The selection process relies on nominations from you, the Pond Boss forum family. Nominations should include a brief summary of how the nominee represents those selfless characteristics which define Dr. Dave Willis' legacy. The selection committee meets on a monthly basis and reviews all nominations and will announce the new Willis Legacy Award winner in January.

Winners will be provided a Pond Boss Willis Legacy Award plaque, an invitation to spend a day or two at Lusk Lodge 2 with Bob Lusk, Mike Otto, and others for field trips, fishing, consultation, and comradery. Additionally, we're working with current Pond Boss advertisers to possibly include additional goods and services to the package. We are eager to demonstrate our gratitude for the Award winner's commitment to educating others on becoming better land and water stewards, and continuing the important work of Dr. Dave Willis.




Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...