Thread: Vigil Ward , who remembers?

Ken, thanks for contacting me with questions regarding Virgil Ward, and leading me to this website. I want everyone to know that Virgil was as nice in person as he was on TV. I have many stories about him, as I filmed shows, and was his advance man when he visited the Quad City area.

Producing the documentary about his life was a high point in my media career. We had a huge amount of footage, but unfortunately only a 1/2 hour could be shown. There were photos that people hadn't seen, such as Virgil as a baby, and his parents.

Virgil was what I called my second father, or "industrial father". He would call about every two weeks just to chat, or ask questions about computers, editing, fishing, or whatever. I miss these communications as much as I miss my own father who left this earth in March. I'm sure he and Virgil, who he knew, are not fishing in God's lakes for some big bass.

As for Virgil cheating in a tournament, that I've never heard, nor has any of the folks that I've spoken to when we put this show together or since then. Everyone interviewed, some of which included Forrest Wood, Johnny Morris, Mel Tillis, Lloyd Presley, and Jim Rodgers, had nothing but good to say about the man.

One of you asked about Greg. He didn't like hosting the show, and made that very clear in the documentary during his interview. At one point when his grandfather died, he was in Alaska as a hunting and fishing guide. I've heard that he moved back to Missouri, but have heard nothing since.

In regards to the documentary, I was glad that Virgil lived long enough to see the show win the top AGLOW Award for that year.

My co-producer/videographer, Brad Mosier and I had the idea to produce this documentary for several years, and I'm glad that Wes Campbell of TTI, Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops, and Sam Johnson of Johnson Wax, believed in the project enough to help make it happen.

It has been mentioned about not having a tackle box. Virgil would stuff his rod lockers with lures, but be sure to have enough room for plenty of food - all the fixings for a lot of sandwiches, with some potato chips and Pepsi.

Thanks again Ken, I'm sure you had a great time with Virgil - a time you will never forget.

As I always say at the end of my columns, radio and TV shows - Until next time, get out on the water, and enjoy a great day of fishing.

The 'gentleman fisherman' was a fixure in our home for many years. The old gent sure did plow a bunch o' new ground in those days.

Sorry I don't have any tapes of the show. I checked ebay and google w/o success. Google has a few hits on him but I couldn't find anything on the old tapes.

aj

Originally Posted by Bruce Carp

But if you have see him in a while he has probably gone fishin! Great show

Too bad. But at 93, I reckon he caught his share. Now he's across the Jordan.

aj

Every Sunday morning at 9am!!!!!!!! Bought my first Johnson Century Reel cause of that show and STILL HAVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Also started with beetle spins as Ol Virg used to catch everything on them and still use them to this day.

You can still find copies of his book on ebay every now and then.

Need more folks like him doing fishing shows!!!!!!!!!

Fatman

Virgil Ward was the inventor of the Johnson Beetle Spin. That was why at the end of each show he was always showing how the Beetle Spin worked as he usually had 2 on seperate lines and would pull one thru the acquarium and then jig another one. EB

I really enjoyed his show. He was an honest down to earth guy.

Originally Posted by Ragfly Jig Man

I also watched him alot but there is one thing that really made me lose alot of respect for him and that was the time he was cought cheating in a bass tournament.

Ken,
I am Virgil's daughter and never knew my dad to do anything dishonest. I am not saying he was perfect, but he was to me. He was one of the most honest, down to earth, conscientious, loving fathers I could ever ask for. He taught me the important things in life, and honesty was one of them. I miss him every day. Take care.

Thanks Sandy !


JSC

Yes, thanks Sandy. Your Dad was a pioneer in those days and brought me much entertainment and I know that somewhere stuck in my fishing habits and techniques are some that I probably picked up from him.

"gene"


.

Sure I remember him... and I was a bit more than a kid then.