Nominating an Icon, still

Please help me in getting Pete nominated into the Hall of Fame....all of them! Here is the letter I have written, and sent, to the the International Game Fish Association, and to the Federation of Fly Fishers. Please, if you can, write them letters as well.

Ralph Morgan “Pete” Parker

Flies and Honors

Pete created the following flies:

Literal Translations; Blue Winged Olive, Helicopter Saltwater Dry Fly, Deer Hair Christmas Tree, and Pete’s Cigar Fly.

Someone asked Pete if there was a way to fish with a dry fly in saltwater. Pete couldn’t think of any “hatch to match,” and the only dry he could think of was when the Helicopter was eaten in Jaws II. So, Pete being the man he was tied several Helicopter Dry Flies. They don’t cast well, but they did eventually become one of his “signature” flies.

In Trey Combs “Flyfishing Bluewater” Pete is credited with several flies: Pete’s Anchovy, Pete’s Flash Chovie, Pete’s Chovie, Pete’s Mackerel, Pete’s Side Popper, and Pete’s Slider.

Pete has been featured in a variety of fly fishing books. A list can be provided upon request.

One of Pete Parker’s most “controversial” flies was definitely his Propeller Cuda Fly. A Saltwater fly, with a propeller on the front, made many people in the fly fishing community jeer, and some cheer, but mostly everyone thought it would be a flop. It turned out to be one of Pete’s most popular and most used flies. It is currently available in the Umpqua catalog.

These are just some of the examples of what Pete created. He was always working on new techniques, new designs, and new ways to throw everyone off guard.

Some of his major accomplishments, in fly fishing specifically, were being a Founder of the Evergreen Trout Unlimited, being a lifelong member of the Federation of Fly Fishers as well as being in their museum, and his three World Records, working with the International Sportsmens Expositions for over 20 years as their Fly Tying Video Theater Director, and being an Alaskan Fishing Guide at the age of 72, at the Good News River Lodge.

Pete was awarded three World Records from the International Game Fish Association, and one Bronze Award. His first IGFA World Record was for a 13lb, 3oz Black Skipjack, caught on November 29, 1992, off the coast of Baja, Mexico.

Only a short year later, on November 28, 1993, Pete caught his second IGFA World Record, a 6lb, 3oz, Pacific Bonito, again in Baja, Mexico.

His final official IGFA World Record, and by far his favorite, was caught April 11, 1996. Pete was fortunate enough to go to one of the places he had dreamed of seeing as a kid, Midway Atoll. Pete was always fascinated with the Battle of Midway, and it was a real honor for him to finally see the sight of the epic battle. While there, he caught a 53lb, 8oz Giant Trevally. This is the record that would also earn him the Third Place for Best Fish of the Year award from IGFA. Of all the fish Pete had ever caught in over 70 years of fishing, this one remained one of his absolute favorites. Pete enjoyed Midway so much; he managed to take me with him a couple of years later, where I was able to catch my IGFA World Record. It used to be an item of contention…his was larger, but my record remained unbroken the longest.

Pete worked with I.S.E for over 20 years, and helped the program to grow from one small theater in an off corner, to one of the main attractions. He organized the “How To” areas, letting the public get hands on help from the Pro’s. Pete also took the show from three venues, Portland, Denver, and San Mateo, up to five! Denver, San Mateo, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. He also worked on some of the less attended shows, such as the infamous “King Dome.”

At the age of 72, Pete fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams, and became an Alaskan Fishing Guide with the Good News River Lodge, Good News, Alaska. He tied flies, guided the rivers like a pro, and pulled some typical Pete shenanigans. He gained a new respect for all guides, and the hard work they do, and enjoyed himself immensely.

Please consider Ralph “Pete” Parker for your Hall of Fame. He was truly an Icon in the fly fishing world, and did so much to promote its growth as an industry, to help in the teachings of others, and to support conservation efforts through his teachings and working with others.

If you would like addition information, or references, please do not hesitate to contact me. I hope to hear from you soon regarding your decision, or what other steps might be taken. Thank you so much for your time.

Tight Lines!