The Gail Morchower Research Room Dedication

On May 8, 2025, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) officially dedicated The Gail Morchower Research Room in honor of one of its most beloved and influential figures. Gail Morchower, who passed away late last year, spent more than 30 years as the dedicated librarian and curator of the IGFA’s E.K. Harry Library of Fishes. Though she often said she only fished “on paper,” Gail’s impact on preserving the history and heritage of recreational angling was profound and far-reaching.

Gail began her tenure with the IGFA in 1991, answering a call to organize a growing collection of angling literature. Over the next three decades, she transformed that collection into the world’s largest library devoted to recreational fishing, comprising more than 15,000 books, 3,000 films, and tens of thousands of photographs. Beyond her meticulous archival work, she reconnected families with lost fishing records, supported authors and historians with her encyclopedic knowledge, and brought the sport’s rich history to life through dynamic museum exhibits.

A true cornerstone of the IGFA, Gail served under five of the organization’s eight presidents and was widely admired for her quiet heroism, passion, and generosity. Her legacy is not only in the collections she built but in the stories she preserved and the countless lives she touched.

In recognition of her exceptional service and the indelible mark she left on the sportfishing community, IGFA President Jason Schratwieser, Chairman Roy Cronacher, and the Board of Trustees formally named the organization’s research space in her honor—a lasting tribute to a life dedicated to preserving the soul of sportfishing.

Many of Gail’s friends, family, and IGFA staff members were in attendance at the dedication ceremony, a heartfelt gathering that reflected the deep affection and respect she inspired.

“Gail was the heartbeat of the IGFA’s history,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “Her passion for the written word and for preserving the stories of our sport was unmatched. She didn’t just catalog history—she safeguarded the soul of recreational angling, one book, one photo, one record at a time.”