International Game Fish Association Announces
2026 Fishing Hall of Fame Inductees

Angling leaders honored by historic organization’s pinnacle award

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is thrilled to announce the distinguished inductees for the 2026 class of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, honoring individuals whose leadership, innovation and dedication have made a lasting impact on recreational angling, conservation and the sportfishing industry.

The 2026 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. The IGFA Board of Trustees has unanimously elected this year's inductees, and these remarkable individuals will join 162 legendary figures whose influence has been forever etched in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

The 2026 class represents a wide range of excellence across governance, conservation science, industry leadership, guiding and media. Roy Cronacher is recognized for transformative leadership within the IGFA and elite angling accomplishments. Tom Davidson is honored for founding Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and advancing science-based fisheries conservation worldwide. Patrick Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yacht Co., is celebrated for strengthening the sportfishing industry while advocating for sustainable fisheries and policy reform. Captain Ralph Delph is remembered as one of the most accomplished light-tackle guides in history. Jose Wejebe is honored posthumously for inspiring generations through fishing media, conservation and mentorship.

“As we induct the 2026 class into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, we celebrate individuals whose influence extends far beyond their own achievements,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “Their leadership, innovation and commitment to conservation have shaped the sport of fishing and will continue to inspire anglers for generations.”

The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame honors legendary figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Mary Orvis Marbury, Ted Williams, George H.W. Bush, Bill Dance, Lee and Joan Wulff, Flip Pallot, Alfred C. Glassell Jr., Kip Farrington and Curt Gowdy, among many others.

Roy W. Cronacher Jr.

Roy Cronacher’s service to the International Game Fish Association has been truly transformational, spanning more than two decades of leadership, conservation advocacy, and organizational stewardship. He began his IGFA involvement in 2003 as an IGFA Representative for Southwest Florida–at large, where he emerged as a global champion for circle hooks, release-format tournaments, and responsible angling best practices. Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2010, Roy went on to serve with distinction as Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and ultimately as the IGFA’s 8th Chairman, guiding the organization through critical leadership transitions while positioning it for long-term growth and stability.

Cronacher’s achievements on behalf of the IGFA reflect an extraordinary personal commitment of time, energy, and vision—undertaken while continuing to lead a successful commercial development business. As Chairman, Roy oversaw the long-anticipated sale of the IGFA headquarters in 2023, a landmark achievement that strengthened the organization’s financial future by adding $15.5 million to the endowment while securing long-term prepaid occupancy. Together with his wife, Jackie, he also led major fundraising initiatives that generated substantial support for the IGFA’s Conservation and Education programs, while personally catalyzing nearly $500,000 in pledges for the IGFA Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment.

An accomplished and widely respected angler, Roy has achieved eight IGFA Billfish Royal Slams—seven on fly tackle—and holds eight IGFA World Records across five species, including the men’s 20-lb tippet swordfish record. He was also named Overall Angling Champion by the Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club in 2003. A lifelong conservationist, Roy withdrew from participating in kill-format billfish tournaments after witnessing wasteful practices, later working directly with Bahamian government leaders to promote catch-and-release fisheries. His leadership, angling excellence, and unwavering commitment to conservation define a legacy of enduring impact on the IGFA and the broader sport-fishing community.

 

Tom Davidson

As founder of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), Tom Davidson transformed the principle of “Stewardship through Science” into the world’s leading flats fisheries conservation organization. Under Tom’s leadership, BTT has produced the majority of scientific knowledge on bonefish, tarpon, and permit, directly influencing fisheries policy and management across Florida, the Bahamas, and Belize.

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust science contributed to the creation of six national parks in the Bahamas, widespread adoption of catch-and-release regulations, and global improvements in fish-handling practices, including landmark research showing that bonefish exposed to air for as little as 60 seconds often perish. Recent achievements include successfully advocating to protect a bonefish pre-spawning aggregation site discovered by BTT scientists in 2023 in Florida’s Biscayne National Park and leading the largest mangrove restoration project in Bahamian history.

Today, BTT operates internationally with offices throughout the Caribbean and the Americas, and a globally respected scientific symposium. Tom’s enduring legacy lies in his rare ability to unite anglers, scientists, and policymakers to achieve fisheries conservation at scale.

 

Captain Ralph Delph (1941-2016)

Captain Ralph Delph was one of the most accomplished light-tackle fishing guides in the world, legendary for his results, humility, and discipline. Over decades guiding anglers on the flats and offshore, Ralph was directly responsible for nearly 300 IGFA World Records landed by his clients prior to his passing in 2016.

A master fly fisherman and innovator, Ralph perfected techniques for positioning fish within casting range and refining presentations with flies and artificial lures. His consistency across countless species and environments was unmatched. Despite a demanding parallel career as a structural engineer overseeing major infrastructure projects, fishing remained his true calling.

Ralph never sought recognition, focusing instead on excellence and elevating others. His legacy endures through the standard of mastery, preparation, and humility he brought to the sport.

 

Patrick Healey

 

Patrick Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yacht Company, exemplifies leadership at the intersection of sportfishing, conservation, and industry advancement. Under his stewardship, Viking celebrated its 60th anniversary as a family-owned company while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sustainable fisheries and angler access.

A tireless advocate for the marine industry, Patrick played a key role in repealing the 1991 Luxury Tax and has been deeply engaged in fisheries policy, including the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization and science-based opposition to unnecessary species listings. He was an early proponent of circle hooks and continues to support research and conservation initiatives that protect fisheries and the sport.

An accomplished angler, Patrick is a three-time International Masters Angling Tournament champion and recipient of the John Rybovich Award, Marlin Magazine person of the year award and the IGFA Gilbert Keech Heavy-Tackle Award. His leadership has strengthened Viking Yachts and elevated the broader sportfishing community.

 

Captain Jose Wejebe (1958-2012)

Jose Wejebe was one of the most influential ambassadors sportfishing has ever known. As host and producer of Spanish Fly for 17 seasons, Jose introduced millions of viewers to fishing through storytelling that emphasized conservation, adventure, and respect for nature. His work reshaped fishing media by teaching through experience rather than spectacle.

A successful tournament angler early in his career, Jose won multiple tarpon and bonefish events before expanding his reach through television, including ESPN’s Outdoor Saltwater Series. As a guide, he was also responsible for a number of IGFA World Records, including the Men’s 2-kg (4-lb) Line Class World Record for a 44-pound 12-ounce permit. Beyond media, he was deeply committed to charitable causes such as Make-A-Wish, Red Bone Catch a Cure, and youth mentorship.

Jose’s life was tragically cut short in 2012, but his influence continues through ongoing broadcasts of Spanish Fly and the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation. His legacy remains central to the story of modern sport fishing and its conservation ethic.

 

 

For more information about the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame or to make a nomination, please click here.

For press inquiries, contact Shelby Stephenson, Public Relations Specialist, at [email protected].