Canadian Angler Hall of Fame welcomes new inductees Gord Ellis and Andy Pallotta

The Canadian Angler Hall of Fame has welcomed two new members: writer and broadcaster Gord Ellis, and fishing impresario Andy Pallotta. The induction took place at an awards ceremony on February 16, kicking off the 2024 Spring Fishing and Boat Show in Mississauga, Ontario.

Thunder Bay-based inductee Gord Ellis (above) has a 30-year career spanning many facets of outdoor communication. He’s written several thousand articles as the senior editor of Ontario Out of Doors, columnist for Northern Wild and a frequent contributor to Quebec’s Sentier Chasse Peche. Ellis is also a fishing guide, popular seminar presenter and a familiar voice on CBC radio in Thunder Bay as a reporter, newsreader and outdoor columnist. Along with numerous awards for his writing, Ellis has also received special recognition from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for his work. As well, he was inducted into the Wisconsin-based Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2018.

Hall of Fame inductees are usually notified well in advance, but the year’s second inductee, Andy Pallotta, was surprised by the honour. A well-known figure in Canadian sportfishing industry circles, Pallotta is the president of Canadian Outdoor Sport Shows Inc. It’s a family operation run by Pallotta, his wife, Vita, and their two daughters, Victoria and Nicole. They run and support more than 65 events a year, such as consumer shows and tournament fishing events across Ontario, including the Spring Fishing and Boat Show. Pallotta also conceived and operates the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame. The move to include Pallotta in the Hall of Fame was launched by HoF member Gord Pyzer who, along with other alumni, chose to surprise Pallotta with the honour. Capping off a memorable event, the Pallotta family also welcomed a new member that morning, with Vita and Andy’s eldest daughter, Victoria, giving birth to a baby girl, literally as the awards ceremony was underway.

In addition, retired Shimano executive Tom Brooke received the prestigious Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence, for his lifetime contributions to sportfishing and fisheries conservation. In particular, Brooke is lauded for his contributions to tournament fishing in Canada by leading the charge to find better handling methods of fish, and the introduction of live-release boats, the Water Weigh In system and other procedures to reduce fish mortality.

The Spring Fishing and Boat Show opened Friday, February 16 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, and continues through to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 18. Along with exhibitors, retailers and family attractions, the show features free seminars by angling experts, including Outdoor Canada fishing editor Gord Pyzer, Real Fishing’s Bob Izumi, Musky Hunter’s Jim Saric, FLW bass pro Brian Latimer and many more.

To learn more about the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame, and its inductees, click here.