The Canadian Angler Hall of Fame names Steve Cuppy as 2025’s inductee

Renowned as one of Canada’s most influential sales representatives in the fishing and hunting industry, Steve Cuppy is this year’s inductee into the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame. In selecting Steve, the Hall of Fame alumnus recognized his fervent support and promotion of the outdoor industry throughout his lengthy career.

Steve entered the outdoor business in 1978 with Peterborough Guns before joining Hazelwood Sales, then helming and expanding the fledgling Graywood Sporting Group, an outdoor product marketing firm based in Peterborough, Ontario. Best known as partner and owner of Graywood, Steve played a pioneering role in introducing such iconic brands as Winchester Ammunition to the Canadian market, all while actively supporting organizations working to protect the fishing, hunting and shooting rights of Canadians.

In 2023, Steve’s dedication to serving the outdoors industry also earned him the Industry Legend award, presented by the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association. Now retired, the lifelong angler and hunter lives in Peterborough, Ontario, with his wife, Cindy. Their sons Tyler and Travis also both work in outdoor marketing.

Inductees of the 17-year-old Canadian Angler Hall of Fame include recreational and competitive anglers, media representatives, angling advocates, and fishing industry leaders, all chosen by past inductees for their work in promoting and championing sportfishing in Canada.

Steve’s induction into the Hall of Fame takes place this morning (Friday, February 14) during a special breakfast reception kicking off the annual Spring Fishing and Boat Show. Also to be honoured at the morning ceremony will be the recipients of the annual Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence, the inaugural Hank Gibson Memorial Award, and the 2025 Conservation Award.

Picking up the Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence this year is Aurora, Ontario-based angler David “Chonger” Chong, who has been a fixture on the sportfishing scene for more than three decades. A founding member of the Ontario BASS Nation and the Canadian Bass Anglers Federation, David is currently a member of the Aurora Bassmasters and serves as president of the North GTA Bass Anglers. He has also served as honorary chairperson for the Orillia Perch Festival for more than 12 years.Among David’s competitive angling highlights are numerous multispecies tournament wins and international medals, as well as “Angler of the Year” and “Team of the Year” titles. A lifetime member of the Toronto Urban Fishing Ambassadors, he’s a strong advocate for urban anglers. He has also long encouraged youth to take up fishing through a variety of initiatives, such as the Catch a Dream Kids Fishing Derby.

The Rick Amsbury Award of Excellence is presented annually to an individual (or individuals) selected by the angling community for their outstanding contributions to fishing over the course of the year.

Earning the first-ever Hank Gibson Memorial Award, meanwhile, is Kenora, Ontario’s Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, a professional tournament angler, fishing and hunting guide, outdoor writer and sportfishing promoter. In 2023, he became the first-ever Canadian to win the coveted World Champion title as the winner of the Bassmaster Classic in Tennessee, besting the field of 55 top anglers.

In just three seasons on the Elite Series, Jeff has so far notched up 11 top 20 finishes, including a win at the 2021 Bassmaster Elite. He has been a full-time pro angler for nine years.

The Hank Gibson Memorial Award is named after the late Hank Gibson of Keswick, Ontario. In 1990, he became the first angler outside of the U.S. to ever qualify for and compete in the Bassmaster Classic. The award will be presented annually to a Canadian angler who has made significant achievements on the pro fishing scene.

Finally, the 2025 Conservation Award will be presented to the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation for the In-water Fish Habitat Enhancement in Great Lakes Subwatersheds, Ontario, Canada Project. Under the initiative, Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation volunteers are creating and deploying 140 in-water woody debris structures into seven different lakes. They will be using the Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit developed by Watersheds Canada and Lanark County Stewardship Council, in particular the In-water Structures-Brush Protocols for restoring smallmouth and largemouth bass habitat.

As a key component of the project, lake communities and organizations will be encouraged to engage local members and youth to participate, with a focus on education and restoration techniques for fish habitat conservation.

The Spring Fishing and Boat Show opens its doors to the public at 12 p.m. today (Friday, February 14) at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, and continues through to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 16. Along with fishing exhibitors, retailers, prizes and family attractions, the show promises an impressive line-up of expert angling seminars, featuring pros Dave Mercer, J.P. DeRose, Paul Powis, Jim Saric, Ashley Rae, Ron James, Italo Labignan, Erik Luzak and many more.

For further information, visit www.springfishingandboatshow.com.