Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away
sworrall
Posted 11/5/2008 11:29 PM (#343989)
Subject: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away





Posts: 32885


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
http://blogs.suntimes.com/bowman/2008/10/portincaso_dies.html

He'll be missed. Tony encouraged me to sell boats back in 1976, and we worked together for a few years at Glasway, Inc, then builder of Tuffy Boats. He was a fishing buddy of my Dad's, a family friend, and an exceptional angler. He was also Zach's math instructor in high School, and was a strong influence on him, as well.

He was a Fishing Facts author, fishing educator, and was involved with the Rosemont show when it was the best out there.

Without Tony's direct influence, I would not be typing this right now.

Godspeed, my friend.
woodieb8
Posted 11/6/2008 5:58 AM (#343992 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: Re: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 1529


its truly sad when a mentor ,, friend moves on. the good thing is he passed on his thoughts and beliefs, sharing his moments .. the world needs many more folks like that.
sorry for your loss.
Mauser
Posted 11/6/2008 10:02 AM (#344027 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: Re: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 724


Location: Southern W.Va.
Steve

If he taught others to fish and enjoy the outdoors, then he is a loss to all of us. My heart goes out to his familly and friends for I know he will be missed.

Mauser
Binkelman
Posted 11/6/2008 10:10 AM (#344030 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 10


Tony was indeed one of the early writers/educators-- along with the likes of Spence Petros, Bill Binkelman, Lindners and a handful of others-- who have shaped the modern course of freshwater fishing.

Had the opportunity to fish with him twice, many years ago, and he was an excellent stick and fine character of a man. Sorry to hear of his passing.
Partycrasher
Posted 11/7/2008 1:19 PM (#344209 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: Re: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 132


He took me under his wing in 1986 when I started writing. I owe it all to the start I got from Tony. One of the original "Creature men". Great guy!
Muskydr
Posted 11/7/2008 3:20 PM (#344232 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 686


Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Sorry to hear this Steve, heavy influences on the fishing of the Jonesi Clan, one of the pioneers,condolences to the family


Dave Jonesi
Don Pfeiffer
Posted 11/9/2008 3:21 PM (#344482 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away


Met Tony way back when. Had chance to fish with him and and a great time. A very good fellow indeed and he will be missed. My sympathy goes out to his family.

Pfeiff
Justin Gaiche
Posted 11/10/2008 5:33 PM (#344672 - in reply to #344482)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away


I had only met Tony a few times at the Milwaukee Show when asked to speak. What Steve pre-mentioned about him before I met him was certainly true. This man was a very respectable gentleman who was exceedingly kind and had the ability to speak about fishing the way that grips all youth to get wrapped up in the sport. My thought and prayers to his family.
Clark A
Posted 11/10/2008 9:46 PM (#344714 - in reply to #343989)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away




Posts: 618


Location: Bloomington, MN
Mr. Portincaso was one of my first true heroes in the world of fishing. I first met Tony at a sport show at the Arlington Park race track in the mid-70's. I even got his autograph along with Mr. Petros's. I "think" he stated that my friend and I were the first to ever ask for his autograph. I grew up devouring Fishing Facts magazine, and obtained every issue (Fishing News 1968? which was in a newspaper format to the magazine format of Fishing Facts) they put out until the late 80's. I did have my Dad drive me and a friend up to Yorkville High School (northwestern suburb of Chicago) on a Saturday during a winter month to attend one of Tony and Spence's structure fishing classes. I probably took more notes during that day than I did during all of my college years, which in hindsight explains alot! Tony became a regular writer for the Fishing Facts magazine in early to mid-70's. I believe due to his classic photos of him and his entourage holding Wisconsin trophies was a big influence on Tuffy Boat sales during that period. The Tuffy logo was always represented, which I'm sure inspired many midwest anglers to purchase dark baby blue or bone colored tri-hulls. He was one of the first to introduce readers to the world of "Creature" fishing for muskies. In the late 70's Pelican (Thanks to Mr. Worrall) was the Mecca of that technique. Yes Bone and Deer, is where the fine tuning came into play for the toothy critters, but Pelican is where it shined. There were many anglers, especially from the Rockford, IL area, that constantly produced more and bigger fish than the traditional muskie fisherman which they were out numbered by. Mr. Portincaso's articles and classes had much to do with those people's results. I still have at least 20 lbs. of Mar-Lyn Reaper tails and Fliptail Lizards, and at least 3 lbs of 3/8 oz. Crawford/Northwoods stand up Pow-R-Head jigs due to his influence. Tony started sportin a neatly trimmed beard in the late 70's, and Spence along with about half the midwestern Fishing Facts/In-Fisherman readers weren't long to follow. To the best of my knowledge Mr. Portincaso's P.B. was caught on a Harasser w/ red twisters from Pipestone while fishing with Mr. Dan Sura (sorry for no pic., I only collected the "early" days). Tony was a frequent guest on Chicago's WGN radio's Saturday morning Outdoors program. He was the most laid back/non-arrogant professioanl fisherman to hit their air-waves. He treated every caller with utter respect and kindness. He was a true Pioneer of the sport I truely adore. My condolences go out to his family and friends for their sudden loss.

Edited by Clark A 11/10/2008 10:11 PM



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sworrall
Posted 11/10/2008 10:11 PM (#344722 - in reply to #344714)
Subject: RE: Fishing Educator Tony Portincaso Passes away





Posts: 32885


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Clark,

Tony's fish was caught at a Tuffy trip with the Top Ten dealers out of Art Lotto's camp on Loonhaunt, a short portage from Pipestone, if I recall correctly. We kept some of the rigs on Pipestone and brought a couple in to Loonhaunt. Dan was working with Tuffy at the time, and I'd bet Zach has a copy of the picture in his archives. I'll ask him to look when he gets a chance.