Emmett Brown of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (right) presents Forrest L. Wood (left) and Nina Wood (center) with their Hall of Fame induction plaque. Photo by Gary Mortenson.

January 19, 2011 • MLF • Archives

Already a member of the major fishing halls of fame, Ranger Boats founder and FLW Outdoors namesake Forrest L. Wood will be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in February.

The International Game Fish Association inducted Forrest and Nina Wood into its Hall of Fame last October. Wood is also a member of the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Forrest and Nina Woods opened Ranger Boats in 1968 in Flippin, Ark. The Ranger line quickly became the standard by which freshwater fishing boats were judged. The brand is synonymous with quality, and pros running Rangers have dominated the tour standings through the years. The Forrest Wood Cup, FLW Outdoors’ premier championship tournament, also borrows its name from the Arkansas entrepreneur.

The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet will take place Feb. 10 in North Little Rock. Other 2011 inductees include Texas Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee, thoroughbred jockey Calvin Borel, University of Arkansas defensive tackle Dick Bumpas, University of Arkansas running back Ben Cowins, Arkansas Tech football player Bill Curtis, basketball player Jerry Carlton and University of Arkansas quarterback Quinn Grover.