Billy Chapman, Jr., founder and owner of Anglers Inn International, was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. (Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBWa6U1zVsw)
As a 2009 inductee, Billy joined 26 other fishing luminaries previously inducted for the prestigious "Special Recognition" category since its inception in 1992. Emmitt Brown, NFWFHF executive director, made the presentation to honor Billy as a Legendary Angler. This award recognizes Chapman for his contributions to the sport of fishing, being at the forefront for decades promoting successful angling and fisheries conservation in the Amazon Basin and Mexico, Brown said.
PEACOCK BASS PIONEER
Best known as the founder and owner of Anglers Inn on Lake El Salto, the premier trophy bass lake in the world, Chapman also owns a lodge at Lake Mateos, offers fly fishing and duck hunting operations and both light-tackle and bluewater excursions into the Pacific under the Anglers Inn International umbrella. In the 1980s, Chapman put peacock bass fishing on the map when he opened the first two 5-star peacock bass lodges in the Amazon territory. This season, he plans to return to the Amazon, by offering trips from a houseboat lodge.
Billy began his incredible career by joining his father, another noted bass outfitter who first introduced Florida-strain largemouth bass into Mexico. By age 17, young Billy was booking his own trips and guiding. After operating lodges with his father in Mexico, Billy set off by himself to explore the fishing opportunities in the vast Amazonian jungle. He set up operations in the Amazon territory of Venezuela on the border of Brazil and led many expeditions throughout Brazil, as always putting quality and service for his customers foremost.
PREMIER BASS LAKE
By the late 1980s, Chapman returned to Mexico with his "mobile suites concept." With this operation, he could set up lodging on various lakes quickly when fishing turned hot. In 1989, Chapman opened his flagship lodge on Lake El Salto in the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains about 70 miles northeast of Mazatlan. During the past two decades, Lake El Salto emerged as the best lake in the world to catch double-digit bass, even for inexperienced anglers. The lake record now exceeds 18 pounds. Billy also implemented catch and release as standard practice on Lake El Salto to keep those giant bass swimming and biting lures.
Thanks to Billy's leadership, dedication to service and attention to detail, Anglers Inn emerged as THE unparalleled destination for serious bass anglers. Thousands of people, including some of the most renowned sportsmen in the world, stayed as Billy's guests. Countless photos appeared in numerous major fishing magazines and thousands of hours of footage aired on hundreds of television shows, sealing Billy's reputation of providing a quality experience anywhere he goes.
Besides running Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto, a bass lodge at Lake Mateo where anglers can catch 150 bass a day, Amazon adventures, the saltwater and bird hunting operations, Chapman partnered with Pueblo Bonito Resorts. This Five-Star chain operates several first-class resorts in Mexico where Chapman can arrange family vacations.
For more information about any of the Anglers Inn International operations or to book your dream vacation, call 800-GOTA-FISH, (468-2347). On the Internet, see www.anglersinn.com.