Dear Executive Director Emmitt Brown
and the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Hello, my name is Lee Bailey Jr and I am nominating Andy Valembroso of Andy’s Custom Lures for the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. I am doing so because Andy’s reputation and integrity have earned him a place in this prestigious Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. No one person has done more for the industry than Andy’s Custom Jigs, especially with everything he has done to raise awareness of bass fishing and protecting the environment.
Throughout his career, Andy held many children’s events at his Tackle Shop and other venues to teach children and many adults how to fish. He always made time for young anglers.
My friend started his fishing journey in the early 1970s when he started tying flies for local tackle shops and True Life Fly Company. Andy was an avid trout and bass fisherman, starting at age 8. In 1981, a business named “The American Sport Center” opened in North Haven, CT. Here, he specialized in all types of fishing tackle with a concentration on Fresh Water Bass Tackle. Prior to 1981, when he opened his own tackle shop, He had a jig head mold made at a local machine shop, and the start of Andy’s Custom Bass Lures was born.
During one of his endeavors, Andy would help the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club with their fishing events at the club’s ponds to support the Hamden Children’s Center. He would donate rods, reels, lures, tackle, and bait to make these events a success. Andy would always attend and help all the children who attended these events.
Andy also had a Fishing Show series on WTNH/ABC affiliate here in CT. At that time, it received a record rating higher than that of the Wimbledon tournament. During that time, my friend was offered a series of segments on a fishing tip show on the evening news. These fishing tips were well received by the public and remained popular for several years.
At that time, Andy was ranked first in New England and won many tournaments there.
He continued guest speaking and demonstrations in many Outdoor Shows for decades. This led to a series of paid events in the 1990s to appear at many of the shows in the Northeast.
In or about 1993, national articles started to be written. Mr. Valembroso and his products were in just about all the outdoor bass publications, Bass Times, Bass Masters, Bass’n Times, and In-Fisherman, to name a few. Approximately 38 like articles in those publications were written over two decades.
In 1993, Andy was approached by NSI to promote and sell his products nationally. He was contacted by Neal Wood, an Outdoor writer, in conjunction with Scott Patton, on an article on our Buzz Baits and Spinnerbaits. He was featured on that Show. (Google 1994 BP 100 CT River).
One of the highlights of Andy Valembroso’s life was Bob Cobb interviewing him on camera and featuring his products on the Bass Master BP 100. After the airing of the BP 100, his products were stocked in 250 Walmart’s across the country.
My friend was one of the first tackle manufacturers to tie jigs, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits to match the natural forage fish that bass feed on.
He felt the sport of bass fishing gave him so much that he always felt he owed it, and he continued giving back to it and the anglers of the Northeast. This was done in many different ways, including teaching kids about bass fishing and respecting the environment.
Mr. Valembroso aired on many TV shows, including a Fishing Show series on WTNH/ABC affiliate here in CT.
New England wasn’t very well known for producing many national professional bass anglers. Andy felt honored to be able to bring this exposure and credibility to the New England bass fishing anglers and industry.
I have known Andy for more than 40 years. A major speaker at the sport shows he felt his time on the hog troth tank platform, just was not enough.
As for the sport shows Andy’s presence could not go un-noticed. There is no doubt that Andy Valembroso is well deserving of a place in the
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
Sincerely, Lee Bailey Jr.
Retired Elite Series Pro Angler
from Florida, USA