On Sunday, April 5, 2009, the Bassmasters of North Alabama, Junior Bassmasters of North Alabama, and volunteers assisting in the Bassmaster Elite Dixie Duel Tournament presented Ray Scott, founder of Bass Anglers Sportsman Society with the last Stetson hat produced out of St. Joseph, Missouri in June, 2004 when the plant was shut down for good. The Stetson hat has been a trade mark of Ray – the BASS BOSS of bass fishing.

Remarks by Don Gowen of Bassmasters of North Alabama to Ray Scott at the Presentation

Back in June 2004, we had the opportunity of obtaining the last production Stetson produced out of the St. Joseph, Missouri and at that time deemed it to be an appropriate gift for you….a man that comes along only every once in a while, similar to icons of the business world (Bill Gates and Warren Buffett); or in sports such as Bill France Sr. of NASCAR. The vision that you had and the focus you maintained have built the sport of bass fishing to the national and international level, and developed entire industries which employ thousands of Americans, not to mention the enhancement of the fun and enjoyment that the citizens of our county get from recreation and tournament fishing. To protect our natural resources and instill a sense of value of conservation in the leaders of our nation, you went toe to toe with the powers that be to ensure future generations have an opportunity to enjoy our great outdoors and the sport of being able to fish in unpolluted waters. You built alliances and relationships of mutual understanding to engage the problems facing anglers and our environment.

For four years we have planned to deliver the Stetson to you, and with your visit to the Decatur area for an appearance at the Bassmaster Elite Dixie Duel Tournament on April 2-5, 2009 gave our clubs the opportunity to deliver a ONE-OF-A-KIND STETSON HAT to another icon and a ONE-OF-A-KIND BASSMASTER in appreciation for all the things you have done for the sport of bass fishing – from the encouragement of innovation in bass tackle, bass boats that fly, and to the involvement in the sport by such media giants as ESPN with featured major tournament events – and TOP GRADE publications like Bassmaster Magazine and BASS Times. Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of countless thousands of anglers in the world.

With your success, we wish you many years of enjoyment and say THANK YOU for what you have done for ALL OF US – the bass members and clubs of America and the world: the PROS that earn their living because of you; the folks at home who enjoy the fishing videos and television shows of fishing; the thousands of tackle manufactures who employee our citizens; the multi-national media companies of our nation that produce high economic returns and enjoyment for their viewers; and especially the kids who like to drop a hook in the water every once in a while – THANKS TO THE BASS BOSS THAT MADE IT HAPPEN.