Tom Keer's "Spey Casting" Wins POMA Award

It's always nice to be recognized by your peers for outstanding work. In August, Tom Keer was honored with the The Professional Outdoor Media Association's (POMA) 2011 Pinnacle Award for his Seasonable Angler column "Spey Casting" in the Jul-Aug 2010 issue of Fly Fisherman. (Click here to read the entire article as it appeared in Fly Fisherman.) POMA's 2011 Pinnacle Awards were sponsored by Mossy Oak, and announced at POMA's annual conference in Ogden, Utah.

Other honorees included "Buccaneers & Bones: Silver Kings" broadcast on the Outdoor Channel, which won "Outstanding Achievement" for a television show. That show features Lefty Kreh, Yvon Chouinard and Bill Klyn from Patagonia, Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Tom McGuane, Zach Gilford, and Lori-Ann Murphy as they hunt for bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Despite the all-star cast, the show has a strong conservation angle spearheaded by Aaron Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

The Pinnacle Awards honor journalists for exceptional achievement in traditional outdoor sports-focused communications, including writing, photography/illustration/art, broadcasting focused on wildlife conservation. "The outdoor media played a key role in the early success of the Mossy Oak brand and our company," said Tim Anderson, director of public relations and pro staff for Mossy Oak.

"The role journalists play in informing the public about products and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors has, is, and will be key to the long-term health and growth of the outdoor industry. "Because of this contribution, Mossy Oak is proud to have the opportunity to recognize outstanding outdoor communicators through the POMA Pinnacle Awards program. Each of the top nominees and winners can be proud to know they are at the top of their craft and truly the best of the best in their profession."

The Professional Outdoor Media Association is a group of individual communicators and corporate partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography and other means. POMA's is committed to excellence in communications at all levels and to mentoring the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators.