I have known Rich Forhan for close to 25 years, Rich and I along with many of us older guys fished many a Tournament together and Rich was always a top notch competitor.
Rich has served Black Bass anglers in the development of various baits, rods and angling techniques. I'm pleased to announce that Rich will be a contributing author for the BBAC Newsletter. For now let me introduce this self reliable will studied Bass angler.

Rich Forhan has had a long love affair with the outdoors, especially fishing, since he moved as a small farm in Southern Illinois at the age of seven. His Dad introduced him to hunting and fishing early. It was the best of times growing up in the 50's near the small town of New Athens. Rich's realm extended to the woods and streams. No monarch ever felt richer.

In 1964, he graduated from college and promptly began a hitch in the Air Force Researves lasting 23 years. The last Air Force job he had was as a Weapons System Officer on the F4 Phamtom. Rich retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

While flying for the Air Force, he founded Tournament Lures in 1978 in partnership with his good friend Gary Klein. However, Rich's achievements went well beyond this venture as noted below.

Designed the Weapon and Mono Guard Jigs
Designed the needle point Black Weapon Hooks
Designed the Weapon, extended shank, needle point spinnerbar
Desinged Gold Point Hooks for Berkeley
\Designed Revolver Rods
Wrote/Published Powerhand Basscasting
Designed In-Line Finesse & Power Jigs, In-Line Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits
Designed split-grip AXE handle for spinning
Developed Forhan Locking Wrap for single foot guides
Developed RF 846S - Glass Rod
Designed Power Glide for flipping
Designed RF-Lite Rod Seat
Developed Equal Distance Spacing for guides on custom rods

As you have read Rich's achievements are both crediable and numerous. Currently Rich is a Rod Builder and Writer with 6 feature articles, The Revolver Rod, No Foregrip casting Rods, Advantages of the Split-Grip, The Forhan Locking Grip, Equal Distance Guide Spacing and Playing with Rod Spine

Rich's articles will focus on all aspects of fishing rods. We can expect a complete education contributing to our angling performance. I know we will all be looking forward to his comprehensive and practical application of rods related to out Black Bass angling.