Remembering A Fishing Legend, Ron Linder

The fishing world lost another icon when Ron Lindner passed away on Nov. 30, 2020, at the age of 86.

Legendary bass boat builder Forrest Wood passed away back in January and now the angling community will miss Lindner, another pioneer and innovator in the fishing industry.

Ron and his brother Al teamed up to form a legendary fishing and business partnership that led to the creation of the popular In-Fisherman magazine and television series and Lindner Media Productions, which specializes in producing educational fishing programs such as "Angling Edge" and "Fishing Edge", DVDs, videos, national TV commercials, product sales videos, point of purchase videos and providing underwater photography to the sport fishing industry.

Growing Generations Of Anglers

Photo Credit: West Central Tribune

The Lindners’ contributions to fishing over the years has helped improve the skills of many anglers through their innovations in fishing lures and tackle and their promoting the sport of fishing as writers, publishers, book authors, television, internet and social media producers and radio show hosts. They definitely helped boost my career as an outdoor writer when I was fortunate enough to have several of my articles published in In-Fisherman and the annual In-Fisherman Bass and Panfish Guides throughout the years.

How The Linders Got Their Start

Photo Credit: West Central Tribune

The brothers initially got involved in the fishing industry when they opened a guide service in the Brainerd, Minn., area in the late 1960s. Before launching In-Fisherman in 1975 the Lindners became successful tournament competitors. The brothers have also been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as Legendary Anglers.

Among their innovations was the “Fish+Location+Presentation=Success” (F+L+P=S) formula that helped simplify fishing methods throughout the seasons. Described as the algebra of angling, the formula includes a simple outline that allows anglers to understand fish behavior, location and bait presentation on any type or location of a lake or river.

A Lifetime Of Innovation

Here is an example of the Lindy Rig, which he designed in an article from In-Fisherman, a media company that he helped start.

The legendary brothers own three patents on fishing lures and are credited with 30 unique designs of lures and tackle. One of their most famous inventions is the Lindy Rig, which has been used by tens of millions of anglers to catch walleye since the rig was introduced in 1968.Ron had estimated that more than 70 million Lindy Rigs and Lindy Rigs imitators have been sold.

Al and Ron also invented and marketed numerous other lures including the No-Snagg fishing sinker, and the Rapala VMC product line for walleye fishing. They also launched the Lindy Tackle Company and eventually sold it in 1973.

Ron is gone but the legacy of the Lindners lives on through their contributions to the fishing world. Rest in peace to a true fishing legend, Ron Linder.