Forrest L. Wood Outdoor Sports Gallery

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Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats and icon in the outdoor sports industry, passed Jan. 25, 2020 at the age of 87. Come take a look inside his memorabilia in his Outdoor Sports Gallery.
Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats and icon in the outdoor sports industry, passed Jan. 25, 2020 at the age of 87. Come take a look inside his memorabilia in his Outdoor Sports Gallery.
The museum of his life and times sits just south of the huge Ranger Boat factory that has dominated the landscape of Flippin, Ark. The museum building is bottom center, with the brown roof.
The museum of his life and times sits just south of the huge Ranger Boat factory that has dominated the landscape of Flippin, Ark. The museum building is bottom center, with the brown roof.
During the 2012 Bassmaster Elite on Bull Shoals Lake, writer Steve Wright and I worked the Elites’ early launch then went over to Wood’s museum to see what content we could come up with. That’s Forrest greeting Wright. These photos are just a quick glimpse because we were soon called to meet eventual tournament winner Brandon Palaniuk as he left the water for the hospital to remove a hook from his finger.
During the 2012 Bassmaster Elite on Bull Shoals Lake, writer Steve Wright and I worked the Elites’ early launch then went over to Wood’s museum to see what content we could come up with. That’s Forrest greeting Wright. These photos are just a quick glimpse because we were soon called to meet eventual tournament winner Brandon Palaniuk as he left the water for the hospital to remove a hook from his finger.
The building holds artifacts from Wood’s life. Of course he had to make his wife, Nina, prominent. They were married 68 years and were quite the team. She’s also known as an amazing woman and great outdoorswomen.
The building holds artifacts from Wood’s life. Of course he had to make his wife, Nina, prominent. They were married 68 years and were quite the team. She’s also known as an amazing woman and great outdoorswomen.
Wood is renowned for building the first bass boat and developing many of the features used by competitive anglers. Wood competed in more than 100 Bassmaster events, winning one tournament on the St. Lawrence River and qualifying for two Bassmaster Classics. His name was also selected by longtime friend Jerry McKinnis when naming the FLW Tour.
Wood is renowned for building the first bass boat and developing many of the features used by competitive anglers. Wood competed in more than 100 Bassmaster events, winning one tournament on the St. Lawrence River and qualifying for two Bassmaster Classics. His name was also selected by longtime friend Jerry McKinnis when naming the FLW Tour.
Wood has an entire wall filled with plaques from his days competing and supporting tournaments, as well as personal photos, ad magazine covers and trophy fish.
Wood has an entire wall filled with plaques from his days competing and supporting tournaments, as well as personal photos, ad magazine covers and trophy fish.
There are some incredible displays on the history of bass fishing, where Ranger has been front and center.
There are some incredible displays on the history of bass fishing, where Ranger has been front and center.
One of the first fiberglass bass boats sits prominent in the facility. Wood gifted it to good friend and fellow trout guide Jerry McKinnis, who used it for years for his show before returning it. Wood had it refurbished.
One of the first fiberglass bass boats sits prominent in the facility. Wood gifted it to good friend and fellow trout guide Jerry McKinnis, who used it for years for his show before returning it. Wood had it refurbished.
Forrest’s modern Ranger boat alongside one of his firsts help show the evolution toward the modern bass boat. Made by fishermen for fishermen, the boat developments included storage for rods and tackle boxes and aerated livewells. Wood’s boats were the official boat of Bassmaster Classics for 30 years.
Forrest’s modern Ranger boat alongside one of his firsts help show the evolution toward the modern bass boat. Made by fishermen for fishermen, the boat developments included storage for rods and tackle boxes and aerated livewells. Wood’s boats were the official boat of Bassmaster Classics for 30 years.
Among the items are images of Bull Shoals Dam. Wood was among those in the area who helped build it, then plied water on both sides. The trophy smallmouth fishing on the White River turned into a fame trout fishery, where Wood grew a guide business.
Among the items are images of Bull Shoals Dam. Wood was among those in the area who helped build it, then plied water on both sides. The trophy smallmouth fishing on the White River turned into a fame trout fishery, where Wood grew a guide business.
Wood shows off a photo of the early days, including memorabilia from his Forrest L. Wood Guide Service. He employed a number of guides, who in the offseason he kept busy with odd jobs and building more of the 20-foot wooden john boats used to take clients out on the White River.
Wood shows off a photo of the early days, including memorabilia from his Forrest L. Wood Guide Service. He employed a number of guides, who in the offseason he kept busy with odd jobs and building more of the 20-foot wooden john boats used to take clients out on the White River.
Wood stands near a setup used for a shore lunch on a float trip. He was known as a gracious host.
Wood stands near a setup used for a shore lunch on a float trip. He was known as a gracious host.
Here’s one of the early boat motors, an Elto Outboard, which can now be found on eBay for prices up to $10,000.
Here’s one of the early boat motors, an Elto Outboard, which can now be found on eBay for prices up to $10,000.
In a glass case sits a tackle box full of lures. Forrest and Nina were known to ply local waters for most all species, and they had an affinity for smallmouth in the local streams.
In a glass case sits a tackle box full of lures. Forrest and Nina were known to ply local waters for most all species, and they had an affinity for smallmouth in the local streams.
While Forrest’s fishing is well-known, Nina could catch with the best of them. In a glass case with mounts commemorates her greatest day on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. Her five best totaled 47.9 pounds, which would top the B.A.S.S. record in a tournament.
While Forrest’s fishing is well-known, Nina could catch with the best of them. In a glass case with mounts commemorates her greatest day on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee. Her five best totaled 47.9 pounds, which would top the B.A.S.S. record in a tournament.
On the brief tour, Forrest moved about to show off his most prized possessions.
On the brief tour, Forrest moved about to show off his most prized possessions.
An outdoorsmen in every realm, Forrest had some impressive mounts from his days hunting in the Ozarks and beyond.
An outdoorsmen in every realm, Forrest had some impressive mounts from his days hunting in the Ozarks and beyond.
Here he tells Wright about his visit with President George H.W. Bush at the White House.
Here he tells Wright about his visit with President George H.W. Bush at the White House.
Bush signed their photo, “With best wishes and high regards.” In 2018, a Ranger boat was feature on the White House lawn for President Trump’s <a href=
Bush signed their photo, “With best wishes and high regards.” In 2018, a Ranger boat was feature on the White House lawn for President Trump’s Made in America Product Showcase .
There was a tremendous outpouring of condolences to the Wood family after Wood’s passing. He touched many in the industry, and his graciousness and legacy will never be forgotten.
There was a tremendous outpouring of condolences to the Wood family after Wood’s passing. He touched many in the industry, and his graciousness and legacy will never be forgotten.