As good with a fishing rod as he was with a camera, Ron Wong spent his final years
sharing the joys of angling with everyone who would listen. His contributions to the
world of angling will live on through the Ron Wong Legacy Foundation (RWLF).
(Photo courtesy RWLF)
Ron Wong’s Legacy Lives On
by Madalyn Roberts
Earlier this year we lost a legend in the fishing world—Ron Wong. Few have captured the essence of fishing like Ron. His words and photographs have guided anglers not just in technique, but in connecting with nature, the peacefulness of quiet mornings on the water and the camaraderie found in every cast.
Despite his passing, Ron’s memory and work live on with the creation of the Ron Wong Legacy Foundation (RWLF), which was created to provide others with the same opportunity Ron gave me. Bringing together people interested in recreational sport fishing—especially women and children—through education, skills training, resource access and leadership development.
Ron was inducted, posthumously, into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame this past August. B’n’M Pro Staff Manager Kent Driscoll summed Ron up in one word: GREAT.
He was a great friend, fisherman, chef, philanthropist, outdoor writer and photographer. All things in which Ron endeavored were executed with passion and precision. If there was a fishing event, Ron was there. At any given time, he could be found capturing snapshots of the action or cooking up some mighty good eats—many times both. Although Ron was great at such a long list of things, arguably the biggest mark he left us with was his love for the outdoors and his passion to cultivate growth within the fishing community.
When I met Ron last October, I considered myself very much a rookie kayak angler, attending her first Brushpile Fishing Academy. I wasn’t prepared for the knowledge overload to ensue over next several days between on- and off-water instruction. Had I returned home from the academy with only the knowledge imparted on me by the instructors, I would have considered myself blessed beyond measure.
What I didn’t realize when the academy ended, however, was that the relationships I had made that weekend would change my life forever.
Not long after Ron invited me to be a guest on the Outdoors with Larry Rea radio show to share my experience at the academy, and from that interview, I was asked to join the team of writers at CrappieNOW. In sharing my experience with Ron, I hope to demonstrate just how significant a single invitation can be for a new face in our beloved fishing community and let it serve as a reminder of just how special our community truly is.
RWLF was made possible through the support and teamwork from friends within the community. When I heard of Ron’s passing, I had an idea to honor the life and legacy of a truly incredible human being, and through the connections made at Brushpile Fishing Academy, the idea came to life.
RWLF is a Kentucky Non-Profit Corporation, approved as a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning all contributions to the foundation are tax deductible. Anyone interested in supporting Ron’s legacy and the fishing community can visit the RWLF website to learn more about Ron, the legacy he left behind and find out the best way to make a donation in support of scholarships for future anglers.
The foundation’s board of directors is pleased to share our first foundation-sponsored event will be the first all-female Brushpile Fishing Academy to be held at Green River Lake in Columbia, Kentucky on March 26-29, 2026. Stay tuned for more details on this event.
(Madalyn Roberts is from Kansas City, Missouri although she considers herself a southern transplant having lived in Kentucky for 16 years. She serves her Louisville community by working for a non-profit organization facilitating free home repairs for elderly and disabled homeowners. In her spare time, she enjoys being in the outdoors, especially fishing, hiking and camping.)
