The 2015 Izaak Walton Award Honoring Tom Davidson

About the Honoree

As the founding chairman of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust and former trustee of AMFF, Mr. Davidson is a leader in the saltwater conservation arena and an ambassador to the sport of fly fishing. Aside from being an entrepreneur and successful businessman, he is a dedicated supporter of many non-profit and fishing related organizations, including Everglades Foundation and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Highlights of the Night

On March 26, the American Museum of Fly Fishing honored Tom N. Davidson Sr. with the second Izaak Walton Award at the Key Largo Anglers Club in Key Largo, Florida. The museum established the Izaak Walton Award in 2014 to honor and celebrate individuals who live by the Compleat Angler philosophy. Their passion for the sport of fly fishing and involvement in their angling community provides inspiration for others and promotes the legacy of leadership for future generations.

As the founding chair of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and a former trustee of AMFF, Davidson is a leader in the saltwater conservation arena and an ambassador to the sport of fly fishing. Aside from being an entrepreneur and successful businessman, he is a dedicated supporter of many nonprofit and fishing-related organizations, including Everglades Foundation and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He truly exemplifies the spirit of the Izaak Walton Award.

It was a lovely evening as the sun set on the Key Largo Anglers Club. At near-maximum capacity, guests from the Keys and beyond joined to celebrate Davidson’s many achievements. AMFF President Richard Tisch was on hand with introductory remarks, and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust President Matt Connolly completed the night with a heartfelt tribute to Davidson, whose “commitment of wealth, wisdom, and work . . . is unrivaled.” As Connolly so accurately stated, “[Tom] will keep quietly underpromising and dramatically overdelivering—for that, we [the angling and conservation community] should all be grateful.”

This award celebration would not have been possible without the support of museum Trustee and Event Chair Nancy Zakon and the event committee: Harold Brewer, Russ Fisher, and Alan Goldstein. Their generosity, attention to detail, and support are greatly appreciated. AMFF would also like to thank all of the participants of this wonderful event, as well as the excellent staff of the Key Largo Anglers Club.