MANSFIELD — It’s a message Al Linder has been planning to deliver in Richland County for three years.
The 78-year-old sportsman and fishing industry innovator is the scheduled guest speaker at the 32nd Greater Mansfield Area Resurrection Breakfast on Saturday, April 16, one day before Easter.
Linder, whose “Lindy Rig” has helped millions of outdoorsmen land walleye since 1968, was scheduled to speak at the same event in 2019, but fell ill before leaving his home in Minnesota.
The non-denominational event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, according to long-time local attorney John Allen, one of the organizers.
“This year, Al is coming,” said Allen, a former Richland County prosecutor and a member of the National Professional Anglers Association.
The event, including music from the Colonial City Quartet, will be at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, 890 W. Fourth St. Admission is $15.
Linder, who developed the famous rig with his late brother, Ron, sold millions of lures through their Lindy Tackle Co. They also founded the In-Fisherman Media Network, authoring books and articles, producing radio shows and hosting a nationally syndicated TV show.
The drive for fishing and commercial success for the Lindner brothers, both of whom are members of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, took a backseat to their religious faith in the early 1980s.
In an article published in ReligionNews.com after Ron Linder’s death in 2020, Al Linder said he and his brother were delighted to discover the first disciples had also been fishermen and Jesus himself “was evidently well-acquainted with life in the boat.”
The two were soon sharing their new faith with others through fishing analogies — including in a number of inspirational messages online and in the closing of the show “Lindner’s Angling Edge.”
“When Ron speaks to other fishermen about how Jesus Christ saved him from a life of alcoholism, he sometimes mentions being ‘scooped up in the gentle net of God’s grace.’ He might also say, ‘God does not practice catch and release. Instead, He puts us in His live well of eternal life — forever!’” Al Linder wrote.
Linder, who estimated he had spent 250 days a year on the water, retired from the professional fishing circuit in 1982, choosing to instead use his talents to spread the word of God.
The National Professional Anglers Association is donating 15 fishing rods that Lindner will give away to children 15 or younger chosen by luck of the draw.
For reservations to the breakfast, call 419-589-5646 or 419-524-7788.
Previous speakers at the annual Resurrection Breakfast:
1988 — U.S. Air Force Col. Nimrod McNair
1989 — Julian Carroll, former Governor of Kentucky
1990 — Dr. James “Johnny” Johnson, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy
1990 — Mark Harper. former cornerback for the Cleveland Browns
1991– Dr. Stanley Tam, President of United States Plastic Corporation
1991 — Ricky Bolden, former tackle and guard for the Cleveland Browns
1992 — Cody Risen, former tackle for the Cleveland Browns
1993 — Adolph Coors IV and Mike Pagel, former L.A. Rams and Cleveland Browns
1994 — George Lilja, former All-American with the Cleveland Browns
1994 — Col. Hank Lackey, Retired USAF
1995 — Dave Daubenmire
1996 — Pat Kelly, former first basemen for the Cleveland Indians
1996 — Mark Miller, former Cleveland Brown
1997 — Col. Mryl Allinder, retired Marine Fighter Pilot
1997 — Todd Blackledge, former NFL Quarterback
1998 — John Mummy, former quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes
1998 — Ted Power, former pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
1999 — Gen. Ralph Haines, retired USA Four Star General
1999 — Eddie Johnson, former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns
2000 — Ed Schilling, Wright State University Head Basketball Coach
2001 — Ken Johnson, former defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals
2002 — Coach Jim Tressel and Tom Rodgers
2003 — J. Kenneth Blackwell and Joel Penton, Ohio State Buckeyes
2004 — Don Cockroft, Cleveland Browns and William Clemons
2005 — Mark Harris (4HIM) and Obie Stillwell, OSU Football
2006 — Sujo John, World Trade Center & Michael Amheiser, Pizza Dock
2007 — Joel Penton, OSU Football and Mark Hess, Hess Industries
2008 — Harvey Hook, the Gathering, and Stan White, Jr. OSU Football
2009 — Congressman Jim Jordan and Coach Tom Ryan, OSU Wrestling
2010 — Craig Krenzel, OSU quarterback & John Matthes, Johnny’s Mattress
2011 — Jimmy Houston, professional sport fisherman and John M. Gurney, banker
2012 — Coach Mike Gottfried and Morris “Moe” Hill, Jr. State Highway Patrol
2013 — Dan Kayser, WXML Radio and Jon Boyd, businessman
2014 — Herman Weaver, former NFL punter and Tom Schuler, Ohio Real Estate Co.
2015 — Roy Hall, Driven Foundation and Ben Buchanan, former OSU punter
2016 — President Jim Tressel, Youngstown State and Larry Lotz, retired Realtor
2017 — Clark Kellogg, College Basketball analyst for CBS Sports and Mike Green
2019 — Ashland Mayor Matt Miller and Pat Hord, Hord Family Farms
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