Nathan Joyner, NCCFFF President, presenting Mike Fong's Hall of Fame Award to Christine Fong.

On February 28, 2004, two hundred Fly Fishers met to honor Mike Fong who was being inducted posthumously into the Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fishers Hall of Fame at the Marin Rod and Gun Club.

Many of Mike's family members were in attendance including Mary and Richard Leong, Dolores Chew, Pat and Ken Woo, Roberta Pattee and Len Hodgeman, Jan Woo, Gary Woo, Sheri Woo, Bill Trush, Sadie Woo/Trush, and Franklin Woo/Trush.

Many friends of the NCCFFF were present along with former subscribers to the Fong's newsletter THE INSIDE ANGLER. People came from other states such as Minnesota, Oregon, Montana, and Pennsylvania.It was a very well organized event and one of the most successful, if not the most successful in recent times. Attendees remarked that the general feeling of the event was upbeat and pleasant and that the food was excellent.

Nathan Joyner spoke about the criteria for a Hall of Fame inductee and projects that will benefit from funds raised by the silent and live auctions, raffle, and dinner. Past receipents of Hall of Fame awards present that evening were Mel and Fanny Krieger, Andy Puyans, Lani Waller, Dan Blanton and Ralph and Lisa Cutter. Mel Krieger, Nelson Ishiyama, Ralph Cutter and John Randolph were the featured speakers.

Mel Krieger

A fine crystal vase was ingraved with the inscription: "The Northern California Council Federation of Fly Fishers PROUDLY INDUCTS MICHAEL FONG INTO THE FLY FISHING HALL OF FAME FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE ART OF FLY FISHING FEBRUARY 28, 2004". It was presented to Christine Fong.

She was pleased to have participated in the event and appreciated everyone's interest by volunteering to help or attending the event. Special thanks were given to the people who donated items, trips and guided fishing. She also acknowledged some of the people whom Mike met while supporting a few organizations. They are: Roy Haile, Richard Izmirian, Harold Patterson, John Beuttler, Stew Stewart, Sarge Reynolds, Ed Ow, Art Frey, Marty Seldon, and Dick May.

The evening activities were coordinated by Hall of Fame chairperson John Ryzanych, who did a wonderful job. He also did double duty by working in the kitchen. Mark Rockwell managed the raffle and auction items with help from Dianne Rockwell, Allan Gere, Neal Brunckhorst, and Dennis Monex, members of the Gold Country Fly Fishers.

Gene Kaczmarek was in charge of marketing. Invitations were done by Harold Patterson. The mailing committee included Ann-Marie Bakker, Sheree Kajiwara, Stew Stewart, Mark Rockwell, and Christine Fong. Ann-Marie Bakker produced the name tags. Phil Greenlee was in charge of finances. Corin and Christine Fong provided the table decorations. Corin and Christine provided an exhibit of Michael and Christine's photographs which were hung in the dining area.

The stage area was decorated by Darrelle Vecchio who is well known for decorating several successful fly fishing events over the years for the Golden West Women Flyfishers. She captured the feeling well of Mike as a fly fisher and his interest in entomology. Darrelle also provided a colorful and tasty vegetable basket arrangement for the appetizer table.

The food was catered by Rob Goldman who was assisted by Paul Ryzsanych, a trained chef and former caterer.
Coordinating the table set up were Diane Rockwell, Becky Merlini and Ann-Marie Bakker.