Inductees

Growing up in Springfield, he developed a love for the outdoors thanks to a Boy Scout troop through First Baptist Church. And, because his older brothers loved to fish, guess who tagged along?

Lynn Reeves still cherishes those days of heading off to Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake, Truman Lake or the nearby James River and taking a pole of some sort.

“As I fished more and more, I tried new reels and rods,” Reeves said. “I first started fishing with a Spincast reel. I was probably 21 before I owned a Baitcast reel. It was an Ambassador 5000c.”

Even better, because he has been at it ever since, he will never run out of fishing stories – especially because it became his life. Reeves worked for Bass Pro Shops for 27 years in the fishing buying department, ultimately leading it, and later resurrected Lew’s Fishing. That is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct Reeves with the Class of 2022.

A graduate of Parkview High School who studied at Missouri State University, Reeves championed the greatness of fishing not by rising to professional angler status but instead by working behind the scenes to help the common fisherman enjoy a day out on the water.

In 1980, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris (MSHOF 1997) and angler Charlie Campbell (MSHOF 2003) interviewed him during a fishing trip at Lake of the Ozarks. At the time, Reeves was a buyer for fishing tackle at Service Merchandise in Nashville, Tenn.

“We had a great time and later Johnny offered me a job. It certainly was not based on my fishing ability, as I had a hard time casting that day,” Reeves said with a smile. “It was my first time ever fishing with professional fishermen.”

Beginning in November 1980, Reeves enhanced Bass Pro’s selections, initially buying reels, rods, lures and terminal tackle. In 1988, he was responsible for all fishing in the buying department, which soon brought in buyers for clothing/footwear, marine, camping and gifts. In the early 1990s, buyers for lures, accessories, saltwater and flies came on board.

“One of the highlights of my career at Bass Pro Shops was being able to develop new brands,” Reeves said, listing Offshore Angler, White River Fly Shop, Walleye Angler and Outdoor World Marine. “In addition, I was able to develop many new rod series, reel series, lines, lures, tackle bags, terminal tackle, and fishing accessories.”

Unfortunately, Reeves became a casualty of the recession in January 2009. However, he turned it into a positive by re-launching Lew’s, a fishing and tackle shop, and opened it in Springfield. Within a few years, it became an overwhelming success.

Founded by Lew Childre in Alabama, Lew’s had been a great brand since the 1940s, and Reeves had known his sons, Casey and Craig, since the early 1980s. However, the company shut down in 1988, and the name was licensed to two companies over the years. Ultimately, its products were no longer sold.

Fortunately, Casey Childre and a friend of Reeves’, Niels Stenhoj, were working for U.S. Reel when they learned of Reeves’ departure from Bass Pro Shops. Childre then convinced Zebco to release the Lew’s brand to Reeves, who in December 2010 purchased Lew’s, Speed Spool, Speed Spin, Speed Stick and Team Lew’s registered trademarks.

Immediately, Reeves brought on several Bass Pro alums. As a team, they built Lew’s brand.

In 2015, Lew’s won the fishing Industry award for the best new rod and reel combo, Lew’s Mach 1 Combo, which is now the best-selling category among its products.

In 2016, Lew’s was a finalist for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Award. A year later, Reeves transitioned from CEO to Chairman. Lew’s has won numerous awards along the way and gifted 30,000 rod-and-reel combos to military veterans, supported kids fishing events, as well as high school and college teams.

Lew’s has since been purchased by a private equity firm, with a major warehouse in Republic.

Reeves thanks many for his career, including the Lord and Morris. Additionally, the support of Reeves’ wife of 47 years, Judy, and their sons, David and Jeff, and brother-in-law Jim March have been significant.

Reeves also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Youth Fishing Association and Cross Trail Outfitters.

“Being able to help disabled veterans fish, a disabled young person to kill a deer, a troubled young person be able to go fishing is so rewarding,” Reeves said. “God has blessed me so much.”