An honor for N.C. booster

Have you enjoyed the pristine environment of Cape Lookout National Seashore? Reflected at the Skippers' Roster Memorial in Morehead City? Fished the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you can thank Carolina Outdoors columnist Bob Simpson. During his 55 years in Carteret County, Simpson, 80, has been instrumental in many civic-minded projects. On Monday at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, he will be inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor.

Not bad for a former Marine with a flair for prose.

Space constraints prevent a full account of Simpson's exploits, but a couple of examples illustrate his impact. Take Cape Lookout National Seashore, authorized in 1966 but not fully established until 1976.

"Somebody [in the government] wanted to build a highway from Norfolk down," Simpson said, recalling his early efforts to save the 56 miles of beach. "We just wanted it left alone."

Simpson helped rally a groundswell of support and used his WWII-vintage amphibious vehicle to give politicians tours.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the largest billfish tournaments in the world, was started by Simpson and a group dubbed "The Fabulous Fishermen of Morehead City" to promote sportfishing -- despite the fact that no one ever had landed a blue marlin off the Crystal Coast.

"My wife, Mary, went out and solicited $300 from local businessmen for the purse," he said.

They put 300 silver dollars in a red wagon and presented it to Raleigh angler Jimmy Croy and local charter captain K.W. "Bill" Olsen for a 143-pound blue marlin they landed. Now, teams pay more than $11,000 to enter the event and win close to $1 million. Although it brings millions of dollars to the local economy and area charities, Simpson has cooled on the tournament that now attracts the more well-heeled anglers.

"They're doing fine," he said guardedly, "but I'm interested in the blue-collar angler."

When asked which of his projects he was most proud of, Simpson said, "Probably the Skippers' Roster. They're the ones who made the town."

The roster bears the names of charter captains who plied the waters for 10 or more years.

Simpson's beloved wife passed away last year, but he hasn't slowed. He still spends many days on the water, often with his good friend, Gene Huntsman of Havelock.

In a letter nominating his friend for the award, Huntsman noted the powerful effect of Simpson's writing -- 40 years of columns in The N&O ( www.newsobserver.com/ outdoors ) as well as syndicated pieces in out-of-state newspapers or national-distribution publications -- that contributed to the growth of North Carolina's tourist industry.

"Simpson's fans say that that argument is strong," Huntsman wrote, "but misses the essential point: that Bob's writings are most important because they have taught North Carolinians to cherish and care for the state they call home."

Well said, Gene.

And thanks, Bob.