(This update better portrays the timeline)
During the nearly two weeks he spent in the hospital, Patrick (Pat) Marley, 70, longtime chief counsel for the Southern California Bass Council, was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, however, before treatment could ever begin he passed away around 8 p.m. on Jan. 12.
For many in the bass fishing community his name was at least familiar. To the agencies and corporations who had to face him in court, perhaps the memories were more vivid, if a bit unpleasant. Yet for those who knew him, worked with him, fished with him or counted on him, he was a great friend and ally.
I spoke with a few of them this week–not all, I admit, and I apologize. But some names you may know. Gary Klein, 28-time qualifier for the Bassmasters Classic, told me, “We go back 20 years. It was definitely a shock to get the call this after noon (Jan. 9), I just got a Christmas card from Pat.”
When Gary gathered himself, he added, “Pat was a great friend to many. We had a lot of good times. He was so good at what he did, he was a true professional.”
Mike Folkestad did not hear the news until my call while he was up at Lake Shasta for this week’s National Guard. Marley and Folkestad actually had a history that didn’t begin on such a warm note, as Marley publicly challenged the California icon for mentioning he had bounced a fish at a key moment during a particularly blistering day at the U.S. Open.
“Pat was quite involved in the sport fishery,” Mike related, “and he was on me when I carpeted a bass at the U.S. Open. But we came to an understanding. I usually talk to him about four times a year about fishing and so forth. We talked just before Christmas and at the Bass-A-Thon. I’m going to miss him.”
Michael Jones, former staffer for Western Outdoor News and Senior Writer for Bassmaster Magazine had a close relationship with Marley. In fact, Jones became a conduit for “behind the scenes” stories regarding the ongoing litigation that impacted bass fishing in the state.
“It was our little secret, until now,” said Jones. “He gave the media the heads up on key issues. That’s why I had stories in Western Outdoors and Bassmaster. Pat knew stuff and he knew it before everyone else.”
Yet Jones offered what may be the biggest testament of all: “A lot of what he did will outlive us all. He was brash and outgoing, but most of the time the things he did were behind the scenes.”
And that’s the way he wanted it–right to the end. It has been confirmed: there will be no funeral or memorial services held.
11 Responses to “Pat Marley: Responses to his passing”
Thank you Pat for all you did for bass fishing. I’ll never forget the 1982 Top Six tournament at Havasu where you found Whitmer and I up the river in a backwater fishing one of “your” spots. 
Thanks for the memory and thanks again for being such a supporter of the California bass scene.
Terry
Pat was a dear friend and will be truly missed. Today’s tournament anglers haven’t a clue as to how important Pat’s work was in protecting our bass fisheries and establishing the guidelines on how bass tournaments are run even today.
He also sat on a committee OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO that attempted to educate and warn California DFG officials and commissioners about a new and extremely threatening invasive species called the Zebra (quagga) mussel that was making its way West, and that they better do something about it right now – They did not.
Pat was fun to bash with lawyer jokes and always took them in stride, but when he was in the heat of battle in the courtroom, his was feared by his adversaries.
Thank you for all that you did for us, my friend. Every time I see a “Catch & Release” bumper sticker with “Southern California Bass Council” printed across the bottom, I will think of you and smile.
God Bless You Pat Marley.
Pat was a conservationist first and a Bassfisherman first and a half. One of the policies he got installed was the 6 hour Tournament rule after June 15th-Sept 15th. And Ron is right as I remember he and Terry Foreman sitting in my office many years ago talking how the Quagga was a real threat to my business and fishing in general. He also helped me on many legal issues over the years and was always on top at the end. One of the funniest things I ever saw Pat do was about 10 years ago when we were in Brazil fishing for Peacock Bass he wanted a picture of the plane taking off from the runway after they dropped us off in camp. This was a dirt runway in the middle of the jungle and it dropped off very steep at the end into the Agua Boa River. Now right in front of the camp was a 14′ Croc that had just ate the camp dog. Pat got on the end of the runway and the plane came smokin down the dirt and knocked Pat right off the end of the runway and down the embankment towards the Croc. Pat told it he would sue it if it bit him. We almost cried we laughed so hard. Great guy, always there for whoever needed advise and a true friend to those who were blessed to know him. I am positive he is sittin up there drinkin a Mai Tai watchin us all right now.
Rick G.
Pat was a true protector of all fishermen. A decade ago, I was being bullied by a large tournament organization, and felt like I had no backing. Jerry Gusman of Champion Boats gave me Pat Marley’s phone number. In a few weeks, the president of the organization called and wanted to settle, anything to get Pat of their back! Pat got me all I deserved, and gave me some off the best advise I have ever received. Pat was a true class act, and all of bass fishing will miss him.
Pat Marley dedicated no small part of his life to the protection and promotion of the bass fishing sports. A long time friend who will be missed for sure.
I recall Pat Marley forcing the Dept of Fish and Game to mitigate the fishery damage to Lake Silverwood caused from the draining to minimum pool for siphon tower work. He was clearly driven by his passion for our sport. Anglers with short attention spans would roll their eyes when Pat would get going on one of his rants. Pat was a powerful advocate that channeled his talent and love for bass fishing and gave us a voice for blue collar anglers as well as the pro and well healed elite. He was a good guy. More than grateful for his efforts, I was impressed with his effective tenacity. I wish I had thought to tell him thank you.
Working with Pat over the years was at times exasperating and at others pure joy. Pat had the ability to communicate with all levels of society and power. He’d say anything to anyone. Although many think Pat was an adversary to DFG it was just the opposite. The biologists in Southern California would turn to him when our efforts went unheard. And yes, he worked behind the scenes. He didn’t force DFG to mitigate the damage at Silverwood; he sued DWR, the real culprit, and they paid for it.
The anglers of the state, and nationally for that matter, will never know all the good he did. I personally will be forever indebted to him.
Sorry to hear about the passing of Pat. As the western Regional sales manager for Champion Boats for approximately 16 years. Pat was our legal advisor, attorney and a staffer/ champion owner. He always had that excitement to him, high energy and always called me to give me advice whether I wanted it or not.
Pat was a great man, and friend to all the anglers. I definately appreciate having known and being one of Pats friends. May he rest in peace, and get the waters ready for us all up there!
Jerry Gusman
I did not know Mr. Marley, but from the caliber of the posters on this Remembrance Post, it is quite clear he was a giant behind the scene in our beloved sport of bass fishing. I will dedicate the next bass I ‘Catch and Release’ to the memory of Pat Marley.
My wife & I had the pleasure of meeting Pat several times over the years at our resort up here in Canada. He was the consummate fisherman. Yes, he was here to catch fish but he took time to talk to people and was genuinely interested in the area and the locals. I mentioned today that Pat had passed on to Phil at the Angler’s Pro, our local bait and tackle store in Nestor Falls, and he told me how Pat would stand in the store and not only educate Phil’s customer’s and help put them on fish but would also help sell tackle to them & chuckled. We feel lucky to have met and known Pat and he will live on forever in our hearts. I have a great picture of Pat with a beautiful 50″ Crow Lake muskie that he caught on a little crank bait with 8# test which I will have enlarged and framed and it will be hung in a place of honor, we will miss him. Good Fishing, Pat !!!
I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Pat Marley quite a few times over my 23 years at WON and he had the remarkable knack of understanding any side of a situation while adamantly, and at the same time amiably, standing his ground. He was a fierce protector of the rights of bass anglers. The world is a lesser place without the chance of running into him again up in Alaska or at a local lake.