G Loomis’ former executive director Bruce Holt passes

Edwin “Bruce” Holt, 73, who enjoyed a stellar 34-year career with Woodland, Washington-based fishing rod manufacturer G. Loomis, passed away on October 6th, 2021 after a short battle with cancer.

He retired from G. Loomis at the end of 2019, after playing a major role in the manufacturer’s rise to being one of the world’s most highly respected, high-performance rod makers.

An avid bass angler, Holt was the catalyst for G. Loomis expanding its salmon and steelhead rod roots from being located in the Pacific Northwest to a major emphasis on the bass fishing market. He showcased those rods to both media and tackle dealers by hosting well-documented product introduction trips to big bass lakes in Mexico and to target peacock bass in Brazil, along with unique bass fishing locations throughout the United States.

Holt contributed to G. Loomis’ success in numerous positions over the years, from being in charge of sales and marketing before Shimano’s acquisition of the company in 1997, to a nearly decade-long stint as executive director and then returning to his media communications and public relations role the past nine years.

He gave back to the industry by serving on Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board of Directors for 10-plus years, including being the board vice president during major decisions about the Hall’s future, along with support for other key organisations including the International Game Fish Association and Fly Fishers International.

Dave Pfeiffer, president of G. Loomis’ parent company Shimano North American Fishing, Inc., in the news release in 2019 about Holt’s retirement, said: “Bruce spent his career at G. Loomis as the guiding light for the company, always keeping the G. Loomis brand mission in focus and that angler expectations were fully realised by all involved in product development, manufacturing, sales and marketing.”

He is survived by his partner Jean Manninen, siblings Ryan (Beth) Holt and Laura (Roger) Gleason, and his children Jason Holt, Rob (Stephanie) Holt, Kami (Keith) Fuller, Aimee (Trevor) Freeman, Angela (Bobby) Dyer, Michael Manninen, along with 16 grandchildren.

A celebration was to be held on Saturday, October 16th at Steele Chapel on Longview, Washington.

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