By Elana Warsen
GRAYLING – Old Au Sable Fly Shop Co-Owner and Fly Fishing Operating Manager Andy Partlo can’t help but speak in fishing metaphors. Maybe that’ to be expected from a guy who has put out a fly fishing-based radio segment every week without fail for over two years.
Produced by Dave Sherbert (Q100′ ‘Big Dog’ Dave), the report won a second place Merit Award for Feature Programming at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters annual gathering this week for the Excellence in Broadcasting awards.
‘It’ like getting thrown off the dock,’ Partlo said, of reluctantly agreeing to go on the air after nine years of putting his weekly River Report in print. ‘I was begrudgingly thrust into the public eye, and I had to do my best. My reputation was on the line. My name was on it.’
Now over 100 weeks into his unexpected career as a radio personality, Partlo is not only swimming, but sailing, having recently earned the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ 2016 Broadcast Excellence Award for his weekly short radio fishing report. His program, one of the only fly-fishing based radio shows in the country, pays tribute to ‘the Northern life and the Northern experience,’ Partlo said.
Partlo, age 43, says the award took him by surprise. ‘I never in my life thought I’d get a broadcasting award,’ he said. ‘We don’t win many awards as adults’maybe for paying the bills. Awards don’t usually excite me, but I am excited. It’ a neat award.’
Partlo has words of advice for others whose careers lead them in unexpected directions. ‘Embrace it,’ he said. ‘It can be fun.’
Sheryl Coyne, president of Blarney Stone Broadcasting, is pleased her staff was recognized for their efforts.
‘We are thrilled and proud beyond words for this award, and we congratulate Andy and Dave for their fine work,’ Coyne said. ‘Partnerships like we’ve created with the Old Au Sable Fly Shop represent the foundation of our commitment to our community.’
Contact Elana Warsen with comments or story ideas at elana@ausablemedia.com.
