Bio

Raised on his grandfather’s farm in the small Henry County community of Buchanan, Tennessee, Garry Mason came from very humble beginnings.  He grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of the lower Tennessee and Cumberland valleys, including the waters of Kentucky Lake. Hunting and fishing were more than just pastimes—they were a way of life. From an early age, Garry immersed himself in the woodlands and waterways of the region, unknowingly laying the foundation for a lifelong career in the great outdoors.

Garry’s first job was at the "World’s Biggest Fish Fry,” where he battered catfish from the time he was twelve until he married his Henry County high-school sweetheart, Cindy Gaines, and then moved to Springville, Tennessee. For over sixteen years, he worked at Lowe’s Southern Clay Company in Paris while also pursuing his career passion, serving as a professional guide for fishing trips, waterfowl hunts, and training retrievers in his spare time.

In 1991, when the plant where he was employed closed, Garry made the bold decision to turn his outdoor hobbies into a full-time profession. As a professional guide, he expanded his mission by guiding hunting and fishing trips across the country while continuing to train retrievers. His expertise quickly earned him a reputation as one of America’s most respected professional guides, specializing in waterfowl hunting and wing shooting, as well as crappie, bass, and bluegill fishing.

His standing in the outdoor industry caught the attention of outdoor writers and television hosts nationwide. Featured in nearly every major outdoor magazine—including sixteen issues of Crappie World Magazine, Garry became a sought-after expert in his field. Throughout his career, he has hosted many note-worthy individuals, such as country music stars, well-known television personalities, and industry leaders - many of whom traveled to Henry County for the chance to hunt and fish with Garry on Kentucky Lake.

In 2002, Garry and his wife Cindy founded the “Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame” to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the outdoors industry. Now, in the 24th year of operation, the “Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame” has since inducted members from across the United States and Canada, further cementing Garry’s legacy as a champion for the industry’s pioneers. Ray Scott, founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), once remarked, “Garry’s unselfish contribution to the outdoor’s industry will be felt and heard all over this great country. He has the unique gift of being able to make others look great while bringing the whole outdoors industry closer together for a common cause, by awarding the achievements of all who have helped to build the industry. Garry Mason is truly a great American.”

In 2006, Garry took on a new role as the Executive Director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism, where he used his connections in the outdoors industry to bring numerous major fishing tournaments to the shores of Henry County. These included three “Bassmaster’s Elite Series” tournaments, as well as the very first “Bassmasters High School National Championship”.  After sixteen years of dedicated service to the nine-county region, he retired from his position, leaving behind a profound impact on Tennessee’s outdoor tourism. His contributions, particularly in his hometown of Paris-Henry County and the Kentucky Lake region, continue to influence the area's tourism landscape.

Garry continued to shape the future of competitive outdoor sports by mentoring high schools and colleges in establishing fishing, trap shooting, and archery programs.  As a result, student enrollment increased in non-traditional sports in these institutions.  In 2009, he established America’s first collegiate scholarship fishing team at Bethel College of McKenzie, TN, now known as Bethel University. As the first college fishing coach in the United States, he led the “Bethel Wildcats Bass Fishing Team” to thirteen National Championship titles and nineteen Regional Championships. To date, Bethel University’s fishing program remains the most decorated in collegiate history. It has become America’s premier collegiate bass fishing program, winning more championships than any other bass team or club in college fishing. Attesting to its success, ten former Bethel bass team members are now fishing professionally.

Beyond coaching, Garry is the host of the "Legends of the Outdoors" television show and serves as the Outdoor Editor for Cypress Magazine, where he is also the featured writer for its outdoors section.  His career spans over 40 years as an outdoor writer, inspirational/motivational speaker, outdoors photographer, seminar speaker, promoter, and conservationist, making him a prominent figure in the outdoor industry. Additionally, he has promoted and hosted waterfowl festivals and calling championships, including the prestigious “U.S. Open Duck Calling Championship” and also the “Tennessee State Duck and Goose Calling Championship”. He also served as a founding Board of Directors member for the “Discovery Park of America” in Union City, TN.

However, despite these achievements, Garry considers his greatest accomplishment to be honoring others and shining a light on their contributions to the outdoors industry. He remains dedicated to promoting Paris and Henry County at every opportunity. “When I'm not in Henry County, it’s Paris and Henry County that I am dreaming of getting back to,” he says. “God has truly blessed me with a loving family and a great community that has provided me opportunities to grow as an outdoorsman.”

Garry and his wife Cindy are proud parents to three children—Michael (Holley) Mason, Leslie (Keith) Henegar, and Tyler (Amanda) Mason—and grandparents to eight grandchildren—Austin (Erica) Flowers, Morgan Mason, Connor Mason, Haleigh Henegar, Hannah Henegar, Paisley Mason, Palmer Mason, and Parker Kate Mason.

  Through his lifelong dedication to the outdoors, Garry has inspired countless others to appreciate all that the outdoors has to offer, and most certainly the beauty of Henry County where he has always called home.