The Puddle Hoppers, The Old School Kickboaters, The KZN Small Craft Bass Fishing league and from me personally, Tjaart Fourie:
He lived with a smile and fished with a heart of gold.
A smile as bright as the morning sun, a thunderously loud greeting, and pure happiness to see any of his friends, remembering Jonni Wills will always fill one’s heart with warmth.
Jonni was also whimsically known as ‘Captain Hook Toe’, though he was an incredibly talented angler who fished fiercely in the competitive bass fishing circuit, an individual who has probably won more trophies in KZN kickboating than anyone else.
He would share his wealth of fishing knowledge with fellow anglers to help them improve, even if it meant they may one day best him in a competition.
This is why so many loved Jonni as a dear friend. He did things to help others which he didn’t have to and he would do it from a heart so pure it was hard to find any fault in his actions.
My personal timeline with Jonni started off as it did with many others. I had joined the small craft bass fishing community and knew very little. Jonni made the time to get to know me and help me.
Our friendship grew as we worked together on fishing leagues and competitions, to grow our sport as we envied the size of similar leagues around the world.
We even had a special meal we would eat when we had our meetings – a cheeseburger, chips and a milkshake. A humble meal I will cherish for the rest of my life.
This was Jonni, humble, happy and an incredibly giving friend.
Many will remember that fishing with Jonni was quite an affair. He would have this everlasting lust to try and catch the biggest fish in the dam and nothing short of that would do. Hours would be spent on the water trying to figure where and how we could accomplish this. The excitement in his eyes, the determination to never give up, it was blissfully intoxicating.
Jonni’s contributions to fresh water bass fishing can never be forgotten.
He played a key role in:
• Establishing CPR, a safe way to catch, record and release fish, vital for our sport and preserving fisheries
• A dedicated Internet forum to bring small craft fisherman together
• Rules and guidelines to small craft competitive fishing, still used and implemented today
• Helping and giving counsel to competitions and all new innovations and producers in our sport.
Jonni, Captain Hook toe, my good friend Janni, we will love you always.
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