Ed Nowak

Ed Nowak has been actively chasing fish since he was old enough to gather worms and bait a hook. His hobby became his livelihood when he married after the World War II and used his fishing skills to help support a family of four boys and a princess.

During "The Big One," Ed served as a photographer in the 21st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron assigned to General Chennault of Flying Tiger fame in China, Burma and India. Upon his return to the States, he was assigned to the staff of YANK the Army Magazine. As sporting goods sales manager after the war for the prestigious Bigelow & Dowse hardware firm, Ed increased fishing tackle business by an exclusive sales management and distribution alliance with Ted Williams’ Fishing Tackle. Ed helped develop Ted’s kids fishing gear and fly rods and spinning rods to match Williams’ famous fishing reels. The gear became so popular that Sears Roebuck bought William’s company and hired Ted to promote it and sell a complete line of Ted Williams sporting goods.

After his second trip to Mass General Hospital’s Cabbage Patch in 1990, Ed stopped traveling. He remained active, however, writing fish tales, feature articles, and photographing outdoor action as contributing editor for Offshore, a New England boating magazine. His talent with words and camera eventually led to a post as field editor for The Fisherman's New England edition.

Ed has won dozens of awards for his photography and several for his writing from outdoor writers’ organizations. Working for The Fisherman, writing feature outdoor articles for local newspapers and giving fishing seminars throughout the winter keeps him active and in touch with New England’s finest charter boat captains and anglers.