Tom Steinstra's Column on the 2010 inductees:

Hal Janssen is one of America's greatest fly fishermen, tackle inventors and outdoors entertainers. Ken and Marcia Powers are the No. 1 hiking expedition couple in the nation. Steve Carson is California's No. 1 saltwater angler and educator whose fishing knowledge and passions have inspired many, including thousands of youngsters.

All four were to be inducted into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame on Saturday at the International Sportsmen's Exposition, which completes a four-day run today at the San Mateo County Event Center. All gained more than 60 percent of the vote among balloting by past winners, and leaders in outdoors media, government and industry, who vote anonymously, free of faction. No posthumous candidates received high enough vote totals this year to qualify.

Anybody can propose a nominee for the award, but qualifying and voting is based on two factors: Nominees must have (1) inspired thousands of Californians to take part in the great outdoors and/or conservation, and (2) have taken part in a paramount scope of adventures. The awards are sponsored by the Sportsmen's Exposition.

This year's winners:

Hal Janssen

Janssen is a world-renowned fly fisherman who invented many concepts and equipment now in use. He has caught nearly every species of freshwater and saltwater game fish, totaling in the hundreds, and has entertained, informed and inspired thousands at seminars, at schools and in videos. Among his inventions are many fly lines and 70 fly patterns used throughout the world. As an illustrator and painter, he has created fishing art for calendars, magazines and prints. He is a consummate authority who was sought out by Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and others as a guide and friend, and has also served many fishing clubs and conservation organizations. Janssen's fly-fishing catches include 20-pound trout, 100-pound tarpon, 40-pound salmon, and hundreds of other trophy-quality specimens from around the world - virtually all that he released unharmed.

Ken and Marcia Powers

No couple in America has completed more epic hiking expeditions than Ken and Marcia Powers. They gained world fame for being the first to complete the American Discovery Trail, 4,900 miles, from the East Coast to the West Coast, ending at Point Reyes National Seashore in 2005. In the past 10 years alone, other expeditions include the 2,680-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 212-mile John Muir Trail, the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, the 808-mile Arizona Trail and the 1,096-mile Idaho Centennial Trail. In the offseason, they connect with the public at forums and seminars, and they have created a Web site to answer questions and form a long-distance hikers community. In the process, they inspired thousands to take part in the wilderness experience through their accomplishments and public outreach.

Steve Carson

Since the 1990s, Carson has been a director of "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs," through which he has helped thousands of youngsters to have their first outdoors experience. For this he was singled out by Congress, which awarded him a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition." Carson has also directed the Penn Fishing University seminar program, where he mentors offshore saltwater anglers. He is ranked No. 3 in the world for most species of fish caught on rod-and-reel, was named as one of the top 30 anglers in the West by Western Outdoors magazine, and is renowned across the hemisphere as one of the leading offshore saltwater fishermen for tuna and other big-game species. Carson also is involved in many local media across the state to connect, inform and inspire the public, through writing, photography and seminars. He is also chairman of the Butte County Fish and Game Commission.

This article appeared on page B - 10 of the San Francisco Chronicle on Jan 16, 2010