A Mississippi River lover is reaping the rewards for his efforts to save dozens of people on the Mississippi River over the last 50 years.

The U-S Fish and Wildlife Service gave Byron Clements of Genoa its first River Guardian award in January. The award has drawn plenty of media attention from La Crosse outlets.

The 76-year-old Clements has spent years pulling people out of the river, from people who drift too close the Lock and Dam Number Nine and find themselves stuck in the undertow to capsized fisherman.

Clements' family runs a fishing barge resort just south of the barge, putting him and his son, Mark, in perfect position to act as aquatic first responders.

Clements says he can sit there in good conscience and not help anyone.