FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Comments on 6/11/04:
Most of your people are are good sports, however it is my opinion, after
observing your tournaments for years, that a few of your people are given
fishing tournaments a bad reputation. Speeding through channels, speeding
too close to other watercraft, acting macho ( get out of my way, I'm after
money, fishing in milfoil beds which are marked with buoys, bumping boats
in boat lifts by fishing too close to shore, etc, etc.) As you can tell I
am fed up with "money fishing, who is making the buck on tournaments???
The following email was sent to Department of
Natural Resources, and then forwarded on to me. I would like us all to
review it. I'm encouraging folks, to hold yourselves and others
responsible for safe, courteous operation of our boats at all times.
Before and during tournaments. I don't read the writer as being
anti-tournament or fishing. Vern Wagner, MN Bass Federation.
Safety
"I am an avid outdoorsman in Minnesota,
both hunting and fishing. I live on the Mississippi on the backwaters of
the Weaver bottoms and am out on the river a lot either hunting, fishing,
or boating and recreating with my family, at all times of the year. I am
hesitant to complain about anyone that pursues hunting or fishing
anywhere, but I feel that recent slow and steady increase in tournament
fishing is getting out of control. I am not concerned with the fish being
caught, but rather with the insane speeds that the bass boats run on the
channel and especially in the backwaters, or anywhere off the channel.
Serious accidents are going to happen if they haven't all ready when high
speed bass boats are on the backwaters where visibility is often screened
by trees, willows, cattails, islands and other objects. I feel I am almost
gambling with my life and that of my family if I decide to anchor fish
from certain spots in the backwaters or if I just traverse certain areas
with my flat bottom boat in the areas that I described. Taking my canoe in
these areas is almost out of the question. It sickens me that we might
have to have more rules and regulations on the books, but I think speeds
need to be limited or bass fishing tournaments removed from the
Mississippi unless some control can be enforced. I just wanted you to get
feedback on something that's been bothering me for years, and that a
recent close call induced me to write."
This was a comment that was sent in to Classic
Bass:
"Property owners that are on the lakes do have one comment. This does not have
to do with everybody. We have had numerous problems with hooks being lodged into
our boat covers and also tears in the cover. The neighbors have had the same
problems also. Please take care when casting at peoples belongings"
Keep this in mind the next time you are fishing a dock pattern.
One more submission:
"I, along with about 90 other boaters slip in alma marina harbor for the summer
season.
We enjoy watching the weigh in and talking to the folks that are fishing.
We do however, not all get up at 6 AM and the extra yelling at the start of
tournament time is not appreciated.
Please do not board our boats to sit and have morning coffee - we are on the
boat when you think it is unoccupied.
Please do not cast at our boats and bounce the lead off the boats, be courteous
to your fellow boaters.
If you come with a large group to the harbor, bring a couple extra rolls of TP
so you don't empty out the bathrooms before we even get up.
We would appreciate your help."
Email: Classic Bass
