Fishing Stories, Nineteen Years and Watches

[Scott McKee]

When I was a kid, my family would always go on a summer vacation.  I always tried to influence our destination to revolve around water so that I could fish.  My dad didn’t fish, but he taught me a few knots, showed me how to cast and let me learn the rest for myself.  I was terrible at fishing when I started (sort of like my first year in the Harbor).  I remember an early windy morning on Seneca Lake negotiating the U-shaped dock’s pilings while rowing in to the waves and trying not to capsize the boat.  I remember getting out a ways in the heavy chop and wondering “what the hell have I got myself into?”

Like I said, my dad didn’t fish, but his mother did when she was younger on Lake Chautauqua and in Canada, and boy could my grandmother spin yarns.  Every story she told was more engaging and filled with more surprises than the last.  She used to tell me about the time her and my grandfather were fishing on Chautauqua in the heat of the summer.  Taking a break to eat lunch, my grandfather stopped eating his sandwich to take a drink, probably a high ball, and let his hand fall to rest with the sandwich in it outside the boat right near the water’s surface.  According to my grandmother, at this point a HUGE musky exploded out of the water and grabbed the sandwich.  This watery beast didn’t just take my grandfather’s lunch, it managed to steal his gold watch as well.  She’d tell me about how big the fish’s teeth were, and how it just about took my grandfather’s arm off.  My grandpa Mac passed away when I was just a little boy and I never had the chance to ask him about this sandwich/watch swiping fish.

I remember when I was a bit older, my dad told me this story didn’t happen quite the way my grandmother painted it.  I didn’t want to believe him, but I knew he was probably right.  I think that memory may mark the point when I started growing up.  My grandmother would still tell me the story after that, but it lost some of its luster.  I didn’t let her know that, because I didn't want to hurt her feelings.  It still was still after all a good story.  I’m all for a good story; especially a good fishing story, but I'm not a big fan of lies.  In fact, I detest lies when it comes to fishing or when they are directed towards the Niagara Musky Association in an effort to subvert our reputation and place in the environmental community.  There is a difference between telling stories and passing along lies or grossly stretching the truth.

Just over nineteen years ago the Niagara Musky Association was formed.  Over that time there have been many ups and downs for the club.  The club is greatly responsible for the Strawberry Island restoration project.  Size limits have been increased to reflect our fisheries potential and to protect harvest.  Numerous anglers have gained respect for these magnificent fish and many anglers have learned to release them properly.  The public’s view on releasing big muskies has changed 180-degrees.  Many friendships have been forged.  Bad always finds its place next to good, and many friends made have been lost.  There have been arguments – epic blowouts – but in the end, generally, the sides agreed to settle their differences either by rational discussion or by election.  Regardless of the outcome, the Club remained strong.

Our latest down – the season extension debate – has come in this our nineteenth year, less than one year away from the precipice of a very significant number for any organization, and I honestly fear we may not recover from it.  Accusations of a heavy handed Board of Directors cover-up have been made.  According to these accusations, the Board has not allowed free discussion of the extended season topic.  The Board has made the decision for the club without their consent, and has influenced the DEC to comply with their wishes.  Quite simply, none of this is true.

Tony made reference on our Web site in a recent post to certain board members resigning from their positions if a vote is forced at tonight’s meeting.  One post stated the obvious, you (Tony) make it sound like you’ll quit if you don’t win.  It wasn’t himself Tony was referring to, it was me.  I am against extending the season on the Niagara and the Harbor to December 15^th.  My opinion is a matter of record.  I was not considering resigning my position if the membership voted to extend the season.  If we vote in favor of extending the season, I think I’ll fish those two weeks, something I haven’t done on the Upper River in December ever. I’ll comply with the member’s wishes and support them publicly.  I was considering resigning because I am worried about what the club may be turning into and I was tired: Tired of having to defend the Board from these false accusations, tired of the endless and useless back-and-forth’s on our Web site, other public Web sites and E-mails.  Our organization has never supported extending seasons or decreasing size limits, and I would hate to see the club sliding away from its conservative, conservation-minded historical approach while i was President.

As President I am responsible for monitoring all activities of the organization; it is a job I take very seriously.   When accusations are made against the Board on my watch, they are made against me.  When the club’s name is sullied, mine is sullied as well.   When it appears a large faction of the membership is upset with the Board, I can only infer they are upset with me and my leadership.  It is my watch.  Tony called any forced vote tonight a possible vote of confidence.  That’s how I would perceive it, and that’s how others, especially outside the club would perceive it.  I’ve been wondering to myself lately, “what the hell have I got myself into?”

I have worked excessively hard since taking over the reins.  During my time as President, we have accumulated more money than we’ve ever had for conservation efforts, we have strengthened our relationship with Muskies Canada, in recent years our newsletter has been given a glossy coat of bright and shiny paint, and we finally have a Web site to be proud of.  We have increased our support of children’s fishing derbies.  During my time as President, I believe we have offered our members more for their $20 membership fees than ever before.  I’ve often wondered how many hours I’ve spent doing “club stuff”, as I like to put it.  Lately, I’ve been wondering why I do?  The alternative to all of my time spent has looked more and more appealing lately.

Over the past few years I have jotted down plans for our 20^th anniversary; grand plans.  The cornerstone of which is a real, honest-to-God conservation project the entire club supports, not just with their words or by raising their hands, but with their time, sweat and hard work.  One that makes the Harbor fishery a viable, healthy fishery again, or at least starts the process.  Over these past few months, my zeal for these plans, and all club activities for that matter, has been wavering. The bickering was taking its toll.

It is my belief that the Board of Directors has acted with the best interest of the club on this topic.  We have not delayed a vote.  We have not influenced the DEC or any government agency to comply with our wishes.  We have not recruited support from outside sources, on Web sites, outdoor shows, etcetera.  I have not sent threats to those in favor of extending the season about “a lot of new faces” attending meeting, or manufactured numbers to support my position. I have stated my opinions and tried to dispel accusation, but I always keep the best interest of the club in mind and I believe I have done that concerning this whole issue.

When I was on the verge of typing my resignation speech, I called Jon MacSwan, our President of eleven years.  He has been through this sort of bickering before, and it was his advice that convinced me to not quit.  Whatever decision the club makes concerning extending the season, I will support.  I hope that every member will do the same.  If the membership votes to recommend extending the season, I will not under any circumstances sling mud at the key proponents of the extension after the fact.  Conversely, I would hope they would do the same regarding those opposed.

Here’s what I would like you to do for me tonight: Listen.  Really listen, so that you can make the best and most informed decision possible.  Ask questions.  Listen to the answers.  Be respectful of others and their opinions. And when you receive your ballot, ultimately vote with your conscience, or at least listen to it long and hard first.  Weigh what is best for the fishery, against what is best for the fisherman or woman and make your decision based on facts.

And whatever the outcome of that vote may be, I hope that you, the membership, will stay united and will work to accomplish great things environmentally which will enable our fisheries to thrive again and make us all proud to be members of a conservation slash fishing club that started 19 years ago and hopefully continues for many years to follow.

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

My feelings also. jojoout

[Stephen Glassic]

Scott,  I heard an old story a while back about someone who found a watch in the stomach of a musky long ago.  Just joking but wouldn't it be funny if it was true?