Anglers' contingent strikes back
Ice fishermen outraged with proposal to change season's opening
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Tim Jackson of Monmmoth is fuming. We spoke on Monday concerning state representative Matthew Dunlap's recent legislative proposal to ban fishing in January. Dunlap, of Old Town, is also House Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Dunlap claims closing the month of January to ice fishing would help save the lives of people who venture out on thin to fish early on in the season.
Dunlap has heard rumors that winter anglers are killing to many fish. He was asked to include a provision to reduce the current legal number of tip-ups from five to two, but did not do so because he feels that ice-fishing pressure today is less than it was a decade ago.
Jackson, who makes a living fabricating his "Jack Trap" line of ice-fishing tip-ups, characterizes Dunlap's proposal as hogwash. And after reading Sunday's Maine Lore column, he, along with retired game warden and bait dealer John Whalen of Caanan, plan to organize a grassroots association to hopefully unite bait dealers, ice fishermen, and other people statewide who reap the benefits generated by the sport of ice fishing.
Their reason? To lobby against legislative proposals such as Dunlap's before they become law.
"It's time ice fishermen and those involved in ice fishing get together for a common cause," said Jackson. "At this time, there's not one single organization out there that will represent bait dealers, ice fishermen and others who make a living from ice fishing."
Jackson summarizes ice fishing as a poor man's sport. Most fishermen and those associated with the winter activity work harder to get less.
"The common ice fishermen is a walking man who knows the ice, and doesn't want to take chances," he said. "Once an ice fisherman drills five holes through a foot or more of ice, he generally stays put for the day. It's not like fishing out of a boat, where you can move around an entire lake in a matter of minutes."
Jackson also credits bait dealers as some of the hardest-working people in the fishing industry. The hours are long, the work extremely hard and harsh, often working in the coldest elements Mother Nature can dish out. More often than not, it's an extremely short bait catching season and the pay is low for the number of hours worked.
"If anyone thinks its easy, they should try sitting out on a frozen lake all day hand-lining enough smelt to make $50 or $75," he said. "Catching and selling bait allows most of these guys to get by during the winter months. There's not much work out there, so they basically freeze their butts off to make a few bucks. You take a month of fishing away and it's going to hurt these guys real bad." Jackson said ice fishing season generates an enormous amount of revenue for businesses and the state each season. Many small mom-and-pop stores count on the additional income generated by ice fishing just to get through the winter months.
"We finally get a winter with some good ice to help generate business and some representative from Old Town is trying to take a month of it away," said Jackson. "How can somebody in office come out and say, 'I heard a rumor' and try to pass a law based on hearsay? I wonder what his voters think of him now."
l l l A e-mail message from Matthew Modine of South China voices his opinion concerning Dunlap's recent proposal. Read what he has to say: "Here's another attempt by our legislators to regulate common sense. Can't be done, never will be. There are certain risks a person takes when they go afield. If safety is the argument then why stop here? How about banning snowmobiling in January? That would have saved at least two people from drowning on the lakes while pleasure riding in places they shouldn't be. "Banning fishing from canoes in April and May? We lose people every year from drowning or hypothermia, because they don't have enough sense to wear lifejackets. How about banning trees on ski resorts? Someone is always running into them, because they are going too fast. I could go on and on, but I guess you get my point. "I believe there is another reason for Dunlap to introduce this legislation. This state has always believed that ice fishing is the whipping-boy when it comes to fisheries resources. This is a back door attempt to reduce the amount of ice fishing that goes on in Maine. Want an example of how the state views ice fishing? Look no further than Moosehead Lake. In the winter, you're not allowed to keep a salmon under 18 inches. Summertime? It's 14 inches. What good is a 14-inch salmon, other than to let it grow bigger anyway? Would someone tell my why the rule isn't 18 inches in the summer? Or at least 16 inches? I think it's because ice fisherman are not a political force that influence department or government policy. Want an example of the department's disdain? I actually heard a well-known biologist at a Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife public meeting in Greenville, when a proposal to ban salmon fishing was debated a few years ago, say, "So what if a couple of bait dealers go out of business?" How about that for arrogance? What he doesn't realize is that along with that loss, most stores will also sell a few less sandwiches, a few less gallons of gas, a few less meals, a lot less tackle etc. etc. (all taxed by the state, by the way). "Speaking of economics, here is a thought: With all the talk about license sales being down, no money at DIF&W and a general lack of interest in outdoor activities, this ill-conceived legislation will certainly acerbate that situation. Then again, if this happens we might need a few less biologists too! "If Dunlap gets this through, there is no reason for me to buy a license until February, or perhaps even May. For lot of folks, I suspect there would be no reason to get a license at all. "In a recent article, Dunlap said he was considering introducing legislation to reduce the number of traps that are used as well. But he said ice-fishing pressure isn't what it used to be. No kidding! Anyone care to guess why that is? Because usually when people go fishing they expect to catch fish!!! Wonder who the state will blame for the poor fishing after people give up the sport?" l l l Bill Randall of Winthrop says he sent a copy of his morning's rant to his ice-fishing friends after reading Maine Lore's Indecent Proposal column. Here's what Randall says: "If you are an ice fisherman, this may interest you. For me to make a complete and full comment would require much more time than I have available today, tomorrow and probably most of next month. I'm fully cognizant that many editorialists are nothing more than pot-stirrers, but nevertheless this kind of controversy serves no useful purpose whatsoever. "Will we ever get this hunting and fishing right and then leave things alone? I'm sick and tired of these constant frays — I really am. I just want to go hunting and fishing and kayaking and be left alone. I don't care if I catch anything, kill anything, or tip over and get wet. Just let me enjoy Mother Nature in her garden of Eden. Sometimes she is bountiful — sometimes not. So what?! I just wish we all could be more accepting of what is. The sun comes up every morning and sets in the evening in the outdoor world — what in hell more does a guy need on his plate? Perhaps a little more peace and quiet, but then we can't seem to even have that. We spend far too much of our time fighting over things that are relatively unimportant." Dwayne Rioux: 861-9287