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| I HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE IMPACT OF THE MUSKIE FISHERMEN ON WEBSTER TO THE LOCAL FOLKS LATELY (THEY'RE GRIPING A BIT ABOUT ALL THE PRESSURE ON THE LAKE, ETC) AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FROM YOU GUYS. HOW MUCH WOULD YOU ESTIMATE THAT YOU SPEND ON YOUR AVERAGE TRIP (PER DAY) TO WEBSTER WHILE IN NORTH WEBSTER AREA ITSELF? THIS COULD INCLUDE OF COURSE SUCKERS/ BAITS/TACKLE, GAS, SNACKS/FOOD/DRINK/ICE, OTHER SUPPLIES, MARINA FEES, RAMP FEES, TIPS @ LOCAL CLUBS, LODGING, ETC. THE TOWN FOLKS HAVE THE IDEA THAT WE DON'T SPEND MUCH BUT I'D LIKE TO THINK OTHERWISE. PLEASE BE AS HONEST AND ACCURATE AS YOU CAN--THANKS!
JK |
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Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | Anywhere from $100-$135 a day. That is my boat total 2 guys or such..
pga |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Jeff:
I bet depending on who you are talking to they have a good point. A ton of the "pressure" that visits the North Webster comes from Chicago and Idianapolis and many of those folks do day trips, in at sunup and out end of the day. This croud doesn't have much time to spend money locally. We probably gassed the boat up on the highway when our truck needed it on the way to town. We probably brought lunch to maximize our time on the water or we went to the grocery in town and got a box of fried chicken. If we stay overnight there's only a couple places that I visit, the lodge, the local performing arts, that restaurant on Wawasee (name?) and possibly Neva's for some grub in the morning, not necessarily in that order.
What businesses have you talked to? What other types of business is in town that we are not helping? Ace Hardware, CVS?
ps. If the food at the Dixie was edible they might get a little more business. |
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Posts: 2037
Location: lansing, il | hi jeff, id rather not disclose the amount of money ive turned over to bussinesses and revenue for that little town but lets just say, ive made very generous contributions in that little town! between gas, lodging, food, drinks, tips, last minute boat repairs, bait, tackle, local law enforcement. etc. they shouldnt complain!!! if musky fishing went down hill drasticlly im sure they would figure it out too late! |
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Posts: 69
Location: Toledo | Have them look at their sales from ten years ago against today's! Has the town grown as much as their revenue? Ask Ye Olde Tacklebox  |
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| Man....some weekends as much as $250 IN the town of North Webster alone. But never anything less than a solid $100 a weekend. Just depends on what all is going on.
That being..anything from the grocery store, ACE hardware, Number One Stop Bait Shop, Ye Olde Tackle Box, Subway, Lakeview/Pizza King Restaurant, Barts, gas stations, Liquor stores, bars such as The Landing on Barbee for coctails and lunch, CVS, different marinas, the "gentlemens club" or what someone called the "performing arts center," video store for movie rentals, whatever we need for our cabins up there, etc.
Two weekends ago...I blew $250 in Ye Olde alone..this past weekend...another $70 in Number One Stop alone.
I have no problems saying that I do my fair share of supporting that community and it's economy that's for sure. |
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| Appreciate the comments to which I agree but also need hard fact$ of daily $$ spent so that I have some ammo in my discussions with them. Need to make them realize that we DO CONTRIBUTE significantly to their community monetarily and are not just a burden. FYI they do comment that we all are a well behaved and respectful group and are generally liked, particularly compared to the bass guys which generally are NOT well liked due to their bad attitudes, etc (no offense to any of you who fish both as I have as well). Some of us have contributed hugely to their community through the purchase of condos/cottages/boats, etc as well as the above mentioned ways. Thank you for your help!
JK |
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Posts: 462
Location: Syracuse, Indiana | <p>Jeff</p><p>I have had similar conversations with the "locals" (I am one), many of whom perceive fishermen poorly. I have expressed that those fishermen they are dodging on the lake are pumping cash into the local economy. Except at the bait shops, I have been met with disagreement.</p><p>My recollection is that the DNR did a study a few years ago that touched on this issue. I know Jed Pearson mentioned economics in his talk to the Hoosier Muskie Hunters at the Classic a few nights ago. Perhaps he has some data.</p><p>This is a growing issue. Please respond to Jeff's request.</p><p>Dave Cates</p> |
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | First, let me ask this.. Just "Who" exactly are you talking to? In my particular case, it obviously isn't Barbee landing, Lance's, Blimpie's, CVS, Lighthouse Cafe, Teightmeyer Ace, Ye Olde Tackle, #1 Stop, etc... Do you want me to continue?? How's this, over $50,000 in 11 years.... Basically Jeff, I just want to know who you are talking to about this....sounds like bs to me... last weekend was about $500 alone
Edited by kevin 5/17/2005 8:19 PM
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Location: oswego, il | Are we just talking north webster or the whole area? I spend money in warsaw and pierceton too. It can't be that bad, I know of no other mom and pop tackle shop that has a selection of musky baits like ye-olde. If they are complaining as you say, perhaps they are not marketing themselves as well as they could to the musky fisherman. This sounds like an issue for the chamber of commerce to look into. I would goto lucky's if they served something other than beer or wine. What an odd thing for a bar to do. Gas, meals, bait when I use it and sometimes lodging. Another odd thing is before memorial day, good luck trying to get a meal in north webster past 9pm. You fish untill dark, you ain't eating dinner in town. The dock sucks at the restaurant on webster, they shot themselves in the foot building that, nobody wants to dock on it and scratch up their boat. I just think if the town catered to us better, they could profit more. The Lodge and Ye Olde are about the only places in town that cater hard to the musky crowd.
Edited by ToddM 5/17/2005 8:22 PM
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Location: Chicago, Beverly | Well the Lighthouse cafe opens at 4:00am and closes at 10pm on the weekend. Chet the owner has told me invite all the Musky Fisherman I can. So I know Jeff ain't talking about the Lighthouse Cafe..
Edited by kevin 5/17/2005 8:32 PM
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Location: Valparaiso , Indiana | WAY TOO MUCH! I need to move closer. |
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Location: Hoboken, NJ / North Webster, IN | I'm kind of replying for my father, but since he got into Muskie fishing a couple years ago, he's purchased a cottage on Webster, redone a lot of it using local craftmen and local businesses. Refurnished it from local stores. Buys gas for his boat and car. Spends probably 24 days a month up there with my mom, buying groceries, etc.....between March and November. Eats out 3-5 days a week at either Jimmys, the Pub, or one of many other resaurants within 15-20 minutes of North Webster.....and lord know, my father spends enough time and money at Ye Olde Tackle Shop. I spend at least 3-4 weeks there visiting a year and spend a descent amount myself at the same places.
I'd like to know whose griping....I know it's not Ye Olde, Jimmy's, Fisherman's cove or Lakeside....if anything the people I hear the most complaining from are the owners on the lake, and that's mainly either a "weeds in the lake" discussion or the forever ongoing "ski boats/jet ski's vs. fisherman" deal. I'll agree it's getting a little crowded out there, but with the people, come the stocking support, and the support of the fishery.
Businesses could do well catering more to some of the fisherman, but anyone whose been to any of the N. Indiana lakes on a summer weekend, know there is plenty going on as is. It's the spring and fall where the addition of all the Muskie guys really does help the local economy a bunch. Not too many skier's in March, April, May, Sepember, October and November.
And not to turn this into a plug, but goto Jimmy's if you spend a day there on the water, great people, great food, great prices. Don't have a stake in it or anything, just a big fan.
Anyway, that's my 2¢. |
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Location: lansing, il | well jeff to put a price tag on it, id have to say for a fri-sun, anywhere from 250-500 bucks per guy is spent locally. depending on circumstances |
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| "performing arts center"
aka "Hoosier Ballet" |
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Location: Algonquin, ILL | You can't really include the "Performing Art's Center" many of the "Performers" are not from the area, My cousin used to Perform there on weekends and she lives in ILL. and many of the other "Performers" are from out of sate or the Indy Area.
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| Typical 3 day deal, ( 2 guys --- my brother and myself )
the cove --- $150
fill the van and boat when i get to webster --- $100
nives --- jimmys --- dixie --- $100
bait store --- everytime i walk thru the door --- $50
grocery store --- $30 -- $40 ( FAT GUYS NEED SNACKS)
THIS IS JUST THE 3 DAY WEEKEND THAT WE DO 3 TIMES A YEAR --- WE DO ALOT OF 1 DAY TRIPS AND 1 WEEK IN OCT --- SO I'M SURE THESE NUMBERS ARE AVERAGE --- SURE SOME GUYS ARE HIGHER AND SOME LOWER --- EITHER WAY ALOT OF MONEY IS FLOWING INTO WEBSTER FROM THE MUSKIE GUYS.
MIKE |
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Location: Elkhart, IN | I drive down from Elkhart so I don't do a whole lot of spending there. The tackle Box gets most of my money, I just bought a rod for about $150 plus I usually buy 2 or more suckers as long as they have them. I get gas down there and buy some food/snacks at the gas stations plus eat out down there. I have spent the night at the Lodge a few times. One thing is for sure, I would never spend one cent there if it were not for the Musky fishing.
I think the DNR said Musky fishermen spend an average of $50 per either day or outing compared to a few dollars for a pan fisherman. Call Jed I'm sure he will be able to help you there.
Who is complaining? Residents or businesses? I can't imagine any business would complain about us.
P.S. Those lakes should be no wake before 10:00AM except maybe Barbee.
Brian |
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| maybe you should get our wives to answer this one!! If you want an EXACT amount! ha. |
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| Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Keep it down Tom. Those wives that don't know exactly how much we spend....just really don't NEED to know! We'd like to keep it that way. What they don't know....can't hurt 'em. 
Edited by MACK 5/18/2005 1:24 PM
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Location: Monee, Illinois | All I know you take the lake away the fish away and the town goes away. Drive threw a place like Leroy Indiana and that is what webster would be if the lakes and fish where gone. One stop sign and thats it, I know some people would like that but that would be very few. Fishermans Cove, Dixie the Lodge, CVS the Grocery Store and all those other places would move on out. You would be lucky to have Lucky's. Either way I am still coming up and still spending money.
PS I wonder how much money is spent at Stimulators |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Jeff and David - Is Jed getting pressure from the lake home owners? Its only a matter of time before these people get fed up with having to run an obstacle course of muskie fisherman with their $50k ski boats trying to tow three kids around in a circle on those little ponds. 40+ muskie boats probably makes it very tough.
Edited by Luke_Chinewalker 5/18/2005 9:22 PM
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Location: Chicago, Beverly | Personally I think it is just a bunch of bs someone is floating..... Its not property owners griping, all the lakes are still around half owned by weekenders. The lakes have been around longer then the musky, take the musky out, and the lakes and businesses will still be there, just as prosperous as they are now. The Musky have not changed a whole lot down there, trust me, I have been going down there for around 35 years and my family for around 45.... some increase in money spent in the area maybe, but not a ton.. I just want to know what businesses are b!tching.. if this is really true.. |
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Location: lansing, il | yo tomcat my boy..... this is the first time in internet history that im gonna have to ask you to shut up!!! haha!!! when ya gettin the boat out of the shop?????? |
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| Sorry but can't give out the source here but trust me it is reliable and knows the town well and most folks in it including council members. This particular person is not against us at all nor are most of the locals--just chatter from the source referring to local comments concerning the lake pressure and parking situation, particularly lately. Certainly the business owners love us and have voiced no complaints to my knowledge. More the lake property owners, lakers (particularly skiers) and locals wanting to use the ramps, etc from the comments forwarded to me. No doubt there is some tension over the weed control situation as well. They need to wake up and realize Webster will be forever weedy and to either accept it or go elsewhere. I find the high majority of the boaters on Webster to be quite courteous/mindful of the fisherman excepting a few ski boats/kids at times. Barbee is similar. Tippy is quite another story--totally disrespectful, ignorant, idiots driving boats/waverunners there--unbelievable stories from that lake!!! Sounds like most of you sink some pretty decent cash into the area businesses like I suspected. Jed states that the ave muskie fisherman spends 50$ a day there which I think is prob a low figure based on my observations and thus this thread. My task is to get back to this respected local to let them know what we do for the community so that that person can also put out the good word on us. Just want to keep things cool for us and preserve the awesome opportunities we have there!
"Fish smart and get lucky"
JK |
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Location: Chicago, Beverly | " I find the high majority of the boaters on Webster to be quite courteous/mindful of the fisherman excepting a few ski boats/kids at times. Barbee is similar"
Jeff, you obviously don't fish Barbee often to make that statement..lol... I am a property owner on the chain, and find the the exact oposite to be true. If you want details about that feel free to e-mail me.... I also find this survey of yours to be bs, sorry. I just think its meant to be argumentive and not a honest representation of the facts. Without knowing who this alleged person is that stated this how can we know its true? I go into marinas down there to buy stuff and they don't even have simple parts for boat repairs, so I tend to never bother shopping for repair parts down there except for engine specific repairs as Clark's stocks that stuff. Four of us will stop for lunch att restraunts and leave a $10 tip for $20 worth of food.. This "person" is so full of it its sad. I say don't do us any favors by getting back to this person, leave it be, stop talking to people if this is the type of stuff you will discuss. It will not improve any situations, it will not benefit any fisherman. Noone complained about the bass tourney's blocking the ramps every summer weekend for the last 20 years Jeff? One weekend of Musky fisherman doing it and we are a pariah? Get real, this guy doesn't like us and never will, his opinion isn't worth hearing. His alleged facts not worth arguing. If he knows people on the council, big deal.. so do I...
Edited by kevin 5/19/2005 10:06 AM
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Jeff you bring up a good point. I agree with you completely about how disrespectful the Tippe owners are. I was actually told to stop fishing near a dock on James because they didn't want their dogs to jump in the lake without having to put a leash on them. I moved along but not as fast as they wished at which point I got an ear full about how this was their lake and I should be respectful of their request. On any weekend in the off school months that lake is literally like the scene from Caddy Shack when Rodney was blowing around the lake in his yacht. I've had them run right between my boat and the shoreline I was working. Darn near knocked me off the bow of the boat with the wake. Give them some lip and they look at you like you are speaking a foriegn language.
Do they have a bulletin board they frequent where we can start some positive communication and education dialog?
Edited by Luke_Chinewalker 5/19/2005 10:05 AM
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Location: Elkhart, IN | The amount of pressure that lake gets is insane.
Hey, if they don't like us there, maybe they will support us in finding a few new lakes to stock, to dilute us!! Approach them with that idea. We could use some backing there. I think we need about 10 more lakes in that area and then they will never know we exist. Whadda ya think? I am kind of kidding but not really.
My .02
Brian
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| BRAINSX - 5/18/2005 11:04 PM
I find the high majority of the boaters on Webster to be quite courteous/mindful of the fisherman excepting a few ski boats/kids at times. Barbee is similar. Tippy is quite another story--totally disrespectful, ignorant, idiots driving boats/waverunners there--unbelievable stories from that lake!!!
JK
I dunno JK. Webster still has it's fair shair of ski boat idiots. I have two classic instances that just blew my mind both times:
- First instance: A few years back...three of us, in one boat, fishing no more than 25-30 yards from a section of lilly pads, we were casting to the lilly pads and we end up witnessing a ski boat pulling a wake boarder that runs between us and the lilly pads! I could not believe my eyes. I was just dumbfounded.
- Second instance: Last season, late summer/early fall....we get out early am to fish, clear sunny skies, then an intensely and extremely DENSE fog socked us iin to the point where even seeing to my partner in the front of my boat, I could barely see him. Yet..there's STILL a ski boat out there in that fog pulling a water skier. It had collision written all over it. It was just eeries and scary as we just sat still, our motor turned off, waiting to hear that ski boat connect with one of the other dozen fishermen out there the lake. I just couldn't believe it. Those people were setting themselves up for the next candidate of the Darwin Awards and unfortunately..probably by taking someone innocent with them..... |
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WEBSTER SURVEY--$$