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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | Minnesota anglers need to take note - once again we have been hung out to dry by our local media. Anyone who reads the Star Trib has noticed a recent spate of blatent anti-musky articles and write-ups. Todays column in the Outdoors section is right on par with expectations. These guys just don't get it. If you think the fight is over you are mistaken. Below is copy of a similar message I posted on another board:
I'm so sick of making comments to the Star Trib and posting stuff like this here. Can't let it go - ONCE AGAIN we have a musky article in the Outdoors section. Our local writer didn't choose to fish any one of dozens of great metro waters - he went to Wisconsin, got blanked, and thought the experience was still article worthy. When is the Star Trip going to WAKE UP and start pushing our local resource? Especially at a time that the economy is rough and license sales are down. YOU GUYS ARE JUST KILLING US - STILL!!!!!! |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Has anyone invited reporters from the paper to one of the Muskie Inc chapters' activities (kid's fishing day, or the one where disabled folks fish with chapter members)? Rather than writing messages to MuskieFirst, why not write to the editor and explain your perception of bias? Media will print what they think will sell papers, give them some good news stories and see what they do with them. Just a thought....m |
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Posts: 2024
| I agree. I think a "letter to editor" is in store; that's what those (letter to the editor) columns are intended for. I would also contact the writer and invite he/she to come fish some of the metro waters there in the Twin Cities. Do you have a link to the article? |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/26073479.html?location_r...
Points taken, Trib knows what I think, I comment on every one. I'd honestly rather take a newbie fishing who is interested in the sport (like I did last night, and last week) than an outdoor writer or journalist who is not. |
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| Bunch of nonsense. I read their outdoors section every week. He was on LOW fishing walleyes last week and other writers have talked about largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing.
Frankly, I think you'd want him to write about getting blanked while muskie fishing. People are always whining about pressure. Maybe some readers will ask why they'd fish muskie at all since they are so hard to catch.
I'm sure someone will write to this site complaining about today's picture and how the 50" ski isn't being held horizontally.
TW |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | [email protected]
Here's the e-mail addy for the writer, looks like he's already gotten some heat in the comments at the end of his piece. Dang, I drove 1100 miles to fish muskie in Minnesota and he left Mpls. for Wisconsin? Then, didn't fish the witching hour before dark? Go figure. m |
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| going thru the photo's from the newspaper link..couple nice dead muskies, pictures from the dock and or front yards. |
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Posts: 3165
| Theres plenty of good PR on the way too????
Ron Schara is hosting the awards ceremony at the Frank Schneider touney this year. He WILL be impressed with the scope of the party were throwing this year and is sure to report about it in all the medias hes in. and usually the big fish dont let us down either |
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Posts: 272
| I didn't read the article(s?), and so maybe I'm totally missing the point, and my intent is not to start something, but here's a point to ponder.
Totally shooting from the hip here, I guess I'm just having a hard time understanding how a writer at/from a Minnesota paper, going to a WI lake and getting BLANKED, in WI....is bad for Minnesota.
Again, maybe I missed something, but that seems like it could be seen as bad for one state, and it ain't Minnesota. |
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Posts: 2024
| That's a good point Muskie-addict, but I think the issue is more about principle. He's a MN writer hired by a MN media outlet presumably to cover MN issues, yet he is writing about fishing in WI? He should, therefore, be promoting the MN fishery. It's possible his point was that WI has a somehow "lesser" muskie fishery than MN, but there was no mention of MN being the "superior" fishery in that regard (boy, I hope I didn't just open up the mother of all can-o-worms...). I think he flat out committed one of the cardinal sins of writing which is to not identify and write to your target audience. How many folks from WI get the Star Tribune? I bet few, if any. |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | It's not so much about this particular article - it's about the pattern of bad press that keeps coming up every few weeks. It started with something like "How many muskies are too many?" with various quotes from anti-musky groups, some MI members, etc, but it was not a favorable write up. Then came "musky intrudes on a day of smallmouth fishing" - another piece along the lines of this one that summed up casting two small cranks to a giant mille lacs fish to be bitten off. It's not just that one of our writers went to Wisconsin once and totally disregarded our resource here, it's the pattern of disregard and ignorance of our own program that upsets me.
Every lake is pressured - everybody in MN isn't going to run across and fish Bone lake. I'd like to see people get involved in our program that can handle the torch when they need to. We have a lot of people fishing that are only concerned about the program when their boat is wet. Press like this doesn't help that at all. I wish I was better with my words, I'd write to editors. It's not a C & R issue, it's not MN vs. WI, it's the PRINCIPLE. My whole intent here is making people aware of what we're up against so the masses realize what we have and what needs to be done to protect it before it's too late.
Edited by Marc J 7/31/2008 8:12 AM
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Posts: 3165
| coincidence???
all these articles come right before the deadline to approve the dnr Long Range Muskie mgt plan
Edited by happy hooker 7/31/2008 9:43 AM
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| This is just another stab at Muskies from the Trib and it doesn't surprise me when I see the source, I'm happy to see the level of understanding especally in the fiduciary sense from you guys, the same people the trib has been pandering to are also the ones that want to fish and harvest for less and less,taking more and leave nothing for the residents and non-residents alike; just look at the loss in revenue from portable shacks for ice angling alone, now it will be up to Muskie fisherman to support increases in fee's to offset these reductions to pay for the fish we all enjoy to be managed and I don't just mean Muskies and Pike.
Like Hooker said its no coicidence on the timing, as well as the fact it shows little or no support of our Muskie fishery and actually does allot to deter people who are thinking of breking into Muskie fishing, keeping them from taking a shot at knowing and understanding the thrill that a 54-55 inch fish will bring a person.
Its one more stab at us and the fish its not an accident or coincidence, its a cumulative effect that is going to effect public acceptance and is etching away at the incredible work of Men like Frank Schneider Jr., Al Skaar and Dave Overland and the organizations they supported and founded.
We cannot let it go unchecked, I for one will not let it go to the dogs that care for nothing other than their own selfish agendas.
Are Muskies and Pike worth fighting for? I know they are.
Like it or not.
Mark J I feel like I owe you a beer or 6 great insight and comments
Edited by Muskiefool 7/31/2008 6:28 PM
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Posts: 999
| That was a great newspaper article!!! Black Topraider with white spots!!!!!!!!!!! Love it!!! Hello, Baby Loon!!! I bet this guy writes for the Vik Queens too!
Mr Musky
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| I'm curious, could someone please direct me to the comment in this particular article that devastates MN Muskie angling? I read the entire thing, and see a short piece about fishing a lake in WI...not a piece that says anything negative at all and a piece that could have been written about any muskie water anywhere unless I'm missing something. Now there may have been anti muskie articles written in this paper, but I just can't see how this is one. |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | John - Just keep doing what you're doing - I've learned alot in the last few years from your posts and comments - I'm sure our paths will cross sooner or later. |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | I am also confused about the posts related to this article. I see a short article about an inexperienced muskie angler getting skunked after spending one day on a WI body of water. A hidden positive is that it could cause MN readers to stay in MN vs. taking a trip to WI. It sounds like the negative comments relate more to a pattern relating to past articles but has little bearing to the single article referenced. Not easy to follow the conversation...
I guess its a duel edge sword. If I were a local, I would like to see articles about local bodies of water and related seasonal content for all outdoor activities. The problem you run into is that local reporting can lead to increased local pressure and overcrowding, then you have related complaints and frustration. Hard to guage this one. Interesting conversation non the less. |
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| I still think many of you take it too seriously. I read the article, and what's the problem? The guy went to Bone Lake, a lake historically known for it's numbers, and didn't catch anything. SO WHAT?!?!? I'll tell you what: A bunch of nutbag muskie anglers jump down the poor guy's throat. Way to go Mark J and others, you're really doing all us muskie anglers a bunch of favors by behaving like jerks. |
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Location: Illinois | Are you mad that the guy went fishing in Wisconsin or that he wrote about it? I don't see the harm in this article but I understand your resentment if he has a history of anti-muskie pieces. In either case, it's his job to write what he thinks, and if you disagree, write a letter to the editor, simple as that!
Mike |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | I'm ok with being a jerk, already knew I was a nutbag - glad I stand up for my sport. You don't react when you get poked once, but when you sit there and keep getting poked, you're gonna get ticked off.
I'll say once more, it's not this particular article, benign in and of itself, but the icing on a cake of other write ups that were not so harmless. If you didn't see the other ones, I wouldn't expect you to care either. But if you did, any you are not upset, you're not paying enough attention. I knew some people would get it and some would not. Sounds like you're taking it a little personal. My beef is with the Trib, not one person in particular. Maybe you're not aware of the bigger picture or how this fits in. Obviously there are other people of the same opinion who are much better with their words. I'll leave the editorials to them and settle for stating my opinion and making others aware of the problem.
It's ok to take a break from the Weagle and Picture posts to talk about stuff that matters sometimes. At the moment I'm enjoying the discussion...... |
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| I'm sure you think you are helping a bigger cause, but try to think of it from the outdoor writer's perspective. They're almost never very good anglers/sportmen from a success standpoint. They are simply writers who enjoy the outdoors. What kind of result do you want from your reaction? If you think it will make the writer think twice before he writes another muskie article you are probably right. But what will that second thought be? Will it be a positive thought about muskie fishermen or a negative one? Next time you should thank him for writing an article about muskies at all and offer to take him out closer to home.
Some of you guys who seem to think you're replacing Frank Schneider should have spent some time with him to see just how different you are. |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | I'm missing your point as well. So Mr. Anderson, who lives in Hudson, BTW, went to N. Wisconsin and didn't catch anything or have a follow. So what? I guess I'm ok with it since the Metro Muskie Lakes are overcrowded with fishermen anyway. |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | The Trib, not the writer, again, nothing personal, haven't said the guy's name once, already have a negative opinion of us. I don't know what else to write without repeating what I've already repeated.
You're still taking it personal - I'm not looking for results, I'm stating my opinion. I don't know if this writer wrote the other articles or not, it doesn't matter.
If you read them, you know what I'm talking about. You haven't, that's why you don't understand it's not personal against the writer and think I'm an egomaniac. |
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| Its not easy to put together
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/11647046.html
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/13719311.html
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/19932084.html
http://www.am1500.com/categoryfolders/Stories/S481467.shtml
http://www.governor.state.mn.us/mediacenter/pressreleases/2006/PROD... |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | Here's the other one:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/20811389.html?location_r... |
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Location: Illinois | I wouldn't take any thread personal, I enjoy hearing what is happening throughout the musky community. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. It's important to protect the resource for us and generations after. I think you have plenty of knowledge concerning this subject to speak up for yourself and write to the editor. You say that you don't have a way with words. I think you should cast your fears aside and just craft your arguement the best you can and go with it. That, in my opinion, would be standing up for your sport. I want to thank you again, but I urge you to do more.
Mike Witowski |
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Location: Illinois | I've read the articles, and they seem unbiased and fair. They present two sides, but the journalist never says one side is better than the other. I understand this is an important time, as MN muskie & pike long term management program nears, but I think maybe some of you may be a wee bit sensitive. If you want the uneducated masses who read the Star Tribune to understand why muskies are important to stock, write a letter to the editor and they can read your feelings. By the way, I applaud that sensitivity. Your passion for muskies is obvious. Rather than merely getting frustrated with their articles, write them and tell them you'd like to read more great musky storys- or better yet, tell them one! I'll do it myself if the muskygods allow me some fortune at Mille Lacs at the end of this month. After all, I read the Star Tribune everytime I go on vacation to Hayward! Good luck! Mike |
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Posts: 1038
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Looking at the pictures...Anyone see the muskie taken May 22 out of the Otter Tail River (Otter Tail County, MN)? That's two weeks short of the opener if I'm not mistaken...There's no way that fish was released, either...fish looks dead in the picture.
Steve |
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Posts: 137
| Luckily here in Indiana we have had some great articles promoting Indiana muskie fishing in the past, so if an article about someone trying their luck catching their first muskie in Wisconsin came up, I wouldn't have any problems with it. Other than the question, why wouldn't the author go to Lake Webster where the muskie are stacked in the lake like sardines, lol. But I can see your point that if there hasn't been good press about your local waters in the past, then why do an article about another state entirely.
But regardless of whether that was a mistake, the main thing i have a problem with is that the article is pretty pointless and makes very little sense. Is the article about backlashes? Is it about some domestic situation that isn't explained and leaves you hanging about what the exact situation might be? It seems that if he had hired a guide and possibly had a goal in mind before he went fishing, he might have had a better article to submit. Something informative perhaps. I've read a thousand posts on this site that are more informative, so my suggestion is that you write your own muskie fishing article and submit it. Newspapers will often include independant articles that they are submitted, so the worst that can happen is that it is rejected. |
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Location: Twin Cities | marine_1 - 8/1/2008 1:53 AM
since the Metro Muskie Lakes are overcrowded with fishermen anyway.
You can say that again, nobody's heading out of town it seems! |
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| I initially became interested because I have loved pheasants since I was a kid. When I was 12 years old I could walk out the back door of our house and shoot pheasants. One year I shot 55 roosters within walking distance of my parents' house. But 10 years later there were no birds
Kirk Schnitker
This guy is on the Mn. Conservation Legacy Council? Boy are we in trouble. |
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Posts: 313
Location: On your favorite spot | Google "Sportsmen for Responsible Musky Management". First result you get is the Star Trib article. Second result you get is muskytroubles.com
Is this starting to make sense now? See the post above - We are way past writing letters to the editor.
Edited by Marc J 8/3/2008 11:50 PM
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't think the articles is intended to be a reflection of responsible muskie management. It's a small, 'color' piece about a trip the author took to Bone Lake. Sometimes sports writers publish stories about trips elsewhere than instate; I fail to see any problem with the article or the author. If the complaint is about the paper not publishing articles that support your viewpoint, that's an entirely different matter.
If I'm reading this right, you are looking for the paper to publish articles supportive of what TCCMI is doing, and what others working hard to see muskies managed proactively in MN are doing.
Call the sports editor at the paper.
Ask who the sports writers are who might be interested in spending a day on the water writing about MN Muskie waters.
Call the writers and offer them a trip.
Remember that they will publish the experience, and make sure that experience is positive and print worthy, while infused with your stance. Be careful not to display alot of negative, or that may be what is published.
As far as Google goes, begin a thread in the research forum here titled 'Sportsmen for Responsible Muskie Management', and begin a dialog about forwarding the cause. There's plenty of support amongst our base of regulars, and it would be a good topic for the long haul. |
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| Steve;
SFRMM is an anti-muskie group. They have been bending the ear of the Star Trib and getting thier agenda/viewpoints published.
In my opinion, the Star Trib has done a very poor job of printing facts in regards to the propoganda the SFRMM has been spewing out.
They seem to taking what they say at face value, and not interested in searching out the truth.
Needless to say, that has been very frustrating for those that are having to work against this group and the anti-muskie sentiment they are drumming up.
Letters have been written to the paper, but apparently the "pro-muskie" viewpoint isn't popular with them.
JS
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Exactly my point; many times it's the format, etc. If activists on one side are successful, the other side needs to figure out how they are getting published and do the same thing. if it's an editorial position the paper is taking, a call to the editor asking for publication of a well spoken opposing viewpoint is in order; they may react positively to that. |
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Location: Illinois | Steve hit the nail right on the head. As he mentioned in his previous post- take an easy going, non-confrontational approach. Be postive and you more likely than not will get a positive result. Become agents of change and make a difference! |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | From the articles posted it seems like Mr. Schnitker has a history with Dennis Anderson and has an "in". Has anyone with a pro-musky viewpoint ever taken the time to talk with Mr. Anderson or to take him fishing? If a writer has an easy source of information he is going to keep going back to that source. Maybe someone from Muskies Inc. needs to make an appointment with him and sit down for a casual discussion either on the water or at his office. My guess is that writers like Mr. Anderson need to respect the person before they will respect their views.
Blasting the Strib or Mr. Anderson about these articles isn't going to get you anywhere and makes the pro-musky viewpoint look a little radical to the average joe. I found nothing wrong with this article other than it was just a boring article.
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Posts: 3165
| Schnitker mourns the loss of pheasants??
BUT
He protests stocking new waters with muskies because they are considered non native to that system.
I wonder if he realizes that PHEASANTS are not native to North America but were imported here from China in the 1800's
The logic of his stance is that if he would have been alive then he would have protested the introduction of pheasants here??? |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | HH or that how many walleye lakes would not be walleye lakes if they discontinued stocking, talk about hypocracy. |
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Posts: 29
Location: Chicago | isn't it 10,000 casts? the article says 1,000. I must be doing something wrong 10,000 makes me feel a lot better! |
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Think we take it too seriously? Think again......