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Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | For those that don't know, the bill to allow spearing on Cass Lake is in the MN legislature again. And considering the representatives that are pushing the bill are the heads of the committees from that area, catering to the well-connected MN Darkhouse Association, I'm guessing it'll probably pass this time even though the DNR and obviously the muskie groups are against it.
We complain that we don't want spearing in that lake after all the time, money and effort was put in over the years to grow not only a trophy muskie fishery, but one of the few trophy northern fisheries in the state. Most of the Cass Lake business community is for spearing because they say they are missing out on the influx of money they would get from this tiny minority of people in the state that spear, I think something like 1-1.4% of license sales. While the muskie anglers represent around 14%.
Why is the business community more concerned with gaining 1% than losing 14%? As a business owner, how could that make any sense? Does that make any sense to you if you were running a business?
Here's why:
How can they take us seriously when the PMTT schedules a tournament in the exact community that has been fighting against us. "Those muskie fisherman sure complain alot...but they'll be back."
This is nothing against the people that have been fighting for us to stop this type of thing and doing other things like getting more lakes stocked. I personally know they have been putting in long hours. But as long as we, the average muskie fisherman are all talk, plan on losing these battles just like only getting 2 of 5 new lakes stocked. |
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How do you know that "most" of the community is for lifting the ban?
If the muskie community simply quits going to Cass Lake than it would appear that what happens to the muskies doesn't matter, 'cause we aren't going to use that fishery anyway.
Not giving business to places we know want to lift the ban is one thing.
Boycotting the entire area is another.
JS |
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Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | As with anything JS, it's obvious that it isn't 100% one way or the other, and should go without saying. I will happily continue to support those business that are against lifting the ban. I would like to know who those businesses are and to see them be more vocal. The same way the Mayor and other businesses that are for lifing the ban made themselves known when they testified last year.
I would love to hear how else you propose to show that we are actually serious? Because holding a tournament there obviously doesn't send that message.
Edited by PostFrontal 3/26/2011 2:02 PM
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| I would love to hear how else you propose to show that we are actually serious? Because holding a tournament there obviously doesn't send that message. Holding a tournament there AND patronizing only businesses that support the ban will send a very loud message. Especially if the organizers of the PMTT were to send a letter to all contestants urging them to do so, and providing a copy of that letter to the Chamber of Commerce. |
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Taking your toys and leaving the playground isn't sending a message or taking the hight road. It's just leaving.
JS |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | I have a list of all the businesses that are in favor of lifting the ban. I will make sure participants of the PMTT gets this. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | I will boycott any business that is for lifting the spearing ban on Cass,
resorts, restaurants, bars, convenience stores, bait shops, grocery stores, Casinos, gas stations,.....ect.ect. ect...... and I'll do it without being smug, self righteous, or rubbing it in their nose, kinda way.
I'll show support with my money.
I'd love to have a list thats for the spearing ban.
Jerome
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | Post your email address and I will send it to you. |
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Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | Kevin-that is a great idea. Especially sending the letter to the Chamber of Commerce so they know what is going on. I wonder if Muskies Inc would do the same thing with the Frank Schneider Tourney...
Alot of friends and I fish the lakes in that area, and I wonder if you would be open to posting that list on here, if you can, so we can all see it?
Thanks~ |
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Posts: 2
| [email protected]
Thanks Kevin, see you Monday night. |
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| Kevin, I end up in the Cass area several times each summer and will be fishing the PMTT. I'd like to see that list.
[email protected] |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | Ok when I get home tonight it will go out. |
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| Fred Teal, Teal’s Super Value 218 335-2249
Dean Phillips, Froggy’s Sports 218 335-6800
Steve Ballou, Break on the Lake Resort 218 335-2422
Scott Reimer, Reimer’s Marine 218 335-8835
John Budreau, 371 Café 218 335-2687
Robert Farte, Cass City Pawn 218 335-8441
Timothy Zuelow, Whispering Pines Motel 218 335-8852
Pat Brown, Clem’s Hardware 218 335-6551
Larry Leisner, White Pines Construction 218 556-3474
Ken Bruns, A & B Wild Rice 218 335-8554
Brad Tweten, Cass Lake Condo Association
Jim Bullinger, Mckinnon Co. Inc.
John Low, Sunset Cove Resort 218 335-2480
John Newmann, Headwaters Electric Bemidji 218 444-2613
Mike Bennett, Big Tap Bar and Grill 218 335-2519
Cory Frazer, C & K Guide Service 218 760-2894
Larry Knopp, Junction Bar and Grill 218 335-6324
Marylin Glass, Chucky’s Chicken 218 335-8412
Rick Baird, Cass Lake Metal Craft 218 335-2336
Randy Vickre, Sea Rover Inc.
Steve Loeffler, Austin Properties Cass Inc.
Randy Ellis, Chris Ellis, Carl Ellis, Ellis Construction 218 368-8553
Larry Rifeler, Western Bank 218 335-4131
Lynn Wimme, Lakes Region Insurance 218 335-2473
Mike Thar, MJF Repair Inc.
Jerry Finn, Cass Lake Mini Mart 218 335-2027
Tim Reiplinger, Highland Inn Seasonal Park 218 335-2610
Mike Anderson, Plumbing and Heating
Gary Gehrke, Bill’s Alignment 218 335-6300
Skip Finn, Palace Junction C Store 218 335-2655
Jay Reiplinger, J & L Oil 218 335-2274
Donny Ellis, LeRoy’s Minnows 218 335-6541
J & L Drywall
Norm Penning, R & R Lawns
Terry Larson, Northern Adventure Guide Service 218 335-2078
Darrel Larson, Sail Star Marine 218 335-2316
Vern Barsness, Green Grove LLC 218 760-2142
Jim Bowley, Stoney Point Resort 218 335-6311
Bill Ausk, Auskers LLC H 218 335-6971
Great River Pizza 218 339-7609
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| Guest, please clarify. Are those businesses for lifting the ban(business we don't want to support) or are they for keeping the ban in place(businesses we support)
Edited by Ben Olsen 3/26/2011 8:32 PM
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | Not sure who posted but this was the list that I was given of people that are for the ban being lifted and should not be given any business by muskie anglers. Feel free to send this to others that vacation/fish in the Cass Lake area. Anglers fishing the PMTT should be given a copy of this list as well. |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | Another thing to note that Break on the Lake and Sunset Cove are the only resorts that want this. |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | kevin cochran - 3/26/2011 8:48 PM
Another thing to note that Break on the Lake and Sunset Cove are the only resorts that want this.
Stoney Point Resort as well |
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Posts: 540
| notice that two fairly known baitshops are on there as well, I dont see how they would benefit from this much, possibly sell more suckers for decoys but I doubt it, I know I've bought suckers from froggy's for fishing ski's but I won't be anymore!!! there is even pics of him all over in there holding up big ski's, I don't get it??? |
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| Please don't take this the wrong way. But you can tell most of these comments are from people that don't know much about the area. Cass Lake is a small town, and when I look at the list I see the only grocery store, the only places to get bait, the only places to eat. So I'm just wondering if you are all going to boycot these places where are you going to go? I know you can go to other towns, but you say you will support other places in town. That being said I live on the lake and don't kow I would vote on this issue. I love musky fishing, and I love spearing. The only complaints I hear is that spearers will kill the muskys. I don't think that is true, if someone did it is illeagal and should be handled seperate. How can u ban a sport based on illeagal activity. Don't we have people breaking the law in all sorts of fishing and hunting, we can't just ban all our outdoor sports based on a few idiots doing wrong. Should we ban all summer fishing because a walleye fisherman might kill a musky out of spite. Sorry for the rant, not trying to start anything just don't know wich side I support. |
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| I see you have Sunset cove on the list but on another post someone says he is musky inc guy and supports the ban. I'm confused. |
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Posts: 1220
| OK..here's goes my popularity on the Winternet! First I will say this. I don't like spearing fish, the idea that it would be a musky is especially sickening to me. Secondly, I don't usually get into the pollitical debates on the boards, I'd rather be a little on the funny side and a lot on the friendly side. I like hating the Vikings, like reccomending the Zebco 101 as the true reel for pulling doubles, love to talk about being a "big" tournament guy who doesn't win any tournaments and even will talk about my "rod" losing it's stifness but still wanting to be out there in the boat looking at the Bikini parade on the docks. I love the posting and the banter, and I especially love when somebody slips up and lets out a secret that will put a couple more fish in my boat. But....I don't like seeing this list of names. I don't like it at all. There is just no place for making a list of people who you think should lose the ability to feed their family because they don't agree with you. Even worse to see a list published by a guy named "guest." So, you know who I am, I am putting my name here, I'll be at the Cass event with the PMTT, I promise you will not see me do anything that will harm your fishery, act in an unsportsmanlike manner, operate my boat unsafely or rudely, or fail to stop my tournament fishing to help you if you are in trouble.....but I really don't like you guys putting up a list like this, don't see why Steve allows it when he is so quick to get rid of stuff a lot tamer, and if it continues I think it diminishes us as a group. There is a political process for this stuff, if you ask I'll even donate money for it, but a society that lists the names of people who deserve to be punished for what they believe eventually builds camps of some sort to house them....just doesn't sound like America to me. Marty Forman |
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| ...just doesn't sound like America to me. it's simply information, Marty. those people publicly signed onto the effort to lift the ban, and it's the very definition of "American" to publicly talk about opinions and encourage each other to act. that should be done in a civil manner, and i don't hear anyone suggesting anything other than looking for other places to spend money. there are other resorts and hotels available in or near Cass Lake. it would be helpful to also list those folks who oppose lifting the ban; thus encouraging people to seek them out and support them with business. i'm up in that area quite a bit every year, both in the summer and in the winter. i'd like to know it and i will spend my money accordingly. |
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| Marty, I posted the last 2 posts, not the list. I didn't meen anything against Sunset in the last one I was trying to make the point that if people post something they should get their facts straight. I support these places in town wether they are on the list or not. I agree with you these guys are just trying to make a living, and I support them. Sorry for the misunderstanding. |
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Posts: 1220
| Obviously more than one person using the name "guest." Go ahead and register, I think it's free! Marty |
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Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | PostFrontal - 3/26/2011 1:59 PM
Kevin-that is a great idea. Especially sending the letter to the Chamber of Commerce so they know what is going on. I wonder if Muskies Inc would do the same thing with the Frank Schneider Tourney...
Thanks~
We did make a change because of this. We used to host the Friday and Sat night events at the local Legion. It's run by the Mayor who was also pretty instrumental to lifting the ban. We took that business to one of the resorts that wasn't a part of CLIFS. So the business that supported the ban lost thousands in revenue and the one who was against it benefited. That's exactly how America works: people have the power of their checkbooks. If the consumer doesn't like your business there's always another one that is willing to fill the gap.
To note, the number of people fishing Cass last year was down by over 1/2 from what I saw. I know that some of the resorts that supported the ban were calling saying they had plenty of room. Once they started to figure out why people were avoiding their businesses they were trying to do and say anything to get back into our good graces again.
For those that don't know, the Frank tournament was originally created by one of our founders who was on the MN tourism board to basically give the resorts in that area another weekend of "summer business." That's why it's always been the weekend after Labor Day. I get the feeling sometimes that some of the resorts either don't know this or take it for granted that we come up in droves year after year. I think some on Cass are starting to realize it though. |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I don't think they want the ban lifted to spear muskies but to spear the big pike that have been protected for 20 years. This is a pike issue and should be stopped for sure, one of the few true trophy potential pike waters left in MN. The speares want the ban lifted for 1 reason only BIG PIKE.... I don't spear or fish the area but if I decide to fish the area anyone for the lifting of the ban won't see me in their place. |
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Posts: 32895
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Marty,
As to why we allow the posting of this list:
From what we can tell it's accurate and these folks are not a bit afraid to be identified as supporting the lifting of the ban and openly support spearing Pike on Cass.
If the list isn't accurate, it will be corrected.
We'd like to see the list of those opposed and willing to say so. Can someone please post that list?
People may encourage support/non support of the businesses that are on either list as long as the discussion remains civil. I know I'm interested in the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this story.
OFM's editorial position?
This issue should not be decided upon by politicians listening to their constituents; fish and game management will forever be too 'hot' to handle in that manner and end up being what's right for the resource. The MNDNR should be solely responsible through the processes they have in place working with advocacy groups of all descriptions for selecting waters for conservation and placing regulation, based upon biological reality and their interpretation of the need (or lack thereof) to create and maintain trophy Pike fisheries and protected Muskie populations. When fisheries management ends up micromanaged by legislators, the entire process is bastardized.
Our only serious concern hasn't materialized; that the PMTT might take undue heat for hosting an event on this water. We do not believe they are in the business of politics. If the contestants are good with fishing Cass, then the event should be run as the PMTT sees fit; the argument those who support the ban have is not with those who wish to fish muskies on Cass, it's with those who want the dark houses out there in the winter.
The anglers should make up their own mind as to where they spend the dollars they bring into that community, and if they object to the event there, they can choose not to fish it.
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Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | Since I don't live up there, but do fish there, I would like it if someone could verify this list to make sure that it is accurate.
Walker is right down the road for those businesses that aren't in Cass Lake.
As a business, if you want to step out and be for or against an issue, that is a consious business decision You need to be accountable for that desicion whether it will be good for business, or there are consequesnces and repercussions. This decision isn't being made by the DNR who is supposed to be making these decisions. It is already being done in the political arena with a certain agenda. While we have a voice through various muskie organizations and the DNR testifying this has fallen on deaf ears. There is no referendum where we are allowed to vote on this. It is being rammed through. How is that American? What is more democratic and American than supporting those groups and causes that support what you are for? And not supporting those that don't? Do you send money to the NRA and PETA?
There is nothing wrong with posting a list of business that are against a cause that we are for. They made their views public already. If you choose to still to do business with them or not is up to you. Noone is making anyone do anything. It's a personal decision. What I do know is that up to this time, people from the Muskie Alliance, Muskies Inc and others have put in long hours trying to fight things like this, as well as, other issues for us muskie fisherman.
Doing this about the Cass Lake spearing issue isn't just about Cass Lake. We need to show them that as muskie fisherman we are a group that needs to be taken seriously. They absolutely don't take us seriously now. What about the next issue that they don't want to listen to the facts and DNR about like stocking more lakes? Or taking money from the muskie stocking program that made Minnesota one of the best fisheries in the nation, to pay for another new park or walking path in Brainerd.
I know we as "the average muskie fisherman" (from my original post) need to start supporting what those from Muskies Inc, Muskie Alliance and others are doing for us with our actions. |
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Posts: 1220
| Steve,
As you can see with no problem, we are not on opposite sides of the issue itself. In fact, with my notoriously sick sense of humor, you can hardly imagine the stuff I am tempted to say about what kind of stuff goes on in "dark houses" with guys playing with their "spears." I just don't like the LIST. Way too easy to have a wrong name on a list, way too easy to attract a guy you would regret doing something to someone on a list, way to easy to have an astronaut's wife get shot in the face because she got on a list of "targeted Democrats" when the people who were "targeting" her only meant she should get voted out of office...not targeted with a bullet. Gossip is like a feather pillow that got opened up in the wind...finding all the feathers and putting them back in the pillow is a tough job when you find you might have included a wrong name on one of the feathers. Marty |
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Posts: 374
Location: Bemidji | This list is straight from CLIFS. Cass Lake Initiative for Spearing. |
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