image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
bpa logo

 

Help Save Tournament Fishing

(By: Bill Mathis)

photo of bill mathis

 


Take Action On DNR Game and Fish bill S.F. 1184

As Vern Wagner talked about in a press release, Minnesota is looking to turn tournament fishing upside down and eliminate it, as we know it today.

Most people don't get involved in politics to the extent of calling and writing state senators and congressman. If you fish tournaments and you want to continue to fish tournaments, it's time to call, write or e-mail your state senator and congress person.

To find out who and how to contact said people, here is the link for that:
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html.

You can also find congressman and senators at the end of the press release from Vern Wagner.
That link is http://www.classicbass.com/pr06.htm.

Write as many people as you can. I urge you to do so. Don't wait, do it today. As one pro fisherman stated, if you don’t have enough passion about your sport to write to lawmakers telling them this bill is a bad bill, then maybe you shouldn’t be in the sport. Something to think about.

When writing, talk about the positive things tournament fishing brings, such as there are many tournaments that benefit charities. Tournaments bring people to town that otherwise wouldn't. They buy gas, food and spend money on lodging. Because we fish tournaments, we are more likely to have more gear and keep updating that gear on a yearly basis and replenishing some of that gear throughout the season. I believe that will have a great impact on sporting good stores. What about the boat dealers and manufacturers? Do you think guys will still have $50,000 boats just to run around in just to go fishing? Some will, but there will be a lot less is my guess. Let's not forget everything I'm mentioning has sales tax added onto it. That is one thing government doesn't like to see go down is taxes. Mention it once, twice and at least three times. Without taxes, these people in St. Paul don’t have a job at the capital. The bottom line is I believe the economy in the areas that rely on fishing will go down. Look at a hotel like the Bradmor in Pequot Lakes. The only time that place is busy is when there is a tournament. How many other hotels across the state are in the same situation?

Link up and write today. Please don’t wait, help save tournament fishing.

 



Bill Mathis is a professional angler in Minnesota. 
For more information about Bill, please visit his web site at classic bass.