President's Message

updated 1-29-07

Last year at this time I was looking at 10 to 12 inches of snow on the patio. I’m currently looking outside at bright sunshine and a temperature of 70 plus degrees. The 10 to 12 inches of snow was at my home in Michigan but the 70 plus degrees is at my daughter’s home in South Carolina . However this year, Mother Nature has been very cooperative thus far throughout the great lakes area. The weather has been very mild which may have a positive affect on the bait fish population and in turn provide bigger meals for our friends the “king” salmon. Let’s hope the trend continues.

On December 6^th 2006, Dr Merckel, Al Elzinga, Darrell Connell and I went to Lansing to attend a MSSFA State Board meeting and to hear a presentation by the Hunting and Fishing License Package Development Work Group appointed by Jennifer M. Granholm. “The group was charged with developing revisions to the current hunting and fishing license fee structure, which would address the projected deficits in the Game and Fish Protection Fund and continue the state’s work in conservation efforts.” The details of the final report are too many to review in this letter but I would strongly suggest that each of you look closely at the report by visiting the web site www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/final report 177934 7.pdf. Once you have studied the report carefully, please contact your representative and voice your opinion or if you have any questions, Dr Merckel would be glad to help you get answers. You may also contact our MSSFA State President, Mr. Rick Balabon through the State office (269-655-1628). Whether you agree or disagree it is important that your thoughts be known.

There were a number of other issues discussed at the meeting;

An over view of the state’s hatchery facilities and the production requirements of each species.

Cormorant management and control

Thunder Bay Sanctuary Management Plan

Lake herring pilot project

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) and federal order

I hope this letter finds that each of you and your love ones had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now that the holidays are over its time to start thinking about the upcoming fishing season and all of  those things you forgot to do when you put your equipment away last fall.

Don’t forget that the future of the Steelheaders depends on the new generation. Get a kid involved!!!

A famous man once said; “There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home”.

Have a safe and prosperous New Year. I’ll see you in the spring.

Jack R. Noble

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