Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 PM:
Candlewood Lake crisis
Guys, I know this is out
of the area for most of you but we here in Connecticut are under severe attack. Whether you tournament fish or
not, please read the following and do what you can to help us out. This is a
tragedy in the making. I'll try to keep you posted as to what's going on.
Folowing is an excerpt from a email I recieved today:
The Candlewood Lake Authority is meeting with local state
> legislators today to determine how to eliminate bass tournaments from
> Candlewood Lake. Specifically, they are trying to determine if they have
> the authority to:
>
> - Limit out of state boaters
> - Prevent all bass fishing until June 15 to preserve the spawn
> - Eliminate 75%-100% of all bass tournaments
> - Limit the HP of outboards (but curiously, not I/O's)
> - Local police presence at the boat ramps
>
> With the ownership change of the lake from CL&P to the towns, the CLA
> leadership feels that they have the authority to start making some
changes,
> and the local legislators are being lobbied by CLA for support of their
> decisions.
>
> Patrick Callahan is the director of CLA. I spoke with him on the phone
last
> week and he told me that their number one complaint from the public is
bass
> fishing tournaments, and that he feels that this is the number one
priority
> of the CLA is to "get rid of those jerks". However, the big
problem with
> this is that according to their recent report, the Economic Evaluation of
> Candlewood Lake, (found on www.candlewoodlake.org ) fishing tournaments
are
> mentioned as one of the benefits of Candlewood Lake.
>
> The top ten concerns of property owners do not even include fishing
> tournaments in the top 5! For your information, here is their top ten:
>
> 1- Overcrowded conditions: 23.2%
> 2- Increasing size of boats: 18.3%
> 3- Decreasing water quality: 17.6%
> 4- Day Users/Ramp fees/Out-of-state users: 16.8%
> 5- Noise pollution: 11/6%
> 6- fishing tournaments: 9.9%
> 7- Not enough lake patrols: 9%
> 8- Open space preservation: 8.6%
> 9 Jet skiers. jet skis: 8%
> 10- Nuisance weeds: 4.9%
>
> So, you can see that 90% of the lake owners have problems other than
fishing
> tournaments, but CLA has BASS fishing as its number one target. Is there
> anything that the CT Federation can do? There is a public meeting in
> Brookfield on Feb 13th where they plan to
outline their strategy to get
rid
> of Bass fishing.
>
> Sorry for the long note, but I ran into this on a scouting related matter
> and got this information from the horses mouth and wanted to share it with
> others that use the lake as I do. I plan to go to the meeting on the 13th
> and would like to know if we can get any support from other clubs or the
> Federation itself.
Posted by Paulie D on 2002 AM:
Jon, got your email thanx.
I may try to make this meeting. I think the approach that the FED should take
is to be positive. There are jerks in all walks of life and they are not
regulated to any one group. I am not sure the CLA has the right to enforce any os
their proposals as C-Wood is DEP State patroled Water and the two ramps
are state and not town owned. But obvoiusly they are a powerfull voice with alot
of influence from a legislative stadpoint. They certainly have the juice to
limit TX size and amounts. Tactic one should to comply to what was agreed upon
last summer. Size limit, Tx Start times, Noise and Speed Patrol. Two: Self
Promotion. CBF and many Bass clubs hold youth days, senior days, park clean
ups, Kids camps( the Kerchal Camp is a great example). Someone please ask Ray
or Ronnie Kerchal for support. There are a lot of programs out there " Say
no to Drugs - Say yes to Fishing" etc..... Three: Local merchants. The
shutting down of Bassfishing would impact many local merchants, deli's , tackle
shops, restaraunts. Try to get support from guys like John Cuminsky at the
Valley Angler.
Four: get DEP support and facts to back us up!
Those are some quick thoughts - we need to rally. Bass fishing is the only
group being attacked - Why? based on the poll results it seems that if the CLA
were serious about the lake as a resource then why not ban Personal water craft.
This has been done in California where restrictions on PWC have
been put in to improve saftey and water quality. Clearly their are members of
the CLA that are Animal rights activists, but it may go deeper. Why propose a
closed season on Candlewood bass and not the rest of the state. Because it will
keep out of staters from coming over form NY to fish during their closed
season. There's alot on the table right now. If all else fials and it get's
dirty then the CBF should get lobby interests to limit the size of vessels on
C-Wood, and look to restrict PWC. This may put the CLA back on their heels a
bit.
Thanx for the update Jon, keep us posted!
ciao
paulie
Posted by bink on 2002 PM:
Jon as you know we in NH were hit with some crazy lawsuit about holding T's so we feel your pain.
Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 PM:
John thatnks for the report
Keep us posted. I love Candlewood & fish it about 6 times a year 4 or 5 Tournys there. Our club is out of Ny and Unfortunatley, we wouldn't have much say or impact with the CLA.
__________________
bass,bass,baby!
Posted by Skidder on 2002 AM:
I belong to the Hudson
Valley Bass Anglers, and we had hoped to fish a tournament May 18 this year on Candelwood.
At last months meeting there was concern about what is going on with
Candlewood. The tournament comittee was looking into getting the application in
as early as possible as they heard the number of permits would be limited?
Wonder what would happen with the Foxwoods trail?
I will forward this post to our president and see if he has any ideas how we
could help, maybe a letter?
__________________
When in doubt, SET THE HOOK! it doesn't cost any extra!
Posted by Dean on 2002 AM:
I would have to think that the local businesses would be a huge ally in the defense of the fishermen. Even small tournaments provide a good source of revenue for the local merchants.
Posted by JOHN G on 2002 AM:
John, having a closed season in CT anywhere would be a gigantic backwards step....also, many businesses in the area depend on the volume of bass fishermen....here where I am, we have alread had several tackle shop closures due to the Reservoir fishing ban after the 9/11 tragedy......this movement which started out just limiting numbers of tournaments and starting times of tournamnets seems to be groundswelling into something that smacks of PETA influence....are you sure there arent some of their activist on this panel and behind this thing...I am mighty suspicious........limiting numbers of tourneys and starting times , I believe is a fair concession...however, the new direction is becoming frightening......... JOHN G
Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 AM:
no quarter
Personally, I favor the
idea of giving no ground to these folks.They have a well planned out idea to privatise
this lake, and they have the financial, and political resources to perhaps not
totally shut things down for us, but certaintly to make our lives miserable.
I think that if you give a little ground now, they get the idea we are easy,
and start grabbing little bits of our rights one at a time. That's a dangerous
precedent. This is a clearly complex issue that will not be resolved easily or
quickly. Just the fact that these investigations have started shows they have
the desire to shut us down. The Ct BASS Federation has been trying to work with
these people but instead are getting stabbed in the back. It's looking like thi
fight might be done in the General Assembly. Another dangerous place to be. If
this harrasment and profiling continues, as it looks like it will, we'll
probably have to try and get tough and retain legal counsel to stop this nonesense
in the courts.
I have no clue as to how this is going to turn out, other than it appears we
are in for a tough battle.
Send a letter of support to Inland Fisheries Cheif Bill Hyatt at william.hyatt@po.state.ct.us
Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 AM:
It seems that maybe I
rang the alarm bell too soon on this issue. I received a reply from Mr
Callahan, Chairman of the CLA on our Federation web site this morning (www.go.to/CTBF). He states
that all information in my previous posting is FALSE.
I also spoke to Inland Fisheries Chief yesterday and he explained that the CLA
and the surrounding towns could adopt new regulations for Candlewood, but they
would not be enforcable until the DEP Boating and Fisheries signed off on them,
and they are not prepared to do that.
So, as Conservation Director for the Ct BASS Federation, I felt it was my duty
to inform as many anglers as possible about this information. Fortunatley (this
time) it does not seem to be a huge matter. The CBF will continue to work with
the CLA in addressing potential issues over tournament fishing on this fine
lake.
Posted by bobn on 2002 PM:
does this problem spill over into squantz pond??-bobn
Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 PM:
John
That is really great news!
__________________
bass,bass,baby!
Posted by Paulie D on 2002 PM:
First of Jon, you did a
great job of informing us all and rallying the troops. Second we need people
like yourself and Tommy Reynolds to champion our cause. I also understand that
we ( the CBF) have hired a lawyer to assess the matter - another good move on
our part. I dont think we should let our guard down. This is not going to go
away. But alot of what the CLA is asking for may not be rationale.
Bobn -Squantz has motor restrictions 7hp I believe and does not really attract
any TX's. With Candy, Lilli and Zoar all in close proximatey of 84, these are
the bigger draws. Home owners are less inclined to make a stink over at SQ. BIG
Walleye lake BTW!
ciao
paulie
Posted by JOHN G on 2002 PM:
Bob, I know you asked about Sqantz on another forum here also....you can easily do that water with your 14 footer, no problem whatsoever, however, I must caution you that the fishing there can be really spotty, it is not nearly or vaguely like its next door neighbor...there are Walleyes there for a change of pace, but in general, fishing can be surprisingly slow on that water many times, that is one of the main reasons it doesnt get that much airplay on the boards.......JOHN G
Posted by Hooked Solid on 2002 PM:
Ask Dominic if there are any trout in there?Little worm draggin' days,what was that thing 14 -15 lbs on the side of the tub?My first Tx ...><>...HS
__________________
Nothing says LOAD the boat ><> ><> ><> ><>
><> Like the last part of an outgoing Tide!!!!!!!
Posted by Paulie D on 2002 AM:
CLA Meeting 2/13/02
Had the opportunity to
attend last nights meeting hosted by the Candlewood Lake Authority here in Brookfield. The meeting was informative,
organized and held without incident. The Chairman of the board is Patrick
Callahan who was courteous and candid. Representing BASS were Wayne Tomassi FED
President from NY, Jon Puhalski Conservation Director from CT BASS, Jason Cuda
President of Naugatuck Valley Bassmasters, and myself. We stayed for the first
two hours of this meeting which focused on the annual water report given by
Larry Marsacano the Lake's Ecologist. Larry presentation
in summarry indicated that the water clarity and general constitution of the
water has erroded over the years. Basically the water qulaity is not as good as
it was some many years ago. Many factors can be attributed to this
such as the nitrogen levels, caused by development, phosporous levels, secchi
table.... etc.. Bottom line I feel is that with over population of the area and
over use of the lake, this is going to affect the water.
Next Hour focused on TX fishing. I will say that MR. Callahan and the board
were polite, open to suggestions and seemed to want to work with NYBASS and CT
BASS. Some Great points were made by Wayne Tomassi who represented NYBASS weel.
HIs suggestions and recommendations were well thought out and seemed
reasonable. Jon, who BTW is a really nice guy and we are lucky to have him on
the board, did very well in mending the fence between the CLA and CTBASS. An
open invitation to Mr. Callahan was exteneded by Jon to attend a CTBASS
meeting. Although not schedlued to speak JAson and I were able to offer our viewponts
and JAson put it best stating that we must police ourselves and enforce our
Club TX rules. If we continue to tax the CLA and DEP who are not adequately
staffed then the complaints and Lobbying will continue against us.
Isuues of a closed season in CT and a CNR program in NY were debated. The board
wanted to know our viewpoints on Bed Fishing and TX prizemoney as well as boat/motor
size.
MY take. We need to work with these folks. We brought up all we give back to
the community such as Senior days and The BRyan Kerchal camp. We need to
educate them. Let em know that even in our own fraternaty that bed fishing is
controversial, that bass fisherman are conservationalists, that we dont have
TXS were oodles of prize money are flowwing. Most of all that we Value Candlwood
as a resource asa much as the CLA or nay other group for that matter and it is
in our best interset to work together with NYBASS, The CLA, CTDEP, NYDEC to
improve the quality of this great resource.
ciao
paulie
Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 AM:
Well said Paulie, theres
not much more that I can add to your report. I will be getting a message out to
Tom Reynolds, CBF President encouraging him to set up an informational meeting
between CLA, CBF, and NYBASS. I think that the CLA needs to become more
informed as to our activities and how we are expected to conduct ourselves.
This could be a great opportuntiy to shed that old "bass fishing
Bubba" image, and show folks what type of work we do for communities,
children, and the environment. In addition to that, we need to let people know
that we are a major consumer group who spend gobs of money on our activity.
I certaintly feel strongly that NY Bass and CT Bass working together can
accomplish a lot. We'll keep you posted.