Stephen Shechtel

This is the time of year that causes me to suffer from (fishing) depression.  It is too cold to work on the boat or to go fishing.  By now I have organized my tackle, cleaned and lubricated the rods and reels, and done just about everything that can be done pre-season.  Boat shows are all that is left to bring me closer to the water.  With the (complete) lack of fishing activity, this time becomes a great time to try and plan for the future of the MSSA.  Below are some of my thoughts about the future that may seem random.  Believe it or not, they are interrelated.  See if you can find the common thread before the last paragraph.

Two years ago we welcomed Governor Martin O’Malley at MSSA’s Annual Convention.  Many of our members stood up telling the Governor: “I remember ...”.  Our members recited to the Governor their childhood memories of fishing, crabbing, or recreating on the Chesapeake Bay.  A few years ago at a Board Meeting, I challenged the directors to look around the room and tell me what you see.

Last January, the MSSA had its booth at the Timonium Fishing Show (and it looked great!).  The 2010 Show was (for me) disappointing.  An entire room (the South wing) of the Cow Palace was closed off.  No vendors, no boats, nothing.  With minor exception, most of the fishing tackle dealers were gone.  Most are no longer in business. Boat vendors were located in the North wing.  They were so spread out, it was almost embarrassing.  One section had nothing more than outboard engines on display stands.  One enterprising vendor brought three used boats.  There may have been ten boats over 23' on display.

Georgie Kline’s Tackle Show at the Prince George’s County Equestrian Center has been canceled now for two years.   It will not return for 2010.

Many of you know that I really enjoy attending the Miami International Boat Show.  It is billed as (and it is) the largest Boat Show in the nation.  For more than thirty (30) years I have traveled over President’s Day weekend to attend this great boat show.  In 2009, show attendance was down 26%.  The 2010 show was even more alarming.   An entire vendors tent was gone.  The one remaining tent was 40' shorter than in 2009.  For the first time in memory, many of the usual repeat vendors were not present.  Many (and I do mean many) boat manufacturers either skipped the show altogether or are no longer in business.  There were no shortages of pretty models in skimpy bikinis.  It was rare to see a child however.  With the exception of Bayliner, displays did not emphasize boating as a family recreational activity.  The emphasis was either sex, speed, personal-private indulgence, or competitive fishing.

Found the thread?  It is that recreational boating and fishing are in trouble.  Not enough is being done to attract children and families.  Children are not being introduced to outdoor sports.  Nature is something foreign to a child.  In 2008 we reminisced to Governor O’Malley about our childhood experiences on the Bay.   Today’s children are not developing those memories.  Children are rarely outdoors learning the splendors of nature, nevertheless fishing. 

Many of the Chapters now sponsor children’s fishing events.  The Chapters hosting such events have experienced the wisdom of introducing our youth to the joys of fishing.  They know that without a new generation of anglers, vendors that support the MSSA today will continue to implode.  Families will not take up the sport, and the viability of the MSSA will continue to narrow.

Take a child fishing.  Your future as a recreational angler may just depend upon it.

Tight lines to all.