Long Lake Fishing Club

DNR MASTER ANGLER PROGRAM

by Sharon Porfilio

Another successful year of teaching fishing at Long Lake, another group of youth anglers taught to respect nature and what’s around them. The DNR Junior and Master Angler Program was taught at our home August 21 and 23. This year’s program counted over 45 participants, youth and area helpers. The Long Lake Fishing Club is proud to sponsor this annual event. This community project has been going on over 12 years. Fifteen happy anglers received their Junior or Master Angler patch. Jim Porfilio, coordinator and Master Instructor of the two day program, had another successful year. Most of the kids were drafted from the annual June Fish Camp at the LLFC sponsored ponds.

This program could not succeed if not for our community volunteers. The bait was donated by Club member Cary Schumacher. Boat captains were, Rich Clements, Frank Tomka, Karen Simon, Bob Durn, Cheech Hering, Dan Simon, and Jim Porfilio. Onboard angler instructors were Eric Simon, Emily and Dan Simon, Joe Bialk, Sharon Porfilio, Bob and Nancy Durn, Warren Bialk, Karen Simon, Jim Porfilio and Eunice Tomka. Several parents helped to chaperone their youngsters as well.

Speaker, Club President Charlie Benson, not only talked about fish identification but also taught tips in good fishing. One of the great tips was the fish location. Fish do not search for the food. If you notice on your locator that there are a lot of fish in your area, you have to have the bait right there at the fish level, not 20 feet down or 10 feet up. Fish will not swim up or down to retrieve the bait. Now, “I didn’t know that!” Charlie has a wealth of fishing information and remarks from adults were heard all around saying that they also learned something new today. Thanks, Chuckie, until the next time.

A hands-on lesson from the DNR Ice Age Forest Naturalist, Jackie Scharfenberger and her assistant, Melissa, taught the kids how fish hear and know when you are trying to catch them.”  So, that’s why they get away!”

Mr. Fisherman, Bob Durn, brought two bass to class. He demonstrated fish cleaning using an electric knife. Thanks, Bob.

Warden Doug Bilgo and his assistant, John Fendrick met the flotilla of fishers in the middle of the lake as he talked to the children about his assorted duties on the water protecting the fish and all of us that use the lake. We shared an ice cream and all had a great time.

Exciting teaching was found in various boats such as, an angler catching a 25” northern pike using a nightcrawler and no leader on his line. Instructing a fellow angler the proper use of the landing net and bringing the pike on board. Teaching these youth the hands on handling, measuring the undersized fish, and releasing it back into the water for yet another day of exciting fishing was what this class was all about. Another fish tale had been born. A large 14” perch was landed on another boat. Squeals of participants learning to bait up, hold a fish, taking the fish off the hook, when to cut the line, saving the cut line pieces and placing it in pockets or in the angler’s sock so as not to pollute the lake, were other power teaching lessons. Watching the kids grow into good fishers is a fun place to be.

Upon returning home, LLFC Director Frank Tomka, had a small campfire of hot dogs roasting on the grill. Kitchen helpers, Judy Placzkowski and Donna Samen, had the chips and soda ready for the hungry anglers.

Two of the Club’s Master Youth Leaders, Eric and Joe Bialk, then shook the hands and handed out the specific badges and educational fishing literature to another group of nature lovers.

Smiles and waves and hearty thanks were heard from parents and kids alike as the 2006 Master Angler classes closed for another year.

 

On June 17, 2006 at 3 pm, the Long Lake Fishing Club held its annual meeting at Benson’s HideAWay.  Twelve board and seven club members were present.  President Charles Benson welcomed everyone, stated we have started to go to committee format, and introduced the current board members present.

 Under the 2005 minutes it was moved and approved that up to $5000 be earmarked for possible use on new projects which required a change in the bi-laws article 5, section 1.

 VP John Koerble gave a synopsis of the 2005 – 2006 accomplishments stating that most of the events were successful with only Snow Golf being canceled due to weather and ice conditions.

 A letter was read from Jim and Sharon Porfilio related to the success of the “5-95 Fish Camp” and thanking the many who were involved in making it a great day.

 Dick Edwards asked for members to help work Dundee Days.  There will be some children’s games this year, plus a pancake breakfast.

 Club will donate a monetary amount to the Benefit for Matt Koepke.

 Committee Reports:

John Hrovat reported that the resolution he presented, Eliminate Size Limit on Northern in Long Lake, was accepted favorably and was forwarded to the Rules and Resolutions committee.  From there it will be assigned to an advisory committee within the Conservation Congress that typically convenes in the fall.

Projects:  committee was challenged to act upon the following:
         Rock Reef
         Placing trees in lake
         Planting walleye
         Invasive species

• The committee met with the DNR to discuss concerns.  Establishing a close working relationship was felt to be beneficial to the club.  The committee is also investigating and obtaining information about the projects before any decisions are made.  This year the club decided not to plant any walleye, maybe larger size in the future.  A member asked if we are going to spend money putting in a rock reef and stocking larger walleye, why not slot and then protect them for a five year period to see if they are naturally reproducing.  If not protected any fishermen who find out we stocked twelve inch fish will come the next year and annihilate them.  We need to protect them!  We need to approve a five year plan and then follow it.  President Benson said we need to take baby steps in this project.
• Members complained about the increase in weeds.  The weeds out there now are the curly pond weeds.  Also Eurasian Milfoil needs to be monitored.
• A letter was received by someone suggesting to put trees in the lake on the east shoreline which is missing “woody structure”.  A grant must be applied for by August, 2006. 

Dam Committee:  John Koerble is our club representative with other club and community members.  They have met twice to look at different things that need work on: erosion problems, rocks falling over, tree growth and weeds, and leakage.  Recommendations will be made.

Projection for 2006-2007:  Continue with committees and deal with some of the projects mentioned.  We will not to apply for any grants as none of the projects are big enough.

Election of Board Members:  Slated and approved the following: Tom Flasch, John Hrovat, Neta Hudson, Gladys Larson, Mike Samens, Lori Sandor, and Rich Clements.

Following the meeting supper was provided for those in attendance.

* Correct amount