Testimonials
The membership and affiliated clubs work hard to promote itself as an organization built on the highest ideals of sportsmanship and community spirit. Over the years many of those we interact with towards common pursuits have written us about their experiences in working with the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and our members. Below are their comments, and we thank those who extended the effort to write us such kind letters
Peter Bourque, Director of Fisheries & Hatcheries, Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
In 2003, Maine BASS member Duane Lewis, was great help in assisting the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in a study of livewell mortality and oxygen levels. This was done due to a concern about bass being in livewells during especially hot summer days, when oxygen levels are lower. When Peter Bourque was asked his opinion on the value of work done, he had the following comments:
"...Most recently, Duane took the lead for the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation in working with our Dept's administration to get new Bass Tournament Rules implemented for the 2004 season. This was accomplished after much compromise by all. As a result of issues raised by the Commissioner's Advisory Council regarding water quality in bass livewells; Duane worked closely with some of Maine's Fisheries Biologist to set up an experiment and collect livewell data top present to the Council in December. In an effort to help educate the Advisory Council members he provided each Council Member with a copy of Keeping Bass Alive."
"The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was one of the leading organizations to support a change in Maine's law on black bass over a decade ago. This change resulted in very restrictive bag and length limits and has improved the size quality of our wild bass populations" " ...I am pleased to see the Federation take a more active role in the nuisance aquatic plant training and inspection program. Assistance to lake associations and other groups in these matters will help all to see that tournament fisherman do care about Maine lakes."
Maggie Shannon, Executive Director of Congress of Lakes Associations comments:
"The essence of our informal partnership is that Maine COLA provided hands-on training to representatives of the many Maine B.A.S.S. clubs at a meeting held in early spring of 2003. The reps, in return, took the information back to their respective clubs, so that all were prepared to protect the lakes where they hold tournaments from inadvertent introductions of unwanted plants. In line with the motto: INSPECT TO PROTECT, Maine B.A.S.S. agreed to post inspectors at tournaments this past summer to check each boat, equipment and motor for plant fragments before launching.
As Executive Director of Maine COLA, I have received reports all summer from individuals and associations who have witnessed the inspections at Maine B.A.S.S. Tournaments this year. This is so very important because prevention is the only game in town when it comes to these invaders, and bass fisherman are so influential. That is why it is so exciting that Maine B.A.S.S. has offered to demonstrate the kind of practices everyone must follow if we are to save Maine lakes from the ruin other lakes have suffered elsewhere."
Roberta Hill, Program Director of the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants comments:
"Though a number of bass club members have attended Plant Patrol workshops in the past three years, in 2004 we are partnered with the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation to ramp up the training opportunities for bass fisherman in the State. Given their extensive expertise, their longstanding and enthusiastic commitment to conservation, and their penchant for stalking around in fertile fringes of the lakes and ponds, the bass fisherman of Maine, perhaps more than any other single group, hold a powerful key to the success of Maine's "early detection" effort."
Betty Lewis, Educational Director of the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department:
Comments on the Federations work with her department on the "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" Program: "The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has been supporting my efforts with this program for well over 10 years. We as bass anglers have so much to offer youth, a love for the sport, a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of fish and fishing as well as our time and energy! How much more perfect can two entities be for each other?"
Judith Saucier, Director - Central Maine office of the March of Dimes:
Comments on the Bronzeback Maniacs charitable efforts for their group: "Thank you Mr. Morris, for leading the way for this honorable organization. This group not only fosters teamwork, but promotes sincere concern for the community and its environment. i am proud to associate the March of Dimes with the Bronzeback Maniacs of Lewiston, Me. and delight in the possibilities of nurturing an ongoing partnership with such people.