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Log inSAM looks to sell state as haven for anglers
SAM looks to sell state as haven for anglers
by Outspoken on Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:42 am
SAM looks to sell state as haven for anglers
By Kevin Miller
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA - Anglers of all stripes need to stop squabbling with each other and should instead work collaboratively to market Maine to the outside world as a four-season destination for fishing.
That was one of the conclusions of several dozen leaders of Maine’s diverse angling community who gathered Friday to brainstorm ways to breathe additional economic life into the state’s recreational fishing industry.
The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine organized the conference in response to perceptions that the quality of many of Maine’s freshwater fisheries is declining. While there are success stories in the state — such as a revived fly-fishing industry on the Upper Androscoggin River and a thriving bass population — those stories are not getting out to fishermen in other states, conference attendees said.
"We have a diversity of opinions … but all share common goals," said George Smith, SAM’s executive director. "We spend an awful lot of time fighting amongst ourselves and meanwhile we have all lost ground."
Smith and other organizers said they hoped the conference would begin a new initiative with three lofty goals: restore "great fishing" statewide, double the fishing license sales and triple the economic contribution of recreational fishing.
Such an initiative would have to be led by private individuals and groups working with businesses and Maine’s tourism marketing industry.
http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=161059&zoneid=500
By Kevin Miller
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA - Anglers of all stripes need to stop squabbling with each other and should instead work collaboratively to market Maine to the outside world as a four-season destination for fishing.
That was one of the conclusions of several dozen leaders of Maine’s diverse angling community who gathered Friday to brainstorm ways to breathe additional economic life into the state’s recreational fishing industry.
The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine organized the conference in response to perceptions that the quality of many of Maine’s freshwater fisheries is declining. While there are success stories in the state — such as a revived fly-fishing industry on the Upper Androscoggin River and a thriving bass population — those stories are not getting out to fishermen in other states, conference attendees said.
"We have a diversity of opinions … but all share common goals," said George Smith, SAM’s executive director. "We spend an awful lot of time fighting amongst ourselves and meanwhile we have all lost ground."
Smith and other organizers said they hoped the conference would begin a new initiative with three lofty goals: restore "great fishing" statewide, double the fishing license sales and triple the economic contribution of recreational fishing.
Such an initiative would have to be led by private individuals and groups working with businesses and Maine’s tourism marketing industry.
http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=161059&zoneid=500
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
