As tournament organizers we are hearing some comments about the scoring system and their’s debate on the weighting factors assigned to the method and style categories and whether that’s fair. So, here’s the rationalization behind why we created the scoring system the way we did.

This tournament is a Catch & Release tournament which ultimately requires some means of defining a fishes size. Length & girth measurements were considered, but to simplify things, we selected length only. To define length, two photo’s are being required to provide perspective to a fishes real size in relation to multiple objects found in the two photos. This two photo requirement is designed to confound photo manipulation, making cheating harder to pull off. And for those contending fish, we will be looking closely at the submitted pictures to assess whether they’ve been digitally altered.

To address what we as organizers feel are factors of social and ethical concern and fairness, we created the two categories, method and style and in each category are variables having distinct weighting values assigned. These weighting factors (wf) will effect a fishes overall score and that is the intent!

Method (Boat - wf .85; Shore - wf 1.0)
This category speaks to the issue of shore access and the mobility advantage boat fishermen have. In creating the weighting factors and assigning numeric values to each variable, we did so to favor the shore fisherman and help level the playing field.

Shore fishermen are limited by access and their ability to move around. When a distinct location isn’t producing fish, an angler fishing from a boat can easily motor across the bay and try new locations. That’s a huge advantage which greatly increases an anglers odds of catching fish. These weighting values offset the mobility advantage anglers fishing from boats have.

“Shore access” is a secondary consideration and a major social issue we will all need to recognize. More and more private land owners are posting their properties and even boat access is becoming limited. For shore anglers, accessing good fishing locations is a challenge and disadvantage. This observation should strike a harmonious chord with all anglers and the weighting factors assigned indirectly focus attention on this issue.

Style (Bait - wf .75; Artificial Lure(spin) - wf .90; Fly - wf 1.0)
This category addresses how anglers catch stripers and the weighting factors support the Catch & Release ethic of the tournament. The assigned values for each variable are designed to address specific ethical concerns and to level the playing field for all anglers.

As tournament organizers we view this striper fishery as a world class “sports fishery”. As such, we value it for the recreational opportunity it presents. Adopting a catch & release ethic for the tournament was of significant importance. It represents an approach to fishing which is sustainable and results in the majority of fish being released. And those anglers who believe in this approach, want the fish to be returned to the ocean healthy and alive, to spawn and produce many babies. These fish represent the future of this resource, one which we want to protect.

The rational behind the assigned weighting values is influenced by this desire to protect the fishery and it represents the justification for having the distinct weighting factors.

As fishermen, we have all likely experimented with a variety of differing strategies when fishing for stripers. We can most certainly say that natural bait is unparalleled in its ability to produce results. Whether fishing with worms, eels, green crabs, chunked herring or live mackerel, bait fishermen stand an improved chance of landing a really big fish using such techniques. Using bait is an advantage and the assigned weighting factor was intentionally created to offset that advantage. Some might suggest it’s heavy handed, but the assigned weighting value not only levels the playing field, but is designed to reinforce an ethic. As tournament organizers we are actively promoting the sustainability of the resource and embrace a catch & release ethic for the tournament. 

The practice of bait fishing employs a strategy of letting a fish swallow the bait before setting the hook. Bait fishing and the use of triple hooks often results in damage to the fish from it being hooked deep in the throat. For “meat” fisherman, that’s of minimal concern, but for the purposes of this tournament, where the format is Catch & Release, we as the organizers want to encourage fishing techniques that minimize harmful impact to the fish (for those anglers using bait, consider the use of circle hooks, which are single hooks designed to hang on the lip and be less damaging to the fish). The assigned weighting value is intended to encourage the use of artificial lures and flies as an alternative fishing technique, an approach that can be very effective. 

With respect to the weighting values assigned to artificial lures and flies, it is more apparent and easier to understand. Spin fishing is easy to learn and the variety of effective lures make anglers success a favorable probability. A novice can be given a spinning rod and within minutes acquire the skill necessary to repeatably catch stripers using spin fishing equipment. Fly fishing is much different. It can take years to learn the techniques and methods required to consistently catch striper using this equipment. The assigned weighting values recognize this disparity and are designed to offset the spin fishermans advantage.

Conclusions

For anglers considering participation in the tournament, the scoring system, which applies weighting factors for the method and style by which you fish might seem unfair. However, it is the intent of the tournament organizers to create a level playing field for all participants. This scoring system is a divergence from the norm, but is also intended to address social and ethical considerations tournament organizers feel are important. Is this unjust? We think not, and all participants in the tournament are required to play by the same rules.

Some have commented that “if they catch a huge striper using bait, a lesser size striper might win the tournament”. That is true! And conversely, you as an angler have a choice as to how you approach fishing. Your choice, will ultimately influence the score you achieve for fish registered for prizes in the tournament. The scoring system is clearly defined, so make your decision as to what strategies and techniques you will employ and be satisfied with the resulting score. “An old fisherman once said, it’s not the size of the rod that matters, but how you use it”. The point is, it’s not about how big the fish is, but also about your approach to fishing!

For those anglers hung up on size, we don’t want to diminish your accomplishments, but want to recognize those really great fish and the anglers who catch them. We have created a robust website to support the tournament. On that site is a photo slide-show element where photo submissions will be posted. Not only will your pictures be posted on the site, but we intend to periodically distribute a “Bragging Rights” summary document defining tournament standings, and the anglers with the best catches will be recognized there. The distribution of this document will be to “Official Registration Sites” and also to news and media organizations throughout Maine. Such photos could make you a celebrity and provide you with “15 minutes of fame”.  So, if you catch a huge fish, you can be assured of recognition… so smile! And, if the photo is really great it might just end up on next years tournament poster!

Located near Georgetown’s Five Islands, Reid State Park is a wonder. This park is comprised of two distinct beaches, Mile Beach and Half-Mile Beach which are separated by ledge and rocky outcroppings. The park is only about 2 miles from Popham as the crow flies, but is very different. It sits about halfway between the mouth of the Kennebec River and Sheepscot Bay and faces due east.

When compared to Popham, Reid is much smaller in scale, but no less dramatic. From the shore, looking to the southwest, you can see Seguin Island lighthouse sitting majestically on the horizon . To the east you can clearly make out the Cockolds which are off the tip of Southport Island and mark the entrance to Boothbay Harbor. The sand at Reid is coarse and the beach slopes steeply to the water. Being exposed to open ocean, the waves are heavy and when the surfs-up, they crash onto the shore with significant force. So, take care when fishing the ledges, as waves can quickly sweep you off your feet.

For striper fishermen this location offers some great fishing opportunity. In mid-summer, when the waters of the tidal estuaries warm, stripers seek out deep, cool waters adjacent to structure. Reid offers the perfect habitat. Stripers hold in these cooler oxygen rich waters and move onto the beach and rocky shoreline to feed. Every year we hear of some really big fish being caught there.

Angler’s do well throwing poppers along the rocky outcrops and fishing bait from the beach. And for fly fishermen their’s even a small tidal estuary, the Little River, which offers great wading and good fishing off its mouth.

Spending time exploring the fishing opportunities of this beach is well worth the effort. Not only will you stand a chance of catching some nice fish, but you will experience the pristine scenery and some interesting wildlife. I’ve walked the beach at low tide before and found scallops stranded by the tide. And then their are the birds; sea gulls, ducks, bald eagles, ospreys and sand pipers who chance fate with the waves, then dart out of their way just in time.

If you get there at odd hours your likely to have the beach all to yourself. At peak hours the crowds are small and typically limited to the areas in close proximity to the parking lots. But even when crowded, their is plenty of space to spread out and find solitude. Reid State Park is definitely worth the trip!

Striper Fishery of Significant Economic Value

(Phippsburg, ME - August 20, 2007) 

The organizers of the 17 Rivers Striper Tournament recognize that saltwater striper fishing here in Maine is “world class” and the economic impact it imparts on the local economy is “significant”.

Fishing is one of America’s favorite past-times. A Harris poll conducted in 2001 found “recreational fishing was America’s top outdoor leisure activity”. According to U.S. Fish & Wildlife, “more than 50 million children and adults enjoy the sport of fishing in America” and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association claim “almost 2 times more people fish than play golf”.

Fishing and related activities have a significant impact on our economy. Data collected by the US Bureau of Census show “13% of the U.S. population ages 16 and older spent an average of 17 days per year fishing”. Nationally, this translates to “over $41 billion dollars spent on fishing”.

In the northeast, U.S. Fish & Wildlife estimate “11% (1.25 million) of the regional population fish” and in Maine “354,000 pursue such activities”. In aggregate “fishermen spending an estimated $256 million pursuing fishing activities in Maine” and saltwater fishing makes up nearly 26% of that total.

Tournament organizers recognize this tournament will be a fun regional fishing competition and anticipate a good deal of media visibility will result. We hope such visibility will raise the publics awareness to the value of this fishery and lend perspective to its impact on the local economy.

For additional information or for a Tournament Fact sheet (MS Word), please contact Mr. Robert Fernald - Event Organizer.

Publication: Coastal Journal (August 16th, 2007)
Author: Robert Fernald

This September, anglers will have an opportunity to participate in the 17 Rivers Striper Tournament a catch & release, saltwater fishing tournament being held across the mid-coast region of Maine. This tournament will utilize a photo format for judging fish entries and illustrating scenic-nature pictures. The supporting website http://www.mainestriperseptember.com/ will allow interested persons the opportunity to view photo submissions in a e-slideshow presentation and track tournament standings.

Many anglers are outdoor enthusiasts. For them, fishing is only part of the experience they value. What is of value is often difficult to define and highly personal, but leaves a lasting impression. Images of fishing, scenic settings, wildlife and the peace and tranquility often experienced while on the water, are at the core of what is valuable. So, tournament participants will be challenged to catch the winning fish and capture in pictures those images which reflect the importance of nature in our lives.

Society derives a certain value from communing with nature too. Nature provides us with the opportunity to reflect and to find a place of quiet in our lives. Access to places where we can enjoy the beauty of Maine is of great importance. It offers perspective and the opportunity for quiet contemplation, activities that help revitalize the soul. So, preserving both nature and the nature of Maine is important.

Many differing organizations, both public and private, are working to preserve land and protect  resources for future generations.

The State of Maine’s Bureau of Parks & Lands manage many large tracks of land providing public access to some of the finest sites in Maine. Places like Reid State Park and Popham Beach offer significant recreational opportunity in the mid-coast region. They represent sun, fun, sand, surf, fishing, walking and bird watching, all activities which families and individuals alike value.

Numerous local municipalities in Maine have taken a lead in preserving valuable parcels of land for local use. These acquisitions represent investments in the future. All along the mid-coast region we find examples of such acquisitions creating open space, protecting ponds, preserving farm lands and providing access to shore land and tidal waters. Many communities are also developing parks and trail systems on these lands for their citizens. In Phippsburg we can cite the example of  the Towns acquisition of Totman Cove Preserve, a beautiful tidal sand beach and a wonderful resource where kids and families can play and swim.

In the private sector, many regional and local non-profits are pursuing similar land acquisition. The resources they pursue represent a finite possibility. In twenty or fifty years, the communities we live in will likely have changed radically. Population densities are projected to increase significantly and demographic trends indicate growth in areas along the East coast and surrounding bodies of water. Consequently non-profits are working hard to preserve valuable resources as quickly as possible. Successes include preservation of islands, large blocks of land and critical wildlife habitat. The Marsh River is a great example of success. “In partnership with the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, the State of Maine, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, and the Damariscotta River Association, Maine Coast Heritage Trust has helped protect more than 1,100 acres and 11 miles of shoreline within the watershed”.

In aggregate, such activities speak to the value we place on these wild places and the recreational resource opportunities they represent. Preserving such lands and waters has a trickle down effect that protects and sustains a vibrant and healthy ecosystem in which wildlife thrives. And it’s such experiences which bring man into contact with nature that sustain us as individuals.

Those anglers planning to participate in the 17 Rivers Striper Tournament should understand the registration requirements. This tournament is slated to run the whole month of September and this format is intended to give anglers latitude as to when and how frequently they fish.

Since this tournament is a month long event, anglers may register anytime between now and the end of September. However, waiting to register limits your fishing time and can delay your ability to benefit from Angler Discounts offered by local merchants.

Each angler who registers for the tournament will receive an Angler ID Card.  These cards are distinctive and must be shown in the fish submission photos for a fish to qualify for prizes. Also, the card, when presented to merchants offering discounts, will yield some nice perks.

It is our intent to make these cards available on August 25th. Those persons who have submitted a completed registration form and a check will be mailed an Angler ID Card along with additional information on the tournament. These will be mailed out the morning of August 25th. Those individuals who delay and register by mail, will have a card mailed to them in a prompt fashion, but that doesn’t guarantee delivery when you need it. So register by mail promptly!

If it’s your intent to fish ASAP, and you’re registering in the later days of August or in September, all Official Registration Sites, except for LL Bean, will have Angler ID Cards on hand. Submitting a completed registration form with a check at a registration site will ensure you have an ID card when you need it. So please plan ahead.

In today’s world, things are a lot differnt from when I was a child. When I look around, I see kid’s with Ipods hanging from their ears and GameBoys glued to their fingers. These electronic games, computers and TV form a foundation of sendentary activities which hardly promote a healthy lifestyle.

Getting youth engaged in activities which promote fitness and physical exercise are necessary. Outdoor adventures offer children the opportunity to get off the couch and it puts them in touch with nature. Fishing is the perfect sport that offers parents the opportunity to teach children about boating, nature and conservation, while engaging the kid’s in simple, fun activities.

I recently took my children, along with one of their friends, fishing at Fort Popham. It was a pleasant evening. We explored the fort and saw a rainbow, seals and boats, while fishing for stripers. The fishing was slow, but that didn’t seem to matter. The kid’s were happy to be outdoors and totally engrossed in the act of fishing. In all reality, they spent little time fishing. Mostly, they changed lures, waded in the surf and ran around like happy little indians. These are the  type of memories I have of my youth and which helped shape my love of the outdoors. I hope they grow to value outdoors and nature as much as I do.

Youth & Fishing

(Phippsburg, ME - August 12, 2007) 

The organizers of the 17 Rivers Striper Tournament are promoting youth and family involvement in this years September striper tournament. To encourage family and youth participation in outdoor activities and in particular fishing, a special discount offer applies for parents and mentors. When adults register for the tournament, the parent / mentor can also register a child in the junior division for FREE. Your child will get plenty of fresh air and exercise while learning about nature, boating and fishing. It’s a fun family oriented activity that promises great memories.

According to U S Fish & Wildlife, “more than 50 million children and adults enjoy the sport of fishing in America”. Fishing represents a great opportunity to get kid’s off the couch or away from a computer screen and actively participating in a fun outdoor family activity.

CDC research indicates “nearly 1 in 10 children living in Maine have not participated in a vigorous or moderately physical activity in the last 7 days”. The health of our children suffer due to such inactivity. Research by Stanford University shows “13% of children ages 6-11, and 14% of children ages 12 -19 are over weight. Fishing is a recreational activity that represents a healthy form of exercise which tournament organizers are promoting.

Engaging children in outdoor activities like fishing is a great way for families to spend time together and learn about the environment, nature and boating. Maine’s IF&W program Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs  espouses the benefits of these types of activities which “create fun memories that will last a life-time”.

For additional information or for a Tournament Fact sheet (MS Word), please contact Mr. Robert Fernald - Event Organizer.

One of our “Official Tournament Guides“, Captain Hank DeRuiter sent me a message this morning… and he seemed pretty excited. He’d been out with some sports yesterday trying to hook up with tuna and had boated a fish. This isn’t a frequent occurrence, so Hank’s excitement is understandable.

They were fishing just South of Monhegan trolling squid rigs and had been seeing tuna chasing bait on the surface all morning. Working a line of weeds, a school of tuna started busting up the surface off to port and when they made a pass, one took the rig. 

The battle was on…  Al Andrews and Larry Rines were the lucky sports who fought the fish for over an hour. Finally, they brought the fish to the boat and wrestled it on board. It is what blue fin tuna fishermen refer to as a “football”, which is a smaller fish as tuna go. Actually, it weighed around 140 lbs which is large for a ”football”, and certainly worthy of mention. When they boated the fish, Hank was heard to say… ”I’d like to see Payton Manning try to get a grip on that one” !

Congratulations to Hank and his sports. Nice catch!