Tribute to Marc Marcantonio

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on August 25, 2014 at 8:17am

Big thanks to Marc! What I've learned from you has definition shortened my bass fishing learning curve! Hope they have enough water in your district, I know they have big bass! :)

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on August 25, 2014 at 11:26am

Marc has been an incredible ambassador for bass fishing in Washington through seminars, articles and through his work standing up for us fisherman with our local government. Marc also has won multiple events and AOY titles in ABA and NWB, Marc will be missed here in Washington no doubt.

 

Permalink Reply by Lakewood Master Bassers on August 25, 2014 at 2:16pm

Marc is a great guy !  He came and spoke at one of our meetings. We all learned alot from him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNujYYDv9uQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO5wP6iXKnc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yNdUejb8Ms

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on August 26, 2014 at 11:44am

Marc really has provided a wealth of insight from a biologic and technological perspective. His efforts in legislation are not replaceable. The great news is that he didn't die. Just moved to greener pastures. Edgewood's water can no longer go un-questioned!

Permalink Reply by Chad Simon on August 26, 2014 at 8:28pm

Thanks for everything Marc. You're a big reason why bass fishing is on the map in Washington. I've learned a lot from you over the years, and I'm extremely grateful because of it. Take it easy on those Cali bass!

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on August 28, 2014 at 10:43pm

Wow, thanks guys for the kind words.  It has really been my pleasure and honor to get to know all of you.  When I moved to Washington (from California) in 1993 it was you guys that helped me to learn the waters here without wrecking my boat.  I really didn't know there were bass to be caught in Washington, and chased steelhead and salmon (and crabs) the first five years until my first Washington tournament partner, Bob Sweeney (RIP), brought me out of retirement.  When I learned of the quality of the bass fishing, I was embarassed by my ignorance and made it a goal to help in anyway possible to put Washington State on the bass fishing map.

I was surprised by the disdain for bass by the salmon and trout anglers, and as a Past President of Trout Unlimited I also made it a goal to bring anglers of all types in Washington together; to work with each other rather than against each other, to improve fishing opportunities of all types.

As a former fisheries biologist I am professionally embarassed that my brethren in Washington do not have the intellectual honesty to educate the public, environmental groups, and bureaucrats that predation by bass is not a limiting factor, but rather a red herring, a maligned scapegoat.  WDFW has for too long made too many excuses rather than addressing the real problems such as overharvest by gillnets and ghost nets, habitat degradation, barrier culverts, loss of nutrients, etc.  All of the real limiting factors can be corrected with a little leadership and hard work (much by volunteers and watershed groups if allowed), but instead of being part of the solution our state government instead throws bass under the bus.  I suggest they wise up and support all anglers, especially bass anglers who pay their paychecks through Sports Fishing Restoration Act tax dollars.  By doing so salmonid populations will benefit, not be harmed, and there will be more stewards and dollars to protect all fish and wildlife in the state of Washington.

Writing and speaking at clubs and shows has been my small way of sharing and paying forward all that I have been extremely fortunate to learn from others, and from my education.  Fishing is not something I do, it is who I am; being able to share tips with others so they can enjoy life a little better is the biggest reward possible, and I am humbled that so many have taken the time to let me know that some little tip I passed along the way helped them catch their personal best, or turned a tough day into a memory.

I will really miss the many friendships I have built in the Pacific Northwest.  Having fished tournaments all over the country, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Northwest Bass is the BEST; the most honest and fair and professional team tournament circuit bar none.  Gary and Lisa Stiles are special people, as are Jeff and Kathy Priester.  All do so much for all the bass anglers in Washington, even those who do not fish Northwest Bass.  We have also been fortunate to have ABA, and I have enjoyed many years fishing ABA with Bob Higbee, Larry Williams, Al Seibart/Jim Smith/et.al./and Angie Dover.  You all will be missed.

My past long time partners Bob Sweeney, Ronald Hobbs Jr, and Mike Matkowski mean much more to me than merely team partners; they all have become my brothers and I would do anything for them.  My recent partners Mike Suter and Bill Kessler are also great guys, and I wish I had more time to fish more with them.

So many of you have always been kind to me, and fun to know.  I have really enjoyed the comraderie, the competition, the great sportsmanship, and most of all for just being good friends.  I will miss you, but will always keep in touch as long as Jordan continues to allow WAFish to exist!

Tonight I was honored at a going away party by my friends in the drinking water industry (that I work with), and one of the many gifts they gave me was a toy fishing rod as a joke.  Don't be surprised to read one day about a big bass caught in California on a toy rod...I have a new mission and I accept the challenge!

ciao,

Marc Marcantonio

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on August 30, 2014 at 8:43am

You have taught me a lot Marc. I hope we can continue the growth and strengthening of the bass fishing community here in WA. Congratulations on the opportunity down in California. You will be missed!

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on August 31, 2014 at 8:36pm

Thanks P.J.  I just arrived a couple of hours ago to San Juan Capistrano.  Staying at my daughter's house until I can find something with a garage big enough for the boat.