Stripers Forever CT - we liked Greg Dunn's letter to Congressman Simmons so much that we have sent it to you below in case you want to include any of these thoughts. Any elected official getting this letters knows he is hearing from a guy speaking from his heart, and that his actions will likely effect whether or not he wins this constituents vote. The only thing we would add is to print it out and snail mail it too. Brad Burns
> Representative Simmons,
>
> I could spend hours researching the reasons why we need federal
legislation
> to make Striped Bass a game fish but I'm doubtful that my one voice will
> "convince" you to support the legislation listed below. So instead of the
> research please allow me to take a few moments to give you a web site to
> refer to and some added political motivation.
>
>
>
> First; I, along with many of my recreational fishing associates, am a
member
> of Striper Forever. This is a volunteer organization who's goal it is to
> end commercial exploitation of Stripers by giving them game fish status.
I
> refer you to their website and encourage you to read why we believe game
> fish status and support of the legislation listed below is the proper
course
> of action. Stripers Forever will do a much more professional job of
> pleading the case than I could do.
>
>
>
>
> Stripers Forever has members from the entire Atlantic Coast and membership
> grows daily, but admittedly most Striper Forever members probably don't
vote
> in our/your district. However, I am also a member of Connecticut/Rhode
> Island Coastal Fly Fishers Association (CT/RI). We currently have over
270
> members, most of whom vote in the Southeastern Connecticut area. We hold
> our meetings at the Groton Elks Club and most members fish from the
> Southeastern CT coastline. (After last nights meeting, May 27, 2004 I
> personally gave 4 new members a guided tour of a few of the fishing access
> points in the towns of Groton and Stonington). CT/RI 's membership is
> growing. The vast majority are also members of Stripers Forever. Several
> of CT/RI members are on the Stripers Forever Board of Directors.
>
>
>
> Several years ago, prior to you running for office the first time, you met
> with a few of CT/RI board members. At that meeting you assured them, and
> through them the members of CT/RI, that you would support fisheries
> conservation measures like this. At the time they gave you great
> endorsements in our organizations newsletters and email list. We have a
> very active fishing club and we keep in close touch with the vast majority
> of our members. The members are enthusiastically in favor of Striper
> Forever, in eliminating commercial fishing for the Striped Bass and giving
> the Striped Bass game fish status. The majority of these "enthusiastic"
> members vote in my/your district.
>
>
>
> The commercial fishing lobby no doubt has much money at this point in time
> to support it's candidates and legislation. CT/RI is a very small local
> club, yet our memberships voting power in Southeastern CT is sizeable,
> especially when you consider that elections in your district have in the
> past been decided by very slim margins. Please remember that CT/RI is tiny
> in comparison to the entire size of the recreational fishing community in
> your district. Stripers Forever is getting the word out via every tackle
> shop and marina in the area to the entire recreational fishing community.
> The recreational fishing community is organizing and coming together, and
> our potential voting power is substantial. We want game fish status for
the
> Striped Bass and commercial fishing for it eliminated.
>
>
>
> Lastly; if you want to meet some of your recreational fishing constituents
> please feel free to join Connecticut/Rhode Island Coastal Fly Fishers at
our
> Annual Picnic held August 14, 2004 behind the Groton Elks Club. Admission
> is usually $20 but I work the entry table and I'll let you in for free.
Let
> the commercial fishing lobby beat that deal.
>
>
>
> Sincerely
>
> Greg Dunn - CT/RI Membership Director
>
> 3 Hermitage Drive
>
> Gales Ferry, CT 06335
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