Newsletter 2021 Newsletter 2021 • IRBA Update • IRBA Update • NPS Update by Elizabeth Valencia • NPS Update by Elizabeth Valencia • Historical Fishing Tourney Info • Historical Fishing Tourney Info • Membership Dues & Scheduled Events PO Box 97 • Membership Dues & Scheduled Events Houghton,PO Box MI 97 49931 Houghton,www.isleroyale.org MI 49931

www.isleroyale.org

A newsletter to inform the members of ongoing activities within the Isle Royale Boater's Association, promote discussion among its members on various IRBA issues and share members’ experiences related to boating, sport fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. A newsletter to inform the members of ongoing activities within the Isle Royale Boater's Association, promote discussion among its members on various IRBA issues and share members’ experiences related to boating, sport fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. IRBA Update by Dave Hand Representative Bergman and his office for their

help in taking up our cause to open the park this IRBA Update by Dave Hand Representative Bergman and his office for their Hope you and all your family members have been past season. help in taking up our cause to open the park this staying safe during this pandemic. The IRBA Hope you and all your family members have been past season. organization has been kind of put into a state of Like myself, several of our members did have staying safe during this pandemic. The IRBA hold during this time. Our annual dinner the opportunity to go to IR this past year. Many organization has been kind of put into a state of Like myself, several of our members did have meeting of the IRBA officers and members, the were able to see the work the park service hold during this time. Our annual dinner the opportunity to go to IR this past year. Many west end fundraiser, the Isle Royale annual performed this past year: 1) the Siskiwit dock meeting of the IRBA officers and members, the were able to see the work the park service fishing tournament and island meeting were was rebuilt (see pics); 2) the Raspberry island west end fundraiser, the Isle Royale annual performed this past year: 1) the Siskiwit dock canceled due to government actions. A big dock was rebuilt due to storm damage; 3) the fishing tournament and island meeting were was rebuilt (see pics); 2) the Raspberry island thanks to new and existing members that made Windigo finger dock was worked on and will be canceled due to government actions. A big dock was rebuilt due to storm damage; 3) the contributions and dues this past year. The completed this summer (see pic); 4) the Moskey thanks to new and existing members that made Windigo finger dock was worked on and will be organization appreciates your loyalty. Basin dock was repaired; 5) the new Windigo contributions and dues this past year. The completed this summer (see pic); 4) the Moskey store was completed. A thanks goes out to the organization appreciates your loyalty. Basin dock was repaired; 5) the new Windigo This past year, one action the organization did park service for completing these infrastructure get involved was related to the opening of Isle projects.store was In completed. the NPS update A thanks discussed goes outbelow, to the Royale.This past When year, news one actionreleases the by organization the National did thepark association service for looks completing forward theseto further infrastructure Parkget involved Service was(NPS) related back into May the wereopening delaying of Isle improvementsprojects. In inthe the NPS infrastructure update discussed on IR. below, andRoyale. possibly When closing news Islereleases Royale by (IR) the forNational visitor the association looks forward to further usePark in Service 2020, the (NPS) association back in Maycontacted were delaying Withimprovements respect to in the the upcoming infrastructure year, IRBA on IR. has Randepresentative possibly closing Jack Isle Bergman’s Royale office(IR) for to visitorhelp only scheduled one meeting and that is the Isle openuse in it 2020, up to thevisitor association use. Representative contacted Michigan RoyaleWith respectannual fishing to the tournament upcoming year, and islandIRBA has BergmanRepresentative and his Jack office Bergman’s contacted office me and to saidhelp annualonly scheduled meeting (see one dates meeting and and times that below). is the Isle theyopen wouldit up to contact visitor the use. NPS Representative and raise boater ThisRoyale will annualbe contingent fishing tournamentupon permission and fromisland concernsBergman andover his its officepossible contacted closure. meIR didand opensaid NPSannual based meeting on CDC (see and dates State and of timesMichigan below). Health somewhatthey would from contact mid -theJune NPS through and raise August boater with Guidelines.This will be The contingent association upon will permission keep members from limitedconcerns facilities over its available. possible closure.A big thanks IR did to open informedNPS based and on sometime CDC and in State June ofyou Michigan will receive Health somewhat from mid-June through August with Guidelines. The association will keep members1 limited facilities available. A big thanks to informed and sometime in June you will receive 1

notification if we are able to meet. The association will not schedule the annual dinner meeting of the IRBA officers and members usually it is held in May and it is doubtful that we will be able to meet this early due to the pandemic. It may be possible to schedule this meeting in late summer or early fall and I will keep you posted.

The west end fundraiser will not be held this year. It is hoped that some event can be held in the future. Rebuilt Siskiwit Bay Dock – Steve Hanke

Construction progress of Windigo Finger dock.

NPS Update by Elizabeth Valencia

The current plan for the 2021 season is to open on time and a return to more normal operations with COVID-19 mitigations in place. We anticipate the ferries and seaplane will operate and the Lodge will be open but there may be limits in services and/or capacities. Details on park opening will be provided on the park website, Isle Royale National Park (U.S. ) Rebuilt Siskiwit Bay Dock. (nps.gov). Information will be updated throughout the summer to reflect any changes due to guidance from the CDC, Public Health Service, and State of Michigan.

Items of interest this past year include:

• New Superintendent hired: Denice Swanke was hired as the new Park 2

Superintendent and arrived in late trail cameras shows that pups were born August. in at least one pack.

• Long- time Facility Manager Randy • The Minong Mine was recently designated Rastello retired in the fall having worked as a National Historical Landmark. It’s 36 seasons on Isle Royale. We’re in the the park’s first NHL. The Minong Mine process of hiring his replacement and was recognized for having one of the hope the new facility manager will be on largest, best preserved Indigenous duty by April. copper mining landscapes combined with the well-preserved remains of the largest historic copper mining operation on Isle • The restoration of the fishing gas boat Royale. TERN by Jeff Sivertson was completed and the boat was brought back to the

island in the fall of 2020. You will be able IRBA Historical Review of the Isle Royale to see it at the Edisen Fishery this Trout Fishing Tournament - by Dave Hand summer. Since the 18th Annual IRBA Trout Fishing

Tournament was not held this year because of • Raspberry Island dock and Siskiwit Bay the virus, it would be good to highlight the dock projects were completed in successes of the annual tournaments. Table 1.0 2020. summarizes the top first place winners since the start of the tournament in 2003. For those of you that do not know the tournament rules, it is • Work on the Windigo finger docks is a two-day tournament in which the three largest scheduled for this summer. fish are tallied for each boat entered. The largest three fish weight entered was by the • The new Windigo store was completed in Barbara Jean back in 2017 with a total weight of 2020 and is ready for move in. 84.5 lbs.

• We have a major dock rehab project planned for the Rock Harbor Ranger III dock. The tentative schedule is to start in the spring with work shutting down during the summer and then starting back up again in the fall. More details need to be worked out.

• Winter study did not take place this

winter. Research from last winter and Barbara Jean Crew 2017 over the summer using collar data and 3 Another highlight is the Dwane “Bear” Falconer largest fish award given to the individual with the largest fish by weight taken in the tournament. Table 2.0 summarizes the largest fish caught since the start of the tournament. The largest fish was 36.5 lbs taken on the Afishinado by Chuck Johnson in 2019 (photo right). Now that IRBA fisherman have mastered catching the TIRDY pounders, it is now time to see a FIDY pounder in the tournament. Last time I saw a FIDY pounder on the IR was in the early 1980s on the dock in Rock Harbor. I think it weighed in at around 55 lbs at the lodge.

Biggest Fish for 2019 - Chuck Johnson

Table 1.0 - Summary of IRBA Annual Fishing Tournament First Place Winners. Year Boat Name Crew Members Total Weight (lbs) 2003 Miss Laurie John Evans, Mike “Odie” LeClaire & John Messer 50.9 Jr. 2004 Miss Jim Markham, Rodney Markham, Joe Asiala, Scott 44.5 Conduct Hyrkas & Mike McMurphy 2005 Miss Laurie John Evans, Mike “Odie” LeClaire & John Messer 46.7 Jr. 2006 Nasty Dwane “Bear” Faulkner, Sue Faulkner, and Jan and 47.4 Habit Charlie Townsend 2007 Miss Laurie John Evans, Mike “Odie” LeClaire, John Messer 31.5 Jr., & Dave Barry 2008 Liquid Scott Hyrkas, Rodney Markham, Jason Massie, and 50.9 Plumber Roger Pennala 2009 Nasty Dwane & Sue Falconer, and Erin Grivicich 42.5 Habit 2010 Mad Dog Mike Detlefson, Brad Ronning, Jeff Grosguth & 41.8 Randy Lemay 2011 Fish Nautzi Kent Hoffman, Ron Bailey, Bill Bailey, & Grant 71.5 Sorenson 2012 Sea Sue Nick Meneguzzo, Gozy Meneguzzo, Jason 61.7 Meneguzzo, & John Ylitalo 2013 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, & Mike Cardinal 63.4 Jean 2014 Sea Sue John Ylitalo Jr., Nick Meneguzzo, Greg Meneguzzo & 63.6 Jason Meneguzzo 2015 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, & Mike Cardinal 72.4 Jean 2016 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, & Mike Cardinal 84.0 Jean 2017 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, & Mike Cardinal 84.5 Jean 2018 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, Noah Mecklin & Mike 64.1 Jean Cardinal 2019 Barbara Joe Mecklin, Matt Mecklin, Noah Mecklin & Mike 81.7 Jean Cardinal 2020 Tournament cancelled 4

Table 2.0 – Summary of IRBA Big Fish Winners Year Boat Name Fisherman Total Weight (lbs) 2003 Miss Laurie Mike “Odie” LeClaire 22.6 2004 Miss Laurie John Messer Jr 21.1 2005 Miss Laurie Mike “Odie” LeClaire 21.8 2006 Nasty Habit Charlie Townsend 27.1 2007 Nasty Habit Sue Falkner 13.9 2008 Liquid Plumber Jason Massie 19.8 2009 Nasty Habit Erin Grivicich 22.8 2010 Mad Dog Brad Ronning 19.4 2011 Fish Nautzi Kent Hoffman 30.8 2012 Fish Nautzi Ron Bailey 28.4 2013 Barbara Jean Mike Cardinal 29.8 2014 Sea Sue Nick Meneguzzo 23.3 2015 Barbara Jean Matt Mecklin 27.9 2016 Barbara Jean Matt Mecklin 32.0 2017 Barbara Jean Matt Mecklin 30.0 2018 Barbara Jean Matt Mecklin 22.6 2019 Afishinado Chuck Johnson 36.5 2020 Tournament Cancelled

IRBA Annual Membership Dues

If you’re not sure about membership dues, please take a look at the mailing address on this newsletter. Underneath your name there is a line that shows ‘Dues paid □’21 □’22 □’23 □ Lifetime” your dues for 2021. If there is a check mark in the 21, 22, 23 or lifetime your dues are paid up. If there is not a check mark, you will need to pay your dues for this year. A donation is always appreciated! There is a membership form attached to the newsletter if you need it. If not, then pass it on to someone you may know that would be interested in joining.

IRBA Scheduled Events

(TENTATIVE) IRBA Fishing Tournament – Friday, July 16, 2021, and Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Rock Harbor, IR. Meeting July 17, 2021, 5 PM, followed by the fish fry. 5

PO Box 97 NewsletterNewsletter 20 21 Houghton, MI 49931 • Winter/SpringIRBA Update 2015

• IRBANPS UpdateUpdate by Elizabeth Valencia • IRBAHistorical Member Fishing Passes Tourney Away Info

• 2015Membership Fishing DuesTourney & Scheduled Results Events www.isleroyale.orgPOPO BoxBox 9797  Membership Dues Houghton,Houghton, MIMI 4993149931  Scheduled Events IRBAwww.isleroyale.orgwww.isleroyale.org Annual Membership Dues

If you’re not sure about membership dues, please take

a look at the mailing address on this newsletter. A newsletter to inform the members of ongoing activities within the Isle Royale Boater's Association, promote discussion among its A Underneath newsletter to informyour name the members there is of a ongoing line that activities shows within: the Isle Royale Boater's Association, promote discussion among its members on various IRBA issues and share members’ experiences related to boating, sport fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. membersDues paid on various □’21 IRBA□ ’2 issues2 □ and’23 share □ members’ Lifetime experiences related to boating, sport fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. If there is a check mark in the IRBAIRBA21, 2 2 UpdateUpdate, 23 or lifetime byby DaveDave your HandHand dues are paid up. If there RepresentativeThe park has com Bergmane up with and some his office altern foratives their on is not a check mark, you will need to pay your dues for helpthe dockin taking situation up our in causecluding to removal open the of park the dockthis HInthisope the year.you Keweenaw, and A donation all your winter isfamily always this members appreciated!year came have in There beenlike a is a pastand placementseason. of a mooring buoy as an option. membership form attached to the newsletter if you stayinglion in November safe during but this the pandemic. growl has The turned IRBA into a My thought from a safety viewpoint is a dock is need it. If not, then pass it on to someone you may bark as we are having an average winter with 199 necessary for emergency purposes and access to organizationknow that would has beenbe interested kind of putin joining. into a state of Like myself, several of our members did have inches of the white stuff as compared to 250 that remote part of the island. We will have hold during this time. Our annual dinner the opportunity to go to IR this past year. Many meetinglast year of at the this IRBA time officers. Presently, and themembers ice cover, the weretime ablefor moreto see discussion the work onthe this park subject. service on Lake Superior is only at about 50% compared west end fundraiser, the IsleName: Royale ______annual performed this- past year: 1) the Siskiwit dock Isle Royale Boatersto theAssociation 95% reported last year at this time. With respect to dock space being lost if the Founded Junefishing 5, 1996 tournament and island______meetingIsle wereRoyale Boaterswas rebuilt Association (see pics); 2) the Raspberry island www.Isleroyale.orgcanceledHmmm, Maybe due to angovernment early boating actions. season A thisbig Founded year JunedockSiski 5,waswi t1996t rebuilt dock is due removed, to storm Superintendant damage; 3) the Green Spouse: thanks. Can ’tot wait, new andI have existing a new membersmarine radio that to made www.Isleroyale.orgWindigopointed outfinger that dock they was added worked dock on space and will at be Our mission is to educate, represent, and promote ______tryout.Our mission is to educate, represent, and promote the interestWindigo, of power in and which sail IRBAboaters, participated sport fishermen, in the canoeists, the interest of power and sailcontributions boaters, sport and dues this_ past year. The completed this summer (see pic); 4) the Moskey fishermen, canoeists, kayakers,organization backpackers,kayakers, appreciates backpackers, and yourand all loyalty. visitors of Isle Royale NationalBasinconstruction Park. dock Membership was. T repairedhey is areopen considering; 5)to allthe interested new dockWindigo people. space Address: all visitors of Isle Royale National Had Park.a chat with IR Park Superintendant, Phyllis storeand overnight was completed. use at Wright A thanks Island, goes which out to may the Membership is open to all interested____ people. Renewal Membership______New Membership Name: ______ThisGreen past on year,some oneof the action present the organizationongoing activities did parkmake service up for forlost c dockompleting space these if Sisk infrastructureiwitt Dock is

at the park. The Cultural Management plan is removed.Spouse: Yup ______we will have more discussion on Renewal Membership ____ get New involvedDues: Membership (Check was relatedone)___ to City:the ______opening of Isle______State:projects. _____ InZip: the NPS update discussed below, Royale.still ____ongoing. When 1 Year Actually,news Family releases Membership the______Wilderness by the ...$ National 35 tthisheAddress: association in the ______coming looks year. forward to further Dues: (Check one) Management____ 3 Year Plan Family was Membership never finished ...$ and90 there is Park Service (NPS) back in May were delaying improvementsCity:______in the infrastructure State:_____ on Zip: IR. ______Life Family Membership ...... $ 500 andpresently possibly a supplemclosing Isleental Royale EISHome being (IR) Phone: forperformed ______visitor Work IRBA Phone: Member William “Bill” Baxandall Passes ____ 1 Year Family Membership … $ 35 Home Phone: ______usefor inthatAdditional 2020, plan. the contribution The association park toservice______support contacted is the looking IRBA Michigan at mission:Fax:______WithAway respect – Dave toHand the upcoming year, IRBA has ____ 3 Year Family Membershiphaving …__ $outside$ 9025 __ consulting $50 __ $100 parties __ involved $ ______in theOther Work Phone: ______Representative Jack Bergman’sHow dooffice you enjoyto help Isle Royale? only scheduled one meeting and that is the Isle planning process. It may turn out that IRBA will Bill Baxandall passed away in late October 2015 ____ Life Family Membershipopen ….. How it $ up500 do to you visitor enjoy use. Isle Royale?Representative RoyaleFax: ______annual fishing tournament and island Bergmanget an__ invitePower and histo __ participateoffice Sail contacted__ PaddlePower in the ___ me discussions __ SailandHiker said___ __ andPaddle Lodge ___annualafter Hiker ameeting ___ battle with(see datesLeukemia. and Hetimes is survivedbelow). by email: ______Additional contribution to supportprovide the IRBAinput. mission: I will keep youLodge posted. ___ his wonderful wife, Sheila. Since 2000, Bill was they Namewould ofcontact boat: ______the NPS and raise boater This will be contingent upon permission from an avid member and supporter of IRBA. He concerns over its possible closure.Name of boat:IR did ______open NPS based on CDC and State of Michigan Health $ 25 __ $50 __ $100 __ $ ______Superintendant Other Green and I had some discussion attended most of the east end monthly, annual, somewhat from mid-June through August with Guidelines. The association will keep members Please print this form and maillimitedon it the with facilitiesSisk youri wittpayment available.Dock situation IsleA big Royale and thanks what PleaseBoaters to to mail Associationdo. this form informedwithand islandyour paymentand meetings. sometime to: Bill in wasJune a youretired will receivelicensed PO Box 97 Isle Royale Boaters Association to: 1 Houghton, MI 49931PO Box 97 • Houghton, MI 49931 1 Contributions and dues paid to the Isle Royale Boaters Association, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Contributions and dues paid to the IsleInternal Royale Revenue Boaters Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes. Association, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

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