Professional Musky Anglers Association

[PMAA]

The PMAA is currently in development. Much like the NPAA (National Professional Angler Association)the PMAA will address issues directly relating to Musky fishing.

The PMAA would be nonprofit organization of tournament anglers and supporting industry sponsors. It will be dedicated to the advancement of professionalism among tournament fishermen and the growth of the fishing industry.

The PMAA is being formed to identify, recognize, honor and promote professional fishermen who have distinguished themselves by participating in professional fishing tournaments and guiding. It will promote in an ethical, lawful and legal manner the development, preservation, operation, maintenance and general welfare of the professional Musky tournament fishermen and guides of the United States. It will conduct studies, engage in research, and aid professional tournament fishermen and guides and the industry in any other similar and legitimate activities.

It is the intent of the PMAA to foster a spirit of goodwill among those persons engaged in the fishing industry. It will promote ethical practices in their relationships with each other, their employees, associates, and the general public to the end that all interests may be served fairly. The association also intends to create friendship and good fellowship among members, sponsors, manufacturers and tournament officials, as well as fostering a sense of pride in the association and its purposes.

The PMAA will collaborate, cooperate, educate and exchange ideas with its members, trade associations, manufacturers, tournament sponsors and the public to promote and establish information, procedures and events beneficial to the industry. The PMAA will create and promote a program of continuing education to promote professionalism among its members. As an organization of professional fisherman, our main goal is to assist the growth of the fishing industry.


If you are interested in joining the PMAA and helping structure it's future please send an email to PMAA@hotmail.com. We will be collecting email addresses and sending out information in the nexy few weeks.

Thanks!

Sincerly,

NPAA Organizing Commitee

[Trophymuskie]

" professional Musky tournament fishermen and guides of the United States. "


What about us Canadians?

Keep releasing them all
Richard Collin
http://www.trophymuskiecharters.com

[Michael]

"The PMAA is being formed to identify, recognize, honor and promote professional fishermen who have distinguished themselves by participating in professional fishing tournaments and guiding."


I understand that many professional anglers would like to make more money, but an organization to "recognize and honor" you guys? Give me a break!

Thanks for making me smile.

[GW]

who is organizing it?
let's see some of the names that are affiliated with the group.
thank you
Geoge Wahl
GWesox@attbi.com

[john skarie]

Sounds like an exclusive club. Proffessional tournament anglers and guides? why not an organization that helps the resource, not the industry?

Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, help me understand If I am.

JS

[Steve Cady]

I think the PMAA would be a great idea! This could help deal with some of the issues facing increased tournaments, pressure, giving back to the resource as well as many other issues. It also could be a voice to represent both tournament anglers and guides in all matters. Sounds like a good idea to me. I hope to see it happen!

[fishkopp]

What about Muskies Inc. and Muskies Canada ?

I think we need to stay all lumped up in 1 big powerfull force. If you have to many smaller groups no one will listen. There is strength in numbers .


Good hunting dudes and dude'ets

Mike K.

[Muskie Treats]

Sorry Fishkopp, but MI doen't speak for many of the muskie fishermen. At the risk of being flamed, many MI members in my oppinion are muskie nazi's. If you don't stock muskies or release EVERY single fish you ever catch or take more then 2 pics of a fish you will be ostrasized. I know MANY muskie anglers who won't step foot into a MI meeting for these and other reasons. With the creation of the Muskie Alliance, all intrest groups will have a chance to have their voice heard both MI and non MI alike and frankly with the way that meeting went, the PMAA would have to be organized for these people to get a vote.

[fishkopp]

Muskie treat
I guess we live in our own little muskie world in the State of New Jersey.But I don't want to see the world of muskie fishing turn into a 3 ring circus . I believe most muskie fisherman are hooked on those dam muskies as bad as I am.Its not about money ,maybe a little fame. Most of the guides I know are not sporting expensive cars and huge houses . They're just happy getting to do what they love for a living.
Do you want to turn the world of muskie fishing into a circus ? Have you watched any of bass tournaments on TV lately? Do we want the world of muskie fishing looking like that, one big advertisement?

Just my 38 cents

mike k.

[Muskie Treats]

I don't personally care what some group wants to do with their muskie fishing to be perfectly honest with you. I'm just saying that MI doesn't necessarily speak for everyone who enjoys muskie fishing. I have personally been a member of 2 MI chapters and have now switched back to the original with the intent of joining the board and making some changes for the better.

If some group of anglers, be it tournement guys or guides wants to form an organization, I say more power to you. It may even help some of those (soon to be us) guides make an extra buck or 2.

Circus, I doubt that our sport is going to make a big enough blip on the fishing scene to bring in the sponsorship dollars to really effect much of anything. Will this change things, only time will tell but I'll let you hold your breath waiting for it to happen ;)

[Consider]

Many things must be considered
MuskyTreats,organization devoted to conservation are an impact and an influence on most muskie fisherman.From beginner to experienced.
At one point or another we all or most of all of us have be involved or around this type of group.Their direct impact by being around has many facets.Yes retailers,manifactures,guides,charters,writters are part of the big equasion.But to create a club or organization to honor or to recognise theses indivuduals is trully not needed.
Recognition is had by repeatitiveness by your clients be it what ever business your are involved with.
Who sets the guidelines for ethics?
We all have different opinions on ethics,be it fish handling,fish landing methods,money tournements,promotions,conservation and so on.
To me this sounds like a (excuse my language)a grope me club.
If you are as devoted to your sport has most say they do,you do not need to be honored or recognised by anyone but your customers.
Do these individuals have unblemished ethical pasts?

Recognition and honor should come from the conservation impact you are involved in or with.Even at that the satifaction is protecting our heritage and not having your name published somewhere.But ensuing the futur of our fisheries not how many fish or big fish you have boated or how much you have promoted in sales.

Most of todays hard working and respectable guides or charters or manifactures conduct their business and lives on their own.
Sure they promote but not over,those that do are in needed and wish to over step father time.We all know where that leads,a short business life span.Those who are highly respected,lean towards shiness on recognition.Fished with some of the best,honestly they keep to themselves and cringe on overation.

Your comments on MI,my feelings and your actions are leading to me to beleive you wish to get involve to better things and impart your visions on others which in turn will come to modification and bettering your ideas.This my friend is involvement at its purist level.The best impact and involvement in the interest of our heritage and sport is regrouping and involving conservation groups,not honoring your fishing capabilities.
Many tackle companies and others are involved with conservation organizations and get recognised and benefit from those involved.
Their contributions also help conserve our heritage and fisheries.
This is the greatest reward,maintaining and building our fisheries for the futur.

If you do not like the way things are conducted in your affiliations,then get involved and place your ideas and visions in a positive form and you will succeed in bettering your affiliations.
Lead by example is the recipie of persuation.
Something to consider

[Muskie Treats]

Consider, I agree with pretty much everything you said there and kudo's to you for keeping it civil (not much of that going on lately now that the water's hard). I went up and reread the original post, and to me aside from the use of "honor" once, eveything else in the post commented on sportsmanship, and promotion. To me it sounds like it will be a vehical for professional fishermen to promote their sponsors and possibly pickup new ones. I have zero problem with that. If the people are of shady character or practice poor conservation techniques we'll all hear about it through the internet and word of mouth and the guilty parties would be chastised. This in turn would reflect poorly on their sponsors and they would probably be dropped.

I do admit I am biased being in sales that I like to see people break conformity and create something new. Everyone self promotes in one way or another, and if some fisherpeople want to band together to further their dreams of fishing professionally I say good for you. At least these people are taking initiative to get what they want instead of letting dreams go without reaching for the stars.

That's just the way I see it.

"What do I know, I sell screws?"

[Consider]

MuskyTreats,thanks you for the comments.
Not sure how people would see my view.
I do agree good sales are great sales but the way I see it with this, is a venue for those who have not aquired respectability to leap forward and expect it.We should recognise people for what they accomplish in embelishing our fisheries and education.
Not your expertise.
Who establishes the levels of professionalism?
Is it someone who speaks his mind in a positive form openly with some disagreements or is it the back stabbing,sneaky,no one knows that sets the level.Look at todays,overall all species professional anglers.Some are true while others its the media vehical that portrays what they are not.

What are the levels of ethics?
Could this be an orgized things amongst buddies to ascended to
who knows where,Quite un-ethical and bias.
We will not get involvement by futur anglers or prospect interest in angling by patting ourselves on the back or statuing one self's on a platform.Those in the business will segragate themselves from their origins,that the beginning levels of fishing.
Its a form of platforming ones self.
When we did not know any better(Those were the best days).
The way I see it,if you need some governing body to honor or recognise you,its cause you are not doing good business.
What you represent or sale to a client is not up to client's satisfaction.This is where excessive promotion or realism comes into play and sets the standard of your product.Now its your choice,are you representing and catering something that the public will appreciat or ones self.
True professionals are rewarded by those who buy or support the products they endorse or offer.True professionals encourage and are involved with conservation without honor and recognition.The public rewards them with their beleif in them.Far too many do not consider the importance of the futur and our fisheries because what imparts them is what concerns themselves only.This type of organisation is composed or will lead to this type of thinking futher distancing the re-genaration of futur anglers.
In other words,me genaration thinking.When times of unity must be bestowed with us.We should not addear to organisations that segregate our levels of experience.This is what I see through the windows.
Something to consider

[tt]

ttt

[Worm Drowner]

I guess the MI guys out west are different than us here in the east. I haven't seen too many "Muskie Nazis" here in Ohio or PA. Of course there was that one time our tournament director played "Deutschland Uber Alles" on the loudspeaker before our tournament..................:D

[john skarie]

Muskie Nazi's ?

Pretty harsh words from a guy who likes to belittle anyone who disagrees with him on these boards.

I speak from the experience of being bashed by someone who has never met me, and doesn't know my opinions except for the few sentences I've written.

It would seem that Nazi's are on both sides of the fence, eh?

Keep in mind that personal attacks on individuals or groups do nothing to further your cause, or convince those that think differently that your opinion does make sense, and that they should re-think their own views. It just causes confilict, and makes enemies.

JS

[Dan Dean]

Muskie Treats.. thats cute

I think you were at the alliance meeting, care to replace Your handle "Muskie Treats" with your name. I think you should take credit for that term "Muskie Nazi" thats really good!

Dan

[AGREE WITH TREATS]

At one time I was considering joining MI so I went to one of there meetings, and About half way through I walked out. Why? Because I have to agree with Muskie Treats here, they are Musky Nazi's they are more in it for themselves than they are for the fish. Its all about who caught what and so on. BLAH BLAH BLAH. Instead of what they were originaly formed for to help and promote Musky fishing. I am all for the PMAA as long as I can see what they all have to offer.

[some guy]

We pulled off an allied invasion of our muskie nazis , a bunch of us guys didn't like the way things where run . So we got off our lazy asses and changed things for the better. Now every body is happy ,and we are having lots more fun.
The question I have " do you just quit a club if you don't agree with every one else?". Maybe you are to big of a puss to stand up to the muskie nazis? Or maybe it's just about making a buck and nothing else?

some guy

[Me again]

Call me what you want, but I would sign my name here but Im sick of always having to log into this site...... The problem is as you can see is that by forming the PMAA or any other type of club is in a way standing up for what we belive, by taking one club against another, so before you call me a puss again use you brain and start to think.

[Muskie Treats]

Shawn Kellett
Windgods@msn.com
Cell 612-201-0209

Want anymore info?

And yes, I have just joined the board of my own MI chapter to make changes for the better.

As far as the PMAA, I don't think there is anything wrong with someone trying to pursue their dreams, and if an organization such as this can help them good for them! At least they're getting off their a$$ and doing something to help themselves instead of wishing, pissing and moaning.

The muskie nazi comment, absolutely! Anyone saying there can be only one way for muskie fishing is a muskie nazi. Go into any MI meeting and say you kept a 45" fish, and before you can say another thing you'll have 10 guys all over you:. It wouldn't even matter if the fish was floating belly up! (CPR nazi's) How about the guys that are so protective of "their" lake they won't help a novice with some basic questions much less support any type of outing or tournement on it. Or the old guys in the back of the room that never say boo to anyone except their "old timer" click and shun anyone else for fear they'll be after "their" fish. Face it, not all MI chapters have a steller track record promoting the sport much less supporting their own members in their angling pursut. Ask yourself this: "Have I gone up to that new guy in the MI meeting to find something out about him/her?" "Has that person come back to another meeting?" I doubt
many many people can say yes to either.

Feel free to flame me as often as you want. I'll be out of town until after christmas so have at it. I'm officially done with this thread anyway. I have nothing to gain and have never had any affiliation with this idea of an organization and last I checked I wasn't a tournement pro (I just don't have a problem with it).

[john skarie]

To come on a board and paint a picture of MI as "nazi's" because you can't get along with members of your own club is pretty pathetic.

How many other chapters have you attended? How many members do you actually know? 10, 20, maybe a 100?

If you have issues to deal with in your chapter, than deal with it.

How many guys won't want to attend a 1st Wisc., Fargo-Moorhead or other chapter meeting becuase of what you said.

You have no idea how damaging and insulting your comments are to the hundreds of MI members you have never met which are nothing like you are potraying them to be.

If you have a problem with an individual or group of them then focus on that and leave the other good people of MI out of it!

JS

[Consider]

Well said John,this type of negative remarks does not reflect any organization in conservation.It mostly is a hand full of individuals and certain groups that may experience this problamatic situation,
it should not be generalized as a common atmosphere.Sure differences of opinion or views may occur but sometimes we should step back and look beyond the issue and find the core of the problem.This may lead to positive solutions with such problems.Voicing with diss-regard to succesfull and accompshished organization is not representative of its members.Further as a representative of his chapter,it does place a good view on that particular area or chapter.

Muskie Treats,our discussion began well but to consider those that feel strongly about certain subjects or issues as nazi's is not reflective of what the Nazi's truly did or were.Keep in mind that if we have succeeded in preserving and bettering our fisheries,it is with the collective and constructive efforts and differences of views and opinion that we arrived to the point we are all at.Bridging the gap of generations and experienced anglers is the road to success.
Take the time to listen to those who have many years of living differente experiences.You will learn and construct better ideas and it will also enable you to lay the foundation of your thoughts.Keep in mind,changes are sure to occur,further bettering your ideas.If certain particulars are not to your liking,set the example and begin to build the road towards the creation of your bridge.You might be surprised at the positive response and potential creation by your postive attitude,negativity is destructive.Understanding the efforts and time those that have invested is also of interest in understanding their thinking.The conservation aspect is based upon our futur generations and reflective our destructive path we may have taken in the past.Yes being proud of ones successfull fishing trip is part of the memories.
What you express is much higher than being proud.
This is were I see the PMAA breeding more negative look at me behavior.
You seem to steer towards involvement and unity but the road you are using may not be the right one.

Something to consider

[Jono]

Sean Kellet,

As a member of MI, I want to thank you for painting our organization with such a broad brush.

It feels good to know that no matter who I am and what I do, I am a Nazi or at least a member of a Nazi like organization.

I've spent some successful time convincing people that our club is not a group of old timers sitting in the back (not talking to anyone because of a perceived threat) or a lynch mob set to kill anyone who kills a fish. I've managed to get people to a meeting and check it out for themselves. Every one of them have become members despite a negative perception of the club going in.

I don't deny those kinds of people (quiet old timers, nazi types) exist in MI but they exist EVERYWHERE and not just MI.

I'm sorry for your experiences with individuals in your chapter. I have had some bad experiences with individuals too but would never in a million years label the entire organization as you have.

Good luck instituting change in your chapter.

To all who read this, if you are thinking about joining M.I. PLEASE check out some meetings for yourself. There are people out here that will paint MI in an unfavorable light for a variety of reasons of which some may be valid while others might be the proverbial "axe". By all means, listen to what they say but don't take it as gospel.

If you don't go yourself you will never truly know what the experience is like FOR YOU.

Introduce yourself and let folks know why you are there. Give it some time and don't make a decision based on one meeting. Get involved, its the fastest way to meet folks and find out what the chapter is all about.

I apologize for this post being off topic but felt the need to respond to this "sub plot".

Thanks,
Jon Olstadt
First WI Chapter Board
jonolstadt@muskiesinc.org

[Jim McCullough]

We still haven't heard who or what is behind this organization. If they want to be taken seriously, which doesn't seem to be the case, they should at the very least let people know who is behind this. Until that takes place, this has to be viewed as just a post designed to stir up trouble in the Muskie world.

[Ultimate Anglers]

Why waste your time.There is Club of such that exists like the pmaa.
Its membership consists of me and my partner.If you pay attention to our words of wisdom,you may be able to join our club!It takes many years before you may ascend to the levels we are at.We will gladly share our vast and elevated knowledge with you.We need no recognition,we have boated far more superior fish than an
over-exposed angler in the sun.World records we have released more than man has ever documented!We drive the biggest and fastest boat availible in the univers(yes there is water other than on earth)!Our trucks are loaded with V16 rotating reactor engines.Our rods are built from the most sensitive neuron fibers all the while providing plenty of resistance and strength for our perfect and accomplished battles.Our lures as you call them are out body experiences.Unhooking is done beneath your earthly atmosphere.Yes all releases are conducted underwater.We even aid our close and cell sharing creatures during their tender moments in the spring.
Folks if you would like to aquire more knowledge please post your earthly questions.

Remember folks the pleasure's been all Yours!

[MGAA]

Hi all.I represent the Muskie Grillers Association of America, and would like to invite all of you for a cook out Christmas Eve. Come hungry, as we will be serving suckers from at least 5 states and provinces. Games and prizes will be prevalent, as will a heated debate on the use of charcoal verses propane gas. more details at 11:00.

[Yummy]

Yummy ,Yummy for my Tummy!
Is there an admission fee or do we bring our own suckers!
I do prefer Red Horse over common white suckers.
Will eelpout stuffed with cream of crushed brocoli
be part of the appetizer?
If so I will be sure to bring our own delicacy of
waste water catfish roe!

Good eating to you all

[DM]

Looks like it's going to be a long winter

[Icon Angler]

DM,winter is not as long as thou should think it is.It is merly a period of seasonal rotation of the earth.When additioning the days allotable towards muskie angling it begins by the ending of November and the changing of the earth's axiss,when spring formely arrives due to the returned earth's axiss in proximity of the sun,flowers bloom and shrubs begin their seasonal evalution once again,it is mearly days in some regions that your festive and alloted irresponsible time is conducted towards fishing.
Please do not despare,winter or commonly known as the evalutionary cold period will soon depart providing further memory building moments of things to come.

Remember folks the pleasures been all yours

[Worm Drowner]

As a member of Muskies, Inc. (Ch 23 Cleveland), I have to protest your disparaging remarks regarding Muskie Nazis. You have no idea how hard it is to goose step around in a 16' Sylvan in 3' waves! Besides, dry cleaning the muskie slime out of our brown shirts gets pretty expensive........

Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Muskie!



"Esox Uber Alles"

[Don Pfeiffer]

hello all and happy holidays,
I have sent them an e-mail requesting information and gave them my phone no# with hopes of getting more information. I hate to see this organization get beat up befor we all know who is behind and what its goals really are.
Any organization that is run properly and has good people behind them can be a good thing.
They can help address many problems and be another voice for the musky angler. Another voice is not a bad thing as we are a small select group and if they can help us be heard I will welcome them.I think we have to gather the information on the group and then decide.
Someone mentioned the bass tournaments being a circus. I watch them on t.v and wish i was in them. Those I have seen seem to be run very well. I wish the payout for muskie tournaments was better as we would get more recognized. I hope the people running musky tournaments start to get to more sponsorship money to add to the purse. If they( if we) want bigger purses we have to help promote them. The people running muskie tournaments cannot expect your average angler to pay $2500.00 entry to fish for $100,000 fisrt place. I think this is the direction the P.M.T.T has to take in order to grow also. They have grown in the nuber of anglers but to fish the whole trail is expensive and more money being raised and paid out farther down line will kep anglers fishing it. Sponsorship is so important for this yet the tournamrnt directors or group running them has to make a buck also. None of us work for nothing
An oprganization as this may help do that. I'll take that kind of help and be happy to work with them.

Don Pfeiffer