December 2011

Missouri Chapter - American Fisheries Society    Est. 1965                    Page 8

Words from the Editor

The mission of the American Fisheries Society is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals.  Thank you to everyone from the MOAFS and across the country who is dedicated to this mission and to those of you who contribute to our organization and this newsletter in an effort to realize and encourage it.  Please continue to support the MOAFS and encourage fisheries professionals who are not members to consider joining.

On another note, it has become obvious that I have overestimated the competitive nature of our membership.  This year’s first annual nice fish competition it turns out is no competition at all.  Put off by those pesky “rules” MOAFS showed their distaste for the competition with an all-out boycott.  Well, your voices have been heard (or should I say your silence has been …….heard………?) and our mediators were able to bring the two sides to an agreement.  I hereby abandon all previously mentioned conditions for entry.  Just send me pictures of your fishing adventures, at work or at play, from Missouri or the Mekong, of you or your friends and family; as is evident from one picture I received you don’t even need a fish in the picture (although it would be nice).  We all like to see folks enjoying a day spent fishing so please send in pictures for what will now be referred to as the “fine day of fishing” post.  My finest day on the water from this year is pictured below along with several others.  I hope you will share your finest day with us next year.  Here’s to a great 2011 fishing season and to an even better one in 2012!  See you next year.

Send stories, pictures and information you’d like to share with the chapter or your questions and concerns to Andrew Branson (aabranson@socket.net) and Joe McMullen (joe_mcmullen@ymail.com).

Joe McMullen

Newsletter Editor