posted 09-26-2010 04:01 PM ET (US)        

Dr Howard Tanner is credited as the singular reason that salmon species exist and have thrived in the Great Lakes - A $7 Billion dollar industry in the Great Lakes. He is doing his legacy project which includes a book, speaking engagements and a possibly documentary film right now. Proceeds will go to the Howard and Helen Tanner Endowment for FIsheries Science students at Michigan State University. Howard is past Director of DNR and MSU Fisheries.

Those of us who fish and virtually every manufacturer owe their fun, success and even their livelihood to Dr Tanner. There were over 30 unsuccessful attempts to plant anadromous fish in the Great Lakes before Tanner and his staff figured out hatchery techniques and convinced fishery scientists in PNW to let them have fertilized Coho eggs for Michigan.

Tanner just turned 87 years old. About a year ago he decided to do The Salmon Story through a book project (close to completion) and speaking engagements throughout Michigan. We are privileged to be part of the Tanner project and are documenting the speaking events (which are absolutely incredible, photos and Power Point cannot be described) and his fishing, trips, the story and more via HD and ultra high quality audio. We will be shooting inland lake fishing from Outrage 17 next Sunday.

Tomorrow, Sept 27, Dr Tanner will be doing one of his first Salmon Story presentations for the Grand Rapids Steelheaders at the

Diamond Hall at 7 PM.
(616) 774-9612
435 Diamond NE
Grand Rapids, MI

Like most of you I have seen literally thousands of presentations in my career and as a sportsman. I assure you Howard's is at the top of any I have watched - incredibly interesting, serious, educational, funny, WOW factor and more. Grown men were misty eyed at one last spring. He gets deep into the scientific and political issues surrounding (nearly limiting) the project as well as water and habitat concerns. He makes his position, personal and as a fisheries scientist, regarding Asia Carp crystal clear.

And FYI Great Lakes anglers, It could have been Stripped Bass instead of Coho and Chinook Salmon and Pacific Steelhead. .

He also talks about having to cut through bureaucracy to plant the salmon. He admits that when the State of Michigan refused to fund a large research vessel (critical to monitoring fish runs) they creatively charged the 62 foot boat to "office expenses" - several hundred thousand dollars. That boat is still in use, "S/V Stealhead" and has lasted longer than paper and copier machines.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52259_10951_11301-193041--,00.html

I strongly urge any of you who fish or have an interest to go to the presentation. We are compiling a list of future presentations in Michigan but possibly other Great Lake states. We had a full HD and audio crew w/ Howard and his friend Bill Cullerton (Chicago - and legend in tackle industry) on the Manistee R two weeks ago.

We will be using our Outrage and 13 as camera boats this fall as Howard and fishing pals fish for Bluegills, Crappie and jumbo perch

Ken Burns would be crying if he saw Howards' archives of photos, letters, newsstories - literally thousands of items meticulously organized and in perfect condition.

Photos include a wonderful 8x10 of Howard at the helm of a mahogany console Whaler which we will be using in the presentations.

We are actively seeking other places and groups where Howard can do his presentation so if you have ideas, let me know.

Thanks! Contact me anytime.

posted 09-26-2010 07:08 PM ET (US)            

If any of you want to join the project contact me via email or call anytime.

517 202 1053.

I will send Jeff some photos we shot last week.

Bill Cullerton is as legendary as Howard. We was a WWII Ace in P51 Mustang and a group from Chicago is doing his story too. We have to remember he's 87.

posted 09-27-2010 11:16 AM ET (US)            

Anyway they have monthly membership meetings where attendance is in the hundreds, they always schedule some type of hunting. fishing, conservation type of (entertainment if you will) presentations for their monthly meetings. From my experience as a member this sounds like it would be perfect.

http://www.multilakes.com/

posted 09-27-2010 12:34 PM ET (US)            

Dr Tanner is going to let us scan the Whaler photo w/ him at the helm.

posted 04-18-2011 12:03 PM ET (US)            

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2011/04/the_salmon_experiment_the_inve.html