October 15, 2025

Where did the summer go? Actually, it is lingering in our beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. A week ago, we had a string of 80’s with light southerly breezes. The point I was really trying to make is that as our visitor season ends, I am always mystified by how quickly it has passed. In two weeks, our grounds will close until next spring. Our maintenance crew is busy winterizing our pond, water pumps, water lines, and gardens. Their load has been lightened considerably since we replaced our forty plus pine benches with composites, but the workload remains lengthy and on a very tight schedule. Old man winter can arrive unexpectedly and without much fanfare. We are preparing and waiting.

About two months ago, our Hall of Fame Selection Committee met and chose the Class of 2026 Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famers. This year’s class, as usual, is an esteemed group and very deserving of fresh water fishing’s highest honor. Please turn to page five of this issue for a review of their biographies. Welcome aboard Class of 2026! Also, I will be forever grateful to our national volunteer selection committee and all the effort, hard work, and expertise they bring to our annual meetings. They make my job so easy and, in turn, perform a tremendous service to the fresh water sportfishing community. Thank you so much.

Lastly, but certainly not least, turn to page four of this issue to review and participate in our newly formed Lindsay Sale-Tinney Youth Writing Contest. This contest is open to all youths between the ages of twelve and fifteen years of age. Cash prizes will be awarded, and all submissions must be received by January 10, 2026. Only one submission will be allowed per individual. The results will be announced in the 2026 spring issue of The Splash and on our website at www.freshwater-fishing.org. This program is also fully outlined on our website and all submissions must be completed through the website. Good luck to all! This contest was initiated and underwritten by 2009 Hall of Famer Stu Tinney. Thank you, Stu, for your very kind generosity. It is very much appreciated.

Happy holidays to all. Until next year,

Emmett A. Brown, Jr. | Executive Director