ESPN

Ron Spitler said he had "unfinished business" to take care of after retiring from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) after 31 years as a fisheries biologist.

Taking into account his role as Michigan's conservation director, one could say that Spitler is only semiretired. For the past four years, the 59-year-old member of the Great Lakes Bass Team has been his Federation's liaison with his former employer.

"I wanted to be a conservation director for several reasons, but mostly because of unfinished business as a fisheries biologist," he said. "I felt there was more I could do from the conservation director position, and perhaps I could even be more influential than when employed by the agency I wanted to affect."

A Federation member since 1975, Spitler also has a 20-year acquaintance with Bruce Shupp, B.A.S.S. national conservation director. In fact, Spitler wrote a chapter in a professional journal about carp fishing that was edited by Shupp, former chief of fisheries for the state of New York. Since then, the two have been reunited in their respective roles.

Spitler has been instrumental in growing the relationship between his Federation and the DNR. The most recent example is the joint press release stating how the two groups will work together to address the Largemouth Bass Virus outbreak in Michigan. This summer, the DNR will collect bass caught from Federation tournaments to test the fish for the virus. "Coming to the tournaments will provide the DNR with a sampling opportunity they otherwise would not have," he added.

Other issues are ongoing, including a cooperative agreement being drafted mutually by the Federation and DNR that deals with a permitting system for state-owned boat ramps. The DNR enacted the permit system after boaters complained that tournaments jammed boat ramps and parking lots. Tournament restrictions and exorbitant fees turned the issue into a classic government boondoggle.

"We went to them with our concerns, ended up joining them in discussions and reviewed the problems, and succeeded in working together for reasonable solutions that everyone could live with," said Spitler. "After numerous drafts, a document is close to reality that will solve the problem."

The Federation is also lobbying for passage of the Aquatic Species Conservation Act, a bill to enable the DNR to change fishing regulations instead of having to go through the legislative process. Other joint projects include supporting the DNR's campaign to prevent closure of small boat ramps by lakefront property owners, and constant lobbying for budget improvements for fisheries studies.

In addition to his role as conservation director, Spitler serves on the board of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a 120,000-member body of sportsmen who carry considerable clout with the DNR and state Legislature. The group reviews and comments on proposed DNR programs, regulation changes, and legislative bills.

Needless to say, Spitler has plenty of unfinished business to take care of in his role. "I guess my constant challenge is to continue gaining more knowledge from both the DNR and Federation to know and understand each other while recognizing and respecting each others viewpoints."

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