The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-06
An Appeal For Tact

An Appeal For Tact
The time has come to admit that some local fishermen
and publicity hounds are either all wet or just plain TOOLS
when it comes to talking about the Gulf Stream fishing off
the coast of Southeastern North Carolina. We must eltner
do this, or refuse to believe in the United States Coast
Guard maps.
Now before all anglers in this area get angered,
let's look at the record.
Publicity releases going to several newspapers, and
probably avidly read by inland anglers, declare and we
quote: "a 55-pound cabio x x x largest ever caught from
Southeastern North Cardinals Gulf stream x x x hooked
from the deep sea cruiser "Ruby Lee IL IN tne sream
about 20 miles off Wrightsville Beach"
This is a swell build-up for our forthcoming fall
Fishing Rodeo, but it's the wrong kind OF publicity;
If inland fishermen are going to swarm this area next
fall with the idea that they can make a short 20 mile
jaunts off the coast to the stream, they are going to
be sadly disappointed.
The Coast Guard headquarters at Oak Island, South
port saws official government charts put the stream at Do
land miles off Wrightsvile, and 81 land miles OFT Cape
Fear, (or Southport). If the reader will SUBTRACT one-elghtn
of a mile from each mile from IS and 81, he'll lind out just
how many nautical miles off the cost the stream is, and
he'll find out it's a lot more than ~.
Perhaps the reports mean the 100-fathom area,
not the stream, but if SO, let's get 1T rlgnt. lneres
nothing that will kill the success of the Rodeo as an
annual attraction here as much as incorrect pup
lcity and angry participants.
Furthermore, the thought that perhaps this edge of the
SLrodm Is nearer Cud1 u dHu y L 1I1lCo ~ Co NNOooo' ~
also exploded by the Coast Guard, which claims those fig
ures mean the inner edge.
The Rodeo was a success last year as an infant. It's
grown now, and perhaps the men handling it are get
tings a bit too sensational in their build-up. We are
100 per cent behind the fishing classic, and have open
1y said so before. This column has been turned over
to one of the directors of the Southeastern North
Carolina Beach association, a man not affiliated with
this newspaper in any way, and he will, we hope, write
a couple of guest columns on the coming Rodeo; lhey
will remain open, for such publicity. We are heartily
in favor of SENCBA getting the support 1t needs TO
put the fall event over.
But, there are strong indications that somebody in the
group is playing his cards wrong. The first thing to 90
to correct it, is to get off this Gulf stream angle except
when boats actually do travel to the stream and we
mean the stream, not what some folks call the stream.
And there's one other thing that we believe should
be corrected at once. Whenever some one from a distant
point writes for information about the rodeo, SENCBA
Immediately sends out blaring and sensational reports
that "So-and-so from Tibet is coming to Wilmington for
the Rodeo," or Mr.. Money-bags from South Africa is
displaying interest in the Rodeo:"
These reports at once lead the family in Ashvile,
Memphis, or Louisville to think: There isn't any point in
coming to Wilmington, because there will be nc accommoda
tions. Such is not the case, but the reports OF thousands
of people expected here this autumn" are seldom tempered
with accompanying reports that satisfactory ~accommoda
tons are also expected to be available.
1t wasn't too long ago that such publicity concern
ing the American Legion convention at Carolina Beach
proved a boomerang. There were supposed to have
been 49, 900 persons expected to attend the mock in
vasiOn during the convention"
Ask the restaurant owners and tourist camp operators
if the number actually present was anywhere near 10000.
Just ask 'em and then duck.
The Rodeo is one of the best attractions south
eastern North Carolina has to offer any fishermen
anywhere in the world. We want all persons reading
this to realize that fishing from New River inlet to
the South Carolina coast is better than average. Much
better than average. It's somewhat of a fishing para
disc here, in fact.
We think the Rodeo will be a fine thing to attend, and
we are sure that those who attend will receive a fine vel
come from local hosts. The prizes are not to be sneezed at.
Everything will be done to continue to give the tourist in
this area the best that can be found.
But, we bluntly would tell any person interested, that
they are not going to be able to journey out to the Gulf
Stream from this coast without travelling at least 40
nautical miles.
No doubt boats will be here to cater to those persons
desir ng to go to the stream for the marlin and sailfish
that we are sure are out there. But don't figure on a short
hop, folks.
And, we firmly believe that despite the reports of
thousands expected down here that the visiting angler
will find excellent accommodations.
What this writer wants to see is to have folks come
to wilmington and go away satisfied. The kind of pub
lefty now being sent out does not make this at all prob
able.
Slow down to ninety fellows.
Duke ootban Tickets