Read more: Local, Fact, Fishtown, Leelanau, Finder, Marc, Schollett, Fishing, Fact Finder
"Fishtown was born of fishing. Oddly enough it didn't become known as Fishtown until the 1950's but from the time settlers and boats were passing through this area, this area has been known for its fishing." Amanda Holmes of The Fishtown Preservation Society knows just how important fishing has been to this little part of Leelanau County. In the minds of many, it defines Leland. Since at least 1852 fishermen have returned, boats have been docked and the fruits of their labor have been unloaded in Leelanau County's Fishtown. Holmes says "to see the boats coming in, for people to watch the boxes of fish being unloaded, this is not something you are going to see anywhere. There used to be a lot more commercial fishing on the Great Lakes, but there isn't anymore."
In fact, the number of boats heading out dwindled with each passing year around the Lakes, and Fishtown was not exception. Until 2003, when the nets finally remained on shore. That year, most of the tribal fishing boats moved to different harbors and fished different waters, leaving only the privately owned Joy and the Janice Sue behind and idle for the next 5 years. During that time, fish bought by customers in Fishtown didn't come off Fishtown Boats and that, around these parts, was a big deal.
Many in the community felt as if that was more than a shame, for some it was a call to action. According to Holmes "the mission of Fishtown Preservation Society is to keep commercial fishing in Leland viable. We want to keep it going so that visitors like the folks who are walking the Fishtown docks right now have the chance to see what commercial fishing is like this has always been a working waterfront."
With that goal in mind, of restoring a working waterfront, the non profit Fishtown Preservation Society raised funds and bought the last two classic Fishtown fishing boats. Holmes says "The Joy is over 30 years old and the Jana Sue is over 50 years old. They take a lot of care so we are in sense doing a heritage fishery so we had to do a lot of work on the boats. But we felt it was important that we are refurbished the boats that are classically known for fishing in Fishtown." So a non profit group perhaps best known for its ability to save shingle sided structures found themselves rebuilding engines, sandblasting, welding, hiring captains and getting licenses to go out and catch fish. Holmes relived the day with a grin of pride "when the boats first went out that day, I spent all day watching them load the nets. The first day they brought fish back it was indescribable to see the fish coming."
And they are catching fish. The chub, which are often smoked, and are very popular with local restaurants are slow right now but "the whitefish we are actually having a much better result. We have 4 nets out there right now but they are catching fish and so now for the first time in 5 years fish in Fishtown is actually being caught in Fishtown waters."
But Fishtown boats bringing fish back to Fishtown is only part of the equation. The preservation society admits it's most important that everyday folks can see the fishing taking place here. That maybe the biggest pay off for their investment; the history, but there is another payoff. It's not big. It won't make anyone rich, but it will help cover the costs. Holmes says "The Carlson fishery is thrilled to buy the fish. The boat docks up right next to the fishery we unload them, put them on ice and they go right on into the fishery, get processed and are immediately purchased.....getting started, getting the boats there are a lot of expenses. We have hopes of being able to bring in funds from the fish sold, but we know it might not be possible to do more than break even and for a whole realizing what is this worth to the community to keep this going."
The Fishtown Preservation Society will be hosting a fundraising event on July 30 at the docks in Fishtown. One of the things you can bid on is a cruise on either the Joy or Janice Sue. For ticket information for the event, call 1-231-256-8878.
