TPWD's ShareLunker program, despite controversy and setbacks over the years, is back on track in -literally- a big, big way.
 
By Paul A. Cañada
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Past Problems

Neither Ward nor program head David Campbell ever disputed that the high mortality rate existed. Looking back, the two fishery biologists conclude that there were many reasons for the high mortality. Both Campbell and Ward consider the outdated facilities at the Tyler fish hatchery to be the biggest single reason for the large number of dead fish.

"The Tyler facility was very outdated and it was understood that it would eventually be shut down," shares Campbell. "It was difficult to work with a facility that was so antiquated. Likewise, it was difficult for the people there to make things happen the way they wanted to."

At the Tyler facility the bass were held in long concrete raceways. Although the raceways were indoors, they had no environmental controls. All Texas Parks & Wildlife Department personnel could do was flush water through them. According to Ward, oftentimes the temperature of the water in the raceways reached the high 80s and stayed in that range for long periods of time. In those conditions, the bigger fish-already suffering from stress-couldn't find the much-needed cooler water.

Anglers calling the TPWD's ShareLunker program will soon be greeted by the program's "care" tank personnel. We must not forget, however, that the care taken in the period between catching the fish and turning it over to the program is critical to its survival.

Another contributing factor was the diversion of Campbell's energy, focus and time. The nationally-known fishery biologist explains, "My move from the Tyler hatchery to the Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens took one person away from the the Tyler facility and the program. Although I was still responsible for overseeing the ShareLunker program, I was 34 miles away overseeing the Athens project. Additionally," he continues. "when I worked completely out of the Tyler facility, I put lots of extra hours into the pro ram and, although they tried, the remaining personnel couldn't replace those extra hours."

Still, guides say there was something else that was noticeably different about the program. One of the program's greatest supporters, Lake Fork guide Dennis States, reluctantly admits, "During the middle years, when they were receiving a lot of fish, you could see there was something wrong. I hate to say it, but you could see it in how the personnel picking up the fish performed. They had no sense of urgency."

Ward concurs that there were problems with personnel. Campbell responds with all honesty, "There was a period of about 3 years when it was very difficult-and I don't want to get into personalities. The program did suffer during those three years. However, we realized there was a problem and we made the necessary adjustments."

Adjustments Made

Of course, the biggest change in the program was the move to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. According to Campbell and Ward, the new facility was built around the ShareLunker program. In Athens, personnel have access to exhibit tanks built especially for handling the ShareLunker fish.

The second adjustment Campbell made was to place Neil Ward as program coordinator. "Ward is a high-energy, go-getter type of guy," notes Campbell. "He has done an exceptional job at picking up the fish and getting them back safely so that Jim Matthews, our intensive culture expert, can care for them. Also, Ward has been instrumental in winning the guides and marinas back to the program."

Larry Barnes agrees. Ward's efforts were instrumental in winning back the confidence of the reluctant Lake Fork guides. "I met with Ward three or four times and have visited the new facilities," Barnes reveals, "and I believe Ward's claim that the program has turned around. I think he has a lot of credibility with the Lake Fork guides. Because of Ward, I am again supporting the program and have written several articles encouraging others to give the program another chance."

A modest Ward credits the guides' change of heart to the new facilities and the efforts made by the entire ShareLunker team. "The guides that were once against the program are now backing the program because they've see the work we've done over the last two years and the low mortality. The mortality rate for last season (1997-98) was at an all-time low (13 percent)."

Where Do We Go From Here?

The ShareLunker program management team of Campbell, Matthews and Ward have successfully turned the program and the public's opinion around. Correspondingly, hoping to make the program more appealing to anglers, Campbell has increased the incentives. In addition to the traditional fiberglass replica, anglers will receive an embroidered jacket and shirt, and will be eligible for the $1,000 cash prize drawing held at the annual banquet honoring the program's participants.

To participate in the program-which began Dec. 1 and runs through April 30-anglers need only be lucky enough to catch a 13-pound, Texas largemouth lunker. However, it's critically important to contact the ShareLunker personnel within 12 hours of catching the fish. Lucky anglers can reach the key personnel at 1-888-784-0600.

Will the new incentives and recent track record be enough to return the Lake Fork contributions back to the numbers experienced during the 1994-95 season (23 entries) and the 1995-96 season (22 entries)? Lake Fork's States is a believer.

"So far, the numbers (3 fish by Feb. 1) look good," he says, adding that, "Most of the big fish are caught in March. This year it looks like the opportunities are going to be above average."

Indeed, the ShareLunker program seems destined to succeed. However, David Campbell shares the news that popular Neil Ward will be leaving the program and moving back to Oregon at the end of March. The impact of Ward's leaving will be felt mostly in the realm of public relations. Not since its earliest years has the ShareLunker program experienced the excitement and collective purpose that it's experiencing now.

True, much of this renewed strength is a result of the new facilities, but arguably much of it is due to the seemingly endless energy of Neil Ward. However, a confident Campbell pledges, "Neil has got to be credited with getting people back on board with our new program. However, I believe we have the facility and the staff to continue that same level of intense involvement in the program."