[JohnR]

I think this is important to repost here. Truly a shame as I think they are good people and it is sad to see bad things happen to good people and good institutions go by the wayside.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nelso...493323?fref=ts

It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing we will close Nelsons Bait and Tackle after this season. Over the past twelve years we have had the pleasure and honor to provide a service to locals and tourists alike in fulfilling their fishing needs. However, the last twelve years have also seen many changes in the local fishing enviroment and fishing retail business which make successfully operating a seasonal bait and tackle shop nearly impossible. Ten years ago there were five bait and tackle shops from Eastham to Orleans, next year there will only be one.


Because of actions by the Cape Cod National Seashore and the National Wildlife Service to protect the piping plovers, a supposedly "endangered species", over sand beach access for fisherman using four wheel drive vehicles continues to be minimized year after year, driving these folks to go elsewhere to pursue their passion. I am all for enviromental causes, but putting up protective fencing on the majority of the beach, prohibiting not only four wheel drive access but also pedestrian access, just in case a plover decides they "might" want to land there, seems a bit excessive to me. I don't think we need an airport for the plovers, just give them enough protected space when they actually do land, procreate and raise their young ones. When the fisherman go elsewhere, so does their business. Another "protected species", the seals, have also had a negative impact. I know, they are cute, and were here first and all that, but they eat a heck of a lot of fish and probably are directly responsible for the total lack of any fluke in our waters for the past five years. No fluke, no sales of sand eels, no business. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying bring back the old $5 bounty on seal noses, but when the great white sharks start to devour the seals on a daily basis in the waters we swim in, I'm not going for a dip in the ocean anymore.


The start of a saltwater fishing license in Massachusetts last year has also taken a toll. While ten bucks a person won't break the bank, it's the PIA factor - folks here for a weekend or a weeks vacation often see people fishing and want to try it for themselves, either buying some inexpensive equipment or renting it. But when they have to dial a 1-800 number or hit the internet to get the license, just to mess around fishing for a few days, most often they say forget about it - more folks not fishing. As for the internet, we all like a deal, myself included, and to save a few bucks here and there it all adds up. Internet stores, which operate on such a high volume, can offer prices much lower than a local shop, and this has taken a big toll on our business. Last but not least, fishing has changed, catching a keeper fish from the beach is a rare thing nowadays and in our impatient society a lot of folks have just decided the results are not worth the effort.


Singularly, we have been able to adjust to these factors over time, but unfortunately the cumulative effects of all of them have pushed us to the point of closing. I guess the only silver lining in this cloud is that we will be liquidating our inventory at very low prices, probably even lower than internet prices, and those of you who still pursue this sport will be able to get some great deals! Also, I get to devote even more time to running our charter business, Beth Ann Charters, and putting smiles on the faces of our customers.