RISAA Newsletter [Angler's Profiles: Stephen Segerson]

Angler's Profiles

Craig Picard

A series of articles introducing RISAA members to the rest of the club.

(from the December, 2001 Newsletter)
CAPTAIN
STEPHEN SEGERSON

If you were to ask any RISAA member why they joined our organization, you would probably find that nearly everyone would give the same answers:

1) to improve their salt water fishing;

2) for the social events and tournaments;

3) to support the fisheries and conservation work that we do.

All of these reasons have convinced hundreds of recreational anglers to join RISAA, and, as in most organizations, a select few will stand out, offering not only their support, but many hours of their time. Steve Segerson, without doubt, is one of those.

Steve first learned of RISAA by an advertisement in The Fisherman magazine for the 2000 Annual Winter Seminar. He signed up to receive the RISAA newsletter. Like most anglers, he had constantly complained about the lack of fish and decided he needed to get involved. He concluded that RISAA was the way to do it and he joined in June of that same year.

But unlike many, Steve Segerson isn't one to "get involved" in name only. When the position of Secretary became open, he submitted his name and was elected.

He then joined the Education Committee, and soon became its chairman, helping to plan the monthly seminars, the annual Winter Seminar, and next year's Take-A-City-Kid Fishing Day.
But that wasn't enough, and he also joined the Legislative Committee, Boat Show Committee and recently, the Newsletter Committee. Last month he was appointed to the Recreational License Subcommittee at the Coastal Institute for Phase II of the Intergovernmental Working Group where he is helping to tackle the hot issue of a recreational fishing license.

Steve started fishing in the freshwater ponds of Newport, RI where he grew up. He remembers crawling around on the ground in the middle of the night for night-crawlers which would be used as bait to catch bass and perch. He credits his cousin, a saltwater fishing fanatic, for introducing Steve to the pleasures of catching bass and blues off the Newport coast.

As happens to most of us, there was a period where Steve had little free time for fishing. After high school, fishing gave way to service in the U.S. Army, a college degree at the University of Rhode Island in 1976, and becoming a full-time musician (guitar).

By the early 1980's Steve found himself with more time on his hands and got back into fishing. He bought a 20' Wellcraft, which took him wherever he wanted to go, including runs to the 600 line, navigating with only a compass! In this boat, and in a friends 25' Grady, they would travel from Wickford to 110 miles offshore in search of shark, tuna, and dolphin. Steve admits that he had to be a little crazy back then to go so far in a small boat, but the fishing was great. Fuel was always a concern when venturing so far from shore, and sometimes they barely made it back. Finally, Steve upgraded to a 36 foot sportfisherman, which was much safer for those offshore trips.

His daughters, Beth and Lisa, were introduced to offshore fishing with lots of bluefish and some very large blue sharks when they were 8 and 10 years old. He was proud of the way that they handled such large fish as youngsters, and he tells of how he would hold onto them so the fish wouldn't drag them out of the boat.

In the early 90's, the tuna fishing took a downward turn, and other interests were keeping his family busy. Although Steve enjoyed the comfort and range of the 36' sportfish, he decided to sell it.
Now you can find Steve on the bay or miles out to sea, on his 24 foot Rampage called Segsun, which he berths at Brewers in Wickford. He finds the Segsun to be the perfect boat because it is small enough to take out alone, yet large enough for offshore trips. And, unlike in his youth, these days he ventures offshore with a full array of electronics.

Steve enjoys fishing for stripers, especially at night, off Newport and along the south coast between Point Judith and Block Island.

Previously, Steve's bottom fishing experience was limited to some flounder fishing many years ago, when his daughters were young. But this year, after seeing how enthusiastic members of the club were about bottom fishing, he allowed some of the guys to introduce him to fishing for tautog. That was all it took, and although it won't replace his love of offshore fishing, Steve sees himself getting more involved in bottom fishing next season.

When not out fishing, you'll find Steve either at home with his wife Laurie; or behind his desk at ETCO Incorporated, where he is the Vice President of Finance; or on the open roads travelling on his BMW motorcycle, which he says he enjoys just as much as fishing.

Although Laurie doesn't share Steve's love of fishing, she is an avid boater, owning her own 17' Century which she runs on fresh water.

Last year Steve earned his Captain's license. He decided to get the license because of the knowledge and education it would involve, and he plans to some day transport boats along the coast or maybe start a charter business.

RISAA is fortunate to have many members, like Steve Segerson, who have a love of fishing and are willing to devote their time and efforts toward ensuring the rest of us are able to enjoy this sport. When you attend the next RISAA meeting, find Steve (usually sitting at the membership table) and tell him "Thanks for being a part of RISAA!"

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