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On May 20, 1970 William E. Bartik, Robert H. Langdon, Earl M. Glasshagel, Martin T. Azzara and
Patrick O'Shaugnessy (Charter Members) agreed in writing to abide to the By-laws of the Bass Anglers Sportman Society and thereby brought into existence the Long Island Bassmasters. The #22nd chapter to be formed in this young organization. The Chapter's stated goals where then and still are "Dedication to the Sport of Bass Fishing and the Preservation of Our Environment". The first chapter president was Ralph Vernie.
The first LIB tournament (unofficial) was held in June 18 of 1972 on Fort Pond in Montauk. The first tournament winner was Cliff Wainwright, who's stringer was anchored by a 4-1/2 lb. largemouth,
Jahn Saley however won the lunker with a 6 lb. 4 oz.
largemouth. I keep mentioning largemouth because it was at this tournament that the club discovered that there were smallmouth in the lake having a 3 lb. 3 oz. Smallie weighed in. It was then discovered that the smallmouth were stocked by the U.S. Government years before at the request of one John Hurley of the Daily Mirror, a major newspaper in its time. Although all fish were returned to the water as we continue to do, the 6 lb. 4 oz. Largemouth was given to the new owner of Ruschmeyer's Motel, Ernie Halpern, who had it mounted for display along with other salt water species. It seems I am getting a little of the history trail here, so lets step back on it!
In 1973 the first official tournament (leading to the angler of the year) was held on New Mill "Stump Pond", Blydenburgh Park on Sunday June 3rd. There was a $3 per man rental
fee as the club had to rent County boats. Doc Bartik had a 6 lb. 5 oz. Bass as part of his limit and Ed Roberts had a 6 lb. 4 oz. of his own. But the tournament was called a no contest because everyone was late. During the 1973 tournament season Doc Bartik won his third consecutive "Long Island Bassmaster Trophy Fish" title, (as it was first known) with the all-time LIB record of 8 lbs. 13 ozs. ,the fish was caught in June, on Lake Ronkonkoma on a 9" purple flip tail worm, it hit the worm as it was being retrieved off the bottom in 18' of water. It was in March of this year that the largest bass caught during the season became known as "Mr. Bass" and the addition of rule #11 added that the fish must be 5 Lbs, or better. This rule change was suggested by Joe Moldashel.
Well that is a tough act to follow but here comes another one.
In 1974 at a tournament at Blydenburgh Park, Celeste Lorfanfant caught the All-time LIB tournament record bass weighing in 7 lbs. 6 ozs.
While fishing was still on almost everyone's mind, it wasn't on Earl Glasshagel's, he was busy starting the New York State Bass Federation along with help from some club members and Ray Scott at
National. Upon the formation of five state clubs National would send letterhead and $300
to help the NY Federation commence business. Well Earl did a great job serving as its first President and the federation published its first newsletter "Vol. 1 No. 1 October-November 1974." The first federation
tourrnament was held on Lake Oneida on July 4th weekend of that year.
 New ideas continued to be formed for our 3 years young club for in 1975, our first "Youth Day" was held at
Lake Ronkonkoma Beach. There was no launch site at that time. It was organized by John Schroeder and Angelo Peluso. It was attended by 125 children and was a complete success.
In 1976 the latest new
idea was an upstate tournament. It was held on Lake Mahopac and the winner was Frank Lapinski.
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