Retirement Calls...

[sTony]

Seems that this friday will be the last at DFG for Dennis Lee. After decades of outstanding work Dennis is retiring. There are a great may things that we can thank Dennis for including a high level of sensibility towards bass anglers and a leader in establishing the processes we have for tournaments in the state.

Wishing you all the best in retirement Dennis and a huge thanks for all the great work you've done!!!

sTony

[Larry Hemphill]

Bass fisherfolks (that's male and female) have no idea what a friend and support Dennis Lee has been to our sport. His passion for the fishery is unmatched and probably cannot be replaced. I have had the privilege of many hours of discussion with Dennis about the state of our sport in California, and his knowlege along with various bass study projects for DFG are mind-boggling! I knew this day would come sometime but it is hard to accept now that it is here. Thank you Dennis - from the bottom of my heart - for all the inspiration and knowledge you have given to me. I count you as a true friend! PS - I really wasn't nervous at all when you were sitting in the audience at my first-ever I.S.E. seminar, har!!!

[Gator]

Dennis -

Thank you for your service and stewardship of our great resources. The agency is losing a great man.

[kb]

Oh no does that mean he is going to come back to fishing tournaments??? You guys need to know what a friend to the bass anglers D.P. Lee is. I really feel that he is a big reason we have the awesome fisheries like the Delta, Clear Lake and others. Guys like Dennis Lee cannot be replaced and their knowledge can't be taught to the next guys.

I don't know why you would retire DP you are just going to be outfished by Wendy all the time now.

Call me and we will go fishing Dennis!
Kent Brown

[Marc]

Dennis,

As a (former) fisheries biologist myself (and former California resident), I have followed your work throughout the years, and I have invoked your name to the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife on more than one occasion. Occasionally I have felt it necessary to turn their attention away from salmon and steelhead and toward the more popular largemouth and smallmouth bass that Washington undervalues.

Your retirement is a loss that will not only be felt in California.

Congratulations on your distinquished service to the fisheries resource, and enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

[Jerry Tilton]

Right on Kent, if it was not for Dennis, i dont think there would even be tournament fishing in california. Thanks Dennis for all of your envolment in the sport you and all of us love.

[TWinger]

This picture is from a West Coast Fisherman Magizine dated April 1990, when Dennis wrote articles for them. As you might see it is a long time ago to some of us. We were fishing Oroville that day during one of the worst rain storms I had ever fished in With Ron Brown. This picture of course was taken of Dennis on a better fishing day. And certainly when he was much younger. LOL Have a great retirement. Troy
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[Dewayne]

We will miss you as an advocate for us bass fishermen and a care taker of our fisheries. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions and take time to talk to us when we would call.

See you on the water!

Dewayne Bonham

[TWinger]

Here is what the rest of us looked like that day, Drown Rats LOL

Again Thanks for all you have done and have a great retirement.


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[Pat]

Many thanks to a great friend of our sport and community. I'll bet he can't even count the number of evenings he has spent speaking to Bass Clubs. We wish you well and can only hope you have trained a successor even half as well. But knowing your dedication and thoroughness I bet there is someone ready to take up the torch. I hope you can find time to write a book!

Have a ball in retirement!

Pat Dilling
Marysville, CA
Once of the Gold Country Bassers

[Ron C]

...but God Bless you Dennis, and the very best of Good Luck and health to you in your retirement.

It was Dennis who brought deflating (needling) deep caught bass into the lime light nearly two decades ago (among many other things).

I will sorely miss Dennis' passion for our sport at the annual DFG Jamborees.

God Speed my friend!

[Cal T]

Wow ... Dennis is retiring. Hmmm ... what about the Nile Perch?

Dennis, enjoy yourself my friend, you deserve it. California anglers are much better off thanks your commitment and dedication. I'm not going to say goodbye, just, "I'll see you on the water."

Congrats

Cal Tatum