Gary Corson: Maine Loses a Brook Trout Conservation Icon...
This morning Maine lost Gary Corson, a wild native brook trout conservationist of unmatched knowledge, accomplishment, and influence. Few if any have done as much for Maine’s wild native brook trout as Gary did. And when it comes to lake- and pond-dwelling wild native brook trout, no one in the history of Maine ever cared more or knew more, and it’s very likely that no one ever will…
Gary should have been, and could have been a household name in regard to wild native brook trout conservation in Maine if he wanted to be. But instead, he chose to work quietly and behind the scenes. With the exception of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) meetings and legislative hearings, Gary rarely spoke publicly. But he lived and breathed brook trout and dedicated an immeasurable amount of time to their preservation.
While the late George Smith, former Executive Director for Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), was the public face in regard to Maine’s heralded State Heritage Fish law, and the political clout that made it happen, Gary was the one behind the scenes working out the details and providing much of the data needed to support the initiative. Without Gary’s involvement, the State Heritage Fish law would not have happened.
A well-known backcountry guide, and recipient of Maine’s Wiggie Robinson Legendary Maine Guide Award, Gary sat on the Maine Guide Board where he worked to require background checks for Maine guides to protect those who hired them. He was instrumental in regard to getting fall fishing in Maine expanded, but only for stocked fish. Gary was also a decorated combat veteran and accomplished guitarist, yet he rarely talked about either…
I first met Gary 25 years or so ago when George Smith recruited me to join SAM’s Fishing Initiative Committee, a group of volunteers unmatched in regard to knowledge, experience, accomplishment, and commitment. While George and former publisher for The Maine Sportsman, Harry Vanderweide ran things, Gary was the most active, vocal, and influential member.
Gary maintained his own Maine lake and pond brook trout database. He merged data from multiple sources, including inserting tackle, bag, and length restrictions from the fishing law book. He incorporated GIS data and notes from personal experience and historic records. Gary had a library of fishing law books going back a generation or more. While he answered questions, he guarded his data closely out of fear that it would be misrepresented or misused.
We used to joke, as did even some at IFW, that Gary was running the fisheries division. While combing through data obtained from IFW, I regularly encounter entries that say, “Inserted per Gary Corson...” On occasion, I would ask IFW something about their data, or a general question about a specific water and they would direct me to Gary.
A cancer survivor, Gary’s health went downhill after contracting COVID a year ago. He developed some COVID complications and then suffered a stroke. For the next year his health went up and down, but never back to where it was. But even then he talked about getting more involved with NFC. He looked to broker a meeting between IFW and us to try to get everyone back on track and working for the greater good. Unfortunately, that never happened…
Gary was not a person to heap praise or accolades on anyone. He didn’t expect it for himself and he didn’t see the need to do it for anyone else. He saw what he did as a calling. Something we should all do. But I knew Gary understood and recognized who was doing what. With his health declining, Gary reached out to me about his data. He asked me to come to his home with a thumb drive so he could turn it over to NFC. He wanted his data to outlive him and it now will.
Gary will be missed by those who knew him, worked with him, or were guided by him. He should be missed by anyone who cares about Maine’s wild native brook trout, especially those who fish our irreplaceable State Heritage Fish waters. The next time you see a State Heritage Fish sign while afield, take a moment to thank the person who was most responsible for making it happen, Gary Corson…
Bob Mallard
