Fred Schwab

   Fred Schwab joined the High Hill Striper Club in 1960 and is currently an honorary member. Over the years I have heard many phrases to describe his accomplishments in life; the one that I've always liked best is "Long Island's most decorated living surfcaster". All of his accomplishments with regard to competition and conservation issues would take more than this page to list and I feel that if I were list them all, you might lose a sense of what kind of man he is; but here are a few.
    Fred was one of the Montauk "regulars" during the 60's and 70's and one of the first to wear a wetsuit along side "The Professor" Jack Frech. He has won High Hill's Club competition more than a dozen times and has won The New York Surf Fishing Contest four times (1980, '81, '82 and '84). He has won countless other awards both within and outside of Club competition and he is one of the few people that can say they have released a bass in excess 60 lbs to swim through another tide.
    His competitive streak is matched by his desire to insure a healthy bass fishery for the next generation. I think it can be safely said that a man like Fred is born only once every generation. He was one of the founding members of the Save Our Stripers organization in 1967 along with other HHSC members. Although they never achieved their goal of game fish status for striped bass, they were instrumental in gaining striped bass management legislation in New York State in 1982. Fred also headed up the New York State delegation to the State-Federal Striped Bass Management Project and is currently, as he has been for many years, an ASMFC Advisor to the Striped Bass Management Plan. He is a past member of the Marine Resources Advisory Council, a past Board Member of the New York Sport Fishing Federation, Vice Chairman of the New York Coastal Conservation Association and an honorary member of the Long Island Beach Buggy Association. He has been honored by the NY-CCA by being the recipient of their special Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1967, Fred served as President of the Club and has held numerous elected and appointed positions. An ardent and vocal conservationist, Fred fought battles with commercial interests for the better part of his life, selflessly spending countless hours in Albany and Washington, lobbying legislators for the protection of the striped bass. Giving of his time in the surf, he fought overfishing to insure a healthy bass population for the next generation of enthusiasts.  
    As someone who has fallen in love with surf fishing long after its darkest days, I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to Fred. Only through his determination and efforts are we allowed to enjoy the fishery we are enjoying today.
     One of the benefits of being around "special" people is the impact they have on our lives. Although High Hill membership goes through changes with the addition and departure of members, Fred's principals of conservation and zeal for surfcasting are imbedded in the fabric of our club. It is not surprising then, that in 2002 with thousands of fish landed, High Hill members kept only 6 fish for a better than 99% release rate.

I think I can speak for the entire club when I say "Thank you, Fred." You are one of a kind.
     Fred currently resides with his wife on the East End of Long Island.
                                                                                                                                 By Zeno Hromin.

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