Author: scbfaadmin

By: Matthew Goins

Roebuck, S.C. — If you walk the halls of Dorman High School, you will see it on the walls. On the classroom doors. On bracelets worn by students. #ForMatt.

Matt McLeskey was a sophomore at Dorman and a member of the bass fishing team. He was the student who could entice anyone with his smile and humor.

“You can tell he really mattered to everybody,” said his father, Jason McLeskey.

In October 2021, Matt began experiencing excruciating headaches and vision trouble. As months passed, things continued to worsen. In February 2022, he got the devasting news. Doctors discovered a grade 4 midline glioma located against his optic nerve. After a biopsy, doctors learned that the tumor had an untreatable mutation, and nothing could be done.

“They told us that it was not going to get better and that that was the best he would ever be,” said McLeskey. “We decided not to have pain as a family while Matthew was with us. We laughed. We loved. We did everything together.”

After months of Chemo drugs, Matt put aside the medication to pick up the memories. He spent the last months he had left casting lines and making a difference.

Last summer, Matt and his family went fishing in Hawaii for swordfish. Though they didn’t catch any fish, seeing the peace the water gave Matt meant more than anything.

“Fishing in Hawaii was his ultimate dream,” said McLeskey. “We didn’t catch anything, but being on the boat with my son out on that blue water was great.”

Matt could no longer fly due to blood clots caused by his medications.

“In July, He decided to stop taking medication because quality of life meant more than longevity,” said McLeskey.

The family took the near 24-hour journey to the Lake of the Woods in Canada to fish for northern pike. They now have a replica mounted in their home.

The final trip Matt took was to Winyah Bay in Georgetown to fish for redfish last October with his father. It was their last time fishing together.

“Being able to take those trips and spend time knowing that it was the last time we would ever do it meant the world,” said McLleskey.

While cancer took Matt away from his passion for being on the water in his final months, it failed to take him away from his passion for serving others. 

After numerous trips to the BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center, Matt witnessed the anguish cancer caused other families. With help from his friends and teammates, Matt led efforts to raise money and donate items.

“He saw and realized what everybody around him was going through and wanted to give back because he experienced the pain and struggle these families had to go,” said McLeskey.

Not only did Matt raise money and donate items, but he also met with Dr. Nichole Bryant to arrange an even greater donation.

“He came to me on his own and asked that I help figure out how he could donate his brain after he died,” said Bryant. “He could have been bitter and angry, yet he was thinking about how to help someone else.”

After he passed away in March, Matt’s brain was donated to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for research.

Since his passing, Matt’s twin brother, Jackson, continues to fish on the Dorman fishing team and raise money for the BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center to keep his brother’s legacy everlasting.

“He’s remembered as an angler, a hero, and someone who made a difference,” said Jackson.

The Dorman High School Fishing Team has two ways you can join in their efforts. The first is by joining them in donating to the BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center. Make checks payable to the Dorman Bass Fishing team with BCCCC Donation as the memo. 

You can also donate to the Matthew J. McLeskey Scholarship. It is awarded to a senior Dorman angler going to a two – or four-year college and planning to fish at the collegiate level. Make checks payable to the Dorman Bass Fishing Team with Scholarship Donation as the memo.

All checks are tax deductible and can be mailed to Dorman High School, Attn: Ryan Switzer, 1050 Cavalier Way, Roebuck, South Carolina, 29376.

CHARLESTON, SC — The South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) announced its partnership today with the highly anticipated 25^th Anniversary of the Carolina Billfish Classic, set to take place from June 21 – June 24 at the Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. As the third leg of the legendary South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series and a Captain of the Year Cup qualifier, the Carolina Billfish Classic will not only deliver an extraordinary collaboration of world class fishing, live music, and entertainment but will also provide a platform for advocacy and discussion on critical issues facing the boating and fishing community.

The Carolina Billfish Classic, renowned as one of the premier fishing tournaments on the East Coast, attracts skilled anglers, boating enthusiasts, and spectators from near and far. Over 50 boats will compete in a three-day tournament for an estimated total purse of over $300,000. The Carolina Billfish Classic boasts the 881.13-pound South Carolina Blue Marlin State Record and released a tournament record 101 billfish in 2022.

“We are excited to partner with the Carolina Billfish Classic for this exceptional event that not only offers a thrilling sportfishing tournament and world-class entertainment but also emphasizes the importance of advocacy and discussion on crucial issues facing our community,” said Gettys Brannon, President and CEO of the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment with anglers up and down the East Coast in promoting true marine conservation, and sustainable practices, while safeguarding South Carolina’s vibrant $5.1 billion boating and fishing industry.”

SCBFA will have a dedicated booth throughout the tournament to discuss an array of issues including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) vessel speed restriction rule, which would create a 10-knot (11.5 mph) go-slow zone out to 90 miles offshore. The organization’s agenda also includes restructuring federal fishery policies and decreasing South Carolina’s excessive property tax on boats and motors.

“The SCBFA is advocating day-in and day-out for boaters and anglers across our state not only at the state level, but also the federal level of government,” said Loyd Weston, Tournament Director of the Carolina Billfish Classic. “Bringing SCBFA to the Carolina Billfish Classic to discuss these issues directly with our participants assures them that they have a strong voice in the future of boating and fishing in South Carolina.”

In addition to the world-class fishing action, the event’s schedule is brimming with exciting activities for attendees to enjoy:

Wednesday, June 21

Final Registration at the Beach Club 3 – 7 pm

Billfish, BBQ, & Bluegrass: Lookout Pavilion 6 – 9 pm

Captains Meeting: Lookout Pavilion 7 pm

TWT Final Registration 9 pm

Thursday, June 22

Day 1 Fishing: fish 2 out of 3 eligible days 8 am – 3 pm

Beach Club Pool: Live Music 12 – 2 pm

Weigh-In 5 – 7 pm

Corn Hole Tournament & Live Music at the Reel Bar 6 – 9 pm

Dinner on the Docks: Delivered to the boats 7 pm

Friday, June 23

Day 2 Fishing: fish 2 out of 3 eligible days 8 am – 3 pm

Beach Club Pool: Live Music 12 – 2 pm

Weigh-In 5 – 7 pm

Party at the Point – Departure: The Journey Tribute Band 5 – 9 pm

Dinner on the Docks: Delivered to the boats 7 pm

Saturday, June 24

Day 3 Fishing: fish 2 out of 3 eligible days 8 am – 3 pm

Beach Club Pool: Live Music 1 – 4 pm

Weigh-In 5 – 7 pm

Open Bar and Live Music By: Shem Creek Boogie Band 5 – 9 pm

Steak Dinner on the Beach 7 pm

Awards Presentation 8 pm

For more information, tournament registration, and to follow the Carolina Billfish Classic:

Tournament Info

Want to stay aware of the efforts SCBFA is taking to advance boating and fishing in South Carolina? Become a member today for only $25/year to secure access to exclusive information. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and four other state attorneys general are opposing a proposed federal regulation that would cripple South Carolina’s boating and fishing industry along the coast and are threatening to go to court if it is implemented.

The regulation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would impose a 11.5 mile an hour speed limit on boats over 35 feet for six months of the year along the Atlantic seaboard in the prime fishing and boating season. The rationale is to protect the endangered North American Right Whale from accidental boat strikes.

The speed limit would extend to 60 miles out into the Atlantic on the eastern seaboard, including South Carolina.

“Federal overreach is the Biden Administration’s standard operating procedure. The latest NOAA proposal would crush South Carolina’s thriving boating and fishing industries, seriously damage our economy, and threaten the safety of boaters and anglers alike,” said Wilson. “The Biden Administration might not care about the consequences of its actions, but I do. You cannot thwart the law in an attempt to advance your agenda.”

The boating and fishing industry has a $5.1 billion impact on South Carolina and supports 23,000 jobs.

In a letter to NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad, the attorneys general said that the action would invite “a probable legal challenge.”

Besides Wilson, the letter was signed by the attorneys general of Georgia (Christopher Carr), Alaska (Treg Taylor), Louisiana (Jeff Landry) and Tennessee (Jonathan Skrmetti).

The SCBFA has been working with Attorney General Wilson to develop a state strategy to file an amicus brief along with our organization and the harbor pilots to challenge this rule if it takes effect.

“We appreciate Attorney General Wilson’s leadership on this issue,” said SCBFA CEO Gettys Brannon. “Even the threat of this rule is beginning to devastate our industry and would not help endangered right whales because there’s not a single documented case of one ever being hit by a 35-65 foot boat off the South Carolina coast.

“Anglers and boaters are conservationists because we cherish our natural resources, and we’re willing to work with NOAA to find effective ways to protect them. But NOAA bureaucrats haven’t asked for our advice, so we’re prepared to go to court if we have to.”

Attorney General Wilson joins Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott along with members of Congress Nancy Mace, Russell Fry, and Joe Wilson in publicly opposing the rule.

QUOTES:

“Attorney General Wilson is fighting against federal overreach of its worst kind. The Biden Administration’s war on users of our waterways is a true threat to our industry and the outdoors way of life so many in South Carolina enjoy.” — SCBFA Chairman and Owner of Butler Marine Chris Butler

“The job opportunities in this industry are under threat with the misguided acts of NOAA and the Biden Administration regarding most environmental policies — the speed restriction is a prime example. Boating and fishing manufacturers understand the importance protecting endangered species and our environment as a whole. This move, though, is jeopardizing the established ‘Blue Economy’ for purely green gain.” — SCBFA Member and President of Sportsman Boats Tommy Hancock

“State attorneys general can serve as the last line of defense against federal policies that could harm recreational fishing and the jobs it supports. The attorney generals are uniquely positioned to hold the federal government accountable and ensure that boating and fishing interests are considered in federal policy decisions. We appreciate their support in ensuring a proper defense against the mishandling of environmental policy from the federal government” – Center for Sportfishing Policy President Jeff Angers

Want to stay aware of the efforts SCBFA is taking to advance boating and fishing in South Carolina? Become a member today for only $25/year to secure access to exclusive information.