Camera hooks sticky-fingered fisher
By Tim Gallagher, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2008
Gary Bollmeyer, owner of Gare's Bait 'n Tackle in downtown Correctionville, Iowa, shows off a dozen night crawlers he'll sell for $2.50. Bollmeyer sells 100 dozen night crawlers per week during the summer. (Photo by Tim Gallagher)
CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- So, it has come to this: The economy is sooooo bad, an angler ripped off a bait shop that operates largely on its customers' honor.
"I've got a tape system and caught a thief taking bait," said Gary Bollmeyer, owner of Gare's Bait 'n Tackle in downtown Correctionville.
Bollmeyer's camera taped the fisherman swiping a $5 can of Sonny's Super Sticky Channel Cat Bait from his bait shop, a business Bollmeyer has rarely closed the past six summers.
A sign he posted says as much: "If you need bait and I'm not here, please help yourself in this little bait shed. Night crawlers are in the fridge. Chicken livers, chubs and shrimp are above in the freezer compartment."
There's a notebook where customers enter their name and the bait they bought if Bollmeyer isn't around. His note ends this way: "Please be honest."
It's not like Bollmeyer is never around. He often is, as he and wife Becky reside in the town's old opera house next door, a gorgeous place they renovated. Bollmeyer, 59, operates the bait shop for some spending money and to keep anglers stocked when they fish his beloved Little Sioux River.
"We stopped at Gary's for night crawlers this morning," said Douglas Wright, a resident of nearby Moville, Iowa, who spent Wednesday teaching his granddaughter, Kaylee Krueger, to fish. She landed a little bass at Little Sioux Park.
"I never fished before and now I love it," said Krueger, who watched as her grandpa stuck the hook through a worm.
That's the kind of fishing enthusiast Bollmeyer lives to serve. He realizes the river is his town's hook, a destination that draws folks like Wright and ultimately keeps people at John's Cafe, Valley Drive-Inn, Valley Grocery, Driftwood Pizza and two convenience stores hopping all summer.
Bollmeyer, who did $400 in business on Memorial Day, said he often sells 100 dozen night crawlers per week this time of year.
He also keeps a running record of fish caught here by members of the Little Sioux Fishing Club. For $5 you can enter and qualify for prizes at the end of the summer. Bollmeyer, who weighs fish in this contest, reported Myles McCrea of Correctionville landed a 12.9-pound catfish south of town three weeks ago.
That's the biggest fish on his list for 2008.
"He runs a good business," said Bill Gotto, a Correctionville resident who operated Bill's Bait & Tackle in nearby Anthon years ago. "Gary and I were competitors for a few years, but we always helped each other out when we needed it."
"It's great his shop is here for us," said angler Dixie Kendall of Cushing, Iowa. "It's terrible somebody stole bait from him."
This wasn't the first time, unfortunately. A rash of bait thefts late last summer prompted Bollmeyer to buy his camera. The sticky-fingered Sticky Channel Cat Bait swiper is Bollmeyer's first "catch," so to speak.
The young man owned up to his misdeed and apologized. He also sent Bollmeyer $10 for the trouble he caused.
"He only took one can of bait, but he paid me for two," said Bollmeyer, who declined to press charges. "I know he felt bad he did it."
Video
See video from Gary Bollmeyer's bait shop in Correctionville, and of a grandfather and granddaughter enjoying a day fishing at Little Sioux Park near Correctionville, Iowa. Go to www.siouxcityjournal.com
"I've got a tape system and caught a thief taking bait," said Gary Bollmeyer, owner of Gare's Bait 'n Tackle in downtown Correctionville.
Bollmeyer's camera taped the fisherman swiping a $5 can of Sonny's Super Sticky Channel Cat Bait from his bait shop, a business Bollmeyer has rarely closed the past six summers.
A sign he posted says as much: "If you need bait and I'm not here, please help yourself in this little bait shed. Night crawlers are in the fridge. Chicken livers, chubs and shrimp are above in the freezer compartment."
There's a notebook where customers enter their name and the bait they bought if Bollmeyer isn't around. His note ends this way: "Please be honest."
It's not like Bollmeyer is never around. He often is, as he and wife Becky reside in the town's old opera house next door, a gorgeous place they renovated. Bollmeyer, 59, operates the bait shop for some spending money and to keep anglers stocked when they fish his beloved Little Sioux River.
"We stopped at Gary's for night crawlers this morning," said Douglas Wright, a resident of nearby Moville, Iowa, who spent Wednesday teaching his granddaughter, Kaylee Krueger, to fish. She landed a little bass at Little Sioux Park.
"I never fished before and now I love it," said Krueger, who watched as her grandpa stuck the hook through a worm.
That's the kind of fishing enthusiast Bollmeyer lives to serve. He realizes the river is his town's hook, a destination that draws folks like Wright and ultimately keeps people at John's Cafe, Valley Drive-Inn, Valley Grocery, Driftwood Pizza and two convenience stores hopping all summer.
Bollmeyer, who did $400 in business on Memorial Day, said he often sells 100 dozen night crawlers per week this time of year.
He also keeps a running record of fish caught here by members of the Little Sioux Fishing Club. For $5 you can enter and qualify for prizes at the end of the summer. Bollmeyer, who weighs fish in this contest, reported Myles McCrea of Correctionville landed a 12.9-pound catfish south of town three weeks ago.
That's the biggest fish on his list for 2008.
"He runs a good business," said Bill Gotto, a Correctionville resident who operated Bill's Bait & Tackle in nearby Anthon years ago. "Gary and I were competitors for a few years, but we always helped each other out when we needed it."
"It's great his shop is here for us," said angler Dixie Kendall of Cushing, Iowa. "It's terrible somebody stole bait from him."
This wasn't the first time, unfortunately. A rash of bait thefts late last summer prompted Bollmeyer to buy his camera. The sticky-fingered Sticky Channel Cat Bait swiper is Bollmeyer's first "catch," so to speak.
The young man owned up to his misdeed and apologized. He also sent Bollmeyer $10 for the trouble he caused.
"He only took one can of bait, but he paid me for two," said Bollmeyer, who declined to press charges. "I know he felt bad he did it."
Video
See video from Gary Bollmeyer's bait shop in Correctionville, and of a grandfather and granddaughter enjoying a day fishing at Little Sioux Park near Correctionville, Iowa. Go to www.siouxcityjournal.com
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
