One day when Matt and Lorie Wasilawski were driving down Route 12, they saw a “for-sale” sign on a 1989 Penn Yan. Turns out, the boat belonged to avid fisherman and family-friend Dan Tack.
Dan Tack was among the first generation of fisherman to start seriously implementing Catch & Release practices on the St. Lawrence River. Those anglers laid the foundation of a culture now dedicated to the preservation of the fishery.
Which is in-part why purchasing the boat was so special for Matt and Lorie. As the owners of 1000 Islands Excursions, Matt directly educates new and experienced anglers on proper Catch & Release techniques. Dan’s Penn Yan is now their primary boat for both Eco-Tours and Fishing Charters.
“I’m sure he’d be happy to know that it’s used as a guide boat,” Matt told Save The River while showing the interior of the boat. “He was happy the boat was going to the Vosburgh’s.”
Lorie Wasilawski’s family, the Vosburghs, had a long history with Dan. Her father, Jack, was the person who first introduced Dan to the St. Lawrence River. The two became great friends and fished around the islands together. Lorie recalled Dan’s good sense of humor, humility, and endless generosity.
Matt and Lorie still keep the safety buoy which has the Avenger’s original name: Tack on the Rocks. Some believe that, as any experienced St. Lawrence River captain, Dan hit many shoals. Others say that’s just how he liked his booze.
Save The River is grateful that a token of Dan’s impact can still be found on the water today. As a local non-profit supporter and Catch & Release champion, we are honored to memorialize Dan through the Annual Dan Tack Muskie Catch & Release Photo Contest.St. Lawrence muskie anglers are invited to enter the 2025 Tournament by visiting Save The River’s website at savetheriver.org/dantack-tournament/. All data collected is shared with the SUNY ESF T. I. Biological Station on Governors Island to support their research of St. Lawrence River muskellunge. The largest catch and release of the season will be announced at the 37th Annual Winter Environmental Conference on January 31, 2026 at the Clayton Harbor Hotel.
