Hans Mann: A giant on the water and in life
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Harbor Outfitters Captain Hans Mann, “Hans the Carver,” left, passed away last week. He was a Western New York legend on the water, his specialty was musky fishing, but he is remembered for much more.
Photo courtesy of Steve Hawkins Hans Mann, right, is pictured with Mike Boultinghouse and his best-ever 7-pound smallmouth bass taken while fishing Lake Erie.
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Harbor Outfitters Captain Hans Mann, “Hans the Carver,” left, passed away last week. He was a Western New York legend on the water, his specialty was musky fishing, but he is remembered for much more.
Photo courtesy of Steve Hawkins Hans Mann, right, is pictured with Mike Boultinghouse and his best-ever 7-pound smallmouth bass taken while fishing Lake Erie.
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Word has spread across Western New York and well beyond that Hans Mann, a legendary musky fisherman, lure maker, wood carver and Lake Erie and Niagara River charter captain, has passed away at age 46. For those who knew him, the news is difficult to absorb.
Hans was a giant of a man in every sense of the phrase. A high school and college star football athlete, teacher, master mentor for many, prize winning wood carver and lure maker, and friend of the freshwater sea, especially wherever those giant musky live He was a member of the Southtowns Walleye Association, Western New York Walleye Association, Eastern Lake Erie Charterboat Association and his favorite club, the Niagara Musky Association. Hans was an active and inspirational member of the Niagara Musky Association, an organization instrumental in musky fishing management and improvements on the mighty Niagara River.
He possessed remarkable fishing skills, but his greatest gift may have been his willingness to share them. If someone was struggling to figure out the formula for getting fish to the end of the line, Hans was usually happy to help. There were no guarded secrets or fishing ego games. He simply enjoyed seeing other people catch fish.
I was fortunate enough to fish with Hans twice. The fishing was memorable, but the conversations were even better.
On one trip, we fished between Van Buren Point and DJ’s Campground in roughly 70 feet of water. Hans kept things remarkably simple: a lightweight flutter spoon, a single hook dressed with a perfectly threaded piece of nightcrawler, and a trolling speed of about 1.5 mph. In less than two hours, we had limited out on walleyes at a time when many anglers were struggling to catch two or three in an entire day.
That was Hans. Simple, confident, incredibly effective.
His generosity extended well beyond the boat. Hans willingly donated his time, skills and energy to worthwhile community projects and enthusiastically served as an ambassador for Lake Erie fishing whenever outdoor media visited Chautauqua County.
One such visit brought an elderly outdoor columnist from Ohio who had carried a lifelong dream of catching a lake trout for more than 60 years. Hans made that dream come true with a lake trout that tipped the scales at nearly 30 pounds.
Through it all, Hans’ Christian faith showed itself not through words alone, but through humility, kindness and example. He was longtime friends with Marc Arena (Red October Baits) and Steve Hawkins (Captain Bob's Bait and Tackle).
His passing leaves a void among anglers, families, friends and communities across several states. But those fortunate enough to have shared a boat, a conversation, a fishing secret or simply a few minutes with Hans Mann will carry something forward.
For me, the trips I shared with him will always be golden memories.
The fish were great.
The conversations were better.
And the man himself was unforgettable. His spirit lives on.
All are welcome to join Hans' friends and family at Crossroads Christian Church at 1050 Girdle Road, East Aurora, next Friday, Aug. 21 from 4-8 p.m.; Funeral is the next day, same address, at 10 a.m.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Aug. 14-15: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor -- Clarion Hotel Jim and Diane Steel, 716-481-5348.
Aug. 14-16: Sportsmen's Rendezvous Outdoor Show; hunting, fishing, seminars, supplies/gear, more -- Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds, 501 Erie Street, Little Valley, Info: 716-474-7251.
Aug. 16: Sunday 50s Trap Shoot, Celoron Rod & Gun Club, 210 Livingston Ave., Celoron, registration 9-10 a.m.; Info: Jerry Martin: 814-688-9209.
Aug. 16: Bart's Trolling Invitational 1-Day Trolling Only Walleye Tournament, $500 entry, six-fish bag, NYS only, See Dan Hanley: 716-480-9862.
Aug. 16: Ellington Rod & Gun, "Don't Know Partner Trap League," 1045 Hagerdon Hill Road, Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.