Biography of Mac and Lois MacKenzie
Mac and Lois were born and raised in New York. As a child, Mac rapidly learned the arts of hunting, trapping and fishing. He became familiar with many of the local areas of New York and later explored the areas of northern New York up to and through the Adirondack mountains. His techniques were adapted to the streams, rivers and lakes (even frozen) that abound in that region. Beginning with spinning reels and ice fishing in the winter, Mac later expanded into the areas of deep sea fishing for striped bass, fly-fishing and fly tying. He later became adept at rod-winding techniques and began making rods for himself and others. He continued building his techniques in the New York area for over forty years. Mac continues to make his own rods and has recently begun making Acrylic Offshore Trolling Lures.
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In the early 1980’s, Mac began vacationing in the Florida Keys with his family. At this point, Lois had no love of fishing, but sparked an interest in the salt-water fishing arena. Her endeavors began with a yearly charter out of Marathon Key for dolphin fish and daily fishing off the bridges in the middle-keys area. The keys were also the stage for one of Mac’s early Florida sport-fishing accomplishments: catching a tarpon, permit and bonefish on the same day.
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After several years of traveling
almost 2,000 miles to Florida, Mac was offered a job opportunity in Ft.
Myers and the family began preparing for the migration south. They moved
in 1985 and purchased a seventeen foot Boston Whaler soon after. This
would become the original MacAttack. What began as a simple boat,
was transformed over the years into a fishing machine that suited Mac’s
purpose: the pursuit of the Silver King. On an average weekend, this
little vessel could be found up to twenty-five miles offshore. Mac and
Lois recently purchased a nineteen-foot Mako and transformed it into the
new MacAttack.
Mac and Lois rapidly learned the
waters in the Ft. Myers area and built their technique accordingly. Lois
quickly became an adept fisherwoman and began fishing with a girlfriend
if Mac was tied up for the day. Through their open personalities, willingness
to learn and love of the hunt, they established many friends and contacts
in the local area and became involved with the Ft. Myers Beach Tarpon
Hunter’s Club where Mac served as their vice-president and later their
president.
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Mac and Lois have been quoted or mentioned in nearly 100 local articles and had several features over the years including one in Florida Sportsman Magazine. They also appeared in Florida Sportsman On-Line after a successful fishing venture with the magazine’s editor. Their trophies and awards are too numerous to mention, though some of them can be viewed by clicking the pictures to the left.
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Mac has spoken at several seminars as a tarpon, light tackle and rod-building expert. He was the first in the local club to get a “Grand Slam” [a tarpon on heavy tackle (40 lb. test line) and 2 light tackle divisions (20 lb. & 10 lb. test line) within one season]. Mac has also served as an exhibitor and speaker at the Florida Sportsman Fishing Show and has a standing invitation. Lois has also spoken at various events.
To this day, most weekends are spent on the water searching for the Silver King or preparing for the hunt. Their enthusiasm and teamwork have only increased over the years along with their expertise. To date, Mac has released 70 giant tarpon and Lois 60 giants in addition to thousands of other fish. Since the MacKenzie’s play in the sport-fishing arena, these giants will live to fight another day.
~ by: Kevin B. MacKenzie ~