This Community Voices column is written by Patrick Blair, a recent Procter & Gamble retiree. You can reach him at pnblair@gmail.com.
In Northern Kentucky, where community thrives on deep family roots and enduring traditions, some stories truly shine. Dave Schabell, a Northern Kentucky sports legend and namesake of the drive into Bishop Brossart’s Mustang Athletic Complex, embodies this spirit.
At 78, he’s not just a hall-of-famer; he’s a testament to the powerful connection between a lifelong passion for fishing and the multi-generational ties that define this region.
As captured in an unpublished manuscript called “My Fishing Life,” Dave’s earliest memories of fishing trace back to his uncles, Earl Klein and Bruce Schabell.
“I can’t imagine which direction my fishing life would have taken without them,” he reflects.
Uncle Earl’s family outings, often centered around fishing, always included Dave. Uncle Bruce, meanwhile, was all about catching dinner, famously exclaiming, “Man, I really put the steel to him!” after a hook-set.
This early immersion blossomed into an annual Northern fishing pilgrimage. What began with a group of “12 Milers” on Drummond Island in the ’70s evolved into the cherished Schabell Fishing Trip.
While many have made their way north over the decades, the core is a multi-generational family affair: Dave, his brother Mark, Mark’s sons Andy (mayor of Alexandria) and Eric (a commercial pilot), and now Eric’s boys, Lincoln and Jackson.
The first trip, a camping disaster on Rondeau Bay, saw them fighting rough water in a rented, heavy steel boat.
“We nearly got swamped getting back to town,” Dave said, noting that Mark told the boys they’d someday laugh about it. “Well, that’s been over 30 years ago, and while we often discuss it, nobody is laughing.”
Yet, this mishap led to the discovery of the Blue Heron camp in 1992, their home for 33 years and counting, where Mark caught his “wall-hanger pike” on that inaugural journey.
The next generation carries the torch with enthusiasm.
Andy Schabell, a consistent presence on the Blue Heron trips, has not only built a “prosperous fishing career” but, as Alexandria’s mayor, championed the designation of Alexandria Community Park Lake as a FINS (Fishing In Neighborhoods) lake. Andy’s daughter, Kaitlyn, has joined the trips, and his son, John, will debut in 2026. Andy also captains the Bishop Brossart Bass Fishing Team, recently helping guide two boats to the KHSAA State Championship.
Eric Schabell, Andy’s brother, has also been a constant presence, from the early Rondeau Bay camping trip to the inaugural Blue Heron journey and many subsequent ones, especially since his own boys began coming along.
Dave recalls Eric as “always the youngest” on those early trips, and the excitement of a pike “blowing up” on his spoon right at the boat. Today, Eric, a private jet pilot, skillfully balances his career with local fishing trips with his sons during his home stretches.
Eric’s sons, Jackson and Lincoln, are the future. Lincoln, a Brossart junior and member of the Bass Fishing Team, possesses an innate talent for fishing, amazing Dave with his skill.
“At his age trips such as a Blue Heron event never crossed my mind,” Dave said. Jackson, initially a more casual caster, proved his mettle by landing an “upper-thirties class Northern Pike” with Dave’s coaching.
“I marvel at how lucky they are to have these opportunities at such a young age, when in my case I didn’t get to Upper Michigan until I was well past 30,” Dave said.
For Dave Schabell, fishing is more than a sport; it is a profound connection.
“I can honestly say that I have enjoyed fishing with everyone – especially my family,” he said.
In the boat, conversation is sparse; it’s about the shared purpose. Dave takes pride in his “pretty good” landing rate for big pike and muskie, always mindful of the fishing area to protect the equipment.
Though the days of climbing out for lunch and a nap are gone, his gratitude remains.
“I realize how fortunate I have been… to have been on every one of these trips,” Dave said.
His story is a powerful reminder of how Northern Kentucky’s true wealth lies in its people, their families, and the cherished traditions that make it home.
Patrick Blair writes about the traditions that make Northern Kentucky what it is.
If you have an idea for a Community Voices column, email Meghan Goth at mgoth@linknky.com.
