Anglers today are benefiting from a product born out of necessity in a Northeast Ohio logging operation and brought to market in an unlikely alignment of interests.

In fact, the energy powering more and more fishing boats ironically was sparked in the Amish communities of West Farmington and Middlefield, and boosted by a happenstance meeting in Holmes County.

Responding to a need he encountered while working for a logging company, Lester Miller of West Farmington noodled up a solution that soon flourished into one of modern fishing’s most celebrated products.

The lithium batteries produced by his solar-powered company MillerTech Energy Solutions in Middlefield today are the powerplants delivering the voltage to breathe abundant life into anglers’ engines, trolling motors, sonar and GPS electronics, live wells and other essential accessories on fishing boats.

“My job in logging involved operating a winch, which needed 12-volt batteries for power,” Miller said. “But the batteries we were using were not built to do what we needed.”

Miller started fishing for what might be the best batteries for the job.

An Old Order Amish man, Miller discovered lithium batteries might be the power source he needed. Old Order Amish do use solar-generated electricity because it does not come from the public grid.

He knew nothing about building batteries, so he experimented to develop a power source for the logging company. He soon came up with a lithium battery built in a wooden case, and took them to an Amish trade show in Holmes County.

As luck would have it, angler Dean Yoder walked up and introduced himself. Yoder was familiar with the demands bass anglers put on their boats’ electronics and recognized the potential of Miller’s batteries. Miller and Yoder soon negotiated a deal that put MillerTech power in Yoder’s competition boat and provided him with the opportunity to promote and sell MillerTech products.

MillerTech quickly gained traction in the fishing business.

“I had no vision of the potential Dean saw,” Miller said. “I had no idea what God had in store for me.”

MillerTech has gained important exposure in the fishing industry through relationships with pro anglers and tournament organizations. Miller’s company enjoys an important position in a market that includes Dakota Lithium, Battle Born and other players.

“I don’t try to use God or faith to sell products, but the Amish belief system really helped me understand what the public wants and needs,” he said. “Integrity and our belief system helps us remain a product company and not a marketing company. We believe in service and have five Amish guys on the phone all day in technical support.”

Miller believes the future is bright for lithium, as the product has many advantages over lead acid batteries.

“The technology will improve and the costs will drop. Lithium batteries are half the weight of lead and you can fish for 10 to 15 hours without killing them,” he said. “Lithium has greater longevity, too, with more charge-discharge cycles in their lifetime. We give a 10-year warranty, so that shows how long we expect them to last.”

Ironically, Miller is not a fisherman.

“I’ve been out on the water, but if after 15 minutes I don’t catch anything, I’m done. Fishing is out of my control, and I like to be in control. I do like to golf because it’s in my control. If I suck, it’s all my fault.”

MillerTech’s success is widely known, but Miller himself is not caught up in the buzz.

“I get asked all the time, ‘How much does your faith have to do with your success?’ I have to think. It’s a lot, but you know, drug lords can be successful, too.

“So the answer is faith, yes, does have something to do with our success, but everything to do with what we do with that success, how we can build up other people.”

Jack Wollitz has written this column weekly since 1988 and is the author of The Common Angler (2021, Tucker DS Press). Contact him at jackbbaass@gmail.com.