Monday, March 30, 2009

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL ( 2009 )

ON THE WATER FOR APRIL                ( 2009 )

 

Hi Pard >>> Here we are EOM March & it’s time to see what we have collected in the Old Tackle Box >>>>>>

 

Did you hear about the mysterious disease that is killing Sand Shrimp??  Yep & that’s a Big Deal because these little fellows are the Bottom of the Food Chain for lot’s of Bigger Stuff living in our Oceans. Speaking of problems, It may be a really Good Thing that Frank Stout recently caught a Dandy Sturgeon in the Yaquina River, because it is being reported that the Bonneville Sea Lions are now “Dining” on the Sturgeon living in the Columbia River. Up to this point, they have never shown any great interest in the Sturgeon. By the way, did you hear about the recent beaching of a Fin Whale down at the Devils Elbow … They dug a BIG HOLE & buried that Bad Boy right there. How’bout the Great “State Berry” Debate >< How will this all turn out ??  Will the Marion Berry over run the ubiquitous Raspberry >< Stay Tuned ??   Tax our Beer !!!!  Just Wait a Cotton Pick’ in Minute >maybe< Deregulate Power Bait or Green Woolly Buggers, but NOT our BEER !!!!  Yep, you heard it right >< Good Old Bittler Brothers Sports Store closed up shop on 1 March 2009. That ranks right up there with the Oregon Trail Museum, in Oregon City, closing its doors. Then we learned of Paul Harvey’s Passing. Paul was 90 years old & had a Radio Presence for over 58 years. I suppose, it’s only us Old Geezers who will remember Paul, but even so, lets say to him >> GOOD DAY, PAUL <<>>  I guess all of this means that, “The Times, They are a Changing,” even so, it’s kind of sad. Hay, I learned that about $13.3 Million Bucks, of Fed. Stimulus Money will be going to help complete the HWY 20 Construction Project. I sure hope that may help a bunch of folks, in our area, who could use the work. Well, we again Blessed the Fleet this year & we also Blessed 5 New ODFW Aquatic Angler Instructors ( Ellie LeMaster, Larry Dale, Lee Fries, Jack Maitlen & John Sanchez ) Congrats to all of them >&< That brings our AAP Instructor Team, which is led by Brian Hudson, up to 15 Strong !!!! Some additional Really Good News >> Congress recently approved the “Wilderness Bill,” which will result in the largest expansion of Oregon’s Protected Lands in 25 years. That means over 200 K Acres of Land, which includes our beloved MT. HOOD, will be protected for our grandchildren. Just a positive word about a recent CERT Event coordinated by our FC Pal, Ron Thomas > OREGON SHAKES < This was a seminar regarding the dynamics of Earth Quakes & Tsunamis. We also learned about some simple preparations, we all can do, to make these kinds of cataclysmic events less traumatic. Here’s one for all of you “Car Gear Heads” …… Watch for the New 2009 Chevy Corvette ( ZR1 ) ….. They are only going to build 1700 of these 638 HP Bad Boys at a cost of $120 K a Copy >> Oh Well << So much for Reducing our Carbon Foot Print !!!!!  On that Note >< Let’s Lurch On to a quick look at ……….

 

MARCH FC Activities & Stuff >><< I would like to begin by recognizing, that March is WOMENS HISTORY MONTH & we are very proud of the Many Contributions our 10 Ladies of “The Club” make to our Fishing Club. Allow me to acknowledge at least 2 of our Foremost Ladies: First Lady ( BARB DUDLEY) is our exemplary Public Affairs Officer. In that capacity, she has always been, & continues to be, there at our many Club Activities, Events & Functions to provide Outstanding Photo Coverage, in the form of PIX for our Club House WALL & Online Photo Albums, for us all to enjoy. We are also very pleased with the recent addition of our Beach Mistress ( ELLIE LeMASTER ). Ellie has agreed to take on the Coordination of our Quarterly Beverly Beach Patrols. In that capacity, she successfully integrated our FC Efforts with the SOLV Organizations, Oregon Beach Clean-up Weekend, conducted on 28 March 2009. We very pleased to recognize Barb & Ellie for all that they do & for being such Outstanding Roll Models for All of Our Ladies of The Club. A positive word is also in order, for the terrific work Hank Bryson & Walter Chuck continue to do for us as our Information Ambassadors. These 2 Men Act as our Eyes & Ears regarding important outside Stewardship & Sustainability Activities, that do not always appear “On our Radar” …… Specifically, Hank recently attended the Annual Salmon Industry Group Meeting & provided us with a very professional Summary of the Meeting Highlights. I should also acknowledge, that Hank is the only Club Fisherman, that was not deterred by to “Crappy Weather” on our St. Patrick’s Day Fish Along at Big Creek > As Kipling said, Hank, “You are a better man than I > Gongidin” !!!  Speaking of Good Men >< Let me Applaud the Hospitality Extended to the many Club Members who enjoyed our recent visit with “Knife Craftsman Extraordinaire” >> JOE ROSICIA  << Thanks JOE for opening your shop to us, making this a most enjoyable & informative morning. Special Acknowledgement is also in order, for your son Mike … For his Ongoing Good Work, Checking & Changing the many SOLV Bags up on the Big Creek Reservoir Complex. I cannot allow the moment to pass, without trying to quelling a Vicious Rumor that our Good Pal, Jerry Gibson fell off of a ladder while Changing a Light Bulb >< No, I am not making this up & Sad as it may be >< The Vicious Rumor is Painfully True. The Good News is that Jerry’s Gimping About with a Bum Left Ankle & Foot. He tells me he will give us all of the Grim Details at our upcoming Breakfast Meeting.  Let’s close March, with a SPECIAL THANKS to all of the Intrepid FISH TRAPPERS >< We could not continue do this Important Stewardship Work without your dedicated Involvement.  The definition of Busy is next month ……….

 

Have you seen the APRIL Activity Schedule ????    Boys Howdy >< There are 9 Activities & that’s not counting a Corvallis Dr. Appointment, 2 Trap Runs, a Hair Cut & probably something “Dog Gone” Important that I forgot !!!  

 

Let’s just Hit the High Spots >> Check out the recent BLASTS regarding the >>> 2009 Salmon Derby Guidelines >>> 2009 Responsible Angler Program begins at Newport Middle School >>> SMOLT Planting at Camp Palmer Creek >>>Fin Clipping >>> Michele’s Book Reading >>> Video Premier Showing of FISHING FOREVER >>> Our Annual Pilgrimage to the Yaquina Bay Oyster Farm & I didn’t even mention the beginnings of preparations for the (May) Eckman Lake & (June) Big Creek Kids Fishing Day Events. This 2nd Quarter has always been a Very Busy Time >< The Good News is that this time of year is the Trip Wire for Spring & Summer !!!  Stay with us >< We guarantee you will have a Fun Ride & we will be most appreciative of your involvement.

 

In closing, I’ll leave you with this thought, from a Guy by the Name of Pat McManus, “The 2 Best Times to Fish are when it’s Rainin’ & when It’s Not” ……. I think Pat would make a Good LVH FC Member !!!!!

 

Well, that’s the Top of the news as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>>>> THE HOOK

 

 

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

FW: ON THE WATER FOR MARCH 92009)

 

 


 

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH              ( 2009 )

                                                                                                                                                                      

Hi Pard >><< Boys Howdy, but these 28 Day Months kind of sneak up on you !!!   

 

TACKLE BOX STUFF >< Let’s see what kind of “Odds & Ends” tidbits we have collected for this month……. Well look’ie here >< We have a New Member of the LVH FC K9 Corps. She is a 2 yr. old Weimaraner & her name is SADIE FURGASON. She’s a Real Beauty & is slowly getting Electric Bill Trained >< Say Hi to them, if you see them out & about. Of course, you know about CHRIKI >< You say you never heard about Chriki ?? Well this is Oregon’s answer to the Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil. You see we Oregonians use a Hedgehog to do our Weather Forecasting & Old Chriki is not real optimistic about us having an Early Spring. I have it on “Shaky Authority” that a Sea Otter was sighted cavorting off of the Wale Watchers Station in Depoe Bay … let me know if you can improve on this sighting information. Speaking of sightings, I have it on “Good Authority” that Brother Mike Samples Is back from the Sample’s Caribbean Cruise Adventure & I am sure he would be delighted to regale you with some of the highlights. You might also want to talk with Jerry Gibson about the Gibson’s Hawaii Escape. THANKS for all of your Well Wishes, Mary & I had a Great 42nd Wedding Anniversary. Hooray >< Our State turned 150 this month, but we Dodged the Analog TV Switch Over, not to worry, they’ll GET us again on 12 June !! Speaking of being GOT >< Did I mention, it’s coming up on TAX TIME again. UGH !! Moving on … Looks like this year is forecast to be another DISMAL Chinook Salmon Run …Ouch >< That sure is a “Knicker Ripper” of our good Newport Commercial Fishermen Friends. Then there is the ongoing controversy over the proposed development, in close proximity, to one of the States Treasures known as the METOLIUS RIVER Watershed. Speaking of concerns, etc. the US Navy stirred up a Lot of Dust (Sonar is the Big Issue) over its proposed Expanded Training Area Activities off of our coast. They will be holding more Public Hearings to put some of the Public Dust Down. Did I mention, the Steelers Won Super Bowl 43. Just as an aside >< If you are a Sea Lion & are visiting the Bonneville Dam Area >< You may want to get your Butt Out of There “on or before” Monday Morning !!!!!      (P>S> Feel Free to send me Tidbits that you may want me to consider putting in the TACKLE BOX)

 

Let’s take a quick look at some FEBRUARY Highlights >>>> We have a New FC Member MATT MATHENEY & I’ll be Danged, if didn’t win the, Phil Reed, Guided Siletz River Fishing Trip Drawing >Then< Hold to your hat, this story gets better >>> While on the River with Phil & Electric Bill, I’ll be Danged, if he didn’t Catch a 15 lb Native Steelhead >>> Of course, we are very Happy for Matt & we WELCOME him to the Club, but I’ll be Danged !!!!  We had a very informative GM Meeting, with a Special Presentation provided by our Good Friend & Fellow Club Member RYAN MINER. Ryan is the proprietor of the Coastal Pro Guide Service, out of Seal Rock & “Steelheading Made Easy” was his presentation topic, which was a Very Big Hit with all of the Meeting Attendees (Thanks Again Ryan). Brian Hudson hosted a meeting of several ODFW Aquatic Angler Instructors at his lovely new home, in Florence. The meeting was intended to help us prepare for our 2009 Responsible Angler Program at the Newport Middle School. Then there was the Salmon Industry Group Fisheries Meeting, which was held here in Newport >< We will be getting some meeting feedback from our 2 Meeting Ambassadors, Hank Bryson & Walter Chuck. A BIG HIGHLIGHT this month was the terrific TILLAMOOK ROAD TRIP >><< I sure hope you have had an opportunity to see First Lady Dudley’s Slide Show of the trip. It was worth Driving in the Snow & the 120 mile round trip. The Wilson River Canyon, in Snow, was Spectacular & the Forest Service Museum was Outstanding, followed by a Fun Lunch at the Cheese Factory >< Suffice to say WELL DONE to the “W2’s” (Wayde & Wayne). The whole trip, start to finish, was a HOOT !!!

 

Well, what say we slide into MARCH >>>> You don’t want to miss the Breakfast Meeting, our 2 Ambassadors (Hank & Walt) will give us some Salmon Industry Meeting Feedback. Also >< Feel free to take me up on my Big Creek (St. Patrick’s Day) Fishing Morning Invitation, on the 17th. This will be just 1 day after ODFW Stocked the Reservoirs >5800 Fish Total< should be Fun Fishing. Followed by >< A visit with JOE ROSICA <<>> 19 March <<>> Joe is our LVH Resident Knife Craftsman & he has agreed to open his shop to us. I believe you will enjoy Joe’s many WWII Bomber Stories & have a much greater appreciation of his Skill as a Knife Craftsman. Keep an Eye Out for a possible MARCH ROAD TRIP BLAST >< Wagon Master Dudley is cooking up a plan, which we will surprise you with < IF > he can work out the details !!!  On 31 March, our Beach Mistress (aka Ellie LeMaster) will take us down to Beverly Beach to conduct our 1st Quarter Litter Patrol >< These are always fun events with some Good Aerobics & Good Stewardship of our Ocean Beaches. Thanks in advance Ellie, for You & Bob Abbott “Leading the Charge” on this fine / fun Quarterly Effort.

 

In closing, I’ll leave you with this excerpt from The Laws of Reality >< “The Chances of an open-faced Jelly Sandwich landing facedown on a floor covering are directly correlated to the Newness & Cost of the Carpet” >><< Don’t you wonder what would happen if the Sandwich had Peanut Butter on it ???   (I know >< I know what you are thinking >< It’s time He Gets Out of the Cabin more often !!)

 

Well, that’s the Top of the News as it Looks from Here …. Hope to See You On The Water >>>>      THE HOOK