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