ON THE WATER FOR MARCH ( 2K11 )

ON THE WATER FOR MARCH 2011

Hello All

Well, another month has sped by.  On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil emerged and did not see his shadow.  That predicts an early spring but I guess that does not apply to late February in Oregon.  It is a real surprise to see late February snow in Western Oregon, especially on the Coast.  On a great note, Officer Steven Dodds was released from the hospital to recuperate in an undisclosed location.  Our best to Officer Dodds and to all the men and women of law enforcement that dedicate themselves and risk their lives to enforcing the laws and keeping us safe.  As you know, PHIL REED, took a terrible fall and required surgery to repair ligaments, tendons, and muscles.  It was necessary to drill holes in the knee to reconnect the ruptured tendons and he will be in a cast for several months.  I am sure Phil knows he can count on his fishing club pals to lend him a hand if he needs any help.  We will take him up on the "rain check" for the fishing trip drawings until Phil gives us the okay.  TOM SIMPSON was spotted the other day and he is doing fine after surgery to repair his shoulder. Tom is now starting Physical Therapy.  The NOAA battle over their move to Yaquina Bay should now be over with our sore loser northern neighbors after their latest loss in Congress.  WAYDE DUDLEY, BARB DUDLEY, and myself, on a trip to the Schooner Creek trap, were discussing how much help we are to ODFW.  As the discussion continued, Wayde observed that it is just as good for us as it is for them in that it gives us a lot satisfaction in assisting them and it gets us off the couch with something to keep us active and involved, not to mention being in the great outdoors.  Those activities are available to any of us as there is usually room to tag along on any of the trap runs or help with any of your fishing club functions. 

Looking back on February, we all had a great breakfast at the Agate Beach Golf Course.  BEV GARVEY won the drawing to go fishing with PHIL REED.  At the mid month meeting, PHIL REED gave us all excellent tips for catching the elusive Steelhead and LINDA REED won the drawing for the trip with Phil (those trips will be made when Phil is back on his feet).  FRANK STOUT, BRIAN HUDSON, WAYDE DUDLEY, and myself took a trip to Portland for the Sportsman Show.  I had not been to the show and I must say, IT IS HUGE.  We spent about 4 hours there and it would take at least another 4 hours to see everything.  If you have not been to that show, it is a must see in the future.  At the show we found club member DEAN FLECK working the Englund Marine booth.  Dean had great things to say about our club.  It seems that we are well thought of in our community for all that we accomplish working on events and our help to ODFW.  Your Fishing Club has started accumulating items for the Memorial Day weekend Garage Sale.  If you need to do some "Spring Cleaning", keep your Fishing Club in mind for those items you no longer need.  If you want things out of your way, let Wayde or Wayne know and we will arrange to haul them away.  We have a great start in making this year's sale the largest in our history. 

As we turn to March, we will have our breakfast meeting on March 3 at the Golf Course.  Bring your appetite and your favorite stories.  Then on March 9 we will be forming a work party to do some repairs and improvements to the Schooner Creek trap and then JOHN SPANGLER and BUD ROARK will burn some burgers for the hungry crew.  On March 17 we will have the pleasure of a presentation by OSP Trooper Heather Van Meter on "Sport Fishing and the Law 101".  After a great presentation last October by  OSP Senior Trooper Carla Urbigkeit about the Commercial fishing side of enforcement, this will be a real treat to find out about the enforcement of Sport Fishing laws.  To round out the month, DON SARVER and WAYDE DUDLEY will be attending the STEP Conference in Rockaway Beach on March 26.  Also in March, we will be planning for the Kid's Fishing Event that will be held on April 16 as part of the Olalla (Community) Festival sponsored by GP.

So, we hope to see you in March for all of these fun events.  Until then, keep those tips up and we hope to see you ON THE WATER.

Bigfish