1) PACK’S regular monthly meeting opened with twenty members and two new members present. The group braved the rain and nasty weather to be there. Our guest speaker commented that only duck hunters and kayakers were crazy enough to be out in that weather .
2 2) The 1st draft of the 2008 PACK Program leaflet designed by Brad was passed around for review and met with great comments. This will be our classiest, most professional flyer ever.
3) Trip leaders were reminded to submit trip descriptions ASAP to Adrian, Jason or Bruce.
4) Members were asked if any had anything for sale.
a) See postings at web site.
b) Joel B has two kayaks for sale
5) Jones Lake trip was reported on. It was a picture perfect day with one 24inch trout (caught on Catch 200), two keeper reds, and two keeper flounder caught. Several rat reds were also caught.
6) Bruce reported his outing to Lake Calcasieu with Craig N/Bob R that they had caught over 100 reds in Lake Calcasieu. Because of the winter the reds have left the back marsh lakes are now in the Big Lake. Very few boats were seen on the big lake.
7) A request was made to locate a couple of speakers for later in the year, if anybody had any suggestions or knew of a speaker to let Adrian or Chris know.
8) Ken Jennings introduced the feature speaker Kendal Larson who gave a presentation with slides on their South Texas Safari titled “Paddling Texas Coast” The first leg of their journey was 60 miles from the Brownsville ship channel to Port Mansfield. The trip was made with Aaron Reed and Dean (Slowqride0 Thomas in four days and a second leg of 70 miles was made from Port Mansfield to North Padre Island, Bird Island Basin. Ken spoke of the preparation of the Safari, he told us about things needed for extended remote camping, kayak loading, packing list, safety plan, encounters with the Home Land Security, encounters with people swimming across the river, and the weather factor. How many of us actually dream of an adventure like this, then plan it out, and actually do it? What an adventure!
Kendal also spoke of the KASA Organization (Kayak Anglers Society of America). The Kayak Anglers Society of America works through its programs to increase access to and participation in kayak angling throughout the United States. www.KayakAnglersSA.org
The Kayak Anglers Society of America seeks to increase participation in the sport of kayak fishing by:
- - Developing and promoting competitive, charitable kayak angling programs such as the High School Kayak Fishing Series (HSKFS), the Collegiate Kayak Fishing Series (CKFS) and the Armed Forces Kayak Fishing Series (AFKFS).
- - Assisting veterans’ rehabilitative programs by offering kayak fishing trips and adaptive paddling training for our nations wounded warriors;
- - Designing kayak angling programs for and assisting in the procurement of kayak angling equipment for our nation’s youth organizations;
- Developing kayak launch facilities and paddling trails;
- - Advocating for local, regional and national policies that expand kayak fishing access, conserve fisheries, and protect the environment.
The evening closed out with questions from the floor. Kendal also gave up the secret snook honey hole on the Brownsville ship channel flats where PACK will be fishing in June 08.
Upcoming Speakers
February:
Captain Steve Soule – “The Shallowist” – Steve will talk to us about Steps to Locating Big Trophy Trout. Steve brings over 30 years experience from Florida to the Texas Gulf Coast.
March:
Captain Chris Martin of BayFlatsLodge.com – Chris will be talking to us about his fishing school and will present his 101 class to the Middle Gulf Coast with no secrets held back. Chris has been a great sponsor for PACK’s Yearly Tournament and we’re glad to have Chris come speak to us.