1) Why PACK is a great organization
a. PACK membership seeks quality as well as fresh ideas; PACK provides quality and unique outings, enlightening meetings and solid fellowship by attracting and acquiring new members to offset member attrition.
b. The greatest contribution this club offers to its members is the consistent improvements in outings in numbers and results.
2) PACK’S February monthly meeting opened with thirty members and five new members or first timers present. PACK welcomed Alex, Mike, Tony, Greg and Richard to the group.
3) Admin announcements were made to ensure members were up to date with ACA dues, ACA member numbers, ACA waivers and PACK dues.
Members are reminded that the American Canoe Association (ACA) requires that all participants in any PACK event to have a current signed waiver. ACA dues are usually collected from new members but renewing members must pay ACA direct and notify the PACK Treasurer or one of the officers with your updated ACA number and expiration date.
5) We reviewed our lack of fish at Dana Cove and Scotts/Burnett Bay and then were made terribly jealous by the successes of Ken, Jason, Bruce and Craig on their fishing trip with Capt Chris Martin from Bay Flats Lodge fishing skinny water back lakes near Panther Point. Then Buzz piqued our interest with a Mexican fishing story about catching a permit fish on a fly. By the way he’s going back this summer if you’re interested. Greg mentioned that white bass are being caught in great abundance in Cypress Creek.
6) Webmaster never sleeps – web site improves weekly
a. Paypal now available to pay dues for joining PACK and ACA (but ACA renewals still go thru ACA and are in individual responsibilty)
b. Photo upload easier than ever
c. Old trips now have photos and trip report link on same page
d. Survey asking how you heard about PACK
e. New Print and save as PDF links added to event descriptions
7) Our sponsors have once again stepped up and donated fabulous prizes for the tournament with some new sponsors joining in. Sponsorship contacts and commitments are going well but those members responsible are encouraged to keep trying, sooner is better.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO THANK ALL OF OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF PACK AND PATRONIZE THEIR
BUSINESSES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
8) If you're not fishing and looking for something to do on Saturday March 9, 2008 you can join Adrian in the 15 mile Buffalo Bayou Regatta. And if you can’t make the Shoalwater Weekend trip on March 29 March you can join Adrian in volunteering for the TRASH BASH. The Nature Conservancy and Scenic Galveston are teaming up to clean up the area around Swan Lake and Virginia Point. Waterborne trash-picker-uppers are needed. Call or email Adrian for more information.
9) Our guest speaker for the evening was Capt Ruben Garza Jr., Snookdude, who is a guide and works at Fishing Tackle Unlimited. Ruben spoke on the rods that he had brought, what makes a quality rod and why they are expensive, we learned that the 6'6" FTU rods come in five different actions. Fly fishing is Ruben's passion, he told us about the fly fishing sport, showed off some of his flies and the rod and reel that he had brought. The highlight of the evening was that Ruben put these items up for door prizes at the end of the evening. He didn't look like Santa but some member felt like it was Christmas as four happy members walked away with a wade belt, a casting rod, a fly rod and reel and a guided trip.
Ruben made us aware of the needs of his friend and fellow guide Chris Phillips. There will be a benefit fund raiser at Blanco's on March 30. There has been many items donated that can be bid on. See TKF and 2Cool web sites for more details.
10) The GISP camp out is on for this weekend, still time to sign up.
Check out the fishing show at George R Brown March 5 -9. Ruben will have some really good deals on yak's and rods there.
Upcoming Speakers
March: Scenic Galveston – Lalise and Greg Mason
April: Benny Landrum/Scott Null from Shimano
Guest speakers bearing gifts are always welcomed. Thanks to FTU and Ruben for an entertaining presentation.
Gus Bandemer