Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2007
PACK opened the meeting and welcomed about 38 members and guests.
As our club membership has grown and our group outings have swelled to include 20 or more participants; Jason T urged us all to think about Safety. We really need to be able to communicate with everyone particularly on the primitive trips. Everyone should make sure someone in the group knows what area you will be paddling in and report changes in plans. When we have motorized mother boats on the trip, they will be urged to monitor vhf radio channel 69 to provide emergency transport or group transport to and from remote fishing spots.
The PACK Officers encourage everyone to please obtain a vhf radio and use it while we are on the water. And if your paddling off to a distant area please make sure you communicate it to the trip leader or make sure someone is aware of your float plan.
Several personal fishing reports were given including recent outings by Buzz Black and Dick McGonigle, Jeff Wolfanger, and Bruce Behrens. Buzz and Dick had a particularly good day of fishing with Capt. Steve Coffee. Solid trout to 25 inches were taking live shrimp on Hanna’s reef.
Ron Romeis reported on our camping trip to East Matagorda. A large turnout found fish scattered from various areas around East Bay, including the south shore line, 3 mile lake, Hog Island and surrounding waters. Fish were also landed from the river adjacent to our camp sites. Some hardy souls even made the portage to the eastern end of West Matagorda but the strong winds were not favorable to long exploratory paddles in that area. The BIG FISH pot was won by Bruce Behrens for the largest red and Ken Jennings for the largest trout. Perseverance does pay some times: congratulations Ken and Bruce.
Milton Robertson and Bruce Behrens gave updates on our upcoming outings to the Colorado River and Matagorda Island. Check out the events calendar for details of these trips. Bruce reports that there is still one spot for the ferry service. The ferry service will cost $40 per man, round trip. If you want the last spot, log on to the web site and send Bruce a message. This is a fun outing, with primitive camping at the old Matagorda military base site. Great fishing at classic venues such as the Army Hole and Pringle Lake are close by.
Jason T reported that our sponsors have once again stepped up and donated fabulous prizes for the tournament. Bay Flats Lodge and Wilderness Systems Kayaks have contributed grand prizes for our raffles. These are spectacular prizes and we really appreciate their support of PACK. Marcos Enriquez from Orvis donated more prizes; very nice Nalgene bottles, fly boxes, and a duffle have been added to the prize pool. Thanks Marcos! We appreciate the donation and your participation in the club activities.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO THANK ALL OF OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF PACK AND PATRONIZE THEIR BUSINESSES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
A volunteer signup was circulated for help at the tourney and with prize pickup
Its time to place orders for PACK decals, shirts and caps. Shirts will be available with the PACK logo and your name, or you may bring your own shirt to have the logo put on it. PACK decals are also available.
Ron Romeis gave an overview of the materials available in the PACK library. Anyone wishing to donate books, tapes, or other reference materials can do so by bringing them to our monthly meeting, or sending a message to Ron on the website and working out the details. Please pass along any ideas anyone has to raise funds for purchasing books, etc. A few members actively take advantage of the library resources check out the list soon to be added to the website.
Jason and Jake Brown of Brownlures (www.brownlures.com) gave us a sneak preview of their new line of soft plastic lures. Grandsons of Paul Brown who created the Corky, Jason and Jake have taken what they’ve learned from their Grand Dad and come up with some very innovative lures. The early introduction was so successful; they sold their entire beginning inventory. They are working hard to restock and report that FTU, Marburger’s, and Dave’s Tackle( not sure of this one, I believe they are in Rosenburg) will have their supplies restocked soon. A special thanks goes out to Brownlures for the information they shared with us!
Ron Romeis, PACK Secretary