Welcome new member, Bill Henson.
Six of our members have recently returned from the FFF Conclave in Mountain Home, AR. Three spent their time fishing and three divided their time between the river and the conclave. All had a great trip. One of the issues discussed at the conclave was the establishment of the Gulf Coast Council (GCC) of the FFF which stretches from Brownsville to the panhandle of Florida. All clubs within the boundaries of the GCC have the option to affiliate with the GCC or stay with the Southern Council. As of now, the GCC is a sub-council of the Southern Council until organizational requirements can be completed and a vote by the national board of directors in August of next year will formally establish the council. So far, nine clubs of the 19 within the sub-council have committed to join. Ten are required to form a council. I expect several more to commit as they have an opportunity to get information disseminated among members and call for a vote.
The first GCC conclave will be held In Lake Charles, LA May 18th-20th. Lefty Kreh and Nick Curcione are featured celebrities. Individual FFF members can attend conclaves in either council regardless of which we affiliate with. We will have discussion on this matter at the November meeting. For more information on the GCC go to www.gulfcoastfff.org.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 7th at 6:30 at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Building. Our guest speaker will be Johnny Cargill of the Guadalupe Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Six of our members have recently returned from Mountain Home Arkansas where we attended the conclave and/or fished the White River. All had a great time and expressed a desire to return. Ironically, we have an equally good trout fishery within an hour and a half of Georgetown on the Guadalupe (or "Guad" as it is affectionately called by regulars there). While the White is much larger and has larger numbers of fish, the areas on the Guad that are stocked by TU hold lots of fish and the average size is greater. Last year the Guadalupe was named one of the best 100 trout streams in the country. The GRTU chapter has done an outstanding job of stewardship on the river for many years and this year's stocking program is slated to begin around the end of November, if the weather permits. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about this quality trout stream so near at hand.
Our December meeting will be our annual holiday dinner on December 5th at Berry Creek Country Club. Tickets will be available at the November meeting, ($22.00 ea.). Get your tickets early so we can give the country club a count, bring your checkbook. Also, we are looking for silent auction items. We will have door prizes, as well as a silent auction and we are working on a great raffle, too. If you have auction items you would like to donate or if you know merchants you can contact for donations, we could use the help. Contact me with any ideas you have. Our program this year is going to be terrific and it is sure to please non-fishing spouses as well as members. Put this date on your calendar; don't miss the biggest event of the year.
The Piney Woods Fly Fishers are holding the 16th Rondezvous at North Toledo Bend State Park November 3rd-5th. This is a social event featuring fly tying, fishing and feasting on good Cajun cooking. See attachment for details. Many of the people organizing the new GCC will be there and it will be a good opportunity to learn more about their plans and get make some new friends. Total cost for food and lodging is $30.00 for a single or $40.00 for a family If you are interested in going, please give me a call or send me an e-mail.
See you on the water,
Brooks