The annual meeting for election of officers and changing of the gate lock will be January 16th 2008.
Proposed Officers for 2008 are:
Barry Gibson – Pres
Lou Scala– VP
Earl Leavitt – Treas.
Carl Schmidt – Sec.
Dues Likely to Increase by $10The Board of Directors has approved an increase in membership dues starting this year, 2008. Dues have remained level ($25 individual and $30 family) since the 1980s, but facilities maintenance and other costs (taxes, electricity, insurance) associated with running the club continue to creep up. The board felt that a $10 increase in individual and family dues (which would become $35 and $40 respectively) was appropriate and necessary at this time. Junior membership (under 16 years of age) will remain at $5.
According to BRF&GA by-laws, the membership must vote in any changes in dues structure at the club’s Annual Meeting. The 2008 Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 16th at 7:30 pm at the club house on Dover Rd. in Boothbay. All members are encouraged to attend. If the increase is voted in, the new dues schedule will go into effect retroactively to January 1, 2008.
Important Comments from the treasurer:
A few years ago the Fish and Game Club was facing a very real threat of extinction.
Buildings were in disrepair, membership and meeting attendance was down and the treasury had barely enough money to pay our taxes and little else. Several members banded together at that time and worked diligently to re-kindle interest in the Club.
The response then was gratifying. It came from members old and new, from folks whose families have been here for generations and those whose more recent arrival often reflected their interest in the traditional Maine outdoor pursuits. All joined together for the common cause of preserving a venerable Boothbay institution – the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Association.
For a few years the club has shown signs of being in better shape than ever, but appearances can be deceiving. Several members of the Board are proposing an increase in the dues and while it is nominal when compared to the cost of joining many organizations, it is the reason for the increase that should be of concern to all.
Membership participation is at a dangerously low level. Many of you may wonder why the Club doesn’t do more than it does and the answer is painfully simple. No one is coming forth to offer their services on the committees. With a few grateful exceptions, the same handful of members who stepped forth four years ago are still attempting to carry out all the club’s business. Right now if just one of several key members were to leave there would be no turkey shoots or fishing tournament. The Club is not doing a general mailing of the annual newsletter this year because the task has fallen to the same overworked members once too often. That is the simple reality of the situation. The proposed dues increase reflects the very real possibility of having to contract out needed repairs to the club property and even then there isn’t a proper group of members on the building and grounds committee to oversee needed projects.
An organization is only as active as it’s members. Do you want more shooting events? More stocking of game fish? Programs and speakers at the monthly meetings? Perhaps you’d like to see more social events, annual suppers and the like. Then for goodness sake come to a meeting and see what you can do. There’s no test to pass, no one cares if you’ve lived here forever or just got off the bus. Come to a meeting and get involved while you still have a club to belong to.
Earl F. Leavitt Jr.
Treasurer
FISHING
2007 Wiley Pond Fishing Report
Opening day at Wiley Pond produced a good turnout and provided good trout action for those willing to brave cool temperatures and fish the sparse openings in the ice. Successful lures for this “artificial lures only” pond seemed to be gold spoons such as the small Kastmasters or Super Dupers for the spin fishers and nymphs or small wet flies and streamers with some yellow or gold for the early season fly-rodders. A number of fish were taken from the casting platform the first morning. Anglers continued to land trout throughout the spring and very early summer from shore and canoes until the temperatures increased and the lily pads and algae filled the pond, depleting oxygen and fouling gear. Wiley is a “put and take” brook trout fishery due to the lack of sufficient oxygen and high water temperatures in the warm summer months. Given a successful fall stocking by the state (check our web site later in January for the report), 2008 should result in another year of fine entertainment for local trout anglers.
Check out the Freshwater and Saltwater Galleries on the club web site for lots of new fishing photos posted this past season!
Saltwater Fishing Tournament
Our Third Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament, co-sponsored by the White Anchor Tackle Shop, was held on August 11th and 12th and was another successful event! Over 60 entrants fished hard for stripers and bluefish from the Damariscotta River all the way to Casco Bay, and although action could best be described as “challenging” plenty of stripers and blues were brought in to Boothbay Lobster Wharf to be measured by weigh master Keith Royal and his crew. Cash prizes of $500, $150, and $75 were awarded for the three largest fish of each species in the Adult Division, and winners in the Junior Division took home $50, $25 and $10 for the largest mackerel and harbor Pollock. Area businesses and individuals responded enthusiastically by donating a number of great door prizes, and special thanks to White Anchor’s Carl Jordan and the folks at Boothbay Lobster Wharf for helping make our tournament a true annual summer attraction for the region. Visit the club web site for a complete wrap-up of the 2007 event. Plans are underway for the 2008 tournament, to be held this coming August.
Shooting
We had an interclub shoot against Lincoln County Rifle Club on June 10th at LCRC. We had a small group from Boothbay and as a consequence did not do very well. It also showed we need to practice. The return match is set for June 8th of 2008, We need YOU to come shoot and defend the club’s honor. You don’t need any special qualifications. Just come shoot and have fun.
The 22 shoots were a success again this year for the intrepid band of shooters. The shoots are planned again for this summer every other Weds night 6 till dark. Look for notice on our web site and in the Register. No big prizes, just some fun and support for the club.
The Sunday Turkey Shoots were very successful again this fall, and generated much-needed funds for the Association. Many thanks to Tom Davis for yet another terrific job running the shoots, to Keith Royal for producing those mouth-watering burgers and hot dogs, and to all those who pitched in to help in so many ways. Participation in the Turkey Shoots seems to be increasing, which is a great trend to see.
Lucy and Carl Schmidt, and Barry Gibson, successfully completed an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor course at the Lincoln County Rifle Club this past November. This certification enables these three to conduct NRA Basic Pistol courses for people wishing to obtain a Maine concealed firearms permit or who would just like some good instruction in handgun operation, shooting techniques, and safety. A BRF&GA-sponsored Basic Pistol course, to be held at our club house and range, is a possibility for this coming spring if there is enough interest.
In response to numerous requests these are the supplemental rules from the club’s by-laws.
ARTICLE (XI) SUPPLEMENTAL CLUB LAWS
The following section/subsection of this article shall be known as the “Supplemental Club Laws”. The control, amendments, deletions or changes of such sections or subsections may be by vote of the regular membership at a regular monthly stated meeting, without the full process or notification required in Article (XII) of these By-Laws.
1. The gate is to be locked at all times except during Club functions.
2. New keys will be issued each January upon payment of dues.
3. The Club badge is to be worn by club members when on Club property. If badge is not worn you will pay a fine of one dollar ($1.00).
4. The monthly regular meetings shall be called to order at 7:30 P.M. on the third Wednesday of each month at the club house.
5.The key for the clubhouse will be issued to all officers and various committees. Upon retiring the key will be turned over to the new officer.
6.No camping on Club property except for scheduled scouting activities.
7.The use of any intoxicating substance is prohibited on Club property.
8. One dollar ($1.00) of each annual membership dues paid to the Club will be allocated to the Clayton Dodge Scholarship Fund each year as principal funds.
9.Other than the general membership, a gate key will be issued to a responsible person of the following:
Central Maine Power Company (CMP)
The Boothbay Fire Department
Anderson Family
10 .Membership Fees:
Regular Membership $35.00
Family Membership $40.00
Junior Membership $ 5.00
11. No club member shall loan his or her key to anyone not a member of the club.
Click on the 2008 renewal tab for the renewal form.
