Meetings 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 at the Clubhouse
The Annual Meeting and election of officers will be Jan 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the clubhouse.
Remember, the gate lock changes on Jan 20th! Bring your renewal to the meeting to get instant gratification of a new key and badge! Web site: www.boothbayregionfishandgame.com
President’s Message:
2009 was another good year for the club, and a lot was accomplished. We had a nice turnout at our Annual Meeting back in January, and members enjoyed a tasty seafood chowder prepared by the folks at the Village Market and brought up to the club by Keith Royal. In general, overall meeting attendance was perhaps the best in years, and a good number of volunteers turned out in the spring to build the new pistol berm and re-vamp the rifle berm. Work day in April was a success, with a dozen or so members turning out to clean up the grounds and buildings, make repairs, and rebuild the target frames. I think it’s safe to say that our property is in the best shape it’s been in a long time, and all those who pitched in to help can be proud of the results.
Repairs to the dam were finally completed in the summer. Neal Reny did a fine job and came in right on budget, and the reinforced section should hold back the pond for many decades to come. Many thanks to all the club members as well as those in the greater Boothbay community who donated to the project, as the club treasury alone could not have absorbed the cost.
The 5th Annual Saltwater Fishing Tournament, co-sponsored by Carl Jordan and the White Anchor Tackle Shop, attracted 50 entrants who brought in nearly 20 fish to be measured despite some truly challenging fishing conditions. Local merchants again generously donated merchandise and cash as prizes, and many thanks to the Boothbay Lobster Wharf for hosting the weigh-ins. (For a full report and list of winners visit the club web site). The 2010 tournament is scheduled for August 14 & 15.
In closing, I would like to personally express my gratitude to all those who contributed to the club in so many ways in 2009 -- snow plowing, lawn mowing, maintenance, running our events – you know who you are. I also want to thank our dedicated officers for their service and for meeting the challenges of the past year. If member enthusiasm and volunteerism remains at the current high level, 2010 holds lots of promise for our club. –Lou Scala, President, 2009
Archery Report
During the past months there has been a rekindled interest in archery. Carl Schmidt and I added bales of hay to the archery range as a backstop, and on a sunny weekend in November several members used the range for the first time in years. At the December 16th meeting it was suggested we erect a combination pellet-gun and archery range within the club house, and members voted to purchase two 10-foot Styrofoam billets to be made into a backstop.
My goal is to offer informal instruction on the safe use of traditional archery equipment with the European longbow and the Asian composite (recurve) bow. The style of archery will be instinctive shooting of the traditional "bare bow.” Three bows designed for women and children have arrived from Hungarian bowyers, and I have several 35- to 45-pound models, perfect for club use, that are available.
I invite members interested in serving on the Archery Committee, or who would like some shooting instruction, to contact me at ajcampbell42@yahoo.com. –A.J. Campbell, Archery Committee Chairman
2009 Fishing Report
Freshwater angling in the region opened on April 1st with several club members landing brookies on light spinning gear from the bridge and pier at Wiley Pond in the open holes through the ice. Good fishing continued through the early spring on local lakes until the incessant rains created murky conditions and high water everywhere. Wiley Pond suffered because planned dam repairs necessitated radically lowering the water level. Rain and overcast days kept the temperatures from rising as quickly which extended the trout bite into July for both Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake. Early season trolling on Knickerbocker can be productive with club members landing bass on small Rapalas and a 12” rainbow on a “Joe’s” spinner with a fly dropper.
The Wiley Dam has been repaired, water levels are back to normal, and 1000 brook trout averaging 7 inches long were stocked on November 13th by the DIF&W.
Saltwater fishing action was unusual in 2009 with a very late start on the striper season and virtually no bluefish appearing. When the stripers finally hit, they were large fish and were quite discriminating about bait, taking live and cut bait, and mostly avoiding flies and lures. Mackerel and pollock were plentiful around Spruce Point, Negro Is., and Cuckolds Light with small tinkers schooling until mid August, when the larger mackerel predominated, staying well into October. The bass woofed down live tinkers and small herring fished with a slip sinker or under a float. They frequently refused to swallow the larger live macks however, creating much excitement as the line zipped out but preventing successful hookups. Numbers of bass in the 40” range were boated in the region’s waters. One angler reported that he didn’t land a bass under 24” all summer. Eventually “the beach” heated up and local charter boats had success casting cut bait into the surf with reports of a preponderance of larger fish there as well.
The “Be Careful What You Wish For Award” went to club member Keith Royal who, fishing with Barry Gibson a few miles south of Damariscove , fought a huge fish for 1hr and 17minutes on 50 lb. stand-up gear. Keith worked the float up to the surface three times, but the leader finally broke off. Neither Barry nor Keith caught as much as glimpse of the monster, most likely a big thresher shark. . . .but who knows? --Steve Rubicam
Salt water sport fishermen need to register in 2010. Anyone wanting to fish for smelt or striped bass in Maine waters from shore or boat, or fish for any species in federal waters (beyond the 3-mile state waters limit) as of January 1, 2010, must register with the U.S. government. To do so simply visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov or call toll-free 1-888-674-7411. All you have to provide is your name, address, date of birth, and phone number. You can begin fishing immediately but will get a registration card in the mail in about 30 days. The registry is free in 2010 but there will be an annual charge starting in 2011. Folks fishing on party and charter boats do not need to register. If the state of Maine creates it's own license or registry program, which is possible in the coming year, it will then supersede the federal registry.
Shooting Report:
A match against Lincoln County Rifle Club was held on June 14th at the LCRC range in Damariscotta. The Rifle Club’s turnout was unexpectedly low, so BRF&GA shooters were at somewhat of an advantage this time around. Events included sporting and military bench rest, offhand rifle, and .22 rifle at 100 yards. When the smoke cleared, Boothbay shooters walked off with the lion’s share of ribbons, including four first-place awards, and handily won the match. LCRC provided a hot lunch, and a good time was had by all. These are great guys to compete with, and the next shoot with them, this time hosted by our club, is scheduled for the spring.
Once again we held our summer evening 22 shoots at the range. The shoots were held every other Weds at 6 PM. There was the usual intrepid band of shooter plus a few others now and then. The shoots are open to all club members. The results we have seen over the time we have been holding these shoots is a tremendous improvement in the shooting skill levels of the regular participants. Both with rifle and pistol. Since safety and skill training are some of our club goals the result has been gratifying. The shoots for 2010 will start the last Wednesday of May weather permitting.
The Fall Sunday Turkey Shoots, again admirably honchoed by veteran Shoot Master Tom Davis, provided plenty of friendly competition right up through November 8th. Club Chef Keith Royal again served up his now-famous signature burgers, and between the shooting event fees and the cook shack revenues, the weekly shoots provided a healthy boost to the club treasury despite the loss of two Sundays due to inclement weather. Many thanks to all who participated, and especially to those who pitched in and helped.
Treasurers’ Report :
Despite unforeseen legal fees and subsequent increases in the club’s insurance, when all was said and done the Association finished the year with just $217. less than it started with, a decrease of only 2 percent of the starting balance. Given all that was accomplished in community programs and grounds improvements that is quite a feat that speaks well of a strong and committed membership base . Many thanks are also due to those who donated to the club and all who shepherded our events and projects , helping to keep expenditures within our means. A continuation of the current approach to project funding will ensure improvements will continue in the coming year.
Two Association commitments that deserve special mention are our second year of donating to the local food pantries , an initiative of Lou Scala’s, and our first ever awarding of the Associations’ Life Skills Scholarship to Eben Court, son of member “Rusty” Court. Eben is attending Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL studying marine biology. Many thanks to all who have helped me finally make this award an annual reality for the Club.
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:
