Cape Fear Flyfishers Meeting Minutes—July 18, 2018
Due to heavy T-storms and rain, the pre-meeting casting clinic was cancelled. President Ed Smith called the meeting to order and introduced new member Harry Risely and guest Dave Dewees. We now have 82 members in the Club.
The fly drawing was won by Jack Collins. And thanks to Clark Hutchinson, our featured speaker, several more drawings were held for items that he donated.
Treasurer Scott Ewing reported that we have $5,050 in the bank.
Our next meeting is August 15 and will feature our own Steve Moore. Steve will discuss Fishing Apps, including the Angler app.
RECENT EVENTS
The annual picnic was held at The Waterway Park in St. James on June 20 and was catered by The Smokehouse in Southport. Diane Wyte arranged the catering which everyone agreed was delicious and plentiful. Diane donated the leftover food to the local Bolivia Hospice where it was greatly appreciated. On behalf of the Club, Ed Smith thanked Diane, Bill Buchsbaum, Rich Turek and Tom Brown for their help in planning, hosting and cleaning up the very successful event.
Montana trip—Jim Larson reported that the water was very high so the number of fish caught was down from previous years but the quality of the fish was very good. Jim said several members of their party fished a few other locations and caught more but smaller fish. Most fishing was done using San Juan worms in several color variations. Jim said overall it was a great trip with excellent guides.
UPCOMING TRIPS
New River VA for Smallmouth—Fishing will be July 23-25. Eight people are currently signed up. Jim White is coordinating the trip and is thrilled that there is only a 60% chance of rain which, of course, means there is a 40% chance of good weather. We wish Jim and his crew the best!
Asheville North Carolina (October 7-12, 2018)—Jim Larson recently sent out two emails to trip participants. One concern is for participants to get their lodging reservations made at the Residences of Biltmore. Each member is responsible for making their own arrangements so please contact Ashley at the Residences no later than September 18 to book your room. Jim is encouraging everyone to call Ashley sooner rather than later in case we need to add rooms, etc.
Patrick at Hunter Banks has finished the first draft of fisher assignments regarding guides and boats. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Patrick directly. Patrick will be asking for deposits in September. Please be aware that deposits will be non-refundable after September 24. After October 1, total fishing costs are non-refundable.
This trip still has room for more people so let Jim Larson know if you would like to go along.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Our annual winter banquet will be December 15 at the Members Club in St. James.
POND FISHING
Pond fishing at The Woodlands pond in St. James may resume in September if the water temperature cools down.
NEW BUSINESS
It’s time to start planning for 2019. The Board of Directors will be lsoliciting your ideas for trips, program topics, events soon. We’ll discuss 2019 and the slate of officers for next year at the October meeting.
WHAT’S BITING?
Bill Buchsbaum has been fishing recently with guide Seth Vernon. Bill reported that there wasn’t much action around Bald Head but the action for reds improved in the flats near Wrightsville Beach.
It was reported that a few tarpon were landed in the surf near Georgetown SC. The word is that to catch these fish, be on the beach at daybreak and near sunset.
Forest Duncan has been catching sheepshead around the dock pilings on the ICW in front of St. James. Forest uses fiddler crabs on spinning gear but he said the sheepshead are real bulldogs and are lots of fun to catch.
Cary Davidson and Jim Larson heard that flounder are being caught along The Rocks wall in the Cape Fear River near Zeke’s Island/Ft. Fisher ferry terminal. The fish are on the river side of the wall at high tide.
FEATURED PROGRAM
Bill Buchsbaum introduced our featured speaker, Clark Hutchinson, Eastern Regional Director of Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina (CCANC).
Clark is an avid saltwater fly fisher based in Pine Knoll Shores NC, near Morehead City and a member of the Cape Lookout Fly Fishers Club there.
CCA is an organization that “speaks for the fish” and is devoted to protecting the state’s marine resources and the interests of the recreational fishing community, among other areas. CCA devotes a large portion of their resources by working with state legislators to improve fishery regulations. CCA is involved with oyster reef projects, the augmentation of artificial reefs, educational programs, etc. Please find the attached documents from CCA regarding subjects of particular interest to North Carolina and check out their website at www.ccanc.org
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Fuller
Secretary