November 14, 2018 Meeting Minutes

This evening President Dave Stemmer brought our meeting to order at 7:09.

There were 25 members and guest in attendance.

There were several items on the agenda that were to be addressed this evening:

·     Election of club Officers for 2019

·     Disbursement of $200 from June fly fishing seminar to non-profits

·     Treasurer’s report of end-of-year bank balance

·     Discussion of buying some pontoon boats for membership use

·     Recent fishing trips reports

·     Meeting program presentation -steelhead- by Dr. Chris Peery

To start the meeting President Dave opened the floor of new officer nominations, no one came forward, so the slate of member who had previously consented to take office was presented –

Diane Briggs – Co-President
Judy McDole – Co-President
Tyson Kopfer – Vice President
Harold Saxby – Treasurer
Dale McKain – Secretary / Blogmaster

All of the above had previously agreed to form a new club administration. A vote was called for on these members to be our new officers beginning 1 January 2019, and this slate of officers was passed unanimously.

Next order of business was the disbursement of $200 received from the Walla Walla Public School District for the fly fishing presentation our club members made in June for the Washington State Dept. of Education DO Seminars at Whitman College. 

https://wallawallaflyfishers.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-fly-fishing-workshop.html 

Several Non-Profit organizations were under consideration. After discussion and a vote was taken, the club decided to donate locally -- $100 to the Tri-State Steelheaders’ schools classroom Salmon Recovery Program, and $100 to the Walla Walla Christian Aid Center.

Treasurer Doug Coe gave us his end-of-the-year Baker Boyer Bank balance report-
currently in our checking account we have $1539, and this evening funds received for the fly boxes raffle was $53.

Barbara won the Raffle box      --------     Robin won the Door Prize box

Secretary Dale had previously discussed with President Dave the idea of making a club purchase of 2-3 pontoon boats (shopping for the best prices) for the paid membership to have access to. It was discussed that with club fishing outing -stream fishing- was a good thing but is strung everyone out along a stream or river with little socializing, whereas -stillwater fishing- allowed member to come and go, meeting each other on the water, comparing fishing “notes” and ideas of the day’s activities. The proposal was presented to the membership this evening – all were in agreement, a vote was made and passed unanimously.
Thereafter Vice President Tom said that he had an Outcast 9’ pontoon boat that he would sale the club for $300 (a $900+ value). Dale immediately made a motion that the club buys Tom’s pontoon boat for $300. The motion was discussed ~ carried ~ voted on and passed. The 2019 club officers will now be shopping for one or two more pontoon boats in the $300 +/- price range for due paying members to use. 

Now… Let’s Go Fishing.

Heidi brought up the idea that the club create a Mentoring Program to help novice fly fishers, find a coach to get into the sport. With discussion of an outline of such a program Blogmaster Dale said he could create a listing of mentors that area wannabe fly fishers could make reference to, to gain help with their fly fishing ~ fly tying ~ where to go fishing endeavors.

Diane brought with her this evening a pair of new neoprene waders and wading boots – ladies size 7 1/2. These had been given to her, and she wished to Give them -FREE- to someone that could use them. Aimee was the lucky lady to take this wading outfit home.

Fishing Reports – Tom had recently been to Ireland fishing for Atlantic salmon. He brought back and showed us some of his flies bought there, and tonight donated a few to our fly boxes.
Brian has recently made a guided trip to the coast to fish for Sea-run Cutthroat. He reported a successful trip and ready to go again.
Tom reported that prior to his fishing trip to Ireland, he had fished the Grand Ronde River for a few days - he said he had hooked a couple of steelhead, but catching was quite slow.

PLEASE NOTE: with the very small return of steelhead this season there are a number of rivers being CLOSED to fishing for steelhead – check the most updated fishing regulations on all local river before lining up your rod, wetting your hook. Please consider Catch & Release Only if steelhead fishing this season.

11/1/2018 only 102,226 adult steelhead returning through Bonneville Dam

  

Our evening program was a PP presentation made by Dr. Chris Peery who is currently employed with the US Army Corp of Engineers- Walla Walla office.

For years he has studied steelhead and has his PhD. in the studies of steelhead fisheries. He has studied and advises the entire Columbia River system, with his greatest concentration on the hatchery operations of the Snake River system and that of Dworshak Dam.

Dworshak Dam and hatchery

Also discussed this evening was the ebb and flow of steelhead passage on the Columbia River system, and some of the causes for low returns, of steelhead and salmon for the past two years.

A most interesting evening spent with Dr. Peery, discussing the Salmonids of the Pacific Northwest. 

Dr. Chris, Thank you for your time and sharing your extensive knowledge of, and experience with our PNW steelhead fisheries.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40.

Respectfully submitted,
Dale McKain
Club Secretary

Happy Holidays

We take a multi-Holiday Break -- our next meeting will be held at Smith's Family Restaurant on W. 9th Street in Walla Walla --

  Wednesday

16 January 2019
6:00 pm Dinner and Social
7:00 Call-to-Order Club Business

Contact Us

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Dave Stemmer – President

Tom Craig – Vice President

Doug Coe – Treasurer

Dale McKain – Secretary - Blogmaster

Dave Stemmer – PROJECT HEALING WATERS Coordinator