Fall President's Message - Posted December 29, 2022
Greetings Fellow Members,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with friends and family. Throughout November and December, our committees have been working hard to assemble an exceptional schedule of outings, events, and speakers for 2023.
Together, we’ll make this the best year of fishing, learning, and camaraderie yet. Here just are a few highlights of what's coming:
20 Planned Outings. This year, the Outings Committee placed emphasis on scheduling more local outings on weekends. We’ll also have more stream fishing opportunities, including a trip to the Metolius River in Oregon. Additional trips include Meadow Lakes, in British Columbia, as well as club favorites like Hannan Lake, Omak, Winthrop, and Chopaka. See the Outings Schedule calendar for dates and locations.
9 Monthly Meetings featuring Expert Speakers. We’ll increase our success on the water in 2023 with the experience, wisdom, and tips gleaned from a top-tier roster of guest speakers. These include Rick Passick on stillwater techniques, Dr. John Marzloff on the amazing Crow, and Nate Brumley on dry fly fishing. We’ll also hear from Michael Schmuck, Grant County Fisheries Biologist, the legendary fly tier, Lance Eagan, and world champion fly fisher Norm Maktima.
Fly Tying and 5F. Our Introductory Fly Tying Class is bigger and better than ever. This is the best way to get started or brush up on your fly tying techniques. Supplies are provided as part of the class. Tools, including vices, are available for loan, allowing you to practice what you learn at home. We’ll also enjoy a range of popular topics and exchange of ideas during upcoming sessions of First Friday Fly Fishing Follies. Topics are still TBD. Let us know if there’s something you think deserves a spotlight.
Member Appreciation Pizza Party and Fundraiser. Back by popular demand, we’ll get together for pizza, beer, and our auction fundraiser to benefit our conservation causes. This is a fun opportunity to connect with your fellow club members and help ensure the future of our sport for generations to come!
Even with the challenges we’ve faced these last few years, we continue to deliver on our mission to promote the sport of fly fishing through education, conservation, and camaraderie. The events above, and the fellowship they provide, are just a few good reasons to renew your membership for 2023.
More than 70 of our 115 members have already renewed using our new online payment system by Square. Easy and secure, it simplifies bookkeeping for the club while helping to reduce costs. This ensures that the funds collected can be used for trips, meetings, and other perks that directly benefit you as a member of our club. Check your email for the annual dues invoice, or spam folder if you have not yet received it.
Each of us brings unique knowledge and expertise to the club. Our collective presence on the water and in the community are essential to ensuring local streams and lakes remain open, are sustainably fished, and are left better than we found them.
So, I hope you will renew your membership if you haven’t already. And if you have any questions, concerns, or difficulty using the new payment system, please let me know.
I look forward to seeing you out on the water in the months ahead.
Best regards,
Greg Sisson, President