April President's Message

It’s amazing how it works. I started off last month’s newsletter worrying about the snow,
and needless to say, the March meeting ended up getting snowed out. I am sort of proud of
myself -- I have been president for two snowed-out, cancelled meetings in the same year --
for the first time in recent Salties history.

Our April speaker will be Captain Mike Bosley, recently back from the Bahamas. He captains
the Dragonfly out of South Orleans and will speak on striped bass and tuna fishing.
The March 8th Awards Banquet was held at the Doubletree in Hyannis, with approximately
98 members in attendance. I have to thank all the members who gathered prizes, and
donated their own boats and/or expertise for trips. Financially, we had a very successful
banquet. This is only as a result of the great sponsors that we have here on the Cape. The
sponsors will be listed for your perusal, and please, when you enter their stores, let them
know you are a Saltie, and thank them for their support.

It appears that our letter about the striped bass fishery and the club’s voting to only take
one fish has set a tone because other New England clubs are talking the same thing. It is
my understanding that next year recreational fishermen in Massachusetts will be allowed
one striped bass daily. With the recent restructuring of the commercial bass fishing in MA,
although the amount of poundage remained the same, 15 fish a day with reduced days
per week should take the stress off the bass fishery. It will be interesting to see, with the
reduced take, whether we have the number of out-of-state boats that we have seen off of
Chatham in recent years.

On the subject of conservation, it’s amazing to see the amount of space taken up in the Cape
Cod Times on the preservation of the piping plover, but very little if anything said on the seal
epidemic that is effecting MA waters.

We have several things coming up at the next meeting. Captain John Greska is again going to
hold his in-club derby. If you have not yet put a team of four together, make some calls and
try to have a team ready for the April meeting. If you need assistance on getting a foursome,
contact either Steve Israelian or me. Captain Terry Nugent will also be at the April meeting
to give a short presentation on the in-house Riptide derby. Again, try to get a foursome or
let me know if you need assistance. With our guest speaker being Captain Bosley, at the
April meeting you will have a good opportunity to arrange for great trips during May and
June.

Several important things are coming up! The first is the May 14 Cod Trip. Bring your
check for $40 to the April meeting. We have to get 40 people to make this a go, so don’t
procrastinate…get your money in! Chairman Bruce MacLeod has supplied an application on
our webpage under the Events tab (capecodsalties.org). If you wonder who is in the photo
for that event, it is the four Joe’s from New Jersey sitting with Dennis Schock.

On May 28 we have our annual Cod Supper with master chef Lou MacKeil being assisted by
his able crew and the ever-famous salad master Ron Haley. Naming these two individuals
does not take away from all the work the rest of the crew does. The application for this
supper will be under the Events tab at capecodsalties.org.

Thanks, and hook ‘em up!

Jack

P.S. The first non-officer of the club who emails me the name of the salad master will be
awarded a signed Bob Davies plug!