The Backlash: February 2019 Newsletter

Cape Cod Salties February 2019 Newsletter

President's Message

February 2019 President’s Message

Last month we started and ended the message with three thoughts - dues, haddock trip, and Annual Banquet. The haddock trip is full, and I am in the process of notifying members about paying their dues, so all we have left is the Annual Banquet on April 6. As you know, this is our one and only fundraiser of the year. These funds allow us to meet our financial obligations for the year, including rend at the Senior Center as well as our insurance. I think now more than ever, a strong unified voice from recreational fishermen is going to be needed.

Longtime Saltie Richard Schlitz moved to Bangkok recently and donated his rods and reels as raffle prizes for the banquet. As in the past, we ask members who have items that could be raffle prizes to bring those items to the next meeting. Don’t forget the plug bucket -- always a big hit as a raffle item. And if you have gift certificates you have not used in the past year, please consider donating them as prizes.

Last month I also spoke about the fragile state of the East Coast fishery. A recent Cape Cod Times article by Doug Fraser indicated that, although we are not talking an early 1980s striped bass crisis, the bass are being overfished. The eleven Atlantic Seaboard states from Maine to South Carolina have to be unified on this issue. States cannot be against states, and recreational and commercial fishermen have to meet in the middle of the road to help solve this problem. As individuals it seems almost impossible to resolve the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. As everyone knows, most striped bass are born in the Chesapeake or Hudson Rivers, and after several years, they start the migration up and down the coast. The eleven states involved in this migration have to be unified on the length of fish considered keeper size and whether or not to keep any fish at all.

Another important thing highlighted in the paper was the estimation that between 8-10% of the striped bass released by fishermen do not survive. I think every single fisherman who fishes the East Coast has a responsibility to release these fish as quickly and as carefully as possible. We, as the Cape Cod Salties Sportfishing Club, right to a fisherperson, have to set an example for all the fisherpeople with whom we come in contact on the proper way and speed with which to release these fish, so their chances of survival can be enhanced. Just think - if fisherpeople would release these fish quickly and properly, and if we could reduce the 9% number to 4.5% -- how many more fish would be involved in the north-south migration.

Hats off to The Fisherman Magazine for having taken striped bass out of their ten fish seasonal contest several years ago, and to On the Water Magazine for making their contest based on photos of released fish rather than weigh-ins.

In closing, I guess we have our work cut out for us. One person can make a difference by convincing one other person to do the right thing.

Thanks, and Smile with Amazon!

Jack (jecreighton45@gmail.com, 508 394-2983)

2019 Membership Link

Click here to access Membership Application

Club News and Information

February Meeting Speaker
This month we have 2 great speakers. We have Bruce Brady from the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Abigail Archer talking to us about the local herring.

January's Meeting

. This month our meeting started with President Jack Creighton leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance then asking for a moment of silence for Joe Branzetti and Henry Fuller

     The next item was to remind everyone that their membership dues were due. See above is the link for the application. You can renew your membership annually or for 5 years. If you have not done this yet please get on it as soon as possible.
     This month we had three new members in attendance, they stood up and introduced themselves as well as letting us know the type of fishing that they like to do. By doing this they were able to get introduced to other members who do the same kind of fishing.
     President Jack Creighton, in front of the membership declared how he thinks the local striped bass fishery is in trouble. Although he hopes he is wrong his declaration is echoed by the latest article in the Cape Cod Times on the subject as their article says that the striped bass is an overfished species. The article went on to say that in 2017 that fisherman were still catching too many fish to sustain the population. We are all urged to stay informed and involved for the future of recreational fishing and access.
     Jay Walpole is still looking for someone to take over as Program Chair. Speakers are already lined up for six months this year so if someone is interested in the position they would have plenty of time to learn.
     We were told that in RI there were three solvent fishing clubs that turned their funds over to RISSA, joining their bigger club. Those clubs were failing due to a stagnant membership. It is very important to take an active role in your club to maintain the longevity of the club as well as to get the most out of it.
   Luckily the Haddock trip in May is sold out, as I stated in last month's newsletter, it is a great trip where everyone has a lot of fun and catches a lot of fish. Next time this trip comes around if you are interested I would urge that you act right away.
     The next big thing the club has coming is the Annual Banquet on April 6th. The more the merrier for this one as well as great food, raffles, auctions and of course great company. There is a link below for more information and how to sign up. Please don't procrastinate on this one as there is a need to turn a final number of people coming in to the hotel.
     Notice is hereby given for a CC Salties Foundation BOD meeting and a Membership meeting, each to be held at the conclusion of the business of the CC Salties Sportfishing Club at its next meeting Wed Feb 27, 2019

Cape Cod Salties Foundation News

FOUNDATION NEWS

Notice is hereby given for a CC Salties Foundation BOD meeting and a Membership meeting, each to be held at the conclusion of the business of the CC Salties Sportfishing Club at its next meeting Wed Feb 27, 2019.
The Direct Mail Campaign and Go Fund Me Page creation have been authorized to be sent, as Treasurer Pavick has worked with our bank to finalize our ability to process credit card donations as well as checks, as reviewed by Pres. Creighton and VP Sherman.

FUNDRAISER SALE CONTINUES

There are still some plugs left so bring your wallets to the next meeting.

Sebile plugs
Orca Plugs
Bombers and Yozuri plugs
Needlefish plugs
Poppers
Metal lip plugs
Multiple sizes and quantities of soft plastics, many with the jig heads

Cape Cod Salties Foundation
2017 - 2019 Foundation Donors

Copper (up to $49)

E Burke
Dick Kelly
S Israelian

Tackle Sale
John and Maxine Rice
Peter Richenburg

Bronze ($50+)

Harold Nichols

John Sorcenelli

Silver ($100+)

Rick Cain
J Creighton
K M Hibbard
Allen Brook Family

Hook, Line, and Eel Day
Barry Sullivan
Paul and Joanne Simoneau
Rich and Beverly Stec

In Memory of J Branzetti
Peter Geiges

Brad Chase
Joe Apiscopa

Gold ($500+)

D Cavicchi

W Cottle

Platinum ($1000+)

Bass Pro Shops
D Dockery
J Dudac

Riverview Bait and Tackle
R Sherman

January Speaker

Due to a scheduling conflict Lee from Riverview Bait and Tackle was not able to be with us. Randall Sherman did give us a run down of all the services available there as well as how much he has helped and supported this club.

Club Events

Next Club Meeting is February 27th at 6:30 pm

April 6th is the Annual Banquet at the Doubletree Inn in Hyannis MA.

Click for form and additional information

Salties 2019 Haddock Trip

Capt. John, Plymouth, MA
Sunday, May 5, 2019
(Rain Date May 7)
Leaves dock at 7:00 a.m.!
Cost: $55 Members (limited to 40)
Sorry Sold Out!!!

Click for Haddock Trip Form

Salties Fish Tales