DBM meeting minutes Feb.1, 2006

 

38 members and guests were present.

 

Club member, Lee Boyd informed everyone that he has an excellent contact for Optima marine batteries – if interested call Lee @ (w)303-322-5312 for info.

 

V.P. Curt Stowers led a  brief business meeting and mentioned the board had discussed funding programs that include the Jr. Bassmasters, possible structure and conservation  efforts, helping with C.A.S.T. (disadvantaged/disabled fishing day), and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal fishing program. All monies from fund raising projects will go into a general fund and dispersed as needed. Curt also recapped the decision of the Colorado Federation to keep our alliance with B.A.S.S. vs., a state affiliation with FLW. Both sides presented some excellent benefits for federation members but B.A.S.S. has a track record of programs and has made dramatic additions to their benefit package including the recent inception of the Federation Nation among other changes.

 

Chad Phillips heads the Jr. Denver Bassmasters program and spoke of the upcoming orientation day on March 18 at Bass Pro Shops. Joe Lavery has committed to assist Chad with the orientation as well as the five summer “walk around” fishing events held mostly on private waters. The orientation meeting will be from 9am to 1pm in the Frying Pan Lodge at BPS. The club will sell hot dogs outside the store on the same day, 400 dogs are being donated by Tires Plus, Stapleton store.

 

Bob Hix, Promotions Manager of BPS gave a brief talk on our club’s involvement with BPS for the Spring Classic March 31, April 1 & 2 at the store. Our club can do tank demos, kid’s casting booth and classroom presentations. We will also be sharing the hot dog grille and Coke-A-Cola’s concession trailer with the Walleye Club as part of our fundraising efforts.  Johnsonville is donating 1,000 bratwurst for this. The Spring Classic will feature Missouri’s bass fisherman Stacey King and (hopefully) Chris Daves.

 

April 15 & 16 DBM will again man the hot dog stand at BPS as a fund raiser.

 

Bass Pro Shops General Manager Don Watts was our featured guest. Don spoke on his involvement in the fishing industry including heading the IFGA, his long time friendships with Johnny Morris (Mr. BPS himself) and B.A.S.S. founder Ray Scott, and where he has seen the bass fishing industry come from and its tremendous expansion. Don is a gifted speaker that has experienced life from just about every angle – and truly a pleasure to listen to.

 

Club member, Bob Bjorklund did a Q & A on his newsletter article on jerkbait fishing. Bob also spoke of his successes as a non-boater in the FLW circuit.

 

The club agreed to have our annual awards night and banquet on Monday, Feb.27 at Chad Phillips “Colorado Coal Company” restaurant in Erie, CO. All members and wives, girlfriends and “significant others” are invited. The restaurant is on Briggs St. across from the Erie Post Office.

 

Tom Grace announced upcoming meeting speakers: March – ’05 Angler of the Year, Troy Coburn, will talk on seasonal pattern changes for bass. Also, Brad Bennett of BPS will talk on fishing with electronics. April will feature club member, Matt Massey, talk about fishing Chatfield and member Chad LaChance will talk about his home lake, Horestooth in Ft. Collins.  May will have member and tournament director, Curt (Mr. Gitzit) Welch, talk about none other than tube fishing. We are hoping to have the Rocky Mountain Arsenal fisheries biologist talk at a future meeting.

 

Tom Grace