From the President: Dear Members and Friends-
The 10th Annual Banquet was a big success - On March 6, 2010, the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association held its 10th Annual "Save a Fish" Banquet & Auction. This year's event drew close to 90 supporters of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's Coastal Marine Environment.
The evening was highlighted with auctioneer Clark Carr conducting the exciting Live Auction that included lots of great items, including Charter Trips, weekend vacations, and rod and reel combos. Everyone in attendance agreed that this event was not only fun but also for a great cause as well! The event raised approximately $20,000 towards "Conserving, Protecting, and Restoring" the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's Coastal Marine Environment! A truly amazing amount considering the current state of our economy - but nevertheless it shows that we have a very strong group that cares enough about our mission to support it.
Banquet Photos: Click on the words "CCA Banquet Photos" below to view, and download photos from the Banquet.
This event could not have been a success without the support of our generous donors. We were very fortunate to be able to offer 15 Charter/Guided Fishing trips at the auction. The Chapter fishing trips during the year will be with these captains, so sign up and get to meet these generous donors. We were also able to offer top notch equipment and gear - plus numerous other fantastic prizes - LL Bean donated the Super Raffle Grand Prize - an LL Bean Angler Kayak Package.
The Super Raffle Kayak winner this year was one of our CCA members - Greg Rhatican of Springfield, Virginia - He seemed very happy to have his ticket drawn and I am sure he will put the kayak to good use!
I would also like to take a moment to thank the Banquet Committee members and their families....they put in countless hours in making this a great event: Carl Onesty, Tom Welch, Rich & Vivian Redler, Ernie Rojas, Bob Forbes, and George Lenard. Again, thank you all for your great support of this event; we look forward to putting the funds to good use in running our chapter events and providing support for our State-Wide conservation efforts.
Rob Allen, President,
CCA Northern Virginia
Calendar of Events for 2010:
Monthly Meetings - Mark your calendars:
When: 2nd Wednesday of the Month
Where: Grace Presbyterian Church meeting hall, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna, VA
Time: From 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Directions: From the Outer Beltway:
Exit 47 West on to Route 7 (Leesburg Pike)
Take second left on to Gallows Road .3 mi.
Go 1.2 miles, turn right on to Cedar Lane
Go .8 miles, cross the Bike Trail, 2381 is on your left.
April 14th Meeting - John Page Williams - Chesapeake Bay Foundation
May 12th Meeting - Francis Zell - "10 ways to improve your your trolling and light tackle fishing techniques."
June 9 Meeting - Captain Tom Hughes - "Maximizing your GPS/Plotter/Fish Finder"
Sept 8th Meeting - Speaker to be determined
Oct. 13th Meeting - Speaker to be determined
Nov. 10th Meeting - Speaker to be determined
We are always looking for interesting speakers; if you know someone thw would make an interesting presentation, please contact Rob Allen. (rob.allen@princetoninformationl.com or 703-626-2668)
Our special thanks to CCA member Mark Stempler, a member of the Church Congregation for providing the meeting place for our use during the year!
April 14th, 2010 Meeting:
John Page Williams from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a conservationist and recreational fisherman, will be our guest speaker with a presentation of the current state of the Bay, and the latest legislation that would empower the EPA to control pollution in the Bay. There will be lots of opportunities for questions and answers; we had a lively discussion session with John at last years' presentation!
Bio: In addition to his responsibilities as a fund raiser for CBF, field educator, and program administrator, John has hands-on experience running field trips by canoe, outboard skiff, and workboat on every river system in the Chesapeake.
John is also a free-lance writer on the subjects of boats, marine electronics, fishing and environmental issues for Boating, and Northeast Boating Magazines, (see his article on fishing in the latest Chesapeake Bay Magazine).
May 12 Meeting:
Francis Zell will be our guest speaker in May, with a power point presentation on "10 ways to improve your trolling and light tackle jigging techniques". Francis' presentation will include lots of the equipment he uses during the season for you to check out and ask questions about.
Bio: Francis has been fishing the Chesapeake Bay for over 15 years, which is more than half his life, and is a frequent contributor to "Tidal Fish". Fran is a full-time teacher, a former commercial hook and line fisherman, has mated on several charter boats, including the fin Finder, and "Miss Susie" out of Solomons, and manages to fish about 150 days a year. This will be an enjoyable and entertaining evening...y'all come!!
Charter Fishing Trip News - Fin finder Trip - April 19
I received this report from Tom Welch (edited), who organized this trip out of Solomons on April 19th.
We left the dock for our afternoon Charter at 12:40 with Captain Andrew Turner and proceeded up the bay toward the power plant on the Western Shore. It was a great day to be on the water...normally I like to fish in the morning...but today I was very happy fishing in the afternoon. Captain Turner had a morning trip with another party and it was rough water and rough fishing that morning...they only caught 6.
First mate Steve put out a spread of 24 lines, and then FISH ON.....Tom Welch made quick work of the 38" fish...the skunk was off the boat! We than had a steady pick, and within two hours each of the seven guests had boated a fish...the keepers were from 31" up to 42".
We hung around and did some C&R...caught another 7 fish...all released unharmed. The Bay was flat as a lake, and the sun really kept us warm. Back at the dock by 5:30, and back in Reston by 8:00....A great day with a great crew!! Bob Coy, Tom Welch, Doug McNair, George Hussey, Paul Henon, Ed McWilliams
