Fidalgo - San Juan Islands Chapter

Puget Sound Anglers

Presidents Reel News Message February 2012

Well, it’s official.  Take a gander at the above banner proclaiming us the: Fidalgo-San Juan Islands Chapter/PSA.  Last night, an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 90 like-minded individuals unanimously voted in favor of the new name, thus consummating the proposed merger of our two clubs.  Among a laundry-list of positives resulting from this union is the addition of another salmon derby to the stable.  The Resurrection Salmon Derby (at Friday Harbor) is now part of this collective’s duties as the hosting organization, along with the up-coming Anacortes Salmon Derby.  The charitable focus of the Resurrection Derby is salmon and resource enhancement.  The proof’s-in-the-pudding as that event raised and donated some $7,000 to the Glenwood Springs Hatchery on Orcas Island this year, while the Anacortes Derby, since its inception, has awarded over $127,000 in scholarships and grants to students pursuing careers in fishery management and related fields.  These fund raising vehicles help shape the resource and education; inject some much needed revenues into local business coffers in a dark time of the year, and create a true sense of community. 

Our guest speaker was local angling legend “Uncle” Pete Nelson of Shaw Island. Pete did not disappoint as he covered topics from the watershed origins of some of the salmon he has caught in local waters over the years (44 different hatcheries from Alaska to California); the importance of WDFW recreational winter fishing trip reports; salmon derby wins (approx. 20); fishing philosophy and catching strategies; as well as some hilarious stories from his guiding days. 

Club Vice-Pres. Kevin John of Holiday Sports (Burlington) gave an in-depth presentation with many examples of “bait head-holding devices”; their advantages, rigging options, and uses. Yours truly continued with a segment on navigational rules of the road ... recapping last month’s topic on the responsibilities between vessels, and continued with rules about vessel traffic schemes.  Our “How do you fish that spot?” segment featured a how and when to fish a not so conventional sneaker spot near Cypress Island. 

We concluded the meeting with the much anticipated “Loser’s Raffle” ... a club tradition whereas all non-prize winning raffle tickets are saved throughout the previous year for this special drawing.  This year’s lucky winner of a $450.00 rod and reel was past club President DJ Stevensen.

The guest speaker slated for March is none other than Derek Floyd, owner of Reel Class Charters in Sitka, AK.  Derek and his team have been on a derby tear for the past year or so ... puttin’ on clinic after clinic on how to out-catch ... makin’ it look easy while quietly increasing his net worth.  Derek promises to discuss derby-winning strategies and his own unique fishing philosophy.

If you’d like to learn more about fishing in MA7; get  the latest fishing reports ; see some new techniques; get involved in club derbies and events; hear from informative speakers; and learn about that “sneaker spot” ... come to a general meeting and check out our new meeting format. Guests are always welcome and your attendance is much appreciated.          

 See you on the water, Jay