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Connestee
Falls Fishing Club – Monthly Meeting
Thursday November 17, 2022, Blue Ridge Lounge – 9:00 a.m.
Call
to Order – George Goyette
·
About 30 members in
attendance
·
Pledge of Allegiance
·
In opening remarks,
George noted the 24 bottles of wine donated by Tracy Berry had resulted in a
$274 donation to the Bread of Life in Brevard.
Secretary’
Report – Dave Maeda
·
50/50 Raffle – total
receipts $37. Linda Grambow donated her winnings back to the Club.
·
Minutes from the last
meeting approved.
·
Club memberships – 225
households.
·
Boat Sales – One sale
for $700 in November.
·
2023 Calendar Sales – To
date, 65 orders for 108 calendars totaling $1,417.
·
No new Lunkers
reported during November. The year to date Lunker count is 16.
·
13 First Catches
reported to date.
·
George G. reported
receiving a Thank You note from the CFSSP for the Club’s donation of $250 to
the program.
Programs
and events – Linda Grambow
·
Today’s program – The Muskie Mile by Landon Lipke of
Davidson River Outfitters (DRO).
·
January’s program – Fishing the Banks of Connestee Lakes
by Chris Wunder.
Treasurer’s
Report – Vernetta Milts
·
We
currently have a balance of about $30,200 in the Club’s checking account. after
Fish Fry expenses.
·
Fish
Fry netted a profit of $7,022.
·
Reviewed
the proposed Club 2023 proposed Budget which includes an $8600 deficit. Vernetta
noted that the Proposed Budget is only for 2023 income and expenditures and
does not include the current balance in the Club’s checking account. The
Proposed Budget will be posted to the website as soon as the 2022 expenditures
are finalized. Voting on the Proposed Budget will be both online and in person
at the 19Jan2023 general meeting. An email will go out to Club members when the
Proposed Budget has been posted and electronic voting is open.
Sunshine
Report – Marion Wolf
No cards were sent this month.
Outreach Program
– Nick Revill
As the retiring chair of the Outreach program, Nick thanked the
Outreach volunteers and provided a summary of activities and accomplishments
for 2022.
Fishery
Management Update – Joe
McMurray
·
Lake
water temps have dropped into the lower 50s.
·
The
Fall stocking of full sized trout has been completed. Joe noted that many of
the stocked trout were in the two to three pound range and that the trout
Lunker size may need to be increased.
·
Plans
for the Spring trout stocking are proceeding. As part of the Spring stocking, there
have been discussions of substituting either brown trout or golden trout (the
rainbow variant) for the tagged rainbows in the Golden Trout Award. High
Country Trout, our current trout source, has both options available.
·
Plans
to stock forage fish, bream, are also going forward tentatively scheduled for
February 2023.
·
The
current hot topic of otters and beavers in the Connestee Falls lakes is a work
in process.
Adjourn
to the Musky Mile Presentation by Landon Lipke from DRO.
Next Club
meeting: 9:00 AM Thursday, January 19th in the Blue Ridge Lounge.
18 Nov 2022
Dave Maeda
Awards and Volunteer Brunch
The Club has awarded major pats on the back to a group of members for outstanding service and accomplishments. The annual awards presentations were made during the Volunteers Brunch on October 26th.
A top award, appointment to the Club’s Hall of Fame for long-time exceptional service, went to our former secretary, Al Byrne. Al has a reputation for extending his service well beyond traditional secretarial duties. Beside creating and maintaining the Club’s website, running its Lunker Award program and developing and running its First Catch program for children, he also supervises our successful boat donation program.
Former President Rick Hybil, who was a leader of our Fishery Management Committee and still serves on it, was already named a 2022 Hall of Fame honoree in February.
Distinguished Service Awards went to former President George Hewertson, who among his many contributions has been a leader of our Outreach Program.
Fishery Management Committee chair Joe McMurray.
Randy Bunn, for chairing the Fish Fry multiple times.
Nick Revill, who was long instrumental in running Outreach, was given the Gerry Foth Exceptional Service award. Gerry, an active Club member, was president in 1994 and 1996.
Stu Davidson, who established the Club’s first bass tournament this year, was named Sportsman of the Year.
Tim Brown won the Largest Bass of the Year Award for his 26-inch fish that weighed between 7 and 8 pounds.
And in an unusual gesture, the Club cited Mae Heatherly, of the Property Owners Association’s Accounts Receivable office, with an Honorary Membership for her assistance in our dealings with the Association, particularly our ability to have Club fees and other charges charged to Connesteeans’ Association member. accounts.









Connestee
Falls Fishing Club – Monthly Meeting
Thursday October 20, 2022, Cherokee Room – 9:00 a.m.
Call
to Order – George Goyette
·
About 30 members in
attendance
·
Pledge of Allegiance
·
In opening remarks,
George thanked the CF community for their continued support of the Wine Raffle
with over 100 bottles of wine and over $3600 in ticket sales. Tracy Berry,
second prize winner of 24 bottles of wine, donated her prize back to the Club.
Her 24 bottles were offered to the attending members for a cash donation to the
Bread of Life in Brevard.
Secretary’
Report – Dave Maeda
·
Minutes from the last
meeting approved.
·
50/50 Raffle – total
receipts $53. Steve Seelinger donated his winnings, $27, back to the Bread of
Life.
·
Club memberships – 219
households.
·
Boat Sales – One sale
for $750 in October. To date, $8,160 gross with $527 in expenses for a net of
$7,633.
·
2023 Calendar Sales –
39 to date.
·
No Lunkers reported during
October. The year to date Lunker count is 16.
·
13 First Catches
reported to date.
Programs
and events – Linda Grambow
·
Today’s program – What the
Club does for the community and how to get involved, basically a Club Open House.
·
November
program – The Muskie Mile by Davidson River Outfitters.
Treasurer’s
Report – Vernetta Milts
·
We
currently have a balance of about $28,500 in the Club’s checking account after
Fish Fry expenses.
·
Fish
Fry netted about $6800.
·
A
motion was made and passed to increase discretionary spending on a budgeted
line item from $300 to $1000. However, it was found after the meeting Club
Bylaws require a written motion be submitted to the general membership before a
vote, both of which could be done electronically. To be continued.
Sunshine
Report – Marion Wolf
Cards were sent this month to Joyce Hybil and Meryl Huckabey.
Outreach Program
The Special Olympics event at Atagahi Park on Saturday 24 Sep went
well.
Fishery
Management Update – Joe
McMurray
·
Lake
water temps have dropped into the 60s and started to turnover.
·
Plans
for a Fall stocking of full sized trout are proceeding on schedule for
November.
·
Plans
to stock forage fish, bream, are also going forward tentatively scheduled for
February 2023.
·
The
current hot topic of otters in the Connestee Falls lakes is a work in process.
·
Anyone
wishing to assist placing fish hides should contact Joe McMurray.
Adjourn
to the Fishing Club Open House
Next Club
meeting: 9:00 AM Thursday, November 17th in the Cherokee Room.
20 Oct 2022
Dave Maeda
Connestee Falls Fishing Club – Monthly Meeting
Thursday September 17, 2022, Blueridge Lounge – 9:00 a.m.
Call to Order – Myron Pstrak
- 18 members in attendance
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Minutes from the last meeting approved
Secretary’ Report – Al Byrne
- 50/50 Raffle – total receipts $41. Winner Myron Pstrak donated his winnings back to the Club.
- Club memberships – 217 households.
- Boat Sales – $7,260 to date, thanks primarily to the generous donation of a pontoon boat.
- 1 Lunker reported – Dave Maeda, 12” redear sunfish while fishing with Bill Roehrich in Lake Atagahi, using ultralight tackle.
- 12 First Catches reported to date this season!
Treasurer’s Report – Vernetta
We currently have a balance of $28,460 in the Club’s checking account.
Programs and events – George Goyette
- Today’s program – “Finesse Fishing” by Dave Maeda & Bill Roehrich.
- October program – plan to publicize what the Club does for the community. Invite all Connestee residents.
Sunshine Report – Frank Wolf
No cards sent this month.
Outreach Program – George Hewertson
We will be hosting the Special Olympics athletes this coming Saturday, Sept 24, at Atagahi Park.
Fishery Management Update – Rick Hybil
- Joe McMurray was recently fishing with Jimmy Fisher in Lake Atagahi, and in 3 hours they caught 45-50 bass. Joe was very encouraged by the size of the catches. Only 4 or 5 were in the 10”-12” range; all the rest were larger! Forage fish stocking is definitely making a difference.
- We are planning a Fall stocking of full sized trout and expect to also continue with our forage fish stocking.
- We have submitted a budget request to the POA for $21,000 for stocking next year.
Fish Fry
- 231 meal tickets were sold, generating revenues of $3,696.
- The silent auction generated $1,990 in receipts and the merchandise raffle generated $1,140. Net profit after expenses for the tent & table rental and purchase of gift cards was $1,900. There are several unclaimed raffle prizes; ticket numbers are posted on the Club website.
- The wine raffle got over 100 bottles donated. 1200 tickets were sold for revenues totaling $3,605. Raffle winners are:
- 1st prize: 48 bottles to Joan Valdes & Jim Pence
- 2nd prize: 24 bottles to Tracy Berry
- 3rd prize: 12 bottles to Amy Osterberg
- 4th prize: 12 bottles to Rob Sisserson
- Leftovers from the meal, including 8 fish fillets, were donated to Bread of Life.
- Fish Fry photos from Ray Tuers are posted on the Club website. Note that Ray has been preparing corn for the Fry for 26 years!!
Club Officers – Passing of the gavel:
Myron introduced next year’s officers. Terms begin October 1st:
- President – George Goyette
- Vice-president – Linda Grambow
- Treasurer – Vernetta Milts
- Secretary – Dave Maeda
Next Club meeting: Thursday, October 20th.
Adjourn to the Finesse Fishing presentation by Bill Roehrich & Dave Maeda. A copy of the slides is posted on the Club website.
9/17/2022
Al Byrne



The weather blessed our Sept. 13 Fish Fry with one of the best days ever for the event. After a summer rainy spell that dumped an estimated 10 inches on the county in a month, the skies cleared the day before and the sun shone on one of the nicest stretches of autumn-like weather locals had ever seen. At least partially as a result of the sunshine and mild temperatures, attendance reached pre-pandemic numbers. Some 250 Club members and guests crowded Atagahi Park’s two pavilions or picked up take-out meals served by our volunteers. “It was awesome!” said outgoing President Myron Pstrak. “I think people were ready to get back to enjoying an outdoor gathering… and the weather sure presented the opportunity.” Club member Dave Hunter, after the fry, exclaimed, “What a tradition!”
The Club has been putting on the popular event, one of the largest of its kind in Connestee, almost since its founding in 1980. It is produced each year almost entirely by a corps of volunteers, this time headed for the third year in a row by Randy Bunn. “I was very pleased with the turnout, both by the many volunteers who made it possible and the Club members and their guests who attended,” he said.
“There were, as usual, a few wrinkles,” said Randy, “there always are, but overall it went very well and the crowd seemed to really enjoy themselves.”
Such “wrinkles” as running out of coleslaw and lemon wedges toward the end didn’t seem to phase anyone. The production lines of amateur chefs and servers, the raffle attendants and the various support staff agreed the operation went smoothly. Meals were served in keep-warm boxes during 11 pick-up time slots. Just minutes before each, the corn-cooking crew boiled and wrapped batches of the nearly 250 ears served and men manning deep fryers turned out the large-size specially breaded catfish fillets.
The raffle and silent auction awarded 35 prizes. And the popular Wine Bonanza raffle had so many bottles of donated wines that it presented four prizes instead of the usual three:
Joan Valdes and Jim Pence, of Utsonati Lane, won the top prize, 48 bottles. Tracy Berry won the second prize of 24 bottles. And Amy Osterberg and Rob Sisserson each won the next two prizes, a dozen bottles each.






The winning Wine Raffle tickets were drawn Sept 17th at the Fishing Club meeting:
1st prize: 48 bottles to Joan Valdes & Jim Pence
2nd prize: 24 bottles to Tracy Berry
3rd prize: 12 bottles to Amy Osterberg
4th prize: 12 bottles to Rob Sisserson
Thank you to all who supported the raffle with your generous wine donations and ticket purchases!
At the Club meeting on Saturday, Sept 17, Bill Roehrich and Dave Maeda provided an excellent presentation on Finesse Fishing. Thank you Bill & Dave!
Below is a list of Fish Fry Merchant Raffle tickets that remained unclaimed at the end of the Fry. If you have one of these numbers, please contact Vernetta Milts.
Dugan’s Pub – 053603
Quotations – 425826