CT BASS FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES
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Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2007


The regular monthly meeting of the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was called to order April 26, at 7:36 p.m. by the President.

Roll Call: The following clubs were absent: Bass Attack, Greater Hartford, Litchfield County

Excused Absences from the previous month: Bass Blazers, North Eastern, Hartford County

The minutes of previous month’s minutes where accepted as posted.

Guest Speaker

Guest speaker from Connecticut D.E.P., Inland Fisheries Division, Mr. Peter Aarrestad. He is a fisheries biologist. Talked about fisheries habitat and vegetation control.

Peter would like to know if;

1. If there are specific lakes that you have concerns over the vegetation management practices?
2. What lakes do you think are in need of habitat enhancement / restoration?

Please submit your questions or concerns to Peter via David Santos.

Correspondence

Bob Malloy sent Thanks to the Tournament Committee and the Jr. Bassmasters for all the hard work and pulling off great tournament this past weekend on Candlewood.

Reminder to all Clubs that roster updates need to be submitted in a timely manner and that new members must be signed up 120 days (1 June) prior to the State Two Day, to be eligible to fish it.

The Heart of Connecticut Team Open has been rescheduled for July 14, 2007 on Candlewood Lake (Squantz). There is a 50 boat limit.

Reports of Officers

Treasurer’s Report:

As of March, 2007 there were the following amounts in the accounts:

CBFN General Checking - $22,744.77

CBFN Money Market Account - $11,488.70

CBFN Scholarship Checking - $79.52

CBFN Scholarship Money Market Account - $11,245.91

Scholarship Report:

Judging will be on June 5th, unless the committee can get together earlier.


Conservation / Environmental Report: David Santos

“Reeling in Kids” is looking for fishing equipment so that inner city youths can have an opportunity to appreciate and learn from the out-of-doors through the sport of fishing. We will have collect gear at local tackle shops. We will have a list of flyers with tackle shops, and we will collect from those tackle shops and present to Riverfront Recaptures on June 9, 2007.

Save the Lake Day 2007
Where: Lake Lillinonah Route 133 State Boat Ramp
When: Saturday May 12, 2007 9:00am to 1:00pm
Contact info: 860-210-8064, info@friendsofthelake.org, www.friendsofthelake.org
There will be food, fun, and prizes.

I received an email from Bob Jacobs of the DEP responding to my question on LMBV. It is posted on the website. Highlights are:

To date, the virus has only been detected in Amos Lake (1998) and Gardner Lake (2006). Amos Lake had a significant bass kill in 1998, but the population appears to have almost completely rebounded. We don't know yet what will happen in Gardner. I'm sure that the virus has gotten into other places that haven't been tested yet (i.e. it's probably more widespread than our tests indicate). We test as many lakes per year as practical. The tests require a good deal of both time and expense.

The most important message to get out there to the public is:

1. DON'T MOVE FISH FROM THEIR HOME WATER BODIES
2. MAKE SURE YOUR BOAT IS CLEAN AND DRY BEFORE LAUNCHING IN ANOTHER WATER BODY.

We can't stop the spread of this virus by birds or other "acts of God", but at least
we don't have to encourage it through our own actions.”

Legislative Bills:
• HB-5456 An act requiring the issuance of DEP hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits via the Internet. This Bill was referred by House to Committee on Appropriations on 4/11/07
• HB-6561 An act increasing the number of DEP Conservation Law Enforcement Officers. This Bill is still in committee most likely died.
• HB-6577 An act concerning the Motor Boat Fuel Taxes and Conservation Fund. This Bill had a Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding on 3/22/07. No change since last CBFN Meeting
• HB-6865 An act concerning the establishment of an invasive aquatic plant eradication and control program. This Bill is still in committee and most likely died.
• SB-282 An act concerning an appropriation to control invasive plants. This Bill had a change of Reference Appropriations on 2/9/07. Most likely died.
• SB-994 An act removing jurisdiction of State Parks and Forests from the DEP. There was a public hearing on 2/9/07 and remains in Committee. Most likely died which is good.
• HB-7124 An act concerning Natural Resource Programs of the DEP. This is the new License Program the DEP came in and spoke to us about. Joint favorable out of the Finance Committee and Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office. There have been some amendments, one of which the over 65 after 1/1/08 has been taken out in its entirety. Fish inland waters and firearm hunt $25. The owner of a recreational vessel that is currently registered in this state may purchase a marine waters recreational vessel fishing license which shall allow fishing in marine waters by such owner and by recreational resident and nonresident passengers on board such vessel while such passengers are under the on board supervision of such owner. The license shall be valid for the same period of time as a resident marine waters fishing license issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and shall specify the number of persons authorized to fish by the license. The number of persons authorized to fish by the license shall not exceed the number of occupants authorized by law on board the vessel. The license fee shall be twelve dollars per person."

Youth Committee: None

Tournament Committee: Alan D. Guite

The first tournament of the 2007 season was held this past Sunday on Candlewood Lake. We owe a big thanks to Bill Foreman and the D.E.P. for granting us a permit on such short notice. We also need to thank the City of Danbury for allowing us to use Candlewood Lake Park. I would like to personally Sylvia Morris, Sue Weeks, Jack Vinyard and Bob Malloy for making the move from Lake Lillinonah to Candlewood Lake a smooth transition and lastly we would all like to thank our Junior Bassmasters who helped the tournament committee during the weigh in process and who cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for all participants.

To all club Presidents and Tournament Directors, please note that we received the permit to use Candlewood Lake this past weekend because of the size of the tournament and the fact that there was no other option due to the recent nor’easter. The D.E.P. does not issue permits for Candlewood Lake on opening day weekend. I have been asked by Bill Foreman of the D.E.P. to please remind all clubs of this. Bill does not want to be inundated with permit applications for opening day weekend in the years to come.

Our next tournament will be held on Candlewood Lake on June 10, 2007. The mailing deadline for applications is May 25, 2007. We will be using both the Squantz Cove Launch and Lattins Cove Launch. The pairings will be posted on the web site and message board on Tuesday June 5, 2007. Please inform all club members who are fishing this event to launch from their designated launch site. Our permit calls for a certain number of trailers parked at each site. The weigh in will be held at Squantz. Participants who launch from Lattins Cove must not leave the cove area until 7:00AM. There is a 45 MPH speed limit on the lake at all times. As part of a continuing effort to maintain our relationship with the D.E.P. it is imperative that we operate within the permit guidelines.

Over the course of the next month Dave Santos and I will be working on the purchase of all items needed for the tournament fish care system. I am also still working on the purchase of a new tent for the tournament committee. At this time I am waiting for prices for a customized tent cover and possible sponsorship. I will have an update next month. The new tent and fish care system will be needed prior to the third event in July. The new tournament scale and software has arrived and we will be using it at the tournament in June.

Fishing Advisory Report: David Santos
None

Boating Advisory Report: Jack Vinyard
None

State Team Report:

Next team meeting will be in June.

Raffle Report:

Incentive award for selling the most tickets – The person that sells the most tickets will have “ALL” C.B.F.N. Tournament entry fees paid for next season.

If you have signed up new members since the tickets where handed out, please contact Armond for their tickets.

Tickets are due back at the July Meeting. Please consolidate the funds into one check from each club. NO CASH – Checks Only!!

Candlewood Lake Authority Report:

We are still looking for a volunteer to represent us at this meeting.


Lake Lillinonah Authority Report:

We are looking for someone to attend the Lake Lillinonah monthly meetings.

Financial Committee: Ray Bessette

No report

Audit Committee:

With the end of Tax season near, the committee is making arrangements to conduct the audit.

Banquet Committee: Sylvia Morris

The banquet is scheduled for November 3rd. Details still being worked out.

Membership Committee:

None

Sponsors Committee: Ed Weeks

All club presidents will be receiving a packet from our new trail sponsor, Champion Tackle.

The sponsor year runs from May 1st to May 1st.

Current sponsors for 07;

Gold Sponsors – Reynolds Garage & Marine, Tournament Force, Lowrance, MotorGuide
Silver – CT Outfitters, Lunker City.

State Team sponsors – Berkley and Quantum

There are several more in the works.


Old Business


BASS Club World Championship – 6 Man Team Tournaments. The application forms have not arrived. There is still time. Those Teams that plan on participating need to be ready to send their money into BASS when they arrive. Currently have 3 teams signed up. There is not enough time for a fish off to qualify teams for this year. The first 6 teams that contact Bob will be in. Your Team members must be on the same club roster. If they are members of a different club, they need to join your club as non mothering members. Update the online BASS roster and send copy to Secretary.

MotorGuide – As discussed last month, we have a discount of 35% off on the purchase of two trolling motors through MotorGuide. Any one interested in taking advantage of this, needs to contact Bob. First two people with money in hand get it.

Fishing Derby – last month Talcott Mountain submitted a request for $125.00 for their annual fishing derby. Motion to fund request, Adopted.




New Business

New England PVA – it was proposed that we sponsor the NEPVA with a $300.00 donation. Motion Adopted.
Standing Rule Change - It was proposed to remove Standing Rule #18 from the By Laws because we do not have a boat to sale. The rule reads as follows; Skeeter boat sale proceeds - The proceeds from the sale (does not include raffle) of the Skeeter boat package will be divided as follows: 20% to youth, 20% to scholarship and 60% to the general fund This Motion was Adopted.

It was proposed to remove Standing Rule #13 from the By Laws because of the sizeable balance of the Scholarship Fund. This Motion was not adopted.

Announcements

Heart of Connecticut 9th Annual Team Open – “Rescheduled” July 14, 2007, Candlewood Lake, Squantz. 50 boat limit. First come, First in!

Bryan Kerchal Camp – There be a kids camp in 2007. Point of contact is Jennifer Sposta, 203-426-3624. The camp will be August 13 – 17 and Boat Captains are needed.

Bryan Kerchal Tournament – will be held April 29, 2007. At Danbury Town Park, Candlewood Lake.

Next Meeting: May 24, 2007

Meeting was adjourned at 9:09 pm


Jack Vinyard
CBFN Secretary
 

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