CT BASS FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES
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Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2007


The regular monthly meeting of the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was called to order January 25, at 7:30 p.m. by the President.

Roll Call: The following clubs were absent:

Bell City B/M, Borderline B/M, CT BASS Anglers, Fairfield County B/M, Litchfield County B/M, Mansfield, Schaghticoke B/M.

Excused Absences from the previous month: Northeastern CT B/M, Southern CT Bass Anglers, Bass Busters.

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

Correspondence

Congratulations to Chris Novack!! He finished first in the Northeast Region at the Nationals and will be fishing in the BASSMASTER CLASSIC.

Nationals went well. Bob Malloy and David Santos attended for Connecticut.

BASS will be starting a membership drive for the Federation Nation. More info to come.

BASS Club World Championship, Regional will be on Lake Champlain in June. The deadline for entering a Team has been extended two months. Any club interested in forming a Team should contact Bob Malloy.

New Hampshire will be holding the 08 Regional’s on Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Federation Nation Nationals are moving to November starting this year.

Lowrance will still allow the 06 State Team to place orders until March 31 2007.


Reports of Officers

Treasurer’s Report:

As of December, 2006 there were the following amounts in the accounts:

CBFN General Checking - $14,595.08

CBFN Money Market Account - $11,446.59

CBFN Scholarship Checking - $79.52

CBFN Scholarship Money Market Account - $11,329.70

Scholarship Report:

None

Conservation / Environmental Report: David Santos

I attended the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation National Championship in Gadsden Alabama the week of January 14, 2007. While there I attended Conservation Workshops. The overall theme of the workshops was “Fish Habitat”. Topics of discussion were updates on B.A.S.S. Conservation efforts, angler access, a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant writing workshop, a presentation by Noreen Clough on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, the role and importance of habitat in black bass management, a habitat workshop, tournament economics, a proposed tournament certification program, and tournament reporting. In-between the workshops there were plenty of round table discussion.

We will be receiving $1,000 from B.A.S.S. for fish habitat. I’m hoping to use part of the funds on a project with Riverfront Recapture in conjunction with their ongoing youth program.

The CBFN in sponsorship with DEP Inland Fisheries Biologist Peter Aarrestad has applied for a grant in response to the RFP for the Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage Restoration Project. There will be more information to follow if we’re approved.

Although it’s not yet official, I expect to receive $1000 from the fish care grant application we applied for to B.A.S.S. in December. We had originally requested about $1500, but in fairness to all who applied, all grant requests were cut to in order for everyone to received some type of funding for their projects.

I’m still looking for a volunteer for Riverfront Recaptures “A Reel Chance” program on February 14, 2007 from 8:30 – 9:30 am at the Breakthrough Magnet School in Hartford. Also, I’m still looking for a club in the Fairfield County area to contact Chief C.A.R.E. Instructor Dick Emmons to get underprivileged kids out for a day of fishing this spring.


As a reminder, there is a $250 award to the club with best conservation project for 2007. The executive board will vote to determine the winner.

Legislative Matters

Proposed Bills:

• Proposed Bill No. 6865 – REP. JOHNSTON, 51st DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANT ERADICATION AND CONTROL PROGRAM', to control and eradicate invasive aquatic plants. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed Bill No. 6869 - REP. STONE, 9th DIST.; REP. CHRIST, 11th DIST.; REP. GENGA, 10th DIST.; SEN. LEBEAU, 3rd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING FREE LIFETIME FISHING LICENSES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED RESIDENTS', to permit municipalities to issue free lifetime fishing licenses to physically handicapped residents. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed S.B. No. 994 SEN. MEYER, 12th DIST. 'AN ACT REMOVING JURISDICTION OF STATE PARKS AND FORESTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION', to remove jurisdiction of state parks and forests from the Department of Environmental Protection and to create a new agency to manage such parks and forests. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6211 Rep. Olson, 46th Dist., AN ACT CONCERNING DISCARDED FISHING LINE. To decrease the amount of discarded fishing line on the shores and in the waterways of the state and to inform fishing license holders of penalties for littering and improperly discarding fishing line. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6565 REP. ORANGE, 48th DIST.; REP. CHAPIN, 67th DIST.; REP. DELGOBBO, 70th DIST.; REP. FERRARI, 62nd DIST.; REP. O'CONNOR, 35th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TURN IN POACHERS PROGRAM BY DEFENDANTS IN CONSERVATION CASES', to allow defendants in conservation cases to make charitable contributions to the Turn In Poachers Program. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6569 REP. LEWIS, 8th DIST. 'AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE AND SALE OF LEAD WEIGHTS FOR SPORT FISHING', to reduce the incidence of lead exposure to humans, fish and birds. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6577 REP. ORANGE, 48th DIST.; REP. CHAPIN, 67th DIST.; REP. DELGOBBO, 70th DIST.; REP. FERRARI, 62nd DIST.; REP. O'CONNOR, 35th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING MOTORBOAT TAXES AND THE CONSERVATION FUND', to provide proper distribution and application of motorboat fuel taxes to benefit fishermen and boaters. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6561 REP. ORANGE, 48th DIST.; REP. CHAPIN, 67th DIST.; REP. DELGOBBO, 70th DIST.; REP. FERRARI, 62nd DIST.; REP. O'CONNOR, 35th DIST. 'AN ACT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS', to increase the number of Department of Environmental Protection conservation law enforcement officers to reverse the current decrease in personnel numbers. REF. ENVIRONMENT


• Proposed H.B. No. 6565 REP. ORANGE, 48th DIST.; REP. CHAPIN, 67th DIST.; REP. DELGOBBO, 70th DIST.; REP. FERRARI, 62nd DIST.; REP. O'CONNOR, 35th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TURN IN POACHERS PROGRAM BY DEFENDANTS IN CONSERVATION CASES', to allow defendants in conservation cases to make charitable contributions to the Turn In Poachers Program. REF. ENVIRONMENT


Youth Committee:

We have two CastingKids events scheduled; The first will be at the CMTA Boat and Fishing Show this weekend, Jan 25 – 28th. The second will be at the Dodge Truck Northeast Fishing and Hunting Expo, February 16 – 18th. We can really use your help. If interested please contact Sylvia Morris or Jack Vinyard.


Tournament Committee:

Tournament Trail Update:

A letter has been sent to the City of Danbury requesting the use of Candlewood Lake Park on September 29 & 30, 2007 for the CBFN State Championship Tournament. An application for an insurance policy has been sent to K&K Insurance requesting that The City of Danbury be listed as additionally insured for the event. Once written approval has been received from The City of Danbury a copy will be sent to K&K and the policy will be written. Written approval will not be received until sometime in February. Craig Renda, who is in charge of the Parks and Rec. department, will be leaving his position on February 2, 2007. Once his replacement is appointed, on the 2nd, we should expect the approval within a two week time frame.

According to Dave Santos the CBFN may be receiving a conservation grant for $1000 from BASS to be used towards the purchase of a new weigh in system for the CBFN Tournament Trail. The tournament Committee will need an additional $2000 in order to purchase additional items not covered by the grant. Those items include but are not limited to a new scale system with computer program, various safety equipment, a new tent, etc. A motion for the additional amount will be made and voted on at the February meeting. Please bring this back to your clubs for discussion. Feel free to contact me for further information.


Proposed Rule Change Votes

1. Increase of Entry Fee’s
Angler - $75 per tournament
Co-Angler - $40 per tournament
Results = This proposal was Not Adopted.

2. Entry Fee Grace Period with $25 Processing Fee.
Results = This proposal was Adopted.


The tournament rules and application will be updated as necessary. Please read the rules carefully prior to sending in your applications. The tournament committee recommends that members pay for all four tournaments up front to avoid issues during the season. Refunds will be given with a 72 hour notification as specified in the tournament rules. In the case of an emergency every attempt should be made to contact Al Guite, Jack Vinyard or Sylvia Morris prior to the event to ensure refund. The tournament Director will make the final decision.

- The updated Rules and Application Forms will be posted on the website in the next couple of days.

Trailer – We are looking for some one to tow the trailer for next year.


Fishing Advisory Report: David Santos
No Report

Boating Advisory Report:

Detailed minutes will be available at the February Meeting.

State Team Report:
None


Raffle Report: Armond Fortier
Tickets will be in on January 26th. We will be selling them at the shows.


Candlewood Lake Authority Report:
No report.

We are still looking for a volunteer to represent us at this meeting. If interested please contact Bob or Jack.

Lake Drawdown info; http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1017315&ref=Growth

Lake Lillinonah Authority Report:

No Report

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

Financial Committee: Ray Bessette

Working on putting together a proposed budget for 2007.

Banquet Committee: Sylvia Morris
None

Membership Committee:

We will be conducting a membership drive at the shows.

Sponsors Committee: Ed Weeks

Received four Guest Charges.
Have verbal commitments from Lunker City and Reynold’s Garage for the 2007 season.
Have been contacted by a local Toyota dealership wanting to sponsor the trail. Still working out the details.

A motion made to accept all reports as given. Adopted.

Old Business

Laptop – we purchased the new laptop. It is a Toshiba and it cost $901.00

Audit Committee – Lewis Schaller will chair the committee. Dean Becktein has volunteered to help. We need one more person for this committee.

Fishing Shows - We have one this weekend and another in February.

The Marine Trades Association “CMTA Boat and Fishing Show”, January 25 -28, 2007

The “2007 Dodge Truck Northeast Fishing & Hunting Expo”, February 16 – 1, 2007-01-09

We will be holding Casting Kids event at both shows. Also we will have the SKEETER boat there and will be selling raffle tickets.

We need help with both of these booths. If you would like to help, please contact Sylvia Morris or Jack Vinyard.

New Business

It was proposed to purchase a new digital camera. Lewis Schaller will help research and will have more info at next months meeting.

Announcements

Tournament - Heart of Connecticut Bassmasters will be having their annual tournament to support CBFN Youth on Sunday, April 15th 2007.

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: February 22, 2007

Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm

Jack Vinyard
CBFN Secretary
 

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