1. June Meeting(s) – The June meeting and the kids’ fishing derby on the immediately following Saturday both went very well. The Club’s great friend, Susan Thrasher joined us on Thursday evening. Susan offered individual casting tips as she walked around the pond, demonstrated some common casting mistakes, and upon request, cast nearly to the opposite shore of the pond. Many thanks to Tim Guilfoile and Ron Ellis for arranging Susan’s visit. On Friday, she did individual one-hour instruction sessions for Club members and a full day class on Sunday. On Saturday she trained NKFF ladies on conducting the Casting for Recovery Program. A busy weekend for Susan and NKFF!
2. Fishing Derbies. It’s high season for youth fishing derbies! Joel, Dan and many volunteers have been busy. Devous Park turnout was a record or near record. The Kenton County Middleton Mills Park derby was great success with pretty much all the kids catching fish. Rhonda Ritzi, the Park Administrator, arranged to have the pond stocked with large blue gill and catfish the night before. Derby Prize Winners below!
Watch your emails for the schedules. NKFF volunteers have as much fun as the kids!
3. July Meeting. Thursday, July 10 at Pioneer Park. The Club will again set up a casting course and have casting instruction. Great for new fly fishers and experienced ones as well. And food, of course!
4 August. No meeting.
5. September Meeting. New Day Ranch Sept. 4. Walter’s World-Famous Low Country Boil!
6. Pint Day/Night June 25. Pint Night for June will be at Big Ash Brewing, 5230 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati. Prior to the Night will be fishing in the Little Miami River. During the Night, there will be discussion of the Club’s efforts on the Ohio River Way, mapping locations on the Ohio River and its Ohio and Kentucky tributaries. More information to come from Bruce Lane.
7. Thane Maynard! Save the Banquet Date – Saturday November 1. Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo Director, the “90 Second Naturalist” will be our Banquet speaker. Some will remember that Thane spoke to us several years ago and it was one of our largest Banquets. A very fun night. Planning is beginning. Fair warning – we will be looking for help and donations!
8. Pop-Up Trips. Watch your email for pop ups. Water levels should be getting better as the rain slows down. We’ll do some evening trips to the Elkhorn, I’m sure.
9. New Positions. We welcome Joe Hamilton to the NKFF Board of Directors. The pay isn’t that good, but we do have some laughs.
10. Website Content. Having a vibrant and up-to-date website is a big task. We like to post current fishing content including stories, pictures, even videos. We can use your help. Did you take a trip? A family vacation that involved fishing? Send to Randy. Randy@nkff.org.
11. Meal Management. For the convenience of members, the Club has continued the “pay-at-the-door” meeting and meal option though pre-payment is a lot easier for the intake and treasury volunteers. We do ask that even if you pay in advance, you check in upon arrival at a meeting so we can get an accurate count. Also, if you register for a meal as pay-at-the-door, the Club orders a meal for you. If you cannot come and do not cancel before 5:00 on the Monday before the meeting, we cannot notify the caterer and the meal must be paid for. Beginning with the June meeting, if you order a meal as a pay-at-the-door, and do not cancel before Monday at 5:00, you will be billed for the $20.00.
12. Shotgun Enthusiasts. I have become acquainted with a fine gentleman who is a collector of and enthusiast for traditional side by side shotguns. If you have such an interest or would like to cultivate one, I can put you in touch with my friend. Email me at dave.devita@nkff.org. My friend lives in Missouri.
Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Dave