June 20, 2002 MEETING MINUTES

 

The regular membership of the Idaho State B.A.S.S. Federation was called to order by President Dusty Womack at 7:30 P.M. at the Tri State Marine.  There were 22 officers, representatives and guests present.

 

The minutes of  May 2002 were approved as written.

 

TREASURY REPORT: The Treasurer reported a balance of $9970.25 of which $2811.44 is Conservation; $180.64 Youth; $3776.43 State Team South and $2471.22 in Operating Funds. Treasury report was approved.

 

INTRODUCTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Guests introduced were Shonie Jarvis, Tournament Director from Superior Bass.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

YOUTH: Youth Director LARRY RAGANIT reported:

¨        We have been invited to Garden City Day again.  It will be September 14, which conflicts with Qualifier tournaments for both the East and the South.  Anyone not fishing in the Qualifier tournaments is asked to stop by and help run the kids casting pond.  This is good PR for the Federation and it could help get kids involved in fishing.

¨        C.A.S.T. is coming up on August 24.  Anyone that has any tackle or small lures that they could donate to the kids is asked to bring them in to Larry.  We will need people with boats to come and help out.  We especially need pontoon boats for the kids in wheelchairs.

 

CONSERVATION: Conservation Officer STEVE BURK reported:

¨        There is still a shortage of water in Eastern Idaho and everyone needs to try and conserve water.  The governor has declared some emergency areas due to the water shortages.

¨        We still need to check on the C.J. Strike structure-planting permit to see if it is still good.

¨        Dusty brought some books back from the National about keeping tournament bass alive.  A copy of the book went out to each club rep present and some of the techniques were discussed.

¨        Shonie Jarvis mentioned that Superior Bass’s OR tournament permit didn’t allow them to dump dead fish back into the lake, but it also didn’t allow them to keep the fish. Terry Schrader from ODFW will be attending the weigh-ins for the rest of the permitted fishing tournaments on Oregon waters this year.  Anyone with a permit for a tournament on Oregon waters needs to contact Terry and make sure that they understand what ODFW wants.

¨        BBB reported that the ODFW biologist said that part of the problem with the bass in Owyhee is high alkali content due to the water being low for the last couple of years.

 

COMMUNICATION: Communication Officer J.C. WORTHEN reported:

¨        The newsletter is out and should be on its way to all members. 

¨        JC still needs articles for the next issue that he hopes to have out by the end of July.

 

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Tournament director Dusty Womack reported:

¨        There was a discussion concerning the Southern Region boater that showed up to the first South Qualifier without a non-boater and was not allowed to fish.  The rules seem to indicate that he should have been assigned a non-boater if one could be found; it was suggested that everyone’s name should have gone into a drawing to see what boater fished by themselves if a non-boater could not be found.  It was suggested that the tournament rules need to be reviewed and updated.

¨        Another discussion evolved around whether someone fishing as a non-boater/observer should be allowed to enter the option pots.  No motions were made, but consensus seemed to be that it would be a bad idea to allow observers to compete in the option pots against the paying Federation members.

¨        The East had 18 boats in their last Qualifier and the South had 15 boats.

¨        Dusty tracked down the registration papers and sticker for the release boat and they have been installed on the boat.  We need to check to make sure that the release boat is still insured by the State of Idaho.

¨        Berkley has a new program; the angler that catches the Big Fish in a club or Federation tournament can send in their name to Berkley.  They will receive some lures or line and their name will go into a drawing for a free fishing trip with pro Jay Yelas.  The angler must have been using a Berkley product when they caught the Big Fish.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

¨        Several clubs have sent in updated rosters with additional members.  We are now within 8 members of 2001 although we did add a club this year (Eagle Rock Bass.)

¨        BBB’s membership is down this year, their rep mentioned dissatisfaction with the Federation as the reason for the reduced membership.

¨        The Federation banquet will be Jan. 18 at the Elks Lodge in Caldwell.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

¨        There was a long and involved discussion about the handling of the State Team alternate that was late leaving for the Delta and was told to stay home.  A motion was finally made that the alternate remain a part of the State Team, could keep the expense money and his share of the State Team winnings, but would have to pay back any expenses incurred by the ST coordinator for hotel reservations for the alternate.  The motion was passed unanimously.

¨        Federation meetings are open to the public, so the Superior Bass Tournament Director was allowed to address the group.  There was a discussion about one of the Federation officers’ remarks at local boat shops concerning Superior Bass and their recent incident with ODFW.  Nothing was resolved concerning this issue.

¨        Dusty talked about what he learned on his trip to the Nationals.  B.A.S.S. started a new advisory group to go between the Federation and ESPN.  Our (Western Region) representative is from California.  Dusty signed the Alliance Group contract.  A lot of the discussions centered on getting youth involved in the sport of fishing via youth chapters in clubs, etc.  Dusty also talked about the new booklet out by B.A.S.S. on keeping tournament bass alive.

 

 

There being no more new business, President Womack reminded all that the next meeting would be on July 18.  The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

____________________________________

Secretary