Last Cast: August 2020 Update

By Andy Mekelburg

Happy summer! Welcome to the heat doldrums. Fishing has gravitated to early morning and evening for bass. And maybe a trip on the Bay for rockfish.

As our world creeps ever so slightly back towards the way it was, PVFF continues to keep in touch with the membership. The “Fly Tying at a Distance” program has been very successful, with at least 20 members taking part each month. I just hope that Don Fine and Troy Kitch don’t take their talents to Hollywood (or wherever you go these days). Regarding our website and YouTube videos, Troy says that if 100 or more individuals subscribe to our videos, we can become an official YouTube channel. Tell your friends!

I want to share our plans with you for the next couple of months, which is about how realistically far we can project out. First, we’re hosting another virtual meeting on August 11 at 7:00 pm. Look for your Zoom invitation. We’re trying to make these as fun and informational as possible. Those members who have attended tell me that they get a lot out of them. Next on the schedule is our Casting Clinic on September 8 at 6 p.m. at Middletown Park. This will be our first in-person get together since March, and it will be very exciting to see real people again! We will follow all state and local guidelines and you should do whatever you are comfortable with.

Thirdly, we have decided on a course for our annual banquet with the many comments I received from you. Some great ideas! We will host a virtual banquet over Zoom on October 24, starting at 6:00 pm. We plan to have a fun, quick program and then we’ll have some great prizes — but you don’t have to be present to win. Before I get to the prizes, let me assure the membership that we are not in dire financial straits. Much like we like to leave the environment as good, if not, better than when we got there, this is our philosophy with funds for our club. This event will replenish our operating funds, without dipping into savings.

We would like to collect donations from our membership that would be suitable for a nice prize, such as a fly rod, gift certificate, Ruby’s apple pie, etc. (not my old waders that have a small hole). Also, if you are willing to host a couple of people at a fishing spot of your choice or anything like that – be creative!

Many more details to come soon. If you want to donate something or have questions or suggestions, contact us.