Cowlitz Game & Anglers

To all: a very Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year!

I’m finally sort of back in the saddle after spending entirely too much time in the Cardiac ward at OHSU. Thanks for all the get well cards, phone calls and general support during the rehab. Still a few hurdles to go but everything appears to be looking good.

Coffee Stop in early December went like clock work from an administrative standpoint but our income of $325 was considerably lower than our normal $600. Snow & very cold weather kept travelers off the freeway. We do recognize the efforts of all the volunteers: Ray Swanson, Gene Crocker, Mike Tyrrell, Gary Dietel, Kim Isaakson, Fred Caron, Gerry Bosch, Skip Dunlap, Paul Murray, Dave Sazak, Jack Harper, Dan Howell, Edwina Hirko and Bruce Singleton. Thanks everyone

Board of Directors unanimously voted Gary Dietel as a new member of the Board to replace the vacancy caused by the untimely and regretted passing of Gayle Inman. Welcome Gary! Your workload has just increased.

At the same session the Board voted to declare Edwina Hirko as a Life Member in recognition of her multiple sessions as Chair of CG&A plus her many other contributions to the many faceted activities of our organization.

Elections of New Officers and 2 members of the Board of Directors will take place at the General Meeting 13 January. Current nominations include:

President – Dick Miller Vice President – Gene Crocker
Recording Sec – Dan Howell Financial Sec – Ray Swanson
Board of Dir – Kim Isaakson & Skip Dunlap

Any other nominations may be made by calling me at 274-7559 or by nominating from the floor at the meeting.

Master Hunter applications are being taken January 1 through February 15, 2010. Contacts are listed in the WDF&W Big Game pamphlet. $50.00 fee.

Hunter Education Class sign-up will be held at Bob’s Sporting Goods on 23 January at 10:00AM to Noon. Classes will be held Feb 3,4,5.

Cowlitz Public Shooting Range – The Corps of Engineers tells me the study on methods to reduce siltation on Toutle & Cowlitz Rivers is in technical review by upper management. The most cost effective efforts appear to be enlarging the existing North Fork Toutle Sentiment Retention Structure & building additional SRS in the drainages above the existing SRS. The concept of digging large silt traps on the lower main stem Toutle parallel to the proposed Cowlitz Public Shooting Range appears low in cost effectiveness and are likely to be permanently postponed. We are very close to final determinations by the Corps. Things look positive we can start building that shooting range in the near future. Keep all fingers crossed.

Lone Oak Shooting Range – Dues required by 30 January. $75.00
If you wish to join sign up at The Gun Shop on Commerce Ave.

Egg Bucket – Mike Tyrrell will head up the annual distribution of the 40,000 eyed eggs. Eggs are scheduled to be picked up and placed in various local streams on 1 February at 9:00AM at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Those that would like to help Mike need to volunteer at the General Meeting 13 January. Waders & warm clothes are all that is required.

Ron Pease, former Vice President of CG&A and Senior Hunter Education Instructor, was in the process of recovering from a stroke suffered a while back. Unfortunately, while performing rehab exercises he fell and broke his hip. Our condolences to Ron and admiration to wife Pat who supplies steadfast support.

Steelhead Parr will be delivered to our acclimation pond on the South Fork Toutle River the week of 1 February. The allocation will again be 15,000 fish. The fish, as usual, will be delivered from the Skamania Hatchery.

Mike Tyrrell will be looking for volunteers to ready the pond in mid-January. Some weed wacking will be required plus cleaning the outlet screens and de-beavering the outlet stream. Sign up at the Meeting Wednesday. A 4 hour (max) deal.