I am starting this post because we were kicking the idea around last year about having a "NAFC 25th Anniversary Celebration". Those of us that have been involved in planning a meet knows what all is involved. And in order to get this ball rolling, we need everyone's involvement. There is going to be much discussion on this as I believe that it can and will get done. Yes, we all have our own state meets and it's great, but we should have a 25th Anniversary  Celebration for our club. First off, we need volunteers to help organize the different committee's. I will be the first volunteer, do we have another ?????   BD

 

  

NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

I'll do what I can,   where I am needed!.gif">  I am assuming that you ment a North American Celebration!  Which means you folks that are north and south of the boarder should get involved (I pray for this) and make your feelings known!  Woo wee, this could be the "best ever" member meet!!

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

What would make this " National" ? I don't understand what would make it so.  ????

 

I just don't get it but if it can be done I'm sure you two can do it....................

 

Pardon me for my ignorance; but how can you expect members to get involved with a "National Celebration"... The members we have most contact to or with; cannot even commit themselves to a State or Area Meet. The lack of interest shows more and more as time passes by. I've taken part in three (3) Gwinn, Mich. Meets; only to see the number of attendee's drop more each year.  There is just not enough loyalty among members as it once was.  With hundreds of members in  Michigan, Minnisota and Wisconsin; only ten (10) people showed up for the Gwinn Meet. Three of those were my son and his wife, and Larry Nelson as first timers. I will attend Gwinn again next year  as a die hard Michigander living in Wisconsin myself. I don't think you will generate enough interest in a National Celebration that will be anything short of a waste of effort and time. If anything at all get yourself involved with a local meet with another spot or location. Time of year also has allot to do with it. Concider a Spring or Fall event. I'm for cooler weather over the hot days of summer. I hope something good comes out of this so I'll continue checking on results.  Good luch to all; and may God bless...Dennis/Papa_d
Dennis/Papa_d

 

Papa_d....Some words were edited to accomodate the new post.  BD

I'm afraid I must agree with Papa d , here in Arizona I have tried for a year to get LOCAL members to meet and fish together . I've gotten a positive response from 1 member . I get better resulte asking fishing friends to go fishing with me who aren't N.A.F.C. members .  Best of luck to you , I hope members from elsewhere will be more responsive than Arizona members are.     Happy fishing.

~N.A.F.C.~B.A.S.S.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

 

I think that those of us that attend member meets in various locations will attest to the fact that attendance varies from year to year.  And the resaons for this fluctuation are as varied as there are stars in the sky.  If you have read my journals, you know of MY desire to get everyone together at the same place and time.  Lordy, that would be wonderful!  I think realisticly you could only plan to do this once, or at the very most at every 25 years of club anniversary...Loyalty?  I think there is plenty of loyalty.  You must remember that folks join this club for many different reasons.  And perhaps how we communicate is part of the answer to participation.  If you are relying on this site to communicate all activities, I think you should rethink this.  There are many, many members with basic dial-up service, making it extremly difficult to access this site.  And the club mag is not much help either!  Can we make this happen?  If we really want it...

I also like the idea of cooler weather camping.  The drawback to this is the children are still in school.  But if I really desire to attend a meet, hot weather such as what there is at the LaCrosse meet and the 2007 Gwinn meet, won't keep me away!

So, rather than listing all the reasons NOT to do this, how about if we try to look to the positive...After all, there are many folks out there that know how to bring a meet such as what is being proposed here together.  What say you all?

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

  I think we have already been doing this. Wouldn't the LaCrosse meet qualify as a National event? We had attendies from Kansas, Pennsylvania, and california over the last two meets.

 

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -- Calvin

  I hope that my previous comment wasn't misuderstood. I was not suggesting that any one meet was better than another. I was just using the meet that I have attended as an example.

  If we want to pursue a National Celebration it needs to be at a place and time that does not conflict with the other established meets. But then it will conflict if the individual has to chose from one or the other.

  I think if there is a National Celebration it should be hosted by the club at a place accessible to all the members (ie. those with boats, those without boats, handicap accessable, reasonable license fees.).

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -- Calvin

 

Jim, some words have been edited to accomodate this new post.  BD

" I think we have already been doing this. Wouldn't the LaCrosse meet qualify as a National event? We had attendies from Kansas, Pennsylvania, and california over the last two meets."

Fish-aholic:  If what you posted would "qualify" as a "National Meet", then a few other meets would fall into that category also.  The Gwinn Meet also had folks from PA., Calif., Kansas and Canada the past couple of meets, but I do not know what "they" are really "looking for".  I too feel in a sense, that if a "National Meet" is held, it may have an affect on those meets already in progress and building well on their own.  We here at Gwinn have seen a drop in attendance this year, but I am sure there were circumstances that contributed to that, such as our dates, the price of fuel and so on.  All one can do is try, announce the meet and hope for the best.

"Doc" Life Member NAFC Best Club Around CYA when I CYA! Take Care, God Bless, AND be careful out there! Had 4,000 + posts under old ID

 

Well, my thought was not to compete with any existing meet or to just have a national instead of what we have now.  Those of you that know me must surely realise I would never promote anything like that.  I certainly understand all the work and time it has taken to get them (meets) where they are today.  For ME, it would be nice for one time to have everyone together at the same time and place...I don't know how else to state this!  I think every meet that I ever attended has had folks from other states attend.  That being said, the NY folks do not get together with the LaCrosse folks, or the Ohio folks with the Gwinn folks, or the Texas folks with the Finger Lakes folks, etc!  Perhaps we could have a "national" celebration held at or near our club HQ...

I don't want anyone turning this into something I never intended it to be...If it is to much bother then I'll just let it go...For me, I'll just have to keep going from state to state in order to see my friends (I don't need a patch to do this).  And that is a good thing, also!

 

 

 

 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

 

Pete, your post has been edited to accomodate the "new" post. BD

I think all the points made (pro's and con's) are good points. But I think you'll run into the same problem the regular states run into - money, high gas prices, etc. I think if one wants to meet as many members as possible, then it is up to that person to make it to as many state meets as they can. I know I for one have to stick to hanging around Wisconsin (or neighboring states) because I just can't afford the gas prices. And we all know gas will not get any cheaper.

 

I like the idea of patches, but again, why limit who can get them - why not have a patch for each state that has a meet and then collect them as you go to the different meets.

 

 

I don't think the intent is to have a National Celebration every year. There's not enough of us that could afford getting to one...and still try to participate in our various "home" Meets.

 

Last year I was lucky to have rolled over 1 week of vacation from the previous year....which allowed me to attend BOTH Gwinn and La Crosse.

 

This year I couldn't go anywhere...since I was saving money to move back to Wisconsin. MANY other Members face other financial / life issues that keep them from attending even a single Meet. A good example has been WalleyeWayne and his son's baseball.

 

That being said...a 25th Anniversary Celebration somewhere would be way cool. And that would give everyone close to 5 years to plan ahead. This would probably put the Celebration around Minneapolis though since Club Headquarters are there....unless the Club actually got super involved like the Nevada Jamboree, in which case Missouri would probably be the most logical area....with one of these lakes in mind more than likely.

 

       Bull Shoals Lake (Also extends into Arkansas).

       Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir

       Lake of the Ozarks

       Mark Twain Lake

       Norfolk Lake (Also extends into Arkansas).

       Pomme de Terre Lake

       Stockton Lake

       Table Rock Lake (Also extends into Arkansas).

       Lake Taneycomo

Here's a link to a map of Missouri showing waterways...

 

http://www.anglersfishinginfo.com/mo/statemap/index.html

I like the idea...but we should see 1st IF the Club has any thoughts about it...and it's MY understanding that canepole got some kind of a response from them about it...so let's see what he's got to say.

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Coast Member of da EH! Team Kangaroo Kounty Razzer-in-Chief

 

Dave, some words were edited to accomodate the "New" post.  BD

I love the idea of a national celebration. If there is anything I can do just let me know. I actually I know a guy that works for embroid me who might be able to help out with patchs, hats ,t-shirts ect.

 

dk, i edited the word to accomodate the "new" post. BD

HEY Fish-a-holic,   Forgetting someone?  I came to the La Crosse meet from "The Show-Me State" =  Missouri.

 

If Harry S. Truman Res. were picked as a National Celebration site I can help there. My Parents live on the Grand River arm of it, between Clinton and Warsaw, Mo. AND I have fished below the dam and above in the lake in many places since it was opened to the public in the early 70's.

I also know several nice places to camp, sight see and eat around the lake. And many locations of the boat ramps also. Not to mention [brag, brag] how to fish it in many interesting places as well.

 

My two cents on the National celebration is this... First we keep all current established meets going as is.[Esp the Grandpappy - The NE meet]  and any more that develop. Divide the USA into 4 sections and every 5th yr we meet at a different one of these section locations for a national celebration. [Trying to find a date that won't affect any annual meets already in progress] On the 25th yr we always meet near NAFC Headquarters for a National celebration to show our unity.

 

And every 4 USA sections should try to plan a new location each time their turn comes up. But if there is one centralized location where the most can meet, use it all the time. // I think the  25th national hdqtr. meet should change locations too, but with 10,000 lakes to choose from, that should / or won't, be easy.

 

Right now the biggest problem [I'm sure many will agree] for any Annual, National or Sectional meet is fuel prices. Followed by travel time & expenses, and location.

And some members just can't afford to go to more than one meet a yr, due to $$ or vacation / time off from work. And you can add in medical illness, surgery/recovery, and other personal obligations to that as well.

 

I suggest that each section distinguish a contact leader and all members in that section vote for a location to hold their 5th yr meet. The the winning location is announced to ALL NAFC members, and the planning can begin to attend or not to attend that sectional meet per each one of us.

 

Bigdog68: wrote

"I am not proposing to take anything away from the existing state meets, what I am proposing is a National Celebration as I have already described above. Please, Please, Please, Understand,,,,, Lacrosse, Gwnn, Texas, Florida, PA, & NY, and any others that already hold meets, This proposal is not intended to take away from your existing meets"

bigdog68:

I agree with and would like to see all of the members meets ( chapter and non chapter)  from across the U.S. get together in one place for a 25th celebration.. 

 However I want to clarify your statment above to members reading this Topic !   The Meet in La Crosse is not for Wisconsin  members only , nor is the Gwinn meet!!  The La Crosse meet and the Gwinn have always been and will alway be (national meets) open to any and all members of this Club from acrossed the U.S. and the world ! 

 

"Friends are GOD's way of showing us that we don't have to fish alone"
"Take a child fishing"

(Wi) Life Member

Jerry K.

BEEN A LIFE MEM. SINCE '04 . WENT 2 MY FIRST MEET AT GOOSE ISLAND .  I WAS LUCKY I LIVED CLOSE BY . I'AM  VERY LUCKY THAT I GOT 2 MEET  MUSKYGIRL, STORYTELLER , PETE ( YOU ARE THE GREATEST )  THE JAMES GANG ,  CANEPOLE , CASSTELL , LAZARUS , AND THE MOST FAMOUS OF ALL ! JERRY OUR COOK .  AND ALL OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WERE WITH THEM .  IF I FORGOT ANY ONE , LOVE YOU 2 . LET'S DO THIS NAT. CELEBRATON  !  I , PLEDGE 2  DO WHAT EVERY IS NEEDED  THAT I CAN DO . ( H . A . M . E . D . )

With all that has been said I agree with the idea of a 25th Anniversary Celebration. It would be nice if the club and mag would get involved. So that the members not on line could bennefit as well. Now speaking of anniversaries all of you should try to make the 10 th annual Northeast meet at Rogers Rock next spring. You have two lakes to chose from. It was the first annual meet and it would be nice to see someone from each of the other meets there. You are all good people and I would be honored to meet you.
Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/wellsleyny/NAFC_Life_Member1.jpg

 

Frank, a few words were edited to accomodate the "new"post. BD

  Here are my thoughts on a region map. This is my third version trying to keep a region down to a 1 day drive for anyone. The East may need to be broke into 2. It just doesn't seem posible to break it into 4 regions and make it equitable (I don't know what the big word means, it just seemed  to fit).

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -- Calvin

I really like what I'm seeing here so far. Anybody else got any ideas ??? As for the 25th Anniversary of the NAFC National Celebration, If  we do have it close to the NAFC HQ Bldg, we need to have someone do some scouting for a campsite that would accmodate a large number of members. If it's a campground, we'll need a huge group site and probably a bunch of RV sites too. I can only hope that the NAFC would get involved in a club wide meet that would be celebrating the club's 25th Anniversary. As for dividing the country up into 4 regions, I think that is a good idea as well and should be on the agenda's for all of the meets between now and the National celebration. I propose that Each group of members that hold a "Meet", appoiunt a board of officers, as you would in a chapter, and hold a meeting at each meet regarding the local chapter business and then have discussions on ideas for the National Celebration. There's much more to be discussed here on this post about the National Celebration, we're just getting started, so buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride....  BD

 

.
NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

I don't know about a slate of officers, but I would suspect there will be conversations around the ole campfire on this topic...I will do my part and try to write them down so that they are not lost...At least for the meets I attend.
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Sounds Good Pete....We need someone at each meet to keep track of discussions like Pete said, "around the 'ole campfire", and also any chapter meetings or regular member planning meetings.   Every little bit helps.....BD

 

     

 

 

NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

So when exactly is the 25th anniversary

How about it Davesett2000 ? Do you happen to have the club's anniversary date on hand ?  I'm sure if you don't, we can probably look it up...BD

 

.
NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

I'll get involved if you want.  That being said, we don't have a meet currently in Oregon.  And not all that many members out here.  You want a cooler location, come West young men and women.  Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall are all mild compared to other parts of the country.  Humidity is very low comparitively.  Opportunities are endless with many lakes, rivers, bays and the Pacific Ocean on our doorstep.  Camping and outdoor recreation is a way of life here.  The campgrounds along the coast are non-stop.  Charter fishing for Salmon, Halibut, Bottom Fish, Tuna, go out of every port.  Steelhead or Salmon in most of the coastal rivers prety much year around.  Lakes full of Trout, Bass, Pannies, Cats.  Sturgeon fishing in many of the bays and a few of the larger rivers.  Fly here, drive here, bring your boat, rent a boat, hire a guide.

 

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

Hey JustDave, we can use all the help we can get... This is going to be a "joint effort" by everyone. So if your up to a good challenge, Get your thinking cap strapped on and start firing away with those ideas. Thanks for the invite, I may just take you up on that sometime in the future. I've always wanted to come out in your neck of the woods and do some fishing....BD

 

  

NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

OK Dog, as we discussed I am in to help with the National celebration idea. It is very doable. All we need is a little help from our friends through out the country. Sounds like a good time to me.

 

.
Ohio Chapter Chairman Ohio Outlaw Happy Hookin

this year is the 20th Anniversary, so I think that gives us around 4 yrs to get our chit together.

here fishy, fishy, fishy - 3230 posts and counting

We need someone to speak for us to the club management.  By phone, Email and up close and personal.  I do believe that our best chance for success is to have the club play a major roll in putting this together.

 

 

 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Sorry 'bro...I can't find the info anywhere....I even did a few searches on the Internet.

 

I DID see one post on here that said they were looking for pics for the July/August/September mag because of the 20th Anniversary though....so I gotta wonder if it's in that time frame. There's got to be a Charter Member here somewhere that would know that info...seein's how the Ed's haven't posted here yet.

I also have to believe that the sooner we can find out one way or another about the Club being willing to be the "lead" on this, the better off we will be. It would s*ck to start putting things in place...then have them do something on their own

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Coast Member of da EH! Team Kangaroo Kounty Razzer-in-Chief

The last mag, page 27, NAFC estabilished in June 1988. The first issue of North American Fisherman arrives in members` mailboxes.

 

 

Thanks ICB thats a great starting point. Now to find someone to get in touch with the main office.

 

.
Ohio Chapter Chairman Ohio Outlaw Happy Hookin

OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a NATIONAL CELEBRATION give me the willies and butterflies in my stomach!!!!!!! BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR If there`s anything i can do just give me a Jingle.

Nafc Life Member since Feb,3rd 2004 Nafc Ohio Chapter Treasurer 2007 Ohio Bushwhacker Member Of Ducks Unlimited One a da Ohio Outlaws Aaron Tomko

NAFC Life Member, NAFC Ohio Chapter Co-Chairman, NAFC Ohio Chapter Chaplain, USMC Veteran Semper-Fi, Assistant Pastor, John 3:16,17

I've been trading e-mails with Ryan (editor for mag) about possibly getting some help from HQ.  It seems they will not get invoved due to liabilty issues.  There was apparently some trouble at a meet in the past, (fights?), so they are reluctant to do anything.  I will keep asking the question though and try to work my way up the chain until I either get a "yes we'll help" or a flat "no".  I think shooting for 2013 will help ease them into it.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

I will donate 2 dozen of m Steelhead jigs for prizes or raffle for the cause.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

Various members of this club have attempted to "urge" the club to acknowledge these meets and they have flat refused!  I do not want to wish you any bad luck, but what makes you think this will be different.  Ask some of the members who have been here during this "past time" and what they have attempted.
"Doc" Life Member NAFC Best Club Around CYA when I CYA! Take Care, God Bless, AND be careful out there! Had 4,000 + posts under old ID

Skycop,

Not saying anything will be different.  I'm just bullheaded enough to keep pushing without being discouraged.  If they never respond, they never respond and I will just have to say "Oh Well".  I think the individuals around here can pull it off a National celebration on their own anyway, and it doesn't take much effort on my part to ask the question.  I'm in sales and have been rejected by the best, so this shouldn't be any skin off my teeth.  Persistence with a lack of anger is the key to any negotiation.

BigDog,

If you are going to split into regions, I'd suggest a week or two between each region to allow those that wish to attend multiple events time to adjust their schedules around meet dates.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Very good suggestion Pete.  I will try Celebration on my next communication, (tomorrow) and see if that gete me a little further.

JustDave

Living Large in Oregon Life Member Since '94, 1st Member of the NAFC Western Fishers, Proud User of St. Croix, Lamiglass, Shimano, Fishcraft, Mercury, Jabber Knuckles, Fishing With the Boys Guide Service

"Doc" Life Member NAFC Best Club Around CYA when I CYA! Take Care, God Bless, AND be careful out there! Had 4,000 + posts under old ID

At the Raystown meet, we discussed the 25 year celebration.  Everyone thought it was a good idea even if it was likely they would not be able to attend.  Everyone felt that the club should take ownership and make the event more central, such as MN.  My impression is that a camping arraingement, near where the event is to be held, will be needed for those that may not be able to afford the cost of a hotel.  And if the price of gas remains above $3.00 per gal. many won't attend.  And Lord only knows what will shake out of this banking meltdown...I have already been notified that one or more of my mutial funds are in trouble.  I am waiting to hear what the damage is...So that is my update for the meets I attended this year.

 

 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

this is the first time i have had the time to sit and read this tread throu. my vote shall be to change the name.
i don't think its going to hurt anything as long as what has been brought up so far is taken with it as a celibration instead of a meet.
also i hate to say i don't think the club will budge. but hey it can't hurt to try and we can do this thing.

If changing the name and starting a new post is going to help make this work then so be it. Also what is the club officers opinion? I would like to hear what they have to say. The have the power to really put this into motion and make it a celebration that can't be missed. Since everything is $$$ driven there could be alot of $$$ made and still provide and excellant oppertunity for the members.
Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF

"Doc" Life Member NAFC Best Club Around CYA when I CYA! Take Care, God Bless, AND be careful out there! Had 4,000 + posts under old ID