First NAFC Meet,
Musky Girl. Some History for members on the first NAFC Meet. Back in 1999 many of us members had been chatting on the BB for some time. The old BB where there weren't many members in those days on line and we became close. Members like Bill Schooner from VT, Robbie Garland form ME, Kevin Anderson from Utah, John Summers from NY, John Wealand from PA, myself from NJ, etc.
Bill Schooner from VT suggested that we all get together and meet and fish together if possible. Sharing ideas, fishing techniques etc. It was decided that we would meet in NY at Rogers Rock state campgrounds so we could fish both Lake George, NY and Lake Champlain which was only about 15 niunutes from the campgrounds, launching out of Fort Ticonderga ramp in NY. The first Meet was held on the weekend of May 19th to 21st in 2000.
It was Bill Schooners idea and 15 members attended the first NAFC meet. The attending members were Brett Brady, Fran Lobombard, Tom Hunter, John Summers, Bill Schooner, Ben Chanley, John Wealand, Patrick Sinwich (myself), Robert Garland, Wayne Garland, Bill Decker, Leah Towne, Calvin Coolidge, and Kevin Hart.
This meet was written up in the NAFC magazine in 2000 with a group picture in the October/November issue of the magazine Volume 13, Number 6 on page 73 with a group photo enclosed.
I believe the next meet to come out across the country was the Michigan meet organized by "Doc" and other members. Since then it has spread to numerous sites and the club gave us a section for member meets on the BB.
Now I know there are some awesome meets and I would encourage anyone to attend them if possible. It's a great way to meet other members and establish some life long friendships. We have shared many techniques and are having our 9th meet. I know that it seems that we have some bad blood at this meet to other members but we have continued to meet and have a super time. Sometimes members forget that this meet is about all the members and not one individual. That is the spirit of a meet! It takes members to make a meet and have such a good time.
I have heard really good reviews of meets from "Doc" on the Michigan Meet, and the Ohio Meet last year, the Finger lakes meet, the Pa meet etc. ( I do not mean to exclude any other meets) these are just examples of some great times.
I would encourage anyone to start a meet and would be willing to help anyone with information on anything about them. It can be difficult at times and trying because of locations, time of year etc. but so worth it. Ask anyone attending the Lake George/ Lake Champlain meet.
This club has some really great members from the novice to the expert and anyone can benefit from these meets. There is always something to learn and the comeraderie is awesome. The number one thing I can say to anyone is that the meet belongs to the members!!! That's what makes a meet, not any one individual. Have fun all, get together for some fun fishing...
Any questions contact me!
Patrick LM/NAFC ---~<<*>>><---