The Rapidan Chapter

March 3, 2010–Rapidan Chapter Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Rob Paul/Pres. at 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Sun Trust Bank in Warrenton,VA.  After introductions around the room(25 people present), the ‘Member of the Year’  award was given to Larry Willoughby, for outstanding support as Hatches editor for the past four years. Rapidan TU membership is now at 295.

Rob gave the financial report for Doug Farmer/Treas.(on travel). The account balance is $12, 497.76, with a shortfall of ~$6700 due to fishing show cancellation/blizzard.

There was a general discussion on fund raising activities, leading to recommendation to sell members donated fishing equipment at Heritage(Kids) Day/Graves Lodge on Saturday, April 3. Larry Willoughby & Chuck Hoysa are coordinating this activity. Donation details will be posted on website. Marcia Woolman confirmed a table will be available to sell equipment at Graves.

Fred Kallmeyer, Judson Walls, and Larry Willoughby are looking into a fishing show replacement facility in Warrenton area which is larger (more vendors), better parking/access and food support, and will make recommendation at April meeting.

Kevin Daniels/VTSSS gave report for chapter support for 17 streams, and encouraged members to sign up for chapter designated water sampling streams/sites for April 24 & 25. Stream directions and sampling instructions will be given to volunteers at April 7 meeting, and is also on VTSSS website(linked via VCTU website).Marcia Woolman also spoke on statewide VTSSS sampling status.

Marcia Woolman/Heritage Day/Graves Mountain Lodge–scheduled for Saturday, April 3. Volunteers still needed. A motion was made, seconded and approved for $350 for signs.

Mike McCaffery–Tristate Youth Conservation Camp/Graves Mountain Lodge (6/27-7/2)-Six(6) kids have signed up so far (~22 total normal). Mike requested one (vs 2) Rapidan scholarship donations (~$650) for Camp this year due to Rapidan  budget current status. This motion was made, seconded and approved.

Chuck Hoysa/Trout in Classroom–Three schools with baby Brook trout(~2-3” size). Locations are being surveyed for placing these trout so that they survive and don’t impact wild trout genetics.

Judson Walls, Doug Farmer, and Rob Speight are developing a conservation stream plan.

Fred Fox/Rappflo–Passed out info/maps. Four SNP streams near Sperryville are being conservationally extended 1 mile downstream from Park boundary. Coordination has begun with landowners. Rappflo rep may be available for Oct 6 membership meeting program. Possible Rapidan Chapter conservation project.

Rob Speight volunteered to be Conservation Chair. Also, Jose Varela volunteered to be Membership Chair.

Fred Kallmeyer /Fish With a Friend–Meet at 10am at Criglersville Elementary school on Saturday, March 6 to see if Rapidan River road is drivable, or to fish the nearby Robinson River. FWF on Wednesday, March 17, on Robinson River/Doug Farmer. Meet at Syria store at 1o am.

Fred Kallmeyer /Raffle drawing—Winning raffle tickets were drawn by various Rapidan members for the Montana & Premium Rod raffle. Results will be posted on our website. Fred Fox(chapter member) won the Montana trip raffle when Rob Paul/Pres drew the winning ticket. Congrats Fred!