FEBRUARY/MARCH – 2001

Please note that this edition of the Gaffline will encompass the events of both February and March Events. With the election of Officers delayed until later in the month (as opposed to the election of new Board of Directors members) and limited news for the month of March this combined report is hereby presented.

The (Board) ballot count was completed without a single mention of chads, dimples, recounts, appeals, etc and the results are as follows: newly elected to the Club’s Board of Directors are: WAYNE SLAHOR, BOB VANIAN, and RICH JOHNSON. We thank them for volunteering to contribute to the Club’s ongoing activities. This is RICH’s second stint on the Board and he served as Club President way back in 1980. Serving their third year of membership on the Board are: RICH HAMILTON, ED WALDMAN, and KEN MORRIS and serving their second year are: MICHAEL BERRY, CHRIS LAHR, and JIM KONZAL. Outgoing members are RICHARD KEESEE, BRENT CLINGMAN, and STEVE WILLIAMS. Many thanks to these three for their three years of contributions.

The Official slate of Officers was determined by the Board at their Annual meeting held on Feb. 20^th, the third Tuesday of the month. The results: President: DAVE VERDUGO, 1^st Vice President: KEN MORRIS, Secty-Treas: JIM KONZAL and 2^nd Vice President: SKETE SIMMONS

Congratulations to DAVE VERDUGO on being elected to an unprecedented third term as President of the Marlin Club. DAVE states he has learned from his past experiences and is looking forward to leading the Club this coming year.. He extends his personal thanks to the outgoing members of the Board and looks forward to working with the new Board.

Further Board action indicates that various committee Chairmen have been designated. A preliminary list:

Couples Tourn: TROY & SHERA GRANT

Web Site: DENNIS ALBERT

Photography: BERNIE JAFFE

House Comm: DAVE VERDUGO, WAYNE SLAHOR

Conservation Comm: RICH JOHNSON, JON EPSTEN, MARTY MORRIS

AWARDS DINNER: The Club held our annual Awards Dinner on Feb. 3 at the Bali Hai restaurant. Over 100 persons were in attendance. The new members of the Board were introduced and honors for 2000 were presented – as follows:

SANDY GRUWELL: Thomas Hoopes Trophy – 1^st Marlin of Season – Aug. 3 – 144 lbs.
D.D. Williams Trophy – 1^st Marlin by a Lady

BILLY MIYAGAWA, JR: C.J. Hendry Trophy – Largest Marlin of Season – Sept. 12 – 231 1/2 lbs.
Frank Belcher Trophy – Largest Billfish of Season
Norman McLean Trophy – Largest Marlin on Medium Tackle

GARY JASPER: Stanley Andrews Trophy – Largest Marlin by Member on light tackle – July 25 – 186 lb
Harbor Island Marina Trophy – Most releases by Man – 8
Mrs. W. A. Hoss Trophy – most releases on 30# tackle – 5
William A. Hoss Trophy – most releases on 20# tackle – 3

DAVID SCHLIEDER: Bonham Brothers Trophy – Largest Marlin by member on 3/6 Tackle-9-29-164 ½

STEVE BLEDSOE: Martha Barber Trophy - Largest Broadbill of Season – July 22 – 228 ½ lbs.

ROB EPSTEN: Shirley Blackman Trophy – Largest Halibut of Season – 36 lbs-15 oz.

"WAIT ‘N SEA": Frank L Hope Trophy – Most Marlin Tagged & Released in Season – 14
Al Penrose Trophy – Highest Championship Points in Single Day – 455 pts.

BUTTONS:
BILLY MIYAGAWA, JR. – Gold Marlin Button – Sept. 12 231½ lbs.

RICHARD KEESEE – Blue Marlin Button – Sept. 5 – 179 lbs.

SPECIAL PLAQUES:
DENNIS ALBERT – Creation and Maintenance of Marlin Club Website

RICH HAMILTON – Inception and Chairmanship of Offshore Invitational Tag & Release Tournament

WAYNE SLAHOR – Contributions to Club House Activities

ANTONE LAHR – Contributions to Club House Activities

The traditional annual Past President’s Prediction Poll forecasting the date of the First Fish (Marlin) of the Year (to be weighed in at the Club) was held. Of those in attendance the results were as follows:

NEW MEMBERS: Please add to your roster lists the following:

DICK & DONNA TEMPLIN, 5034 Gardena Ave., San Diego, 92110
Res: 619-276-5655 / Bus: 858-278-4545 "Miss Behavin" (42’)

COMING EVENTS: please find enclosed a schedule of events for 2001. Please note that the "Big Fish Tournament" is for the entire month of March. However, this is for dues paid members only (not the general public). And don’t forget that the winner will have his dues paid for the following year (2002).

The Club will be hosting a "Bluewater" seminar conducted by Rick Gaffney from Hawaii and Mike Sinclaire of Bluewater Magazine. They will present the hows, whens, and wheres of the Pacific’s hottest locations (including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, the South Pacific Island, Mexico and Central America) as well as tackle and techniques used for big game throughout these areas. The seminar will include a free raffle and is open to the Public at no charge. It will be held Wednesday, March 14^th at 7 P.M. at the Southwestern Yacht Club. Seating will be limited with a maximum of 120. Contact the Club at 222-8677 for details.

Attention: LADIES! The Club Hospitality committee, chaired by SHERA GRANT and BARBARA HOLMES, along with President DAVE VERDUGO , would like to invite you to a little get together at the Club on Saturday, March 10^th. This will be to discuss matters of concern to the Club and to get you girls more involved in the Club activities. Please see the enclosed flyer.

Also, please note the General (Annual) membership meeting which will be held on Tuesday, April 3^rd at the San Diego Yacht Club at 7:30. Please mark your calendar accordingly. This is an important meeting with presentation of proposed by-laws changes. We are trying to line up a speaker. There will be a free raffle of a $50 gift certificate at SDMX. Further information will be made available at the Club in the very near future.

And please note the Season Opening Potluck (aka "Sundowner") for June 15. We are in the process of lining up a speaker with a presentation on Kayak fishing. It is becoming more and more popular and he should be able to bring us right up to date regarding the state of the art. No, we don’t have a 1^st Marlin of the Year taken on a Kayak Award – yet! Rumor has it that SKETE SIMMONS has big ideas.

MEDICAL REPORT: We have been advised that BARRY ROCKWELL is doing fine after his recent surgery. He is doing so well that he has also announced his engagement. Congratulations on all counts, BARRY.

FISHING REPORT: Yes, the stories of ALBACORE were true with private boat and sportfisher ("Legend") catches reported at 105-110 miles on about a 180 degree heading. Part of the so-called "resident" population?" or part of an early migration? And the net boats working in the 302 area had reported taking an occasional 80-90 pounder. Time to get out the reelly deep trollers. Shouldn’t be long before a 1^st of the Year flag is claimed by someone. Not this one – too cold out there for these aging (and aching) bones.

NEW FEATURE: in coming editions of this, the Club’s newsletter, we will be having something new – "The Boat of the Month." Many members hear about and see reported the activities of other members and their boats, but, all too often, are not that familiar with the individuals concerned. Therefore, each month we would like to present to you a photo of a member’s boat and a little write-up about the boat’s vital statistics, owners, history and even some of the outstanding fishing achievements. If you are interested in getting a little "ink" simply send us a photo of your boat with as much information as you might wish to include. Send this to "The Gaffline" care of the Club, 2445 Shelter Island Dr., SD 92106. If we don’t hear from you – better get a "caller ID" for your phone.

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P.S. Have you paid your dues yet? Dues are due by March 31^st. 

 Give a man a fish,

for a lifetime.

(Chinese proverb) 

MARLIN CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
2445 SHELTER ISLAND DRIVE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92106