President's Message - December 2009: Another Year...
by Rob Burlingame, AFF President
I have just returned from another self inflicted, turkey induced weekend coma visiting family in East Texas. It is a trip I look forward to every year, with an almost family reunion atmosphere. It’s also a time to catch up with family and share the joys of the past year as well as a subtle reminder that Christmas is just around the corner.
As is tradition, it also means that the AFF Christmas Party is coming up quickly. This year’s party will be December 13th at Alamo Café. If you have not already signed up for the party, let one of the officers know that you plan to attend so we can make sure there is room! More on this later.
This has been an interesting year in South Central Texas to say the least, with a warmer than usual winter, one of the hottest, driest summers on record, followed by steady rainfall the past few months. Low water plagued the rivers, red tide hit the coast and I can’t seem to recall any of the “named” storms with much of a local impact. Fishing was interesting, but always seemed to work out. I never knew how true my article from last January (Perseverance) would be. Maybe I will rewrite this January’s to something like “Easy Fishing!” Things are looking promising for the Guadalupe as we get deeper into trout season. Hope you are all able to find the big holdovers I keep hearing about!
As a club, we have been very active this year and have stayed true to our mission, especially on the public outreach, conservation and volunteer efforts. I plan to outline the successes of the club more in depth at the Christmas party, but a few things we should all be proud of include:
• Active participation in high school outdoors classes, introducing the next generation to our fine sport
• Our support of TPWD with their efforts at our local parks
• Fish stocking for the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center
• Participation in a phenomenal Project Healing Waters outing for wounded soldiers
• Helped to organize the first ever Lydia Ann Fly Master’s Tournament, donating over $5000 to Casting for Recovery
• Provided a number of river helpers for Casting for Recovery weekends
• We were awarded the first ever Club trophy for the Redfish Rodeo tournament
• Members of our club were instrumental in helping to move the FFF Gulf Coast Council Conclave to New Braunfels for next year
This is only a small list of the great things that happened this year in the Alamo Fly Fishers. Make sure you come to the Christmas party to thank all of those who were instrumental in making this one of the best years to be a part of the club. As always, the party will host a great selection of raffle and silent auction items donated from our loyal and invaluable supporters. Make sure you get some raffle tickets and show up to bid at the silent auction. There are always great deals and great prizes!
As we wrap up this year, it is with mixed emotions that I have accepted to remain as president of the club for 2010, since Javier will not be able to move into the role due to work conflicts. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue to lead, though I was looking forward to the new ideas that Javier would certainly have brought to the club. We will announce and vote in the full slate of new officers at the Christmas party. I am excited with some of the changes being made and look forward to an even better 2010 for the club! Be sure to thank the outgoing officers next time you see them. They have worked extremely hard this year, many times behind the scenes, to make the Alamo Fly Fishers the great club that it is!