FFIM Spring Conclave raises $5000 for MDIFW & RRGSA
The 4th Annual FFIM Spring Conclave was held on June 17 and was yet again
a great success. Though attendance was down slightly at 40-50 anglers,
the group made up for it in passion for the resource and education,
raising $5000 to benefit the MDIF&W Wild Brook Trout Study on Chamberlain
Lake, and the RRGS&A "Live the Legend" 1st annual youth camp.
FFIM-ers
from as far as Wisconsin started arriving on Friday afternoon, fishing
there way up to the beautiful Natanis Point campground at Chain of Ponds.
Folks filtered in and out of the camp "auction house" on Friday night,
where Ken Beaulieu had set up the vast array of Silent Auction and Raffle
items. Also on hand was some fine mini-kegs from Gritty McDuff's brewery
to be sampled. Artwork, fly rods, flies, clothing and more were laid out
for all to gawk over. At 8:00 PM, Casey Jackson, a student from the
University of Maine gave a presentation on her juvenile fish study in the
Rapid River. Casey tagged juvenile Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon and
Smallmouth Bass with radio tags in order to learn about their movements
and interactions over the course of a summer. I was very impressed to
find out that Casey had specifically chosen UMaine for her Master's
program for the opportunity to work on this very project. Cool stuff,
thanks Casey. Proceeding Casey's presentation, Shelby Rousseau of the
RRGS&A gave a quick update on the Rapid River Coalition's latest
activities. Activities dispersed back to Site #15 (Boneylegs and his Taj
Mahal pop-up camper and canopy) for some evening fish tales and fine
scotch.
Folks headed out in different directions Saturday morning. Ken B, myself
and my friend Matt headed off for a morning of pond fishing and found a
few eager little (emphasis on little) wild brookies in some new water. We
even bush-wacked and paddled up into a hidden bog on good word from a
trusted source that some nice fish may be had there. The just must have
been sleeping that morning.
Back at the "auction house" at Natanis Point Tim Obrey arrived right on
time at 12:30 for a lunchtime presentation on some previous Brook Trout
studies on oligotrophic lakes (say that 10 times fast). We definitely
appreciate Tim driving all the way up to Chain of Ponds to meet with the
group, and we very much look forward to the tagging study being done this
fall with some of the funds raised at the Conclave.
After many folks being out fishing on Saturday afternoon, and others
feeding in and out of the "auction house" to get a gander at the bounty,
folks congregated at about 8:00PM for the closing of the silent auction
and the general raffle. I think it's safe to say that we had our best
selection of items yet for both the general raffle, which was particularly
sweet, as well as the silent auction. Thanks so much to all the sponsors
for their donations (see Raffle/Auction Items list)...we couldn't have done this without you.
With the Saco Salmon contingent not represented this year, it seems that
TU must have taken over the lucky streak. I think Jeff Reardon ended up
walking away with a fly box worth at least $300 and a new travel rod from
L.L.Bean, among other things.
On the other hand...in an example of extreme luck Justin Spencer (pushaw)
somehow managed to win BOTH the custom Kevin Little Bamboo Rod (plus a
guided day of fishing w/ Kevin and CFO reel w/ fly line from Mike Hold),
AND the North Shore Fishing Adventures Quebec Trip. Justin, I think you
ought to buy a lottery ticket this week as well -- and share your winnings
with FFIM :)
While I don't yet have all the numbers added up, I do know that the final
take when all is
said and done will meet or exceed our goal and the grant awards for this
year's recipients will be fully funded. Nice job everyone.
The fishing this year was also the best of any Conclave yet (for me at
least), as Ken B, Matt and I hit a beautiful "untouched" spot on Sunday
morning (Brian and Kevin would recognize it), and then Matt and I an
overnight on a mountain top pond on Sunday Night/Monday morning. Taking
an extra day off was definitely worth it.
Already looking forward to next year....
Past Conclaves:
 Spring 2003 - Greenville
Spring 2004 - Rangeley
Spring 2005 - West Branch Penboscot
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Natanis Point
Campground Office
"Auction House"
View from Campsite
Exploring Saturday Morning
Ken B Prospecting for Trout
Just Hangin' Out
Raffle Time
Ken B at a secret spot
Matt found fish
So did I
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Spring 2006 - Conclave Recap
