Fly Fishing In Maine

February 4, 2012 - 3:57 pm

Spring 2006 - Conclave Recap

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: