Dear Members

As the Chapter picnic each year marks the unofficial end to the Iroquois Chapters year we should reflect on this years activities and accomplishments.

The 2016-17 year kicked off at the end of last June with the Board of Directors meeting with the membership and organizations with similar missions to discuss the future focus of Iroquois Chapter.  Members of the Chapter along with the Friends of Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery, Onondaga County Sportsmen’s Federation, Onondaga County Parks, and the Village of Fayetteville Parks Commission participated on a hot Sunday June afternoon to discuss ways for the Chapter to better serve our community and promote the importance of cold water fisheries.  Lots of great information came from that afternoon.

In the fall the Chapter followed through with its commitment to support cold water fisheries education by donating $5,000.00 to the Friends of Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery for the purchase of a new mobile tank / pond.  The tank / pond will be used by FOCBFH and Iroquois Chapter at events to educate adults and children in the importance and value of our fisheries.  All members of Iroquois Chapter should be proud of our commitment.

In late fall as the salmon started their run we all started our run and focus our on Tie One On 2017.  The planning process for this event consumes a tremendous amount of time and effort by our Board of Directors.  We owe Jim Froio, Dave Seifritz and Anthony Hyatt a huge debt of gratitude for the countless hours of their free time donated to this event.  All of our Board members including Mike Hyde, Nancy LoBello, Eric Stanzcyk, Paul Randall, Dave Tarr, Marty Ivery, and Ken Crane work hard to keep our Chapter vibrant.

By February the Tie One On and Chapter Banquet effort is in high gear securing vendors, sponsors, donations, tiers, venue planning and speakers.  This year “Big Jim” out did himself and secured the two top names in fly-fishing, Lefty Kreh and Bob Clouser.  March always comes in like lion with lots work and anxiety when it comes to Tie One On and final preparation for the Banquet.

These events could not take place were it not for the generosity of folks like Troutfitter, Malinda’s Fly Shop, Cortland Line Company, Orvis, Hardy, Regal, Partridge, Douglaston Salmon Run (DSR), Mickey’s Bait and Tackle, Temple Forks Outfitters, Douglas Outdoors, Badger Creek, Vinomania and Patricia (Sam) Decker.  Two very special organizations who each year have gone above and beyond helping us are Joe Fox / Dette Trout Flies and the Tailwater Lodge / Genesee Grande Hotel.  We also owe a huge thanks to the tiers who generously give of their time to participate in this event.  Without all of these peoples support our Chapters event could not happen.

So Saturday March 25th arrived and what a day.  The tiers were great, the crowd was record breaking, and all of the presentations were outstanding.  A lot of people went home winning great prizes and we all felt great.  But the best was yet to come, the Banquet.  As in the past our friends at the Genesee Grande out did themselves with a great meal and terrific service.  As I sat at the head table “Big Jim” was in a panic because Lefty was tiring.  We had to move the program along, heck he is 92 years young.  So we introduced “Lefty” and all of a sudden he starts telling one hilarious story after another.  Nobody in the room wanted him to stop.  What a great night thanks to Lefty and what a great banquet.

On a sad note this year also marked the passing of our good friend Jim Carncross.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers and thoughts.

Finally the June Chapter Picnic was a success with 45 attendees enjoying a little fishing, great food supplied by Dan Galloway, clams by the Hydes and good fellowship was had by all.  The evening ended with a huge surprise to me.  The Board presented me with a beautiful TFO rod signed by Lefty and Bob Clouser.  What an unexpected surprise and thank you so much.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my fellow officers Dave Seifritz and Anthony Hyatt for your 2 years of unending support.  To my fellow Board members, thanks for putting up with me and for all of your efforts to constantly make our Chapter better.  To “Big Jim”, thanks for all you do for the Chapter, the Federation and the FOCBFH.  To the membership thank you for allowing me to serve as your President.

In closing, I would ask those of you who haven’t joined us at a meeting or an event lately please consider doing so this year.  I would also ask that you get involved with your Chapter because many hands make for lighter work and the Chapter truly needs your participation.

Enjoy our beautiful streams this summer and may your lines always be tight.

Sincerely

Steve Brennan, President.