Something just struck me as funny. I noticed that I am called "the newest member". Even though I am probably one of the longest standing members around, being gone for 5 years, I don't hardly recognize but a few. The turnover of people, coming in and going out, really sets you back, when you think about it. How many of you remember Ed Shinkle having "heat stroke" at Scootney during weigh in, or, The TRUE Island Hoppers at Silver Lake, the fire racing down the shore at Potholes chasing down the campers (and catching them), The Jamboree (in all its glory) with the Trackers flooding and the boats sinking at the dock, wasn't around to see Phil shoot a hole through his boat, but, I've hunted with him, and, he is a "crack shot", so I am sure that was right where he was aiming! I remember "The Rev" asking me for "permission" to try and publish a story I wrote, and, 6 weeks later, got a $800 gift certificate from Bass Pro Shops, and a letter saying it would be published in Bassmaster Magazine, and it was. (November 1999 issue "Classic Bound"). Been at the tourney where Brian Walker ran around camp with a 10" black plastic worm drooped over his ear trying to swing his head around and catch it with his mouth. Think of Ed and Betty often, miss Scott Ramirez and all his shenanigans, Kirk, Liz and the "girls". I guess they are women now. Blew an outboard on Lake Whatcom, and was with Phil when he blew his. (Beleive me, when an outboard stops turning NOW, so does the boat) Steve Helmick gave me a 18 pack of Corona (gave it away after a year of "priming" in my fridge cuz I don't drink) for tugging his boat off the island, after we spent an hour in the fog looking for him. Then to find out, that he wasn't alone. Another boat had parked directly beside him ON LAND!!!!!! I've seen Larry go through 4 boats that I can remeber, and had a talk with Phil about how good a shape his is still in. By the way, was there at The Sportsman Show when Phil, begged Sue to allow him to get "The first Triton in Washington". Hunted Elk with Kirk, deer with Phil and will cherish the times I spent with so many of you. Had the HONOR to be welcomed into Phils Moms House (may she and Phils Dad rest in peace). Had a phenomonal year fishing the ABA with Phil, catching a 6#8oz Smallie at the Lake Washington Tourney, not entering "big fish". (That cost us $1800). Was wed by The Rev, and very discreetly taught alot by Larry Gonczy. He taught you something, every time you spoke with him (if you paid attention)! Won my first WBC Tourney at Banks in June with a whopping 8 pounds for two days. Been skunked a hundred times at Silver, but, my brother, whom I have fished side by side with for 42 years goes down there and smokes em'! How does that work? Anyway, just don't feel like a "new member", until the last club meeting. I didn't know 1/3 of the people there. Looking forward to finding out who all these guys are. I did enjoy The Silver Draw Tourney, met and "back seated" with two great guys, who really made me feel welcome. Heres to all the NEW GUYS and I raise my hat to The OLD! If I see you at the lake, a Tourney, or whatever and don't say "HI", it is not Ron being rude, I really don't know you! Please introduce yourself to me. See you all at Moses! Good Fishing! Phil, Brian, myself and Ron are heading to Silver to get skunked on Saturday, and "proof my "new" boat". I told Ron the only reason I like going down there, is because I always see deer on the way down!!!!! Good fishing to all of you! See ya on the water!! One more thing, can someone tell me how to view(and where) all the club photos that used to be on the site?
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