The August OCA meeting was attended by 25 members and friends. We had a great Guest Speaker, Eric Schindler, ODFW Biologist and Ocean Sampling Project Leader. Eric is a lead person in ODFW in establishing ocean salmon fishing regulations for commercial and recreational salmon anglers. OCA members had a lot of questions for Eric and after one hour he had surpassed all other previous speakers for endurance. Eric believes that the reason we’re not catching many Coho out of Winchester Bay is that they are feeding many miles off shore. I thanked Eric for coming to our meeting from Newport on short notice, well done.
Old Business; We discussed many aspects of the OCA Banquet, all good news. Including OCA dues paid since the beginning of June, the Banquet grossed $12,856.70. The banquet is as much a fund raiser, as it is a membership drive. A check for $3,531.15 was sent to Jim’s Coach House for catering, however that check has not been cashed. Although, there are some other expenses associated with the banquet, OCA did very well. We owe this success to our generous donors and the OCA volunteers who made it all possible, great job everyone.
New Business; The annual Business Meeting and BBQ is scheduled for September 15th at the Marina Activity Center. This is a popular meeting and past attendance has exceeded 80 members and guests. The main business is the election of OCA Officers and the fun are the delicious meals brought by members to share. Volunteers are needed to make the event a success. I asked for volunteers for Set up; Jim Kingsley, Doug Buck, Tom Wells and Bill Hennig volunteered, Cooking; Jim Kingsley, Tom Wells and Fred Babcock volunteered, Clean Up; Jim Kingsley and Skip Rosenbalm volunteered. We will need two propane grills and three crab cookers and a few additional cooks. Available for all will be steamed oysters, grilled hamburgers and sausages with buns and condiments. Members are asked to bring a dish to pass. Last names beginning with A – H, bring Appetizers, I – Q, Salads and side dishes, R – Z, Desserts. This is the best social gathering OCA has.
As a member of the Groundfish Advisory Panel, Pacific fisheries Management Council, I will be at the September 7 – 13 meeting in Boise, Idaho. All expenses are paid by the PFMC. I will give a report at the October OCA meeting.
OCA members approved the acquisition of a projection screen and stand. This will give us more flexibility in making presentations and supporting guest speakers. I have the projector and PC.
The meeting concluded with the raffle and Fish Stories. I told attendees about my recent bottom fishing adventure with a fly rod. I brought the fly rod for a show and tell demonstration.