Wishing everyone a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Let's start the New Year by thanking the last year’s Board of Directors for a job well done. A special thank you to Dave and Anitra Gehrke, who are retiring after 13 years each of service on the board in various positions, including, Dave’s 2 years of exceptional leadership as the Club’s President. And, thank you to Cheryl Brandstrom, who is stepping down after 7 year’s of service as the club’s Membership Director. Gary Farrar will be Dave’s replacement as Historian. Janet Skaja will be taking over Anitra’s position as Recording Secretary, and Pat Stevens will take over as Membership Director. I want to welcome all three to the Board. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ron Parker, who has volunteered to continue in the position of Past President for another year. This year we are also adding a new Chair position. Monique Smock will be filling the new position of Facebook Coordinator. Those of you who did not attend this year’s Holiday/Awards Banquet at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo missed out on a truly wonderful event. Thank you again to Larry and Betty Allen for making this venue available to the club. Once again Ken Harrison did a great job as the banquet’s MC, and Karen Taylor, Betty Allen, Anitra Gehrke, with the help of Monique Smock and Simone Green, did a superb job decorating and coordinating the event. What has become a Holiday Banquet tradition, we all enjoyed a superb video of club highlights created by Carol and Ron Parker. You all did a great job making this year’s Holiday Banquet truly special.
The Escondido Trout Derby at Lake Dixon, held at the beginning of the month, was a huge success. Though the fish this year were smaller than the phenomenal catch from this year’s Kiwanis Derby, the Grand Prize winner still tipped the scales at a respectable 10.4 lbs., and many limits were taken. A great time was had by all those who volunteered. Those who helped at the Kiddy Pond were truly rewarded by the joyful looks on the faces of the young children pulling out blue gill from the pond. For many this was the first fish they ever caught. Thanks to all you who helped at this event.
On December 19th we had the first Fishing Challenge of the season. It was held at Dixon Lake. Great weather, a good turnout, topped off with a trip to a local Mexican takeout restaurant afterward, made for a great time. Ron Parker and Tony Smock tied for the winning trout. Their fish tipped the scale at 13 oz.
Local lakes are currently being stocked with trout. Now is a good time to give them a try. For some good trout fishing, there is still time to sign up for the Lake Yucaipa campout in January or the Lake Morena trip in February, but don’t forget your 2019 fishing license.
