Hello again Bergen members

February was a short month but it was not short on club activities! We had 26 adults and kids partake in our Outing with the NJ Devils. Although our first place team dropped the decision to the Lightening, the event was a huge success! We also conducted a road trip to Anglers Paradise and Cabela's. Ten Bergen members met for breakfast and piled into a couple of cars to trek out to Pennsylvania. With Route 78 closed due to severe ice storms the prior days, we got to see a lot of countryside as we were guided by "stella", Steve Rusert's trusty in-dash GPS. Once again, we had a great time!

In club news, we are actively recruiting for new observers and the waiting list to get into our club is shorter than it has been in years! Our boater to non-boater ratios are in good shape but we like to have observers to avoid boaters having to flip. Nick will be conducting our first tournament draw at the March 15th meeting and we'd like to have a few new observers signed up by then. Flyers have been put in Ramsey Outdoors and were also handed out at the NJ Federation booth at the Suffern Show. If you know of anyone possibly interested, have them come to the next meeting. The Board will be meeting on the 11th and we will be finalizing plans for the Annual raffle and review some other outstanding items. We will be putting together packets that contain current By-Laws, Tournament rules, and rosters for each member.

With the Suffern Show behind us, spring is right around the corner. Although it may not feel like it just yet, before you know it, we'll be uncovering the boats, spooling on some new line and getting ready for a season filled with lots of promise. Personally, I'm looking forward to getting back onto Candlewood Lake, not just in the spring but also for the night tourney. It's been a couple of years since we've gotten permits and the Wednesday tournament will be a club first. I'm also looking forward to Sacandaga and catching dozens of smallmouth! Lastly, Champlain and Ticonderoga is always a club and personal favorite. Stinky Steve is going for a remarkable 5th straight Classic win. No one else has won more than two. With two prior victories out of Ti, everyone will certainly be gunning for Steve but my money this year will be on Pat VanWettering!

Remember, that if you are not at the meeting, you will not be included in the tournament draw unless you contact Nick directly prior to the meeting. I ask that everyone try to get there before 8pm. We've been starting these later and later as guys trickle in at 8:15 and even 8:30. The start time is 8 and I'd like to get back to starting on time so that we can all get home (or to Burke's) earlier! See you on the 15th!

Respectfully submitted,Mark Scocco
President - Bergen Bassmasters

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