FHFC BEACON ARTICLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2007

              Captain Gary Dubiel, Spec Fever Guide Service, spoke at our August meeting about the techniques required to be successful in luring and catching 40 to 70 pound Giant Red Drum fish here in the lower Neuse river and in the Pamlico Sound. Gary mentioned also that he will be out in the Pamlico from 9/5 to 9/8 with George Poveromo, Field Editor for the SaltWater Sportsman magazine. George and Gary will be here filming a show to be aired in early 2008 for one of George’s Sunday morning TV shows on ESPN2. Captian Gary was given a rousing round of applause for his contribution of a free fishing trip as a top prize for our Big Brother Big Sister fishing tournament held on June 9th. After Walt Meyer reminded everyone that he had booked Gary for a Big Red trip last fall and caught 9 of the big Reds, three groups of anglers booked trips with Gary for this year.

            Jerry Manfredi reported that we now had seven boats entered into our Big Red tournament which will be held on August 25th out of Whittaker Creek Marina. The Captain’s meeting is scheduled for August 22nd. Larry Knapp showed everyone the new license plates that we have for members for $10 each. Wayne Massetti passed out previously ordered fishing shirts and hats. Werner King reported on the July 28th Oriental Rotary’s Tarpon tourney that he participated in as one of their official Observers. Geoffrey Gable fished in the tournament with his Son and Daughter-in-law and hooked one Tarpon and landed a Citation 271/2", 8 pound Spanish Mackerel, lots of Bluefish and 10 “Pancake Tarpon” aka Skates.

            Wayne Massetti and Elmer Stenzel reported that our annual Pig Pickin’ and Auction is scheduled for Thursday, October 4th at Red Sail Park commencing at 4:00pm. The fare will be $7.50 per plate and all spouses and guests who want attend are invited. You need to get the money or check to Bob Armstrong or Wayne by the end of September so we can tell Smithfield how many people to plan for. Last year over 110 people attended the gala event.

             Our speaker for Wednesday, September 5th will be Jim Francesconi, Artificial Reef Coordinator, for the Resource Enhancement Section of the NCDMF. Jim’s presentation and video will be about North Carolina’s artificial reefs - Past, Present and Future with emphasis on our local reefs in the Neuse river. Dan Thallman won the 50-50 raffle.

                                                        Bob Bruggeworth

Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.        Source Unknown