Special Events

Kiwanis Fishing Day with the kids - April 26, 2008. Click here for story and pictures.

TRIP 1: South Holston - November 29, 30, December 1 and 2, 2007. We have room for a total of 12. We will rent the same cabins as before with an estimated cost of $35 to $40.00 per night per person. Meals will be done as before. I need to confirm reservations by October 24, 2007 so please let me know as soon as possible if you are going. I will need a head count as soon as possible to book the cabins if you wish to go. You can stay the whole time or choose the nights you prefer. Those who have signed up so far are: Dick Vipperman, Danny Goins, Dover England, David Veccellio, Bill Nunnally, Jack Ward, Joe Nawrocki, Lane Hudson, Bill Bainter, Jim Collins, Robert Mareck, Ken Seagle, Ron Herring and Jon Wilson

TRIP 2: Meadow Lane Lodge, on the Jackson River in Bath County. We have room for a total of 11. This trip will be March 14 and 15, 2008. The cost will be around $125.00 per person for two nights and includes rod fees. Meals will be done as before on trips and will be decided close to the time of the trip. We also need to confirm the head count as soon as possible to book the cabins. Please contact Jon Wilson by email or telephone 580-3731 as soon as possible if you plan on going. Those who have signed up so far are: George Kesler, Dover England, Lane Hudson, Jack Ward, Robert Mareck, Dick Vipperman and Jon Wilson

Trout Heritage Fishing Day and Kids Fishing Derby, Waid Park, Rocky Mount, Saturday, April 7, 2007.

Anke and Hans again represented The Roanoke Chapter of Trout Unlimited in assisting the Franklin County Parks and Recreation people and others with their Trout Heritage Fishing Day and Kids Fishing Derby on the Pigg River in Waid Recreation Area in Rocky Mount on Saturday, April 7 from 9am to 12noon.

Franklin County provided a table and a big "Trout Unlimited" banner. We provided some TU related handouts, did some fly tying and some casting.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. It was cold, barely above freezing, windy and occasionally a few snowflakes were flying so neither fly tying nor casting created much interest. At least it did not rain, but the table canopies blew away in some of the sudden wind gusts.

The cold weather,however, did not deter the brave hardy old geezers that every year elbow their way into the part of the river reserved for the kids! Anyway, it appeared that most of the kids caught some trout, and prizes and pizza afterward were appreciated as the temperature climbed up to 36 degrees.

***Roanoke Valley Trout Unlimited, Chapter 308 annual picnic will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at Wiser Smith's in Craig County. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

This is an EARLY notification that we have again been invited to assist the Kiwanis with their annual Fishing Day with the Kiwanis. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at the Baptist Children’s Home in Salem . There will be a rain date in case of inclement weather.

The Kiwanis will stock a pond on the Baptist Children’s Home property with trout a few days before the event. Then, on the day of the event, underprivileged kids from several youth organizations will be bussed in for a half day of instruction, fishing, and picnicking. Most of the kids are under 10 years old, and for most of them, this will be their first fishing experience. Once the event is over, the kids will be taken back, with their fish, to their sponsoring organizations.

The primary activities that we will be involved in will be to provide some basic fishing instruction to the kids, to assist them as they fish, and provide some fish cleaning services. As we found out last year, this makes for a really fun day.

To give you some idea as to how the event is scheduled, the tentative agenda is as follows:

8:00 - 9:00 am     Preparation and setup
9:00 - 10:00 am     Children arrive, register, and go receive instruction 10:00 - 12:00 Kids fish
12:00   - 1:00         Picnic and awarding of certificates
1:00                       Children go home

A great lunch will be provided for all volunteers and there will probably be some hugs from the kids, especially the ones who catch fish.

So, mark your calendar and as the date approaches, more details will be provided. We will be doing signups as we get closer to April.

If you have questions call or e-mail Dick Vipperman at 772-0470 or dickvipp@aol.com

NOTE: As we discovered last year, this is a great couples activity. My wife, who does not fish, came along and she had a ball. She escorted kids from our group to the cleaning station with their catch while I worked with the others as they were fishing. We made a great team. So, get your spouse to come with you. Never let it be said that you never take her/him anywhere! Dick Vipperman