President’s Letter - February 2024
Greetings Surfcasters,
For the last 12 years (excluding one COVID year) the club’s annual Demo Day has been a feather in our collective hats. Our first Demo Day back in January 2012 was the cumulative effort of our then club President Bill “Billy D” Delizio. With an organized effort that first Demo Day has grown to a regionally attended event. This year’s Demo Day went without a hitch (well, no PA system - but it did not seem missed). Around 40 exhibitors packed into Clinton Town Hall Green Room, and twice – at 10 and 12 noon - filling the back lecture Rose Room, from Long Island, Billy “The Greek” Legakis. For five years long time CSA member Greg McNamara worked getting The Greek as a Demo Day featured speaker. Great effort Greg. The Greek was enthralling when not giving us belly laughs. Our club members were well represented demonstrating surf fishing topics. Every exhibitor was coordinated by immediate past president George Baldwin. So too every aspect of the intricate room setup being managed by past president Billy D. If you enjoyed an egg/cheese/bacon sandwich or a hot dog then thank club members Tracey Baldwin and Rosie Greider.
Keep in mind Demo Day has grown to be a regional event. At one point I walked out to my car parked next to other vehicles with CONN., NY, NJ, RI, PENN and MASS plates. Take pride that your local surfcasters club has regional exposure. There has been interest shown by the Montauk Surfcasters, Narragansett Surfcasters, Hudson River Anglers and a couple of New Jersey organizations asking to participate in our surfcaster community efforts.
Attend a monthly meeting. Be aware that the schoolie and cow raffle prizes are a result of generous donations by Demo Day exhibitors. Many of our monthly speakers are initially recruited at Demo Day. Demo Day results in new memberships, a year’s worth of raffle prizes and a lifetime’s worth of new friendships.
Our next Demo Day will probably be Saturday, January 18, 2015. There is no rest for the weary. Our upcoming February 21 executive board meeting will be addressing our next demo day in just 11 months.
Tight lines everyone,
V. Mike Simko
CSA February 2024 Membership Meeting
Wednesday February 7th at 7:00 pm at the Madison Old Town Hall.
Bill is a surf fishing guide from Long Island. He'll be speaking about how to “Read the Water” and what it’s like to fish Montauk. Quite a few CSA members have gone out fishing with Bill to learn how to fish Montauk and the beaches nearby. He is a very enthusiastic fisherman, to put it mildly. And he likes to talk about fishing to anybody interested in the sport and he really knows what he’s talking about. You won’t want to miss this guy. Be there Wednesday night.
Upcoming Events - want to know when and where to see these legends? Better join the CSA!
Below is a list of topics, speakers and activities we hope to get involved with throughout the months ahead. If you have any further ideas of topics you’re interested in or speakers you’d like to hear from, please bring them up at a monthly meeting or speak to Pat Abate, Mike Simko or members of the board. Your input may be just what we need.
Dave Peros, fishing guide around the Elizabeth Islands and writer. Surfcaster, boat and fly fisherman who has spent a lifetime on Cape Cod. He’s committed to speak.
Steve Gressak, an encore and updated presentation on how to fish the simplest of lures and the complexities the presentation. If you’ve ever fished next to Steve when he’s throwing bucktails it’s an almost humiliating experience. He’s committed to speaking.
Mike Wade, owns Watch Hill Outfitters. He’s going to speak about surf fishing the Watch Hill area. He said he’d be honored to speak.
Swap Night, a meeting where members can buy, sell, give away or trade fishing related items.
Boot Camp, a member round table on the love hate relationship with our foot ware. Let’s all bring in our boots and share what our experiences with boots has been and what modifications we have made.
Dave Anderson, he gave a very insightful presentation at our October meeting. He said he’d like to speak to the club next year on a non related surfcasting subject.
My Favorite Rod and Reel, a member round table on the one outfit you love the most for shore fishing. It can be a fly rod, albie outfit or any combo you use from shore.
Pat Vogt, long time member AKA weakfish whisperer to count on him for a program that’s on the bucket list of many members.
LOADING CORDELL REDFINS by George Baldwin
7” Cotton Cordell Redfin I always carry a light one (Bone or Smoky Joe) and a dark one (Blurple, but black works just fine)
Split Ring Pliers Hansom makes my favorite model, and can be ordered through ZeeBaas.
Want the step by step How-To instructions? Active Members get the full story!
February 2024 SUDS Monthly Newsletter also had submissions such as:
Fly Line Review by Dave Nguyen
Letting Go and the Long Road Back By Pat Vogt
CSA February Skies By V. Mike Simko
Members in good standing get the full SUDS email with these submissions and more!