annual TPO outing

[Magnet]

Hi gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to apologize to the committee for not being present at the meeting last night. For some reason I am not being able to send or receive e-mails via steeringcommittee@gmail.com
I have some additional information
Regarding the TPO get together.
We have chosen a venue called Frost Valley YMCA in the Catskills. It is sort of a central location as Justin had requested. They have 8 miles of private water on the Neversink river and various feeder streams. They will provide a continental breakfast and a hot lunch. A bag lunch is also available if we want. We have a pavilion reserved if it rains. We can also use a large tent for our gathering if we want which is in place on bisquit brook. The main property is in the west valley and they also have fishing in the east valley about 20 minutes away. They have accommodations for those interested in arriving the night before for additional cost. On the day of the event when we arrive they will give us a short orientation and provide maps of the river. They will also do a quick presentation on didimo and familiarize us with their wader and boot cleaning stations. We will get a wrist band and we are good till the end of the day. Aaron may be able to bring the Hardy rep in so we can see and demo their products. As far as activities aside from the fishing we are now at the point where some ideas are welcome from the committee. Frost Valley is interested in having exposure to guys like us as our web site provides them with access to their target audience. They will get some exposure when we promote our event. They offer a yearly usage membership for fishing hunting or hiking for $250.00. They have packages for accommodations which provides a nice secluded place to go for a weekend. They have 2 trout ponds and a stocked lake on the property. Our cost for each person is. $25.00 for the day and $10 dollars for lunch. Their normal day usage rate is 50 dollars. So it amounts to $35.00 per person including lunch. The date will be June 20th. The NY fishing license is required. I also still want to have TPO shirts made up. Justin suggested taking orders so we don't get stuck with a bunch of shirts. Possibly we can have them for the event. I have been in contact with a vendor so we can get this moving too as well. Frost valley will be e-mailing me some stream pictures and other information including prices for accomodations. They hope we can make it a yearly thing so we will see. So with this in place I would like to ask for some ideas from the committee as far as what activities we might have to help make it an eventful day.
Bob

[sholgate]

My wife has been there, she says it is beautiful.

Looking forward to both of us coming.

[Walshmiko]

Way to go Bob, Sound like its going to be a great day

[Magnet]

I would like to have some Davy Wotton product on hand so guys can see first hand what they can get on the TPO store. I know DW has a new DVD in the making so we can promote that as well. As I stated before Aaron can bring in the Hardy guy. We can possibly have a raffle benefiting the TPO site. We can have the drawing at the outing but I would like to open up the sale of raffle tickets to the membership at large. The prizes can be possibly donations from fly shops. We may need help soliciting and collecting these prizes. Just a thought to throw out there. Toad Hunter works for Cortland and could possibly do a demo for us. Tying demos are another possibility. Hopper from the site is a classic Catskill dry fly association member and he could possibly tie a few in the original authentic style. Aaron can get him there I think as they are fishing buddies. Thes are just a few of my thoughts. If you have any ideas please interject. Lastly, it is my hope that the culture of TPO can be enhanced by this event. We can become more than a forum and a free source for knowledge. With a little effort from a lot of people we can achieve and acomplish a great deal. Justin has alot of ideas and this event is just the first step.

[sholgate]

Awesome ideas, Magnet! I believe "building this culture" will have a very positive effect on the forum and "membership". If you are familiar with the area, you may want to include some camping opportunities or recommendations for those traveling. Just an idea.

Has this date been put on the regular site? Even if all the information is not finalized, you may want to get the date out there.

We (my wife and I) are really looking forward to it.

[Magnet]

Steve,
We havent said anything to the guys on the forum yet. Justin will prepare a mass email to all 1300 plus members. I will be helping him put together some information for the email. The activities for the event besides the fishing have not been developed as of yet. They do have camping, lodge accommodations and hotel style arrangements as well. It is a 6000 acre property. There is secluded fishing on the Neversink. No cell phone service but the do have land line access. Frank m205 from our site likes a camp ground called Butternut Grove. It has sites right on the banks of the Beaverkill. We had considered this place as our fall back option for the event. I dont know how far it is from the Frost Valley place though. The number there is 607-498-4224. Wwelz may know of this spot and come to think of it may be able to recomend othe camping spots as well.

[sholgate]

Is this on?

[Magnet]

Steve,
Yes it is on. We have resceduled it for June 26th because as Justin has insightfully pointed out that the date we had originally planned was fathers day. Justin has prepared a mass e-mail to be released to all the members soon. The only delay is the finalization of the presentation itinerary which we want to include in the e-mail. We appreciate everyones patience on this and will be releasing the information very soon.