Author: flyfishguy56

Harbor Island Projects and the Port Aransas Conservancy

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As discussed at the meeting last night, the Port of Corpus Christi has plans for a series of projects on or related to Harbor Island at Port Aransas including, a terminal for loading Very Large Crude Carriers and dredging the ship channel to 75 feet. The ecological impact of these projects and other related projects has many concerned. The potential long term impact on the environment generally and on sport fishing specifically cannot be estimated. A comprehensive explanation of the projects that are planned and the perceived impact on the area can be found at the Port Aransas Conservancy website https://portaransasconservancy.com.

25th Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup

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The 25th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Cleanup is slated for Saturday February 29, 2020 at the Padre Island National Seashore. This is the Silver Anniversary of this unique event. Volunteers are needed at Malaquite Visitor’s center no later than 8:00 AM on Saturday, February 29. Normal park admission will be waived for Cleanup participants – notify the park ranger at the park entrance gate that you are a cleanup volunteer.  Especially needed are volunteers with 4x4s willing to haul walk-in volunteers and also to pull trailers to the work area. If you are able to bring a trailer to haul trash off the beach, please do so! This event takes place rain or shine. Proper attire and footwear is strongly recommended – long pants, warm jackets, rain gear, closed-toe hiking-type shoes, etc. Work gloves, drinking water, and snacks will be provided down-island for the volunteers. Since its inception, more than 9925 volunteers have removed 2,876,000 pounds of trash from this remote and wild stretch of four-wheel-drive-only beach. While supplies last, we will also be distributing special commemorative t-shirts designed by Aug’s Art along with lunch at the conclusion of the event. Contact: Tyler Thorsen – Vice President – Friends of Padre for more information. Email: tthorsen@grandecom.net or 361 779 – 3044

PINS Beach Clean Up

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25th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup

 

Date: Saturday February 29, 2020

Time and Place: We ask that all volunteers show up no later than 8 am at the Malaquite Visitor’s Center parking lot. We will have Friends of Padre board members there by 7 am that morning to start lining everyone up. There is no sign-up.

What if we don’t have 4-wheel drive?: We always do our best to ensure everyone gets a ride down the beach. You my be riding with someone you don’t know, but what a great way to make new friends! Show up early if you need a ride. Once the trucks are down the beach, it gets harder to find rides for folks.

What time is the cleanup over: We try to have everyone off the beach by 2 pm, at the latest. There will be t-shirts and food for our volunteers at the conclusion of the cleanup.

Is there a backup date in case of bad weather: No! This is a rain or shine event. The amount of planning that goes into this event will not allow for rescheduling. Please make sure to check the weather ahead of time and dress accordingly. We’ll also make weather announcements as the event draws near and we have a better idea of what to expect.

Please check back regularly as the event approaches for updates. And don’t forget to share! https://friendsofpadre.com

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GRTU Tomorrow Fund’s third year raises more than $30K for youth programs

The attached article https://www.tu.org/blog/grtu-tomorrow-funds-third-year-raises-more-than-30k-for-youth-programs/ discusses the Tomorrow Fund established in 2017 by the GRTU to support’s TU’s Headwaters Youth Program. Headwaters provides support for outreach programs to kids of all ages. GRTU has pledged $10,000 per year for 10 years to the Tomorrow Fund. Individual donations can be made at http://www.tu.org/tomorrowfund.

TFF Forming Committee to Assist with Oktoberfisch

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Oktberfisch is a fly fishing festival that was started by the Fredericksburg Fly Fishers. There are vendors, educational opportunities, and of course, fishing. It is held in October every year in Junction, Texas at an RV park on on either the North or South Llano River for a number of years.

This year’s Oktoberfisch was October 18-20. It was well attended and the weather and fishing were great.

The Fredericksburg Fly Fishers have asked for other fly fishing clubs to collaborate with them in planning and putting on next year’s Oktoberfisch. We at TFF are accepting that offer and are putting together a committee to collaborate with the folks at FFF for next year. Based on conversations I had at Oktoberfisch, I am expecting other clubs especially, in Central Texas to follow suit. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please contact Steve Edwards at sedwards56@gmail.com.

TPW Magazine Urges Vote for Prop. 5 to Benefit State Parks

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The November edition of the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine urges voters to support constitutional Proposition 5 which would dedicate sales taxes from the sales of sporting goods to TPWD and the Historical Commission. “Dedicated appropriations would ensure a reliable and predictable source of funding to not only keep state parks and historical sites safe and in working order but also allow the two agencies to provide new outdoor recreational opportunities to meet the demands of a growing state.”