Welcome aboard to Russell Potter, the Club's newest Board Member!  Russell and his wife Sherry have been actively involved in the Club since 2007.  Not only do they volunteer at all Club events, Russell has been instrumental on the Corporate Sponsorship Committee securing new Corporate Sponsors and donations for the Club.  As a matter of fact, we can all thank Russell for helping to secure the much needed air conditioning for the Lone Star Saloon at the Lone Star Shootout!!  

Congratulations to Founding Club Member John Richardson!  John has been awarded a World Angling Record for a catch of the heaviest fish of a species in an approved line class category by the International Game Fish Association.  The World Record was accomplished by catching a 64 pound 4 ounce Yellowfin Tuna on M-02 kg (4 lb) line in Pinas Bay, Panama on June 9th! Way to go John!

One determined angler! We would like to extend a special thank you to Club Member Pat Wallace.  When the 2011 Lone Star Shootout was just days away and the seas were 6-8 feet, Pat, along with his sons and a couple of good friends jumped in their 43' Viking Express and headed to Port O'Connor to fish the tournament.  Pat had not even entered the tournament yet, ignored the rough seas and came to fish against his fellow "A" Dock friends.  Fishing aboard one of the smaller boats in the tournament, Pat showed his support for the Club and we think this should not go unnoticed.  Thanks Pat and Crew!

Texas A&M Galveston Professor Tim Dellapenna has been awarded a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife for an artificial reef named Vancouver Reef located about 10 miles from Freeport.  The grant was awarded to expand and enhance the reef for future generations of marine life.  Once finished, the reef system will provide new living areas for a variety of marine organisms and create a new playground for divers to explore.  It will also provide excellent shelter for fish in the area.  The project is scheduled for completion August 2012.

The Billfish Foundation is launching a pilot study on the socio-economic benefits of billfishing in the US Gulf of Mexico.  The Survey-based study, beginning October 1, 2011, will analyze two economic focus areas: 1) tracking billfishing-related expenditures and the way that funds filter through the economy, and 2) determining the nonmarket value of billfishing activities through evaluation of anglers' willingness to pay for the characteristics that drive their fishing preferences.  We are happy that the Billfish Foundation has requested the Club participate in the pilot study.  TBF hopes to use the results to raise the profile of billfishing in the Gulf and leverage the results to formulate policy.

Mark your calendar for the Annual Fall Mixer!  The Mixer will be held on November 10th at Sam's Boat in Seabrook.  Further details to come next week!