. Every year for the past 25 years the MA/RI Council has sponsored this event at the Army Corps of Engineers campground along the Westfield River.
TU members from across Massachusetts and Rhode Island can camp out and fish the river for no charge all weekend, leaving Monday at noon. On Saturday afternoon there will be a barbecue sponsored by the Council open to everyone for no charge. The Council will have it's business meeting before the barbecue.
Weather over the years has varied from summer-like to snow. The river, depending on the rain and temperatures, can be in good order, or not. Usually there is good fishing to be had. If not, there's plenty of good fellowship, with a bonfire held on Saturday evenings.
This year, on Saturday afternoon, there will be a raffle and auction with some incredible prizes. The Council made one of its largest expenditures ever this past spring, collaborating with the Chapters in the Council to help the Franklin Land Trust purchase the Crowningshield parcel along the West Branch of the North River. This raffle and auction will be for the specific purpose of helping the council recharge its financial battery, and give it the ability to take advantage of other opportunities like this that are sure to arise in the future.
Included in the prizes will be two sets of Red Sox tickets, guided trips on the Swift River, one by noted poet and angler Gary Metras from the Pioneer Valley Chapter. We will have a float trip on the Deerfield by one of the experienced hands on the river, Chris Jackson. Council Chairman John Troiano is going to guide a trip for the hex hatch on the Wood River in RI. A Peak Dawn Anglers trip guided by Boston Chapter President Fred Jennings, who grew up fishing the marsh in Ipswich he now guides on and has for the past 20 years. Fred is well-known for using light weight rods to tame schoolie stripers. Have Fred explain to you what Peak Dawn means.
We'll have large numbers of fresh and salt water flies, and several unique items, including some incredible gourmet baked goods just perfect for dessert around the campfire.
Finally, Boston Chapter member Vincent MacFarlane has made an incredible donation of a week's stay at his family home in Margaree Center between September 19 and 25, 2015. The house can more than comfortably accommodate four anglers. In addition to the week's lodging, there will be three days of guiding for Atlantic Salmon on the Margaree River with noted Nova Scotia guide Robert Chaison. Robert grew up in and now lives in Cheticamp, and is one of the most enthusiastic salmon fisherman you will ever meet. He knows the Cape Breton rivers, including the Margaree, like the back of his hand.
And if that is not enough, the house sits right next to a river and a brook loaded with wild brook trout. The season for trout ends September 30, 2015 in Nova Scotia. Vincent reports having memorable days of fishing for trout right out the back door of the house.
Here is a description of the house itself and the location.
Four bedrooms in Upper Margaree, with a kitchen, living room, den,
bathroom. Linens and towels are supplied, as are dishes. There is a BBQ.
Vincent says, " The SW branch of the Margaree flows behind our house.
The river is great for Salmon fishing in the Fall and trout fishing
in May, June, July, August and September. There is a brook that flows along side the house and empties into the river. We are 10 min. away from world class golf courses and beaches in Inverness."
Aside from the time he has donated to TU, Vincent also rents the house and has time available in June, August and September. Contact him at: floodtide1970@yahoo.com.
Please bring your checkbooks, and be generous. IOUs will be accepted if you are caught short of cash.
Please let the members of your chapter know about this raffle and auction, and please post on your chapter web sites.
If you would like to make a donation to this raffle, and auction at Indian Hollow, which would be greatly appreciated, please contact Peter Schilling at pmacds@aol.com or 508-540-2045. Or, if you'd like more information, please call.
