HARBOUR ROD & REEL CLUB 2005
History Report Submitted by Marilyn Henson, Historian
On January 9,2005, the Harbour Rod & Reel Club held its n” Annual Awards and Installation Brunch at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club. There were 90 members and guests for the brunch, which was organized by Julie Huniu. Outgoing President, Norm Huniu, thanked the members and the board members for a great year. Bob Mandie installed incoming President, Mike Raemer and the Elected Officers and Board Members for 2005 were installed as follows:
Following the installation of the board members, NOIm Huniu awarded fish story gag gifts and Rob Henson awarded the trophies to the 2004 top anglers of our club.
February 25th was the annual Chili Cook-offwith the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club. There was a great turnout of both HHYC and HR&RC members and friends and lots and lots of chili at the joint event. Mike Raemer co-chaired this event. Our own Joyce Zimmerman came in 2nd Place and Max Fellows took 4th Place with their fabulous chili.
Way to go Joyce and Max! Also, thanks to judges Steve Kimbrough, Norm Huniu, Dave Farley and Peter Fellows for eating all that chili and picking their favorites.
On March 5th and 13th, the second annual Butts and Bagels fishing tournament was held. On the first day, Bill Woodard’s “Fish n Fun” was high boat with three shorts. High angular was Cindy Wentworth with two shorts. But on the second day, the halibut were jumping in and out of the boats! Rob Henson’s “Bite Me” captured high boat honors with four legals including Mako Matt’s 1 sf Place 30.6 lb. halibut and Alex Halperin’s 2nd Place 14.9 lb. halibut. Tom Pack’s 11 lb. halibut came in 3m Place on the “Juscor”. Thanks to the captains and crew of Retriever, Boston Whaler, Kristi Lee, Game On, Fish n Fun, Shamrock 36, Bite Me, Red Triangle, Reel Busy, Sea Rose, Juscor and Rock & Reel for making this tournament a keeper.
On March 16th, Michael Elias, author of “Pursuit of the Grander”, spoke to 24 members and friends about his experiences of chasing a 1000 lb. marlin.
Dave Ichinaga of “Phantom Charters” talked about catching White Sea Bass at the April 14th seminar. 50 members and friends enjoyed the Chinese food dinner and serrunar.
April 15th -17th was the first annual White Sea Bass Tournament. Only two White Sea Bass were caught and Doug Daniels caught the very first one and captured the 1 st Flag as well.
The annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, which is a joint activity with the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, was held on Seis de Mayo this year. A great crowd was on hand for all of the festivities. Rafael the Magician entertained the crowd and Senor Woodard also got into the act!
On May 19th – 23m, 52 club members, family and friends made their way to Palmas de Cortez for the annual fishing trip on the East Cape. On this trip, what happens on the East Cape stays on the East Cape. Thank you Norm and Jessica Parker for again chairing this event.
On June 16th, Dave Strege, who is the “Orange County Register” outdoor columnist and author of “Celebrity Fish Talk”, shared his fish tales about fishing celebrities with 47 members and friends at the BBQ dinner seminar.
On July 30th and 31 st, the club had a combo Sand Bass Fishing and Family Fishing Event tournament. Red Triangle, BreaKaway, Reel Busy, Striper 21, Kristi Lee, Retriever, Sparkler and Rock & Reel fished the Sand Bass tournament. Fishing the Family Fishing Event were Red Triangle, Fish n Fun, 18′ Robalo, Reel Busy, Striper 21, Retriever and Rock & Reel. Mako Matt’s boat won the Sand Bass Tournament and Peter Fellows won the Family Fishing prize for most species (18) and for a 15 lb. lingcod. About 30 members and friends regrouped at the yacht club for dinner.
The sixth annual Annie Get Your Rod Ladies Tournament was held on August 14th. Fifteen lady anglers on six boats were all on time for the shotgun start at the entrance to the harbour. Melissa Kimbrough was the event captain and Melissa awarded prizes to the lady anglers throughout the day. The top lady anglers were: Joyce Woodard, Kristin Potter, Erin King, Crystal Crooymans and Cinta Masterton. The most species award went to the Retriever. Thank you to all of the ladies who fished (and their crew!) for making this tournament a true ladies day. Following the great day of fishing was dinner for 36 at the yacht club.
On August is”, Bob Hoose, of Pure Fishing Tackle Company, presented a seminar on light line fishing techniques, which included the dropper loop and the strongest knots.
The Master Angler’s Bi/ljish Tournament was held on September 16th_18th. New member Dan Koon and his boat “Delfina” won the Tuna Division tournament with a 26.6 lb. tuna on 12 lb. test that his dad, Brad caught. Yea Brad! NOlIn Parker took 7th Place with his marlin caught on 12 lb. test. Doug Bannister and Dave Preston also caught marlins on 20 lb. test line. This year there were 55 boats and 220 anglers in the tournament. The boats entered from our club were: Island Princess Too, Hot Reels, Fiesta, Retriever, Delfina, Finhunter, Escape from Gailketraz, Katie B, Rock & Reel, Reel Time 2, Double HookUp and Tapped Out. Thanks to all the captains for entering their boats and representing HRRC in this tournament.
October 7th _9th was the HR&RC Offshore Tournament chaired by Matt Potter. Since lobster season just opened, lots and lots of bugs were caught on this weekend.
Mike Gardner, author of “Fish Don’t Have Hands” presented the last seminar of the year on October 20th. He spoke to the crowd about using light lines for in-harbour fishing.
The Kid’s In-Harbour Fishing Derby was held on Sunday, October 23th. Fifteen kids on five boats were in the harbour at 7:00 a.m. Dave Farley and his crew of Bruce Masterton and Mako Matt on Matt’s boat the BreaKaway passed out scorecards, tackle, live anchovies and ghost shrimp to the kids. After all of the fishing was done, Sharie Sneddon grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch at the yacht club. Then came the awards. Braden King and Cameron King won in the eight to thirteen age group.
Eric Henson’s friend Cameron won for most unusual catch. Eric Henson won in the 14 to 18- age category and Eric’s friend Ryan won the biggest fish award.
This years Casting Contest and Outreach Fund Raiser Brunch had a little twist to it on November 13th. To help raise funds for the Outreach program, John Ulrich was in charge of inviting back past winners of the annual casting contest for the First Annual Invitational Casting Tournament with betting on your favorite caster. Participating in the tournament were Kathy Bayless, Dave Brackman, Dave Farley, Marilyn Henson, Don Miller, NOlin Parker, Bob Ross and Jeanette Ross. Dave Farley won with a hole-in-one, bull’s eye cast into the ring. Great job Dave! Members betting on Dave shared half of the pot with the other half going to the Outreach fund. This years traditional casting contest winners were Bobbi Farley in the ladies contest, Bob Ross in the men’s division and Eric Henson in the kids division. Bill Woodard made sure that members were buying raffle tickets and signing up for Silent Auction items. Thanks to all the members for being so generous and making this fun event a huge success!
Friday, December 2nd was the third annual Holiday Party at the yacht club. Katie Ulrich (#2 daughter of John and Cristi) and the “Surf City Singers” from the Academy of Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School entertained us with holiday songs. Katie sang a solo, which was most enjoyable to listen to! The Balloon Man from the Magic Castle made balloon sculptures for all of the kids and some for the adults, too. Santa gave presents to all of the younger members and friends at the party. All had a fun and festive time!
The following is a list of Harbour Rod and Reel Club’s Top Anglers of 2005. Congratulations to all!
