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Portsmouth Anglers Club Inc.

THE ANGLER Volume 251 September 2015

Page 3

Page 4

Page 7

Page 9

Page 10 & 13

Page 11

Page 14-19

In This Issue of The Angler

Fishing Report……………………………….

Pictures of Recent Catches…………………..

Letter to John Bull…………………………..

Stuff-a-Boat Toy Drive………………………

Sunshine Program July Trip…………………

Membership Renewal Form…………………

Sunshine Program…………………………...

PAC Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center

PAC Board Meeting, Simonsdale Civic Center

Tentative PAC Member/Guest Head Boat Trip

VBAC Flea Market

PAC Fish Fry

PAC Awards Banquet

Up Coming Events

September 21, 7pm…………………………

October 6, 7pm………………………………

October 3, 2pm-6pm……………………….

October 3, 7:30am - 2:30pm………………..

October 19, 5:30pm………………………..

March 19, 2016……………………………..

September Guest Speaker

PAC’s guest speaker for the September 21st meeting is Al Bunnell. Al is a widely known and respected

fisherman in the Hampton Roads area and will be speaking on one of his favorite species, “Puppy

Drum”. The meeting will be at the Simonsdale Civic Center, 5006 Vick Street, Portsmouth and will

begin at 7pm.

Welcome New Members

PAC would like to extend a warm welcome to our new member having joined our club in August

2015….

Michael Hamilton, Portsmouth, VA

Frank Tucker, Chesapeake, VA

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The Angler

A Publication of the

Portsmouth Anglers Club, Inc.

Editor Rob Jordan 757-488-9305

E-Mail address rtjordan@verizon.net

Webmaster Rob Jordan 757-488-9305

We encourage all members to submit articles

and pictures for publication in the PAC

Newsletter. Send your pictures and articles,

your favorite recipes, or anything that may be

newsworthy and informative to

rtjordan@verizon.net.

2015 Club Officers

President: Denny Dobbins 477-9156

Vice-President Charlie Cutchin 483-1643

Secretary Denise Harrell 488-9039

Treasurer Dot Oberlander 484-6564

Please visit the PAC website………..

www.portsmouthanglersclub.net

Christopher M. Heilman

Vice President, Financial Advisor

PAC Member SunTrust Investment Services, Inc.

757.436.4147

christopher.heilman@suntrust.com

For 7 years, Chris Heilman has been helping clients make the most

of their financial situation. That experience, paired with the broad

range of products and solutions offered by SunTrust Private Wealth

Management, will help him develop and implement a personalized wealth management strategy for each of his clients. Because his

goal, just like ours, is to help you shine.

Investment and Insurance Products: Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured*May Lose Value

SunTrust Private Wealth Management is a marketing name used by SunTrust Banks, Inc. and the following affiliates: Banking and trust products and services,

including investment advisory products and services, are provided by SunTrust Bank. Securities, insurance (including annuities) and other investment products

and services are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., and SEC registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed

insurance agency.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust and How Can We Help You Shine Today? Are federally registered service marks of SunTrust Banks, Inc. DGD162901-13 C

2015 PAC Membership

2015 PAC Membership dues were due on January 1st. Remember, to participate in club tournaments

and be eligible for club awards, your dues must be paid before you go fishing. For the remainder of

2015 NEW memberships are half price, only $15 for family memberships and single memberships are

$10. The cost of a family membership includes all household members under 18. PAC Membership

also includes The Angler, our monthly newsletter, and the free fish fry dinners held twice a year.

Please either mail your dues to the PAC post office box or bring them to the September meeting. Also,

include your email address so The Angler can be emailed to you. Emailing the newsletter saves PAC

money, you will receive your newsletter several days sooner. See page 11 for membership form.

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Although Labor Day marks the end of summer for many

folks, local anglers know it is not the end of the good fishing

for Virginia. The fall species will begin to earn more interest

as the waters cool and the summer favorites prepare to leave

for the season.

Flounder action is steady this week in the lower Bay. Flatfish

continue to gather at the mouth of the Bay in preparation for

migrating to deeper water. Folks drifting near the 1st and 2nd islands of the CBBT and near the small boat

channel are faring well with nice fish averaging to around 5-pounds, while working the areas near the third

and fourth islands of the CBBT with live bait has also been productive recently, with some scattered trophies

pushing to over 9-pounds landed this week. Boats working Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets are also finding a few

catches of decent keepers. Good action is happening on nearshore and offshore wrecks, where solid catches of

nice fish pushing to over 24-inches are taking fresh strip bait this week. By-catches of keeper seabass and big

triggerfish are also responding on these same structures.

Cobia are nearing the end of their reign in local waters as they move out of the lower Bay, but there is still

opportunity for some great action before they depart for the season. With some days better than others, both

chummers and sight casters are finding decent catches, with a few bruisers going to well over 60-pounds boat-

ed this past week.

Big red drum continue to delight anglers as schools continue to swarm on lower Bay shoals and near the

mouth of the Bay, where some reds were hooked near the 3rd and 4th islands recently. Surf casters are on alert,

with the drum bite in the surf along Fisherman’s Island on the rise. Look for big bulls to also show in the surf

off Sandbridge and near the Little Island Fishing Pier soon.

Spanish mackerel are still responding to trolled spoons along Sandbridge and Dam Neck, as well as around the

artificial islands of the CBBT, along with plenty of bluefish. There are also some rumors of a few king macke-

rel striking trolled baits a few miles off Sandbridge. Sharks are still a big event here, where a variety of toothy

critters continue to thrill anglers.

Speckled trout are a true question mark this season, but reports of scattered catches of mostly smallish fish

ranging up to around 16-inches in lower Bay protected inlets, Hungar’s Creek, the Poquoson Flats, Mobjack

Bay, and the seaside and Bayside areas of the Eastern Shore is encouraging. A rumor of a 6-pound citation

trout coming from Rudee Inlet this week has the hush-hush speck community buzzing. If this trophy fish is

confirmed, it will be the first gator trout caught in Virginia since the massive fish kill last February. Puppy

drum of all sizes are still coming from the surf lines off Virginia Beach, as well as Lynnhaven and Rudee In-

lets.

Nice sheepshead are still taking offerings over the tubes of the Bay Bridge Tunnel, along with a decent num-

ber of keeper sized tautog, but remember to throw them back until the 20th. Spadefish ranging to around 2 to 3

-pounds are still around the 3rd and 4th islands, although this action has slowed, but plenty of hungry trigger

fish are happy to take over.

Decent-sized spot are showing along the ocean front and the lower Bay shorelines, rivers, and inlets. Some

nice spot are available within both Lynnhaven and Rudee inlets on a moving tide, as well as off the Hampton

Bar and Ocean View areas. Medium-sized hardheads are also showing in these same areas, as well as along

the southern small boat channel.

Amberjack are still active on local wrecks, the Chesapeake Light Tower, and the Southern Towers through

October, with jack crevelle are also a possibility. Deep droppers are having good luck near the Canyon edges

with limits of nice blueline tilefish and jumbo seabass. Blackbellied rosefish, grouper, and barrelfish are also

adding to the deep water variety.

Offshore action is still very good, with the billfish bite escalating recently. Good numbers of white marlin and

scattered blue marlin are keeping boats busy. A few sailfish, spearfish, and swordfish were also reported this

week. Some 50-pound class yellowfin tuna and good numbers of bigeye tuna, along with big wahoo are also

possibilities. Dolphin action remains very good, with plenty of bailers and several gaffers over 30-pounds hit-

ting the docks. For more information, go to www.drjball.com.

FISHING

REPORT September 11, 2015

By: Dr. Julie Ball

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Pictures of Recent Catches

Each month I will try to publish pictures from PAC members of recent catches. Please email pic-

tures to rtjordan@verizon.net, with a brief description of who, where, what and when, and I will

try to include it in the next issue of The Angler. The pictures will also be posted on our new

website gallery.

PAC Headboat Trip

PAC is planning a head boat trip for PAC families and guests. The tentative date is October 3rd

from 2pm to 6pm. The trip will be limited to 40 people and will be free for members and guests.

Come to the September meeting for more information or check PAC’s website for updates.

Bart Tuthill and trout from Yellowstone River

Denny Dobbins and flounder

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www.priorityauto.com

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BARTLEY F. TUTHILL., IV, LTD.

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT

LAW

464 DINWIDDIE STREET

Portsmouth, VA 23704

(757) 393-6544 E-MAIL

FAX (757) 393-1916 barttuthill@hotmail.com

Bart Tuthill, P.A.C. Member

AD SPACE PRICES

Business Card size is $110 1/3 page ad is $135 1/2 page ad is $150 Full page ad is $200

PAC membership is in addition to ads and will run January thru December.

www.baypropeller.com

Email: bayprop@visi.net

Max Allen HOURS: MON.-FRI. 8:00-5:00

SAT. 8:00-12:00

Please support out advertisers!

Ask for PAC member Mr. Robert Salas

Merchandise Update

Hi Guys and Gals,

I’ve just added 12 new 3X short sleeve T-shirts to our inventory. We were out of that size. We

have a good supply of all sizes and colors. Come and see me at the next meeting and pick up a new

shirt and hat for your wardrobe. I’m sure you’ll find something that will make your day! Don’t for-

get we have the long sleeve T-shirts and sweat shirts available. I just don’t break them out since the

weather is too hot to wear them. All you have to do is ask and we’ll bring them out.

Additionally – start thinking about Christmas and the upcoming boat shows next year. If I get

enough orders for items that aren’t in the inventory, such as, zipper hoodies, hooded sweatshirts,

etc. our supplier can have them done within a couple of weeks. I like to give him orders of not less

than 12 items or it’s not worth his time to set up the screen print process for only one or two.

See you at the meeting. Dot Oberlander

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PORTSMOUTH ANGLERS CLUB, INC

SUNSHINE PROGRAM 1057 west rd. Chesapeake, Va 23323

August 1, 2015

John Bull

Re: Steve York

Sir:

Steve York has been a great addition to the Sunshine program. He has, as the attached pictures

show, instructed these young children from various backgrounds about the ecology of the Chesapeake

Bay, the marine life and being a good protector of the environment in general. He for an example

showed the children sharks and allowed them to touch the rough skin. He showed them a clump of

seaweed with all the creatures in it –a great hit with the children. He also, identified the many and

various types of fish they caught. On our last trip, when we were delayed, he went back on the dock

and instructed the children on what to expect and how to catch fish. This action kept the children en-

tertained while the boat was repaired and provided a great learning experience. Steve, by his actions,

left the children with a great community interaction showing how the law enforcement officer is a

friend and instructor not just the Man-- something these children needed most coming from an anti-

police culture. Steve is one of the best on the Marine Police force and we thank you for allowing

Steve to help us with this program.

Denny P. Dobbins

Director of the Sunshine Program

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Ask for PAC Member Ron Pierce

E-TEC

ron@ronsmarine.hrcoxmail.com www.ptrailerusa.com

USCG Vessel Examination

Even if you pay careful attention to safety, dan-

gerous mechanical problems can crop up on the

best-maintained boat. That’s why the U.S

Coast Guard recommends that all recreational

boaters (including personal watercraft users)

take advantage of the free Vessel Safety Check

(VSC) program every year.

VSCs are offered by experienced members of

the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United

States Power Squadrons, two of the nation’s

premier volunteer boating safety organizations.

A VSC is your best way of learning about prob-

lems that might put you in violation of state or

federal laws or, worse, create danger for you or

your passengers on the water.

Sarah Bremer, United States Coast Guard Aux-

iliary Flotilla 53 and PAC member, will be

glad to provide you with a courtesy inspection.

Call Sarah on 397-3659, and she will set up an

appointment to come to you and provide a free

USCG Vessel Safety Check.

www.mikeinsuresva.com

Mike D Livesay, Agent and

PAC Member

4355 Portsmouth Blvd.

Portsmouth, VA 23701

Bus: 757-673-0150

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Sea Tow Hampton Roads will be joining Sea Tow Services

International in a campaign this year to “Stuff-a-Boat Toy

Drive”. We will be collecting toys that are new and un-

giftwrapped. We are inviting local angler clubs to participate in

our Toy Drive. The only thing we are asking of club members

is to bring an unwrapped toy to your monthly anglers club

meeting in the months of October and November. Sea Tow

Hampton Roads will attend your meeting and collect toys. If

for some reason you don’t make the monthly meetings, you

can visit www.facebook.com/SeaTowhamptonroads for loca-

tions where drop-off boxes are available.

In the month of December we will take all toys and stuff a Sea Tow Boat and ask members of the

anglers clubs to join us for a photo. The toys will be delivered to The Marines for Toys for Tots. The

drop off location is still being determined at this time.

Every little bit helps and will make someone’s holiday a little brighter.

If you have any questions you may contact Ed or Karen Schrader at 757-496-1999.

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Sunshine Childrens’ Program Equals Flounder by John Meagher

On July 30, 2015, while fishing from the Head Boat Sally-T, children from the following groups: The

Step Higher Learning Center in the South Norfolk Section of Chesapeake, Boy Scouts Troop 210 Ports-

mouth, and the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office Scared Straight Program. What made this trip unusual was the

number of keeper flounder that were caught.

As the pictures show, the kids caught flounder from 19-inch to 22-inch size. Lieutenant Lou Williams,

PSO’s wife Louise caught her first keeper flounder. In past trips, we have been fortunate to have one

keeper flounder per event, but this trip was exceptional. See the pictures of the flounder caught, Steve

York Marine Police Officer and PAC Member, is shown in the photos’ below and made sure the flounder

were of legal size.

We also had a young man named Lavon (9 years old) who is in the fourth grade at Carver Intermediate

School, Chesapeake and a participate of the One Step Higher Learning Center directed by Linda Tucci

with assistance from Kevin Bruce. When I interviewed Lavon he informed me that he has been fishing

since age 8 and that last year as well as this year he has caught six or more different species of fish to

qualify for the Virginia Junior Angler Award Program sponsored by Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tourna-

ment a program of Virginia Marine Resources Commission. He has participated in Linda’s program since

age four. Linda and Kevin have both remarked on his desire to fish. In 2014, Linda had received his cer-

tificate signed by the Governor of Virginia and the Director of the Saltwater Fishing Tournament; he also

received a maroon hat with the shape of Virginia saying, “Jr. Angler” on it. She had this presented to him

in the presence of his family and others at the ceremony held in his honor. When I asked him what his

favorite past time was he stated, “Fishing and biking”. I asked him another question which was “What is

your favorite fish was to eat?”. He said, “Tilapia, and he loves to fish from the Head Boat and the Ocean

View Fishing Pier. Linda and Kevin told me that out of all the children that have been through the pro-

gram he is more inclined to fish than to stop to eat or use the restroom. When asked, “What his success

has been two years in a row making Junior Award status”; he told me to be patient and you'll catch fish.

He agrees that practicing CPR (catching, photographing and releasing) is always a good thing. Director,

Denny Dobbins CSP is planning on recognizing him with a special presentation. Also Officer York pre-

sented Lavon a book entitled, “F.I.S.H.” provided by VMRC in recognition of his achievement.

The One Step Higher Learning Center has been in existence since November 2001, and the program deals

with children ages 4 to 14. Linda wants to thank everyone on behalf of her program for allowing her chil-

dren the opportunity to fish.

See Sunshine program July 30th continued on page 13…..

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PAC Application For Membership or Renewal

Name ______________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

City _________________________State _________Zip Code________________

Phone _______________________E-Mail Address__________________________

Signature ___________________________

Dues: $30 for family membership Boat Name (optional)_________________________

$20 for an individual membership

Mail to PAC, P.O. Box 7842, Portsmouth, VA 23707

PAC Member

TOMMY MILTEER

www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com e-mail: sturtevant@sfhva.com

President & PAC Member

Chesapeake Bay Fall Striper Season Opens Oct 4th

Chesapeake Bay Fall Season .......................................................October 4th thru December 31st

........................................Minimum Size Limit.....................................................20 inches

........................................Maximum Size Limit * ............................................... 28 inches

........................................Possession Limit ……………………….......................2 per person

* 1 fish of the 2 fish possession limit may be larger than 28 inches.

Virginia Coastal Season

Virginia Coastal Season ……………….............................................May 16 thru December 31st

........................................Minimum Size Limit..................................................28 inches

........................................Possession Limit …………………….......................1 per person

Go to http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/swrecfishingrules.shtm for the most up to date regu-

lations.

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Mullet Filet

Fiddler Crabs

Clams

Finger Mullet

Shrimp

Squid

Ballyhoo

Chicken Necks

Live Eels

Fresh Menhaden

Gudgens

Shinners

Bloodworms

Peeler Crabs

Night Crawlers

Super Reds

www.gregsbaitshack.com

Freshwater & Saltwater Tackle & Accessories

Live Bait - Fresh Bait - Frozen Bait

Official Weigh Station

Price Match Guarantee

Rod Repairs

PAC Members - Show Membership Card to Receive Discount

2560 Airline Blvd. Portsmouth, VA - Email greg@gregsbaitshack.com - Call 757-465-9020

First Class Mail

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Sunshine Program July 30th continued from page 10

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAVON" for qualifying the 2nd year in a row for the Virginia

Junior Angler Award Program.

Nine Year Old Lavon Officer Steve York, VMRC Congratulating Lavon

Linda, Lavon and Kevin

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2015 Childrens’ Sunshine Program by John Meagher/Sherry Bright

This year the CSP had some changes such as; the Headboat Sally-T moved from the Port of Hampton to

Vinings Landing Marina in Norfolk, we also used the Headboat Judith Anne from the Ocean View Fishing

Pier. The Sally-T is rated for 40 people max whereas; the Judith Anne is Coast Guard approved for 100

people. We also had groups from Portsmouth Parks and Recreation and we picked up children for the first

time at the docks located at the foot of High Street in Portsmouth. Other new groups were the Boy Scout

Group #210 from Portsmouth and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Norfolk.

Before I go any further let me introduce the main players to this program; first and foremost, is lifetime

(1989) member Denny P. Dobbins who is not only the director of the CSP, but is also the President of the

Portsmouth Angler's Club (PAC) serving his second year. Denny was instrumental in 1994 taking the An-

gler Newsletter from a one page to a minimum four page newsletter. He and with approval of the PAC

Board solicited advertisers to pay the monthly fee involving the publishing of the newsletter. He held this

position along with Tom Scott, his wife and me in getting this out to over 190 members every

month. Denny and I did this for the first two years of publishing this newsletter. In 2005, Denny solicited

funding from the Virginia Salt Water Recreational Fishing Development Fund through Virginia Marine Re-

source Commission (VMRC). With this funding he was able to increase a one-time yearly pier event to five

events per year. He has added five headboat trips this year, as well as the annual pier event. The pier event

was moved from Lynnhaven Fishing Pier to the Ocean View Fishing Pier three years ago. The number of

participants has increased exponentially to approximately 300 a year. This doesn't include chaperones, vol-

unteers and PAC members. If you would like to help Denny in the many facets of this program feel free to

give him a call at 477-9156. He is in need of a lot of help especially secretarial, volunteers and if you don't

fit this category you could cut bait, clean rods and reels and load equipment. There is always something that

someone can do. If you can't volunteer, but wish to make a contribution in the form of money, ice, water,

Huggs (fruit juice), food, fishing tackle, bait and I could go on and on, please contact him.

2015 Director Denny Dobbins with Marine Police Officer Steve York on the Headboat Judith Anne

Continued on page 15……….

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Continued from page 14….

Although there are many volunteers and have been throughout the years, there has been one constant volun-

teer and that is a lifetime (1985) member 85 year old Tom Scott. Tom has been past President of PAC; in

charge of circulation of the Angler prior to it becoming an email publication, a Chairman of the Benevolence

Program, Raffle Chairman, Fish fry Cook and Bottle Washer, Monthly Raffle and probably many others that

I'm leaving out. This year, he was recognized at the Catchin' for Kids Program as an outstanding ten plus

year volunteer. Tom is always the first to volunteer and support any of our PAC programs and any other

programs especially those involving children.

Steve York is holding the shark that Tom just caught fishing from the Sally-T, and that is Tom in the back-

ground acting camera shy. The young man looking at the shark is PAC member 12 year old Shawn Parker.

Steve York is a member of the VMRC Marine Police. He has been a member of our club since 1992. Alt-

hough his duties keep him from volunteering for all of our events, the ones that he does make, he contributes

so much to the program you have to see him in action to appreciate what he does. This shark that he is pic-

tured with he made sure he went stern to bow port to starboard making sure that every child and adult got to

see what the shark looked and felt like if they wanted to touch it. When our High Street event was late in

getting started Steve took it upon himself to introduce himself to the eighty plus kids and give a lecture on

what to expect for the day. He also made a point of going to the bus as the kids were leaving to thank them

for their participation. He is without a doubt an asset not only to his position as a police officer, but also as a

member of our club.

Continued on page 16……...

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Continued from page 15……

Nine year old Mira Barnes, granddaughter to Denny is holding a puffer fish, aka blowtoad, as Steve

shows her how to handle it. Steve made sure that all the children got to see and hold the fish caught

from the Sally-T. Steve also made sure the kids practiced CPR (catch, photograph and release).

Two of the young kids on the Sally-T who were enthralled with the bait (squid) and

unlike last year there were no reports of kids eating the squid.

Continued on page 17……….

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Continued from page 16………

Sally-T mate Chris is holding a crab over the young man’s head who is smiling, but is too scared to

move. All the kids enjoy looking, but not touching. One child said that it would make a nice hat.

Starboard side of the Judith Anne just some of the eighty-five plus kids

Continued on page 18…...

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Continued from page 17……

On the Judith Anne, Steve was comforting a child that said he was scared.

After a few minutes with Steve the child was back to his rambunctious self.

Jr. member Shawn Parker’s mother Stephanie, on the Judith Anne filling up the creel bags and educa-

tional material provided by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), and a 16

page Personalized Fishing Book provided by the CSP program that is given to each child.

Continued on page 19………….

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Continued from page 18………

As the author of this article I’m unable to provide you with a picture of myself on any of these events

although Denny, Tom and I took part in all of the 2015 events. Part of my responsibilities includes tak-

ing pictures, scheduling, and doing all the necessary paperwork per event. I not only took pictures with

my camera, but others gave me their cameras to take a picture of them not thinking to take a picture of

myself with the children fishing. I’m a lifetime (1990) member and proudly known as a person who

loves to raise money for the CSP program, as well as, the club.

If you would like to participate in any of the 2016 events, (especially the Pier Event scheduled for July

28th, 2016 at the Ocean View Fishing Pier) Denny has a tentative schedule and any help would be wel-

come whether you are taking pictures, filling out the personalized fishing books, going on the Headboat

trips, filling up the creel bags or telephoning or contacting via email the many, many organizations that

participate in the Portsmouth Angler’s Club Childrens’ Sunshine Program, please contact him or, if you

are unable to contact Denny at 477-9156, please contact me (John Meagher). My number is 399-4673

and leave a message. I will return your call as soon as I can.

Tentative Dates for 2016 CSP Program:

Boat Trips: June 23 and 30th

, - July 7, 14 and 21st

Pier Trip July 28th

More information to follow as we receive confirmation.

By John Meagher