Frsr-{r Nc C nerK SpoRrsMrNr's As$ocnfl or{ P.O. Box 331 Benton, PA 17814 Annu?l NewsleEqr fgr 2015 Dear FCSA Members: I hope that this Newsletter keeps you updated with all of the many activities that have been going on within the club and encourages you to take an active role in maintaining the success that we have enjoyed over the years. Our major activities throughout the past year included: . . . . . . . . . . . Fishinq Derbies: The June Derby at Mill Race Golf and Camping Resort provided nearly 200 youngsters with a free day of fishing and prizes. We also assisted with several other local derbies. The Benton derby is alwavs held, on the first Sund,av in June. (Startinq time this vear: 12:30 PM) Colleoe Scholarships: This was the second year that the FCSA scholarships were presented to 2 Benton High School seniors pursuing careers in outdoor, conseryation, agricultural or biological fields. Two $500 awards were given. Earlv Bird Expo in January at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds where we signed up members and sold raffle tickets to support our Children's Fishing Derby. Annual Active Membe['s Banquet in March, which was held at the St. James Social Hall and included a fascinating program by Barry Sones, who bicycled and hunted across the U.S. raising money for the Wounded Warrior Program. Raisins And StocKino of 25,000 trout that assisted the PFBC in providing outstanding fishing in one of our greatest local resources, Fishing Creek, and its tributaries. These fish were stocked for the enjoyment of all anglers. Fish Tasging: We stocked approximately 50 trout with tags corresponding to prizes from $25 to $100 in various areas of Columbia and Montour counties. Maintainins-_Clqb owned properties to provide public access to the stream. This year we saw the purchase of the Johnson Mill stream property along Fishing Creek and a section of land along Little Fishing Creek near Eyer's Grove become a reality. These areas will be open to Public fishing forever. Maintenance of the Shootins Range to which several improvements have been made. New target area$, rubberized target facing and backstops were added. Sgheduled Wgrkdavs for the repair and conditioning of the fish nursery to assure the best possible environment to raise our trout. Fish Food Bagsins and Sales: Club members bagged nearly 40,000 bags of fish food for sale at 25 cents each to offset the cost of operating the trout nursery. PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs: we maintain membership with this statewide organization that gives us a voice in hunting and fishing legislation. Annual Active Member's Picnic held at the Benton Archery CIub's facility. This activity provides a nice afternoon of good food and time for members to socialize. Proiect Healing Waters provided a weekend of fishing for wounded Veterans. Our club members volunteered 2 days of guided assistance and a picnic lunch to these fine heroes! Continued Suppo.rt for Benton and Millville school archery and Benrvick rifle programs as well as financial support to Camp Lavigne Boy Scout camp. The following sentence from, our club's Mission Statement, sums up what makes our club unique: nfne Associatlon consists of a group of like-mlnded sportsmen and conseruationists concerned with the preservation of open trout waterc and puhlic fishing, primarily in Fishing Greek and its tributaries.n It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and financial resources to keep our club operating as successfully as we have in the past. Therefore, we ask for your support through your membership dollars and, if possible, your volunteered time to assist with the aforementioned activities. To those active members who labored on the workdays, maintained the nursery each and every day throughout the year and showed up on "stocking" mornings to keep the fishermen happy...We thank you! We couldn't have done it without you! lf vou haven't done so vet, you may renew your membership at this time by sending cash or a check in the amount of $10 made out to FCSA. Make sure your name and address appear clearlv on the envelope. To pick up your 2A15 button, we ask that you stop at the VFW, our Club House, the Kozy Korner Restaurant, Thunder Ridge Outfitters or Smith's Outdoor Connection. (Just show them your card... Memberships also available at these locations) Also included are some raffle tickets to purchase (6 for $5), if you choose to do so" The proceeds will help with the cost of our annua! Children's Fishing Derby. Return the "sold" stubs and check in an envelope. Mail the envelope to. Fishing Creek Sportsmen's Assn. c/o Charles Musitano, Secretary P.O. Box 331 Benton, PA 17814 Please check out our club's website at: www.fi shi ngcreeksportsmanassn.org Thank You for Your Gontinued $upport Chuck Musitano (FCSA Secretary)