KFA-NY: 2007 The Year In Reveiw

[carl4x4]

The birth of our great organization came with the organizing of the KFS get together in February 2007. There where about 25 of us that gathered at a TGI Friday's to talk kayak fishing. The gathering lasted nearly five hours and I think everyone had a great time. Anthony made some flies* bucktails* and teasers for everyone interested* Ed gave out some great Ziploc pouches for rigs* and Carl made T/W for all the spinner/conventional guys.

Soon thereafter* a few of us started to put together a questionnaire about forming a club to see if there was enough interest in doing so. In March we had another get together in Huntington.We handed out the questionnaires* and gathered loads of great information from everyone interested. We had a raffle for everyone. Two fishing poles* two guided trips* dry bags* and much more.

In May we had our next get together.We rigged up kayaks of a few lucky people up with anchor trolleys* fish finders* and rod holders. Everyone had a great time and we all learned from eachother.

[carl4x4]

Our first on the water meeting was a great success. I think everyone that attended caught fish* and had a ball. There where three keeper fluke* some small bass* a few cocktail blues* some huge porgies and a sea robin caught. We all launched around 7:30 am and I believe there were eleven of us.

[carl4x4]

JULY: On The Water Meeting

The KFA-NY had it’s second on the water club meeting in July. We met and launched soon after sunrise and fished an area known for its bunker schools* and the stripers and blues that feed heavily on them. We saw bunker activity immediately after we launched from the dock. After snagging and live lining the bunker* Joanne was the first to pull a 4 lb bluefish out of the water. Charlie managed to pull up a nice looking 34” striper as well.

Carl caught some nice fighting 8-10 lb bluefish while the rest of the Club hooked into some fish here and there. The action was a little on the light side and certainly not as hectic as the week prior. After we got off the water* we had an impromptu BBQ of burgers and hot dogs before everyone hit the road to head home. Overall* everyone had a wonderful time with loads of laughs and smiles. Here are some pictures of our trip.

[carl4x4]

AUGUST: On The Water Meeting

We had a good turnout. As we prepared to launch the sun was rising making for a beautiful photo-op.

The morning was a bit slow* with some small fluke and sea robins being caught. Later* around 11 A.M.* the action picked up* with blues and bass breaking the surface in 2-3' of water on a sandbar. The fish were very picky though. Tom got a schoolie on the fly and Charlie got the first keeper on a TnW tipped with an artificial worm.

SEPTEMBER: On The Water Meeting

We started the meeting with our club member Rich demonstrating how to do a self rescue with his kayak* and all the members present did the same. Everyone did very well and all those present now know the basics of getting back onto their kayak.

After everyone did their self rescue* we all launched into Long Island Sound and headed to the fishing grounds. Within 45 minutes of launching* we were all in the middle of a massive blitz that lasted for over an hour. The winds then started to kick up and the blitzes diminished* but a few would pop up here and there. Jaiem and Stan had marked lots of fish on the deep slopes* but the fish had lockjaw* waiting for a later stage of the tide.

All in all* it was a fun meeting. Click on the link below to watch a little video of what happened at the meeting. You will see Rich and Joanne doing a self rescue* and some of the massive blitzes we were in.

The other group of us worked the small tributaries that feed into the Bay. There were a few run offs* and a couple of bitten off eels over the course of the day.

[carl4x4]

NOVEMBER: Indoor meeting

On November 16* the KFA-NY had it's first indoor meeting at the Long Island Sport Fishing Education Center. A good turnout was had* and was only be a fraction of those attending the holiday party in December. A raffle was conducted* and due to the generosity of many manufacturers and stores that donated to the KFA-NY* everyone who attended won prizes. Winners received a discount coupon for a Galvan fly reel* Hobie rod holder extenders* Jim Teeny tippet material* Glacier Gloves* hats* lures* leaders* hooks* and other fishing items.

DECEMBER: Holiday party

The attendees at the Kayak Fishing Association of NY's first Holiday Party enjoyed a wonderful evening together. We had a ton of food and it was all delicious. A great turnout was had* and between the great food and great prizes the time flew by.

After we stuffed ourselves* we raffled off the merchandise graciously donated to us by our sponsors.

We'd also like to say "Thank you" to all the members that make our Club a success. Thank you to all the new faces that came to our party and participated in the raffle* making that a great success as well. Also* a special thank you needs to go out to our sponsors who helped us by providing product to raffle off. Without their participation and generosity* our first Holiday Party would not have been so successful. Another special thanks to aweiss44 for his "Energizer Bunny" enthusiasm in contacting* following up* receiving* and sorting the donations received from the different manufacturers.

[MarcoIsland1]

Those are great pictures! I am buying a kayak this year and would really like to join your club. I have some kayak experience from being a former ocean lifeguard and through many trips to Florida.

I am an avid freshwater and saltwater fisheran (fly and spinning) and would like to become involved in the club.

How do I join your club?

[carl4x4]

E-Mail sent.

[RJ]

carl...

1. I don't know how you got by the guidlines and default settings...but NO picture should be larger than 450 or 500 pixels on ANY side...You're free to repost but you need to resize the pics

2. Please do not put up a million logos like that again...most of them do not support TFL and while they may have been good to you...put them in your e mails or newsletters please.

3. Posting your Meetings and stuff like that would be better serverd doing them at the end of each month rather than all in one shot at the end of the season.

Thanks and congrats on a great season! Good luck in 2008

[samborges]

Carl those was some awesome pics you had posted here on some of your crew catching fish. Hope you keep up the good work* I just made buy a kayak just for fun and catch a bluefish to pull me like a jet ski* should be a fun ride.:thumb: