Newport OTC

[Chromaflage]

Since nobody else has started a thread on last weekend's OTC in Newport, I figured I'd get the ball rolling.

First, it was a bit disappointing that we could not officially fish for the event due to predicted weather conditions. However, it was a great weekend and a great opportunity to catch up with the dogs.

After hearing early morning radio reports of people heading over the bar and turning back after a mile, I decided that Aqua Velvet play it safe for the day. Boatdog, Skybuster and I bobbed around the windy bay for a good part of the day, seeking out crab and herring, hoping that our catch would put us in the running for some of the prizes. Although the wind was a pain in the rump, the day out with Boatdog and Skybuster was very enjoyable.

The banquet was a blast! We pulled up and submitted five crab that got us into some prize money. I think we were one of two teams that tied for the crab prize.

And, Woody......those were some very valuable surf perch, brother!!

Sunday, Boatdog and I took Aqua Velvet out for her first Newport bar crossing. We headed NW to seek out some salmon. We followed RonM, FisherJack and Sadie-Lynn around, picking up some of their left-overs. We ran back in at about 12:45 at 23 to 27 kts with two fish in the box.

Although we didn't get to go out for TUNA! we had a great weekend. Looking forward to Hammond!!!

I want to give a huge shout out to the OTC board. The event was very well organized and professional. You guys - and the wives -put a lot of work into the event. Thanks for all your hard work and bringing the dogs together. Great people, great times, great event and a great cause!!



CrF

[CATCH AND EAT]

I was not there but just wanted to thank Mike for his hard work on this event. You did well!

[fyshndad]

I too wish to thank Del, Mike and all the others that made thr OTC happen
I had a great time rubbing elbows with all the dogs

Even though I did not win any prizes I was still a winner
I had 5 days of great people and was able to get out both Sat & Sun for cohos with easy limits

Here is to the OTC and what they represent

[retaliate]

Thanks to all that made this happen.

[Seelicious]

Mike, Del & Roger were the keys to making Newport fun and exciting without an "official" tuna day.

A big thank you to those that still made the effort to come down to Newport when you knew fishing was called off...says a lot about the character of this group...putting others before themselves...makes one proud to be apart of it.

Hats off guys!!

[Tuna Dog]

Thanks to everyone who showed up Knowing in advanced we weren't going to do the tuna fishing portion...we appreciate the support.

We tried to make it fun and worth your time and hope everyone who participated in the other contest had a good time.

[kenai]

And hats off to the committee for the advance notice of the cancellation.
I know I was irritated at first but its good to know you actually mean it when you say safety first and foremost. Thanks for a job well done!

[Sadie-Lynne]

Had a great time, Thanks to Roger for the invite on the Triple C and all the time those on the commity put in to pull this together..

[Taylor's viewpoint]

Judy and I had a fun time, thanks to the committee for all your efforts. I second the early notice on the cancellation, that saved me from dragging the boat down the coast. Looking forward to the Astoria leg on August 4th. I know it will be a well run tournament. You guys on the committee rock.
TV

[skybuster]

Thanks to all who worked on this. This was my first OTC event and it was very well organized. I got to meet a few more good people, and so did my girlfriend. We can't wait for Hammond.

[Misty Dawn]

A sincere THANK YOU!! to the Newport OTC committee members, their wives and the sponsers. Your efforts and generosity made for a very enjoyable evening plus excellent food. We all had a good time and are looking forward to Hammond.
Best regards,
Jim

[Nalu]

I had to go back and review this for a few various reasons.

I'd like to make sure that I thank everyone that came to the Newport event, as well as the rest of the OTC board that worked so hard over the last year to get the Newport event put together, as well as the forthcoming events.

Many, many individuals have taken the time to pass along good words to those that have spent many, many hours to try and put together a well organized, cleanly run event that directly benefits the needy in Oregon.

A recap of Newport- The fishing portion was canceled on Thursday due to the conditions meeting the pre-determined criteria which we developed last year.....If the wind and swell predicted by NOAA was a combined "10" or greater, the fishing portion under the banner of the OTC would not take place. Right up under the Thursday update it looked like we were going to fish. With the Thursday update, the weather slid, and unfortunately the tuna fishing portion was called. We received many thanks from teams and individuals for calling this event on Thursday so they could cancel hotels, and save their fishing expenses and plans for another weekend. It was determined by general consensus of those attending that this early cancellation was a success.

This year for Newport we implemented a prize give-away for teams that checked in any type of fish or "marine item" that they brought in during the day. As was noted during the Friday night captains meeting ANYTHING goes as long as it was legal. The intent of the prize give away fulfilled the spirit of the competition by allowing anglers to do what they wished for the day, including tuna fishing if they determined conditions were acceptable for their boat, but no rewards for pushing any sort of safety margin. Prizes were given out for shellfish, rubber ducks, coho, starfish, TUNA, and perch. While 3 teams did get out tuna fishing and bring fish to the dock, none won the top prize as we wanted to make clear tuna fishing was not the goal of this prize give-away. Of the teams that checked in, I believe 10 out of 13 were awarded prizes. The grand prize was indeed awarded to a team that caught a perch on a 50W heavy rod and reel. Again, the intent was the spirit of the day, and the spirit of the competition.....not literal competition.

We learned new things as we have each year, and each year we are able to improve. One of the things we were able to learn this year was that we are able to donate whole tuna that has been properly cared for directly to the Newport Food Share. 20 tuna from the event were still donated to the Newport Food Share! This was a totally unexpected, and welcome happening. Newport Food Share has a fillet team, and they can process up to 100 donated tuna in a given shot. With this knowledge, next years event can be possibly changed in such a way that eliminates the issues that come along with a 1 day event.

The Rogue Brewery once again hosted the event, and they did a fantastic job. BBQ tuna was served, and 100% of the tuna served was caught and donated that week by people involved with the tourney. Close to 200#'s of tuna loins were delivered 2 days before the vent. The Rogue is also catering the events in Hammond and Garibaldi.

Again, my sincere thanks to all of those that signed up, attended, volunteered, and participated. My very special thanks to Del (Tuna Dog), Roger (Triple C), Bud (Seelicious), Dick (Tuna Time) Chad (5 for Fighting), Doug (Sea-Fox), John- (DU), of course I-Fish and Jennie, and the host of others that worked so hard to put others first.

Growing pains...yes.....but each year has improved and will continue to improve. We did our best, and we once again thank you. Considering that the inception of this was just a short 3 years ago, and last year was our first year as an organized non-profit, we're getting there. Only better things to come.

So......1 down and 2 to go. No matter what, these are great events for great causes. I think you'll get a lot out of them if you're there for the right reasons.

Mike