February 2025 President's Report
I hope everyone is making it through the winter. Things are starting to ramp up. It is outdoor show season once again. The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is being held February 13 to 16 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center followed by the WNY Sport and Travel Expo in Hamburg March 7-9. On Saturday, March 8 the Seth Green Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting the Fly Fishers Workshop at the Barker Road Middle School on 75 Barker Rd.in Pittsford NY from 9 AM – 5 PM. There will be variety of activities along with speakers, classes, vendors, guides and conservation groups. See more details further in the newsletter. WNYTU will have a booth at all the events, and we are looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested, please contact Brian Barrey for the shows or Ken Kinecki for the workshop.
There is also a link on the chapter website to sign up and a signup sheet will be available at the general meeting.
On Tuesday March 18 we will be holding our annual Film Festival at the Ridge Bar and Restaurant in West Seneca, NY. The film selection is awesome and will be highlighting all the great work Trout Unlimited has done across America with some fishing thrown in. Doors Open at 6 PM. Films start at 6:30 PM. Lots of great raffle prizes. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, at the Orvis Store, The Hairy Trout in West Seneca, The Ridge or at the February General Meeting. It’s open to the public so bring a friend and come join what promises to be a great event.
One of our Board members Chuck Campbell graciously constructed and donated a custom Bamboo fly rod as a fundraiser for WNYTU. It’s a beautiful 6’9” 4 wt. rod with a spare tip that is aptly named “The Blue Liner”. Tickets are $10 a piece, 3 for $25 and the rod will be raffled off live on the chapter YouTube channel on 7/1/2025. Tickets will be available at all our events and shows throughout the Spring.
On February 22, 2025 the Stream Explorers program starts backup. It’s a free program we offer to everyone including adults. See more details further in the newsletter.
In March we will be holding elections for 3 Board of Director positions and 3 Officer positions. The slate has been submitted as follows:
Vice-President Ken Kinecki,
Secretary - Dave Unetich,
Treasurer – Tony Messina, All 1-year terms.
3 Board of Director positions – Dave Denk, Brian Barrey and Dolores Sheehan which are 3-year terms. If you or anyone you know are interested in running, please submit the request to Chuck Godfrey or me prior to the February general meeting so we can have a final slate of candidates ready for the elections at the March general meeting. From the floor nominations will also be taken at the March General meeting.
Check out our social media for the latest news and information from WNYTU. If you can’t make it to our general meeting, go to our YouTube channel. All our meetings are recorded and uploaded. If you listen to Podcasts check out WNY Troutpod hosted by Jim Jowsey.
Our Vice-President Ken Kinecki will be doing a presentation on all the work that has been done on Wiscoy Creek over the years at the general meeting on February 25, 2025, at 6 PM at the Orvis store. Arrive early at 5:00 PM for some socializing and fly tying. Please come and join us. As always bring a friend, the public is invited.
Joe Morgan