Kiap-TU-Wish Banquet night

With the plan in place, Jen and I left work a little early so that we could get over to the 3M Tartan Park for the fundraising festivities put on by the Kiap-TU-Wish Trout Unlimited chapter. We stopped in for a beverage at a local tavern as we arrived at Lake Elmo a little early to 'chill out' since we beat the rush hour traffic. I was a little worked up in the car ride about some crap going on at work.

We had a nice time, saw a few people we knew, bid on a few items in the silent auction, indulged in some of the products of the event mixologist. The folks at the 3M facility presented a fabulous dinner and desert. Several Awards were presented to some of the chapter members for all the work they did and their successes they contributed to on the chapters behalf. Awards presented were the Silver Trout Award, a couple of Lifetime Achievement awards, and the first ever Golden Net Award. All were awarded to very deserving people. This chapter knows how to get work done when it comes to environmental restoration! It makes me proud of how much can get done with grass roots organizations who can partner local businesses, government officials, land owners, volunteers, and 'the right people' not loose site of their original mission.



The presenter of the evening was a former Architect that found a new path in life. He talked about his past two seasons as an Alaskan Guide that operates out of Helicopter fly fishing camp. Lots of photos of fish porn, landscapes, icebergs, and lots of bears. Very interesting fellow that I could listen to for hours.


The night was wrapped up with final bids on items, and drawings for various bucket items. I lost the bid for a neat book by Gary LaFontaine that had a lot of fly patterns and Jenny lost out on the one of a kind hand-made .999 silver leaf necklace that Sarah made. This is becoming a trend as we have pretty much lost out on anything that Sarah has made by one bid over the past several couple of years. It's kinda funny, but I am gonna have to wage war on the next item she puts up for bid for charity, I swear!


I was the highest bidder for a nice Orvis Fly box from Fitgers in Duluth, MN that had "60 Pretty Good Flies" tied by Perry Palin. Very trout tasty looking flies, I can't wait to try some of them. I also won a second silent on a different fly box that was made of wood and laser inscribed with the Umpqua Feather Merchants logo. Inside it contained 24 flies hand-tied by Bob Mayrand. Also a nice selection that I will be trying out. And yes, I also won one of the raffle items I bought tickets for. It is a 1st edition book printed in 1939, with the receipt of purchase from London. The book itself published in Soho Square, London and the title is Nymph Fishing for Chalk Stream Trout which was donated by Al Farmes. Thanks guys, for everyone for your donations to the auction, I will greatly enjoy your contributions. This has put me in the Holiday mood and I feel good that the dollars we spent tonight are going for a GOOD cause AND being leveraged by GOOD people.


Now...to start saving for the Twin Cites Trout Unlimited Banquet. :)