Well, sounds like this really struck a nerve. I am Ron Garner, the Vice President of the Puget Sound Anglers SnoKing Chapter and the one that was spit at. I almost missed the Port Townsend event due to the windstorm removing part of my roof. I got it rigged good enough to go at the last minute. I called a fellow SnoKing PSA friend and fishing buddy, JR Rogers (our 2004 secretary for our chapter) and rode with him. Parading down the streets in Port Townsend the first time, there was a lady in front of a bakery that was jumping up and down smiling and waving. Pretty neat. We smiled and waived back. Across the street from her (on my side) were about 7 or 8 guys standing on the sidewalk. I gave them a smile and a wave and one responding with a looger. Back at the fairgrounds I was talking to some of the guys in the truck that was ahead of us. I told him of the spitting incident and he laughed. He told me that he brought candy to throw to the kids. He threw the same guys some candy and they through it back-at them. They also threw a rock at JD Wade, Puget Sound Anglers State Board Vice President of the North Sound, while he was taking pictures. This I didn’t see. He was taking pictures ahead of the convoy. Last thing that was needed for Gary Hulsey and the Port Townsend PSA Chapter was JR and I getting out and getting into it with these guys. JR and I are not small either and are just under 300 pounds each. It could have been ugly. We have worked way to hard the last year building the SnoKing chapter club from 8 members to well over 200 in less than one year. The last thing needed is to give it a blackeye. JR and I are a huge backbone of our club. If we had had a confrontation what would this do for the credibility of the Puget Sound Anglers as a whole? This could have a huge negative impact and set back on the credibility of the new Puget Sound Angler Chapter in Port Townsend and Puget Sound Anglers as a whole. People like JD Wade and Clint Muns (Puget Sound Anglers State Board President) give willingly many, many hours going to senators, legislatures, etc. and the like, for the fishing welfarte of our state. To have a bad incident undo all of their hard work would be unforgivable. We are well know and respected. Many people in British Columbia and the entire Northwest know who we are. I have talked to many guys like Wayne Moss, owner/inventor/maker of Tomic Plugs in BC, the Sportfishing Institute of British Columbia, and even guys running hatcheries in Canada knows who we are. Steve Sande, Murphy Rhodes, JR Rogers, and I have devoted a huge part of our lives and pocketbooks to build the SnoKing Chapter into a great chapter. I would not jeopardize this for anything. Whether people know it or not we are the people behind the scenes that are fighting to keep your fishing alive and well in the greatest state in the US. People like Gary Hulsey and his guys are true leaders in their community. I applaud them for standing up and taking back what is ours. The East Jefferson Chapter is new and they are already getting a good name for themselves. Port Townsend and SnoKing are the fastest growing chapters. Why don’t you join us, the Puget Sound Anglers SnoKing Chapter. We meet in Edmonds on the ground floor of Anthony’s Homeport the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm. We are on the side facing the water. This months speaker (December 9th) will be the owner of Silver Horde/Goldstar, Kelly Morrison. He is very interesting and will tell you the history of why plugs have rattles, and where the triangle rudders came from on downriggers, etc. Come join us, we have food available there at the meeting if you have to come straight after work. Bring your family.
Sincerely,
Ron Garner
Vice President
SnoKing Puget Sound Anglers
rarner755@aol.com