08/04/2012
Hello Everyone,
This is just a message to address some common questions and concerns we have been hearing this summer. We stocked catfish last at the end of June. We cannot stock again until we have enough money. The money for the fish comes directly from the membership dues. Each year we put at least 80% of your membership money into fish. This year will be no different. The remaining funds are used for the expenses of running maintaining the club (insurance, electric, garbage, paint, etc.). So far this year, we have put 5300 lbs. of fish in the lake (3000lb. trout, 2300 lb. catfish).
We hope to stock catfish one more time this summer and to stock trout again later in the fall. This will depend on the funds and availability from our supplier. We do not have a set schedule for the months that we stock. We try to be consistent from year to year, but it depends totally on how much money we have (memberships). In the past 4 years (2009-2012), we have stocked over 25,000 lbs. of fish. This is considerably higher than what the club was able to do in years past. More members = more fish.
We know there have been a few members who have mentioned the dues increase that we had to implement this year ($40 to $50). This works out to be an additional cost of about 83 cents a month, or less than 20 cents a week. The dues were at $40 for 12 years before we had to increase them. The increase in the cost of fish finally forced us to make the change. We still believe that the cost of membership is more than fair for what we provide. Gasoline for one fishing trip to the mountains would be more expensive than our membership for a year.
Also, to answer another question, the officers do not get paid. Our time is all volunteered. So all the time we spend on stocking fish, cutting grass, doing maintenance, repairing damage, emptying garbage cans, picking up trash, selling memberships, listening to complaints, and all the other things that are part of running this club, it’s all done for free. Somehow we do enjoy it and we try to make things as nice as possible.
On a separate note, we would like to thank the members who have helped us cut the grass, cut weeds, etc. this summer. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Please keep in mind, as a paid member, this is YOUR club. We hope you are proud to be a part of it. Every member can contribute as little or as much as they want to help maintain what we have. Beginning with the coal miners who started our club, only by working together did our Club become what it is today. If we continue to work together, the Club will be able to continue to provide a clean safe place to fish and spend time with family and friends.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let us know. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the rest of the year of fishing.
Officers of the Joanne Sportsmans Club
