4/11/17 Latest Update to Summary Below:

The first two miles of Norton Point was reopened this afternoon.  Again, the section of Norton Point opposite the WacksHouse on Chappy is still too narrow and eroded for safe travel but the NP crew tell me it is quickly regaining its lost beach.  Expect that travel from Norton Point to Chappy will be re-established soon.

Summary: All of Cape Poge and Leland is open for vehicle access. Wasque Point is overwashing regularly so use extreme caution if you venture around the Point.  Also, severe erosion at the Norton Point/Wasque boundary line has forced us to close vehicle access beyond that point. The only way to get around that area is to drive up onto the dunes and beach grass which is not a smart thing to do so we've temporarily closed that section of the beach.  Also, we were about to reopen Norton Point when last night's high winds (4/5/2017)  re-flooded the bay side trail system from the Norton Point Gatehouse to a spot 1/2 mile down the beach.  The outside beach from the Norton Point gatehouse is closed for about 3/4 mile since we have no outside beach in that area.  All in all, Norton Point Beach has really been hit hard so far this winter and early spring.  It will come back but it may take awhile and some gentle moderating SW winds. Once the flooding recedes a bit we will reopen Norton Point but there will only be about 1.5 miles of Norton accessible to vehicles until the beach rebuilds on the Chappy end.  

We have also heard some positive news from the County.  The County Commissioners have approved our request to restrict the sale of Norton Point Day Passes so that they will go on sale after 10:30 AM daily.  Many year rounder permit holders found themselves locked out of the beach at Norton Point last summer when we had only 4/10 mile of beach open for vehicles due tothe proximity of plover chicks.  Now, if you get to the Norton Point beach early you will have a better chance of finding a spot on a crowded beach.

Folks have until April 30 to renew their beach permits online and save $20.  After May 1 the prices will go back to where they were last year:

 

Purchased before April 30 (online only):

• $180 for Cape Poge/Wasque 
• $90 Norton Point Beach – Island Vehicle** 
• $140 Norton Point Beach – Off-Island Vehicle 
• $250 Combination Permit – Island Vehicle** (Cape Poge/Wasque & Norton Point Beach permits and one complimentary Trustees Family-level membership)
• $300 Combination Permit – Off-Island Vehicle (Cape Poge/Wasque & Norton Point Beach permits and one complimentary Trustees Family-level membership)

Purchased after April 30 (on island only):

• $200 for Cape Poge/Wasque 
• $90 Norton Point Beach – Island Vehicle** 
• $140 Norton Point Beach – Off-Island Vehicle 
• $270 Combination Permit – Island Vehicle** (Cape Poge/Wasque & Norton Point Beach permits and one complimentary Trustees Family-level membership)
• $320 Combination Permit – Off-Island Vehicle (Cape Poge/Wasque & Norton Point Beach permits and one complimentary Trustees Family-level membership)

** To take advantage of the Island Vehicle rate your vehicle must be registered in Dukes County. You may be contacted to supply a copy of your vehicle registration before we can issue your permits.

The Mass Division of Marine Fisheries has announced that portions of Cape Poge Bay will be closed to the setting of Conch pots and Fish pots where the Army is searching for underwater munitions.  This ban DOES NOT affect travel to Cape Poge, shellfishing for quahogs, surf fishing from the beach, nor fishing from boats. Many folks read the state's recent press release believing it would have an impact on their ability to fish from the beach--it does not have any impact on recreational fishing or shellfishing.  We ask that visitors to Cape Poge avoid Little Neck as the Army will continue with their search for munitions and daily detonation of live bombs which generally occurs from 3-4 PM each afternoon at Little Neck.

Bring on Spring with another  great MVSA Newsletter!!!  First off, thanks to Ron Domurat for updating the MVSA Member Derby Accomplishments included in this newsletter…Great Job!!!!

Other topics included in the April Newsletter are the March Meeting summary, Dues Reminder,Upcoming April Meeting, Earth Day Beach Clean-up, Used Tackle Sale, Cuttyhunk Trip, Fly Rod Catch and Release Tournament Calendar Events, etc...

Although Mother Nature seems to want to extend our winter weather the fish are unaware and already on the move Northward! There are all kinds of upcoming events for 2017 so be sure to check out all the details.

Check out the full report enclosed here. Just click on the link below.

2017 March MVSA Newsletter .pdf

Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch & Release Tournament set for June 3

Despite recent snow Cooper “Coop” Gilkes of Edgartown said fly fishermen are already looking forward to the 26th annual Martha’s Vineyard Rod& Gun Club Fly Rod Catch & Release Tournament. “I started getting calls in December from guys who wanted to know the date of the tournament so they could make ferry reservations,” Coop, longtime tournament chairman, said.“We’ve got fishermen who wouldn’t miss it. It’s a great time.”

Fishermen who participate year after year agree that the one-night Island team fly fishing contest fosters the best qualities of the sport of fly-fishing. One unique aspect is that irrespective of fishing success tournament registrants present at the fun-filled Sunday morning awards ceremony have a chance to win one of many great prizes awarded based on a random drawing of entry blanks. Winning fishermen receive plaques in one of three categories:The total number of fish of any size length caught and released by a team(Roberto Germani Trophy); the largest fish (length and girth) released by a fisherman (Sonny and Joey Beaulieu Trophy); and the most fish caught and released by a team in which members are not allowed to change flies (Arnold Spofford Trophy).

Fishing begins at 7 pm, Saturday, June 3 and ends at 2 am, Sunday.The awards ceremony begins at 9:30 am, Sunday, June 4. This year, in a change of venue the tournament headquarters and breakfast will be located at the Edgartown School off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.

The entry fee is $35. The money the tournament raises helps to provide trout for the club’s spring Kid's Trout Derby, send two youngsters to Conservation Camp and supports a day of fishing for Camp Jabberwocky campers.

For more information call Cooper Gilkes at 508-627-3909 or go to www.mvrodandgunclub.com.

For more background read: "Catch and Release  tournament was humbling all the way around”, "Catch and Release  Tournament celebrates 20 years”).

Another great MVSA Newsletter!!!  Topics included in the February Newsletter are the Awards Banquet Summary, Awards Day,  Used Tackle Sale, June Cuttyhunk Fishing Trip, Island Cup Challenge, Trustees Report, upcoming April Beach Cleanup/Earth Day, Calendar Events, and so much more. The weather has been back and forth with warm and cold temps but the fish will soon be on the move!

There are all kinds of upcoming events for 2017 so be sure to check out all the details.

Check out the full report enclosed here. Just click on the link below.

2017 Feb MVSA Newsletter.pdf

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

This is the first newsletter for 2017 and once again it is packed with great information! Topics included in the January Newsletter are the upcoming January Awards Banquet (1/28), Used Tackle Sale, June Cuttyhunk Fishing Trip, Trustees Report, upcoming April Beach Cleanup, Calendar Events, and much more.

There are all kinds of upcoming events for 2017 so be sure to check out all the details.

Check out the full report enclosed here. Just click on the link below.

2017 Jan MVSA Newsletter.pdf

The annual MVSA banquet and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday Jan 28th, 2017 at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.  Doors open at noon.  Food will be served at 1:00 PM, to be followed by a brief annual meeting, awards presentations, and of course the annual awesome raffle and silent auction. Kathi Pagoda and a team of volunteers have been working hard to put together a great selection of raffle and silent auction items.  If you have something you would like to donate please contact her before the event.  As in past years Paula Sullivan is planning an outstanding raw bar and buffet.  Feel free to bring along a dessert or side dish to share with your fellow club members.  Set-up and shucking help is always appreciated so come early to lend a hand.

2017club dues ($30/household) will be collected.  As part of the meeting we’ll be voting on the slate of club officers.  Nominations for club officers are welcome.  Please reach out to President Don Scarpone before the event if you’d like to place your name in nomination.  The current proposed list of officers follows:

President:              Don Scarpone

Vice President:       Jason Patterson

Secretary:              Dave Kolb

Treasurer:              Phil Horton

Hope to see you all there.

The December newsletter is now available and packed with great information! Topics in the December Newsletter included are MVSA Club News, upcoming January 2017 meeting, Military Care Package request, Calendar Events and even more inside.

There is also a very important article on Menhaden. This is a must read and there is a request for comments to the ASMFC before January 4th, 2017.

Check out the full report enclosed here. Just click on the link below.

2016 DEC MVSA Newsletter.pdf

The November newsletter is now available with all kinds of great information! This version is packed with great information and MVSA Member Accomplishments! Topics in the November Newsletter included are MVSA Member Derby Accomplishments, Club News, Sportsmanship Award,In-House Derby, Striper Update, October Fish, Saltwater Challenge, Calendar Events and even more inside.

We haven’t had a Newsletter in a few months due to everyone fishing the derby but ...Wow!...did this Newsletter make up for lost time….Awesome!

Check out the full report enclosed here. Just click on the link below.

2016 Nov_V2 MVSA Newsletter .pdf

Ned Bean would like to share a new Facebook page with everyone. Please read Ned's write up below and check it out!

I always enjoy receiving the MVSA newsletter. It gives me the opportunity to reflect on the season past,to cherish memories of fishing on MV with friends and to motivate me to actually clean and store my gear. 

Among my passions for all things fishing on MV is sustaining the striped bass fishery. Toward that end I have partnered with my friend John West to post a Facebook page: Martha's Vineyard Chapter, United Striped Bass -2- Game Fish Association. 

The link to this page is: https://www.facebook.com/MVUSB2GFA/?fref=hovercard

Ultimately the success of the striped bass fishery will reside with anglers being active in communicating their concerns and best wishes to their local state representatives and in educating each other about sustainable fishing practices. 

 It's cost free, virus free and is dedicated to preserving the striped bass fishery we all love. 

Thanks,

Ned Bean

Bob Lane kindly provided the information below on how ourgenerous MVSA members can donate to our troops:

 

Our collection for our military care package drive will be sentto:

 

SGM KEVIN M. DEVINE

HHC 1-187 TF LEADER

BAGRAM AF

APO AE 09354

 

If you can't make the meeting, I have included his APO so you cansend him some items, or a card or letter if you wish. This is Master SargentDevine's 6th deployment. He has many Vineyard ties: His mom and son live in OBand he has other family members who live on MV as well.

 

What to send or donate:
I have received two specifically requested items: 

Sugar Free Red Bull (energy drink) and 

Sour Patch Kids (the candy)

(He does not smoke or use tobacco products)

 

What else? Here is a list of suggested items from www.supportourtroops.com

<<https://supportourtroops.org/care-packages>>

What the Troops Ask For – (updated11-19-2016)
Stuff:

• $25 VISA and M/C gift cards (gives them maximum flexibility, for WIFI, etc)
• Phone cards (major brands international)
• Personal hygiene items(unscented whenever possible)
  • wet wipes, individually wrapped
  • disposable razors (men's and women's)
  • chap sticks
  • body wash, lotion, face wash, mouth wash, deodorant, q-tips, shampoo, conditioner
  • foot powder
  • and the like
• Feminine products (unscented whenever possible)
  • Small packs of napkins and tampons
  • Female version of body wash, lotion, razors, face wash, mouth wash, deodorant, q-tips, hair de-tangler, face moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner
  • Small grooming kits
• Sunscreen
• Magazines (clean content)
• Fun posters and calendars for dressing the place up
• AA batteries
• AAA batteries
• Movies and music on thumb drives only (“USB devises are cool to send movies and current shows on in digital form!  Just please keep them virus free.”
• 1 GB+ USB memory sticks (thumb drives) (blank)
• Cards, letters, group photos (we want them to know real people did this for them)
• Laundry PODS packed in a sturdy plastic or metal container.
• Tobacco (“yes a lot of us smoke, dip, chew, and vape”)

Food Stuffs:

• Hard candy
• Cookies
• Corn nuts
• Protein bars/powder
• Weight-lifting powder
• Gum
• Rice Krispy Treats
• Slim Jims
• Beef jerky
• Popsicle/Pop-Ice (some places have freezers)
• Granola and other snack bars
• Nuts other than peanuts in re-sealable containers
• Dried fruits in re-sealable containers
• Tins and packets of flavored coffee and cappuccino
• Breath mints
• Peanut butter crackers
• Liquid creamers in little plastic cups with a foil top packed in a sturdy plastic or metal container.

No-Nos:

·        Nococoa

·        “Donot ever, ever, send porn, alcohol or drugs.  These are illegal and canget the soldier in trouble.  I’m not talking about OTC drugs.  RatedR/NC-17/UR movies are not porn.  Nudity in print is pretty much a no, no,though have you seen the fashion ads in magazines these days?”

·        Nopeanuts

Thank you for whatever contributions you can make!

Regards, Bob Lane