Puget Sound Anglers – Gig Harbor & Tacoma

April 2025 message

Well, spring has spring and we can get back on the water this month. Blackmouth season opens for areas 10 and 11 on April 2nd, and our annual Dick Smythe Blackmouth outing happens on Saturday April 5th.

I would like to thank Jeff, Dave, and Pat for their presentation on Columbia River springer fishing at our March members meeting. It was very informative, timely, and some great hints on how to be successful were shared. As I write this, Patrick and I are putting some of their tips and practices to the test, but unfortunately we must not be good students.

As previously mentioned, our annual Dick Smythe Backmouth derby is Saturday, April 5th. To participate, please email me ahead of time at: WMacaras@centurytel.net to sign up. The fee is $10 and must be paid not later than at the weigh-in, 11:30 am, at the Boathouse. We will meet at Ben Dew’s restaurant at 12:30 pm for the “award” ceremony and the annual sharing of the award by all participants. It looks like the weather will be cooperating.

Also, don’t forget about the clam and spaghetti dinner on Wednesday, April 9th. The dinner time is 6:00 pm and is at the VFW hall, at 4741 N. Baltimore St., Tacoma. The dinner is in place of our monthly members meeting.

Heads up for our May members meeting. Our guest speaker is our very own Art Tachell, and the topic is on an Area 11 historical fishing topic still in practice by many area 11 anglers, Meat Lining. Bet you didn’t think you would come to a club meeting and get a history lesson. The Tech Tips topic is another one of interest to us in the south sound. Tom Sullivan will be discussing area 13 fishing. More on these topics in my May President’s message.

One of the things members liked about our club, and brought up numerous times in the February questionnaire, was the fact they learn from our members. Hence, Tech Tips. These are short, pre-meeting topics of interest to us, as anglers. It is presented as an open discussion and time to share information with fellow club members. I am always looking for volunteers to share on a topic of their choosing. Hopefully you were able to come away with at least one idea from the March Tech Tips.

We need your donations. The Point Defiance Boathouse swap meet is Saturday, May 10th. Many of us have tackle, fishing gear, and other items we no longer use. If you do, please donate it to the club. We will be collecting items the night of our clam/spaghetti dinner and the morning of the swap meet. We will also need volunteers to help with the swap and help with the trout pond, which the club is sponsoring and facilitating.

Lastly, thank you to the many volunteers who have helped with the Cabellas trout pond and the two work parties to clean and reassemble the salmon smolt nets and pens. Remember, every time you volunteer with a club project, your name is added for the end of year drawing for a Scotty 1106B down rigger.

Thank you,
Bill Macaras, president

March 2025 message

Here it is, March already. Soon we will be able to get back on the water, in our local waters, doing what we enjoy the most.

We had an excellent turnout for the February meeting, celebrating the club’s 28th birthday. I would like to thank everyone for providing input on the questionnaire. Results will be shared at a future meetings.

Thank you to Todd Girtz of Extreme Fishing for providing a very informative presentation on halibut fishing. Todd shared some excellent tips, rigs, and setups for halibut and ling cod fishing. It is easy to see why he is highly regarded as a top halibut and ling cod angler and guide.

The presenters for March are Jeff Norwood and Dave Bergeron, and the topic is Columbia River Springer Fishing. They will be discussing, and sharing, their secrets on how to have success while fishing for springers on the Columbia River. A very timely presentation, as springer fishing comes into full swing in March. I will be taking lots of notes.

For the first time in many years, this month we will also have a pre-meeting tech tips open forum discussion. This is a great opportunity to share, and learn, on various topics from your fellow club members. This club has many outstanding and experienced anglers, many of whom are willing to help make us all better anglers. The presenter this month is Bill Macaras, and the topic will be hoochie rigging, tips and tricks. These sessions will begin at 6:30 for anyone interested in attending. This is a great opportunity to share, and learn.

Area 11 Blackmouth fishing is scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 2nd this year, and is open on Wednesdays through Saturdays until quotas are met. Thus, the club members only annual Dick Smyth fishing outing will be held on April 5th, from daylight to the weigh-in at 11:30 am. The cost is $10 per person and you must be a paid member to participate. Sign up before April 2nd. Contact Bill Macaras if you plan to participate. More details will be available at the March meeting

On March 8th, 9:00 am, club members will be pressure washing nets and scraping pontoons, getting them ready for the salmon pens. We will meet at the Point Defiance marina. Make sure to bring rain gear and boots, as it can get a bit wet.

The annual clam and spaghetti dinner is scheduled for April 9th, 6:00 pm. Remember to sign up for the dinner, and specify the number clam dinners. We have reduced the price of the dinner to $20.00. You must sign up ahead of time, either at the March club meeting, or online, by March 31st. The dinner will be held at the VFW hall, 4741 N Baltimore St, Tacoma, WA.

Remember, while we are at our March 12th meeting, the wives are having the first ever quarterly get together at Ben Dew’s Clubhouse restaurant, 6501 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. This is an excellent opportunity for the wives to meet, socialize, and have fun. A special thank you to our events assistant, Alicia Sanchez, for proposing and coordinating this activity.

Mark your calendars: the board meeting is March 4th, 6 pm at Ben Dew’s Clubhouse, 6501 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA, and the general meeting on March 12th at 7 pm at Tower Lanes, 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you,

Bill Macaras

President, 2025

This is a busy time of the year for us. We have begun working on a number of short, and long term, projects and activities for the club. More information will be presented at the February club meeting and on our web page.

This month’s speaker will be Todd Girtz from Todd’s Extreme Fishing. Todd is known for his bottom fishing adventures and unparalleled success, and will have an engaging presentation on halibut fishing.

The annual Puyallup Sportsman Show is January 30th to February 2nd, and the Seattle Boat show begins on February 2nd. The Puget Sound Anglers will have a booth at both shows, and our club will be manning the Sportsman Show booth on Saturday, February 1st. If you make it to the show, make sure you stop by and say hi. We will also be manning a booth at the Seattle Boat Show on February 8th.

Reminder, annual dues is due by February 1st. If you have not yet renewed your dues, please do so at the next meeting. You must be an up-to-date registered member to be eligible for the membership drawing.

We have begun the process of planning for our annual August salmon derby. Please remember, that we depend on volunteers to make this club, and events such as this, to run smoothly. We will need your help to ensure this event is a success.

Our board meetings are held at Ben Dew’s Clubhouse on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. The address is 6501 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. All club members are invited, and encouraged to attend this meeting.

This month’s general meeting will be held on the second Wednesday of the month, February 12th, at 7 pm at Tower Lanes, located at 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA.

Thank you,

Bill Macaras, 2025 president

President’s Message for January 2025

Welcome to the New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone. I, and the other officers, hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends. I would like to thank the past officers (Chris, Donald, Derek, Larry, and Ron) for the great job they did this past year. They will be a hard act to follow. Also, a big thanks goes to everyone involved with the planning and execution of the annual Christmas party. It was a fun and enjoyable evening for all who attended.

Your new officers for 2025 are: Vice President: Patrick S., Secretary: Larry B., Treasurer: Ethan K., Membership: Marty R., and Raffle: Ron. On behalf of the new officers, I would like to thank the members of the club with entrusting us with running the club for the upcoming new year. Planning has already begun for meeting speakers and the many events this club participates in during the year. Soon, more information will be available on the Web page and at the meetings. In January, we will have a representative from Fish Northwest speak at our meeting.

Our monthly board meetings are held at Ben Dew’s Clubhouse on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. The address is 6501 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. All club members are welcome to attend and participate in board meetings. Our general meetings are held at Tower Lanes on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. The address is 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA.

Remember, dues for 2025 are due by January 31st.

Thank you,
Bill Macaras, 2025 President

President’s Message for October

Welcome to October! This year is flying by quickly.

We had a great outing in Area 11 on September 7th. We were joined by 25 club members for a fishing trip. Donald Auman caught the biggest fish, a coho weighing 8.38 pounds. Thanks to everyone who joined us.

We are actively seeking dedicated volunteers to take on officer roles for the coming year. If you’re interested, please reach out for more information.

Our Christmas party is scheduled for December 6th at the VFW on 4741 N Baltimore St, Tacoma, WA. We could really use some help with the party, so please get in touch if you want to get involved.

Mark your calendars: the board meeting on October 1st at 6 pm at Ben Dew’s Clubhouse, 6501 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA, and the general meeting on October 9th at 7 pm at Tower Lanes, 6323 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. Everyone is welcome.

Wishing you all a fantastic month

Chris Tremblay

GHPSA President 2024