The bass club held it’s final meeting of the 2000 season on December 14^th at the Eagles Club in Windom. 16 members participated. Minutes from the Nov meeting were read and approved. Treas report stated that we have $1206.00 in our checking account. Bruce Caldwell gave a presentation on projected bills and obligations for the banquet in Feb. The banquet will just about use up the entire checking account, but notes that some of the moneys will be made back on the raffles etc. All members are now paid up from this past years camping. This will be Bruce Caldwell’s last newsletter as he has decided to retire from the duties of sec/treas.

Banquet update; Tony Brister came with examples of the plaques he plans on making. He got the go ahead to get them done and he will notify us when he will need help some evening to put the photos and plates on them, this should be sometime in late January. The date for the banquet will be Feb 17^th at PJ’s II in Bingham Lake, cost will be $10.00 per person. For this fee you will receive a meal and door prize ticket. Reid Johnson asked the banquet committee to get together after the meeting. Invitations will be sent out at a later date to all members, guests & sponsors. After talking to PJ’s, "ROAD TRASH" will entertain us after the awards. This is provided by Josh Caldwell DJ service. PJ’s will pick up some of the costs for him, so we may have a small fee as well. He has rock from the 60’s-90’s and modern country.

Rule Change; A motion was made by Bruce Caldwell and seconded by Tony Brister to raise the non-boater fee from $10.00 to $15.00 for the 2001 season. We will vote on this a the January 11^th meeting. Partners at tournaments; Brad Kohlhof and others asked the club to think about changing the rule on partners for boaters fishing together. They think we should leave it up to them if they wish to fish with each other or alone. We will continue to discuss this at the next meeting.

New Members; Steve Plumhoff & Elmer Welsh from Alfa Minnesota came to the meeting and expressed their interest in joining our club. They found us on the internet bass club web page. They then contacted Bruce Caldwell and he sent them the rules and regulations plus other information about our club. We will vote on them at the next meeting. Steve will be a non-boater and Elmer will be a boater, he has a 17’ bass boat. Welcome aboard guys.

Kids fishing; Anyone who got a tackle packet from Reid or Marlin to take a kid fishing this past summer that didn’t do so, please return the packet. The packets cost the club $5.00, so if you didn’t turn in the contest sheet to Marlin then pay the club for the packet or return them at the next meeting. Marlin Palm is planing to have the winners of the contests come to the banquet to receive their prizes.

The Valentines party scheduled for Feb 17^th at the 71 club is now cancelled due to the banquet has to be held on that date.

We talked about lakes again and the club was encouraged to get more information on other lakes in the area that we haven’t fished. Bring them to the next meeting.

Bruce Caldwell asked the club to support him on an idea to send notices to area residents of Fish Lake to encourage them to catch and release all small mouth bass. It has been a big problem with cabin fisherman killing to many of these fish. Bruce will talk to the DNR and see if they may be interested in coming to the January meeting and discuss the problem with us about this rare fishery.

Web site; Tony Brister was appointed to work with the Red Rock school and set up a web site for the bass club. The site will have current standings and well as photos etc; We are hoping to have it up and running just before the fishing season begins. Also Tony Brister made a suggestion that we use a digital camera next year for all the photos at the contests etc.

Election; President Rich Gisch, Vice President Marvin Stevens, Treasury Marlin Palm, Sectary Tony Brister, Stats Coordinator Orlyn Hagena, Tournament Director Brad Kohlhof, Asst Tournament Director Reid Johnson, Head Weigh Master Wayne Carlson, Asst Weigh Masters Kevin Paulsen & Leif "didn’t kick ass" Hanson.

Last we heard it from the Pro’s from Big Lake.