Foster Clean-up crew....

[CrappieJohn]

We had a successful day with our clean-up and had far better weather this year as well. We had quite a crew to help out and after the work was done, the fishing began and the hot dogs got cooked. We had some tackle handouts for the youngsters who got involved and basically just had a good time.

Its hard to imagine how many people just came out today to help out and don't even read Fm. The local newspaper had a great hand in the announcement department and to that end, thanks go to The Rochester Post-bulletin and sportswriter John Weiss for his help in plugging this event. WXguy had a hand in getting the word out as well and while he could not join us today, he still gets some big thanks for all he has been and does for the local crew here.

Many others deserve thanks for this get-together and I hope that I get all of them mentioned here. And I'll try not to mis-spell any names.

Dan Thiem and son Alex (Young Gun);

Andy V. (Rugbyguy);

Eric (Muskyfreak131)and son Brandon;

Tyler Holm;

David Frank (DaveFrank);

Craig Selland;

Bill Harwick (C&R Guy)

Patrick Medina (PMD);

Nick Matti (Crickshop) and daughter Taylor ( a real sweetheart!);

Chris Burdick (FishHunter) and son;

Monica, Linda and son Donovan.

All of you made this day a huge success and I hope all of you realize how much I appreciate each and every one of you for your generous gift of time for this.

Culprit Tackle/ Crappie Plastics and Jeff Beckwith from Scenic Tackle also made generous donations to go to the kids who were involved. To both companies, a heartfelt thak you for your generosity! Since we had limited attendence today, those kids really got some nice tackle....lots of nice tackle. A couple of new comers to FM also got a bit of the handout stuff to get them geared toward the fishing we were doing today as well.

The weather was kind and the company was simply outstanding. I hope that everyone had as much fun as I did and I hope we can meet again next year at the same time and place to do it all again. We brought in eight bags of trash that would otherwise be cluttering up our environment. While this may seem like a very insignificant amount of debris, it quite simply is that much less to abuse our eyes and waters. The old adage that actions speak louder than words will most certainly hold true in what we did today as there were many who stood back and watched as we set about doing what we came to do. Hopefully, just hopefully, next year we will find as we did this year, less to pick up.

To each and all of you mentioned here.....my hat is off to you. Thank You!

[Dan Thiem]

It sure was a great turn out! I'm still trying to remember who's who. Meeting FMer's and putting a face with a name is always a good thing.

I bet all together we must have removed at least 50 pounds of litter.

Here's a few quick pics from yesterday.

[PDM]

I had a good time as well. The fish weren't biting much but just as I was about to leave I caught my first fish on the ice. It was a massive 4 inch sunfish. It was great meeting everyone and I plan to attend as many FM events as I can.

[Fish_Hunter]

Thank You Tom, for you kindness, Jake and I made it out there late, but Tom was still a great guy to give Jake some tackle. That really made his trip out on the ice even better. He did manage to have a few bites, but we just couldn't bring'em in! He said he had a great time as well as I did!! He also said that's fishing we'll get'em next time. So all in all it was a excellent day. I would also like to add, I think it is so awesome that there are people out there that come to a clean-up like this. I am always so disgusted during the summer to see all that trash in the water. Have you guys ever though of doing one in the springtime or summer?

[CrappieJohn]

Chris....

Indeed. We did have some banter about a clean-up along Silver lake and the Zumbro River from the dam down to the 19th Street Bridge, but the weather and high water shot us in the foot...that was last year. I have been quiet about the idea thus far, but if enough people will commit to an event like that I'd be more than game to take it on again.

[Tyler Holm]

I was glad to be a part of an environment friendly event like this. It was also great to meet several more FMers and their kids. Between the clean-up, the hot dogs, the great people at FM, and the beautiful weather, this event was a huge success.

Tom, a HUGE thanks to you and all your hard work and preparation for organizing this event. I think I speak for everybody when I say Thank-You. The Rochester area forum wouldn't be the same without you and your kindness and wisdom.

RugbyGuy, Dan, Young Gun, Dave, Craig - Always a pleasure and enjoyment fishing with you guys.

PDM - Glad you "broke the ice" with that first fish. We'll have to put in some "seat time" sometime soon on the ice.

FishHunter, C&R Guy, Crickschop, and MuskyFreak - Glad to have finally met. It’s nice to put a name with a face. Looking forward to more run-ins and more fishing.

There was at least one more person that is not being recognized here. This gentleman had a green coat on and we spent some time sharing my garbage bag since yours was full. I really apologize for forgetting your name. I don't recall seeing you on the ice, but I know you assisted in the cleanup.

PS I'm interested in helping in the Silver Lake clean-up

[Fish_Hunter]

Tom, when it closer to that time let's talk about it a bit, I would defintely be interested in helping out, I would even help you do some coordinating if needed.

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone! It was a great day to get out there. Thanks to Dan & Tyler for cooking that gourmet lunch of cheese filled hotdogs (and to all that paid for them). Thanks to Tom for organizing and for sharing some of angling expertise. Nice to meet everyone and hope to attend future events.

C & R Guy,

Bill Harwick

[Crickschop04]

Taylor had a great time as did I. It was great to meet everyone and put some faces to screen names. A big thanks to everyone especially our organizer.

12 inch rainbow & first fish through the ice

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[Ron Burgundy]

Great pic!