Thanks for stopping.

With any luck, I have posted some signs around the lake encouraging local anglers to participate in this small club.

Because the club has not really started yet, and I am the only member, I thought I would take this initial post to describe what I hope to accomplish.

As an avid local, but small time fisherman, I have been searching for a club that would be everything I want, and nothing I don't need. Most clubs were too big and too serious. I only want to meet and fish with other people locally and have a good time. After paying my $50 dues to another club, I watched as they changed all of their tournament schedules weekly and refined the dozen pages of bi-laws. I can't go to the 'meetings' on week nights, and can not attend the tournaments on Saturday mornings. Of course the bi-laws say that this makes me a member not in good standing and leaves me in-eligible for any of the club 'benefits'. Not only that, but my first non-sanctioned outing with some other members ended up with me fishing all alone in a tiny lake over an hour from my home.

The Barton Run Fishing Club aims at creating a relaxed and fun forum for very local anglers to meet up and enjoy our surrounding lakes. Now for some of my ideas.

Yes, we will have fees. They will probably be about $5 per person for the 'tournaments'. That will cover the awards. If you dont want to get an award, but still want to fish with us, then just dont pay the $5. Its that easy. I don't plan on spending much money at all on advertising or junk like that. No annual dues! If you want things like logo T-Shirts and stuff, I can make that happen easily, but you will have to buy the stuff on an individual basis.

Tournaments will be scheduled about one week in advance. They will all be very local. Either Barton Run, Kirby's Mill (for boaters) or Kings Grant if I can convince the association there to let us fish the lake.

Having a canoe or Kayak is not required, but will obviously help your chances. I am sure people have spare boats to lend out and tandem fishing is allowed, and will help your chances even more (two people increase the intimidation factor). I have seen many boats along side of the lake that never ever get used. I will try to see if we can borrow those boats from the owners.

Fishing from shore will also be allowed. However, you may not alter the local brush or terrain to gain access.

The only thing that will not be official club plolicy is live bait. Even though we will be having fun, the idea is to learn about tactics, methodology and new things. I dont think you can do that by watching a bobber.

Awards will be for serious and the non-serious alike. Most lost lures, most found lures. Most minor injuries. Smallest fish, largest fish. Most fish and fewest fish (I am expecting a few ties for that last one). Best fishing outfit, and of course worst fishing outfit (this will be a voted award if applicable).

We will also encourage a 'hands out' policy. As in, make sure you have something in your hands when leaving that you did not bring with you...trash. The majority of Barton Run is rather clean; however, the shore access areas tend to get a bit trashy. Cigarette butts, empty cans, lure trash and such are an eye sore.

Rained out tournaments and events will hopefuly be replaced by beer and pizza while watching some fishing shows. Larry Dahlberg, Bill Dance, Iaconelli and Zona to name a few.


Please leave a note for me. I have not speant very much time on this and have no idea what to expect. I know there are a bunch of people out there that would enjoy this. So give me a call, write and email or respond to othe posts here. And please, help me out by sharing your ideas and insight. I would love to get some feedback.

Thanks again,

Andrew. :el