2026-2027 Officers and Trustees

 

Annual election of the officers and Trustees that comprise our Board of Directors occurred at the March 3 general membership meeting.  The 2026-2027 Board members officially assume their duties on April 1.  The newly elected officers are President Richard Sharp, Vice President Owen Matson, Treasurer Ron Moore, and Secretary Mike Estes.  Retiring president Evan Kirkpatrick will serve on the Board as Immediate Past President.  Jerry Bloom, Maija Greer, Tim Irvin, Monte Kelsey, Paul Kison, Packy Lackey, Larry Martin, Dave Myers, John Prather, Dale Schielke, Bill Suhr, Marilyn Steele and Pete Workman were elected to serve as Trustees.  The Board may have as many as fifteen (15) Trustees, so there is room for two (2) additional Trustees if you are willing to serve.   We are also still looking for a member to maintain the Club’s membership records and another member to serve as the administrator for the Club’s web page.  If you may be willing to serve, please contact Richard Sharp (509-551-6785) or Mike Estes (509-551-9066).  Thanks to everyone who served on the Board this past year and welcome to those who have agreed to join the Board for the coming year.  Everyone’s contributions are greatly appreciated.    

 

Volunteers Needed for Salmon in the Classroom Fish Release

 

Young Chinook salmon that are being raised in fish tanks at approximately 40 local schools will be released by students at the East Columbia Park boat ramp during the Salmon Summit on Tuesday April 21 and Wednesday April 23.   Eight to ten volunteers will be needed from 8:00am to about 10:30 am each day to help with the fish release.  If you are interested in assisting with the salmon release on one or both days, please contact Mike Estes (509-551-9066). More than 2,000 students are expected to attend the Salmon Summit in Columbia Park during the two-day event.

 

2026 KOE Fishing Events

 

The 2026 Kids Outdoor Education (KOE) fishing events will be at Columbia Park Pond on April 17 and April 18.  Fishing rod assembly for the events is on Saturday, March 28, starting at 9:00am at the Hunter Education room at Grigg’s Department Store in Pasco or you can check out rods for assembly at home by contacting Marilyn Steele whose contact information is shown below.

  

• One of two persons are needed to provide security at the pond from noon to dusk on Thursday April 16.  Please contact Marilyn if you are willing to monitor the pond.

•  The Special Needs event will be on Friday April 17 from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.  Volunteers should plan to arrive by 12:30pm.  Volunteers are needed to hand out rods and bait, mentor fishermen around the pond, and to clean the fish.  Dinner for volunteers at the gazebo to follow.

• Kids Fishin’ Day will be on Saturday April 18 from 7:00am to 4:00pm.  Volunteers should plan to arrive by 6:30am.  Volunteers are needed to check in registered youth, hand out rods and bait, mentor and assist fishermen around the pond, clean fish, repair fishing reels, and to monitor the volunteer food area.  Food and beverages will be provided all day for volunteers.     

 

The registration fee to fish this year has been increased from $10 to $15 due to the loss of Washington ALEA grant funds.  Kids get to keep their fishing rods.  Please mark your calendar.  Any questions can be directed to Marilyn Steele, 509-392-2128 or momhoops46@gmail.com.

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New Members

 

We missed welcoming new members in the newsletter last month and there are a few more this month.  Five new applications were approved in February.  Memberships were approved for Jawaun Jackson of Richland, Daniel Turlington of Richland, Daniel Simritt Family of Boardman, Randall Williams of Richland, and Forrest and LeAnna Keel Family of Richland.  Applications were approved in March for Dave and Jennifer McNeal of West Richland and the Tiffini LaRoue Family of Kennewick.  Please welcome these new members.  We hope they will become regular attendees at our meetings and become active participants in club activities.   

 

Donations Received

 

Several significant donations were received this month.  Gaylord Pyle donated approximately 80 used “T” posts to the wood duck nest box program.  Nest boxes are attached to 2” diameter galvanized pipe and then the pipe is slid down over the “T” post which has been driven in the ground.  The box then can be removed and cleaned as needed without the use of a ladder or other tools.

 

Bob Zeka and his wife, Mindy, delivered a Honda Pilot load of donations for the Wild Game Dinner from their home in Everett to the Tri-Cities.  Bob is a member of the Washington Waterfowl Association and was an RRGC member several years ago when he and other WWA members used to attend our WGD when they came to eastern Washington to maintain duck nest boxes.

 

Several cases of hunting supplies including game bags, elk calls, scent killers, and other items were donated by Richland Walmart thanks to the efforts of Randy Strand of the Richland store Sporting Goods Department.  We appreciate being recognized as being deserving of receiving these donations.