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Austin
Dear Fellow Angler and CCA Supporter, Since its pioneering efforts began in 1997, The Coastal Conservation Association has supported our fisheries and coastal wildlife habitats to the benefit of all of us who spend our free time enjoying the bounties of the sea. It is because of this organization that catching redfish is now commonplace, whereas only a few years ago reds were at risk of being wiped out. We should all be extremely proud to be a part of this success and honored in the knowledge that it is our memberships in CCA and our participation in CCA events that enable the efforts in place now to protect and restock other fisheries and to restore and preserve the habitats that these fisheries need to flourish. The CCA and its many beneficiaries thank you for making a monumental difference! Our 2009 Austin chapter banquet was a resounding success… Thank you all for your help and participation! The CCA banquet has become Austin’s largest fundraiser event for Texas conservation and Texas outdoors. This year’s event raised the standard once again for action, auctions, gifts and prizes. If you would like to help in preparations for the 2010 banquet we’d love for you to participate. Check the website regularly for meetings and events leading up to the 2010 Banquet. Drop in, lend a hand, get to know your fishing brethren (and sistren), and enjoy helping throw the biggest and best event yet! Best regards, Scott McGuire 512-468-6490 2009 CCA Austin Chapter Officers CCA Austin History Subsequent to an article in the Austin American Statesman about G.C.C.A.’s efforts to make redfish and trout gamefish, thus eliminating commercial netting of the species and taking the fish off of the commercial market, i.e., out of restaurants and meat markets, Bill Stringer called the Houston G.C.C.A. office to inquire about their interest in an Austin chapter. G.C.C.A. was receptive and explained they had been referred to Ed Fleming as one to possibly start an Austin chapter. Since Ed and Bill had worked together for the previous 8 years at Neiman, Hanks and Puryear as commercial real estate brokers, they were both members of the Austin Woods and Waters Club, and Ed had reintroduced Bill to saltwater fishing as an adult, their working together on G.C.C.A. was a natural. They first approached Woods and Waters to sponsor the Austin chapter of G.C.C.A., but their plate was full and there were concerns about how G.C.C.A.’s proposals would impact their restaurant and commercial fishing friends. What was obviously, a good decision for the saltwater sportsman, was controversial and concerning to those not directly aligned with the sport. Although the date of the first organizational meeting is not certain, it was soon after September, 1979 and the attendees were as follows: Bill Archer, John Avent, Russ Butler, Ed Fleming, Jr., Jim Fredrick, Ragan Gennusa, Robert Hearn, Bob Jenkins,D.D.S., Terry Kahn, Phd., Charles Morrison,Al H. Robinson, III, Tom Searcy, Michael W. Simpson, Ed Small, Bill Stringer, and Ben Vaughn. Election of officers and planning for the first fundraiser was the business at hand. Ed Fleming was elected President, Bill Stringer, Sec. Treas. and Michael W. Simpson, Membership Chairman and everyone in attendance served on the Executive Committee. The first banquet was held at Skateland in north Austin on McCann Street immediately off Research Boulevard. The cost for the hall was minimal due to the rink’s floor having been damaged by water and was a little rough, to say the least! The menu was fried catfish fillets and boiled shrimp. Beer was donated by Dan Brown and Lowell Leiberman and mixed drinks were served at the chapter’s€™s cost. The total attendance is not of record, but it was all male by design. The net proceeds were approximately $25,000.00. The auction was organized and directed by Dickie Ingram, Executive Director for G.C.C.A. and the ticket sellers were hand picked from a local modeling agency! The second banquet was held at the La Mansion Hotel, now the Doubletree Austin on La Posada and IH 35. The menu and location had a lot less character, but since women were allowed at this function, after an uprising by the feminine fishers , a general upgrading was in demand! The net proceeds were improved, but the numbers are not available. Throughout the first several years of the chapters existence, the membership was called on to attend TPWD and legislative hearings and bill signings! One special night can be recalled when a large number of Austin’s Executive Committee chartered a plane and attended a Houston Chapter banquet. Those members that could remember the banquet, were impressed and challenged for sure! Ed Fleming and Bill Stringer served on the State Board Of Trustees until 1988, when they were elected to Trustee Emeritus status.
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