The 2009 Habs Fall Classic
 

Well, never let it be said that I couldn't keep a secret...for at least 12 hours, anyway...:laughs:

I spoke with Pt Jude Joe yesterday and the wheels are in motion, so I thought I'd give everyone a heads-up on early details

The Second Annual John Habarek Memorial Striped Bass Tournament will take place Columbus Day Weekend, October 9th through the 11th, 2009.

And the 2009 Habs will be exactly the same as last year but different - we will have 4 official weigh stations for the tournament in Rhode Island - Edward's Fishing Tackle and The Saltwater Edge on Aquidneck Island, Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle in North Kingston and Quonny Bait and Tackle in Charlestown.

But for 2009 4 more official weigh stations have been added on the Cape and the North Shore - and I'll let Uncle Joe chime in with the shops and locations

You know, last year I joked with Joe that it was the kind of tourney that only a pair of Portagoosies like us could come up with...:hihi:...and this year is the same, no rules other than shore fishing only and the only divisions are 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place. Period. The K.I.S.S. principle at it's finest

The schedule of events is the same as last year, starting with a Friday Happy Hour Meet and Greet at Flo's Topside in Middletown on October 9th (as soon the wild Greek and I stop playing telephone tag to confirm) and ending with the Awards Ceremony and Raffle at the Blooberry Factory (also known as the Coddington Brew Pub) also in Middletown. And plenty of fishing from start to end

And - as last year - all proceeds will benefit the Hasbro Children's Hospital's Tomorrow Fund to help critically ill children and their families, a cause that John and his family deeply believed in.

It's all about the love and respect and a chance to get together for some friendly competition - it's a great time and a great way to remember a great guy

Here's a link to last year's Awards Ceremony and Raffle for a look at the prizes, the schwag - and a fine collection of fish-heads...:hihi:

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...s+fall+classic

Hope to see you all in October...:wave:

i was just talking about this last night with some buddies. thanks for the info crafty .

Looking forward to it. Last year was a great time. Hopefully the fishing is a little better than last years.

Can't wait for this years.

Geez, I thought Uncle Joe would have chimed in by now with the weigh stations in Massachusetts...:huh:

Well, I guess Johnny is keeping him pretty busy at the Habratory from what I hear - big batch of needlefish on the way...:)

Attaboy, John...:lasso:

Keep the elves in line...no loafing...:hihi:

Feel Free to Chime Away :hee:.....

Hmmm...let's see if I remember, Dad...I didn't write 'em down

Mike at M&D's, of course...Goose Hummock.......one in the North Shore area...then there's another one on the Cape

Dammit, I think I need another cup of starter fluid this morning...:yawn:

Hey, I'm old for chrissakes...:smokin:

I'll have to call Uncle Joe back for the definitive word since he's spoken with the shop owners

Pretty excited that we've expanded the contest area this year to make it easier for our brothers across the border to participate in The Habs without having to arrange a trip to RI to fish...:uhuh:

Sounds good.
might be a busy weekend for me, but if I'm available I'll at least make the party!

:kewl:

Early word is you really don't want to miss the Awards Ceremony and Raffle this year...;)

Ok here are the weigh in stations...Ma > Goose Hummock,Orleans
>Powderhorn Outfitters,Hyannis
>Crossroads B&T ,Salisbury
>JP's B&T ,Plymouth
> M&D's .Wareham

RI > Quonny B&T,Charleston
> Quaker Lane ,North Kingston
>Saltwater Edge,Middletown
>Edwards B&T,Newport

I hope to make it this year.

So its fair to assume with the weigh stations in Mass, we can fish Mass waters for this event. If I remember correctly I thought it was just RI waters last year.

Thanks, Unca Joe...:wave:

Yup - correct on both counts

Due to time constraints and logistics last year it was RI only to start with - this year also includes MA waters

Well, the Friday night Happy Hour Meet and Greet on October 9th is confirmed - talked to Komes this afternoon and we're on...:cheers:

So Friday at Flo's it is - upstairs at the Raw Bar on the Deck overlooking Easton's Point - clamcakes and chowder...and maybe a :gu: or two...and a whole lot of other seafood delights...:drool:

As well as the lovely Lisa sh#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g and serving your favorite carbonated beverages...:)

Nice work everyone :btu: - Going to repeat a great event in honor of Habs

Any word on sign up yet? Missed last year as I could not get the time off from work. all clear with a 4 day weekend this year. :fishin:

:soon:

Gotta make a pilgrimmage to the Habratory soon for a director's meeting - or more likely, it might be in Newport since I did promise Johnny and Nick a guided fishing trip - mostly along Thames St - in Newport this season

I dunno, he seemed to like the idea...:hihi:

As soon as tickets and sign-up sheets are distributed to the official weigh-in stations we'll make an announcement - gotta check in with Uncle Joe to see where we're at, it's been a busy season for everyone this year...:spin:

Glad to hear you're gonna be able to participate, T. - :kewl:

So stay tuned...don't touch that dial...:)

Let me know if you guys need any help.

Thanks, T. - will do...:wave:

.........And it was absolutely awesome last year !!!!

Pre and post meetups were a blast last year.

Looking forward to this year.

NORMMMMM!!

Look forward to see you and Sweet Jane soon, bro...:kewl:

Hope ya had a good summer!

So-So on the Summer.Didn't fish nearly as much as I would've liked,mostly because of lack of motivation.And a few other things.

Anyway I plan on fishing this one pretty hard.Gonna head down to the Edge right now and sign up.

See ya at Flo's and Jane and I will see ya at the Brewery.

Excellent, Norm - see you guys there...:kewl:

Chuck:
I'm in. Just got my trip for business straightened out and I will be back in time.
I didn't think i would be back in town but I'm back Thursday so I'll see you at Flo's. Show up this year will ya!! I owe you a trip on the boat.

I'll definitely see ya there, Paul - :wave:

And this year I promise not to be late - it's not quite as frantic getting it rolling as last year...:err:

:hihi:

I remember seeing the writing on Hab's packages to not leave your trash behind or something to that effect. I hope everyone heeds those words during the tournament ( and all year round ). We all want to have fun but we all also want to be able to go to our spots year after year after year and as we all know some spots are a very delicate balance for access which could be shut down or closed off to all fishermen if we trash the place and don't respect people's properties. If we leave the fishing spots looking better than they did when we arrived then that goes a long way towards building up good will in the communities

Best wishes to all in the tournament

Fish harder and fish smarter

Okay I'm stepping off my soapbox now....
:)