2008 cca louisiana board of directors

The official newsletter of the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana February/March 2008CCA Louisiana State ConventionFebruary 29 and March 1Lafayette, LouisianaThis Just In. . .Governor Bobby Jindal toSpeak at ConventionDear CCA Members and volunteers,I would like to invite all of you to CCA Louisiana’s annual State Conventionon February 29 th and March 1 st at the Lafayette Hilton in downtownLafayette. This event will offer a great opportunity to meet volunteers fromaround the state and meet all of the people that put your hard work into action.And of course, when a group of CCA members get together, it will surely be agreat time.The weekend is filled with enlightening and fun events for you and your spouses.On Friday night we will have a Chapter cook-off and tailgate party which is alwaysthe party of the year. On Saturday will have speakers ranging from the President ofCCA America to lobbyists and biologists from Washington D.C. We will also hear fromnewly elected Louisiana officials. Saturday morning is meant to show you the big pictureof the Coastal Conservation Association.Saturday afternoon will feature some great changes for this year. We will have boat demonstrations from CCA sponsors,skeet shooting, and tours of River Ranch, Louisiana’s Premier Residential Community. Be sure not to miss the awardsluncheon where the bragging from chapter to chapter will begin. On Saturday night the real party will take place. We willhave a great banquet with donations from every state chapter and from around the country. Also, all of you will enjoyawesome live entertainment from The Longneck Society followingthe banquet.Your $85 registration fee includes all meals and drinksas well as your banquet ticket for Saturday night. If yourspouse attends, their registration is complimentary. TheHilton Lafayette also has given us some great rates startingat $119 a night.You can find more information and registration formsat the CCA Louisiana website at www.ccalouisiana.com.For your hotel reservations, call the Hilton Lafayette at800-Hiltons (using group code: CCA).We look forward to seeing you this year, there are a lot ofbragging rights at stake and you wouldn’t want my chapter,Acadiana, to take home every award.See you on February 29th,Marc MoutonAcadiana CCA Chapter PresidentDavid Cresson Jr. catches ‘em big on afishing trip with his dad,CCA executive director David Cresson.See their story on page 2 ofthis publication.CCALouisianaState ConventionSend UsYour Kid’sPictures!Kids photos will befeatured here inOn the Line or postedon our website.Please include theirname and informationabout the good time theyhad on the water.Send photos toBeth Ford atbeth@ccalouisiana.com

Executive Director Messagefrom Executive Director/CEO David CressonThe Best Trip Ever…With the beginning of the new year comes the beginningof a very busy time here at CCA Louisiana. StateConvention is just around the corner, and our banquetseason is quickly approaching. Before you know it,S.T.A.R. 2008 will have begun. Our volunteers areworking on projects throughout the state in an effortto preserve our bountiful coast and its resources. Butas we forge ahead, I can’t help reflecting on what ourwork here at CCA is all about, and the memories it hashelped make for me…I’ve done a lot of fishing over the years. Like you,I’ve had some good trips and some “not so good” trips.Also like yours, my good ones get better as time goeson. In fact, I am sometimes asked about my “best tripever.” Until December of 2007, I’d probably give adifferent answer every time.Some of my fondest memories on a boat were withmy dad who used to include me on his “big trips” …even when I was a bit too young for the “big trips”with his buddies.We would launch at Delacroix in St. Bernard andhe would let me go get the bait. It made me feel likea useful deckhand. I would un-tie the dock line andpush the boat away from the dock. Again, being useful.I’d wave to the other boats as we’d idle past them,because that’s what dad did.After an endlessly long idle (probably 50 yards) we’dgun it. I remember shooting down Bayou Gentilly inhis modified ski-boat from which we’d fish. I thoughtit was the fastest boat on the water. Going that fastwe’d be in Little Lake in 15 minutes. He taught meearly to tie my own knots, bait my own hook and castwithout help. By the time we’d ease into the spot, mybait was already airborne.I know we caught fish sometimes…there are picturesto prove it. But when I think about it, it reallywasn’t about catching fish. It was more about beingwith my dad, doing something cool. It was about kiddingaround in ways we couldn’t in front of mom, andfeeling like I was one of the fellas. I will never forgetthat time of my life, and I’ll forever appreciate my dadfor including me.Nowadays, I am the proud father of three beautifulchildren. My middle son, David Jr., just turnedfour. Little David and I made our first “big trip” inDecember 2007, just before the holidays. What a daywe had!We launched in Venice, heading toward Yellow CottonBay. As we idled out of the launch, David askedme why we were going so slow. “GO FASTER” hebegged, and we did as soon as it was safe. It was right On the Line February/March 2008continued on page 3Jack Lawton, Jr.ChairmanRobert AlexanderTim AllenGeorge AnthonLee ArcementKevin BankstonChris BarkerBill BassTed BeaullieuGeorge BentJason BertrandBill BlanchetBoysie BollingerPaul BourgeoisCraig BrammerAl BroussardGerald BryantBob BushP.B. CandiesDanny CannonCharlie CaplingerMike CoullardHoward CuevasJohn CurrenBentley CurryDal DaigleM.J. DanosDavid DefeliceAllen DeffnerChris DiedrichAl DomescikRich DonaldsonRoger Doody, Jr.Tad DowdChas DrostBerwick DuvalCCA Louisiana StaffDavid CressonExecutive Director/CEOSam Barbera IIIS.T.A.R. Director2008 CCA LouisianaBoard of DirectorsBeth FordCCA/S.T.A.R. Admin. CoordinatorChris HarbuckPresidentBrad FifeDoyle FontenotBryan FotiCarter FourrierEdward FrancisBob FrugeRandy Gros*Sonny GuiceChris HarbuckRon HarrisGlenn HebertGary HickmanRandy HoveyJim HufftGeorge HuyeTodd JohnsonRichard KernionWalter KirtlandCorry LandryWayne LandwerlinKirk LaVigne, Jr.Jack Lawton Jr.Andy LeBlancGuy LegendreTodd LormandDoug MajorJohn MarshallCraig MatherneRobert McGuirtRonald MelebeckNat MercanteFrederic MillerPatrick MilliganMarc MoutonMike NortonMike OncaleDarlene DehnerAccountingRad TrascherDirector of DevelopmentLara BallardAssistant DirectorBill BlanchetTreasurerEdmond O’QuinAndy PlaucheRalph RabalaisAnthony RandazzoAndy RobertsChris RoosNelson Roth, Jr.Joey RussoJim RussoMike SchexnayderJohn SchneiderGus Schram IIIRogers SerpasRos ShirleyKirk SieberJohn SourLuke St. PierreTroy StineJoe TerritoRandy TheriotMark ThibodeauxRay ThomasJason ThomaseeTeddy TwiggE. J. VailDanny VanScott VicknairPierre VillereRusty VincentKelly WalkerJohn WaltherCarolyn WaltherJ.C. WebbLouis WellanShag Wheelington*In MemoriumRyan GuerinAssistant DirectorKevin BankstonSecretaryAdvertising in On the LineOn the Line, the official newsletter of the Coastal Conservation Associationof Louisiana, is an 8.5x11, four-color process, bi-monthlynewsletter distributed to CCA Louisiana members throughout thestate. Newsletters are mailed by the first of the months of February,April, June, August, October and December.Ads are due by the 15th of the previous month (i.e. an ad for theFebruary On the Line is due by January 15th).For more information about advertising in On the Line, contactBeth Ford, CCA/S.T.A.R. Administrative Coordinator, at225.952.9200.Tony BerriganSTAR/Banquet Assistant

Executive Director Messagecontinued from page 2then that I remembered another lesson my dad taughtme as a kid…TURN YOUR HAT BACKWARDS so itdoesn’t fly off. In fact, I remembered it just as David’shat went whizzing past my face into my wake.Hat rescued, we continued to the honey hole. I helpedhim cast the first one, and showed him how to pop thecork and reel in the slack. I told him if he saw the cork gounder, a fish is biting. Lift the rod tip and start reeling!Then it happened.The second I turned around to grab my rod, I hear Davidyelling from the front of the boat, “It’s under daddy!”I’ll be darned if that four-year-old fishing rookiedidn’t hook AND land that trout all by himself. It wasundoubtedly the most exciting 14-inch speck ever swungover my gunwale! From there, I showed him how to grabthe fish (with a towel), remove the hook, measure him andput him in the box. A little later on, he hooked anotherone. “Get the net daddy” he yelled. “It’s a strong one.”Absolutely priceless.That turned out to be one of those magical days. Welaughed at things his mom wouldn’t approve of, and wecaught fish all day. David insisted on doing his “all byhimself ” and I was glad to oblige. Heck, I was catching‘em too!When we had our fill, we counted our fish, put our rodsup and headed in. David looked pretty proud of himselfAROUND THE STATEas we scooted back towards the launch. His daddywas even more proud…the little man had handled himselfpretty well out there. I remember thinking, “Youknow, THIS IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.” I also realizedthat little David is me 30 years ago- EXACTLY ME.In fact, he was even telling fish stories by the time we gothome!Since that day, I now have an easy answer when someoneasks about my best trip ever. I’ll tell them, “It wasthe day I realized how much I love to fish with my son.”If I know my dad, no doubt he was looking down onlittle David and me that December day in Yellow Cotton…watching me teach his grandson the same thingshe taught me thirty years ago. I know he had a smile onhis face.And I’m guessing, if you could ask dad today, he’d tellyou that it was his best trip ever too.All the best in 2008,-DavidP.S. – Please do yourself a favor and take a child youlove fishing SOON! No matter how many fish you catch,you will be glad you did. If you do, send us a picture…we’ll put it on our website and maybe even in “On theLine.”February/March 2008 On the Line

AROUND THE STATEFriday, February 29th, 20082008 CCA State ConventionTentative Schedule of Events9 a.m. - noon Committee Meetings1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Annual State Board Meeting3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Registration5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Chapter Cookoff/Tailgate PartySaturday, March 1st, 20089 a.m. - noon CCA Outlook including speakers from around the country,featuring newly-elected Governor Bobby JindalNoon - 1:30 p.m.Awards Luncheon1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free Time(Skeet Shooting, River Ranch Tour, Bay Boat Demo Rides,Wetland Research Center Tour )6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m CCA Louisiana State Convention Banquet9:30 p.m - midnight Live Entertainment provided by “The Longneck Society”Schedule of events subject to change2008 CCA State ConventionHilton Reservations 800-HILTONSGroup Code: CCARoom rate: $119/nightTo access the Hilton Lafayette website, click the Hilton Lafayette logo onthe CCA Louisiana website www.CCALouisiana.comin the State Convention article. On the Line February/March 2008

Registration $85(Spouse registration is complimentary)AROUND THE STATECCA Louisiana Convention Registration FormName:________________________________________________________________________________________Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_ ______________________________________ State_______________________Zip_____________________Number of people:_ __________________________________ Chapter:____________________________________Email address_________________________________________Spouse’s Name:_____________________________METHOD OF PAYMENT: q Check q Money Order(Do not send cash) q Amex q Discover qMastercard qVisa___________________________________________________CREDIT CARD NUMBER EXP. DATEMail to:CCA LouisianaP.O. Box 373,Baton Rouge, La. 70821CCA Louisiana Youth ProgramNeed someone for show and tell? Interested in sharingthe wonders of fishing and conservation with your class?Contact Sam Barbera or Lara Ballard about our youthprogram at 225.952.9200.February/March 2008 On the Line

On the Line February/March 2008

AROUND THE STATESponsor Banquets,A good time was had by all who attended theBayou Sponsor Banquet at the home ofLaura and Bryce MichelOne of the newest editions to CCA’s family:the STAR Trailer. If you’re interested in yourlogo being included on the trailer, contactSam Barbera for STAR sponsorshipat (225) 952-9200Guests gather for a good time at the home ofTerry and Henri Hall for the Delta SponsorBanquet in New Orleans.Dr. Frank Basile leads the conversation at theBayou Sponsor BanquetCalling all Captains!Capt. Don Quick, Capt. Peace Marvel,Capt. Greg Schlumbrecht and Capt. DudleyVandenborre pause for a moment at the CCAbooth at the New Orleans Boat Show.Pierre and Susan Villere visit with CCAExecutive Director David Cresson at the DeltaSponsor Banquet in New Orleans.Executive Director David Cresson presentsBayou Sponsor Banquet hosts, Laura andBryce Michel with a token of appreciation foropening their home for a great functionBecky Chaney (left) and Barbara Sclafani(right) present STAR Director Sam Barberathe Best Promotional Partner Award at theNew Orleans Boat Show.Elton Foster, Mike Norton andCharlie Caplinger catch up at theDelta Sponsor Banquet.Berwick Duval, Joe and Pamela Kopflershare a laugh at the Bayou Sponsor Banquetin Houma. On the Line February/March 2008New friends! STAR Director Sam Barberaposes with girl scouts that just completed theCCA station in the first mate program held atthe New Orleans Boat Show.Bobby and Missy Green along with Jimmyand Beth Fisackerly enjoy the festivities at theDelta Sponsor Banquet.

Boat ShowAROUND THE STATECelebs…Capt. CT Williams and Capt.Barry Brechtel of Louisiana Wildlife posewith LSU and Saints great, Hokie Gajan atthe Northshore fishing seminar at Hook This.Capt. Kenny Krieger shows off the smallestspeckled trout of his career…His biggest: #2 in the state top ten, 11.99pounds, Super Bowl Sunday, 1999.Missy and Bobby Green and Rebel Caplingervisit at the Delta Sponsor Banquet.New Orleans natives, Chef Peter Sclafaniof Ruffino’s Italian restaurant and Captain“Deadly” Dudley Vandenborre trade smilesand secrets on catching/cooking Lake Pontchartrainspeckled trout.CCA STAR Committee Chairman SnoopRoth (right) presents State Board memberJohn Walther with framed artwork from bothreef projects that he has coordinated for CCA.Hardtails!At the Gulf of Mexico exhibit at theAquarium of the Americas.Show your CCA pride with aspecial license plateWhether you drive a rusty, old pickup truck or a sleek sports car, youand your vehicle will stand out with a special CCA Louisiana licenseplate.The special plates bearing our signature redfish will let everybody knowthat you support marine conservation. The official CCA Louisiana plateswere big sellers until litigation forced the state to discontinue sales ofall custom license plates. The litigation has been settled and the officialCCA Louisiana license plates can be obtained from the Office of MotorVehicles.You don’t have to wait until you buy a new vehicle to order the specialplates. You can request an official CCA Louisiana license plate for yourpresent vehicle. The additional fee the state charges for the special CCAplate goes to the EnforcementDivision of the LouisianaDepartment of Wildlife andFisheries. You can supportLDWF and show your ownsupport for marine conservationby placing one of theseofficial plates on your vehicle.CCA Assistant Director Ryan Guerin takeslessons from the “Skipper” at theNew Orleans Boat Show.February/March 2008 On the Line

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Coastal Conservation AssociationMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION & 2008 S.T.A.R. EntryName ________________________________________ Phone ____________________ Fax ____________ e-mail_________________________Address _____________________________________________ City ______________________________ State __________ Zip _____________❑ New Membership ❑ Renewal Membership (Member ID#________________) ❑ Gift MembershipMethod of payment❑ Check orMoney Order enclosed❑ Charge to my (circle one):MasterCardAmExVisaDiscoverMEMBERSHIP ONLY: $ 25 ❑ Membership card, window decal, bumper stickers, TIDE magazine.S.T.A.R. ENTRY FEE: $ 20 ❑ Tournament entry fee. You MUST be a current member (adult or youth).MEMBER + S.T.A.R.: $ 45 ❑ All of the above plus 2008 S.T.A.R. entry fee.ASSOCIATE MEMBER: $ 15 ❑ Per each adult family member. All member privileges except TIDE.ASSOCIATE + S.T.A.R.: $ 35 ❑ Same as above plus 2008 S.T.A.R. entry fee.NEW TIDE (YOUTH): $ 10 ❑ Rising Tide newsletter, logo patch & decal, iron-on T-shirt transfer, redfish sticker.For members 17-and-under only.NEW TIDE + S.T.A.R.: $ 30 ❑ Same as above for youth, plus 2008 S.T.A.R. entry fee.LIFE MEMBER: $ 1,000 ❑ Print plus special conservation gifts. Payable in four $250 installments._______________________________________SignatureCredit Card Number_______________________________________Parent/Guardian Signature of New TideMember or Buyer of Gift MembershipExp. Date ______________I understand that there are specific rules governing the conduct of the 2008 S.T.A.R.By entering this tournament I agree to be bound by the 2008 S.T.A.R. Tournament Rules, Release & Indemnity Agreement.(Membership in CCA Louisiana is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.)CCA Louisiana • P.O. Box 373 • Baton Rouge, LA 70821 • Phone (225) 952-9200 • Fax (225) 952-9204 • www.CCALouisiana.comB8OLA planned gift to CCA Louisiana will help you:• make plans that benefit you and your family,• bring immediate and deferred tax advantages to you and your heirs,q I would like more information regarding theplanned giving program at CCA Louisiana.• have a meaningful impact on CCA Louisiana and our goals and interests, beyond your own lifetime and far into the future.For more information on making a planned gift to CCA, please contact David Cresson at david@ccalouisiana.comFebruary/March 2008 On the Line 11

Coastal Conservation AssociationPost Office Box 373Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0373Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDBaton Rouge, LAPermit No. 615Your official CCA Louisiana membership expires onthe date shown here. If the date has passed...pleasekeep us strong...please renew...even online atwww.CCALouisiana.com2008 CCA Spring EventsAprilFebruary3.................. Vermilion CCA Chapter Banquet29........................................State Convention5....................... Redfish Challenge, Slidell,LA10................ Acadiana CCA Chapter BanquetMarch16..................... Bayou CCA Chapter Banquet1..........................................State Convention17.................East Jeff CCA Chapter Banquet6..................... Monroe CCA Chapter Banquet6-9................................. La. Sportsman ShowMay20 .............Shreveport CCA Chapter Banquet1............. Lake Charles CCA Chapter Banquet27................Westbank CCA Chapter Banquet8........................ Delta CCA Chapter Banquet27-30........................... La. Sportsman’s Expo15...........Baton Rouge CCA Chapter Banquet21...................... Tangi CCA Chapter Banquetall dates subject to change24..............................................STAR Begins