This is getting BIG! I guess the word is out about how much kids, adult supervisors and boat owners have enjoyed fishing the Hargreaves.

We need some more boats. Please PM me, oldflathead, with the days you can fish, Friday 6/19 and/or Sat. 6/20, how many you can take and where you want to leave from.

Thanks

Tom

Tom

I'm here on Chico Bayou and I heard that tonight we had 3 boats drop out [ Two to Mechanical problems and One owner had to leave town ]

IF any of you can help out with a Boat for even one day that would be GREAT. We have Kids that can't wait to go on a Boat for first time and maybe catch their 1st Fish.

If ANYONE can HELP Please PM oldflathead ASAP.

I got in to late to make it to the Oar House tonight Tom and I will try and make it next week.

Lester

Tom

Count Me In !!!!

If you are not having fun, why the Heck are you doing it!!!

We were getting ready to turn some of the kids away due to lack of boats, now with the 2 adults and 8 kids you are willing to take, we are okay.

We do have another problem. The kids over 13 years old must pay $35 to enter the tourney, plus $10 for a T shirt. Some will need a fishing license. The Foster kids, who are considered "Wards of The State" are exempt from required fishing licensa.

Bottom line, we have more kids needing an entry fee ($35) and a T shirt ($10.00) than we have donors. One kind GLYC member has donated $500, Jimmy and I have donated $100 each, but that is not enough. If you want to help please make your check to GLYC, mark BHFR in the memo section and mail or deliver to the club. Those of you who are volunteering your boats, buying fuel, ice, bait and snax are not expected to give any more. May God bless you.

Oldflathead Tom

Tom

To the kids assigned to the Playin' House

Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo and Cruise

Welcome to the Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo and Cruise onboard the Playin’ House brought to you by Pensacola Houseboat Vacations, Inc. and BananaTom and Beachsitter.

We are very excited about participating in this event and it will be our pleasure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

The Playin’ House is a 37-foot Gibson Houseboat. This vessel sleeps six. It has an upper helm, lower helm, forward and aft stateroom, full galley, and complete head / bathroom with hot and cold running water. You can take a shower if you desire. It also features a sun deck. You will be fishing from the forward and aft decks. The swim platform and ladder will be used for swimming to cool off.

You are invited to board the Playin’ House any time after 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 20. Breakfast, which will be Shepard’s Pie, will be served at 7:00 a.m. Koolaid and water will on board all day long. Hot dogs and chili will be served for lunch. We may even cook some fresh fish, if you want to cut up any you caught.

We will depart Bahia Mar Marina, 1901 Cypress Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32502, promptly at 8:00 a.m. We will cruise to the Pensacola Bay Bridge, also known as the three mile bridge. Here we will catch fish.

We will then depart the three mile bridge and head west to Deadman’s Island. This will be a swimming event to cool off. (Bring or wear your bathing suits and towels and remember your sun screen.)

Once we have cooled off at Deadman’s Island we will troll toward the Navy Base area and try to catch some big ones there. Then we will ease by Fort Pickens and see what is biting there. We may also try catching some in the Pensacola Pass, depending on the wave action.

The Playin’ House will then beach up at Fort McRee. Here we will explore what this area has to offer. We will also be beach-combing. I want to find bricks from Fort McRee which have washed up on the beach. You may collect them, or donate them to my collection of bricks.

Once we have had enough fun at Sailboat Cove at Fort McRee, we will ease over to Grand Lagoon for the weigh-in festivities. When that has ended, we will return to Bahia Mar Marina.

It appears the weigh-in event will end after sunset, so if anyone wants to take a nap and rest up anytime during the day or evening, the Playin’ House can make you comfortable.

This will be a day we will never forget !!!!

BananaTom

If you are not having fun, why the Heck are you doing it!!!

Tournment Directors I received this PM this day.

Banana Tom, it was great to meet and enjoy time with you and your charming Spousal Unit last night at the BSH. Y'all are welcome here anytime. Also, thanx for the tadpoles, special bred from Lookout MT. & "Nawlins". They wil be happy down here on the bayou eating those pesky no-see-ums.

Your offer to take those young people out fishing in the Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo is wonderful. Some of these young'uns have never been fishin' or on a boat, this may change their lives!

We still can use some boats, skippers and $$$, (checks for donations made to GLYC) for T shirts and entry fees.

God Bless.

Old Flat Head Tom

Tom

WOW, we have all the crews assigned and boats in reserve. If you know any youg'uns that want to fish the BHFR, under age 13 FREE, drop me a PM today and we will get you on a boat.

We raised a few bucks Friday at the BSH gathering and got  a committment last night from our friend and neighbor, Retired LTC Tex, US Army to pick up the costs for any additional kids who can't afford the entry fee or T shirts.

Are y'all GREAT! YES.

Tom 

Tom

Oldflathead, please tell Tex I will be honored to provide the service he needs - of which we talked about Friday Night at BSH.

I got the mechanics onboard the Playin' House right now going over it to make sure all is fine for this Saturday's Adventure.

I made a run over to Deadman's Island Saturday to volunteer for the restoration project going on over there and check out a good place to beach up this Saturday so the kids could explore Deadman's Island.

That lady is really getting things going on that Island!!!!!!!!

If you are not having fun, why the Heck are you doing it!!!

We have had two boats cancel Saturday, mechanical problems. We need at least one more boat. Please PM or call Tom at 572-1225.

We have met our fund raising onjectives so all of the kids will have a BHFR T shirt and those over age 12 will be official entrants.

I will post boats and additional info tomorrow.

HELP

Tom

Tom

my f*%#ing gills are drying out...its about time for some less than 1ft days!!!

==============================================

Are you going Friday &/or Saturday?

We have space available in Friday, overloaded on Saturday.

Tom

Tom

Words are not enough, and I guess thats a good thing because I wouldn't know how to articulate my thanks properly to ALL of those who have given so much.

It is hard for me to sit still. I pace in my office and ramble on the phone. I simply can not wait to meet all of you and take these kids fishing.

I look forward to meeting y'all at the Captains meeting Thursday night.

---Everything Is What It Is---
     And Not Another Thing

I can not stand it !!!

As an "Old Camp Counselor" of 51 years of age, I well Remember the years of spending my  summer vacation as "Uncle Tommy" camp couselor.

The name of my cabin was "Jail House"

So named by the kids, the oldest of the group,  8th grade boys for the second camping period, 5th grade boys for the first session.

If one did not get along in a cabin of younger kids, they were sent to the "Jail House"

In the "Jail House" they found love and attention by all Staff !!

No matter who I needed to turn this kid in a days time, they were at my disposal, under my direction.

The kids also found protection in life by by "Uncle Tommy".

Many were pen-pals until their Graduation from high school. After that I had to follow their livies through their family, if I wanted to. And I did.

At Camp - "Jail House Campers" displayed the best "Skit / Play" with a great theme, they excelled in Canoeing, (4 in a boat with 4 paddles), swimming, scavenger hunts, Catching Snipps in cut gallon jugs, building a fire, "Keep Those Elbows Off The Table" challenges, low level and high level challenge courses, and singing "Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya" every night before bed, at the Bon Fire.

They were the oldest and toughest of the camp, they knew it and were great with it. So year after year, the ones that returned, always wanted to grow up and be in the "Jail House"

As far as I know, not one ever actually went to a real Jail, even the challenging ones I followed for a few years.

So fellow PFF'er's, please know this one day in a life of another person will really make a differance, even to the point of saving them from the worst.

I thank God for this Oppurtunity to display this one day to these future Adults !!!!!!!

BananaTom

aka

Tom

aka

Uncle Tommy

aka

Tommy

aka

BT

Thank you Lord !!!

 

If you are not having fun, why the Heck are you doing it!!!

Well said Bro, and remember those days well !  as your junior then and now,, I contest your "Jail House" "Still-A-Rockin!"

Good Luck, Ya gonna need it!

See Ya Thurs at Capt Meeting

Jimmy

aka "Jail House Kid"

p.s. Pinfish trap and snapper carcasses awaiting your tourney success..Kinda like a "Head Start", or a 'Count To Ten" as I will have a special crew which will take the title ...This is going to be soooo much fun!

Jimmy

BIG & BOLD FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!

Please let me know ASAP if you have an addition or correction. 850-572-1225, PM oldflathead or e mail tomvandiver@bshmarine.com

Pardon the copy - new scanner. *%%$#! computers. I rather work on boats or old flat head engines.

Tom

Tom

GREAT JOB PFF!!!!

Jamie

...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy.  ~William Sherwood Fox

Tomorrow night is the Captain's Meeting at Grand Lagoon Yacht Club, 6 PM. Come on over and have a cool one even if you are not fishing the Kid's Rodeo.

Tom

Tom

Just to say Thank You for heading up the special for the kids & also the many people that have volunteered there boats & time.  It is a ton of work to coordinate this task.

Good Luck this weekend & enjoy the time spent on the water .

Here he is holding up a bonita someone brought to the last shark fishing trip for bait...

Pure delight...... you would have thought HE caught it... from his smile!!!

See ya Sat and Sunday!!!

_______________________________________________________________________

>))))))*> >)))))))))))*> >))))))))))*> >))))*> >))))*> >))))))))*> >)))*>

~12' Hobie Outback Yak - Eagle 245DS FF~ Wicked Pam Flint... Blackwater Pirates - www.blackwaterliving.com ~ PRFA Member~

Sounds like he is a chip off the Grandma block, LOVES TO FISH.

We will pick up your T shirts tonight at the Captain's Meeting and will give them to Mark.

Tom

Tom

See ya Sat...

_______________________________________________________________________

>))))))*> >)))))))))))*> >))))))))))*> >))))*> >))))*> >))))))))*> >)))*>

~12' Hobie Outback Yak - Eagle 245DS FF~ Wicked Pam Flint... Blackwater Pirates - www.blackwaterliving.com ~ PRFA Member~

 Tom, You miss read my post...   I was saying I could'nt make it to the meeting last night.. I will be there Saturday..

Hooray! As of this minute we have enough boats, but we will keep any volunteers in reserve.

WLD1985, 2 young men & adult will be ready to go at 0800, (or earlier, if you wish), Saturday at GLYC. You may launch there free.

Tom

Tom

See y'all at the weigh ins and the fish fry/trophy presentation, Sunday afternoon.

Tom

Tom

Two minor changes to saturday sked:

-J JAM's crew will meet him at the Gulf Breeze Shoreline ramp at 0600, crew notified

-Strike 2's crew will meet him at my dock at 0800, crew notified.

It was a very good day.

Tom

Tom