Greetings and Happy New Year!
This past year was a real roller coaster ride for Team Red Dog of Montana with a variety of successful events in Montana, Washington, and Oregon and a new chapter in Washington. The Washington chapter is directed by Byron Richart and Ben McKenna in Kettle Falls.
We provided fishing merit badge events, teaching kids the basics of fishing from knot tying to custom tackle making and techniques for successful spin casting, bait casting, trolling and fly fishing. We also hosted multiple ice fishing events for the Boy Scouts at King Ranch Golf Course in Frenchtown, MT and multiple events on into August and September on Flathead Lake in Montana. Our events touched approximately 50 kids with knowledge for their angling. A partnership with Fish, Wildlife and Parks for two events assisted about 20 scouts with their Fish and Wildlife Conservation merit badges.
Through donations, Team Red Dog in the Colville/Kettle Falls area supported their youth bowling league by providing a raffle package of fishing equipment worth over $150 and two youth fishing seminars worth approximately $500 each in a silent auction. These seminars will be hosted by Team Red Dog Washington Chapter. In 2022 two private seminars will be auctioned for the Blue Mountain Boy Scout Council in the Tri-Cities area of Washington valued at $500 each for two youths, each accompanied by an adult.
What’s next . . .
In January and February Team Red Dog will be hosting ice fishing on Georgetown Lake for Boy Scout troops from Western Montana. At some point in 2022 we also hope to involve Girl Scouts in our work but nothing is scheduled yet. In other new developments we’ll be partnering with Scheels Sporting Goods for events benefitting our future anglers. We’re also starting a sponsored co-angler program for those interested in tournament fishing and helping us with our youth fishing program. Watch for this exciting news on our Facebook page.
In March of 2022 Team Red Dog will host an event in Umatilla, OR, for the Blue Mountain Boy Scout Council, consisting of fishing merit badge education and a fishing trip on the Columbia River. Events are in the planning stages for April and May in the Moses Lake, Washington area. June and July are tentatively planned for events in the Colville/Kettle Falls, Washington area and August and September we’ll be back in Western Montana for events.
Our wish list . . .
We are always on the lookout for more youth groups to serve and sponsor for donations, additional Team Red Dog chapters in Oregon and Idaho would be a great addition and we hope to have a website up and going to further our communication.
How we do this . . .
At this time we have seven tournament anglers with Team Red Dog who provide their knowledge, experience and equipment. In 2021 they fished six tournaments with the Columbia River Anglers Association circuit. Two of our anglers were in the top 20, out of 500+, for Angler of the Year. We also have seven sponsors and many supporters, both businesses and private individuals, who contributed financially to help us achieve our mission. “Go fish! Introducing passion and joy in the hearts of young people, for the love of fishing.”
In order to continue our work we continually seek and appreciate future sponsors and donations. Our mailing address is Team Red Dog of Montana, c/o Barbara McElwain Kennedy, 15570 Mill Creek Road, Frenchtown, MT 59834. We are a 501© (3) non-profit so your donations may be tax deductible.
Sincerely,
Jeff McElwain | President
As of now, Team Red Dog of Montana is in the process of expanding their digital reach via means of a website and a larger social media presence, but in the meantime, here’s how you can support
Also, if you have any events to include them in, you can contact Jeff at 406-868-1075 or teamreddog_mt@outlook.com.
