Dale9016, FRA Pilot Extrodianaire!

[Denny]

Sometimes, the FRA has to be in two places at one time. Which is usually doable. But when I have to be in two VERY important places at one time, one cause or antoher can suffer.
Enter Dale, who answered the FRA call for help.
Dale took a day off to fly Weber and I to Marathon for an important meeting, while still allowing me to attend a very important meeting in St. Pete.
Thanks Dale! Awesome ride, brother.

[junior]

Damn, we got us one a dem high falootin' lobbyists now:D

[RichT]

Thanks for helping the cause Dale! :)

[biggsy]

Dale, thanks a bunch! Glad you made it to both meetings Denny!

[dagodiver]

Very cool..!!!


Dago.

[Marcus]

Dale ROCKS!

[Danimal]

Thanks Dale!

[Denny]

Damn, we got us one a dem high falootin' lobbyists now:D
Nah... Those guys get paid. The FRA put three people in an important meeting for the price of one plane ticket.
Compared to what the Wash DC trip costs, this was inexpensive. And produced awesome results.

I've been around here (Pinellas county) for a long time now. Written many letters and Emails. Made many phone calls. Been to more than two :rolleyes: public input meetings. All before we ever even thought of the FRA.

I've been doing the offshore thing hard since the 1985.
One who will remain nameless encouraged us, some time ago, to form a group that would dedicate time, effort and funding to the protection and promotion of our activities. We were told that without a constant presence, and consistent message, we could not be assured that our interests would be represented. We were encouraged to develop a group of people who could network with like minded individuals. We have done that. And we have seen results.

Fisheries management is being influenced more and more by the public input of individual stakeholders voicing a common concern. Live, consistent input is essential to having a message heard. Personal presentation can make a HUGE difference. Presence gets respect. So does an avalanche of emails voicing concern. We are making a difference. Good job, everyone!

[Screen Name]

Thanks Dale! I'd like to take you diving sometime to repay the favor!

[Bottom Dweller]

Thanks Dale and Denny! That is great that you got to both meetings. It is amazing what the people on this board will do to help people out. Wish I could do more to help than pay FRA dues, FGA dues, CCA dues, etc. and hopefully will in the future.

Denny if you ever need a boat for research or whatever :D please call me.

[Mobile Diver]

Great job, Dale & Denny both. You help us a lot & are very giving of your time.

[Ed Walker]

Thanks Dale! Having a private pilot is yet another plus to the FRA team.

FRA 2005 season roster:

Master representative
Legal team
Statistics guru
Pilot
Wide ranging, dedicated membership spanning several states.
Backing of the largest fishing guides association in Florida.
Commercial and recreational fishermen.
Media connections.
Others..... ;)

[normanhghntr]

Thanks Dale Denny and Webers for flying down the funny thing was as i was waiting to pick them up from the airport a gulfstream 25 just landed , then Denny calls and sas we are here. :D :eek: hey my 5 bucks went along way!!!! :D

[Dale9016]

Thanks guy's for all the replies. It was my pleasure. Denny and Scott are two great people and I will alway's consider them my friends. It was a hell of a plane ride, especially landing with 19 kt. cross winds. I will alway's be there for you guy's.

Next time it will be a brand new Airplane ! Thanks again for all the friendly posts

[richhermes]

19kt cross wind? :eek:
Had to look out the side window to see the centerline?:D

[Denny]

Thanks guy's for all the replies. It was my pleasure. Denny and Scott are two great people and I will alway's consider them my friends. It was a hell of a plane ride, especially landing with 19 kt. cross winds. I will alway's be there for you guy's.

Next time it will be a brand new Airplane ! Thanks again for all the friendly posts

Have a good time in the Keys, Dale. Back at ya on the friendship.

[Denny]

19kt cross wind? :eek:
Had to look out the side window to see the centerline?:D

It was a cool flight. The landing did not feel rough, but the wind was howling when we got out of the plane. Dale can fly that little plane quite well.

[Spear One]

Thanks Dale........you da man!

[Powerhead]

THANK YOU DALE!!

The more you see how people are out against spearfishing with bias and false information, the happier you'll be flying Denny and company to and from the meetings.

The happier you'll be standing up in front of them like you did here and saying "Like it or not here's my opinion!"

I don't know how things would have turned out for us in our fight if you guys didn't make it down.

On behalf of my friends who couldn't make it. THANK YOU AGAIN!

Rick Gage

[Denny]

Dale did a great job giving his opinion. He is not shy and will represent our positions well.

[Dale9016]

Thanks again guy's. Just got back from the key's. Mainly Key west. Wish I could have hooked up with you, Rick (Powerhead) and did some spearing but maybe next time. Saw some of the biggest seas I've ever seen. Especially in my little boat. Took my wife to Sand key light, was going to do Looe key but too rough that day. Stopped in Key Largo and hit the Molases reef and found a nice drop to 90 fsw. And a nice size Black, to bad I could'nt put some steel in his a$$. :) Rules have to be followed. I think, and too bad other people dont think that Spearfishermen are the first to abide by the rules.

Wont go back in April though. Too windy.

Richhermes, You sound like you fly, yes ?

[richhermes]

Richhermes, You sound like you fly, yes ?

I used to a while back. It just got too expensive to rent a plane!

I guess I have to go back and get another FAA checkride if I wanted to pick it back up.

[Dale9016]

Yeah, the rental prices are outrageous. One of the FBO's I fly at is getting a brand new 182 in a month, with a glass panel. It will be pricey. Around 160 an hour. I think it's too much compared to a new 172 for 113. The 182 does'nt go that much faster to jusify the price difference. But. the weight factor is a big difference though

[Nitrogen Junky]

WOW!!!!!
I"d a never quessed at how much responce a single flight to the keys would create. Dale first introduced me to spearing the summer of 04, and have been hooked ever since. I soon after swore off line fishing and have had trouble depending on the virtue of patience while sitting on the gunnel, gazzing into the deep, waiting for that grouper to come to me.
Being Dale's cousin and one of his fishing buddies, I would've expected him to call and tell me to check out all the posts He'd gotten. Instead I just so happen to log on this site while searching for the best deal on alum 80,s and of course registerd.
Dale first told me about flying Denny down for his meeting a couple of weeks ago, and I thought that was pretty neat. I didn't realize just how important that meeting was. So to Dale, Denny and evryone else who I will very soon join in the fight to keep us spearing,
THANK YOU
Cecil

[Dale9016]

Thanks Cecil for that nice post. But you better forget about dem Al 80's. You should get one steel for every two 80's you would want to buy.

By the way, I may try the permit hole on Sat. in my boat. Already promised Rosa we would go to Eggmont. Otherwize I can go with you on May 14th.