Testimonial
Suncoast Fly Fishers
Prez Sez February, 2012
What Does the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Do for Suncoast Fly Fishers?
Suncoast is a charter member of the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). Why are we a charter member? As a charter member we have responsibilities and advantages. The responsibilities include every member becoming a member of FFF and maintaining that membership. If anyone has not renewed their membership, please do so. You can check on the status of your membership by e-mailing FFF at fffoffice@fedflyfishers.org. We must also send in an annual report to FFF on our activities and financial status.
501(c)(3) and INCOME TAX FILING
Some of the advantages of being charter member include an umbrella tax exempt status and FFF files our report to the IRS based on our annual report.
INFORMATION, EDUCATION, CONSERVATION
Each member also receives FFF's magazine the Flyfisher and Fly Fishers E-News. Several articles from our newsletter, “On the Fly” have appeared in Fly Fishers E-News. Each new member also receives a FFF emblem. Check out the FFF web site for information on casting certification, and other resources at www.fedflyfishers.org. At this web site you can also renew your membership and sign up for Fly Fishers E-News.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Through FFF we have liability insurance custom tailored for fly fishing clubs. Their program provides coverage for commercial general liability, directors’ and officer’s liability, excess liability, incidental property coverage, and coverage at an event. The cost to obtain coverage thru the FFF is a fraction of what it would cost to obtain similar stand alone coverage. The current premium for a Charter Club is $260 per year.
CERTIFICATION of FLY CASTING INSTRUCTORS
FFF has the only certified fly casting instructors’ program. This is a very rigorous program to grant certification to those members who meet high standards of casting and teaching ability. It is an asset to our club to have three certified casting instructors – Pat Damico (certified master casting instructor), Chris O’Byrne and Dayle Mazzarella. We have two casting clinics each year led by Pat. We all know how much he has helped us improve our casting abilities.
TFO FLY ROD PROGRAM
For every 12 new members SFF is eligible to receive from FFF a Lefty Kreh TFO fly rod. This has been a great asset to our club and many of our club rods were acquired through this program.
ANNUAL MEETING & LOCAL COUNCIL EXPOS and MORE
These are just a few of the benefits. FFF has an annual meeting with members from all over the world presenting programs and fly tying and casting sessions. Several of us attended last year and had a great time. The meeting for 2012 is July 10-14 in Spokane, Washington. Our Florida Council of FFF also has its 2012 Expo meeting in Kissimmee the third weekend in October. See www.fff-florida.org for upcoming information.
SFF is a charter member of FFF and we feel very fortunate to be part of an international organization that fosters the art of fly fishing, education and conservation and provides high standards and great resources.
Thomas Gadacz
President
Suncoast Fly Fishers
|