Just a reminder, our Truchas Chapter Annual Banquet is March 1, 2008. The banquet is at the Hilton Santa Fe, with social hour beginning at 6:00 PM and dinner to follow. If you haven't received tickets in the mail and would like to attend please contact Arnold Atkins, our President and Banquet Chair at 505-466-4375. Note, we could still use some <b>bucket raffle donation items </b>also<b>.</b><br>
<br>For the banquet we are delighted to have Robert J. Behnke, PhD and Professor Emeritus of the fisheries department at Colorado State University as our featured speaker. Bob Behnke has fished and studied fish all over the world, and has written numerous papers on salmonids and factors affecting them as well as the regular column, "About Trout" in Trout, our quarterly TU magazine. In addition to authoring the classic Trout and Salmon of North America and the recently released About Trout, a compilation of some of his more salient articles from Trout magazine since 1983, he has provided the scientific underpinning for other authors, including James Prosek, last year's speaker, and Robert Smith, author of the classic Native Trout of North America. Beautifully illustrated by Joseph Tomelleri, these books will be available for purchase and signing by the author at the banquet and earlier at The Reel Life and High Desert Angler at 1:00 and 3:00 PM respectively.<br>
<br>Our grand raffle features three marvelous prizes. First prize is two days food, lodging, and fishing at Ted Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch. Guide services are available at winner's expense. Second prize is two days' guided and outfitted (that means meals and on site transportation included) fishing at Latir Lakes or nearby Valle Vidal, guided and hosted by Elias Vigil at the Ute Creek Outfitters lodge at the former Ski Rio development. Third prize is a day of fishing and a night's lodging at Brazos River Ranch on the legendary Brazos Meadows, hosted by Rudy Rios. All prizes are for two people, and dates may be arranged with the hosts.<br>
<br>Banquet tickets are $50 per person, and the first four guests to pledge an additional $50 may join Dr. Behnke at the head table. In addition to the grand raffle, we will have our usual silent auction and bucket raffle items, including additional trips and various items of equipment. We are still accepting silent auction and<b> bucket raffle donation items</b>.<br>
<br>Additional raffle tickets available at door or from Gary Moran, phone (505) 466-3833.<br><br><b>THANK YOU.</b><br>