Jay Campbell Wins 50^th Anniversary Rod

                                              By Ralph Artigliere

                        Carl Riggs, our fundraising chair, conceived the idea of having the chapter purchase a Trout Unlimited 50^th Anniversary Orvis Trout Bum Limited Edition Rod (only 100 made) for auction to members only as a reward for us having such a terrific year.   The idea was not so much to make money as to reward members for the fundraising and volunteer work this year.  Well, as with anything Carl does, we did make a little money for our chapter causes, and eligibility for the rod may have helped entice four new members to join just before the drawing; but basically those successes were gravy as the objective of a members only drawing was met.  That way we could be assured that one of our own got this rod. 

          Well, the story gets better.  Jay Campbell strolls into the meeting between trips out west catching monster brown trout (we saw the pictures during the fish report portion of our meeting), and Jay buys some auction tickets.  Lo’ and behold, our scout Worth draws the winning ticket at the meeting and the Trout Bum Rod ends up in the hands of the penultimate “trout bum” of our chapter, Jay Campbell.   Rest assured it won’t gather dust.  We’d be jealous of Jay if we didn’t realize he is always the first and last guy to put big bucks into our fundraisers, and he has purchased numerous rod outfits to Trout in the Classroom and our Scouting efforts.  Last week Jay brought me 39 flies we needed for our new member fly boxes, which were immediately put to use for new members who joined at the meeting.  Sounds sort of biblical, doesn’t it?  Reaping and sowing.   Well, to me it’s coming full circle.

          However, the story does not end there.   Just so happens I came into possession of another 50^th Anniversary Trout Bum Rod (#64 of 100).  I won’t say how, except to say it was legal.  After seeing how beautiful Jay’s new rod was, many of you want another chance to have one of your own.  I know I do.   It’s beautifully made, carved 50^th Anniversary wording and trout in the handle, and a color unlike any rod I have seen.  I already put the rod in Carl’s hands for another drawing this fall.  This will be a fundraiser, but tickets will be very reasonable and proceeds will go to our many worthwhile programs and support of TU efforts right here in Georgia.  I hope you get the winning ticket.  Believe me, I will be buying tickets for me, my boys, and my grandkids.  The rod is that special.  Just ask Jay, if he ever comes off the western streams.