S.W.A.T. Annual Gathering - Sunday 2/24 in Beautiful Santa Barbara.

[Wingnut]

Sunday was the annual gathering for all S.W.A.T. members and their family & friends. :Big Grin:

Family, Friends, Fun, Fishing and Food! Dana would have had a blast hanging out with the Crew. Long live the legacy of Fisherman 57.

The event was hosted by our Northern S.W.A.T. Chapter Brethren Mikey (Exfactor), Bill (Which Way Out), Dave (Perchin' Dave), Roy (Q3Fishboy) and Brad (new Prospect). Thank you for being such great hosts gentlemen. :Cool:

Approximately thirty S.W.A.T. Members and Prospects, along with their friends and family attended the event. Those who were fishing, broke up into three groups and hit different spots on the Santa Barbara coast line at grey light. Mikey was presenting trophies for the biggest Perch and the most exotic catch. So everybody was engaged in the friendly competition for bragging rights among our S.W.A.T. Brothers & Sisters. When the fishing was done, we all met up for some relaxation and an all out pot luck, BBQ, fun & festivities session. The fishing was fair, the food was great and the company was the best! :Thumbs Up:

To me, the day wasn't about the fishing, it was much more than that. It was a day spent with Family & Friends... any catching that we did, was just a bonus.

Thanks to all that made the long drive, or short ones... to join us. To the few that couldn't make it, we missed you guys out there. I had a great time seeing everybody again and catching up with those we don't get to see so often. The friendship and camaraderie among us is second to none. This is what it's all about! :Group Hug:

I'll see all of you again soon, hopefully on the sand or at the very least, at the Hunting Giants 5 Surf Fishing Event in September. :Wink:


"The only people you should allow in your life are the ones that prove they deserve to be there..."


Pictures will tell the story...

Group #1 - Meeting up with me at grey light.
My apologies to the guys that started with me at grey light. The A.O. was obviously not the right call as the weed condition was out of control and the area was barely fishable. :mad:

Gearing up...
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1032-1.jpg

Mike (Midgettosser1) ready to go.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1033-1.jpg

Frank (iLLest)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1034-1.jpg

Don (Bachiboy) with a Skunkbuster.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1035-1.jpg

Here's my Skunkbuster, lol
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1036-1.jpg

Terry (Pontoon) with one of his many Perch.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1037-1.jpg

Lots of anglers... not enough Perch. :LOL:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1039-1.jpg

Pontoon with a little bigger BSP. Terry hit a nice hole and I saw him pull out 3 or 4 fish in a few minutes. :Envious:
Everybody swooped in to poach his spot, lol
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1038-1.jpg

Daniel (Dlmoo312) with a decent model.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1040-1.jpg

My biggest Perch of the day. :Razz:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1041-1.jpg

That's all the fish pics I have... I'm sure others will post up their catches too. :Wink:

Party pics...
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Me and Phuong (Blackwater) Thanks for coming out of hiding to join us bro. :Razz:
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Here I am with surf fishing veterans Anthony (Sharkbait) and Jerry (JerrG).
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Our first S.W.A.T. Couple Jason (Jaysuuun) and Tess (Tesserz). Have fun in Hawaii and good luck with the wedding! :Big Grin:
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Marc (BSP) and his Dad Nick.
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Here I am with Mr. Nice Guy Dan (SP Dan).
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Fire Captain Steve (Flyngby) took some time out of his busy schedule to join us. :Big Grin:
Sorry about the lost rod & reel combo. :Neutral:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1065.jpg

Jonathan (ToadsToadsOnly) and girlfriend Sylvia.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1061.jpg

Northern S.W.A.T. Crew members Dave (Perchin' Dave) and new S.W.A.T. Prospect Brad.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1057.jpg

Here I am with the "Legendary" Team TrollToon. Terry (Pontoon) and Chris (Trollmiester).
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Northern S.W.A.T. Crew member Roy (Q3Fishboy) and his girlfriend Hunter.
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Northern S.W.A.T. member Bill (Which Way Out) and wife Noriko.
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Me and the Northern S.W.A.T. Commander Master Yoda Mikey (Exfactor) :UDaMan:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1056.jpg

Lucas (Mr_Dunev) and girlfriend Tammy.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1051.jpg

Frank (iLLest), Arthur (Wingnut), Mike (Bones) and Mike (Midgettosser1)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1059.jpg

Marco (Have2Fish) Good to see you again bro. :Cool:
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Don (Bachiboy) and family.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1071.jpg

Phuong (Blackwater) and family.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1052.jpg

Here I am with Prospect Thien (Bloox8), Ramiro (Saltman), Andrew (Fish_Sauce) and our newest member Daniel (Dlmoo312).
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1066.jpg

The one and ONLY TrollMiester. :Big Grin: Thanks for the batch of Grape Leaves Wraps Chris... ate them all for lunch today. :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1048.jpg

Mike aka Lieutenant Bones and myself rocking the Team 57 gear. :Cool:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1076.jpg

Bill & Noriko cooking up some delicious ribs.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1074.jpg

My Mom's 100 egg rolls going fast! :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1072.jpg

Everybody getting in line for a hot bowl of Mikey's famous Clam Chowder. :Razz:
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http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1044-1.jpg

Delicious!
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1047.jpg

Mikey presenting the trophy for the biggest Perch of the day to Brad, our new S.W.A.T. Prospect.
Congrats on the nice 15"+ BSP Brad. :Thumbs Up:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1077.jpg

It was a clean sweep for the S.W.A.T. Northern Crew. Brad taking the trophy for the biggest Perch and Dave taking the exotic trophy for a Walleye Perch. :Envious:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1082.jpg

Our Northern S.W.A.T. Crew.
Thanks again for putting together a great gathering for the Team. :Applause:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1064.jpg

Family, Friends, Fun & Fishing... here's to you Dana. :Big Grin:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/Wingnut32566/Wingnut%2012/SWAT1079.jpg

[PONTOON]

Arthur, I've got to say that the entire time we were all fishing along the beach and during the potluck all I could think of was how happy Dana would have been to be there with us carrying on the tradition of Family, Friends, Fun and Fishing. Danas Legacy lives on now and I'm confident it will for a long time. Dana presented the "Daniel Award" to the right man! :Thumbs Up:

The Northern SWAT Chapter, Mikey, Bill, Dave, Roy and New Prospect Brad all did a great job hosting the Gathering...........Thanks guys! :Cool:

Now I've got to give a special shout out to Northern SWAT Chapter Member Bill (Which Way Out), for his hospitality and for putting up with Team Trolltoon Saturday evening with a tour of the Goleta and Santa Barbara area along with some of the dining establishments in the vacinity. :Wink: And, Thank you Noriko for allowing Bill to spend some time with us! :Big Grin:

Bill had picked out a sea food place for us at Stearns Wharf but Trolly reminded me that he was allergic to shellfish so Bill suggested we try the steak house back up the Wharf a ways but we soon found out Trolly had an allergy to $70.00 steaks as well. :LOL:
We did stop in briefly for a drink and as fate would have it when the waiter delivered Trollys Bloody Mary it had a great big shrimp on the top of the glass and he couldn't touch it!
Being a good fishing partner I traded him my glass of iced tea and all was good......I don't know what Bill was thinking here but we did have a few laughs over the deal.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0923_zps1537b8f0.jpg

Then, Trolly got his hands on the camera.................:Rolls Eyes:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0924_zps0e4f8a09.jpg

Key word here..........."Complimentary".......... I parked my own car.......:Wink:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0926_zpsc704236f.jpg

Now after getting a tour of Stearns Wharf we finally made it to "The Nugget"..........Right across the street from the hotel!
Bill, once again, It was a blast sharing stories and some laughs. Thanks for your hospitality! :Thumbs Up:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0933_zps268198fd.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0934_zps341c2fef.jpg

The morning of the gathering Trolly and I decided to head over to the Goleta Beach rendezvous point and we were greeted by a few of the SWAT Team ready to hit the beach and do some serous perchin' :Thumbs Up:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0937_zps5453919b.jpg

I didn't get any pictures while we were on the beach but here are some at the picnic area of the SWAT members carrying on the Legacy of our Good Friend Dana, Fisherman 57,.........Family, Friends, Fun and Fishing with some Real Good Food thrown in as well...........:Cool:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0938_zps387544ab.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0939_zps29932ee8.jpg

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http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0964_zpsb18c46c1.jpg


I just want to say to all my SWAT Brothers and Sisters I enjoyed every minute spent on the beach and at the picnic area with all of you! I'm looking forward to sharing the beach with you again and I'm looking forward to all the 2013 SWAT Reports.............:Thumbs Up:
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm200/TeamTrolltoon/130224%20SWAT%20Goleta/IMG_0965_zps20452c3f.jpg

[fish_sauce]

My SWAT brothers and sisters,
Thank you all for a great outing as always. The fish were shy, conditions weren’t great, but I had wonderful time nonetheless! For the past week, I was so caught up on trying to come up with an original thesis on the concept of entropy and how it’s related to the cosmic evolution…needless to say, I was pretty pooped come Sunday—but seeing everyone again, meeting new faces, reacquainting with old familiars, and spending time on the water really helped to ease the mind. It was well worth the drive! Looking forward to the next Hunting Giants event, and I hope to see you all there!

Andrew :Cool:

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii79/quandary01/gathering%20of%20eagles/P1040278.jpg
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[SP Dan]

Hey Commander!

I'm in a holding pattern ..... hold on... wait for it .... I'll be back! :ROFL:

First of all.....I wish to tip my hat to the entire Northern S.W.A.T. Chapter: Mikey (Exfactor), Bill (Which Way Out), Dave (Perchin' Dave), Roy (Q3Fishboy) and Brad (our newest Prospect). Cud-dos to my comrades! :High Five:
I had such a good time visiting with each and every one of you......thank you for your second-to-none hospitality! You guys pulled this gathering event together and slammed it right out of the park .... out over the center field fence! Thank you guys ..... I had a blast! :Thumbs Up:

Because our S.W.A.T. group is so spread out .... this gathering of the Brethren was the perfect opportunity to catch up on the good times with those that I've recently spent time with in the salt and to build stronger, lasting bonds of friendship with those that I seldom have the opportunity to fish with, let alone get to visit with! I am proud to refer to all of you as my S.W.A.T. Family and I look forward to hooking-it-up in the salt with each of you again! And if not sooner ..... then at least at this years coming HG-5!

Thank you to everyone for all of the delicious food! I know that I was only able to waddle away after devouring so many irresistible goodies and treats! Special cud-dos to: Bill & Noriko for their delicious ribs :Big Grin:, Mikey for his famous amongst S.W.A.T. Clam Chowder :Big Grin:, Tammy (the chief) for her scrumptious shrimp ceviche :Big Grin:, Mike (Mr Bones) for his delicious (2) two dozen deviled egg sliders :Big Grin: and of course to Arthur's Mom for her 100 delicious egg rolls :Big Grin:! The list is too long to mention all :EyePop:........ but my stomach thanks each and everyone :Big Grin: of you that contributed the delectables! Hmmmmmm!

It was great to see everyone there that could attend the gathering .... and of course for those that couldn't attend (including Dana, always in-our-hearts) ......... you were all thought of, your names were mentioned in conversations and all of you were sincerely missed! :Cool:

Thank you Commander Wingnut (Arthur) for writing this excellent recap (including pictures) of our past weekend's gathering in beautiful Santa Barbara!

PS ..... Did anyone happen to photograph the whale "spy-hopping at the end of the pier?? :EyePop:

SP Dan <"))><

[keepemlo]

well thatsthe way to spend the days lokks like a lot of fun,,,everytime i see thr trollster i just gotta smile

[FishinElectrician]

Fishing with comrades, plus being with family... (Not to mention, THE FOOD!!!) Very nice!!!

It looked like a beautiful day out there! Hats off to you guys!

[bones]

To all of my SWAT brothers and sisters........

Thank you for so many fond memories and the future memories to be had. I've always said that it is not about the fishing but rather the Family,Fun and Friendship. Fishing is just the common thread that our "Extended Family" is tied together with and I for one can say ......... I'm very proud and fortunate to have you all in my life.

I didn't even catch one perch on this day but I caught something far more valuable........ A constant smile in my heart and soul ! PRICELESS !
A special thanks to Arthur........Thank you so much for never giving up on your promise to Dana and being the backbone of not only SWAT,Team57 and the FNN.You are and always will be a born leader my friend.
And I can't forget Mikey and Bill ........ We couldn't fix the fishing but the area for the picnic couldn't have been any more perfect ....Thanks for the invite to beautiful Santa Barbara !

May all of your dreams come true in this New Year.........On and off the sand !


--------<><

[Which Way Out]

Oh my God,I haven't laughed so hard in years. Trolly is a one man wrecking machine, Dang I am still laughing about the Black Sea Bass story. To hear him tell it in the Steak House with the finely dressed people around was crazy.

Terry, give me a call if you and your wife make it back up soon. Will hit that Seafood Pasta joint and tell some stories. And Chris don't ever change buddy. Your the best!

Let me say, It was a pleasure to be involved in Sundays gathering. My wife (Noriko) is not much into fishing but she really likes when our SWAT members get together. Noriko wanted me to tell everyone she had a great time meeting everyone that she hadn't met already and talking with the others she met at Sid's house last year.
The family atmosphere was perfect. It will always be something we will look forward to again anytime, anywhere.

Thanks again to everyone that made the long drive. Sorry the fishing wasn't off the hook, but the Sun was warm, the wind was calm and the friendship couldn't of been better.

Many thanks need to go out to MY FISHING Yoda:Wink:. Mikey you came through big time. You always do, but this time you exceeded beyond the fishing. Not an easy thing to do. Your fishing skills are legendary. I have seen when we have fished out of town how others know of your skills. Very impressive to say the least. I still think you should turn Pro and go make some Big money. That or have your own Chowder House.

Cheers WWO

ps Sid, Noriko was hoping to see you on TV at the Oscar's


ps There will always be an open invitation to my SWAT brothers and sisters to stay the weekend at our less than remodeled home, either to go fishing or just do the tourist thing in Santa Barbara. Always an open door. That includes my Hunting Yoda as well, "Cutbait"
Here's a few photos to add.

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx340/WhichWayOut/SwatGoleta354_zps4709ed5a.jpg

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx340/WhichWayOut/SwatGoleta356_zps473af80d.jpg

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx340/WhichWayOut/SwatGoleta358_zps3bb75a05.jpg

[carpinator]

Love that place,looks like you guys had a blast. After reading this you realize that life is so much greater when your surrounded by great people!!! Good Times!!!

[skunked4life]

Again, all about the fellowship. What a nice get together you threw together guys! Everyone looks so happy! By the way...where's the wind??? IT was so windy down here until Sunday night. Looks like the good Lord blessed you guys once again.

Nice job perchin too fellas! Was that Goleta Pier in the background? should have tried the kelp bed running parallel to it for bass.

See you guys at HG5.

[Badbeat]

I'm sorry to miss this event Arthur, but I had to help a friend in need. :Neutral:
You know the situation and thank you for your understanding and support bro.
I was so looking forward to going the day before and then I got the phone call that ruined my plans for Sunday. :Sad:
The Gathering of Eagles was no doubt a great success due to the individuals involved. I have fished with many of the SWAT members and they are as advertised. A closely knit group of brothers sharing the passion of fishing. Eventhough I'm not a part of SWAT, yet, :Wink: I feel very lucky to call them my friends.
Way to honor Dana's code of family, friends fun and fishing, he would indeed be proud. :Big Grin:

[iLLest]

After missing last years Gathering of Eagles, I tried my best to make this one. I had a awkward fall Thursday night while playing some basketball that managed to hurt my left knee and shin pretty bad. I managed to give him a deal he couldnt resist and off we were to Santa Barbara. I met up with some of the guys at greylight and hit the surf to our best ability, the amounts of laughs was insane. I couldnt be a happier man, I was glad I was able to make the event. Seeing old faces and some new ones was awesome, it doesnt get better than gathering with some of the coolest guys out there.

I would personally like to thank everyone for the great food, company and laughs that we shared. Im glad I was able to share this day with my brothers and sisters, hopefully I will be able to attend the gatherings in the future and continue to share Dana's vision.

Till next time!
-Frank

[exfactor]

Thank you all who came to my neck of the woods to spend a day here in beautiful Santa Barbara with me, and my northern brothers. I have so been looking forward to having the SWAT group as guests up here, i tried my darndest to get us on some good bites. To me, surf fishing is one of the hardest things to plan on, as conditions are changing faster then you can keep up with, and I've come to the conclusion that sometimes you just got to guess on how things will pan out. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, got to meet the newbies, see the southern clan fishing, share my food, and give all their girl friends some friendly ribbing. I even got to chat with Lyn, whom I am on a mission to get to come to one of these events. Thank you all for coming, and know we do love the comraderie of our group. Maybe Arthur will let us fish in HG5!!!! Mikey

[Perchin' Dave]

Here's a couple of photos of the Southern Santa Barbara group. Conditions were challenging but hey, we had a great time anyways. Dave Sommers

Brad Bailey seen fishing the +3' tide going for that last fish. His largest for the day was 15" Way to go Brad
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_5174_zps4e68d50e.jpg

The fish were a smaller variety within our group, here's a 12", the largest I found today was 13".

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_5171_zpsde894421.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_5176_zps94eeeccc.jpg

http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa363/davesomm/IMG_5177_zps6bb5406d.jpg

[City Dad]

Looks like a great day... but no shovel nose???

[troublehook]

I'm so bummed that I couldn't make it up there Art. Binh was my ride and well, we know what happened. :Crying:
Thanks for the invite bro and we'll definitely make it to the next one.
SWAT throws a mean party, the food, my oh my. :EyePop: Hope to fish with you guys again soon.

[dlmoo312]

Thank you to all the northern SWAT crew and everyone else that made this event possible. It was a great day with good company and awesome weather:Big Grin:
Even with the crazy amount of salad, almost everyone was able to hookup:Cool: Congrats on pulling out the 15incher in those conditions Brad!
This was my first official SWAT event and I had a great time meeting everyone and hanging out, and the food was delicious!
Looking forward to the next get together:Big Grin:


-Daniel

[FishNFurious]

Phuong was telling me all about it yesterday at the shop and it sounded like so much fun.
SWAT is first class all the way. Fishing is fun, but fishing with family and friends is the ultimate. :Big Grin:
I never met Dana but I'm sure he would have been been impressed with the way SWAT is carrying on his legacy. :Cool:
See you at the next poker party. :Wink:

Vincent

[Rooster]

Great pics, I really enjoyed the report. Very well done S.W.A.T

[saltman]

To the S.W.A.T Team

It was a awesome day with lot of good friend ship and just being around all of my S.W.A.T Team family and friends.

Saltman..

[olfishergal]

That beach was one of my favorite places to fish when I lived up that way. Looks like all of you had a great time. Missing Dana after seeing all the great pics. Hope to be able to fish the surf this year. Love all the smiles.OFG

[troutdog]

Looks like a great time on the sand, perch on guys!

Nice reports and pics :Cool:


TD

[bloox8]

First of all, I just want to thank the Northern S.W.A.T team for hosting such an awesome gathering. To have been able to enjoy a nice day on the beach with a group of fun and cheerful group of people who, on top of that, love the sport of fishing was such a great pleasure. And for that, I couldn't be more grateful. Thanks again guys for making it happen :Not Worthy:.

Thank you everyone who brought food to the gathering. It was all super delicious. Mikey, your clam chowder was mamazing. I dont know what was in it but it was RIGHT...Chris, I LOVE grape leave wraps so when I saw your wraps, my mouth was drooling. I remember I couldn't grab food because I already had a bowl of clam chowder, but I had to have some of those wraps, so I grabbed about 4 and just stuck it into my clam chowder and that wasn't the last of them :LOL:. Bill & Noriko, I don't even know what to say about those ribs...those golden ribs... I am getting hungry just thinking about them. I swear I thought they were glowing. They looked like they were dipped in caramel...

I also want to thank you, Arthur, for the invite into S.W.A.T. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take part in this amazing event if it wasn't for you. I know I haven't officially been inducted into S.W.A.T. yet, but you guys have already made me feel like I am part of the family.

You guys are all such a great group of people. I am very honored to be a part of this family and to be able to fish alongside you all :Beer Toast:

Family, Friends, Fun, Fishing, and Food is the way to go… I thank the genius who had this vision. May his philosophy live on forever.


Thien (T.N)

[DockRat]

Good times had by all.
DR

[crappiemike]

Way to get together for some good
Times....
That chowder looked bomb, now
Let's get some slabs! Lol.......



Cm

[bachiboy]

Sorry I haven't been able to reply sooner but thanks to the northern chapter and Arthur for hosting such a great party!!! All of the food was awesome! It was great to hang out and chat with everyone and, although it wasn't the best conditions, you couldn't have beat that opportunity to fish with all of you...catching woulda just been a bonus.
:Wink:
Lookin forward to seeing you all again soon!
Don

[manuel149]

Friends,family,food,fishing,fun.Looks like you guys coverd it all.

[5150fishn]

Looks like a great time had by all! Thanks for the detailed report and pics. Dana's legacy continues. Nicely done SWAT!

[Jaysuuun]

I meant to reply to this thread much sooner, but things got busy at work and before I knew it Tess and were in Hawaii.:Cool: I just want to say how glad I was to make it to this event. Tess and I had a fun time listening to everyone's stories (Trolly) and just catching up with people. Mikey, the clam chowder was awesome. Bill & Noriko those ribs were sooo juicy! I need to find some thick cuts like that around our place. Trolly thanks for the laughs and the grape leaf rolls. I can't stop laughing about the BSB story :LOL:. And thanks to everyone for all the other goodies.

I can't wait for next years gathering and hopefully next time we'll be able to join you guys on the sand. As always SWAT brothas and sistas thanks for the good company. It's always a pleasure

[bsp]

Dad and I had a really good time up in SB with everybody! Fun to see the old crew after being MIA for quite a while. Can't make any promises until I find something for the summer, but if things work out I hope to be going on many more trips with my SWAT brothers and sisters soon. Thank you to everybody for the friendship, laughs, food, and great memories! Look forward to hitting the sand with everybody soon!!

[midgettosser1]

Good to see some old faces, and meet some new ones. I had a great time, even though the fishing was slow.
Thanks to everyone for providing all the amazing food!

[blackwater]

What a fantastic day, I brought the family and we had so much fun. Good to see my old SWAT buddies and meet some new ones too. :Group Hug:
The group has grown quite a bit since the last gathering of Eagles. :Big Grin:
Arthur, I must say that you assembles a great group of people that shares the same philosophy and lives by a unique code that few will understand.
I'm proud to be a part of the Brotherhood and I know Dana would be very proud of you. I remember you telling me after Dana passed that in a couple of years, nobody will care what happens to Family, Friends, Fun and Fishing, but I will. Thanks for keeping his legacy alive. Many talk the talk, but few walk the walk.

Special thanks to Mikey and the northern brothers for your hospitality. Until we meet again. :Cool:

[murrieta angler]

To my extended Family,
I really, really, really wanted to be at this years event, but my body was getting ready to shut down and
my mind was just a great big void!!! :Sad:
The Lord has decided to Bless me with a plethora of work and when it is over I will be able to help Bless others..:Big Grin:
I already knew it would be a great day when the event was announced months back...:Smile:
But after looking at all the food pics, you guys really bummed me out...:Rolls Eyes:
Now that things are slowing, just a tad, maybe I can get out this weekend and fish with one or two of you...:Envious:
I am so very proud of all my friends and always look forward to your reports, especially when you share a little something about yourselves...:Wink:

May The Good Lord Bless Each & Every One Of You.

Robert
<><

[Wingnut]

Until we meet again Ladies & Gentlemen... :Big Grin:

Set aside this date: Saturday, September 28th, 2013 - HG5 Event! :Wink: