Established We support catch and release. April 2018

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1 R E E L L I N E S Established We support catch and release. April 2018 MISSION STATEMENT The Arizona Flycasters Club is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and educating its members and the community in the sport of fly fishing, the techniques of fly fishing, and the ethics of catch and release, which promotes the conservation of fish and their habitats. The organization s activities also promote friendship, enjoyment, sportsmanship, and safety. President s Lines Sitting on my patio, enjoying a cool beverage, and taking in the spring weather, I think of those who are going through their second or third nor easter. We ve got it good this time of year so I hope you all are out enjoying our spectacular weather before the summer heat kicks in. We ve got a busy calendar of events so take advantage and get outdoors. Check out our club calendar and set a date or two on yours. Brad Norgaard President Don Mickus Vice President Alan Davis Secretary Barney Rouse Treasurer AFC is affiliated with Fly Fishers International, an organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through conservation, restoration, and education. The Annual Banquet & Raffle was a tremendous success, and again I want to thank all banquet committee members for their hard work and commitment to making the banquet run so smoothly. Everyone appeared to have a great time. I also would like to recognize our award recipients. The Silver Doctor award went to Barbara Fayle, who has made many significant contributions including fly tying, handling our welcome table, and serving on our sunshine committee and board, to name a few. Connie Sullivan joined the ranks of the Lifetime Achievement award recipients. For many years, Connie has been a tireless volunteer and contributor with our fly tying, casting, library, outreach programs, and many other activities. I can t think of a club activity Connie hasn t been involved with. Congratulations to both recipients. Bryce Sission, one of our previous scholarship winners, is now the Fisheries Manager of AZGFD s Tonto Creek Hatchery. Bryce spends his days in a short metal building surrounded by more than twenty tanks of fish, growing them to fishable size. He meticulously cares for Apache trout with the hope that they could be the first to be entirely removed from the threatened and endangered list. We are all proud of you Bryce, keep up the good work. Make plans to attend the 9 th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference held at the AZGFD Headquarters on Thursday, April 12, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The conference is attended by those interested in meeting, networking, and developing future plans to promote restoration and management of native and wild coldwater fish species in Arizona and New Mexico. Hope to see you there. Brad Norgaard AFC President president@azflycasters.com

2 SCHEDULE April 4, 11, 18, 25 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 12 9:00 AM 9th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference (AZGFD Hdqtrs.) 12 7:00 PM General Meeting (Jim Cox/Western Rivers Conservancy) (SSCC) 14 8:00 AM Blue Point Bridge at Salt River Nymphing/Coffee and Donuts 19 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 21 9:00 AM Casting Class (Roadrunner Park) 24 7:00 PM General Education Class (Tying Floating Streamers) (SSCC) May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 10 7:00 PM General Meeting (Robin Marsett/Old Pueblo TU) (SSCC) 15 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 17 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) Winn Campground Outing Fishing and Fun in White Mountains Grey Reef Anglers and Wingshooting Gala (Casper, Wyoming) June 14 7:00 PM General Meeting (Justin Nelson/Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Tracy Stephens/AZGFD) (SSCC) 19 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 21 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) July 12 7:00 PM General Meeting (SSCC) 19 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 24 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) August 2-5 San Diego/Salt Water Outing 9 7:00 PM General Meeting (SSCC) 16 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 21 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 31 7:00 PM Basic Fly Tying Class (SSCC) September 4, 5, 10, 12, 7:00 PM Basic Fly Tying Classes (SSCC) 17, 19, 24, 26 5, 12, 19, 26 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 13 7:00 PM General Meeting (John Rohmer/Fishing Arizona) (SSCC) 20 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 2

3 Guest Speaker Jim Cox Western Rivers Conservancy AFC General Meeting Thursday, April 12, 7:00 PM, Sunnyslope Community Center Jim Cox of Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) will be our guest speaker this month. WRC protects outstanding river ecosystems in the United States by acquiring land to conserve critical habitat, providing public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and cooperating with other agencies and organizations to secure the health of whole ecosystems. In every corner of the American West a stream cries out for protection, because it is habitat for endangered fish and wildlife, because it is the scenic centerpiece of a community, or because it is a favorite haunt of boaters, anglers, and hikers. WRC answers those calls for help with one of the strongest tools for river protection: land acquisition. By acquiring riverlands in the right places at the right times, WRC has created permanent sanctuaries for fish and wildlife on streams like the Bear River in Utah, California s Smith River, and the Skagit River in Washington. WRC has created extensive conservation/ recreation corridors along the Hoh River and Oregon s Sandy River. In Colorado, WRC has opened new access to a vast public wilderness through purchase of a ranch on the Yampa River. WRC prevented gravel mining on the banks of the Gunnison and created Oregon s second largest state park by purchasing 16,000 acres and 16 river miles along the John Day River. Through its largest acquisition ever, WRC is now creating a 47,000-acre salmon sanctuary and tribal forest preserve on the lower Klamath River in California. When it comes to conserving rivers, land acquisition is direct, tangible, and effective. Because of this, WRC has been at it for over 25 years. WRC still firmly believes that sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it. Read more at: Salt River Outing Saturday, April 14, 8:00 AM Jim Rondoni, Outings Chair We ll be at Blue Point Bridge on the Salt River on Saturday, April 14, from 8:00 AM until around noon. Bring your rod and reel. We ll supply the coffee and donuts. A Tonto National Forest Daily Pass or Discovery Pass is needed. You can purchase a pass at any sporting goods store. For a list of pass vendors, you can visit: If you have questions regarding the outing, call Jim Rondoni at Casting Class Saturday, April 21, 9:00 AM, Roadrunner Park Ron Robinson, Education Chair As always, we will offer basic instruction to beginners and more advanced instruction for others. The club has equipment for those in need so make plans now to join the fun. The weather is warming up a bit, so plan accordingly. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Our casting classes are held at Roadrunner Park, located at Cactus Road and 36th Street, just off State Route 51. We gather at the northeast corner of the park. Instruction starts at 9:00 AM and finishes around 11:00 AM. If you have questions, give Ron a call at

4 Education Class Tying Floating Streamers Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 PM, Sunnyslope Community Center Ron Robinson, Education Chair Ron is on temporary sick leave, but we ll have a special fly tying class given by Kent Miller on floating streamers. Kent is one of our most creative fly tiers and will show us how to tie these unique flies and also how and where to fish them. You don t want to miss Kent s presentation. Note the date for this month s education class has been changed to April 24. Our education classes are held from 7:00 to 8:45 PM at the Sunnyslope Community Center. If you have questions, call Ron at Hook: Standard dry sizes Thread: 6/0 black Abdomen: Thread Legs: Thread Head: Thread Thread Ant 1. Place a debarbed hook in the vise and start the thread just short of the eye of the hook, wrapping back towards toward the bend, only as far as you want the length of the ant to be. 2. At the base of the abdomen on one side of the hook, pull off a short length of thread to form a dubbing loop. Secure the end. Repeat for the other side of the hook. These loops will eventually form the legs of the fly. 3. Next form the head of the ant, building up the thread just as was done for the abdomen, but smaller. Once this is completed, whip finish and trim the excess. 4. Apply two generous coats of head cement to give the fly a shine and the impression of a hard exoskeleton. 5. Finally, trim the dubbing loops to form the legs. The fly is now complete and ready to fish. Of all trout flies, ant flies are some of the easiest to tie, yet are extremely effective. There are often days, especially in Arizona, where there aren t too many hatches. What to do? The answer is simple: try ants or other terrestrials. You might be surprised at how well simple ant patterns can work. Ants accidentally fall into streams at all times of day, at all times of the year, in many parts of the country. Trout will feed on them opportunistically. Many ant flies float on the surface. You can fish them in a dead drift, over natural holding lies and near the edge of the stream, and under brush and tree branches where insects often tumble in. Ants also can serve as searching patterns if no rises are apparent. Cast ant flies to likely stretches of water and you ll be surprised how many fish you didn t know were holding there suddenly rise up and take your offering. 4

5 9th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference Thursday, April 12, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona Sponsored by Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited invite you to attend the 9th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference on Thursday, April 12 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona. Individuals involved in conservation and native and wild trout recovery in Arizona and New Mexico have been invited to attend. The conference is attended by individuals interested in meeting, networking, and developing future plans for native and wild coldwater species in our region (e.g. AZGFD, US Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service, Arizona Flycasters, Desert Fly Casters, Trout Unlimited, White Mountain Lakes Foundation, and other organizations from Arizona and New Mexico). Like the very successful event in April 2017 which gathered over 135 individuals from more than 35 organizations, this conference has many wide-ranging issues and presenters. In addition to a welcome from an AZGFD leader, presentations will include Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) plans, Lees Ferry/ Comprehensive Fish Management Plan, Trout Unlimited Southwest Native Trout Strategy, Wildfire Risk Assessment and Impacts, Citizen Science: Stream and Temperature Monitoring, reports on Native and Wild Trout Programs, and others. Attendees are invited to attend a free lunch and a free BBQ dinner following the conference. Information on topics and registration can be found at Registration for the conference and dinner must be completed by April 9. Grey Reef Anglers and Wingshooting Gala May 25-28, Casper, Wyoming John Doss, Programs Chair We have sold out the 12 slots. But there are two additional options: Option One: We are going to raffle a free trip. Ten dollars will give you a chance to join us on this trip, or if you want to go later, you can include a friend for a two-for-one package. You can either buy a raffle ticket at the April 12 meeting (see John Doss) or contact John Doss at jdoss@dossigan.com or or Jim Walker at jim.l.walker@cox.net. Option Two: If you would like to go at a different time you can call Grey Reef Anglers at and mention John Doss. Jason will honor the $950 special (normally $1,150, based on double occupancy). 5

6 Board Members Brad Norgaard President Don Mickus Vice President Alan Davis Secretary Barney Rouse Treasurer OPEN Comm./Social Media Chair John Doss Programs Chair Barb and Brian Fayle Hospitality Co-Chairs Paul Finell Badges Chair azflycasters.com Chuck Howey Technology Chair OPEN Raffle Chair Norm Johnson Project Healing Waters David Mayl Membership Chair Craig Mernitz Fundraising Chair Ron Robinson Education Chair Jim Rondoni Outings Chair Ben Sheridan Special Events Chair and Youth Activities Chair Bob Sickles Librarian Greg Stock FFI Representative Toni Wallis Merchandise Chair Steve Nemecek Newsletter Editor Board Positions Available We have two board positions to fill: Raffle Chair and a newly-created chair Volunteer Coordinator. These are excellent opportunities to help the club. If you are interested, please contact any board member. Thank You To Our Corporate Contributors! Brad Norgaard, President AFC s banquet committee would like to recognize the following companies for supporting our highlysuccessful 2018 Annual Banquet & Raffle. Please support them whenever you can. If you won a prize from any of these contributors, please thank them for their generous donation: Alaska Down and Leather Products, Inc. Arizona Cardinals Arizona Diamondbacks Big Y Fly Company Bob Day En La Mosca Adventures BT s Fly Fishing & Photography Coleman Company Dr. Slick Co. Fisheads San Juan River Lodge Frank Amato Publications Glacier Glove Jim Teeny Inc. Lees Ferry Anglers MagEyes, Inc. Montana Fly Company Norlander Company Postfly R.L. Winston Rod Co. Rajeff Sports Rite Bobbin Scientific Anglers Scott Fly Rod Company Simms Sportsman s Warehouse St. Croix Rods Thomas & Thomas Umpqua Feather Merchants UNI Products J.G. Cote Inc V.R.M. Co. Wapsi Fly Whiting Farms 6

7 Your Flyfishing Specialists Serving Arizona since 1981 Guide Service Schools Lessons SPORTING TRADITIONS SINCE 1856 The ORVIS Company 2011 East Camelback Road, Suite C10 Phoenix, Arizona TEL A Celebration of the Sporting Life Specializing in Flyfishing & Wingshooting North Scottsdale Rd. Suite 101 Scottsdale, AZ

8 Arizona Flycasters Club P.O. Box Phoenix, AZ Arizona Flycasters Club general meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the second Thursday of every month at the Sunnyslope Community Center. The Annual Banquet and Raffle is held in February or March. Watch for further details. The Arizona Flycasters Club newsletter is published by the Arizona Flycasters Club and is distributed to its members and advertisers. Opinions expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the club. Advertisements are placed as a means of conveying the message of the advertisers. The Arizona Flycasters Club does not necessarily endorse the advertiser s products or services. Arizona Flycasters Club P.O. Box Phoenix, AZ Next General Meeting: Jim Cox Western Rivers Conservancy Thursday April 12, :00 PM This space reserved for your name and address. 8