VOLUME 54 APRIL 2019 NUMBER

Transcription

1 VOLUME 54 APRIL 2019 NUMBER 04 APRIL MEETING Thursday, April 18, Farmhouse Rest Wet Fly / Social Gathering: Dinner / General Meeting: 6:00PM 7:00PM The President Corner! By: Robin LaRue By the time you read this column, the Chironomid Caper s Outing and the April Fools Outing will have been held and the Pass Lake Census will have been completed. The Chironomid Caper s was successful with 9 club members on the lake and fishing and two other members were there in the early morning to partake in coffee, cookies and storytelling. time. The April Fool s Outing was a bit windy and wet, but that did not deter the heartiest members of our Club. 6 members were on the lake catching fish and 12 others showed up a lunch time for the gourmet chili and dogs prepared by the Executive Board. A special thank you to Mark Gilmore for the excellent home-made chili, and to Ryan Johnson for donning the chef s hat and grilling the dogs. Bill Keeler was first on site and secured the picnic table, set up the awning and most importantly brought a huge dispenser of coffee. This was supplement by a generous amount of cookies and muffins from Steve Thompson. Thank you Board members for a great

2 Coffee, Cookies, and a discussion on what fly to use The next Club Outing is to Big Twin & Davis Lakes near Winthrop, the dates are May 5th through May 8 th. Some members will be attending the Washington State Council of the FFI Fly Fishing Fair in Ellensburg and then going on to Winthrop after the fair. Contact Steven Foster for information related to the outing and where to camp. There are a number of motels in the area as an alternative to camping. At the April meeting we will inducting a new member, Rick Mossman. Rick, who is new to the area, completed the fly-fishing class at Skagit Valley College this Spring. Rick would like to work with the Outing committee and projects related to Pass Lake Last month s Joke of the Month was met with mixed reaction (groans and sighs). At the April meeting I will tell another Shaggy Dog joke about the hit man that came out of retirement. I have titled the story the Tale of Artie the Hitman. Good news on this year s Salmon Festival, September 7, 2019, our Club will once again have a booth at this fun event. John Ballenger has volunteered to be the Chair of our Salmon Committee. John will take a few minutes at next month s meeting to talk about our booth and volunteer needs. He already has a list of members who are interested in participating, but additional help will be need to make this happen. When John asks you, please consider volunteering for a few hours to help represent our Club at this event. If you are looking for a fun evening, the Confluence Fly Shop is partnering with the North Sound Chapter of Trout Unlimited in presenting the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour, (fish porn) at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon. The event is April 11, 2019, doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m., advanced tickets are $15.00 and $20.00 at the door. Tickets are available at the fly shop or the Lincoln Box Office.

3 This Months Presentation: By: Bill Keeler Scott is the owner of the Confluence Fly Shop in Bellingham, WA. He holds a Bachelors Degree in English Writing from WWU with a K-8 Teaching Certificate and enjoys writing. He wrote the North Cascades chapter for the 25 Best National Parks to Fly Fish, several contributions for Northwest Fly Fisherman and Swing The Fly Magazine. When not at the shop, Scott s either spending time with his wife and 12-year-old son River in Issaquah or exploring a favorite fishery. He s fished throughout the West as well as Florida, Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, France and Christmas Island and is happy fishing for everything from bluegill to steelhead to bonefish. Scott is an active member of the 4 th Corner Fly Fishers and North Sound Trout Unlimited where he conducts spawner surveys for Skagit tributary spring steelhead. Presentation: Most folks who ve spent much time in Western Washington have come to realize that we don t have a whole lot in the way of quality river trout fisheries, especially compared to Montana and the Rockies. Our rivers simply don t have the key ingredients to grow large numbers of big resident trout. We do, however have a trophy bull trout fishery in our very backyard that is often overlooked in the midst of other summer distractions. Scott Willison from the Confluence Fly Shop will take you through the ins and outs of Running with the Bulls, pursuing big predatory streamer-gobbling bull trout throughout the Skagit and Sauk during the summer months. He ll talk about the when s and where s along with how to gear up and seek out our native char in the stunning scenery of the North Cascades. Scott will tie a Flash Fry pattern during the wet fly. Shane Stalcup s Flash Fry is a big meaty Clouser Minnow variation that has become one of Scott s favorite summer bull trout flies on the Skagit and Sauk. It has profile, movement, a lot of flash and is visible from a distance. Big bulls up to 8 lbs. absolutely crush this thing aggressively ripping the fly through a pool and it s pretty durable and reasonably easy to tie.

4 Fly of the Month: By: Scott Willison Flash Fry Recipe Hook: #2-4 Gamakatsu B10S Thread: 140 Denier White Ultra Thread Eyes: Medium or Large Pseudo Eyes Tail: Charcoal over White Rabbit Strip Flash: Silver Krystal Flash and Pearl Micro Flashabou Throat: White Bucktail Head/Body: Pearl Flat Diamond Braid Coating: Thin Loon UV Resin

5 Deene Almvig Special: From: Danny Beatty and Terry Abrams Fidalgo Members: Terry Abrams sent me a web site yesterday which featured long time club member Tom Fulk and one of his signature Bamboo fly rods. That is the first of the web sites below. Please click on the article in the upper left when it comes up - rather obvious. The article is nicely done with some great river and fish pictures. He thought the other two web sites could be of interest to club members. Thank you Terry, for bringing this information to our attention. Danny Planned Presentation for 2019 By: Bill Keeler 16 May 2019 Leaf Seaburg Methow Fishing Adventures 19 September 2019 Zack Dalton (Sage) Fly Line Selection 17 October 2019 Tom Fulk Custom Bamboo Fly Rods 21 November 2019 Member Presentations Disclaimer: All speakers and topics are subject to change. However, I am blessed to have several members who have offered to share their experiences thank you! Up Coming Events: April April Fools Outing Pass Lake April 6 th Coordinator: NA May:

6 Note: Please check the Outings and Event page on the web site, things get added from time to time Fly Fishing Film Tour 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour in Mount Vernon, Thursday, April 11th Here we go again with another year of glorious fly fishing footage from around the globe. This year's tour features film short from locals The FlyFish Journal and Eric Jackson among many, many other cool films. As in previous years, the Confluence Fly Shop is partnering with North Sound Trout Unlimited to help raise funds for local wild steelhead conservation as the chapter continues its ongoing science and monitoring program for Skagit River steelhead. NSTU will host a raffle again for some awesome donated schwag, including a Sage Mod 7130 Spey Rod and a Dogfish 8 Boat from Cypress Designs. It's sure to be a raucous great time as we share the excitement at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. Join us for a fun filled evening in support of a great cause. Oskar Blues beer will be featured in the art bar. Here's what you need to know: When: Thursday, April 11th, 7pm (doors open at 6pm) Film Tickets: $15 in advance/$20 at the door. Tickets will be available at the Confluence Fly Shop next week or the Lincoln Box Office. Raffle Tickets: $5 per ticket/5 for $20

7 For Sale: For Sale: Don Hill Mini Drift Boat, 10 feet, oars, anchor system, anchor and trailer. Contact Richard $ For Sale: 8 FOOT LAPSTRAKE PRAM WHICH HAS BEEN MY PERSONAL FISHING BOAT FOR 15 YEARS. IN GOOD CONDITION, FRESH PAINT; OARS, AND ANCHORS INCLUDED. SPECIAL PRICE FOR FFF MEMBERS ONLY $650. ALL PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO THE CLUB SO YOU CAN TAKE A TAX DEDUCTION. TOM FULK , OR BAMBOOFLYRODS@COMCAST.NET

8 April Fools Outing By: Robin LaRue THE SETUP CREW ROLLER DOGS??? MAN, THE CHILI S READY

9 A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!

10 Youth Fly Fishing Education: The Youth Education Committee has been developing plans for the July 10 th, 17 th and 24 th 2019 classes. This will be the third summer the Fidalgo Fly Fishers have offered a fly-fishing class to youth 12 to 15 years old. The start of the program was explained in the September 2018 issue of the Wahoo Newsletter. In 2017 the class was held one day at the Anacortes Library and Causland Park. There were four students. In 2018 there were five students and three days of classes featuring fly tying and fly casting. We hope that eight students sign up for Boshie Morris, assisted by Dan Farmer, gave a presentation at the November 2018 Club Meeting. She explained what the committee accomplished and augmented her narrative with pictures of the students Tying Flies and Casting. Boshie brought up the idea that the Original 2017 Committee considered collaborating with the Boy Scouts to help Scouts earn their Fly-Fishing Merit Badge. One of the Anacortes Boy Scout Troops has been contacted for consideration. We have also contacted the Boys and Girls Club and placed announcements in the Anacortes School District Bulletin and Anacortes American. As the month of April moves along and the opening of Fishing Season, the interest should expand and we think there are sufficient contact options. If members know Girls or Boys years old who are interested in a July Fly Fishing Class, have them flyfishingskills@gmail.com and send their contact information. Boshie, Cathy, Christina, Dan, Danny, David, Rene, & Russ Youth Education Committee Washington Fly Fishing Fair 2019: Fly fishers of all abilities can learn from one of the masters of the sport May 3-4 and when Gary Borger appears at the Washington Council FFI Fly Fishing Fair at the Kittitas County Event Center in Ellensburg. To register for the fair and reserve space in popular workshops go to The fair will be open to all at no charge. There will be fees for specific workshops and one-on-one casting instruction. In addition to authoring 10 best-selling books on fly fishing, creating a popular series of fly casting instruction videos and consulting on the design of dozens of fly rods, flies and fishing equipment, Gary is a popular teacher. He will offer seven programs over two days in Ellensburg covering a broad range of casting and fishing skills. On Friday May 3, at 10:30, Gary will deliver his popular one-hour program called The Perfect Cast. The presentation breaks down the basics of creating a cast from how to properly grip a rod to details of timing a double haul for maximum distance. Also Friday, Gary will offer workshops on Nymphing from Top to Bottom, tying Down and Dirty Flies and a program on Unique Hackling Techniques for fly tying. Saturday, Gary will begin the day with a workshop on the Angler as Predator, followed by a second workshop on Down and Dirty Flies. He will finish the day with an afternoon seminar on casting instruction designed to help casting teachers perfect their teaching skills. The seminar is designed to help current FFI Casting Instructors and anyone who teaches casting.

11 Besides Gary s series of programs, the Washington Fly Fishing Fair will host dozens of expert fly tiers and for the first time have a video theater that will allow groups to closely watch experts at work. The tying theater will feature three tiers daily on Friday and Saturday. The first theater performance will begin at 9:30 each day. The event also will feature casting workshops by dozens of certified FFI Casting Instructors and Master Casting Instructors including Don Simonson, Chris Madison and Jim Higgins and others. To reserve time with a specific instructor go online at to book the day and time that works best for you. To cap it all, for the first time the fair will conclude with a showing of the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour in the Armory Theater. The Yakima Headwaters chapter of Trout Unlimited will host the event and the special guest MC for the evening will be humorist and guide Hank Patterson. A no-hose bar will open at 6 p.m., films will begin at 7. Admission will be $20 with all proceeds going to conservation programs in the headwaters of the Yakima River. NW YOUTH CONSERVATION AND FLY FISHING ACADEMY The deadline for the 2019 Academy is closing in April 15, 2019 is the deadline for the Academy. Those that apply and are accepted, will be notified by the middle of May. The Academy this year is again the last full week of June 23-29, The Academy is held on Hicks Lake in Lacey, WA. Applicants need to write an essay explaining why they would like to attend. They also will need a letter of recommendation from their school counselor, science teacher or responsible person. The applicant, boy or girl, 12-16, should not be 17 at the start of the Academy. Cost is $300 and there are sponsorships available. No one will be turned away because of lack of money. The support from the fly fishing community again this year is nothing short of spectacular. Applications are coming from all over the State. In the past years, we have been supported by over 50 volunteers each year. We will need volunteers again this year are guides to take the kids fishing in the morning and evenings. We will be fishing a local pond and the Deschutes Rivers in Thurston County. The Academy has a Facebook page loaded with pictures from past years and our website You may download the application off the website or contact Mike mtclancy39@comcast.net or Jim , brosioj@q.com The Academy will be a life experience for these youth, they are the future of our sport of fly fishing. We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can always build our youth for the future. FDR

12 Phil Latendresse Joins Club: By: Bill Keeler John Freeman Photo Jim Clark, Phil Latendresse, Don McKeehen and Bill Keeler At the March 21, 2019 meeting, Phil Latendresse was introduced and inducted as a member of the Fidalgo Fly Fishers. Bill Keeler, V.P. and Membership Chairman, performed the short ceremony. Phil was then presented with the club pin and membership folder containing information about the club. Phil s sponsors are Jim Clark and Don McKeehen. Phil lives on Fidalgo Island and has been fly fishing twenty (+) years, preferably on a stream because of more action. When asked to give a fly-fishing account he sent the membership committee the following: A bit about me! Married for 38 years, 2 married kids, and 2 grandkids. I took the grandkids fishing with the fake plastic fish that came on their Shakespeare Kiddy Rods last year and convinced them that the plastic fish was bait. I think I will need to put real hooks on this year and am thinking Tenkara rods in the future to see if they could grow into fly fishers. I worked in the insurance business for around 30 years and retired from HUB International out of Bellingham in July of I started fly fishing when we lived in Spokane 20 years ago. We moved from Spokane to Anacortes 16 years ago and over the years, time constraints caused me to put fly fishing on hold. Back into it now and wanting to target anything that will take a fly. I have also gotten back into fly tying, and this winter started to learn to tie deer hair bass bugs. Time consuming but very satisfying. A memorable fly fishing/tying moment took place years ago when I wrapped my leader on a low hanging branch on the other side of the Wood River in Idaho. It was about 6 inches from the water and a trout jumped out of the water to grab it. Thank goodness he missed it but I was pretty proud of my Parachute Adams and figured I could tie a good fly if the fish are willing to jump out of the water for it. I am hoping to connect with other members who might want to fish local rivers, beaches and lakes. I have a pontoon boat and really enjoy floating rivers. How s That?! Phil

13 Phil s sponsors added: I am looking forward to fishing with Phil and see what new tricks he has up his sleeve. Jim Scott. I am pleased to be one of Phil's sponsors. He has a very outgoing personality, is excited about doing more fly fishing, and will be a nice addition to our club. Don McKeehen. Phil plans to attend as many meetings as possible so, Fidalgo Members, please welcome him to the club. Danny Beatty, John Ballenger, John Freeman & Bill Keeler Membership Committee Pictures of the Month: By: Unknown Fly Shops: The Confluence Fly Shop 2620 N. Harbor Loop Drive #9 Bellingham, WA (360)

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