MONTHLY MEMBERS MEETING December 2017 ISSUE Please check your calendar and make sure that the monthly meeting of the McKenzie Fly Fishers is there in bold print - Monday, January 15, 2017 at Willie s Restaurant. 400 Industrial Way, Springfield. Cocktails and an opportunity to chat and mingle at 6:00, dinner at 7:00, speakers at 8:00. PREZ SEZ Sparky Rice Although it is near the longest day of the year it is sunny outside and I m pleasantly thinking of all the magazine photos of solitary Winter fly fisherman out on the river. It is a little disheartening though since I am scheduled for shoulder surgery this week which will put me on the sidelines for at least six weeks. Better now in Winter than in the other three seasons. If I get released Winter steelhead fishing is usually picking up on the Umpqua by the end of January which I can look forward to. In the meantime I ve got some books to read including one on improving my cast. Also I can look forward to Spring fishing and a bonefishing trip in late March. Hopefully too the MFF fly tying class will start after I get my arm out of it s sling. I had never tied a fly before last winter's class. It was very satisfying and fun too. I even caught fish with some of the ones I used, also gratifying. At the Oregon International Flyfishers Expo. last Winter (also a first for me) one of the tiers told me it was more fun to tie than to fish. I may not get to that point, but anyway I highly recommend the class. Looking back to this last month I want to thank Jim Rhoten and his many helpers for the great auction this year. I got some good stuff and had fun. At the Board meeting this month there is already enthusiasm for next year and good suggestions for improving it. Also a big thank you to Patrick Dowd and his helpers for a very enjoyable Holiday Party with great food as well as great company. If I didn t see you there, then may I also wish you Happy Holidays and may your fishing dreams come true in 2018. 1
FUTURE PROGRAMS Your program committee has been hard at work developing an exciting, interesting, educational and entertaining schedule for 2018. We have something for everyone, some old familiar faces and some exciting new ones. We have fishing tactics & techniques, Destination fishing trips, Geology, Hydrology, and Oceanography. We have updates on Deschutes River past & present, Klamath Basin water management, and Willamette River salmon. Combined with our weekly liar s lunch, frequent well organized outings, super summer picnic, annual auction, and Christmas party 2018 should be a great year to be a member of the McKenzie Flyfishers. McKenzie Flyfishers 2018 Program schedule January - well-known NW Flyfisher and a first time presenter to the McKenzie FF Marc Williamson Techniques for Fishing Rivers. February - an old friend of the club Rick Hafele Five Mistakes You Don t Need to Make. March - back by popular demand, Gordon Grant Update on the Geology of the McKenzie Watershed. April - another popular presenter, John Kreft Fly Fishing Road Trips. May - well known Flyfisher and creator of WestFly Scott Richmond talking about The History and Seasons of the Deschutes River. June - another popular and timely presentation Greg Bulkley owner of the Black Drake Ranch & Sue Mattenberger USFS fishery biologist Klamath Basin Water Management a cooperative venture & success story. July - Don t miss our Annual Picnic August - The Native Fish Society River Steward Director- Conrad Cowell will report on the intent to sue the ACOE over Downstream fish passage over high dams in the upper Willamette river District. September Burke Hales - Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences OSU to be confirmed October- TBA November Auction December Christmas Party 2
ANNUAL DUES REMINDER / DRAWING Collecting annual dues payments is tedious process filled with reminders and notices sent to members. The Board has authorized an incentive to assist in getting dues in on time for the upcoming dues cycle. Here is a great opportunity to simply pay your dues on time and become eligible to win a great trip! Members who send in their 2018 dues ($45) on or before December 31, 2017 will be entered in a drawing for a guided full day fishing trip with a local professional guide, Ethan Nickel. Don t miss out on this great opportunity! The winner will be chosen at random at our January meeting. Fine print: -The trip is valued at $450 for guide fees, includes tackle, lunch for 1 or 2 anglers. - The winner is responsible for tipping the guide. -Mike Layne, Karl Lockbaum or Al Eckerdt must receive dues by the deadline for members to be eligible. 3
MFF LIARS LUNCH ANNOUCEMENT: Sparky Rice The Liars Luncheon that is held every Friday at 12:00-1:00 has been moved to House of Chen until further notice. It is across the street from Matt Arena at 1861 Franklin Blvd. Get there 15 minutes early if you want to make sure you get a good seat. MFF AUCTION: Jim Rhoten A special thank you to Bob Howell, Jeff Grass, Jim Wiliams, Scott Halpert, Mark Rauch, Lee Lashway, Terry Willis, Gary McKenney, Bob Rasmussen, Jim Rhoten and Mike Brinkley for helping set up, run the silent auction and seamlessly run another successful auction for the club. And anyone else who pitched in that I left out!!! The club took in $6,734.08 in proceeds, which is a little down from previous years but still a great net for a great event. Thanks to everyone who bid on the items and all those who donated the items to the club, both hardware and trips. MFF Holiday Party: Patrick Dowd To all those who came made the event a great together. With the exception of Sparky s joke it was a great event. No in all honesty it was great to see members and partners (guests) together enjoying a great meal. The wife and I created a surf and turf meal by splitting the steak and salmon. Not much else to report other than a few photos of the event, thanks to Ted T. 4
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INVITATION TO JOIN You do not have to be an expert fly fisher to join the McKenzie Fly Fishers. Our monthly meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet other area anglers, to have the best of regional experts on subjects dear to the hearts of fly fishers, and our outings and classes are wonder ways to hone skills and lead local waters first-hand. Interested? Just curious? Contact Karl Lockbaum (541-214-9909). 2017 BOARD President Sparky Rice President Elect Al Eckerdt Secretary Dave Thomas Treasurer Mike Layne & Bala Palani At-Large Clint Brumitt At-Large Jim Rhoten At-Large Mark Campbell At-Large Terry Willis 2017 COMMITTEES Auction Jim Rhoten Education Tim Knerr & Clint Brumitt House/Raffle Tom Fauria & Phil Johnson IFFF Terry Willis Membership Dick Barnhart & Karl Lockbaum Newsletter Editor Mark Campbell Conservation Arlen Thomason Holiday Party Patrick Dowd Library Ted Taylor Outings Clint Brumitt Website Liz Yocom Picnic Jeff Devore & Joanie DeVore Handbook Dave Thomas Lawsuit Oversight Dave Thomas & Arlen Thomason Programs Dan Robinhold, Sr., Bill Laing, Mike Star, & Scott Halpert 9