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Spokane Fly Fishers www.spokaneflyfishers.com October, 2014
OCTOBER 8TH MEETING
LEROY HYATT
“STEELHEAD FISHING THE GRAND RHONDE, CLEARWATER AND
SNAKE RIVERS” By: Brad Thompson
Our October speaker is Leroy Hyatt from Lewiston, ID. He is an expert on steelhead fishing in our area as well as tying flies for steelhead. As a commercial tier, Leroy produces over 500 dozen flies a year! (Yes- that’s six thousand flies that come out of his vise). He has also developed many original flies for trout fish-ing in North Idaho for rivers such as the North Fork of the Clearwater, Lochsa, and Kelly Creek. His presentation will focus on fishing for steelhead on N. Ida-ho’s premier steelhead rivers. Leroy also co- hosts the television program “Fly Tying- The Angler’s Art” with club member Carolyn Sells. The show can be seen Saturday mornings on Northwest Public Television.
OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
President Gale Allen Vice President Brad Thompson Treasurer Claude Kistler Secretary Rick Newman Board Position 1 Mike Fortney Board Position 2 Connie Tedrow Board Position 3 Charlie Simpson Past President Kurt Tempel Sgt. At Arms Jodi Fitts
Contact us at: P. O. Box 4141
Spokane, WA 99220 Or
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Programs: Brad Thompson Barbless Flyer Editor: Linda Howe Conservation: Mike Berube Outings Dan Ferguson Membership Jodi Fitts Fly Fishing School: Kurt Tempel Librarian: Larry Ray Project Healing Waters: Norm Scott FFF Liaison: Dan Ferguson Beg. Fly Tying: Betty Smith-Lambert Int. Fly Tying: Mike Berube Casting for Recovery: Mary Kovatch AROUND THE BEND
Oct. 8: SFF Meeting 7 PM Oct. 15: SFF Board Meeting 6:30 PM Nov. 12: SFF Meeting 7 PM
FLY AUCTION Nov. 19: SFF Board Meeting 6:30 PM Dec. 10: SFF Meeting 7 PM
HOLIDAY PARTY
OCTOBER 8TH 3:00 to 5:00 PM
TYING DEMONSTRATION
BY LEROY HYATT
Leroy will be doing a tying demonstration (not a tie-along, so leave your vise at home) at the Wildlife Council Building at 6116 Market (2 blocks south of Francis from 3-5 before the meeting on the 8th. There will be a $5 charge.
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PREZ SEZ By: Gale Allen
“Poets talk about ‘spots of time’, but it is really the fishermen who experience eternity compressed into a moment. No one can tell what a spot of time is until suddenly the whole world is a fish and the fish is gone.” Norman Mclean. I chose this quote as the beginning of PREZ SEZ for a personal reason and in the hope that you can help others share in the same experience. Last Saturday, as I write this, I went fishing at Brown’s Lake with our nine-year-old grandson Derek, and our soon-to-be grandson, Conner, who is sixteen and has never fly fished before. Derek has been fly fishing for a number of years and handles the fly rod quite well for his age. But Conner had never fished with a fly and never handled a fly rod until that day. Conner’s father, Tom, was exposed to fly fishing at an early age by his grandfather Dr. Elmer George in the rivers around Missoula. His family moved out of Montana and Tom was never able to fully take up our sport…but he never forgot it. By the way, Dr. George’s fishing partner was Norman Mclean. Now, as a new grandfather to Conner, I have been able to introduce him to fly fish-ing just as his great- grandfather introduced his father. On several occasions that day at Brown’s Lake, Connor voiced that ‘spot of time’ when he cast the fly to a rising fish, the fish rose to the fly, and the hook was set. At the end of the day, we cooked that fish over the fire and ate it with our fingers. Through our fishing we are making memories and building a re-lationship with each other and with a sport that will endure. Please consider assisting with one of the clubs fly fishing courses, Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery, or one of the many conservation programs the club supports. Please consider mentoring through one of our youth programs. Or just take your grandkids fishing. Give them an opportunity to have a “spot of time”. “If all politicians fished instead of spoke publicly, we would be at peace with the world.” Will Rogers. Speaking of politicians, our Board and our committee Chairs are in reality ‘politicians’ rep-resenting you. At the September Club meeting you were introduced to your committee Chairs who are looking for individuals to serve on their committee as well as looking for ideas to shape their respective programs. They really need to hear what you think and what you want to do for the next year. Boy, does that ever sound like a politician…but WE FISH! As a committee side note, Mike Fortney has run the Extravaganza for three years now and it is time for him to pass the baton. Between us, Mike and I have five years of experience put-ting together the Extravaganza. It is a short-term project that is not difficult to put together. Please consider taking this one on. We will both be there to support and assist. Contact me if you have an interest. Finally, I close with the following: “There is no greater fan to fly fishing than the worm”. Patrick McManus. Please sign-up to tie flies for the November fly auction. The worms will thank you. We’ll be contacting you.
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CONSERVATION CORNER By: Mike Berube, Conservation Chairman
The conservation committee met for the first time this year prior to the board meeting. The major item of discussion was to get projects scheduled and on the calendar so people can plan to attend ahead of time. We also brainstormed for new projects. Some projects we will be working are Fish in The Classroom and Fin Clipping at the Spokane Hatchery. Below are pictures from kids casting at the Water Festival put on by the Spokane County Conservation District.
NNRI WATER FESTIVAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER 11—12 By: Mike Keegan
On September 11 and 12, the Northwest Natural Resources Institute held its an-nual Water Festival at Liberty Lake Park. Fly Casting of 5th graders from several Spokane schools was among the seven stations which included topics such as ecology, water quality, etc. A total of 470 students got an orientation to fly casting. Bob Kowal and Gale Allen provided the initial instructions followed by dividing the students into groups for coaching and practice.
Many thanks to the volunteers (8 on Thursday and 7 on Friday) who mentored during the 25 minute sessions.
NOVEMBER MEETING
NOVEMBER 12th, 2014 — 7:00 PM ANNUAL FLY AUCTION
By: Brad Thompson
It’s time to start tying flies NOW that you wish to donate for our November 2014 fly auction.
As you know, this function is a major fundraiser for SFF with proceeds financing much of our functions, printing, postage and speakers for the year. Our club heavily depends on your generosity and donations. Even if you don't wish to tie flies for the auction- consider purchasing flies for a donation.
This is always a fun meeting and a chance to pick up incredible flies tied by some of the club’s and Inland Northwest’s best fly tiers. Please call this year’s chairman, Brad Thomp-son, with questions or to arrange for a drop-off. You may also bring your tied flies to our October 8th meeting. If you plan on bringing them the night of the auction, check in time will be from 5:45 to 6:45 PM. Please call Brad @ 406-370-7773 if you’d like to be on the Fly Auction Committee and help with this event.
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ST. JOE OUTING REPORT - AUGUST 1—3 By: Rick Newman
Bang! Flash! Crack! That doesn’t describe the fishing conditions on the St. Joe on the annual visit to that wonderful fishery, however it does describe some of the weather we experienced. Light-ning strikes right above our heads followed by an immedi-ate thunder clap startled all that were awake. Earlier in the day the wind was strong enough to break off trees along the river corridor. A couple of the fishermen were really into catching fish but the breaking trees soon had them rushing for their truck and back to camp. The rain poured down and another fishing adventure story was in the books. The wonderful thing about fishing in the mountains is being in such a majestic place and accepting and enjoying all that Mother Nature provides, be it wonderful fishing, amazing scenery, cozy campfires or exciting weather. This year’s St. Joe trip had all of that plus a great group of folks to enjoy it with. Peter Mokry, Mike Berube, Mark Gardner, Daniel and Katie Brereton, Craig Bader, Dan Ferguson, Fred Howe, Rick Newman, Jim and Joe Gooley, Larry Garner, Dick and Mary Brereton, and Craig Adams all attended. Numerous flies were sacrificed to the fishing gods, but the fish were excited to see a wide variety of flies and responded with strikes and hookups. The Purple Haze and Red Rage Parachutes, Adams (both regular and parachute style), emergers, and a variety of nymphs all worked. Most of the fish were smaller in size, those that I observed being caught were 11 inches or less. I didn’t receive reports from all the fisher people but some of the group had their best St. Joe fishing that they have ever had (Must have been the thunder and light-ning). As Jimmy Buffet sang more than once “we ate till we ate way too much” at our Saturday late afternoon meal. Corn on the cob, both roasted and boiled, excellent salads, Costco sausages, fresh fruit, great cookies, chips, salsa, cheese curds and more were enjoyed. No-body went fishing hungry, although some of them may have been sleepy! Mentions of naps were heard as the diners shuffled away from the food site.
MEMBERSHIP By: Jodi Fitts, Chair
At the September club meeting, we received four new memberships. Please welcome Douglas Keene, John and Brenda Sharp, Ken Shatzer and Jerry and Marlene Williams. If you have noticed any errors in the directory, please contact me directly. I will be at the October meeting or you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 951-7406. See you all on October 8th.
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INTRODUCTION TO FLY TYING CLASSES By: Bob Mielbrecht
Thinking you might be interested in fly tying? Then this is the class for you. You don’t have to know anything and you don’t have to bring anything. Betty Smith-Lambert and her crew will teach you
the fine art of turning fur and feathers into things that catch fish. Flies which you will be tying include the Woolley Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis ,Pheasant Tail Nymph, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, and Muddler Minnow. All the tools and materials will be provided so don’t rush out and buy anything, but if you have a vise or other equipment you’re welcome to bring it to class. The price is $35 per person to cover the cost of hooks and other materials. Classes will be held at 1812 West 10th Ave beginning Saturday, January 10th and continuing for a total of six weeks. Class will start at 9:00 AM and run for approximately three hours. If enough people sign up, an afternoon session from 1:00 – 4:00 PM will be offered. To register for the class or for more information call Betty Smith-Lambert at 838-5914.
KOOTENAI OUTING REPORT - AUGUST 15—17 By: Dan Wight
After all the hub bub about the weather and thunder and nastiness we had a few minutes of droplets and that was it. The night sky was spectacular! Lori and I were Joined by Bill Lundin and Bob Kowal a small group for sure but we made it a memorable time. Down the river we went in my drift boat Saturday morning, after a bit of prospecting on Friday before the float. We all caught fish and it was a good time for a practice session with nymphing tech-niques. Dry line nymphing proved to be the best way to entice the fish to play and some dandy fish were caught and released. Bill unfortunately lost a wall hanger hooked on a heavily weighted rubber legged Prince nymph and we got to see it jump and show off as it headed off upriver..........
Pictures by Bill Lundin
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BOOK OF THE MONTH By: Larry Ray, Librarian
Something for the Bamboo Aficionado. In my May Barbless Flyer column I told you we had received a donation which in-cluded two books on bamboo fly rods. I said I would review them in the September Barbless Flyer. I apologize for the fact that this review is a month late. Hopefully, better late than nev-er. Like a few of you who aspire to fish with bamboo, or perhaps already do so, I have been long fascinated by the possibility of fishing a northwest coastal stream, cane wand in hand, pur-suing cutthroat and steelhead as did the pioneers of northwest fly fishing. I have even gone so far as to purchase several old rods. However, I have yet to attempt the actual rebuilding of any of these. Fear of making a mistake, as well as that old enemy of all ambition, time, served as discouragement. Where to obtain the necessary guidance? Well, the SFF Library now has two volumes that can help eliminate the intimidation. The Fine Bamboo Fly Rod by Stuart Kirkfield contains 186 pages of instruction accompanied by marvelous photography. When read carefully and with patience, this book relieves the anxiety associated with bamboo rod restoration. The introduction is enchanting and puts the neophyte at ease. The first two chapters deal with assessing the quality and value of an old rod, even including photos of the proper way to remove it from the tube and sleeve. Sim-ple repairs, such as rewrapping guides or cleaning the cork grip, are described. However, Kirkfield also delves into such dark and mysterious topics as varnishing, as well as major fixes like repairing fractures, mid-section as well as at the ferrules, and removing old ferrules that have been pinned and glued. The writing style is such that it is neither overly technical or intimidating. Throughout are photos of equipment and materials needed, even down to various glues that are used. Handcrafting Bamboo Fly Rods, by Wayne Cattanach, is written more in the form of a tech-nical manual. Instead of rod restoration, this book deals primarily with the crafting of new bamboo rods. It, too, contains many informative and reassuring photographs. It is not with-out its humor (read the introduction to Chapter 11, in which the author describes the neces-sity of designing and locating his finishing tube so as not to upset his wife!). It’s 235 hard-stock pages, which can be removed from the binder for shop use, delve into great detail re-garding such topics as proper tapers, stress curves (including charts and graphs), heat treating, and all the various equipment, tools, and materials used in rod construction.
Other publications in the SFF collection touch on the subject of bamboo rods – John Gierach, in particular, describes his love of bamboo and provides some particulars about collecting in several of his pieces. But, the two volumes above now provide us with much more. If you, like me, are looking to remove some of the mys-tery of bamboo, and perhaps have a go at finishing and fishing your own cane rod some day soon, a leisurely read of either of these vol-umes will provide much encouragement and assistance.
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GREAT NEWS FOLKS!
By: Dan Ferguson Costco has started selling Christmas toys. What does this mean for you? You can start right now picking up great toys for our Toys For Tots cam-paign. Once again we'll be collecting for this great program at out holiday party/meeting coming in December. We can expect representatives from the Ma-rine Corp to accept the donations.
I was very pleased how well they were received at last years event. Please bring new, un-wrapped gifts for children of any age. I'll be reminding you again at the next few meetings.
TWO PONTOON BOATS FOR SALE By: Mike Melmoth
Buck Bags South Fork: $25.00 Buck Bags Bronco: $50.00 Both with oars and anchors. Call Mike at 468-4894 if you are interested.
THE BARBLESS FLYER Spokane Fly Fishers P. O. Box 4141 Spokane, WA 99220
NEXT MEETING
OCTOBER 8, 2014
LEROY HYATT “STEELHEAD FISHING THE GRAND RHONDE,
CLEARWATER AND SNAKE RIVERS”
ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL 1104 W. HEROY
“THE MISSION OF THE SPOKANE FLY FISHERS IS TO PROVIDE A FAMILY FRIENDLY
ORGANIZATION FOR PROMO TING THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING THROUGH EDUCATION, APPLICATION, AND CONSERVATION.”
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR NAME TAGS TO THE MEETING
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED —
