www.wyflycasters.org
Vol 44 No 6
The Monthly Newsletter of the Wyoming Fly Casters
July 2016
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July 2016
What’s inside Lee Tschetter, President Spencer Amend, Vice President John Yost, Secretary Janet Sowell, Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms expire in 2017: George Axlund, Joe Meyer, Lee Wilson, Cheryl Wilson Derrick Dietz Bob Fischer Terms expire in 2018: Wilbur Yankee, Jim Johnson Bruce Lessig, Bruce Chandler, Blake Jackson The Backcast is the monthly newsletter of the Wyoming Fly Casters Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the views of the officers, board or members of the Wyoming Fly Casters. Annual dues are $20 for an individual, $30 for a family, or $250 for a lifetime individual membership or $450 for a life- time family membership. Visit the club website at www. wyflycasters.org. To pay dues or contact the club, write to P.O. Box 2881, Casper, WY 82602. The deadline for submission of information for each issue is a week before the end of the month. Make contributions to the next issue by e-mailing material to the Backcast editor at cheryl_ea06@ hotmail.com or call (307) 267-1903. The Backcast is available either in electronic format or through USPS snail mail. To receive each newsletter through a monthly e-mail, you must be able to open .pdf (Adobe Acrobat, a software program available free of charge) documents. Usually, each issue is roughly 1 MB in size, some are larger. Your e-mail provider may have limits on the size of attachments. In order to be added to the e-mail list, send a request to cheryl_ea06@hotmail.com. In addition to receiving each issue of the newsletter earlier than your hard copy peers, e-mail subscribers are able to print each copy in vibrant color -- an added plus if the issue is rich in color photographs. By sub-scribing electronically, you also save the club roughly $17.40 a year in printing and postage expenses.
3-4 president’s letter
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Member Highlight: Joe Meyer
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How not to catch fish and one awesome, glorious fishing experience By Steve Kurtz
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fishing highlights
11 CLASSIFIEDS CALENDAR
Front Cover Photo by: Louis Cahill, Ginkandgasoline.com
NEW MEMBERS!
If you haven’t already, call Joe Meyer at 307-235-1316. He’ll give you pointers and advice to make sure you catch The big one! Mission Statement:
The mission of the Wyoming Fly Casters is to promote and enhance the sport of fly fishing and the conservation of fish and their habitat.
Description:
The Wyoming Fly Casters club was formed in 1974. The membership currently consists of approximately 160 members. The WFC was organized by a group of dedicated fly fishermen and since the club’s inception the Wyoming Fly Casters have strived to further the sport of fly fishing through conservation and education. Conservation of our water resources is one of our primary goals and in cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department we have and will continue to carry out worthwhile projects for the benefit of Wyoming fisheries. In addition to conserving Wyoming’s water resources we encourage conserving the fish themselves. A fish safely released today will live to give sport to others. For easy access to digital version of newsletter go to: www.wyomingflycasters.org
Wyoming Fly Casters
President’s letter
Hello Again Flycasters,
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July 2016
I hope that everyone has been staying cool on the hot days that we have had and taken the opportunity to get out and do some fishing. This month I may seem a little long winded but we have been handling what I feel is some important business over the last couple of months and I want to cover that for those that have not been able to make the meetings. The board put together a committee to take applications and screen applicants for funding projects. George Axlund is the Chair of the committee with Spencer Amend, Janet Sowell, Bruce Lessig and I rounding out the group. We put together an application form to be used by applicants and received 10 back. Each applicant was asked to show how their project fit with the mission of the Wyoming Flycasters. At that point we sat down and culled that down to six projects that were presented to the board for approval. Those six are: 1. Water level loggers (WGF) 2. 3 sets of steps for river access at the Flycaster’s Memorial Landing 3. Project Learning Tree & Wild Workshop 4. LaBarge Creek Fish Passage 5. Access Yes (WGF) 6. Encampment River Watershed Restoration The project managers have been notified and a contract will be drawn up for each project. Over the course of the next several months we hope to have the project managers or a representative come to a general meeting and speak to the club about their project and answer any in depth questions. If you have any questions or would like more information on any of these projects feel free to contact me and I will get a copy of the project proposal to you. With that being said, the program for the July general meeting will be a presentation on the Access Yes program and what our contribution will do for the program. In August, Lars Alseger will be there to talk to us about the next stage of the Memorial Landing project. In September our regular meeting will be our annual BBQ at the club house. Please consider bringing a dish to pass to accompany those hot off the grill items. In October we hope to have a representative from Project Learning tree in to speak to us about their project and the work they do with teachers and children relating to fishing and the outdoors. Our summer seemed slow in coming and now appears to be flying past at blinding speed. This is a reminder for upcoming outings this summer.
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July 2016
Ten Sleep August 12-14. To get there: Go North on I-25 to Buffalo, then head West on highway 16 and climb into the Big Horn Mountains. Travel about 50 miles and just past Meadowlark Lake you will turn right at the Deer Haven Lodge. Continue on the dirt road for seven miles, until you are about to cross the west branch of Ten Sleep Creek where you will see Deer Park campground. You can settle either in the campground (for a fee), or in the meadow on the other side of the bridge. Dick DePaemelere Memorial Outing (Tongue River) September 2-4. This is a casual outing. No meals provided but there will be a grill available and room around the campfire in the evening. Those of us that are going will be camped only about a mile from Bear Lodge. This is generally fantastic small stream cutthroat fishing. Miracle Mile, October 15. Casey Leary will be holding this annual outing again and unless something has changed there will be a stream side lunch around noon. With all of that being said, may all of you have a safe and wonderful 4th of July holiday. I’m looking forward to hearing fishing tales and seeing pictures to back those “tales”. That was my feeble attempt at humor following a long oration containing only facts. Until next month, Tight Lines & Long Drifts, Lee
Wyoming Fly Casters
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS JOE MEYER
CONGRATULATIONS! JOE RECEIVED HIS SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR OF PEACE SERVICE MEDAL FOR HIS SERVICE DURING THE KOREAN WAR
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July 2016
How not to catch fish and one awesome, glorious fishing experience By Steve Kurtz
I am not a good fisherman; fish laugh when they hear my name. When I was a kid at Yesness pond and lake fishing in Minnesota, I caught one fish for every 10 my cousin did. As an adult, the same ratio has applied, from deep sea fishing off the Washington coast, to fishing the North Fork of the Shoshone River west of Cody or the Yellowstone River in Montana, to wonderful days fishing the Yellowstone and Madison rivers in Yellowstone National Park. I have two good fishermen as mentors, but they haven’t increased my success much. It isn’t their fault. Much of the fault — besides not being lucky — lies with me. I have soul searched and determined that there are lots of things I do wrong and a few I do right, or know that they are right. So, I have a list of my top 10 things NOT to do if you want to catch fish: Don’t develop a good cast. Spend most of your time with your fly caught in the bushes behind you, or have it hit you in the head on the way by, or tangle the line so you have to cut it off and start over. Don’t learn how to tie a good knot. Keep yours loose enough so that they fail when stressed so you can spend 90 percent of your time re-rigging your pole. Don’t check the weather report for wind; don’t check the newspaper or the fly store boards for water conditions such as mud, moss or this week’s list of successful flies/bait. Don’t join Wyoming Flycasters and learn about how to catch fish or go fishing with Joe Meyer, who will take anyone fishing anywhere, any time. Don’t wade so you can get right in the channel with the fish and not catch your fly on myriad items on the shore or yourself. Don’t learn about flies and hatches or how to think like a fish. I tend to think fish don’t ”think” much, but they outsmart me most of the time. Don’t set the hook so hard on a seven-inch fish that it flies out of the water, over your head and almost hits your brother-in-law 20 feet away. Don’t wear polarized sun glasses so you can see the fish in the water. Don’t get stuck in the muddy shore and have to pull your foot out of your boot or stay where you are for a long time. Don’t catch any fish so you don’t have to worry about releasing them. On the other hand, among all the experiences, I have had a couple awesome, glorious fishing days. One was when Libby and I stayed at a guest ranch many years ago in the Sunlight Basin, northwest of Cody. Just being in that beautiful country is a great experience. The guest ranch was in a beautiful wooded setting overlooking a small lake. They advertised “fishing.” They said fishing was limited because Game and Fish had declared an unnamed endangered species lived in the lake. You had to have a guide to fish.
Wyoming Fly Casters
Word got out that no one had caught any fish all week, and the people who had traveled a long ways for a great fishing experience were sad. I signed up for “fishing.” My guide, one of the ranch hands, took me out in a 12foot aluminum boat early one foggy morning. My limit was four fish. To my amazement in about 45 enjoyable minutes I caught two 20-inch and two 15-inch trout, nice fish. My guide said the cook could fry them up for me for breakfast. I decided rather to share my good fortune and told him to give them to the cook and have her cook them up for everyone else, those unfortunate folks who hadn’t caught a fish. We have good opportunities to eat trout, and the trout would be a special treat for the folks out from back east. Libby and I came to breakfast after I got cleaned up. We were greeted by a standing ovation from a dining room full of people who were eating “my“ fish. The cook had announced that I was the great hero fisherman who made all this possible. So I basked in 15 minutes of glory and fame, for feeding the masses with four fish. I know fishing for a day with a guide and a boat on the North Platte can cost a few hundred dollars. So, to top off the experience, when we checked out there was a separate bill labeled “fishing,” for $2.50. Awesome!
Fishing Highlights
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July 2016
MINUTES OF WFC BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 15,2016 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Lee T., Janet, John, Derrick, George, Bruce C., Wilbur, Spencer. EXCUSED ABSENCES: Jim, Lee W., Cheryl, Bob. President Lee T. calls the meeting to order at 1900. SECRETARY'S REPORT: No written minutes exist from last month's board meeting as John was gone, but Lee did make an audio recording. John will contact him and make sure a transcription of those audio notes is done. Both George and Spencer made a point that because there was a vote on a substantial amount of the Club's funds, there should be a written version of that meeting. Approval of the May minutes are, therefore, pending. TREASURER'S REPORT: Janet passed out copies of the Club financial summary covering 5/1/16 to 6/14/16. It was mentioned that we haven't received a bill for our insurance coverage yet. Spencer will contact Jason Paris about this. Janet also passed out an updated roster of club membership. It lists members alphabetically and reveals whether they are paid up or not, and whether they have a special status (charter, Mactavish, complimentary, or lifetime). George mentions that Janet is setting up the financials such that it will be easier to track our obligations. George moves to accept the report as is, seconded by Wilbur, and the motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: 1) There was a discussion concerning whether we have paid the $5,000 that we are contractually obligated for the Speas Pathway project. It was decided that we probably haven't, though Janet will check to make sure. The projects approved at the May Board Meeting will total $26,800, and adding the Speas money, will equal an outlay of $31,800 for projects. This total will exceed the $30,000 that the Board has authorized for projects. Derrick made a motion: WFC will pay the $5,000 for the Speas project and also the $26,800 for the other projects for a total of $31,800. This funding will be dependent on a review of the Club financials by Janet to ensure we have not already paid the $5,000 for the Speas Project. Janet seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 2) Joe gave a report on our participation at the Gumbo Cookoff/Trails Center Fundraiser up at the Events Center. We got 4-5 new members from our interaction with the public. It was mentioned that this event conflicted with the Kids Free Fishing Day at Yesness Pond. It was noted that despite our active participation in that event over the years, we haven't recruited many if any new members. We need to have these events on our club calendar that is being created. Also, the new Club table runner would have been nice to display on our table, so we need to follow up on that so it can be ready to use at these functions. 3) Derrick mentioned that our Facebook Page has been improved. Blake and Cheryl must be responsible and kudos to them for their efforts. 4) John gave a report on last weekend's Walker Jenkins outing. He reported that we had 18-19 participate, the weather was calm, and virtually everyone caught fish. Derrick provided Jersey Mike's sandwiches, George did most of the legwork in setting up for lunch, and was the most diligent streamkeeper present, and Joe deserves special attention for contacting The Laramie G&F office, who got permission to cross private land in order to easier access the shoreline. It was decided to send thank you notes to the G&F officer, Steve Gale, who worked hard to help this outing happen, and his supervisor. John will take care of this. 5) The Club's next outing is in August at Ten Sleep.
Wyoming Fly Casters 9 NEW BUSINESS: 1) Joe mentions that the new membership roster is wonderful. He suggests that the Board divide up the names that are listed as not currently paid for 2016, and call those folks to find out if our records are correct, and to see if they want to rejoin if not current. The names were divided up and the Board needs to have this completed by next meeting. We should consider doing this calling around January 31st next year. A reminder was made that our memberships are $20 for single annual, $30 for family annual, $250 for single lifetime and $450 for family lifetime (which would cover children till they are 21). 2) Joe Meyer will be getting some kind of award from the Governor on June 30th. Stay tuned for more information. 3) Joe inquires about the situation of a non-member getting injured on an outing. Are we covered? Spencer will check with Jason Paris. Whether non-members can participate in our outings perhaps should be covered in our by-laws. ADJOURNMENT: Bruce C. makes a motion to adjourn, seconded by Joe. The motion carries unanimously at 1953. Respectfully Submitted, John Yost, Secretary
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Letter from the Editor
July 2016
Flycasters,
It’s already July! How did that happen? First of all, I did not get an issue of the Backcast out in June. That was not a mistake in e-mail or snail mail- I didn’t get one out the door. There are a lot of things coming up this summer so keep in touch to find out about outings and events happening with the club! I guess that’s all I have for this time. See you all out on the river and don’t forget to send me those pictures! Cheryl Wilson
Roger and I at Kid’s Fishing Day!
CLASSIFIED
Wyoming Fly Casters
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Calendar
Sunday
Monday
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Independenc e Day
July 2016
JULY 2016 Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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GENERAL MEETING 7:00 P.M.
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20 BOARD MEETING 7:00 P.M.
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Parents' Day
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June 2016 S
M
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
T W 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
Th 2 9 16 23 30
August 2016 F 3 10 17 24
Sa 4 11 18 25
S 7 14 21 28
M 1 8 15 22 29
T 2 9 16 23 30
W 3 10 17 24 31
Th 4 11 18 25
F 5 12 19 26
Sa 6 13 20 27
Upcoming Events: Ten Sleep Outing: 8/12-8/14 Annual BBQ: September General Meeting Tongue River: Sept. 2-4
Wyoming Fly Casters P.O. Box 2881 Casper, WY 82602
July 2016