Flyfisher Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021

A L L F I S H • A L L WAT E RS

flyfishersinternational.org Spring/Summer 2021 | $5.95

NEW ANGLER HANDBOOK READ & PASS-ALONG

ACCELERATE THE LEARNING CURVE Top 10 tips for beginners

GO-TO PATTERNS FOR EVERYDAY SUCCESS Never leave home without ‘em!

FINDING YOUR MIDDLE GROUND

Fish your dream waters without selling a kidney

H , A L LALL W FISH, AT ALL E WATERS R ®®

November 5 - 7, 2021 CO N S E R VAT I O N , E D U C AT I O N , C O M M U N I T Y

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W O R K S H O P S A N D P R E S E N TAT I O N S O N C A ST I N G , F LY T Y I N G , CO N S E R VAT I O N , W O M E N - F O C U S E D TO P I C S , T R AV E L , A N D M U C H M O R E Enjoy time with fly fishing enthusiasts around the world, we’ll see you there!

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R E G I ST E R TO DAY !

Board of Directors

Dave Peterson Chairman of the Board Patrick Berry (Non-Voting) President and CEO Tilda Evans Secretary Awards Committee Chair Jim Maus Treasurer Finance Committee Chair John Kirk (Non-Voting) Legal Counsel Dutch Baughman Executive Committee Education Committee Chair Keith Groty Executive Committee Senior Advisor Tom Logan Executive Committee Conservation Committee Chair Jen Ripple Nominations, Elections, and Board Development Committee Chair Richard Ross Executive Committee

Fly Fishers International 1201 US Highway 10 West, Suite E Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-9369 flyfishersinternational.org President and CEO Lee & Joan Wulff Legacy Circle Patrick Berry | pberry@flyfishersinternational.org Vice President of Operations Conservation/Education Coordinator & Webmaster Rhonda Sellers | operations@flyfishersinternational.org Membership Coordinator Kate Richardson | membership@flyfishersinternational.org Clubs & Councils Coordinator & Fly Tying Group Jessica Atherton | clubs@flyfishersinternational.org Casting Coordinator & Merchandise Nikki Loy | casting@flyfishersinternational.org

Todd Heggestad Council Presidents Committee Chair

Membership & Donor Administrator Presidents Club, 1000 Stewards Lindsey Webster | donations@flyfishersinternational.org

Patty Lueken Women Programs Chair

Bookkeeper Sharon Cebulla | bookkeeper@flyfishersinternational.org

Kuni Masuda International Programs Chair Tim Papich Communications & Marketing Chair Berry Webster Membership Chair Bruce Williams Casting Programs Chair

Board Members Marnee Banks TRCP Liaison Glenn Erikson Joel Johnson Carole Katz PHWFF Liaison Geoff Mullins Heather Hodson Neufeld Dennis O’Brien Peter Vandergrift David Paul Williams

Special Projects Coordinator Jake McGlothlin | projects@flyfishersinternational.org Museum Information (406) 222-9369 | museum@flyfishersinternational.org Flyfisher is the official publication of Fly Fishers International, published two times a year and distributed by mail and online free to members. Send membership inquiries, fees and change of address notices to the FFI Headquarters at the address listed above. Flyfisher is produced for FFI by Bird Marketing Group Inc. Editorial & Advertising Inquiries: Editorial queries are welcome and should be sent to Bird Marketing Group Inc at the address listed above attention to the Editor. Email queries can also be emailed to editor@flyfishersinternational. org.

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Reprints & Permissions All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, or endorsements. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2021 Fly Fishers International.

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Flyfisher FlyFisher is published for FFI by Bird Marketing Group Inc. PO Box 227A Eastport, ID 83826 Executive Publisher Jennifer Bird jbird@birdmarketinggroup.com Editor John Van Vleet Group Art Direction Terry Paulhus Office Administrator Kim Carruthers Department Contributors Conservation Tom Logan Casting Jeff Wagner Fly Tying Jerry Coviello Women Connect Patty Lueken Feature Contributors George Daniel Faceless Fly Fishing Tom Governale Captain Stacey Lynn Brian O’Keefe River Bay Outfitters Dr. Rick Williams Audrey Wilson Odom Wu



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On the cover: Odom Wu Contents: Faceless Fly Fishing

IN THIS ISSUE 6 President’s Message 8 A Fly Fisher’s Commencement Speech Ten tips for beginners.

14 The Middle Ground Somewhere between our home water and travel catalog lodges.

20 All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile Connections with our community.

26 Backyard Bucket-List Exploring opportunities on our home turf.

30 New Angler Handbook Resources and recommendations.

32 Skills Three steps to mentally prepare for any goal.

36 Casting Catching up with Bruce Richards.

38 Fly Tying Never leave home without these go-to patterns.

42 Conservation Strategic partnerships & critical issues.

48 FFI Forum News, events, and happenings.

58 Industry Partner Profile Epic Rods.



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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

T

he fine spring day a bait fisherman saved my trip, I learned a few things.

Sometime back in the 1990s I was guiding on the Missouri River near Craig, Montana, and put in below Holter Dam. From the launch, I immediately rowed across to a backwater that created a nice seam along the main current, and set my dudes up wade fishing with nymph rigs in the early hours of the day.

As I helped my clients navigate casts in the wind, I failed to keep an eye on my boat anchored in the shallows behind me, which liberated itself from the anchor cleat under the force of strong gusts. The rope slipped its way through each pulley until my vessel was… free.

(On the question of whether or not to knot your anchor rope—pick your poison: either run the risk of losing your anchor and rope as I did, or run the risk of having your transom sucked under water when the anchor is stuck and the knot catches the hardware in fast water.)

Out of the corner of my eye, I finally noticed my boat was missing and saw it making its way down the “Mighty Mo.” Free from its mooring and bobbing along happily, it ultimately found its way to a back eddy on the other side of the river, mercifully out of my clients’ view. There, on the point of the eddy, an older gentleman sat perched on a white 5-gallon bucket, drowning worms in search of dinner.

He looked at my pathetic circumstance. The boat managed one

complete lap around the back eddy before passing by the angler and bucket. He stood up, reached out, and grabbed the gunwale.

“What do you want me to do?” He shouted across the river.

“Um, can you row it back over?”

He paused and thought for a moment. And then almost like he was asking a question he responded, “I can try.”

And so he did, fumbling with the oars against the current, executing multiple boat-donuts in the process, but finally reaching me on the far shore. I grabbed the boat, looked up the river, and realized we were at least a half-mile downstream from my clients.

So I did what was required in the moment: I dragged the boat back upstream across from this gentleman’s back eddy, rowed him back to his bucket, thanked him profusely for saving my day, gave him an entire box of flies he would likely never use, ferried back to the other side, and then dragged the outlaw boat up to my clients.

One guy was still fishing, and the other had managed one of those epic tangles requiring a completely new rig. It looked like he had put his leader and flies in a blender. But I didn’t care.

My day had been saved. All because someone helped me out. A dreaded bait fisherman had helped me out.

How would I reconcile that?

Too often there’s an unspoken vibe that people fishing with you are considered friendly competition and

everyone else on the water is a jackass.

I’m not saying everyone acts like that, but it’s pretty common. I was hugely guilty. I thought back to other times on the water someone had helped me out.

In the early years of my trout bum days, I was living in the back of my truck, tooling around the northern Rockies like an obsessive nomad in search of fish. Sure, I could cast a bit, I could tie some flies, and I occasionally caught fish, but anything landed was more through sheer determination than skill. I’ll never forget the day I was struggling to fool any fish on a mountain stream in Utah when a fellow angler took mercy on my fruitless efforts.

He offered to help. I accepted. He gave me some flies. He stood next to me and helped with my presentation.

He talked me through a few successful casts to a pod of fish at the head of the pool and then moved up-river with a smile on his face, knowing he had just helped someone out.

Such a gesture doesn’t even have to be a triumphant effort in generosity.

As fly fishing grows in popularity and we see the newcomers venturing into the sport, we have some choices to make about how we manage new people in our club, on our water, at our boat launches, and partaking in our passion. But is it really “ours?” Or are we more akin to caretakers of a legacy we pass along to others?

My day was once saved by a courageous bait fisherman who helped me out. I think we can all manage to pay it forward this coming season.

Patrick Berry Patrick H. Berry is FFI President and CEO. Berry brings over 27 years of experience within the environmental conservation field, having come to FFI from the Vermont Community Foundation where he served as vice president of philanthropy. A former commissioner of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Berry is recognized as a visionary conservationist and is widely respected by his peers.

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

Meet Todd Desgrosseilliers, PRESIDENT/CEO OF PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING,

proud member of 1000 Stewards “I decided to become a member of 1000 Stewards to help ensure the legacy of fly fishing for current and future generations. All of us at Project Healing Waters especially appreciate FFI’s extraordinary educational programs, and how they can help the physical and emotional recovery of our disabled active duty military personnel and disabled veteran participants.”

Help MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

flyfishersinternational.org/ffi1k

You have a unique opportunity to invest in the sport you love.

FLY FISHERS INTERNATIONAL’S

1000 Stewards program

asks dedicated fly anglers to donate $500 PER YEAR FOR 5 YEARS (a total of $2500)

FFi1K

Join the

Stewards

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

A Fly Fisher’s Commencement Speech

I

George Daniel

f asked to speak to a group of fly-fishing newbies, I would provide them with the following random advice. In other words, if I could travel back in time and speak to my 6-year-old self, these simple suggestions would have accelerated my learning curve while reducing frustrations. As the fly-fishing instructor for the Pennsylvania State University, these are the “fly-fishing truths” I attempt to share with my students just entering fly fishing.

Test All Rods Before Purchasing: Test casting a rod is the best choice before making a purchase. Picking a fly rod is like the Harry Potter scene when the Ollivander, the wand maker, says the “wand chooses the wizard.” I believe the same true with fly rods. Every rod has a different action and every angler eventually develops a casting style. Your casting style, along with where you fish, determines what rod action you should purchase. Don’t pay attention to brand or the rod price at first. Just begin test casting the rods, within the line weight you’re looking for, and you’ll eventually find a rod that feels and casts like an extension

of your hand. And don’t be surprised if the rod you like ends up being a cheaper option.

Pick a Lane: Today’s fly fisher has so many tactical options to choose from. For example, possible trout tactics include nymph, wet fly, dry fly, and streamers. Or you can choose single-handed casting tactics versus two-handed casting, and the list goes on. Frustration can easily set in when attempting to learn all these approaches within a short time window. Instead of attempting to learn and practice several skills at one time, start off learning and practicing with one approach (e.g. nymphing). Continue to learn until you feel you’ve mastered the fundamentals for that tactic, and only then begin learning about another approach.

We live during a time when people are seeking “timehacking” tips for all activities, including fly fishing. You don’t need to put in 10,000 hours to become proficient with fly fishing and casting, but you do need to put in the work as there’s no shortcuts developing these skills. When you have a singular focus, the time it takes to become proficient for each skillset shortens. In other words, don’t attempt

George Daniel George Daniel’s true passion is fly fishing education. George is an author, a clinician presenter, and currently is the lead instructor for The Pennsylvania State University Angling program. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, two children and Boykin spaniel. A Fly Fisher’s Commencement Speech

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multitasking when learning to fly fish. You can’t learn it all at once, but you can learn it all over time by developing a strategic timetable.

Develop Quick Wins to Boost Confidence: In other words, seek non-technical waters or species easy to catch during your first several fishing trips. For example, traveling to fish stocked trout waters or ponds containing panfish are great opportunities for building confidence. Panfish offer the best opportunity for beginners as they’re eager to eat.

This repetitive cast and catch activity provides opportunities to practice setting the hook, seeing the strike, and playing fish. As a result, this provides anyone just starting out with confidence for approaching any challenging water or fish species. I think the best decision I made while teaching my children to fly fish was taking them to our local panfish lake.

My first attempts teaching my kids failed while starting out on a well-known spring creek, known for fussy fish.

Although we caught fish, I could tell their patience levels were lessening between the long fish-catching intervals.

However, their focus level and enjoyment remained solid for several hours while continuously catching panfish.

They couldn’t wait to get home and tie flies for their next visit. Eventually all fly fishers encounter challenging and humbling conditions, which I feel is necessary for any angler to learn and grow from. Such challenging conditions can often break or discourage a beginner, so my suggestion is to first build up your confidence and skills with some easy wins, then you can tackle more challenging conditions. And just when you think of yourself as an accomplished angler, the fishing environment knocks you down on your butt. This is when I find myself seeking panfish waters, getting some easy wins to heal my wounds. Even experienced anglers need some easy wins from time to time.

Label All Your Packs and Fly Boxes with Contact Info: Fly fishers carry a myriad of equipment, and it’s easy to lose these items streamside. For example, I’ve accidentally left fly rods leaning against trees in the parking lot. I’ve also accidentally left fly rods on my vehicle’s roof while hurrying to get back home. In both cases, I lost both rods without any leaving any contact information. Therefore, I label all my gear with my contact number. This is especially true with items such as fly boxes that can easily slip out of your hands and pockets while fishing. Therefore, I prefer to use brighter-colored fly boxes and accessories to easily locate these items once they have fallen into the water or on the ground.

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

Knowing Local Stream Etiquette: I feel that many of the disagreements occurring streamside between two anglers is the result of a simple misunderstanding of local etiquette.

Many beginning anglers simply do not know how much distance to give another angler when approaching water for the first time. For example, anglers will line up shoulder to shoulder on some popular rivers and streams, so jumping in 30 yards below an angler may be perfectly okay on some waters. Other streams (such as remote mountain streams), anglers may give each other a minimum of several hundred yards of distance and jumping in 60 yards above another angler is heresy. Just as if you’re traveling to another country, it’s your responsibility to learn the local fly-fishing culture before fishing there. Contacting local fly shops or communicating through social medial networks are two excellent resource for learning local etiquette. Lastly, if you arrive to a section of water and see another angler already fishing, open the lines of communication. Ask them what direction they are fishing or if it’s okay to walk upstream a good distance before entering the water. Limited resources and an increasing number of anglers entering fly fishing each year creates a greater likelihood of user conflicts.

However, short and simple communication can eliminate most on-stream confrontations. Remember the golden rule of fly fishing: treat others as you would want to be treated.

Spend Time Observing successful anglers on the water.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a fly-fishing mentor (e.g. parent or grandparent) or can afford flyfishing lessons. The simple act of watching a skilled fly fisher demonstrating their skills will show you what good technique looks like. Visual learning is a powerful tool, as I’ve learned so much by placing a hold on my personal time, while taking a few minutes watching another angler catching fish or demonstrating excellent casting form. And don’t be afraid to ask other successful anglers questions streamside, as most are willing to share tips and maybe even a few patterns with you. I know I’ve been the recipient of so many short and free streamside lessons by simply approaching another angler and asking, “Can I ask you a few questions?”

All seasoned anglers can recall what it was like when they started learning fly fishing, and are usually more than happy to share a tip with a beginner. And by extension, don’t forget this generosity later in your angling career when you see another angler struggling. Pay it forward! This is what makes this pastime so wonderful.

Take a Casting Lesson or watch a quality online instructor

teach fly-casting fundamentals before attempting to cast on your own. Good casting skills are the foundation to your flyfishing success. So much of your fly-fishing success is based on the ability to efficiently and accurately present the fly.

Rarely does a new fly fisher just pick up the fly rod and immediately start making perfect casts. There’re no time hacks to becoming a good caster; it takes some time, so be patient and learn the correct way from the very start.

You’re a blank slate when starting out so take the time to understand and perform the essential fly-casting principles.

If you start casting incorrectly from the very beginning, you’ll have to unlearn all your bad casting habits. Please take the time and learn correctly from the start; bad habits are hard to break. In the long run, you’ll save time learning the right way. If possible, hire a casting instructor, even if you’re only able to afford a one-hour session. A good casting instructor will assist in building the casting foundations, which will serve you for the rest of your angling career.

After creating a strong casting foundation, any additional knowledge or casting skills (e.g. double haul or reach cast) are easily added without disruption.

If you can’t afford an instructor, then search online for quality casting instruction. For example, the free online

Orvis Learning Center has everything you need for starting out. Pay close attention to the simple hand movements the instructor makes, then continue to practice those movements until your casting movements look similar and feel effortless.

Some organizations/instructors are even offering virtual casting lessons. Again, I feel actual one-on-one instruction is still the best, but other options are available.

Lastly, don’t start practicing fly casting while attempting to fish. Practice casting without a fly first on the yard or any body of water. First, spend time focusing on developing good casting fundamentals. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours to develop basic casting skills. Even if it take more than a few hours, practice until the movements feel natural and unrushed. Then, and only then, would I suggest attempting to fly fish.

Understand the Difference Between Casting Style and Casting Principles: When seeking instruction, please be aware of instructors who insist you cast their style. Casting style varies greatly from angler to angler. Variables including a fly caster’s range of motion or where they fish will determine their casting style. In other words, you’ll develop your own casting style or authentic cast. On the other hand, casting principles are the core concepts that rarely change

A Fly Fisher’s Commencement Speech

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and need to occur during each cast. Every instructor has their own language describing casting principles. Below are the four principles I use to describe the four-part cast, so take it as a “grain of salt.” Understanding and demonstrating these four principles will allow you to perform most casts.

Focus on the fundamentals; they are the bedrock to good casting. All the great athletic performers have a love affair with mastering the fundamentals, and that includes the top fly fishers. Here are the four principles I use when teaching or fishing myself.

1) Tension: Fly fishing involves using a fly rod to unroll a weighted fly line through the air. The rod acts like a bow-and-arrow, meaning it needs to bend to create energy. The line needs to be straight (no curves or slack), hanging straight off the rod tip, before moving the rod tip either forwards or backwards. If slack occurs during cast, energy is lost between fly line and rod tip, and the rod tip can’t load and unroll the line. So, make sure tension exists between rod tip and line before any casting movement. Casting off to your one side and watching the line unroll (forwards and backwards) is a good start to knowing when you should move the rod tip.

2) Acceleration (a.k.a. Pulling Fast): I would say the number one mistake most beginners make (myself included) during the cast is trying to push or punch the rod tip. By design, I feel our bodies possess greater power with a pulling movement rather than pushing movement. Think about throwing a ball or frisbee.

These items achieve greater speed and power when a fast-pulling motion occurs through a longer range of motion, instead of a short pushy throw. Think about a baseball pitcher winding up before the pitch. With fly casting, the movement is often much shorter, but the fast-pulling motion applies for maintaining greater tension between fly line and rod tip. Therefore, women are by far more efficient casters than men. Men try to power their way through the cast (a.k.a. short, punchy movements). Women tend to pull the rod tip fast, just as you would winding up to throw a ball. Don’t push the rod tip through the air. Pull fast and you’ll achieve good results.

3) Stopping the Rod: The fast-pulling acceleration creates energy as the weight of the line bends the rod tip. So, the fast-pulling movement creates energy between rod tip and fly line. Now we need to transfer that energy back

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and forth (fly casting) to our target. This is where the STOP come into play. Coming to a sudden stop unloads the rod, causing the rod tip to unroll the line backwards or forwards. A smooth, sudden stop unloads the rod tip and unrolls the line while a staggered stop partially unloads the rod. The best example I’ve come across, regarding stopping the rod, was from the legendary fly caster Jim Green. Jim taught by using a brick wall as a tool for teaching the stop. Practicing without the rod, Jim would have students pull fast (with their rod hand) towards the brick wall, forcing an immediate stop.

This clean and immediate stop creates a beautiful cast through an efficient energy transfer.

4) Pausing After the Stop: A loop of line forms off the rod tip immediately after stopping the rod. The fly caster needs to wait long enough for this loop to straighten out (remember the first principal is tension) before moving or pulling the rod tip fast in the opposite direction. Timing during this pause is important. To keep it simple, a short length of line take less time to unroll and straighten compared to a longer line length; in other words, a short pause for a short cast and longer pause for a longer cast. As mentioned above, casting off to one side to watch the timing of the line unrolling is a great teaching aid. Eventually your fly-casting timing becomes second nature and you’ll no longer need to watch your cast. In the meantime, begin practicing fly casting at an angle allowing you to watch the line unroll forwards and backwards.

Practice Knots Before Fishing: Besides learning to fly cast, tying knots is likely the second greatest cause of frustrations streamside. Most frustration is avoidable by practicing at home rather than on the stream. The key is to develop muscle memory, so practice is important but often challenging when first starting with thin, limp material and small hook eyes. Therefore, practicing with a small colorful section of rope (instead of thin tippet and leader material) along with a large eye bolt, aids in developing knot-tying dexterity. Once comfortable using the rope and eye bolt for knot tying, begin to downsize leader material until you’re able to tie knots with the thinner materials.

Finally, you only need to learn a few knots to start. For example, the perfection loop (for loop-to-loop connection), surgeon’s knot (leader-to-tippet knot), and clinch knot (tippet to fly) are three good knots for dealing with most fly-fishing scenarios. Knot tying skills take time to develop

so put in the time-off the water. Practice knots at home so you can focus on fishing once streamside. And don’t blame a leader or tippet material company for most breakoffs.

Most knot failures occur due to operator’s error rather than faulty material.

Tying Your Own Flies Will Not Save Money: I’ve heard it said countless times that “tying flies will save you money” down the road. This is not true unless you stick to tying only a handful of patterns for the rest of your life. Purchasing only the materials to tie 6-12 favorite patterns may prove to save money, but most tie flies for other reasons. The truth is you’ll lose less flies as your knot tying and fly-fishing skills improve. Even when guiding, rarely do I lose more than six flies during a full-day trip. When I factor in the time it takes to tie a fly and material cost, I’d save money buying my flies.

But what fun would that be? I tie my own flies because I enjoy the activity of fly tying, not to save money.

As instructor for the Pennsylvania State University Angling Program, most students taking the course are seniors majoring in engineering. It’s the one activity they’ve found

that allows them to take their mind off their senior projects, along with other academic responsibilities. Some students will arrive early or stay a few minutes continuing to tie flies.

In a world that is so hyperactive and connected, participating in such a simple task as tying flies offers so many nontangible benefits to the individual. There’s something very relaxing about tying flies, which is why I think so many fly fishers prefer to make their patterns. I hope these random, yet simple, tips help you along your fly-fishing journey!

The Middle Ground

S

Brian O’Keefe

omewhere between our home water—say within 100 miles of home—and those amazing websites and travel catalog lodges is the middle ground.

That middle ground can be rich, lightly fished, and sometimes not guided. It just takes a little research to find it and figure out a way to get there and where to stay.

My system is to first pick a fish. It could be bonefish, Alaska rainbows, muskie, redfish, anything. Then, thanks to a very well-organized network of national and international vacation

rentals, websites that represent modest hotels and resorts, and Google Earth for land and water intel, it starts to look like a plan. Some people call it DIY. I call it just going fishing.

The term DIY has been hijacked by a crowd of anglers who seem to want to stick it to guides and lodges. There are many levels or strata in the for-profit fly-fishing world.

From exclusive and really cool full-service lodges to parttime day guides. In between are small hotels that cater to fly anglers, multi-day float operations, tent camps, fly shops with a couple local guides, pilots that drop anglers off with

Brian O’Keefe Brian has balanced a lifetime of fly fishing, near and far, with work in almost every niche in the sport: fly shops, trout and steelhead guide, fly tackle rep, writer/photographer, online magazine owner, fly club speaker and currently with elevenangling.com, an international fly fishing lodge/mothership outfitter. Lives in Nyssa, Oregon.

The Middle Ground

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a raft, etc. That’s the middle ground.

Exotic, bucket list fly-fishing destinations are all relative.

My dream waters are someone else’s local, backyard, home water. Their dream waters may be the steelhead river just over in the next county from me. As Patagonia says these days, “It’s all home water.” And it’s true. Was I a little intimidated with my first B.C. steelhead trip as a high school kid? Heck yes. But I drove, I camped, and I caught fish with

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

money I saved from mowing lawns and washing cars. So, I guess it was DIY, but to me I was just going fishing in Western Canada. No agenda or attitude. As an angler, I’ve always considered state borders kind of a nuisance. Dang it, another license.

After learning the waters of a half-dozen states, for trout or steelhead or smallmouth bass, there comes a time when warm, saltwater flats start to look really interesting, or possibly the streams in and around Bristol Bay, Alaska. The urge to go big starts and it’s difficult to stop. But wait, you might have kids in school or college, a new truck payment, a house that needs painting, etc. Those travel websites with their mouth-watering photos also contain some pretty big numbers. Okay, that’s fair, as you really do get what you pay for: float planes, a fleet of jet boats, world-class guides and amazing food and beds and fishing. Maybe it would be better to find that middle ground and work your way up the food chain as kids grow up and things get paid off.

JGF, or “Just Going Fishing,” can fill that void. There are whole islands in the Bahamas with miles of wadable flats that do not have a lodge, or sometimes even a guide, with a flats boat. But there are modest hotels, guest houses, and Airbnb. A rental car or even a bike can set you up for mobility. Half of your first trip is spent doing discovery, looking around for flats and fish. Some places look good, but

there are only small barracuda. Some places, the bottom is too soft. Some places have a deep channel, so it is too dicey to swim across. But there may be a lagoon, a couple hundred acres in size or larger, with an outlet to the sea. And then you see tails, or nervous water. Or, in some deep rocks, there are snapper, or around a commercial pier, after dinner, tarpon slide in and out of the light. Bingo, you did it. That extra $400 you stashed away is your half of two days of guided fishing. After a trip like that, your life will change. There will

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

be other islands, then other countries.

Some trips will have a bout of nasty weather, so bring on the cribbage and Scrabble! But the tarpon are still circling the pier, the snapper are still in the rocks, and actually doing things that are not fishing-related can become a highlight of the trip.

Some of my more grand, early fishing trips—after many summers bumming around Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho—was to Alaska. I turned 21 in Cooper Landing, Alaska, working for the US Forest Service. That was 1975, and I taught myself how to fly fish for salmon and big rainbows in the Kenai River, its tributaries, and local lakes.

I found grayling; they were so cool.

I found lake trout and angry moose.

That summer gave me the confidence to plan a week-long float trip, 10 years later. Airfare from Seattle or Portland to Anchorage was only $375 back then, and the charter/drop-off/pickup and raft and gear rental (all from one outfitter) was about $450 each.

There was no Internet. There were Yellow Pages and word of mouth and a few advertisements in Salmon Trout Steelheader magazine and others.

After a couple phone calls, a reservation was made and then the planning started. You have to admit that the planning is really fun—tying flies, scraping together enough rods for trout and king salmon. That old Fenwick glass rod was going to be junior varsity now, a new graphite rod was about to change casting for everyone.

Eventually, my brother, a few buddies, and myself were dropped off on a wilderness lake and without a GPS, we started downstream, out the outlet. Too many stories, too much fun, just imagine a week of nice Alaska weather, no bear encounters, rainbows on mice flies, and swinging up some stout king salmon. Today, it is even easier. A few mouse clicks and you can pick a river, an outfitter for a self-

guided trip or guided trip (I’ve done several of both) and away you go.

Your hard-earned dollars are going to pilots, the people who bought a dozen nice rafts, frames, coolers, life jackets, camp stoves, tents, etc. There can be a few hotel stays along the way, a few meals in restaurants, tackle acquisition, food purchased in Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, etc. You are part of the economy. You can expect to pay around $2,400 for a week-long float trip, unguided, plus airfare. In a few years, that fly out lodge is doable, check it off your list. Work your way up. There are also Forest Service cabins all over Alaska and they are very reasonable. There are also liveaboard boats that move from remote river to river. As you cast for steelhead or silvers, they haul in Dungeness crab and 6-inch spot prawns for dinner. The middle ground is rich with experience and your wilderness confidence will grow.

Pick a fish. Or pick a place. Here is a hot lead: there is a small hotel on Andros Island, on the water. For seven nights you get a nice room, three meals a day, a funky skiff, but it works fine, for $1,100 each, double occupancy. They can arrange a guide for a few days, tell you where to get the best conch ceviche and show you where the jacks and baby tarpon roll after dinner. After Covid, the locals are going to be so happy to see teachers, sales reps, fly shop employees, construction workers, firemen, etc., rolling into town and

enjoying all that clear, warm water, ice cold Kalik beer and few tugs on the line. The same holds true for Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Maine, Texas (redfish in a kayak), the Florida panhandle and on and on.

One final thought. If you hire a guide for a day, then show up the next day with a raft, or wade into the best runs and impact his or her day, you are not playing fair. In some places you will come back to your car and have a flat tire, and the really good ones know to get your spare tire, too.

Enjoy the middle ground, support all the different layers of destination travel and make friends along the way. In other words, just go fishing.

The Middle Ground

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Photo Uncage the Soul Productions

FRANK MOORE

ALL FISH, ALL WATERS ANGLER PROFILE

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Flyfisher: Well, first of all, thank you for taking the time today to speak with us; we sincerely appreciate it. What’s your first memory of fly fishing?

Frank Moore: Well, when I was probably about two years old with my father; he was an ardent fly fisherman. I really enjoyed being with my father; when I was a little kid, I enjoyed every minute I got to spend with him. He died when I was only nine, but up till that time, I spent quite a bit of time on the streams watching him and being with him even as a little tiny kid.

Flyfisher: Without that influence, do you think you would have taken up fishing?

FM: Maybe, but who knows? Who knows? But he was very active, and he made his own rods, he made his own lines back then. He had a garage and repair center, and he would make his own fly lines and everything—his own reels, you name it. And he was a very, very impressive man. He died way too young, though, because I was only nine when he died, but he was an amazing human being.

Flyfisher: So, you started fishing when you were very young with your father. How many years now have you been fly fishing?

FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

FM: I started when I was about— well, you couldn’t call it fly fishing, but I tried anyway when I was a couple, two or three years old. So, I’d say probably at least 95 years or better.

Flyfisher: Wow. Are you still able to get out and do any fishing these days?

FM: Oh, yes, I can still get out and around. I hardly get out anymore, but I still love it when I do.

Flyfisher: What changes have you seen over your years on the water?

FM: Well, it’s entirely different.

Things have been opened up now a lot more than they used to be then; and it was—it’s just an entirely different world out there and on the streams.

Entirely different.

Flyfisher: Has it changed for the better or for the worse in your opinion?

FM: Worse—well, basically, for the worse because of the amount of people. Back then, I’d go out with my dad on the little Panther Creek out there by Carlton and end up on the Yamhill River and things like that, and it wouldn’t— there actually wouldn’t be anyone else around. And now, of course, there’s people all over the place.

Flyfisher: So, let’s talk a little bit about the North Umpqua.

That river is pretty special to you. Can you tell us what that river means to you and how all the years that you spend on it—when you think about the North Umpqua, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

FM: It’s been my life; that’s the best way of putting it. It has been my life—and my son, Frankie, especially, basically grew up on the North Umpqua. And he was really—even as a little kid, he was an amazing person on the water. I’m grateful that we were able to spend so much time with him when he was young as a little kid, because he was good, and we had a wonderful time together.

Flyfisher: Tell us about the Frank and Jeanne Moore Wild Steelhead Sanctuary. Were you a part of that or was this something that was passed in honor of you? Can you describe process?

FM: It was just established and to honor Jeanne and me.

And I—I’m sure Jeanne feels the same way—I’m grateful that people, through this wild steelhead sanctuary and everything, people realize that places should be protected and without that protection today and the increase in population and everything, we sure wouldn’t have many of the things we have on our streams.

Flyfisher: So, what advice would you give to somebody who is just now getting interested in fly fishing or somebody who’s just now starting out?

FM: Basically, what I would tell them or anyone is you must—you, yourself, must—work to protect or take care of a resource; everyone must take care of our resources because there are so many people, it wouldn’t be there otherwise. There are too many people today that—and a lot of them do it or try to do the right thing, but they’re just so many of them that areas can be destroyed. There are so many people.

Flyfisher: Do you see a generational gap when it comes to that? Do you think that it’s younger people who are not necessarily taking care of resources as much as the older generation?

FM: No, I think, in some respects, it’s just the opposite. I think not everyone, of course, but so many of the young people that I see that are involved or that get involved, boy, their hearts and actions are in the right place.

Flyfisher: Do you have a favorite fly-fishing memory?

FM: I think probably being with my dad back when I was just a little, tiny kid; that’s some of my favorite memories.

And that was way back when... just under 100 years.

[Laughter] Flyfisher: That’s wild.

FM: Yeah. He had fly lines stretched all over the place all the time, drying—he made his own fly lines.

Flyfisher: Were these silk fly lines?

FM: Yes, basically, they had silk cores and then he would build them up with linseed oil and varnish. He was a very intelligent man and he loved to do things like that; he was quite a man, I was blessed to have him for a father, but I lost him way too young.

Flyfisher: No, that’s tough. That’s sad. Switching gears here, but does Jeanne fish as well?

FM: She likes to get out on a stream, yes, but she doesn’t do much of it; she loves the resource, loves the river.

And she is a wonderful, wonderful gift to me, I’ll tell you.

Yeah, we were married on January 1, 1943. Yep, a couple of years ago.

Flyfisher: Just a few.

FM: Yep. [Laughter] Flyfisher: Tell us a little bit about your experience in World War II. How did that affect your life?

FM: I didn’t realize I’d be a soldier when I was a kid.

Of course, as soon as the war started, I was gone from home for quite a while there from Oregon. But I’ll tell you, being a fisherman and loving nature as I—we—Jeanne and me—have—and our whole family, it has given us a beautiful outlook on life that we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise. The old philosophy is more take than give, and I think that probably would have been more on that taking mood rather than giving. But it’s been a blessing, it really has--fishing has been a blessing. It’s given me a sense of the beauty of the outdoors that it’s hard to replace.

Flyfisher: That’s powerful. So, when were you first sent over, you landed on Utah Beach, is that correct?

FM: What’s amazing, after all these years, I can still remember being on the bluff above Weymouth, Portland Harbor, England. And the fog and everything broke for a few minutes, and I could look across the channel and see where we would be landing on the beach. And that was something. That was really something.

Flyfisher: What was going through your mind during those first few days?

FM: Actually, if you started going through my mind, I wondered if I was going to ever get to return to be with Jeanne more than anything else--and, of course, being actively surviving.

Flyfisher: When you got back from the war, did you get back into fly fishing immediately?

FM: Oh, you bet. In fact, I never did quit—even during the war, I’d try to find someplace [to fish] when I was over in Europe.

Flyfisher: You were able to do some fishing over there? I can’t imagine there were too many soldiers who survived what you did and then ended up fishing.

FM: I don’t know... I had quite a few friends that did. I had quite a few friends that did. But southern Germany, that Bavaria was a beautiful country; it was a beautiful area. And they had some fairly big trout in some of those streams.

All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile

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JOAN WULFF Photo The American Museum of Fly Fishing 22

Flyfisher: Well, let’s start with something easy. How did you get into fly fishing? Tell us about your beginnings in the sport.

Joan Wulff: Well, we lived outside of Paterson, New Jersey; my dad had an outdoor store, wrote an outdoor column, helped start all of the outdoor clubs in northern New Jersey, and was a member of the Paterson Casting Club. And when my brothers—well, when I was 10 and my brothers were eight and probably seven—and he started teaching them to shoot .22s, and cast, and fish, and all that sort of thing, and I was left out because I was a girl. But the casting

FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

club met at a dock very near our house and I got to watch it, got to watch what was going on, and I just was attracted to fly casting because of the beauty of the unrolling loops, probably.

And so, one day after school, I asked my mother if I could try casting, if I could try my father’s rod and she said yes.

So, I took it down to the pond—which we lived very close to—put it together, made a few waves in the air, and the rod came apart and the tip went down into the six-foot-deep water next to the dock. So, it was a catastrophe. So, home I went, crying, of course. But our next-door neighbor got home from work before my dad did, so my mother reached out to him and he got a rake, went down to the pond and rescued the rod; and me.

Actually, there was an earlier time when I was five or six years old, my dad and mother went to Greenwood Lake which is on the New York border, and dad was a bass fisherman, and so he was fishing with a fly rod and mother was rowing the boat and she was not good at it. So, all night long, it was, “Ida, you’re too close to the lily pads,” “Ida, you’re too far away from the lily pads.” But finally, everything came together and a bass took dad’s fly; and to me, it was like a monster coming out of the black hole and so it was exciting, and he handed me the rod and I didn’t know enough to put pressure on and just watch the bug and the fish—and the bug came out of the fish’s mouth and I started to cry, and he said, “No, no, no, I was going to release it anyway.”

So, at the end of that evening—that night—my little mind went home with a very strong thought: it’s better to be the fisherman than the rower. And husbands have tied my flies and so, it’s been a wonderful trip for me, the fly casting, fly fishing. I’m a very ordinary woman who has had an extraordinary life through the magic of the sport.

Flyfisher: Where do you think you would be if you had never started fly fishing? How much of an impact has it had on your life?

JW: It’s been my life. I also started dancing lessons at the same time; and when I was in high school and asked, “What is it you want to be?” “I don’t know.” “What do you like to do?” “Dance and cast.” I went to secretarial school and actually worked in New York City for a big ad agency for four whole months, but I was teaching dancing on the side and my old older partner, who had been a nationally known athlete, said, “We either have to give up this little Saturday morning stuff or open a full-time studio.” So, I

ALL FISH, ALL WATERS ANGLER PROFILE gave up my secretarial job in 1944 and we had a very successful dancing school until 1952 when I left because I wanted to make a living in this fishing world. I had become a national casting champion and all that sort of stuff, and so I decided that’s what I wanted to do.

But it was very difficult, it wasn’t a way to make a living—in fact, I never have made a living out of fly fishing.

Flyfisher: Do you have one memory that stands out above the rest of your fly-fishing exploits?

JW: I’m 94 years old and I’ve been doing this for 84 of those years, so you’re asking something big. There’s so much: I’ve done deep-sea fishing, I’ve done plug casting, spinning, fly, but it’s always been the fly casting and fly fishing that’s been the most important to me. And really, I think most now about the fact that when I started, there were very few women with fly rods in their hands, and that I have now lived long enough to see the change for women to come into the sport in the greatest numbers, and men to be welcoming them.

Flyfisher: What do you see as the future of fly fishing?

JW: I think it’s going to grow so big, just like through the COVID calamity here, there are going to be too many fishermen for the water. The COVID shutdown brought women—not just women but brought all fly fishermen to the Catskills where I live—and I’ve even heard of some very strong arguments on the river because of too many people in an area that should have only had one or two there. So, I think it’s going to continue to grow; I think that it’s been an awakening for young people and for parents to realize that their kids need to be outdoors. So, I think it’s all going to be good.

Flyfisher: So, you think the growth will be a good thing as more people get into the sport?

JW: Yes, because they become conservationists automatically. I’m in the Catskills and the reason it’s such a wonderful place to be is because the water is clean; the Willowemoc, the Beebe Hill, the whole Delaware system is being looked at every fishing day by people who care and want to do something to keep it that way.

Flyfisher: What advice would you give to somebody who’s just now starting out in the sport? If you had one or two

Photo The American Museum of Fly Fishing little tidbits for somebody to keep in mind when they’re getting into fly fishing, what would they be?

JW: Go to a fishing school if there is one or go out with guides, because guides are automatically your teachers and they can do as much as possible if you can’t get to a school to get a start. A school can save you about five years, but good guides can also save you lots and lots of time.

Because it’s all about what do these fish eat? And so it’s a matter of getting into the entomology and learning how to read water, and how to wade safely—and then the other thing is playing fish, and my late husband, Lee Wulff, was an expert at playing fish; he was an expert at everything having to do with fishing and he was always looking for challenges in it. But Lee the father of catch-and-release.

He first wrote about it in 1939 saying, “Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once.”

Flyfisher: How often are you able to get out and fish these days?

JW: Well, I must confess that I am now entering a time that I call “Fishing through others.” I did fish through others sometimes; I can remember being in New Zealand with a group and we were a team in competition, and I remember saying, “I know it’s my turn, but I want you to go fish that,” to one of my friends because I knew she could handle it better than I could, so I was fishing through her. And so, I’m fishing through friends, and Atlantic salmon, for instance, there are three or four people who love it as much as I do and hope to get back to it in Canada this year if they open something up. So, it’s the idea of having experienced

All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile

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ALL FISH, ALL WATERS ANGLER PROFILE

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FlyFisher Spring/Summer 2021

When?” I had met Lee at a sportsman show once or twice, and once in a fishing tackle store in New York City but I had never spent any time with him. And so, I did, I went on that trip and it was for American Sportsman, a television series that he was very involved with. And so, the idea was to take a woman who may or may not have ever fished before and have her catch a giant bluefin tuna five times her own weight.

And so, I had fished before, thank goodness, but I did go, and I caught a 572-pound giant bluefin tuna. And it was no fog, it was in Newfoundland; it was beautiful sunny days, and the tuna would be in large schools, and they were jumping and playing, and the whole thing was just so different from what I had expected. And anyway, it was on that trip that Lee and I fell in love and we were married a year later and lived in New Hampshire.

And I was kind of drowned in Lee’s aura—I figured it was about nine years before I had my own identity; in those early years, it was all about being Lee’s wife. But again, we were fishing together; I guess I started, or I wrote my first book on casting that came out in 1987, but we were married in ‘67.

And we lived in New Hampshire, at one point, we had done a flyfishing school for a group out in Colorado and we kind of decided we should have a fishing school so I could teach.

We knew that New Hampshire’s rivers were a little bit acidic and in 1977, I think it was, he was invited here to be the speaker at a Federation of Fly Fishers convention in the Catskills, and we came, and we saw people in waders on the street, and there it was a no-kill section and we looked at each other and said, “This is the place for a school.” And we were here within a year, opened the school in May ‘79, and hit our 40th anniversary—42nd anniversary, I guess, last year.

Flyfisher: What a story!

Joan Wulff: Yeah, I had a fantastic life because of fly fishing. It’s a bonding that happens in fly fishing no matter the level of expertise or the level of wealth, or anything else—or position in life—fly fishing brings us all together at the same level.

Photo Tom Pero

all of these good things that when you fish through others, you’re sharing something with them that’s very nice.

And so, I am able to do that; I’m comfortable with it, and I still can go and sit on the edge of the stream and see what’s going on with hatches or something like that—I just can’t handle the rocks in the water or out of the water along the streams.

Flyfisher: Tell us about your fly-fishing schools. What was it that kept you doing it for so long?

Joan Wulff: I think teaching is what I love most, transferring knowledge to someone else and seeing them light up when they suddenly get it. When we first opened the school, the way people taught was to say, “Watch me do it like this.” That’s what teaching casting was all about. But that puts the whole burden on the student.

And so, the teacher has to say, “This is how you hold the rod. You put the heel of your hand on top and put your thumb here,” so everything is specific, so it becomes precise precision, and that’s what makes you able to do this forever and ever and enjoy the casting. Even if you have a bad day’s fishing, if you were able to cast and put the fly where you wanted to, it’s a satisfactory day.

Flyfisher: Tell us a little bit about how you met Lee and about your life together Joan Wulff: Well, when I was trying to make a living in the outdoor world and fishing, I worked for the Garcia Corporation and they were, as you know, through the Mitchell Spinning Reel, the largest fishing-tackle company in the whole world. And when I was trying to make a living, I was doing it by doing sportsman show appearances, taking cigarettes out of people’s mouths, and breaking balloons, and all sorts of things like that. And so, I got a job with Garcia-and fly fishing was like three percent of their business, but anyway, I did demonstrations and things for them.

And so, one day—it was 1966—my boss called me up and said, “How would you like to go fishing for giant bluefin tuna in Newfoundland with Lee Wulff? So, racing through my head is, “Giant bluefin tuna fishing? I get seasick.” And it’s this foggy place somewhere up north and Lee Wulff is kind of a hermit, I think, and I’m saying, “Yes, sure.

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Backyard Bucket List

Start Your Saltwater Fly Fishing On The Texas Coastal Bend

By Captain Stacy Lynn As the sport of Saltwater Fly Fishing continues to grow, anglers of all experience levels are discovering the excitement, and the challenge, of the marine environment and its species. And the Texas Coastal Bend is an excellent destination if you are seeking to just dip a toe or go all in

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on The Saltwater Experience.

The middle coastal area of Texas, between just north of Rockport to south of Corpus Christi (with Port Aransas to the East and Aransas Pass to the West) provides ample access to vast shallow waters for drive-up-wade-out trips, kayak launching, or fishing from a technical poling skiff. There is a higher concentration of public, no-fee boat ramps, community kayak launches (which are also excellent for wade-fishing access) and parking areas in

this region than anywhere else along the Texas Coast.

There are also opportunities to fish from the beaches, jetties, and piers in the area. The Coastal Bend also offers great accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and other water sports – perfect for families and non-anglers.

For decades, fly anglers have been utilizing these access points to target primarily Red Drum (“Redfish”), Speckled Sea Trout, and Black Drum by sight-fishing: the angler stalks the shallow waters looking for “fish sign”: Redfish swimming in clear water; nervous water created by bait being hunted; wakes or surface disturbances caused by gamefish movement; tails protruding from the surface as fish feed on the bottom; or Redfish prowling in water so shallow their backs are exposed. The angler then presents a fly accurately within the gamefish’s sight or feeding zone and strips the line to make the fly look alive. The strike and the fight are often all within the angler’s view in the skinny, clear water over the grass and sand flats in this area.

Preparation is essential to a fun, safe and rewarding trip to the bays’ flats and surrounding waters of the Coastal Bend. Preferred tackle consists of fly rods in the 7-8-9wt. range, lined with a complimentary saltwater-style floating line, on a reel with a sturdy drag and 100 - 200 yards of backing. Add a leader in the 12-16-20lb. range with 18in. of fluorocarbon tippet for a total length of 8 - 10ft. Useful fly patterns that can mimic shrimp, baitfish, or crab are Seaducers, Clousers, and Kwans tied in an assortment of weights, sizes and in colors that either compliment or contrast the bottom and water clarity. Durable saltwater wading boots, or even freshwater-style with rubber outsoles, are essential for wading, as are quality polarized sunglasses with brown/copper/vermillion/bronze tinted lenses – gray lenses are typically not the best for sight-casting or early morning/ late afternoon skinny-water fishing.

Carry gear, plenty of water, and snacks in a waist or sling pack and wear quick drying, sun protectant clothing. Waders are not necessary as wet-wading is preferred during most of the year, but

always bring a rain jacket.

Prepare for The Saltwater Experience by learning and practicing these skills often: accuracy; tight loops; the Saltwater Quick Cast; and techniques for casting in different wind directions. Accuracy and efficiency are much more important than distance as the average target range is 15 to 50ft.

Fly fishing in this region is year-round. Weather conditions can vary but generally springtime is windier, summer is hot, fall can be like any season, and winter can be marvelous. And while tidal movement is important to fish feeding habits, the tide levels of the Coastal Bend are driven more by wind direction and velocity.

With springtime Saltwater Fly Fishing upon us, and a long prime season ahead (April – November), there is no need to stress about picking the exact right time to fish the Texas Coastal Bend. Come when you can, find a few access points to use to explore the shallows (or charter an experienced fly fishing guide to take you to out) and enjoy some of the finest Saltwater Fly Fishing available on any coast!

Backyard Bucket List

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Idaho’s Other Fish Species

By Tom Governale The coldwater fish species of Idaho—the trout, salmon, and steelhead—are the glamour species of the State.

They represent and play a significant role in Idaho’s history, heritage, culture, and economy. People travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles for an opportunity to pursue Idaho’s trout, steelhead, and salmon and to recreate, relish, and relax in the climate and environment in which they live. The coldwater fish are the center of much of the debate for what Idaho will be in the future and deserve the glamour and attention they receive.

At the other end of the spectrum are Idaho’s other fish species: the warmwater fishes, the invasive species—the smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, crappie, carp, and catfish, to mention a few. The invasive species (including a few trout species) were mostly transplanted to Idaho to supplement the coldwater fishing. They also receive a fair amount of attention and debate, although for different reasons than their coldwater counterparts, mostly centered around what is the proper disdain for these fish. Regardless of your point of view of the warmwater species, these fish offer excellent alternative angling opportunities to coldwater species. And for the record, a good old-fashioned fish fry of perch, crappie, and bluegill with your favorite cold beverage is a meal you won’t soon forget!

Warmwater fish are fly-fishing friendly and are available to both stream and stillwater anglers. Fly fishing for warmwater species can be a great introduction to fly fishing.

Warmwater species are often less selective than coldwater fish (unless you are targeting carp or catfish) and offer ample opportunity for a person new to the sport to learn to handle a fly rod and fish. Warmwater fishing often requires different knowledge, tactics, and strategies, and offers fly fishers the opportunity to expand their knowledge base— in essence, it adds another tool to your fly-fishing toolbox!

Furthermore, it can offer additional fishing time and fill the fishing void during spring runoff and other times when coldwater streams need to rest or are not fishable.

Mid-April through mid-June is prime time for warmwater fishing. After a long winter of being suspended at deeper

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depths in lakes and reservoirs or conserving their energy in rivers, as water temperatures climb above 50 degrees, bass, bluegill, crappie, and perch become more active and move into the shallows to feed and search for spawning habitat.

Water temperature in the upper 50s to mid-60s is optimal for shallow-water spring activity. Warmwater species can comfortably deal with water temperatures in the mid-toupper 70s, if necessary.

If you’re already a trout fisher, chances are you have most of the flies and equipment you’ll need. It’s not unusual for cold- and warmwater species to share the same water, especially in lakes and reservoirs. Both species often share the same diet. Leeches, chironomids, snails, scuds, mayfly nymphs, damsels, caddis, water boatmen, and baitfish patterns are all dual purpose. Make sure you have an ample supply of Wooly Buggers, leeches and Clouser Minnows in a variety of sizes and colors—these are staple go-to flies for warmwater fishing. As for terminal gear, a 5-weight fly rod with a floating line and a 3X or 4X leader will cover most situations. A 10-foot type III sink tip, or versa-leader that attaches to your floating line, will round out most of your warmwater needs. If your main interest is to pursue bass, consider a 6- or 7-weight rod with a progressive weightforward line and a 2X or 1X leader for casting larger flies.

Don’t hesitate to fish your flies under a strike indicator.

Seeing your bobber twitch, or be pulled under, might make you feel like a kid again!

In southwest Idaho, warmwater fisheries include: Lake Lowell, CJ Strike, Crane Falls, Paddock, Brownlee, and C. Ben Ross Reservoirs, the Snake and Payette Rivers, Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond, and Boise’s urban ponds.

And don’t forget to dust off the cast-iron skillet for a meal you won’t soon forget!

Long Island, a Fly-Fishing Paradise

By River Bay Outfitters With a population of over 7,647,000 in an area of 1,401 square miles, you would think that fly-fishing opportunities on Long Island would be difficult to find, but you would be amazed. The saltwater fishing is worldfamous due to Long Island being situated on the migration route of most gamefish. Our sight fishing on the flats, with striped bass up to 50-pounds, would rival any flats down south. The best sight fishing holds up to the middle of July, but there are always the large schools of chopper blues to fill in until the fall blitz starts. For the shorebound anglers, you have 1,600 miles of bays, marsh, and open beaches to explore.

The biggest surprise is our spring creeks that have brooks, rainbows, and browns. Those are stocked, but we also have a native population of brook trout.

Let’s not forget about all of the ponds and lakes, both mill and kettle. These shallow mill ponds were formed by damming the small streams to run the mills in the era before electricity. These ponds are full of black bass, panfish, pickerel, carp, and put-and-take trout. The kettle ponds were formed as the glaciers from the last ice age were receding and leaving large chunks of ice. As the ice melted and these large deep ponds filled, they became home to all the warmwater fish; some are even deep and cool enough to hold trout that are measured in pounds, not inches.

The western end of the island is where the population lives and is the most built up, but that does not mean the fishing ends. Every town has a park and almost every park has a pond. More and more anglers are finding that the challenge of fly fishing for the golden bones (a.k.a. carp). Not only are they smart and wary but, when hooked, fight hard like a fish twice the size.

If that is not enough, a short drive off Long Island adds more water than you would ever be able to fish.

In less than an hour’s drive we have the New York City reservoirs and tailwaters. Add a few more hours, and that puts you in the Connecticut rivers or the fabled rivers of the Catskills, or fishing for the wild trout in the Delaware River—which is as good or better than most rivers in the west. Take a few more days and you can be angling for kings and silver salmon or swing for steelhead all winter long.

Home is where the heart is, and my angling heart is here on Long Island. There is something to be said for landing a 50-pound Striper at two in the morning and then being able to get a slice of pizza.

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New Angler Handbook

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Resources and Recommendations

imms has long been known for creating the world’s most technical fishing gear. The brand knows the devil is in the detail and therefore, every stitch, every seam, every material used serves a strategic purpose to enhance the performance of the product as well as the overall fishing experience. Years ago, Simms realized the need to offer technical fishing gear that was more accessible to new anglers—this is especially the case with the current rise of fishing interest. With all of the gear in what could be considered their collection designed for newbies, Simms’ award-winning performance DNA can be found. For example, Simms Freestone Wader (available in Mens and Womens) allows new anglers to slide into a best-in-class wader built with waterproof, breathable, rugged Toray® fabric as well as anglerinspired features such as a zippered reach-through handwarmer pocket, an attachment zipper for a flipout Tippet Tender™ pocket with retractor docking station and tippet spool sleeves, built-in gravel guards and anatomically correct left and right stockingfeet.

For anglers that want that next level of performance and convenience, Simms also incorporated a Mens and Womens Freestone Z, equipped with a fully submersible zipper for easy on/off and streamside relief.

If Freestone feels a little too techy, no problem. Simms has also brought in the Tributary Collection. Once again, Mens, Womens and Kids Tributary Waders boast best-in-class performance in a stripped down, basic package that doesn’t sacrifice the ever-important Simms

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performance DNA found in higher-end models such as G4 and G3. Built with breathable, waterproof Polyester, like the Freestones, Tributary waders feature fleecelined handwarmer pockets, stash pockets for small essentials, built-in gravel guards and anatomically correct stockingfeet. So which collection does Simms recommend? It really depends on the individual needs and desires of anglers. How much performance is required for their region/style? Simms’ wader collection is structured in a way that allows anglers to grow into the wader that suits them best. For example, if an angler is just getting into fishing, they’re likely going to start with the basics. Less hiking and wading and more casting and drifting—a perfect scenario for Tributary Waders. As they progress, and start venturing further, they might want to look into a wader that offers a little more performance such as a Freestone. In time, as their basic skills sharpen, the need to get into an upper level GORE-TEX® wader such as a G3 or G4 might be appropriate. In short, there’s a Simms Wader that caters to virtually every skill level from total newbie to seasoned expert.

Aside from waders, the next most important piece of gear/apparel is boots. Once again, the structure of Simms’ line of wading boots resembles that of their wader collection. Starting with the Tributary Boot, anglers are able to get next-level performance and can gradually grow into more technical boots such as the Freestone and the G3 Guide Boot, all the way up to the most performancedriven boot Simms has ever released, the G4 Pro Boot.

would be a fly-fishing pack or vest, waders, and boots.

Orvis recommends the Orvis Sling Pack and the Orvis Clearwater Waders as great beginners options, although this gear is not immediately necessary. Beginning anglers can get out on the water by wet wading without waders, and fishing from the shore or a boat.

In order to get out on the water, a beginning angler will want to practice and understand basic fly-fishing knots and casting techniques. You’ll see scores of different flyfishing knots, but for most fishing you need only two: one to tie the fly to the tippet and another to tie the tippet to the leader material. The Orvis Fly Fishing Learning Center features key videos introducing important knots, as well as the basics of fly casting. Casting is one of the greatest aspects of fly fishing, and many find the rhythmic motion relaxing and therapeutic. Learning the essentials through videos on the learning center, or with a guide or instructor, will allow beginners to achieve success. Practicing these skills is also important.

Overall, fly fishing is a lot simpler than most people think, whether you’re fishing for trout, bass, bluegills, pike, bonefish, or even marlin or sailfish. All anglers need is a rod, a reel, a line, a fly, and some basic techniques to start learning. Keep it simple at first and concentrate on basic techniques to begin. Look into digital resources at the Orvis Fly Fishing Learning Center or reach out to your local outfitter or fly shop and see just how much fun fly fishing can be.

Photo Orvis

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he time is now to make fishing as accessible as possible. Yes, fishing brands need new anglers in order for their businesses to grow, but more importantly, our waters and wild places need more anglers in order to amplify our collective voice for conservation and stewardship. As a brand, Simms feels an obligation to create performance driven product that offers new anglers the best experience possible and that’s exactly what collections such as Freestone and Tributary do—they welcome new anglers with open arms. Many first-time fly fishers might have heard that fly fishing is expensive and complicated, but in fact there are many resources out there to help folks get out on the water. First, beginners will want to head to Orvis’ Fly Fishing Learning Center, where there is a plethora of instructional videos for all fly fishers, from beginners to experts, that overview necessary gear, the history of fly fishing, and basic-to-advanced fly-fishing techniques. Orvis also offers free Fly Fishing 101 classes in retail stores and online, where anglers can learn the basics and get specific gear recommendations for getting out for the first time; anglers of all levels can also sign up for a one-day or twoday program at an Orvis Fly Fishing School or an Orvisendorsed partner.

As a beginner, one of the more intimidating parts about fly fishing is all of the gear experienced anglers are using on the river. Orvis always recommends that beginning anglers keep it simple at first because not as much gear is needed as one might think.

Beginners will need a basic fly rod, reel, and line outfit, such as the Orvis Clearwater Outfit, which is a great value-priced performance rod for getting started. The length and weight of the selected rod will vary depending on where and what type of water the angler is hoping to fish. Connecting with a local fly shop or with an Orvis team member will help with rod selection. A beginning angler will also need a pair of snips or nippers to cut fly line, a box of flies, and some tippet material. Additional gear that is nice to have, but not necessary with starting out,

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SKILLS

Gimme Three Steps

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Audrey Wilson

hree steps, that’s it. Three steps to mentally prepare for any goal: self image, subconscious mind, and conscious mind. I’ll share with you the mental management system that I’ve developed throughout my fly-fishing journey, and is now helping me to prepare for my ultimate goal: to become a world-champion fly caster.

My fly-fishing journey began a decade and a half ago. I actually remember one of my first days on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. I’m with a friend in their drift boat, feeling nervous with a new fly rod in my hand. I go to pick up the piled line off of the water with a cast and the line flies low and past me and hooks my friend in the face. Of course, we forgot to de-barb the hook. I have my

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elbows in my knees feeling so disappointed. I know I can be incredibly hard on myself, especially when I want to be really good at something. At that time, I just wanted to be part of the group of great fly fishers doing what many dream of, fly fishing the Green River. What I remember most about that day is that I still believed that I could do it.

Although I was far from being a great fly fisher that day, I pushed forward and worked at it, and the day ended with a big cutt-bow at the end of my line after it ate my big, floating fly.

That day sparked a desire and lit my passion for the sport.

As my journey continued, I just so happened to attend a sportsman’s expo about three years later in Sandy, Utah, where I ran into a fly-casting pond right in the center of the event. I noticed others casting from a podium into a blue pond with brightly colored ringed targets, and I realized

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a competition is occurring. I grew up playing competitive sports so naturally I thought to myself; I want to do that! I gathered the courage to walk over to the group of casters and started asking questions. Luckily for me, some of them were members of Fly Fishers International (FFI), and a couple of them are certified Casting Instructors (CI). It was another significant day for me—my interest to become a certified CI started, and my passion for competing in fly fishing exploded.

FFI has been the sturdy bridge that’s provided me the resources and support I need to accomplish goals one step at a time. It continues to be there as I learn, practice, teach, and train. The organization also provided me the ability to share my passion with others and be a part of, and connect with, a community of wonderful people who also fly fish.

Throughout my fly-fishing journey, I’ve developed

a mental management system that works for me, and I believe it can work for you, too. It starts with self image. Not only is this the first step, I believe it’s the most important one. It goes something like this: Do I believe I can make the cast that directs the fly to land dead center of the target? Am I saying to myself, “I can do this!?” Or am I saying, “Don’t you dare mess up that cast or miss that target.” Do I truly believe I can and will be successful, and believe that? Positive reinforcement is key. Focusing only on what I want to achieve is key. If I’m telling myself not to miss the target, the odds of missing the target drastically goes up. If I tell myself, “You are going to hit that target. Not only are you going to hit that target, you’re going to ring that center pole,” I will likely hit the target.

The best way to build self image is with continuous positive reinforcement. STOP the negative talk. Meditate positivity. Place positive affirmations around your home and common areas. Allow only positive people in your circle, those who build you up and believe in your gifts to the world.

The second step is about the subconscious mind. I can only train my subconscious mind by consciously committing to practicing what’s required to achieve my goals. Have I done what it takes to equip myself with the ability to make that cast? Have I practiced my cast? Am I working with the right coaching and people who are the experts? Have I thought through the adjustments needed for the conditions that face me? By ensuring that I’m doing these things, I’m able to train my subconscious mind. Repetition and practice trains the subconscious mind.

To build your subconscious mind, you need to set and commit to a schedule. Eliminate procrastination to reach out to those who can help and support you. Make mental notes in a journal on the things that you’ve done right in your practice and training (i.e. What made my cast so great today?)

Last but not least, we get to the conscious mind. The conscious mind can only think about one thing at a time.

When I’m scheduled to teach a lesson, or I’m fishing for a tricky fish, or I’m stepping up onto a podium to compete, I can only think about one thing at a time. This isn’t the time or place to try to build up my self image by telling myself things such as, “You can do it!” I already believe it, because I already have a positive self image. That’s the

ideal state to be in. It’s also not the time to think about all the things that go into a good lesson or a great cast. I’ve already trained my subconscious to be ready and perform.

This is the time to be very clear-minded versus clouding the mind with too much overthinking. For example, when I’m about to teach a lesson, I already know what to do, but I can perform well by telling myself to set up the gear, greet the participants, and provide an overview of what I’m about to teach. The rest will just happen! If I’m about to compete, I tell myself to prepare my gear, step onto the podium, breathe, and hit the targets! If I’m preparing to fish for a tricky, sipping fish, I also tell myself to ensure my gear is ready, to position myself appropriately in the water, breathe, and lay that line naturally on the water to the fish. Again, the rest will happen. The odds of the situation playing out how I want it to will depend on how well I prepared myself in the first two steps, self image and subconscious mind.

I can think of one significant example that really brings it all home for me. It’s when I competed at the Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado, in 2019. I’m casting off of a bridge with roaring water flowing below me. A crowd is surrounding me, cheering and clapping. There’s a giant screen set up next to the bridge for all to see, with a live image of me being projected onto it. The event director is facilitating the event over a loud speaker. Then there’s me. I’m standing on the bridge with one of my favorite rods ready to cast at targets placed across the way. Prior to the competition starting, I perform a demo alongside a former pro NHL player. Then it’s time to compete. I tell myself to step into the box, strip my line from my reel, review where the targets are located, and to hit the targets dead center. The time starts, the crowd is roaring, but I’m quiet and settled in my head, as much as I can be. I won this event. I think back to the prior years when I competed in this event. I tried to build myself up, and over-thought every step of the way. It disabled my ability to perform ready and prepared. This is my “proof in the pudding.”

I continue to carry on in my life with my mental management system while I perform in my professional career, while I lead complex non-profit charity events, while I work, learn, and teach with FFI, and while I train and compete to prepare myself for the World Championship Fly Casting event next year.

I believe I can do it. What is your “it?” Believe

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CASTING

Catching up with Bruce Richards Jeff Wagner

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o much depends on the words we use. As instructors, it is critical that we communicate effectively.

You can be the greatest academic mind in the world, knowing all the physics and definitions, but if you only confuse your students, and do not get expected results, an effective teacher you are not.

An instructor, teacher, and mentor should have a good foundational knowledge of the subject matter from which they should be able to effectively communicate with the students to get results. As instructors in a governing body, I would assume most of us would suggest that these definitions and ways of teaching will also make you a better instructor. Why else would we spend the time in the academic exercise?

Over the next few issues, we will look at these definitions more in-depth. But, let’s first start with a conversation on why they are important and how they came about.

Over the past 20 years Bruce Richards has played a role in the development of these definitions and the betterment of the FFI. As we all know, Bruce is both an academic and a masterful instructor.

Jeff Wagner: You have a long history in the fly fishing industry, can you give us

some details into your background?

Bruce Richards: I started fishing with my dad and his friends as a teenager. One of his best friends was the sales manager of Scientific Anglers and became my first casting mentor. I studied aquatic ecology in college, hoping for a job in that field, but Scientific Anglers got to me first, in 1976—a very lucky break for me! I had enough understanding of the key sciences of math and physics to understand casting and lines as well as anyone else at the time and had the true luxury of getting paid to learn a LOT more.

In 1991, I got a call from my friend Mel Krieger. He wasn’t happy with the general state of fly-casting instruction in the U.S. and felt that we needed a program like the PGA had to qualify and certify instructors. He was looking for other casting instructors to help him develop and run that program.

I said yes, as did 13 others, and we started to develop what we called the Casting Instructor Certification Program (CICP). In the first year, we wrote and implemented the CI test and the program has continued to expand in scope and geography since.

JW: A number of years ago, you

and a broader group embarked on an ambitious project to create some definitions for the FFI. What was the reason for this project?

BR: It was an ambitious project, but none of us thought it would be at the time! The problem we were striving to solve was one of communication. We all used the same casting terminology (casting stroke, creep, etc.) but the words often didn’t mean the same thing to all of us. We thought we were talking the same language but often were not, and we didn’t know it. That wasn’t a big problem except when it came to testing instructor candidates. If an examiner had a different understanding of a term than a candidate did, there would most likely be a misunderstanding and the candidate would always be the one to suffer. To solve that problem, and to promote better understanding between instructors, we needed to standardize our terminology by defining terms.

JW: What were some of the challenges you experienced in creating the definitions?

BR: First, we had a committee of 11 talented instructors. Big committees are always challenging and time consuming, as everyone needs to be

Jeff Wagner When he’s not fishing or casting you’ll find Jeff hiking or biking the back country with his family. They also volunteer their time to conservation efforts with groups such as Fly Fishers International. Oh, and during business hours Jeff does business stuff.

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heard. Also, there was a rather broad range of understanding; all committee members didn’t see fly casting exactly the same way. To define our terminology we needed to get on the same flycasting mechanics wavelength, that took a lot of time.

Almost all our communication was via phone calls and e-mail; we were spread far and wide across the country.

Plus, all committee members had real jobs too. It might be a few days before everyone would have time to weigh in on a subject and everyone’s opinion was needed as we were striving to have unanimous committee approval of our finished product. We had dozens of phone meetings and traded literally thousands of e-mails over the several years it took to craft the current FFI flycasting definitions.

JW: Why do you believe definitions should be important and how do you know they are correct?

BR: I believe the definitions are important for two main reasons. First, we do now have official meanings for our most important casting terms and that means that candidates no longer have to suffer simply because they have a different understanding of a term than their examiner. Of course, there is no law that says anyone has to adopt or use the definitions, but in an exam situation it is important that both candidate and examiner do.

Second, what I consider to be the six base definitions (casting stroke, casting arc, stroke length, creep, drift, drag) define the six elemental fly-casting motions, the basis for all we do as instructors. If an instructor does not truly understand those six definitions s/he will have a difficult time effectively analyzing and curing fly casting flaws.

How do we know they are correct? Good

question! The definitions are correct by approval, but also simple, usable, and understandable because they were crafted by a group of knowledgeable people over a long period of time.

JW: Do you think it is a requirement for FFI instructors to hold to these definitions and is there ever a time to explore outside of them?

BR: The one time I think it is very important for FFI instructors, and instructor candidates, to use the definitions as written is during casting instructor exams. If examiners and candidate have a different understanding of casting terminology, the candidate will most likely suffer.

It is very possible that a candidate could fail the test for this reason alone as it could appear that the candidate does not have a solid understanding of fly casting. Remember that many of the definitions are based on the key movements of fly casting.

Other times using the definitions correctly are important are when we are writing about fly casting or when instructors are discussing casting with each other. If we use the same terms but with different understanding there will be misunderstanding.

Where it is not important to use the definitions is with students. Few, if any, of

them will know the definitions, so using our terminology with students will not be enlightening. When communicating with students we need to use language we know they will understand.

JW: Are there some definitions you feel are more foundational and critical?

BR: Yes, what I call the key definitions: casting stroke, casting arc, stroke length, creep, drag, and drift define the six basic motions of fly casting. Very few casts use all six of the motions— most only two—but to fully understand fly casting at all levels, these six definitions must be well understood.

JW: How can instructors help support the organization by using the definitions correctly?

BR: We teach fly casting. The more effective we are as a group, the better the CICP will be and that is good for the FFI, and for our students. For all our instructors to be fully effective, they must understand the basics of fly casting very well. When all 1,300 FFI instructors understand and adopt our definitions, they will be better instructors and that increases our credibility and reputation as an organization. It will take time for this to happen of course, but we should all do our best to use the definitions as they are written to speed the process.

Catching up with Bruce Richards

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FLY TYING

Never Leave Home Without Them Jerry Coviello

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ccasionally I get a question on what I would consider a handful of core, go-to patterns for everyday success in a variety of situations. So, my first thought would be is the fly easy to tie? Second, the materials involved to tie the fly. Third, has the fly stood the test of time over the years as a successful pattern, catching many kinds of fish?

The Woolly Bugger The Woolly Bugger—a close second, if not first, fly taught at a beginner fly-tying class. Fished dead-drift or as a streamer, this pattern is an extraordinarily successful fishing fly.

Not only in freshwater for all species, but even in saltwater (you might want to switch to a saltwater hook). This is

also one of the most popular patterns to fish with.

The Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph The Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear nymph is the most popular of all the nymphs sold and tied. This imitates mayfly nymphs in general and is tied in all sizes; popular sizes are 8 through 16.

They can be weighted or unweighted by wrapping a lead-free wire on the hook.

This fly is always found in my fly box and will catch all types of fish: trout, bass, and panfish.

Peacock and Grizzly Soft Hackle Wet Fly This is a simple wet-fly pattern, easy to tie and easy to fish. The gold tinsel

tag gives this fly some flash, maybe to mimic the air bubbles escaping from a nymph or caddis larvae as it races to the top to transform into the adult insect. The grizzly hackle gives it life, while the peacock body is iridescent and makes it irresistible to many fish.

Twisting the peacock with your tying thread to make a peacock herl rope makes for a durable body. Try carrying a few of these in various sizes.

Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle Wet Fly This is a deadly fly which has a lot of movement when in the water—part soft hackle wet fly, part nymph; often called a flymph. Fished dead-drifted or on the swing. Many times, a hit will happen on the swing as the fly rises

Jerry Coviello Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group Chairperson. Jerry has recently received the Fly Fishers International Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award, he serves on the FFI Education Committee, and as newsletter editor for Delaware Valley Fly Fishers, an FFI Affiliate Club in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Fly tying demonstrator at the FFI Fly Fishing Fair, International Fly Tying Symposium, and the Edison Fly Fishing Show. Fly tying instructor at Project Healing Waters in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. Member of Pro Teams for Dyna-King Vise, Ewing Feathers, and Solarez UV Resin.

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to the surface. This can be used as a dropper or point fly.

Elk Hair Caddis Dry Fly The Elk Hair Caddis was developed

by Pennsylvania native Al Troth. This

is the most popular dry fly and floats like a cork while imitating a caddis fly that is skittering all over the stream.

The elk hair and hackle help keep this fly floating high on the surface of the water. Just change the body color

for the caddis or stonefly adult you are imitating.

For additional patterns and video tutorials, visit flyfishersinternational.org

The Woolly Bugger Hook: 3XL nymph hook Thread: Olive 6/0 thread (color to match the body) Tail: Olive marabou (you can chance colors to match your body) Rib: Copper wire Hackle: Grizzly-dyed olive or plan grizzly Body: Olive chenille (you can change the color) Optional Bead Head

The Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph Hook: 1XL nymph hook Thread: 6/0 brown Tail: Guard hairs from the cheek of a hare’s mask Ribbing: Fine gold tinsel (oval or flat) Abdomen: Hare’s mask dubbing Thorax: Hare’s mask dubbing, but fuller Wingcase: Turkey tail fibers Video https://youtu.be/I2j1x8QzB84

Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle Wet Fly Hook: Standard wet-fly hook Thread: Brown 6/0 Tail: Wood duck flank feathers Rib: Oval gold tinsel Body: Gold-ribbed hare’s ear mask dubbing fur Hackle: Brown partridge body feathers

Elk Hair Caddis Dry Fly Hook: Standard dry-fly hook Thread: Brown 6/0 Rib: Fine gold wire Body: Hare’s ear mask dubbing Hackle: Brown rooster neck hackle Wing: Elk hair

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I

n 1922, Leonard Halladay, a Michigan fly tyer developed the Adams as a general mayfly imitation.

It was first fished by an Ohio attorney and friend of Halladay, Charles F. Adams on the Boardman River near Traverse City, Michigan. Charles Adams reported his success with the fly to Halladay who decided to name the fly after his friend.

Some say it the contrast of the Grizzly and Brown Hackle that give this fly the illusion of movement on the water.

Still to this day one of the most popular dry flies fished and tied.

Move the wings to the tie-in position. Using a pinch method, secure them at the 1/4 position of the hook behind the eye.

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4

Lift the wings to the upright position and add wraps of thread in front of the wing; this is sometimes called a jam knot or dam knot.

Tying Steps for the Adams Dry Fly Hook: Dry fly Thread: Black or gray, sizes 6/0 or 8/0 Tail: Grizzly and brown rooster hackle fibers, mixed

1 2

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Hackle: Grizzly and brown rooster hackle Body: Muskrat underfur or gray dubbing Wing: Grizzly hen hackle tips

Attach your thread to the hook. Set the thread at the 1/4 of the hook shank from the eye for the tie-in location for the wing.

5 To keep the wings separated, pass the tying thread through the middle of the wings.

6 Take two grizzly hen hackle tips. Hold them shiny side, back to back.

Measure them to the shank of the hook. They should be as long as the shank of the hook.

Mix Brown and Grizzly hackle fibers together. Measure them to the hook shank. The tail should be as long as the shank of the hook.

FLY TYING

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11

Take two rooster hackles, one grizzly and one brown.

Place the dull sides together so that the shiny sides are on the outside.

Secure the tail at the bend of the hook.

Line them up to the barb of the hook.

That is where the bend of the hook is.

Wrap the one hackle about three times behind the wing and three times in front of the wing and tie it off.

8 Loose thread wraps at the bend will help the tail not to flail out.

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Wrap the second hackle three times behind the wing and three times in front of the wing. Since both hackles are curved in opposite directions, the last hackle will straighten out the first hackle, causing the hackle fibers to become perpendicular to the hook shank.

9 Make a fur dubbing noodle of muskrat or gray dubbing fur, starting thin at the bend.

14 Whip-finish and add a drop of head cement on the head.

10 Dub behind the wing leaving a small space to tie in the hackle.

Dubbing is tapered going toward the wing.

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Photo Brian O’Keefe

CONSERVATION

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Strategic Partnerships & Critical Issues Dr. Rick Williams

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wo conservation issues that have had long Fly Fishers International (FFI) involvement have become increasingly visible and urgent over the last several years: preservation of the magnificent Bristol Bay area fishery threatened by development of the Pebble Mine; and restoration of the Idaho’s declining and imperiled wild salmon and steelhead populations. Both are critical and timely conservation issues.

Achieving long-term protection for the Bristol Bay area and its fishery and restoring salmon and steelhead to central Idaho’s critical high-elevation “climaterefuge” habitats through removal of four Lower Snake River mainstem dams would be legacy conservation victories for FFI, our conservation partners, and the environmental

community at large.

These are lofty goals, and to foster them, the FFI Conservation Leadership Team and Board of Directors have entered into new high-level conservation partnerships with three renowned conservation partners: Trout Unlimited (TU), Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC), and the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF).

All three organizations are respected, active, science-based conservation advocates and share FFI’s commitment to preserving all fisheries and their diverse habitats.

FFI and Conservation One of FFI’s main conservation goals, since our founding in 1965, has been to promote science-based conservation in order to influence policy makers and promote biologically sound

Dr. Rick Williams Dr. Rick Williams lives in Eagle, ID and has worked on and written about Columbia River salmon and steelhead recovery for more than 35 years. He serves as an FFI Senior Conservation Advisor; and is also an FFI Master Two-Hand and Master Single-Hand Casting Instructor.

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fishing regulations. More than 50 years later, FFI remains dedicated to supporting fisheries research, restoring native aquatic habitats, preserving native wild fish stocks, and representing the voice of fly fishers in making biologically and socially sound decisions regarding the management of fisheries and their habitats, including regulation of harvest.

Salmon and Steelhead Conservation FFI’s long commitment to education and advocacy for Pacific salmon and steelhead conservation ties into our core value of protecting fisheries and their habitats. FFI’s conservation work on Pacific salmon and steelhead

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began in 1986 through its Steelhead Committee and The Osprey, a continuing journal publication that advocates and informs on behalf of persistence of wild steelhead and salmon (ospreysteelhead.org ). The Steelhead Committee has been an active partner in litigation efforts on behalf of Pacific salmon and steelhead stocks, such as the judicially mandated moratorium on releasing hatchery steelhead to rebuild steelhead stocks in the Elwha River (Washington), where two century-old dams were removed in 2014.

Strategic Partnerships One of the best ways for FFI to enhance its influence in conservation as the “voice of fly fishers” is to

strategically partner on issues at regional and national levels with likeminded conservation organizations.

These partnerships better inform FFI members on emerging conservation issues and expand our promotion of sound conservation activities within a broader conservation community. Working with strategic partners on common resource values and interests allows us to pool our resources and accomplish more than we could achieve alone as a single voice. An example of this is our valuable participation for more than a decade on national conservation issues with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and its more than 60 partners.

With respect to salmon and

CONSERVATION steelhead conservation, we have participated since the 1990s with partners including Earthjustice, The Native Fish Society, The Wild Fish Conservancy, and others on Columbia River salmon and steelhead litigation.

Additionally, we’ve partnered since 2011 with the Bristol Bay Sportsmen’s Alliance in advocating for the longterm protection of the Bristol Bay area’s fisheries from the threat posed by development of the Pebble Mine.

Emerging Salmon and Steelhead Conservation Issues FFI’s involvement in conservation advocacy for Pacific salmon in the Bristol Bay area and the Pacific Northwest are longstanding, but urgency has increased recently as fisheries in both areas remain under continued threat.

Bristol Bay – Bristol Bay supports the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery and one of the most prolific Chinook salmon runs left on earth.

The interconnected Lake IlliamnaKvichak River-Naknek River system also supports a world-class catchand-release rainbow trout fishery.

The Bristol Bay commercial fishery is valued at $1.5 billion and supports over 14,000 jobs. Roughly half of the world’s harvest of wild salmon comes from Bristol Bay, where recreation and tourism bring in 37,000 fishing trips and $90 million annually to Alaska in licenses and taxes.

The Pebble Mine deposit is located in the headwaters of the Kvichak and Nushagak Rivers, two of the eight major rivers that flow into Bristol Bay. If Pebble Mine was developed, it would be one of the largest mines in the world and run a high risk of polluting and decimating one of the

most productive remaining salmon strongholds on earth.

FFI and TU are working together with other partners, including the Bristol Bay Sportsmen’s Alliance, to promote protection of the Bristol Bay watershed as a native salmon conservation area and protect it permanently against the Pebble Mine and other development that is non-compatible with long-term sustainability of the Bristol Bay fishery.

Snake River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Snake River basin salmon and steelhead abundance has declined steadily over the last century due to overharvest, habitat changes, and development of the Columbia-Snake River set of linked hydroelectric projects. Snake River Basin salmon and steelhead have to pass through eight dams and reservoirs twice, first as outmigrating juveniles and again

as returning adults to reach the highelevation “climate-refuge” habitats where they spawn in central Idaho wilderness rivers.

Numbers of Snake River salmon and steelhead reached extremely low levels in the 1990s, resulting in Snake River sockeye and chinook being listed as endangered and Snake River steelhead as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Returns in 2018-2020 to Idaho past Lower Granite Dam, uppermost of the eight Columbia-Snake dams, are at record-low abundance once again.

Continued declining returns for both chinook and steelhead (See inset infographic) cause regional scientists to believe the Snake Basin salmon and steelhead populations are poised on the brink of extinction, unless downstream mortality factors are reduced by removing the four Lower Snake River dams.

Removal of the four Lower Snake River dams has been advocated by

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many regional fisheries scientists since 1999. In early 2021, 68 of the region’s leading fisheries scientists (myself included) wrote to the governors of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington calling for support to remove the four Lower Snake River Dams. Environmental advocacy groups, including TU, are also working to engage the public for support to remove the Lower Snake River dams (Visit flyfishersinternational.org for link to supporting research).

Idaho’s Republican Representative Mike Simpson unveiled a bold proposal in February 2021 to recover Columbia River salmon and steelhead by restoring a free-flowing lower Snake River (simpson.house.gov/

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salmon). Rep. Simpson’s plan is designed to provide economic stability and security to the many Northwest communities that are impacted by and benefit from the lower Snake River dams. Simpson’s package identifies strategic investments that will recover abundant, harvestable salmon throughout the region, modernize energy and transportation infrastructure, and invest in rural jobs and economies.

Agencies have spent more than 40 years implementing all of the management tweaks they can think of to recover salmon runs, only to see wild adult returns drop year after year. Despite $17 billion dollars spent on habitat restoration projects, six

court opinions supporting the need for urgent recovery, and almost two decades of science linking the lower Snake River dams to basin-wide declines, the Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration have resisted calls to breach the four dams. Simpson’s announcement comes at a time when salmon and steelhead runs throughout the region are teetering on the brink of extinction.

We need our members of Congress to engage in Representative Simpson’s effort so we can restore a free-flowing lower Snake River, recover salmon and steelhead to abundance, strengthen our regional agriculture, energy, and tourism sectors, and ensure a reliable, affordable clean energy future.

CONSERVATION Partner Highlights All three of our new high-level conservation partners have missions that are philosophically and practically aligned with FFI’s conservation mission and goals.

Partnering with each of them on priority conservation projects and issues should allow greater visibility and impact for FFI and our partners in achieving our mutual conservation goals.

Trout Unlimited (tu.org) Trout Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds (habitats). TU’s strategic approach to conservation consists of first using the best available science to protect headwater spawning habitat for trout and salmon, then focusing on reconnecting tributaries with their rivers to ensure resilience, and finally on restoring waters where development has impacted trout and salmon and the opportunity to fish for them.

TU has been an influential advocate for coldwater habitat and fisheries conservation since its inception in 1959 on the banks of Au Sable River near Grayling, Michigan. While TU has worked to advance salmon and steelhead conservation for decades, in 2016, TU brought its considerable influence sharply into focus on the declining salmon and steelhead runs in Idaho and the need to remove the four Lower Snake River dams (tu. org/scientific-case-lower-snake).

Because FFI had been working in this area for decades, and because Patrick Berry (CEO FFI) and I have both known Chris Wood (CEO TU)

for many years, we reached out to Chris to explore the possibility of forming a high-level conservation partnership with TU to collaborate on conservation actions where our goals and visions aligned. His enthusiastic response paved the way for FFI to form the first of three highlevel conservation partnerships. We look forward to a fruitful partnership working with TU to promote sciencebased conservation actions in both Bristol Bay and toward the recovery of Snake River salmon and steelhead.

Western Rivers Conservancy (westernrivers.org) Western Rivers Conservancy purchases land along the western U.S.’s finest rivers and streams to conserve habitat for fish and wildlife, protect key sources of cold water, and provide public access for all to enjoy. Their motto is, “Sometimes to save a river, you have to buy it!”

WRC’s focus is first and foremost on habitat; however, many of their acquisitions include critical habitat for native trout, salmon, and steelhead. Their website highlights projects throughout the western states (westernrivers.org/projects) that include land purchases in Oregon (John Day River; Catherine Creek in the Grande Ronde), Washington (the Methow and Hoh Rivers), and Idaho (upper Salmon River tributaries) that are critical spawning and rearing habitat for endangered wild chinook and steelhead. Partnering with the Western Rivers Conservancy will enhance FFI’s legacy contributions to preserving native fish in native habitats.

Fisheries Conservation Foundation (fishconserve.org) The Fisheries Conservation Foundation promotes the work and knowledge of aquatic scientists, resource managers, and environmental professionals to inject current scientific knowledge of aquatic resource issues into the public and political knowledge base. When this happens, FCF believes that decisions can be made about the use of freshwater and marine ecosystems that are logical, informed, and based on the principles of sustainability.

FCF is an exciting partner for FFI, as they share our mutual conservation commitments to “All Fish, All Waters”. Over the last decade, FCF has partnered with FFI (and TU) in developing the Native Fish Conservation Area (NFCA) watershed conservation approach (flyfishersinternational. org/Conservation/Policies/NativeFish-Conservation-Area).

Since that time, FFI has worked with FCF and other partners to implement or promote NFCAs in North Carolina (Little Tennessee River), Texas, internationally in Bhutan and Thailand focusing on the 20-species mahseer complex native to the southern Himalaya, and for bonefish and permit conservation in the Bahamas.

These new and exciting highlevel conservation partnerships offer FFI an opportunity to increase our conservation impact into legacy projects that advance FFI’s goal of creating biologically sound solutions to preserve fisheries, habitats, and fishing opportunities for future generations.

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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

T

he question that I, and perhaps you, most often hear is: “What does membership in FFI do for me?” I am going to try to answer that question and then ask you to join me and other FFI members in spreading the message about the benefits of membership in Fly Fishers International.

When you join FFI, you become a member of an increasingly diverse and vibrant community of fly fishers who have made a commitment to preserve the legacy of fly fishing for All Fish, All Waters. As an FFI member, you preserve opportunities to fly fish and conserve warmwater, saltwater and coldwater environments. We are the only angling organization with that mission.

In the last three and a half years, FFI has not only rebranded but has refocused its programs and member opportunities and benefits to increase FFI’s relevance and impact in the flyfishing and conservation community— and, we are just getting started! Please read President and CEO Patrick Berry’s message in this issue to learn more about our new and exciting directions.

A few examples of the benefits and opportunities FFI members enjoy: • Subscriptions to all of our publications, including FlyFisher magazine, the sport’s most innovative publication, with exclusive interviews, incredible stories, and tips from fly fishing’s top experts.

Our electronic publications, E-News and Dispatch,

are distributed to over 25,000 fly fishers worldwide. There is no other organization that offers such a wide range of publications that will enrich your enjoyment of the sport you love.

• Exclusive access to the FFI Learning Center, which provides the widest range, high-quality, advanced fly-fishing educational materials available anywhere.

The Learning Center provides you access to streaming videos and downloadable presentations to improve your casting stroke, learn

“When you join FFI, you become a member of an increasingly diverse and vibrant community of fly fishers who have made a commitment to preserve the legacy of fly fishing for All Fish, All Waters.” new fly-fishing skills, and more. The Learning Center also has over 800 instructional tying videos created by some of the best tyers in the world.

These materials will expand your knowledge and enjoyment of the fly-fishing experience. Take a look at the Learning Center offerings on the FFI website and tell me if you don’t agree that it will expand your knowledge of fly fishing with a few keystrokes.

• FFI’s Conservation programs preserve the waters and the fish you love. The Conservation

Committee provides grants to support local conservation projects sponsored by clubs, councils, and like-minded groups. FFI also engages in worldwide advocacy efforts to conserve the diverse range of essential habitats that support opportunities to fly fish across the globe. Also, conservation scholarships are awarded to students engaged in fisheries and wildlife studies, developing the future leaders of fish conservation.

• FFI Women Connect is the leading program in the world for women of all ages involved in the sport of fly fishing. Women Connect aims to create an ever-growing community of women fly fishers where learning, sharing, and inspiration are offered in a safe and non-intimidating environment. Through Women Connect, women anglers develop and improve their fly-fishing and tying skills. Women Connect also encourages the development of female leadership in FFI Clubs and the fly-fishing industry.

• The FFI Fly Tying Programs Committee has created over 800 flytying videos (located in the Learning Center), as well as countless online fly-tying workshops and demonstrations. Their Bronze, Silver, and Gold fly-tying awards will challenge you to improve your fly-tying skills and become a better tyer.

• FFI Online. Now in its second season, FFI Online includes an ongoing series of Zoom presentations and

Dave Peterson Dave is currently Chairman of the Board of Fly Fishers International. He is a semi-retired school superintendent who fly fishes as often as he can. The Pere Marquette River in Michigan is his home water and he also fishes regularly in Montana, Maine, Florida and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He has served as Chairman of the FFI Conservation Committee and is a Life Member of FFI. He is also Conservation Vice President for the Great Lakes Council of FFI and a dedicated member of the West Michigan Hacklers, his local FFI charter club.

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webinars that will teach you new skills and take you to fishing destinations around the world.

Check out our second season now.

• World-Renowned Casting Programs.

FFI is the only organization that gives you an opportunity to participate in our world-acclaimed casting programs.

From basic instruction on the elemental casts we all must learn to our certification programs for single-handed and two-handed casters, FFI is the last word in fly-casting quality and instruction.

• FFI is building the community of fly fishers. FFI membership gives you an opportunity to become involved at the club, council, and national level.

With 12,000 members, 17 councils, 77 charter clubs, and 170 affiliate clubs, we have endless leadership opportunities and ways to meet others with the same passion you have for fly fishing.

These are just a few of the many benefits of FFI membership. I hope you’ll take a look at them and take part in the activities that are a fit for you.

Now I have a request: Help us recruit other fly fishers to join FFI. Maintain your membership and take an active role in your local club or your Council.

The more FFI members we have, the more we can expand the programs and services we offer to our members.

Your membership in FFI will lead to lifetime friendships, new fishing spots, and the chance to join fellow fly fishers in preserving the waters you fish. As an FFI member, I ask that you help us preserve the legacy of fly fishing for All Fish, All Waters!

Tight Lines, Dave

Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders The Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders are an FFI Charter Club located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Founded in April 2009, TPFR has continued to grow in both size and impact for over a decade, thanks to its youthful energy, diverse membership, and its passion for fly fishing and the conservation of a variety of species, from brook trout in the Blue Ridge Mountains to striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay. However, its mantra and uniting message remains to “Fish where you are, not where you ain’t.”

From fun initiatives such as its annual bluegill tournament to its monthly casting meet-ups, the club has played an instrumental role in growing the community of fly fishers in the area.

Thanks to the vision of its founding members and the passion of its current leaders, TPFR has helped almost two dozen members

become Certified Casting Instructors and is all-in on the Gold-SilverBronze casting challenges. If you happen to be in the D.C. area on the second Monday of the month, join us at Whitlow’s on Wilson for our famous monthly beer-ties; or, on the second Sunday morning of the month, meet us at Fletcher’s Cove, our home waters and the “greatest urban fishery in the world,” for Casting Church.

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FFI FORUM Flygirls of Michigan

want from an organization. Those responses gave us our mission, and the success as an organization can be attributed to some of the following elements that played a role in forming the organization.

Firstly, Flygirls has no dues; however, we do require members to maintain a membership with FFI, as we want a commitment from our

This year, Flygirls of Michigan, Inc. celebrates 25 years of providing women with educational, recreational, and stewardship opportunities through fly fishing.

Flygirls, founded in 1996, is a Charter Club of FFI, and initially, surveys were sent to potential members asking what they would

members. Funds are raised through donations and the selling of logo-ed products to our membership. Since we are spread out geographically, we encourage members to get involved with their local watershed groups.Additionally, Flygirls consistently displays a booth at outdoors shows and events. This provides us with a presence in the

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Chesapeake (PA-WV-VA-MD-DE) Eastern Rocky Mtn (WY-CO-NM-AZ) Eastern Waters (NY-NJ) Florida Great Lakes(MI-IN) Gulf Coast (LA-MS-AL) Northern California (CA-NV-HI) North Eastern (VT-NH-ME-MA-RI-CT) Ohio

Oregon South Eastern (KY-TN-NC-SC-GA-AL) Southern (NE-IA-KS-MO-IL-OK-AR) Southwest (CA-NV) Texas Upper Midwest (MN-WI-IL) Washington (WA-AK) Western Rocky Mtn (UT-ID-MT-ND-SD)

fly-fishing community and, along with the raffles we always have at these events, is a great membership recruiting tool.

Further, we developed a membership brochure and postcards that fly shops like to put near their checkouts and have contact cards for our members to share with other anglers they may encounter on the river.While Flygirls has a single-gender purpose, ours is an open membership. It is a very diverse group and welcomes anyone who wishes to help promote our mission. We have been supported by guides, shops, and other local and national organizations.Flygirls partnered with the Department of Natural Resources, teaching their Becoming an Outdoors Woman programs. We continually partner with Trout Unlimited STREAM Girls, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, other youth agencies, and fly shops.We have no meetings, only outings and educational events.

Women are too busy for meetings and our membership is typically geographically spread over several

states and foreign countries. Flygirls is a board-run organization with one annual face-to-face meeting and two conference calls per year.

Our schedule for the coming year is developed one year in advance.

We also provide activities ranging from free to affordable, and have a regularly published newsletter covering all things fly fishing.

We share our membership list regionally so members can get together locally to fish or tie flies.

Overall, the dominant factor in Flygirls’ long-term success has been a motivated Board of Directors.

Everyone who has served truly loves fly fishing and has contributed selflessly.As a successful group, Flygirls has donated over $30,000 to conservation and non-profit organizations. In addition to the groups mentioned, we have also provided learning opportunities to local fishing clubs, FFI, YWCA, DNR, Project Healing Waters, Tie-a-thon, Reeling and Heeling, Casting for Recovery, nature centers, libraries, and more.

New International Ambassador Chris Hauge is based in Yorkshire where he teaches individuals, group workshops as well as mentoring people to become professional instructors.

He also guides clients throughout the region. His qualifications include APGAI single handed & two-handed, FFI single handed & double handed master casting instructor. Chris is also a qualified mentor, level 3 assessor and an international ambassador for the FFI. When Chris is not teaching, demonstrating, guiding or leading destination fishing trip he can be found with a fly rod in his hand chasing a variety of different species. Chris has fished all over the world and likes to seek out unusual places to fish which have not already been tapped into by the destination fishing fraternity. For further information on Chris visit www. flyfishingwithchrishague.co.uk.

Council Presidents: Chesapeake Lane Thurgood lthurgood68@gmail.com

Gulf Coast AJ Rosenbohm ajrosenbohm@gmail.com

Southeastern Greg Thurlow president@secffi.org

Upper Midwest Ralph Johnson rjpar@aol.com

Eastern Rocky Mountain Tim Papich president.ermc.ffi@gmail.com

North Eastern Jon Larrabee jon@larrabeereels.com

Southern Chris Allen callenshooter@aol.com

Washington State Steve Jones president@wscffi.org

Eastern Waters Sam Decker samfishes@hvc.rr.com

Northern California Mark Rockwell mrockwell1945@gmail.com

Southwest Leigh Ann Swanson president@swcffi.org

Western Rocky Mountain Dave Londeree dlonderee@roadrunner.com

Florida Tom Gadacz thomasgadacz@yahoo.com

Ohio Jeff McElravy jmcelravysr@hotmail.com

Texas Andy Payne president@texascouncilffi.com

Great Lakes Dennis O’Brien dennissueob@aol.com

Oregon Sherry Steele steelefly@msn.com

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Building Infrastructure with Volunteers How many times have we heard it?

A few people do all the work and there aren’t enough volunteers to support our efforts.

Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers (NKFF) is a very large club with about 350 dues-paying members. A few years ago, we asked ourselves, “How big do we want to get”? Some recognized that if we did not have the infrastructure to support our membership, we may very well implode under our own weight.

In 2017, we reorganized the club so that we now have a 15-member board and eight functioning committees including: executive, women’s outreach, finance, marketing/ communications, membership, special events (fundraising), trips, and information systems. A board

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member chairs each committee and is responsible for recruiting its membership. We needed more volunteers.

We then set about understanding the data associated with volunteerism.

Research from the Stanford Center on Longevity has documented t hat older workers and retirees are relatively more motivated by the prospect of improved well-being and emotional meaning, whereas younger workers are relatively more motivated by the potential that volunteering may improve their future prospect. The Stanford research also found that there are three common barriers to volunteerism. I don’t have enough time and volunteer schedules are too inflexible. I don’t have enough information and most volunteer roles

aren’t interesting. No one asked me to.

One out of four people say they don’t volunteer because no one asked them. So, we set about addressing that issue first, and I am not talking about sending out an email. Each committee chair had to talk to individual club members and get to know them so they could match volunteer opportunities and skill sets. That enable the committee chairs to address numbers one and two on the list of barriers.

The results? Data drives most everything, including volunteer recruitment. And while our board meets every other month, most of the work gets done at the committee level and we have many more people involved in running the club.

What are your members telling you?

FFI FORUM A Fly Fishing Club’s Evolution: Rick Haness, Texas Council FFI Vice President Fundraising has become one of the primary methods for a fly-fishing club to pay for its activities, projects, and operations. The process can be simple to extraordinarily complex; let’s explore the evolution.

As a member of the Fort Worth Fly Fishers—Texas, that is—I would like to reflect on the evolution of our fundraising experiences.

Several years ago, the club set out on the fundraising course, and it developed over time. In its infancy, the fundraising began with the incorporation of a garage sale stocked by member-donated items, a few silent auction items, and a small live auction held at our club meeting place in lieu of the monthly meeting.

Eventually, the club began to expand its efforts to include holding the event on a weekend, making it more attractive to the public as well as club members who had a difficult time attending monthly meetings, especially an auction.

The club’s fundraising activities finally evolved to incorporating all types of fundraising activities. The event now (when in person) takes place at one of the local beverage establishments; this has proven to be a very successful formula.

Through the evolution of the Fort Worth Fly Fishers’ fundraising efforts, it became evident that, no matter how small or large the endeavor, there were several common components required of each effort in order to be successful.

They all incorporated a little or a lot of the following:

Organization: The first and foremost task! Organizing a fundraiser can be as simple as offering merchandise or a fishing-related item for sale.

Once the item or items are chosen, the actual method for generating revenue can be deliberated upon.

Fundraising Method: the “auction” portion of a fundraising event can be broken down into several types: Live Auction: Held at the club or special event venue; the auction features special offerings of value desired by members and guests.

Silent Auction: This event can be a standalone held at a club meeting or in conjunction with a live auction.

Club Event: This could be a special raffle held at the club meeting, drawn the night of the meeting and extending over several meeting nights to energize interest.

Venue: The venue format generally begins to be successful when all the components of the live auction, silent auction, and other forms of fundraising begin to draw significant crowds.

Virtual Platform: This web-based form of fundraising has just recently become a favored method to promote your club; it reaches a lot more of the membership and potentially a horde of internet viewers and participants.

This platform basically takes the same items offered in the in-person events, but is packaged for internetbased bidding programs.

General Tasks: Determine all the components required and break out into sections to allow for continued monitoring of progress. A strong delegation of tasks can be handled by different personnel, making the chores easier as well as engaging more members.

Select the Location: Depending on the size and extent of the event, make a determination on the attendance and presentation.

Marketing/Advertising: Key to all types of auctions and fundraisers, using every contact source, including email, phone calls, and all social media platforms, will help market the event.

Registration: It is a good idea to have a way to get a feel of your audience, no matter what type of fundraising/auction you are having.

Who is coming?

Donations: The most important part of your effort. Determine what is needed and develop a way to reach these goals.

Volunteer Base: After marketing and donations, the volunteer corps is really the most important. The more you have, the easier it is to accomplish the goals of the event.

The potential success of the event diminishes the fewer volunteers there are, as short cuts and costsaving measures begin to mount.

Execution: The entire operation and success is dependent on everyone involved having clear definitions of responsibilities and expectations. *It should be stressed that if using the virtual method, a part of each element outlined above is still required to ensure a successful outcome.

The decision on the kind of fundraising campaign has many positives; not only does the process raise revenue for the club, but it also creates an environment that allows members to work together, get to know each other, go fishing, and hopefully become an active member and leader.

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FFI FORUM

Hubert H. Huntley

Cuttcatch Project

Basscatch Project

The Cuttcatch Project is part of an effort by FFI to express the value of species diversity in fisheries.

The project is designed to help flyfishers appreciate diversity of native species in general and, in this particular case, value the many subspecies of cutthroat trout.

To aid in their recovery, the Cuttcatch Project encourages the fly-fisher to collect memories of the different species caught and released. Those FFI members who successfully catch four or more of the 12 subspecies will receive a recognition of their accomplishment.

The Basscatch Project is part of an effort

by FFI to express the value of species diversity in fisheries and the importance of conserving their individual habitats.

The Basscatch Project is intended to aid in the conservation of black bass by encouraging fly fishers to collect memories of the different black bass they catch and released. Those FFI members who successfully catch four or more species of bass will receive recognition of their accomplishment.

Congratulations to Spencer Coe of Bend, OR who has received one award and to Jerry McKnight of Bakersfield, CA, Allan Craig of Redding, CA, Tyrone Herfel of Brighton, CO and Terry Langowski of Meridan, ID who are the recipients of two awards!

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Congratulations to James Reese of Georgetown TX who is the recipient of one award within the Basscatch program!

Hubert H. Huntley, Jr., was a third generation Californian and was born in the Sierra Valley, north of Lake Tahoe. Hugh grew up on the family’s cattle ranch, established in the mid-1800’s by Hugh’s ancestors from the Huntley and Church family lines. Hugh and his sister Carol grew up working and enjoying the great outdoors on the ranch: riding horses, farming, hunting, fishing and camping. His family’s faith led Hugh to pursue ministry training, starting at Sacramento State and completing his degree at University of Redlands.

Hugh met his wife, Mary while attending Seminary. Together they had two daughters and celebrated over 50 years of marriage.

Hundreds of youth across the country learned how to camp, fish, and enjoy the outdoors, and love of God under Hugh’s ministry, including many going on into ministry themselves. Hugh was active in many community groups, including, Magic City Fly Fishers, where he loved teaching how to tie flies. He was key in starting the Special K Ranch, a home for adults with special needs in Montana and was an active member in his local Fly-Tying Association.

Hugh had a wonderful life, that he lived to the fullest. He will live on in the joy and love that he brought to everyone he met.

FFI CLUBS The Charter and Affiliate Clubs of Fly Fishers International are the heart and soul of FFI at the local and regional level. These clubs provide high-quality educational opportunities, create strong and inclusive fly fishing communities, and help FFI achieve our mission to preserve the legacy of fly fishing for all fish in all waters. We encourage all of our members to join and participate in your nearby FFI club. Below is a list of clubs organized by region.

ALABAMA R-M Pike Auburn Fly Fishing Club * Auburn AL | harry.yates@projecthealingwaters.org Tennessee Valley Fly Fishers Huntsville AL | tennesseevalleyflyfishers.org ALASKA Alaska Fly Fishers Anchorage AK | akflyfishers.net Fairbanks Fly Fishers * Fairbanks AK | fil.martinez@projecthealingwaters.org Wasilla Fly Fishing Club * Palmer AK | mchenry89@gmail.com ARIZONA Arizona Flycasters Inc Phoenix AZ | azflycasters.org Desert Fly Casters Chandler AZ | desertflycasters.com Northern Arizona Flycasters Inc Flagstaff AZ | nazflycasters.org San Pedro Flycasters Sierra Vista AZ | sanpedroflycasters.com White Mountain Fly Fishing Club Inc. Pinetop AZ | wmflyfishingclub.com ARKANSAS Arkansas Fly Fishers Little Rock AR | arkansasflyfishers.com North Arkansas Fly Fishers Mountain Home AR | northarkansasflyfisher.org CALIFORNIA Aguabonita Flyfishers Ridgecrest CA | aguabonitaflyfishers.org Amador Flyfishers Jackson CA | amadorflyfishers.org California Fly Fishers Unltd Sacramento CA | cffu.org Central Valley Fly Fishers * Fresno CA | fred.ramirez@projecthealingwaters.org Conejo Valley Flyfishers Newbury Park CA | conejovalleyflyfishers.com Deep Creek Flyfishers Riverside CA | deepcreekflyfishers.org Delta Fly Fishers Lodi CA | deltaflyfishers.com Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club Walnut Creek CA | dvff.clubexpress.com Downey Fly Fishers Downey CA | downeyflyfishers.org Flycasters Of San Jose Inc Campbell CA | flycasters.org Fly Fishers For Conservation Inc Fresno CA | fresnoflyfishers.org Fly Fishers Of Orange County Santa Ana CA | ffcoc.org Gold Country Fly Fishers Grass Valley CA | goldcountryff.org Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club Alamo CA | ggacc.org Golden State Flycasters TU / FFF San Diego CA | goldenstateflycasters.org Granite Bay Flycasters Granite Bay CA | gbflycasters.org Hi-Desert Flyfishers Apple Valley CA | hidesertflyfishers.com Kaweah Flyfishers Visalia CA | kaweahflyfishers.org Long Beach Casting Club Long Beach CA | longbeachcastingclub.org

Long Beach Fly Fishers * Santa Ana CA | carole.katz@projecthealingwaters.org Merced Fly Fishers Merced CA | mercedffc.org Mission Peak Fly Anglers Fremont CA | missionpeakflyanglers.org Mount Tamalpais Fly Fishers Corte Madera CA | mttamflyfishers.org Pasadena Casting Club Pasadena CA | pasadenacastingclub.org Peninsula Fly Fishers Belmont CA | peninsulaflyfishers.org Russian River Fly Fishers Novato CA | rrflyfisher.org Saltwater Fly Rodders Pacific #1 Montrose CA | saltwaterflyrodders.org San Diego Fly Fishers Club San Diego CA | sandiegoflyfishers.com Santa Barbara Flyfishers Santa Barbara CA | sbflyfishers.com Santa Clarita Casting Club Santa Clarita CA | scflyfishing.org Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Santa Cruz CA | santacruzflyfishermen.org Santa Lucia Flyfishers San Luis Obispo CA | santaluciaflyfishers.com Sespe Flyfishers Oxnard CA | sespeflyfishers.org Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers Inc. Redding CA | shastatrinityflyfishers.com Sierra Pacific Flyfishers Van Nuys CA | spff.org Southern Sierra Fly Fishers Pasadena CA | ssffclub.org Stanislaus Fly Fishers Modesto CA | stanslausflyfishers.org Streamborn Fly Fishing Club Inc Rowland Heights CA | streambornffc.org Tahoe Truckee Flyfishers Truckee CA | tahoetruckeeflyfishers.org Tracy Fly Fishers Tracy CA | tracyflyfishers.org Wilderness Fly Fishers Santa Monica CA | wildernessflyfishers.org COLORADO Eagle Fly Fishing Anglers * Gypsum CO Four Corners Fly Fishers * Pagosa Springs CO Front Range Fly Fishers Wheat Ridge CO | frflyfishers.com Gunnison Gorge Anglers Montrose CO | gunnisongorgeanglers.tu.org High Plains Drifters Littleton CO | hpd-fff.org Pueblo Tailwater Renegades Pueblo CO |pueblotailwaterrenegades.wordpress.com CONNECTICUT Castle Pointe * Greenwich CT Connecticut Fly Fishermans Assoc East Hartford CT | ctflyfish.org DELEWARE 302nd Mispillion River Vikings * Smyrna DE FLORIDA Backcountry Fly Fishers Naples FL | flyfishingnaples.com

Bay Pines Veteran Fly Fishers * Saint Petersburg FL | Baypinesveteranff@gmail.com Florida Big Bend Flyfishers Tallahassee FL| fbbflyfishers.com Fly Fishers of Northwest Florida Pensacola FL | ffnwf.org Gold Coast Fly Fishers Fort Lauderdale FL | goldcoastflyfishers@yahoo.com Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers Sarasota FL | mcff.club Mid-Coast Flyfishers Inc Edgewater FL | mid-coastflyfishers.org Panhandle Fly Fishers Destin FL | pan-fly.com Pasco Fly Fishers Club * New Port Richey FL | tex.faulkner@ projecthealingwaters.org Sanibel FlyFishers Inc Sanibel FL | sanibelff@gmail.com Suncoast Fly Fishers St. Petersburg FL | suncoastflyfishers.com Suwannee Valley Fly Fishing * Live Oak FL | svflyfishing@gmail.com SwFla Fly Fishers * Cape Coral FL | ronnie.friedl@projecthealingwaters. org Tarpon Coast Fly Fishers Inc Spring Hill FL | tarponcoastflyfishers.shutterfly.com Treasure Coast Stuart Fly Rodders Palm City FL | pjharter761@att.net GEORGIA Anchor Management * Valdosta GA tom.marcum@projecthealingwaters.org Atlanta Fly Fishing Club Atlanta GA | atlantaflyfishingclub.org Georgia Women Fly Fishers Atlanta GA | georgiawomenflyfishing.com Operation Rivers to Recovery Dawsonville GA | or2r.org Team Georgia Competitive Fly Fishing Suwanee GA | teamgeorgiaflyfishing.com Veterans Fly Fishing Inc Big Canoe GA | drmauldin@windstream.net HAWAII Hawaii Fly Fishers Kailua HI | hawaiiflyfishers@gmail.com IDAHO Boise Valley Fly Fishers Boise ID | boisevalleyflyfishers.wildapricot.org Eastern Idaho Snake River Valley FFI Chapter * Idaho Falls ID | scott.ferrara@projecthealingwaters. org Kelly Creek Flycasters Lewiston ID | kellycreekflycasters.org Magic Valley Fly Fishers Twin Falls ID | magicvalleyflyfishers.com North Idaho Fly Casters Club Inc Coeur D Alene ID | northidahoflycasters.org Snake River Cutthroats TU/FFF Idaho Falls ID | snakerivercutthroats.org Upper Snake River Fly Fishers Rexburg ID | usrff.org ILLINOIS DuPage Rivers Fly Tyers Wheaton IL | driftorg.com

*Indicates club primarily supports activities of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

FFI CLUBS INDIANA St Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers South Bend IN | sjrvff.com Tri-State Veterans Fly Fishing * Evansville IN | erikgoodge@gmail.com IOWA Hawkeye Fly Fishing Assoc Cedar Rapids IA | hawkeyeflyfishing.com KANSAS First City Fly Fishers * Leavenworth KS Flatland Fly Fishers Wichita KS | flatlandflyfishers.org Heart Of America Fly Fishers Shawnee Mission KS | hoaff.org Prairie Fly Casters * Carbondale KS | anthony.daprato@ projecthealingwaters.org KENTUCKY Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers Covington KY | nkff.org LOUISIANA Acadiana Fly Rodders Inc Lafayette LA | acadianafly@gmail.com Contraband Fly Casters Inc. Lake Charles LA | contrabandflycastersinc.net Gulf Coast Fly Tyers Kenner LA | gcft.gulfcoastcouncilffi.org Kisatchie Fly Fishers Alexandria LA | kisatchiefly.org New Orleans Fly Fishers Metairie LA | neworleansflyfishers.com North Louisiana Fly Fishers Shreveport LA | northlaflyfishers.org Red Stick Fly Fishers Prairieville LA | rsff.blogspot.com MAINE Central Maine Fly Fishing Club Gardiner ME Great Falls Fishing Club * Auburn ME | greatfallsfishingclub@gmail.com Northwoods Fly Fishers * Dixmont ME MASSACHUSETTS Granite State Fly Fishers * Wakefield MA | joe.cresta@projecthealingwaters.org Gypsy Soul Fly Fishing * Quincy MA | adam.aronson@projecthealingwaters. org Nashua Fly Casting Assoc.

Stow MA | nashuaflycasting.com MARYLAND Antietam Fly Anglers Hagerstown MD | afa-md.org Free State Fly Fishers Maryland Davidsonville MD | fs-ff.com La Plata Fly Fishers * Hampstead MD | laplataflyfishers@gmail.com Potomac Valley Fly Fishers Inc Frederick MD | potomacvalleyflyfishers.club MICHIGAN Anglers Of The Au Sable Grayling MI | ausableanglers.org Bamboo Bend Project Inc Grayling MI | bamboobend.org Brotherhood Of The Jungle Cock MI Sault Sainte Marie MI | bojcmi.org Flygirls Of Michigan Benton Harbor MI | flygirls.ws

Grand Valley Fly Fishers Caledonia MI | gvflyfishers@gmail.com Michigan Fly Fishing Club Livonia MI | mffc.org Pere Marquette Watershed Council Baldwin MI | peremarquette.org Red Cedar Fly Fishers Inc Okemos MI | redcedarflyfishers.org West Michigan Hacklers Pentwater MI | facebook.com/westmichiganhacklers MINNESOTA Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota Edina MN | flyfishingwomenmn.com Lew Jewett Fly Fishers Saint Paul |MN lewjewett.org Pine to Prairie Fly Fishers Menahga MN |facebook.com/ pinetoprairieflyfishersIFFF The Arrowhead Flyfishers Club Duluth MN |arrowheadflyfishers.com MISSISSIPPI Chickasaw Fly Fishers Tupelo MS | chickasawflyfishers@gmail.com Magnolia Fly Fishers Madison MS | magnoliaflyfishers.com MISSOURI Capital City Fly Fishers Jefferson City MO | capitalcityflyfishers.org MAKO Fly Fishers Joplin MO | facebook.com/pages/MAKO-FlyFishers/193197650752403 Missouri Trout Fishermens Assoc, Springfield Chapter Mt Vernon MO | mtfa-springfield.org Ozark Flyfishers Saint Louis MO | ozarkflyfishers.org South Callaway R-Ii Middle School Club Mokane MO | sc.k12.mo.us/ms Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers Assoc Springfield MO | facebook.com/SouthwestMissouri-Fly-Fishers- 375595815789753 Tri-Lakes Fly Fishers Clinton MO | facebook.com/Tri-Lakes-FlyFishers-463892860459055 MONTANA Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot Victor MT | flyfishersofthebitterroot.org Eastern Montana Fin Addicts * Roundup MT Glacier Country Fly Fishers Kalispell MT | glaciercountryflyfishers.org NEBRASKA Cornhusker Fly Fishers Lincoln NE | cornhuskerflyfishers.org NEVADA Carson Fly Fishing Club Carson City NV | carsonflyfishing.club Las Vegas Fly Fishing Club (LVFFC Inc) Las Vegas NV | sntrout.com Truckee River Fly Fishers Reno NV | truckeeriverflyfishers.org NEW JERSEY South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers Northfield NJ | southjerseycoastalflyanglers.com NEW YORK Albany Program * Fort Edward NY | Joshua.chase@ projecthealingwaters.org BC Flyfishers Endicott NY | bcflyfishers.org

Capital District Fly Fishers Mechanicville NY | www.cdflyfishers.org Fly Fishers International of New York City * New York NY | ira.krell@projecthealingwaters.org Lake Erie Chapter FFI West Seneca NY | lake-erie-fff.org Twin Tiers Five Rivers Big Flats NY | twintiersfff.org Veteran Anglers Of New York Inc New York NY Wild Trout Flyrodders Inc Cuddebackville NY | wildtroutflyrodders.org NORTH CAROLINA Cape Fear Flyfishers Inc Southport NC | capefearflyfishers.com Carolina Fly Fishing Club Salisbury NC | carolinaflyfishingclub.org Crystal Coast - Camp Lejeune Fly Fishing Club Stella NC facebook.com/Crystal-Coast-Camp-Lejeune-FlyFishing-Club-1511506142467852 French Broad Fly Fishers Brevard NC | frenchbroadflyfishers@gmail.com Greenville Veterans Fly Fishing Club * Greenville NC| jason.lee@projecthealingwaters.org Liberty Point Fly Casters * Fayetteville NC | bert_kinkead@hotmail.com Nat Greene Fly Fishers Greensboro NC | natgreeneflyfishers.com Onslow Bay - Camp Lejeune * Hubert NC | chris.thompson@projecthealingwaters. org Triangle Fly Fishers TU / FFF Garner NC | triangleflyfishers.org Wilmington Fish Chasers * Leland NC| john.loyd@projecthealingwaters.org NORTH DAKOTA Northern Plains Fly Fishers * Mandan ND | marc.taylor@projecthealingwaters.org OHIO Buckeye United Fly Fishers Cincinnati OH | buckeyeflyfishers.com Firelands Fly Fishers Avon OH | firelandsflyfishers.org Miami Valley Fly Fishers Inc Dayton OH | mvff.us Mohican Fly Fishers Of Ohio Shelby OH | mohicanflyfishersofohio.com North Branch Boys Inc Toledo OH | northbranchclub.org North Coast Fly Fishers Concord TWP OH | northcoastflyfishers.com Northeast Ohio Fly Fishers * Westlake OH | monte.casey@projecthealingwaters. org OKLAHOMA Green Country Fly Fishers Bartlesville OK | greencountryflyfishers.com OKC Anglers Fly Fishing Club * Edmond OK | satterelli.phwff@gmail.com Oklahoma Fly Fishers Tulsa OK | oklahomaflyfishers.org Redneck Fly Fishing * Bixby OK | russell.dunlap@projecthealingwaters.org Tulsa Fly Fishers Tulsa OK | tu420.com OREGON Cascade Family Flyfishers Springfield OR | cascadefamilyflyfishers.com

*Indicates club primarily supports activities of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

FFI CLUBS Central Coast Fly Fishers Waldport OR | sites.google.com/view/ flyfisherscentralcoast Central Oregon Flyfishers Bend OR | coflyfishers.org Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild Sisters OR | steelefly@msn.com Klamath Country Fly Casters Klamath Falls OR | klamathcountryflycasters.com McKenzie Fly Fishers Eugene OR | mckenzieflyfishers.org North Santiam Spey Casters Salem OR | dgklemin@msn.com Rainland Fly Casters Astoria OR | rainlandflycasters.com Rogue Fly Fishers Inc Medford OR | rogueflyfishers.org Santiam Flycasters Inc Salem OR | santiamflycasters.com Southern Oregon Fly Fishers Grants Pass OR | info@soff.org Stonefly Maidens Fly Fishing Club Lake Oswego OR | stoneflymaidens.club Umpqua Valley Fly Fishers Roseburg OR umpquavalleyflyfishers.org Washington County Fly Fishers Hillsboro OR | washingtoncountyflyfishers.com PENNSYLVANIA Bux-Mont Freedom Fly Fishers * Chalfont PA Cumberland Valley TU/FFF Carlisle PA | pacvtu.org/ Delaware Valley Fly Fishers Philadelphia PA | delawarevalleyflyfishers.org Dame Juliana League Fly Fishers Kimberton PA | djlflyfishers.org Juniata Fly Fishing Club * New Bloomfield PA | glenn.klinger@ projecthealingwaters.org Keystone Fly Fishers Franklin PA | facebook.com/Keystone-FlyFishers-438762266330932 Not Forgotten Fly Fishing * Albrightsville PA | zach.taylor@projecthealingwaters. org Patriot Anglers of the Delaware Water Gap * Bushkill PA | robert.giljr@projecthealingwaters.org Presque Isle Fly Casting and Fly Fishing Association * Fairview PA | craig.brandick@projecthealingwaters.org Seneca Fly Fishers Port Allegany PA | senecachaptertu@gmail.com SOUTH DAKOTA Black Hills Flyfishers Rapid City SD | blackhillsflyfishers.org Fort Meade Anglers * Summerset SD | Christiane.budge@gmail.com Rushmore Fly Fishing Veterans * Rapid City SD | maineyankee1@hotmail.com South Dakota Vets on the Fly Rapid City SD | facebook.com/SDVOTF/ TENNESSEE East Tennessee Fly Fishers * Greeneville TN | russ.ambrose@projecthealingwaters. org Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers Nashville TN | middletennesseeflyfishers.org Mid-South Fly Fishers Memphis TN | msff.org North Central Tennessee Fly Fishing * Adams TN | chris.fields2327@yahoo.com

Reel Nashville Veterans Fly Fishers * Brentwood TN | tony.mitchell@projecthealingwaters. org Tennessee Drifters Fly Fishers * Murfreesboro TN TEXAS Abilene Fly Fishers Abilene TX | facebook.com/abileneflyfishers Alamo Fly Fishers San Antonio TX | alamoflyfishers.org Austin Fly Fishers Austin TX | austinflyfishers.com Collin County Fishers * Plano TX | jerry.walker@projectheallingwaters.org Collin County Fly Fishing Club Wylie TX | CollinCountyFlyFishing.org Conroe Fly Fishers * Conroe TX | txfritz4134@suddenlink.net Corpus Christi Fly Fishers Inc Corpus Christi | TX corpuschristiflyfishers.com Dallas Fly Fishers Dallas | TX dallasflyfishers.org Fort Worth Fly Fishers Fort Worth TX | fortworthflyfishers.org Kekoa Outdoors Melissa TX | info@kekoaoutdoors.org Lone Star Fly Fishers Tyler TX | lonestarflyfishers.com Lubbock Fly Fishers Inc Lubbock TX lubbockflyfishers.org New Braun| fels Fly Fishers New Braunfels TX | facebook.com/ newbraunfelsflyfishers Pineywoods Fly Fishers Lufkin TX | pwff@usa.com Red River Fly Fishers Sherman TX | rrff.org Rowlett Fishers * Royse City TX | derrick.meis@projecthealingwaters.org San Gabriel Fly Fishers Inc Georgetown TX | sgflyfishers.com SCTX Fly Fishing Club Georgetown TX | flytyerfred@gmail.com Texas Flyfishers Houston TX | texasflyfishers.org Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers Fredericksburg TX | thcff.org Texas Women Fly Fishers Austin TX | twff.net UTAH Bonneville Fly Fishers Salt Lake City UT | bonnevilleflyfishers.com VERMONT Greater Upper Valley Anglers * North Hartland VT | ryan.chapman@ projecthealingwaters.com Green Mountain Veterans * Jeffersonville VT VIRGINIA Falmouth Flats Fly Fishers Fredericksburg VA | ffflyfishers.org Fly Fishers of Virginia Inc. Richmond VA | flyfishersofvirginia.org Fly Fishers of Western Virginia * Grundy VA | geoff.barger@projecthealingwaters.org Shenandoah Valley Fly Fishing * Staunton VA | charles.howdyshell@ projecthealingwaters.org Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders Arlington VA | tpfr.org

Veteran Flyfishers of Hampton Roads * Hampton VA | ricky.rangel@projecthealingwaters.org WASHINGTON Alpine Fly Fishers Bonney Lake WA | alpineflyfishers.org Bainbridge Island Fly Fishers Bainbridge Island WA | bainbridgeislandflyfishers. wordpress.com Caring Fly Fishers of Washington * Bellevue WA | jim.mcroberts@projecthealingwaters.org Clark Skamania Flyfishers Vancouver WA | clark-skamania-flyfishers.org Clearwater Flycasters Pullman WA | clearwaterflycasters.com Cowlitz Fly Anglers Longview WA | cowlitzflyanglers.com Evergreen Fly Fishing Club Everett WA | evergreenflyclub.org Fidalgo Fly Fishers Anacortes WA | fidalgoflyfishers.com Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club Spokane WA | ieffc.org Lower Columbia Flyfishers Longview WA | lowercolumbiaflyfishers.org Northwest Fly Anglers Seattle WA | northwestflyanglers.org Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds Edmonds WA | olympicflyfishers.com Overlake Fly Fishing Club Bellevue WA | offc.org Puget Sound Fly Fishers Club Gig Harbor WA | psff.org South Sound Fly Fishers Olympia WA | southsoundflyfishers.com Spokane Fly Fishers LLC Spokane WA | spokaneflyfishers.com Washington Fly Fishing Club Mercer Island WA | wffc.com Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers Wenatchee WA | wenatcheevalleyflyfishers.com WEST VIRGINIA Creekside Anglers Shepherdstown WV | creeksideanglers.org Veterans on the Fly of Grant & Hardy Counties * Moorefield WV | pamfake50@gmail.com WISCONSIN Classic Anglers Of Wisconsin Pulaski WI | groupspaces.com/classicanglers Fox Valley Veteran Anglers * Krakow WI | 5grizzlys@reagan.com WYOMING Central Wyoming Fly Fishers * Casper WY Cheyenne FFI * Cheyenne WY Frank Johnson Fly Fishers Sheridan WY | joeysflyfishing.com Popo Agie Anglers Lander WY | popoagieanglers.wordpress.com Teton Club * Afton WY INTERNATIONAL Hastings Fly Fishers Inc Port Macquarie NSW | hastingsflyfishers.org.au Japan Fly Fishing Assoc (JFFA) Kofu Japan |st13_holmes@ybb.ne.jp | facebook.com/ JapanFlyFish

*Indicates club primarily supports activities of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

INDUSTRY PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

Epic Fly Rods

E

pic owner, Carl McNeil has been a staunch supporter of Fly Fishers International for almost 20 years. He was one of the first Certified Master Fly Casting Instructors in New Zealand completing the CI test under Tim JIndra in early 2000. He then went on to complete the Master CI exam administered by the formidable trio of Chuck Easterling, Soon Lee & Lasse Karlsson.

Over the intervening years, he has served on the CI Examination Committee, International Testing Committee and as an associate editor for FFI’s fly casting magazine, The Loop. He is a recipient of the Presidents Pin award for services to fly casting as well

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as FFI’s conservation award. Most importantly he has taught hundreds of anglers how to fly cast both at home and abroad.

Carl founded Swift Fly Fishing and Epic Fly Rods in 2010. The Epic brand was born out of the simple desire to “Build a Better Fly Rod” after having seen so many fly casters struggle with stiff, lifeless fly rods. Epic specializes in designing and manufacturing high quality, made-to-order and trueto-weight fly rods. Epic fly rods are built tough to last a lifetime – with the goal that you will be passing your Epic onto your kids.

Epic fly rods are the result of thousands of hours of practical fly fishing and fly casting experience

and thousands of interactions with fly casters and fly fishers from all around the world - first-hand experience watching, listening and being totally immersed in this allconsuming sport. The idea behind the development of Epic fly rods and the brand ethos is the result of 20 years of professional and semi-professional fly casting, fly casting instruction, fly fishing movie making, a keen eye for practical design and quite literally, a lifetime of fly fishing.

Aside from top-notch rods, reels and accessories, epicflyrods.com offers a wealth of resources for building your fly fishing skills. You will find blogs, tips and videos from fly-casting to rodbuilding, and everything in between!

WHAT’S YOUR

LEGACY? THE FFI

There is perhaps no more profound way to establish your legacy within the sport of fly fishing than by naming Fly Fishers International as a beneficiary in your estate plans.

The FFI LEE AND JOAN WULFF LEGACY CIRCLE was established in 2019 as a way to honor the tremendous imprint Lee and Joan have left on the world of fly fishing, and the contributions they have made to Fly Fishers International.

And, if you have already included FFI in your estate plans, please let us know — we would like to honor your legacy and acknowledge your generosity that directly impacts on the future of fly fishing.

If you are interested in learning more about how to create your own legacy for the sport you love, simply contact FFI President and CEO, Patrick Berry.

ESTABLISH YOUR LEGACY TODAY ///

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flyfishersinternational.org

406.222.9369