Flyfisher Fall-Winter 2020

A L L F I S H • A L L WAT E RS

flyfishersinternational.org Fall/Winter 2020

WINTER STEELHEADING IF YOU’RE ONLY INTERESTED IN CATCHING FISH, THIS IS THE HARDEST WAY POSSIBLE.

RAISING YOUR PERMIT GAME JEFF CURRIER SHARES SECRETS SIPHONED FROM THE EXPERTS.

THE BATTLE TO PROTECT BRISTOL BAY IT’S NOT OVER! STOPPING PEBBLE MINE REQUIRES WE STAY INFORMED, VIGILANT AND ENGAGED.

FUN WITH FOAM

TYING THE 5 MOST ASKED FOR FOAM PATTERNS.

WOMEN ON A MISSION THEY SAY FLY FISHING IS ADDICTIVE. FFI WOMEN CONNECT IS WORKING HARD TO PERPETUATE THIS.

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

Board of Directors Dave Peterson Chairman of the Board Patrick Berry (Non-Voting) President and CEO

Flyfisher

Tilda Evans Secretary Awards & Nominating Committee Chair

Fly Fishers International 5237 US Highway 89 South, Suite 11 Livingston, MT 59047-9176 (406) 222-9369 flyfishersinternational.org

Jim Maus Treasurer Finance Committee Chair

President and CEO Lee & Joan Wulff Legacy Circle Patrick Berry | pberry@flyfishersinternational.org

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

Operations Manager 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

Flyfisher is published for FFI by Bird Marketing Group Inc. PO Box 227A Eastport, ID 83826 Executive Publisher Jennifer Bird jbird@birdmarketinggroup.com Copy Editor John Van Vleet editor@flyfishersinternational.org Group Art Direction Terry Paulhus

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Office Administrator

Richard Ross Executive Committee Burr Tupper Executive Committee

Bookkeeper Sharon Cebulla | bookkeeper@flyfishersinternational.org

Department Contributors

Kuni Masuda International Programs Chair

Projects Coordinator Jake McGlothlin | projects@flyfishersinternational.org

Tim Papich Communications & Marketing Chair

Museum Information (406) 222-9369 | museum@flyfishersinternational.org

Board Members Marnee Banks TRCP Liaison Dave Boyer Glenn Erikson Carole Katz PHWFF Liaison Geoff Mullins Dennis O’Brien Jen Ripple David Paul Williams

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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Kim Carruthers

Conservation Tom Logan Casting Jeff Wagner Fly Tying Jerry Coviello FFI Women Connect Patty Lueken Feature Contributors Jeff Currier Marshall Cutchin Whit Fosburgh Scott Hed David Moskowitz Sam Snyder Peter Soverel

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On the cover: Peter Knox Contents: Gerhard Laubscher

IN THIS ISSUE 6 Chairman’s Message 8 President’s Message 10 Conservation United, we rise to the challenge of conservation 14 Raising Your Permit Game Tips from the experts 20 Are We Loving Steelhead to Death?

Fly fishing for winter steelhead 26 Update on the Battle to Protect Bristol Bay The fight is not over yet 30 All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile Connections with our community 34 Casting Tailing loops 38 Fly Tying Fun with foam 42 The Learning Center Evolution of a teaching tool 44 FFI Women Connect Women on a mission going fishin’ 50 FFI Forum News, Events, and Happenings 58 Industry Partner Profile Scientific Anglers

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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

F

ly Fishers International’s mission is to “ensure the legacy of fly fishing for all fish in all waters by focusing on conservation, education, and a sense of community.”Whether it is through participation in a local club, teaching a casting class for kids in your area, demonstrating fly tying, or taking a new fly angler or veteran onto the stream for the first time, we all make contributions; some large, some small, but all important to carrying out our shared mission.

Once in a great while, an individual stands out who not only contributes in meaningful ways, but

in fact, embodies FFI’s mission. Tom Logan, who recently stepped down as Chairman of FFI’s Board of Directors, is just such a person. Tom assumed the Chairmanship in August 2016 and began charting the course for FFI’s transformation.

After four years as Chairman of the Board, Tom completed his tenure at the Annual Board Meeting on Monday, July 20, 2020.

During the time Tom served as Board Chair, he strategically guided FFI’s renaming and rebranding and led us in the development of many new programs that have increased FFI’s relevance and impact in the fly-fishing community. Like the proverbial “dog on a bone,” Tom poked and prodded, challenged conventional thinking and kept our Board, our Council Presidents, and FFI’s membership moving forward. In a time when consensus builders are rare, Tom carefully listened to all and crafted

new directions that we all embrace.

Most importantly, Tom’s foresight led us to employ Patrick Berry, our full-time professional President and

“Once in a great while, an individual stands out who not only contributes in meaningful ways, but in fact, embodies FFI’s mission. Tom Logan, who recently stepped down as Chairman of FFI’s Board of Directors, is just such a person.”

CEO, who is providing energetic leadership to FFI’s many new initiatives. So many great leaders have left their mark on Fly Fishers International. The list is too lengthy and I fear I would leave more than one out. Suffice it to say, countless individuals have contributed their time, energy and ideas to the organization we have become today; however, If you have to point to one person who left a big fingerprint on FFI’s bright future, it would have to be Tom Logan. Thank you for all you have done for FFI Tom! Tight Lines, Dave

FFI is fortunate that Tom is staying active in FFI. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, he has agreed to chair FFI’s Conservation Committee with Brad Eaton serving as his Vice Chair.

Given Tom’s background as a certified wildlife biologist who specialized in endangered species, FFI’s conservation programs will continue to thrive under his leadership.

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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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

WHAT’S YOUR

LEGACY? THE F F I

Fly Fishers International is proud to announce the LEE & JOAN WULFF LEGACY CIRCLE, a giving program to support fly fishing education and conservation through estate plans, trusts, and bequests.

Fly Fishers International is the only organization dedicated to fostering the legacy of fly fishing for all fish in all waters through conservation, education, and community.

We’re honored to name the Legacy Circle after Lee and Joan Wulff, whose contributions to Fly Fishers International’s founding, mission, and programs have been monumental.

If you have questions or if FFI is already in your estate plans, please call FFI President and CEO, Patrick Berry who can help you with this compelling new program.

ESTABLISH YOUR LEGACY TODAY ///

flyfishersinternational.org

406.222.9369



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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

T

he time has come for Fly Fishers International to have an even greater impact on the world of fly fishing.

A little more than a year ago, an article in the New York Times declared “fly fishing is the new bird watching.” That comparison might have elicited some eye-rolling for long-time fly anglers, but the point was clear: interest in fly fishing is on the rise, particularly among a younger audience. For those paying attention, this was no surprise.

Key findings in a report released by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation this past July found emerging trends in fishing from 2019: Participation was up to the highest rate since 2007, with roughly 17 percent of the U.S. population hitting the water, equating to a total of over 50 million Americans. Helping drive this increase were record participation rates among Hispanics and women, amounting to 4.4 million and 17.9 million participants, respectively.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic started to take hold in early March, fueling a general interest to get outside and find ways to engage in activities with social-distancing baked into the recipe. Fishing was a perfect solution. Participation skyrocketed. You don’t have to look far to find information or articles about the growth in fishing participation.

Many fly fishing-related businesses and manufacturers are having

trouble keep up with demand.

So, how did we get here? Was there some genius pre-pandemic marketing strategy to boost participation in fly fishing? Will fly-fishing manufacturers and gear companies perch themselves atop the ascending trend line crowing like the rooster taking credit for the dawn? More importantly, what does our organization do now?

First, let’s stifle the complaints about sharing our passion with the newly converted. We love fly fishing for many of the same reasons the newbies do: it’s awesome. Fly fishing provides us with something intangible that awakens our senses and feeds our soul. The fish are just a bonus.

A recent opinion piece published in a fishing outlet bemoaned the purportedly rampant over-crowding at certain popular fly fishing destinations and focused on the problems related to the heightened interest in fly fishing. The tone was anecdotal, hysterical, and, frankly, relatable. Relatable because I’d be concerned if my favorite piece of water was being loved to death, but bemoaning increased participation is the wrong response. We should focus on how to retain our new fly-fishing colleagues, and emphasize education as a primary tool to help integrate new anglers.

This is where FFI can capitalize on our strengths. We are in a great position to help boost retention and education efforts. We should begin

to lay the groundwork now rather than waiting until the rising tide of new fly fishers begins to recede. We already have a lot in place.

For starters, the FFI Learning Center represents a premier repository of online fly-fishing education, most of which is available for the general public. FFI is on the cusp of launching a new web portal for the Learning Center designed to be more dynamic, more user-friendly, and more accessible. Starting this past summer, content from the FFI Learning Center has been shared on MidCurrent, the most popular fly-fishing website in the world.

That relationship is going to grow, bringing unprecedented exposure for FFI and providing educational content for fly fishing enthusiasts both new and old.

In response to the pandemic and the realization that we would be limited in our ability to convene in traditional ways, FFI HQ launched FFI Online. Starting back in March, this virtual series brought live, interactive webcasts on casting, fly tying, fly fishing skills, conservation, FFI Women Connect, episodes on global fly fishing travel, and more.

FFI Online is back this winter and spring with “Season 2,” bringing new and expanded content available to anyone wanting in on the fun.

With over 260 clubs, 17 councils, 12,000 members, and 2,000 certified casting instructors around the U.S. and parts of the world, FFI has a tremendous reach to fly-fishing

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 Fall/Winter 2020

Photo Luis Alvarado

enthusiasts everywhere. Add to that a wonderful culture of mentorship throughout the organization, and FFI has the potential to help maintain and grow the sport of fly fishing.

Still, there are some holes to fill.

First, as the only organization actively fostering the legacy of fly fishing for all fish in all waters, FFI stands alone as a leader in the sport.

We are the incarnation of fly fishing, represented in all its forms. It’s time to pick up that mantle and charge ahead.

Second, FFI needs to be the organization we want to BECOME. This includes our leadership, our vision, our marketing and communications, our membership strategy, our club and council support, and our programming.

Our leadership in particular needs to reflect our ideal for the future of fly fishing. When prospective members look at the FFI Board of Directors, council and club leadership, and makeup of the board committees, they need to see themselves reflected in the people serving those roles. For its part, the FFI Board of Directors approved guidance for board composition that includes diversity in age, gender, race, geographic distribution, and subject matter expertise. When the board looks to fill slots, these goals must be part of the equation. It’s time to bring that philosophy to the club and council level.

After more than a year of research and a comprehensive survey we are in the process of launching a new membership benefits and opportunities program designed to cultivate a more diverse

membership. The ultimate goal is to use this modern strategy to develop a membership handbook, along with new programming and communication tools for clubs and councils. That’s just a start.

FFI has an important role to play in fly fishing. We need to continue to evolve and grow, building on our

strengths, and becoming the leader the sport needs. We love the sport of fly fishing. So do a growing number of people. Whether or not fly fishing is the new birdwatching, we have a once-in-a-generational chance to nurture the growing interest and cultivate new anglers who will share our passion.

FFI Forum

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CONSERVATION

United, We Rise to the Challenge of Conservation You can stand by your beliefs (and your fly rod), but history has proven that if we fail to work together—across the various factions of our hunting and fishing community and with diverse willing partners outside our ranks—we cannot succeed in conserving fish and wildlife habitat.

Whit Fosburgh

I

t is a truism that anglers and hunters are the original environmentalists. We all know this, and yet it is a story worth retelling: Theodore Roosevelt is considered the father of the modern conservation system, and he credited his development as a leader to his experiences in wild places and among wildlife. He feared what would happen to future generations if he didn’t succeed in making conservation the nation’s highest priority.

For this reason, Roosevelt believed in stewarding natural resources for “…those still in the womb of time.”

In 1887, he and George Bird Grinnell created the first conservation organization, the Boone & Crockett Club, to advocate for the end of market hunting and conservation of wildlife and habitat. Then, as president, he set aside more than 230 million acres of land for all Americans to enjoy.

Roosevelt also pioneered the principle of multiple-use management, where

some land would be protected in its wild state while other areas would be managed, using science, while allowing balanced timber production, grazing, or other uses.

Citing America’s frontier spirit and the spiritual benefits of testing oneself in nature and living the “strenuous life,” Roosevelt believed that access to the outdoors was fundamentally American—and fundamentally democratic. Unlike in much of Europe, where fish and game belonged to the crown or the landed gentry, here the American people would own fish and game. And everyone, regardless of class or socioeconomic status, would have the right to fish and hunt.

It would be up to the public to defend this right and the wild places.

Over the course of the 20th century, sportsmen and women have built on Roosevelt’s vision. We have helped to enact the bedrock environmental laws still in place today. We brought

back species from the brink of extinction. We created funding mechanisms to pay for habitat restoration and professional fish and wildlife management. And we helped to expand the nation’s public lands network to the more than 640 million acres we are privileged to enjoy today.

The North American Model for Wildlife Conservation is now the envy of the world. Sportsmen and women— through dedicated excise taxes and tag and license purchases—contribute $3.4 billion annually to professional fish and wildlife management and conservation. In return, the more than 50 million Americans who fish and/or hunt spend $93.7 billion each year to pursue their passions. There are 483,000 Americans directly employed by fishing and hunting; by comparison, only 180,000 people are employed in the country’s oil and gas sector.

As I’ve said, I believe many sportsmen and women know and

Whit Fosburgh, President and CEO of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, is the 2020 Fly Fishers International Conservation Award recipient for his outstanding leadership and development of partnerships among the many non-profit organizations who speak as one voice for conservation of our lands and waters.

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

The consequences have become clear. Federal funding for conservation, which accounted for about 2.5 percent of all federal spending in the late 1970s, dropped to about 1 percent of the federal budget by 2010. Public lands, proclaimed as America’s best idea, became a partisan political issue, with the U.S. Senate passing a non-binding resolution in 2015 proclaiming that it should be federal policy to get rid of most federal lands. Addressing climate change was set aside for “energy dominance.”

But recently something has changed.

In the last four years, Congress has reformed the way our nation pays to fight forest fires, which should allow the U.S. Forest Service to manage habitat and lessen the risk of future

catastrophic fires. The 2018 Farm Bill included $6 billion for conservation on private lands, more money than was dedicated to traditional farm support. And a massive public lands bill was signed into law to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, our best possible tool for enhancing outdoor recreation access. That was followed up in 2020 with the Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently and fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and commits almost $10 billion to tackling the maintenance backlog on our public lands. Politicians who once showed ambivalence or even hostility toward public lands made protecting those areas key re-election planks.

On the fishing side, Congress took an important step toward revamping

Photo Katrina Mueller

feel reason to be very proud of our role in shaping and funding conservation over time. But we must also acknowledge that hunters and anglers have not been immune to the polarization that divides our country right now, and when we retreat to our separate camps, it’s impossible to mount a united front on the issues that matter.

Beginning in the 1980s, in fact, hunting and fishing interests became less effective at shaping federal conservation policy. Many groups were too preoccupied with just one species, gear type, or region to pay attention to the larger debates swirling in Washington. And many sportsmen and women were turned off by the increasing polarization and partisanship around environmental policies and politics in general.

United, We Rise to the Challenge of Conservation

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Photo Bob Wick federal saltwater recreational fisheries management by passing the Modern Fish Act. Earlier this month, lawmakers passed the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, which, among other things, secures the future of the National Fish Habitat Partnership to support riparian and stream restoration projects through regional coalitions and reinvests in the Chesapeake Bay Program’s clean water work. And in 2020 regional fisheries managers finally took action to protect menhaden—the baitfish that provides the forage base for gamefish in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico—by reigning in the industrial menhaden reduction fishing industry in the Atlantic.

So, what happened for the sea change we are witnessing? First,

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anglers and hunters again stood up and made their voices heard on public lands, fisheries, and many other issues. We also linked arms with non-traditional allies, including the environmental community, the broader outdoor recreation industry, and businesses to make our case.

In general, we set aside our differences and focused on areas of agreement. That’s how, in an era of gridlock and hyper-partisanship, conservation proved to be an area where Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, could come together.

This harkens back to the founding of the organization I now lead, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, which was created in

2002 by Jim Range, Senator Howard Baker’s chief counsel and a lifelong sportsman. Range feared that the sportsman’s voice—the sensible, pragmatic center—would be lost unless there was a unifying effort to bring the community together.

Today, the TRCP is the largest coalition of conservation organizations in the country, working to unite and amplify the voices of sportsmen and women by convening hunting and fishing groups, conservation organizations, and outdoor businesses around a common purpose. The organization now includes 60 formal partners—including Fly Fishers International—scores of businesses, and more than 110,000 individuals, all united around Roosevelt’s conservation legacy.

CONSERVATION Each of those constituencies provided cover and encouragement to elected officials who feared a backlash from anti-conservation forces. To win the menhaden fight, anglers of all stripes united with the boating industry and then worked in parallel with environmentalists, birders, and whale watchers.

Going it alone is great for being on a river or in the woods, but it is a recipe for failure in policy, and our challenge is only going to grow.

Fewer people hunt and fish, although both activities are seeing a resurgence in the time of COVID. Older, white males still make up a large majority of the hunting and fishing community, but that doesn’t match what America looks like. Congress, once populated with hunters and anglers, is just as disconnected from active outdoor pursuits as the general population. And a growing population places more demands on

natural resources and open spaces while climate change is affecting everything from coldwater streams to ocean habitats.

Fly fishers have a key role to play. While there are relatively few fly anglers compared to the broader fishing industry, fly fishing inspires extreme passion—not just for the sport but for protecting the resource. After all, we require intimate knowledge of water, insects, fish, and weather trends to find success, so it’s a natural entrée to conservation.

But we can’t affect change all by ourselves. We have to work with others who care about wild places, clean water, and healthy ecosystems.

We can, of course, still argue the relative merits of casting a fly versus a jig or a worm—but let it be around a campfire after we have won the battles that will preserve our tradition for those “still in the womb of time.”

Photo Tegan Mierle

Of course, working together isn’t always easy. For one thing, getting away from people is often the reason we love fly fishing, deer hunting, upland bird hunting, surf casting, and other fishing and hunting activities that remove us from crowded spaces and busy lives. When we do find alignment, it’s often around our preferred gear type or species. And, too often, people tend to focus on our differences as opposed to our common interests.

I’ve seen it far too many times in my professional career and in my outdoor pursuits. Organizations that don’t work well with others. Fly enthusiasts who are too enthusiastic about the inferiority of non-fly fishers. (“A chimpanzee can spin fish” is just one memorable quote.)

This attitude is not limited to fishing. Traditional bow hunters look down on compound bow hunters, who don’t like crossbow hunters. And they all complain about rifle hunters.

And it’s not just infighting that holds us back. Too many hunters think that all sides of the environmental community look like PETA or want to abolish the Second Amendment.

Anglers complain about the “rubber hatch” on Western rivers or jet skis anywhere. (I’ll admit my guilt on this count.) We lament crowded access sites instead of celebrating how many people are enjoying the resource.

But look at how we have won in recent years. Passing the Great American Outdoors Act this summer required hunters and anglers to coordinate and collaborate with the environmental community, land trusts, hikers, bikers, paddlers, ATV riders, the historic preservation officials, and many other sectors.

United, We Rise to the Challenge of Conservation

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Photos Jim Klug

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

Raise Your Permit Game

I

Jeff Currier

t wasn’t long ago that I feared fly fishing for permit.

Despite being a slinger for numerous saltwater fish species, from tarpon to giant trevally, permit were my nemesis. But one day I woke up and decided to put an end to this lack of permit confidence. I broke down my uncertainties and flaws then listened to what some of the world’s best permit fly fishers had to say.

I didn’t need to travel far to get started. Right here in my home town of Victor, Idaho, of all places, live some fantastic permit fly anglers. My house is a mere block from WorldCast Anglers—a top fly-fishing store and guide service in the heart of trout country. Though trout specialist by summer, most the guides turn into saltwater fly-fishing gurus when the snow flies. The leader of WorldCast, Mike Dawes, is one of the top permit fly anglers on the planet.

I’m not one to drill people for information, and with Dawes, along with other Victor permit junkies, I didn’t need to set up an interview to ask questions about permit. Often we meet for pints at our local pub and no happy hour goes without permit talk. All I had to do was pay attention.

One of the most significant things I learned from them is that despite having those huge black eyes, permit don’t often spot the fly unless it’s right in front of them. Now don’t get me wrong, permit see extremely well. They’ll spot you making a bad cast from 90 feet away. But when

it comes to feeding they have tunnel vision. They aren’t looking 10 feet ahead; they are looking for prey in close range. If your fly lands more than a couple feet away from them they may not see it.

Obviously, an excellent cast is essential. But my Idaho clan doesn’t talk casting. Everyone on these barstools can cast and put the fly where it needs to be. They talk flies.

It’s well known that the best flies for permit are crab imitations. But to my surprise, it isn’t necessarily using the right crab pattern that is most important. Sure, some places require certain size crabs and others require special colors. The most important factor in their flies is having the proper sink rate. It doesn’t matter how great a cast you make. If the fly doesn’t sink into the view of the permit, he will swim right past.

This is where permit fishing gets complicated, because permit feed at many different depths and the depth dictates how weighted your crab needs to be. If the permit is tailing on bottom in five feet of water, then the fly needs to sink like a rock. But if he’s tailing in two feet of water, be careful. That same fly for five feet will plunk so hard it’s likely to scare the super-shallow feeding permit.

If it doesn’t scare him, no doubt you’ll get hooked on the grass or a piece of coral. To further complicate things, sometimes the permit you are after might be suspended in mid water.

In 20 years of permit fishing, I wasn’t showing permit

Jeff Currier Follow Jeffs adventures on his blog at: www.jeffcurrier.com Instagram: @jeffcurrier65 Facebook: Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing Raising Your Permit Game

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Photo Gerhard Laubscher my fly as often as I assumed and I hadn’t been putting enough thought into how fast my permit flies sank.

Yea, I caught some permit over the course, but with no consistency. It was time to apply some new personal strategies.

I had a flats trip coming soon. It was a Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures ambassadors photo shoot in the Bahamas. Yellow Dog is a leading fly-fishing travel company and I’m fortunate enough to be one of their ambassadors.

When the trip embarked, we had ideal conditions. In the first three days we nailed fantastic footage beyond our wildest expectations of bonefish, jacks, tarpon, and more. Everything but the permit.

On the last morning, Jim Klug, founder of Yellow Dog and composer of this shoot, said at breakfast, “We need a permit, guys. Everyone fish for permit. I’m going with Currier”.

Wow, I thought. Jim picked me as the sure bet. And funny thing, I felt no pressure. During the months prior

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

I’d built up a killer crab fly collection and organized them into three sink rates: slow, medium, and fast. I was going to use the right one at the right time and drop it six inches in front of every permit I saw. I smiled at the breakfast table and looked Jim in the eye and said, “Great plan. Let’s get it done”.

By 9:30 AM I was posing for Jim’s lens with a beauty!

I went on a roll from that day for about two years.

On almost every trip, I caught a permit. It was easy. I was confident. But I was cocky. And there’s a difference between confident and cocky. Soon I’d be toned down.

The toning came in Mauritius on St. Brandon’s Atoll, the antipode of Idaho—a place that is literally on the complete opposite side of the world and takes over four days to travel to from home. But St. Brandon’s is a top place to catch the stunning Indo-Pacific permit, also known as the yellow permit. I figured I better get one while I was hot.

But in 10 days on these magnificent flats, I managed to be one of the only anglers on the trip not to catch one. Both my pals that traveled with me—neither hardly aware of

Photo Gerhard Laubscher the Indo-Pacific permit species before we left—caught one.

Brutal! Humbling! Let’s just say it was a long flight home.

At first I blamed my yellow permit misery on bad luck.

But I’m smarter than that and, in the months to come, I continued to siphon all the great permit anglers I knew for more of their secrets. The next influential angler to clinic me was friend Wil Flack.

Wil is a Belizean-Canadian who splits his year between permit guiding and steelhead. He owns the Belize Permit Club in Hopkins, Belize. Wil is a fellow Yellow Dog ambassador and great teacher. Shortly after my failure in Mauritius, I found myself on the front of Wil’s skiff searching for permit in Belize.

We had god-awful conditions. It was December and not only did the wind gale and the rain fall, but Belize broke cold temperature records. Any normal angler would have stayed at the lodge and consumed heaps of Belikin Beer. But Wil and I are crazy. And when together, we can be just plain stupid. We fished for permit for six days straight through the worst conditions I’ve ever dealt with on tropical flats.

It’s difficult to explain how good of a permit guide Wil is.

But I’ll tell you he is by far the finest that I’ve fished with.

He poled despite hellacious wind and, regardless of gray skies, his osprey-like vision can spot a permit a mile away.

Although we still didn’t see many during this horrendous weather week, those we saw I got excellent shots at.

One of the first things Wil emphasized with me was to be more aggressive with my casting. Permit have a habit of feeding their way across a flat fast and erratically. If you wait for a perfect casting opportunity they might move away and you won’t get a cast at all. Also, in overcast conditions it’s easy to lose sight of a permit. No doubt I’ve had both situations happen to me in the past which always made me more anxious because I flat out knew I blew it.

Wil had me test cast before we started fishing. This is a great trick everyone should do the first time you fish with a new guide. He saw I was comfortable and accurate at 70 feet so as soon as a permit reached that zone he had me fire. Wil also convinced me not to be concerned about

Raising Your Permit Game

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spooking a permit by plunking a heavy crab fly with a cast too close or a bad cast in general. His feeling is if you spook them at least they had a chance to see the fly.

Wil also taught me that permit eat our flies more than we think. They are so fast at grabbing it and spitting it out that sometimes you don’t know it happened. The very first permit I presented to tracked my fly with his nose right on it. Wil hollered for me to set and I asked, “For what?”

Wil was adamant that the permit ate but I never saw it. At that moment I didn’t believe Wil, but after learning from him through week, I think he was right. I had several more instances where a permit ate my fly and spit it so fast it made my head spin. But I started watching more closely and anytime I saw the permit open his mouth or wiggle his tail, I strip set. I hooked three during

this challenging week that in the past I definitely would not have.

My very next trip to Belize I visited my friends Craig and Karen Hayes of Turneffe Flats Lodge. In 10 trips I never landed a permit at Turneffe. On this trip I caught a monster. He ate my crab as it was sinking. The only reason I set was because I saw his mouth open. There he was. You should have seen the look on my guide’s face!

In May of 2018, I found myself on the long journey all the way back to St. Brandon’s Atoll. My South African friends, Gerhard Laubscher, Ryan Hammond, and Tim Babich, owners of FlyCastaway, invited me to join them on an Indo-Pacific permit pursuit. They knew that my previous trip here without a yellow permit had been haunting me and now was time for revenge.

As you would suspect, Gerhard, Ryan, and Tim are supreme saltwater flats anglers and they definitely know their permit. On the first day Ryan caught an Indo-Pacific permit and, where he was, he said there were plenty. The next afternoon he took me there.

Sure enough, there were yellow tails glimmering. Not a ton of permit but a school of about six stood out as very happy, catchable fish. Being the good friend Ryan is, he left his rod in the boat and walked the flat with me. This

Photo Jeff Currier

Photo Jeff Currier

FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

the strip, there was a thump. Damn it. I missed him!

I was flustered. But couldn’t let the missed fish rattle me. I knew there were two permit and perhaps the one I missed was still there. You need to keep the faith and until you see the fish actually spook you keep doing your thing. My next cast, I hooked up.

Just like their Atlantic Ocean cousins, the Indo-Pacific permit will tear line and backing off a reel so fast it’s frightening. I raised my deeply bent Winston and, as the permit ran, I scanned the flat for any possible leader cutting dangers such as a protruding mangrove or coral. I was lucky and the coast was clear. Fifteen minutes later, I posed with my first yellow permit. I’d go on to land one more that week. Mission accomplished!

My permit fishing has been spectacular since I invested time to get better at understanding these fish. It goes to show that when you put your mind to something, good things happen. I’ve gone from catching a permit once in a blue moon to catching one nearly each trip. It helps to listen to the best, practice what they teach, then concentrate and put the tools you learn to work. While I’m no permit fishing machine such as Mike Dawes, Wil Flack, or my boys from FlyCastaway, I suspect that if I’m on a tropical flat anywhere in the world, the permit are in danger!

Photo Jeff Currier

was an endless flat of grass and sand. Though at this time my permit skills were better than on the last trip, I couldn’t help but feel some nervousness.

Unlike with Wil, Ryan insisted we get closer than 70 feet. It was a sensible idea because we were walking the flat rather than up high on a boat platform. We got within 40 feet. I made my cast right to the lead couple of fish, tails in the air.

As soon as my fly landed, all the tails went down but in a swirl towards my crab. The problem, however: now I could not see my fly or the fish. Time for another great trick. Ryan told me to slide my crab along the bottom in a big strip as slow as I possibly could but enough where I could feel the contact to it. The idea is that if a permit grabs my fly, I’ll feel him and set the hook. Though I didn’t get one of those permit, what Ryan taught me made perfect sense and has come in handy with triggerfish, parrotfish, and even back home when fly fishing for carp in murky water.

Ryan headed back to the boat for his rod and I spotted a couple more tailing permit. I eased into close range again and made a good cast. Both tails dunked and I had no doubt they were moving for my fly. With the fish out of my sight I made that long gentle strip. Halfway through

Raising Your Permit Game

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Are We Loving Steelhead to Death?

T

Pete Soverel and David Moskowitz

he mist is so thick and the clouds so low, it’s hard to say where one begins and the other ends. But when the trail through thick stands of Douglas fir and hemlock dumps you onto the polished stones that mark the edge of the riverbed, you’re relieved to find the water a shimmering, emerald green.

What the old hands call steelhead green.

Stepping into the river at the top of the run, you instantly feel the cold …even though you’re wearing two pairs of fleece pants, making your legs resemble sausage meat packed into the casing of your waders. It only gets worse when you begin casting, as your hands slowly lose feeling and become claws. Soon the rain begins, the rain that never really seems to end. There’s the sound of a footfall in the woods behind you. A deer? An elk?

If you were ever going to encounter Sasquatch, it would be now.

Despite the slippery substrate, you’ve stayed upright through the entire run. Near the bottom, your fly—a purple leech with barbell eyes that might or might not have a name— swings across a rock garden that has held fish before. You feel a “tick-tick” and the fly stops. “Probably a stick,” you grumble to yourself. Then the water explodes—and the cold, long hike in and the ever-present danger of Bigfoot all fade away.

Under the best of conditions—warm, early fall air temperatures, cool but not cold water, and big plugs of summer steelhead fresh from the sea, ornery and eager to move for a fly—fly fishing for steelhead is a difficult game.

Some say steelhead are the fish of a thousand casts. For any number of reasons—the need to make long casts with

Pete Soverel Pete Soverel has been long and deeply engaged in wild steelhead and salmon conservation. He was an early member of the FFI Steelhead Committee and served as its chair for 11 years. He has been recognized with numerous conservation awards, and is the founder of The Conservation Angler and serves as President.

David Moskowitz David has been a wild fish conservationist for 32 years with many organizations including Northwest Steelheaders, Oregon Trout, Native Fish Society, NOAA Fisheries, Portland Metro, Wild Salmon Center, Flyfisher Foundation, and WaterWatch of Oregon. David co-founded the Deschutes River Alliance in 2013 to protect his home waters. He has served as The Conservation Angler’s Executive Director since 2016.

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Photo Marty Sheppard Are We Loving Steelhead to Death?

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Photo Marty Sheppard heavy flies in difficult conditions, the winter steelhead’s disinclination to move far for a fly, and the fact that you’ve likely lost the feeling on any exposed skin in the raw, clammy conditions that generally accompany a winter steelhead outing—they seem more like a fish of 10,000 casts.

“To me, winter steelhead are about the chase,” said Sam Sickles, who operates Steelhead Outfitters, which leads trips on the Deschutes and Sandy Rivers in Oregon. “They’re spectacular fish, hard, robust, and winter-bright. But they’re elusive; here one day, gone the next. You’re trying to catch the hardest-to-catch fish in the hardest way possible. If you’re only interested in catching fish, fly fishing for winter steelhead is the wrong way to go. And it’s only more of a challenge given the state of the fishery.”

What is a winter steelhead?

Avid steelhead fly fishers pursue them year-round and refer to the fish as either winter or summer fish. This difference refers to the time of their fresh-water re-entry following their saltwater migration in the Pacific where they grow and mature.

Summer fish typically enter freshwater in the spring through summer and into early fall—often depending on the length of their migration. Winter fish typically enter freshwater in the late fall through late spring. There is overlap, and some river conditions cause both winter and summer fish to enter their

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home rivers at many different times.

It is not just timing, however, that differentiates winter and summer runs. The most distinguishing aspect is the stage of maturation upon entry to fresh water.

Winter steelhead could be called the “spenders” of the trout world—these sea-going rainbow trout are born in fresh water and migrate to sea to grow up and where they “spend” their energy developing their sexual reproductive system; they are sexually mature when they enter their natal rivers. They have higher fecundity (more eggs and milt) than summer steelhead, which enter freshwater sexually immature, spending their energy on (often) longer migrations over more challenging obstacles and on the inriver maturation of their reproduction organs.

Winter males (the bucks) often enter freshwater early and thrash about with their buddies. This is not child’s play but a part of mate selection—which is something they get serious about when the females (often called does or hens) start arriving. Female winter steelhead are all business—sometimes entering their home waters, spawning, and returning to the salt (or dying) within a week! Winter fish work quickly to find the right mate and reproduce as quickly as possible.

But remarkably, steelhead often have the energy reserve needed to migrate back downstream and into the saltwater to feed and recover because they are iteroparous—meaning

they do not die after spawning like a salmon does. That is, if they can survive the cumulative rigors of their upstream migration, battles with anglers and other predators, the strenuous spawning ritual itself and the out-bound migration, they will live to spawn again. As Jerry Garcia once sang, “Just when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.”

For steelhead, life is all about energetics—and exploring this line of inquiry has given rise to the most recent scientific advancements and understanding of wild steelhead. Each steelhead’s available and finite energy reserve will be spent to fuel their drive to survive and produce the next generation. The energy reserve is set in their genetic fabric and by ecologic factors such as prey availability during their juvenile out-migration and their epic saltwater journey—an amazing adventure that can take them to eastern Russian waters and back.

Winter Steelhead Range and Status The Pacific Coast of North America was once to winter steelhead what the Northern Plains were to the buffalo—home to uncountable abundance and unimaginable diversity for rainbow trout and winter steelhead. Wild winter steelhead were everywhere. From desert streams flowing from the Baja Peninsula in Mexico to the massive rivers running into California’s Central Valley to the myriad of bar-bound rivers of northern California and southern Oregon and northward to the rushing coastal rivers of the Oregon Territory (which included Washington State back in the day), east to the rivers flowing into the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) and north again to Vancouver Island, the Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), and all along Alaska’s Inside Passage and beyond to the Aleutian chain.

Today, winter steelhead populations are diminished to a shadow of their historic range. Dams and water withdrawals— beginning not long after California was discovered and accelerating over the past 420 years—have left barely any wild winter steelhead south of Monterey Bay. Northern California winter steelhead fare slightly better, but concerns abound—from too many hatchery fish to low instream flows. California Trout rates Central Valley, northern California, and Klamath Mountain Province winter steelhead at moderate risk—all California winter steelhead are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act except for the Klamath Mountain Province (a region that includes both Oregon and California rivers).

Neither Oregon or Washington coast winter steelhead are ESA-listed—but neither state is conducting adequate monitoring of adult abundance or juvenile survival to have an accurate handle of current population trends. The failure of wild winter steelhead populations in the lower Columbia, Willamette Valley, and Puget Sound rivers sends steelhead anglers to the Olympic Peninsula, Oregon coast, and northern California. This creates added angling pressure on these rivers where there are real questions about their ability to sustain such pressure—especially against the backdrop of environmental degradation from poor logging, agriculture, and estuary development practices…not to mention the impacts of climate change on patterns of precipitation and the marine food web.

The implementation of hatchery steelhead production since the mid-1950s to replace or mitigate for the loss of wild steelhead that were declining from commercial overharvest and habitat degradation has had catastrophic results across the Northwest. Recent scientific research shows that hatcheries will never adequately replace wild steelhead, and that large-scale hatchery production is incompatible with healthy wild populations. Hatchery steelhead immediately become domesticated in their hatchery environment, exhibit lower fitness, less genetic diversity, diminished life histories, and they dramatically reduce the productivity of wild steelhead when they spawn together. There are also ecological impacts, including predator attraction, residualization, predation on smaller wild fish, and competition for rearing space and food. Their presence also masks the overall low abundance of locally adapted wild fish to create a false sense that all is well in the watershed. The adverse impacts of the introduction of hatchery steelhead is especially evident in California’s Central Valley, the lower Columbia Basin and Puget Sound.

Even British Columbia, once considered steelhead Valhalla, is finding its winter steelhead populations in steady retreat, thanks to unregulated commercial and First Nation salmon fisheries and extreme deforestation. Robert “BC Bob” Hooton, longtime chief steelhead biologist in British Columbia, describes BC winter steelhead as a pale shadow of what once existed. Winter returns now consist of late-returning fish (e.g. mid-March through April) because the once typical December and January fish were fished to oblivion—even with catch-and-release regulations. The few remaining winter steelhead fisheries in southern British Columbia are largely sustained by hatchery production.

Are We Loving Steelhead to Death?

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Photo Jeff Kohnstamm Alaskan steelhead are often described by the time of their freshwater entry whether in Southeast Alaska or the Aleutian Peninsula. Whether winter or summer fish, most rivers do not have segregated populations based on physical river features that typically serve to divide classic summer and winter steelhead. Based on largely intact habitat, low angler pressure, and few harvest fisheries, Alaskan spring steelhead populations are much less diminished from historic levels. However, many Alaskan populations are much smaller than spring and winter steelhead populations to the south. If lessons from the Lower 48 are not learned, these fragile populations will suffer the same fate as their southern cousins, absent effective programs to maintain the conditions supporting abundance and productivity.

Approaching Winter Steelhead Because they are sexually mature, winter steelhead are less aggressive than summer fish. Frigid water temperatures (often not much above the freezing mark) make them even more sluggish and less inclined to move far to your fly. For these reasons, it’s important for anglers to get the fly as low in the water column as possible—ideally, right in front of the fish’s nose. For anglers who prefer to swing flies,

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

this often calls for weighted flies and sink tips. Both tactics are abetted by two-handed (Spey) rods; on all but the most intimate coastal streams, the long rod allows you to cover more water, and to toss heavy tips with monstrous flies with relative ease…or at least without throwing out your shoulder! You’ll also want to rethink the destination for your fly. “The biggest mistake I see my clients make is casting too far downstream, the way they might fish for summer steelhead,” Sickles of Steelhead Outfitters said. “You need to cast more square and make a big mend, to give the fly a chance to sink. I think it’s also critical to make the fly swing as slowly as possible.”

“I like to concentrate on soft water in the winter,” offered Ryan White, who guides anglers on British Columbia’s Dean River in the summer and on Vancouver Island in the fall and winter. (White also builds bamboo Spey rods.) The number one mistake anglers make in summer and winter is not letting the fly swing all the way into the bank. Many of your takes occur here, but often people are beginning to strip line before the fly hits the sweet spot.”

Fly Fishers Must be Conservation Anglers on their Home Rivers Steelhead management paradigms pursued along the Pacific Coast are, by any objective standard, nearly complete failures. Wild winter steelhead populations are racing towards widespread local extirpations—many winter populations are ESA-listed, and some winter populations are already extinct. What is worse is that there are few wild winter steelhead population trends that provide a real-time snapshot, let alone allow a useful comparison over time.

As avid anglers and conservationists, steelhead fly fishers need to put in as much time as advocates as they put in as fly anglers. Without that commitment, winter steelhead will suffer the same fate as so many of their summer-run brothers and sisters.

Making a commitment to engage with public bodies and nonprofit organizations on matters important for winter steelhead can start with advocacy for a management regime that recognizes the importance of regular statistically valid monitoring based on regular and systematic population surveys (spawning counts, smolt counts, angler effort); wholesale restructuring of angling regulations that reduce encounters yet extend angler opportunities and promote wild recovery; and commits to a serious and in-depth analysis of current wild broodstock programs which are

being increased in many watersheds without adequate analysis or a scientifically sound experimental framework.

Whether they are ESA-listed runs or not, wild winter steelhead must be managed to avoid the fate of extinct and chronically depressed summer and winter steelhead populations throughout many watersheds. The bare minimum management program includes: Monitoring of adult returns and juvenile survival to know status and establish trends.

Manage rivers to limit angler pressure and steelhead encounters in response to steelhead population trends.

Regulate angling practices so they are the most conservative in terms of gear, location, time, and manner to maximize angling opportunity while minimizing encounter rate and lethal impacts.

Regulate angling to reduce and spread encounter impacts across all portions of wild winter steelhead return—to recover the critical life history traits found in the early, middle, and late portion of every winter steelhead population.

Reduce or suspend hatchery programs until wild population monitoring is implemented to ensure no or minimal affects in terms of pHOS, introgression, and ecological effects.

Special conservation angling programs have made a difference where they have been applied, and the North Umpqua in Oregon and the Skagit River in Washington are pretty fair examples. The Skagit, emptying into Puget Sound less than two hours north of Seattle, historically hosted winter steelhead returns of over 80,000 to 100,000 steelhead. Over a decade ago, these returns had decline to around 2,300 fish, largely due to sport and tribal over-harvest and massive hatchery releases. Excessive hatchery production masked the massive declines for a time, until legal action forced a “pause” in fishing pressure and hatchery production which created the opportunity to observe what wild steelhead could do on their own in terms of recovery.

After a closure to angling and the end of hatchery stocking, the Skagit River enjoyed a re-birth as depressed winter runs healed—enough so there became great public pressure to open fisheries. Advocates secured a strict regime of conservative angling opportunity and strict monitoring and enforcement—a model that could be used to reclaim many closed and depressed winter steelhead fisheries—but it will require diligence, vigilance, and funding to ensure that this portfolio of requirements are strictly followed.

The North Umpqua in southern Oregon is another bright

spot for wild winter steelhead returns as it has maintained wild steelhead runs sometimes eclipsing 10,000 fish. Direct hatchery releases ended in 1992, though a small number of hatchery winter steelhead released in the South Umpqua continue to stray into the North Umpqua, returning past the dilapidated Winchester Dam which presents hazardous fishpassage conditions. The dam does provide a data point for adult passage, but it is also a priority for removal.

Mike McCoy, who guided fly anglers on the river for many years, credits the catch-and-release regulations (first implemented in 2007) for the relative health of the runs. “If the new regulations hadn’t been implemented,” McCoy said, “I don’t think there would be any fish left.”

But he fears that climate change holds new threats.

“Our winters used to see much more rain,” he added. “This left much of the lower mainstem unfishable, so the steelhead could pass through undisturbed. We get much less rain now, so the fish keg up in pools on the lower river, and they can get hammered. Though wild fish are released, there’s still a mortality rate for fish that are caught and released.”

Kamchatka steelhead illustrate how rapidly wild steelhead populations can recover on their own when the limiting factor is removed. North American wild steelhead advocates must demand management changes on other rivers that will demonstrate what conservationoriented management regimes can achieve to restore healthy steelhead populations and even provide angling opportunity if it is carefully managed to sustain the recovery. The North Umpqua and Skagit Rivers may be the strongest examples of how wild steelhead will respond with conservative angling practices, relatively good habitat conditions, and no hatchery releases—they are not the only candidates. What is certain: wild winter steelhead cannot co-exist for long with broodstock or hatchery overlays and extensive angler pressure.

Implementing a scientifically sound management model, as the North Umpqua and Kamchatka demonstrate, holds promise that conservation principles can be met while providing the opportunity to fish for one of nature’s most magical and prized wild creatures. Wild steelhead’s incredible diversity, appearance, and energy make anglers fall in love every time we encounter them. But as anglers in love, we all need to make sure we are not loving steelhead to death.

You can reach Pete and Dave through The Conservation Angler website www.theconservationangler.org

Are We Loving Steelhead to Death?

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Update on the Battle to Protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine

T Photo Jim Klug

he fly-fishing community has long been engaged in the campaign to protect the world’s most productive wild salmon fishery in southwest Alaska’s famed Bristol Bay region. This battle has been waged for a decade-plus with many twists and turns. While 2020 has been a year like none other, this summer saw another bumper crop of wild sockeye salmon return to the rivers of Bristol Bay—with

Sam Snyder & Scott Hed a run of nearly 58 million fish recorded as of July 30. This article will attempt to provide a brief historical review of the fight against the proposed Pebble Mine, some details on recent events, and a look into a still uncertain future for Bristol Bay.

How We Got Here – Cliff’s Notes Version Between 2010 and 2014, the diverse coalition fighting for Bristol Bay

elevated the issue and mobilized citizens across the country to engage the federal government and US Environmental Protection Agency to use their authority under section 404 of the Clean Water Act to restrict mining in Bristol Bay. Pebble predictably sued, and due to a change in presidential administration and massive lobby spending by the company, the Trump administration reversed course, settled out of court, and cleared the way for Pebble to pursue their permits.

Over the last two-plus years, the campaign employed scientists and legal experts to document every legal and scientific misstep in the permitting process, notably the Environmental Impact Statement for the Pebble Mine. Through drafts and into the Final version (FEIS), Army Corps cut corners, ignored key scientific questions, and generally glossed over the significant impacts that Pebble would have on Bristol

Scott Hed Scott has worked on conservation campaigns for nearly 20 years, including several in Alaska as well the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. He’s received FFI’s Don Harger Memorial Life Award, Fly Rod & Reel magazine’s Angler of the Year, and been named a Drake magazine Apostle for his work to defend Bristol Bay from the proposed Pebble Mine.

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Photo Jim Klug Bay. Federal and state agencies roundly criticized the EIS through the process, with the US Dept. of Interior declaring that it was so deficient that it “precludes meaningful analysis.” As bad as the FEIS is, it still concludes Pebble’s plans would result in the loss over 100 miles of streams and thousands of acres of wetlands.

Just when it looked like Pebble would reap the ill-gotten rewards for the skids being greased under the fatally flawed permitting process, things got interesting and roadblocks began popping up.

Congress has taken an interest in this situation and is attempting to restore sanity to what has been a rush to grant Pebble’s wishes.

For the second consecutive year, the US House of Representatives included spending restrictions on Pebble’s permit in the budget (now in the hands of the Senate). Shortly

thereafter, the House Oversight Committee requested that Inspectors General of EPA, Army Corps, and Department of Defense investigate political wrongdoings in the Pebble permitting process.

In late summer, an unlikely collection of notable figures, from Donald Trump Jr. to Jane Fonda to Joe Biden, took to Twitter to decry Pebble and call for the protection of Bristol Bay. On August 24, exactly 30 days after the release of the FEIS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delayed the final permit and issued a letter outlining mitigation standards that Pebble should meet before proceeding.

Suddenly, in a shift of stance on Pebble, the Corps recognized that Pebble will cause “significant degradation” to Bristol Bay and determined that the mine’s application could not be permitted without a better plan to compensate for the loss

and destruction of thousands of acres of wetlands and 184 miles of salmon streams. Pebble has 90 days to come up with a new plan.

Following this announcement, both of Alaska’s US Senators said they agreed with the decision to delay, and other key members of Congress went further to say it was time to stop the mine once and for all by urging EPA to veto Pebble.

This was a request long supported

by Alaska Native Tribes, commercial anglers, and sportspersons around the country.

The delay is a significant, hopeful step in the drive to stop Pebble Mine, and we should momentarily celebrate the step and acknowledge the work that so many have put into this fight over the years; however, this DOES NOT STOP PEBBLE. The company insists that they are working on the response and will have new mitigation plans ready

Update on the Battle to Protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine

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before 90 days. Who is to say whether or not it’s a coincidence that timeline pushes this beyond Election Day in early November?

Wiggle Room (Lots of It) Pebble’s been doing wetlands research all summer. No doubt they are planning to respond to the Army Corps’ requirements. In theory, these standards should be impossible to meet. Unfortunately, the law allows developers to propose mitigation options to conserve other land or make a payment in exchange for destroying an area. Legal experts can outline several ways that Pebble can meet this request.

The State of Alaska and the Corps have a history of being lenient on these matters in Alaska, contrary to what the regulations might say.

In this case, the headwaters of Bristol Bay are pristine and there would be no threat to any of the land if not for the Pebble Mine. The idea of conserving land adjacent to the Pebble project in exchange for the destruction Pebble will cause to wetlands and salmon streams should be rejected.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has been a steady champion for Pebble. Dunleavy has championed Pebble to President Trump on Air Force One, copied Pebble talking points verbatim, and stacked his own staff with pro-Pebble cronies. There is little hope that his administration would stop Pebble at the state level.

What’s the Durable Solution?

Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA has the authority to prohibit or restrict the use of an area as

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a disposal site for mine waste and fill material if it will have unacceptable adverse effects on wildlife, fisheries, or recreational opportunities. The EPA very rarely uses its veto authority, but the Pebble Mine is exactly the type of project it should prohibit to protect Bristol Bay. The mine has been through the permitting process, most of its impacts are known (and likely underestimated in the FEIS), and now it is time for the EPA to step in and stop it.

Notably, even if the Army Corps’ denies the Clean Water Act permit, Pebble could—under certain scenarios—reapply for the permit.

Also, a Corps denial of Pebble’s permit creates a handful of tricky legal scenarios, since their denial of the permit would be based on a Final EIS that is fundamentally flawed and largely favorable to Pebble. We’d be right back where we started: fighting the mine again. It’s time to drive a stake in this thing.

The EPA on the other hand, going back to their work on the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment and their comment record on the current EIS, has a clear record to veto Pebble.

Yes, Pebble would likely sue EPA (again), but the record supports the decision.

The EPA veto is the most durable option and is what we should all be calling for.

How You Can Help The key message is: THIS IS NOT OVER. We have gotten close to stopping Pebble before, only to see this project rise from the grave like a monster in a bad horror movie.

It is absolutely critical to remain informed, vigilant, and engaged.

Keep up the pressure. We are hurtling toward an election, and your elected officials need to know Pebble Mine has no place in Bristol Bay. If you are an Alaska resident, US Senators Sullivan and Murkowski are especially important. Take online actions, call their offices daily, send emails to their offices, attend (virtual) town halls, and ask them questions. Constant pressure applied consistently to get their attention.

Tell the EPA to veto Pebble. As detailed above, this is the most durable way to end this saga. You can easily do so at stoppebbleminenow. org/take-action/ Donate. Paid ads and outreach cost money, as does enlisting scientific and legal experts. Last year, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association’s Fisheries Fund held a Day for Bristol Bay nationwide fundraising event which resulted in over $100,000 being donated to the Bristol Bay Defense Fund.

Donations of all amounts are gladly accepted and greatly appreciated by the various groups doing this work.

Get social. Follow Stop Pebble Mine on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—post, share, make a lot of noise, tag @epagov and elected officials. Keep Bristol Bay top of mind in this fast-paced world where it’s no longer good enough to merely be the issue of the day.

Plus One (or more). Don’t stop by taking any of these actions yourself and calling it good. Tell your friends, family, colleagues, anyone who will listen…Bristol Bay needs all the voices you can help muster.

Photo Jim Klug Update on the Battle to Protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine

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ALL FISH, ALL WATERS ANGLER PROFILE

PAULA SHEARER

Years I’ve been fly fishing: More than 20 years. Since I was just a little girl.

Day job: Fly-fishing guide and Certified Casting Instructor

ANDREW REICHARDT

Years I’ve been fly fishing: 8 years Day job: Banker Home Water: Potomac River Shore lunch: Italian sub Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor Why I chose to get certified: To help Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers International members learn better casting fundamentals How being certified has benefited me: My CI exam preparation taught me solid casting fundamentals and gave me the skills to diagnose and correct my own casting flaws on

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Home Water: Bow River and southern Alberta streams Shore lunch: I tend to be more basic when it comes to lunches, and I enjoy simple, easy-to-eat food. My favorite is a peppered salami wrap with cheese and caesar dressing. I can’t forget snacks to keep me going through the day. I don’t tend to eat a lot when I am fishing.

Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor Why I chose to get certified: I think that there needs to be set standards, so when someone is being taught to cast they are getting the best possible instruction. When we as instructors have the best possible training, we can pass on our knowledge and set up our clients for the best success.

How being certified has benefited me: Each person has a different learning style, and becoming certified has taught me different ways I can, in turn, teach people how to cast. Being

the water.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: As someone who primarily fishes for trout and smallmouth bass, the ability to accurately and appropriately present my fly to small targets is crucial.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: “90% of the fish are in 10% of the water” Best fishing advice I’ve given: “See what I just did? Now do the exact opposite.”

FFI represents: A step in the right direction for the future of fly fishing.

certified has helped make me a better instructor, and a better guide.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: Very important! Every day there are numerous situations in which the way you cast will change for the presentation of the fly. Whether you are casting into the wind in different directions, or putting in aerial mends so you can get the perfect drift, the more you know and the better your cast, the better your chances are of catching fish.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: There is always something to learn from anyone, no matter their experience.

Best fishing advice I’ve given: Find enjoyment in every aspect of fishing and being outside. There will be days where the fishing is slow, but you still have the experience and the enjoyment of the environment around you.

FFI represents: A community of information and education.

REUBEN BREITKREUTZ

Years I’ve been fly fishing: 45 years Day job: Western Canadian fly-fishing sales representative for several major brands.

Home Water: I live in the southern interior of British Columbia in western Canada. Love to fish all of western Canada.

Shore lunch: Subway steak and cheese sub with a side of Sun Chips.

Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor.

Why I chose to get certified: To

TOMONORI HIGASHI

Home Water: I reside in the outskirts of metropolitan Tokyo, a huge flood plain, so quality trout fishing is some long drive away, but we do have great sea bass fishing in the bay. I can safely call it my home turf, together with small mountain streams in northern Japan. I have been trying to catch billfish on the fly in Japan, but I have yet to succeed.

Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor, Master Casting Instructor, Two-hand Casting

become a better angler, caster, and teacher.

How being certified has benefited me: I have become a better caster, instructor, and angler. I have met some great instructors that I now call friends.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: It has allowed me to control and present a fly into harder places. The reward may even be a fish of a lifetime.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: Slow down and relax.

Best fishing advice I’ve given: Take

your time and deliver a nice cast. It may be the only one you have.

FFI represents: A group of people sharing a common interest.

Instructor, Casting Board of Governors – Emeritus.

Why I chose to get certified: I learned of the start of the certification program when it was kicked off, from the late Mel Krieger. He was so excited about it and I was convinced of the value, so I decided to take it. A decade or so later I passed the MCI test, and last year I finally passed the two-hand exam.

How being certified has benefited me: Casting certification has been a huge plus for me because during the preparation I could tap into the huge collective wisdom of the great casters/ anglers, past and present, on the mechanics of fly casting and ideas to teach it.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: My freshwater outings typically center on small-stream dry-fly fishing with long leaders for super selective trout, using a 3-weight outfit. The casting distance is relatively short, but you have to have a complete shape control of the line and leader for the good layout and natural drift. Compromised techniques directly result in fewer bites or misses

due to microdrags. On the other end of the spectrum, flats fishing for tarpon requires 3-foot presentation and 90feet casts, with very very short notice.

You really have to instinctively adjust your casting to match the line length and speed for best shots. We all screw up sometimes, but what we learned through CICP really applies in these extreme situations and let me grow into a better angler.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: The best fishing advice I received was from Jeff Cottrell, former owner of a fly shop, and now a lodge manager at The Steelhead Ranch in Washington. He is an old-time steelheader, and when we were fishing together in Queets he once said, “Hey Tomo, steelheading is ultimately a simple game. Don’t overcomplicate things when you don’t have to.” I took his advice seriously.

FFI represents: For me, Fly Fishers International represents diversity of people, fish, and techniques. Out of such diversity we can find wisdom, and such wisdom can lead us to build better angling culture for everyone.

All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile

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KAREN BROOKS

Years I’ve been fly fishing: 25 years Day job: Guide and owner – Driftwater Fly Fishing Lodge Home Water: The Meander River— an outstanding, unpressured, and productive river which was one of five venues for the recent World Fly Fishing Championships held in Tasmania.

Shore lunch: My ‘go-to’ lunch beside the river is to grab a handful of cashews, a crisp Pink Lady apple and a freshly made coffee.

Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor Why I chose to get certified: There are several reasons why I chose to work toward attaining my CI. It was very important for me to improve my casting ability and

YURI MAKINO

Years I’ve been fly fishing: The movie “A River Runs Through It” had a huge impact on me because I’ve never seen fishing so gracefully captured, as if it were a ballet on the water. I wanted to start fly fishing right away, but there was no one to reach around me at that time. Then, years later in an outdoors gear shop, I met a fly fisherman that was to become my mentor. I have been at it

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attain the skills to teach and impart that knowledge to clients. It has enabled me to inspire others to also become certified How being certified has benefited me: Being a CI has benefited me enormously—an internationally recognized teaching certification which has given me the tools to teach and improve others’ abilities from beginners through to advanced anglers. Being a female CI has also enabled me to teach and encourage more women to become involved in fly fishing.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: Casting skills are very important to me in my every day fishing on our local rivers and lakes. Since 2016, I have

been competing in state and national fly-fishing competitions in Australia where my CI skills are essential. Lake fishing, being seated in a boat, 70foot casts using a range of fly lines from floating through to DI5 or 7, 18-foot leaders with a team of three flies, either unweighted or weighted streamers. Single haul, double haul often in very windy conditions, line management and avoiding tangles.

River fishing—finesse of presentation with dry-fly fishing, mending, and maintaining good drifts in diverse river currents. Accuracy and ability to deal with overhanging branches and other obstructions.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: To improve your fishing requires ‘more time on the water.’

Best fishing advice I’ve given: Practice casting so your fishing time is quality fishing time.

FFI represents: Fly Fishers International represents to me a community of people who are passionate about improving the level of casting ability through all corners of the world, passionate about conservation of our fish habitat, education, and spreading the word about our wonderful sport.

for the last 10 years Day job: I work at an accounting office so my angling is usually limited to weekend day trips.

Home Water: When my season starts, the first trips are for small native trout in a main stem of a river.

It requires extreme finesse: I use dry flies smaller than size 20 (some people use size 30 flies to exactly match the hatch), long leaders and thin tippets of 8x to 10x. They seem so intelligent that they keep a safe distance from

us and choose the trickiest place in the river to fish. To reach such clever targets we have to cast very long, sometimes extending all line wound in the reel. Although the fish are small (a 12-inch fish is a trophy size), they are all silver beauties, and hooking up with them is deeply satisfying.

When the summer starts to gives way to autumn, I frequent saltwater flats that are within easy driving distance.

The main target is black sea bream in shallow brackish water but I also

ALL FISH, ALL WATERS ANGLER PROFILE

PIETRO BRUNELLI

enjoy unexpected encounters with other fishes. Recently I started to go to flats and reef edges in Okinawa, the southernmost island chain in Japan. There, I have a good chance of catching trevally species and colorfuI tropical fish. Someday, I want to visit the flats of the Seychelles and catch GT, permit, triggerfish, yellowfin tuna, and other species that are tough to get here. In Japan, most rivers and lakes are closed from October to January. During that period, I teach fly casting with other FFI-certified instructors as a member of the Nagoya Fly-Casting Club.

Casting Certification level: Certified Casting Instructor Why I chose to get certified: My motivation for certification was to help women start fly fishing.

How being certified has benefited me: What I learned through CICP is very helpful in guiding others in

Years I’ve been fly fishing: 33 Day job: Outdoor/mountain guide, fly shop owner, fly-fishing guide, flyfishing author.

Home Water: Alpine northern Italy waters, Tuscany small streams.

Shore lunch: If I say a good pizza, it will sound too Italian. When I guide fishing or hike with groups, I always suggest a small volume of food but a good healthy calorie intake: dried fruits, almonds, apricots, some protein bars.

Casting Certification level: Master Casting Instructor.

Why I chose to get certified: Selfimprovement, and to receive more tools to be able to deliver best flycasting instruction to students.

How being certified has benefited me: Surely more technical bases, the great opportunity to join a wide community of high-professional personalities, and the benefit of mutual growth.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: Fundamental. It is like a mental and physical ritual-routine, practice, targets to be achieved.

Best fishing advice I’ve received: Use less power Best fishing advice I’ve given: Focus on what rod tip does in every moment FFI represents: An ultimate reference point for quality of tuition, for quality of relationships, structure, and efforts for our environments.

teaching and actual fishing.

How important are casting skills in my day-to-day fishing: Through FFI Casting Instruction Certification Program, I also learned the importance of simplicity. This word left an impression on me when I read the paper of the same title by Mel Krieger during my preparation for the CI exam. I always remember

it when I teach fly casting, when I fish, and in my everyday life. I truly feel it is “an integral part of both communication and instruction” as he thoughtfully said.

FFI represents: Fly Fishers International ultimately represents, for me, the joy of learning the unknown.

I hope I can help many people as an instructor and an angler.

All Fish, All Waters Angler Profile

33

CASTING

Tailing Loops Jeff Wagner

I

love tailing loops. Not like I love donuts, coffee, or cars. No, I like tailing loops like a good political discussion. Both can, at times, get heated. Discussing either with family (genetic or casting) can result in some longer-term relationship issues, and rarely is there a winner. Like politics, tailing-loop definitions can often get heated. I can remember several FFI Fly Fishing Fairs with long discussions that had no conclusion, or at least no positive outcome. But, I truly do love challenging conversations and thought it this would be a good time to revisit tailing loops.

We will rarely, if ever, give a casting lesson without talking about tailing loops. We rarely even go fishing or casting without making them. The joke amongst most instructors is how often we make them and we try like hell to get rid of them and then need to create them for CICP. And despite how much we know about casting now, we seem to have some conflict, at least at the theoretical edges, about tailing loops. My goal here is not to go heavy into the theoretical but share a view of tailing loops, how they are formed, some common and extreme examples, a few fallacies, and probably some anecdotes.

Problem: Tailing loops, when done

unintentionally, cause the line to cross and often tangle and reduces distance and accuracy.

Substance Root Cause - Fly line follows the path of the rod tip. A good loop has a mostly straight-line path from beginning to end, but it must have a straight-line path during the acceleration to stop.

A wide loop is an upward arcing or doming path and a tailing loop is a dipped down path. The fly line can only follow the tip of the rod, so the fly line dips forming a U-shape in the top leg of the loop. This forms a wave that moves down the line and as the loop unrolls and the top leg shortens, the top leg of the fly line will move through the U-shape that forms. As we know, the power applied must match the bend in the rod. It is my view it is impossible to truly over power a

rod. What is possible is that a caster may not be able to properly apply the power and accelerate smoothly.

A tailing loop can occur anywhere from the beginning of acceleration and rod bend to the stop. A tail that occurs early in the stroke will be near the tip of the rod and a tail that occurs late in the stroke will be near the tip of the fly line. Where it occurs is important to understand how to fix the issue.

Style Tailing loops are one area where it can be important to see the connection between substance and style. My slightly modified definition of style is “anything that doesn’t change the desired outcome of the cast.”

Meaning that at 30 feet, you just need a straight-line rod-tip path to deliver a straight line. This is a short cast that can be performed with a very

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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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

short stroke, a long stroke, a haul, no haul, lots of wrist, little wrist, and lots of other variances. However, where many tailing loops occur, especially in intermediate casters, is looking for more power. Style is often something to look at. A longer stroke often makes it easier to apply more power and teaching students to extend their stroke within their own biomechanics is critical to their long-term success and even health.

Loop shape Tail - We all know it when we see it but the actual definition seems to somewhat evade us. It does get a bit technical, and for most, teaching that is largely unproductive. Most instructors don’t need to know the extreme technical pieces. We aren’t building bridges where a miscalculation could have deadly consequences. We are teaching people to cast with the ultimate outcome to catch fish during a pastime so they can have more fun.

That being said, we should know one when we see one. There are two

commonalities for all tailing loops if allowed to go to completion. In other words, if they don’t stop or are altered in any way other than allowing the tailing to finish. It is important to remember that a tailing loop acts like a wave after being formed, and moves down the line from initial creation to an end point that is either the line collapsing on itself, the loop unrolling, or being acted on by another force.

Double Cross - This is the classic formation where the top leg crosses the bottom leg twice at the same time in a U-shape. A single cross is often noticed but it is important to reiterate

that the tail acts like a wave and it follows this U-shape pattern created by the rod tip. As the top leg shortens, there is a point when the top leg crosses once after it crosses twice— depending on the size of the tail and the timing of the tail. The larger the tail, the longer it may cross once.

90 degrees - Another identifier is the top leg coming to a 90-degree angle with the bottom leg. As noted earlier, the tail is a wave. When the U-shape travels away from the caster, as the top leg shortens the top leg can only follow that shape. Just before crossing the bottom leg for the last time, it will

Tailing Loops

35

form a 90-degree angle. What is most important about this is that this is an identifier of the dipped path of the rod tip. A straight path of the rod tip may cross the bottom leg but at an acute angle.

Lagging, trailing, underslung (not a tailing loop) - Whatever the name, this loop is caused from the position of the unrolling loop prior to the tailing loop and is NOT a tailing loop. Often this is noticed when distance casting or casting very slow where a back cast, for example, drops low behind the angler causing it to come from a low angle. If the next cast is still formed with a proper cast, a tight loop will form but with the top leg of the loop now coming from a low angle, it may cross the bottom leg but at an acute angle and only once.

Common cause and correction - It might seem like an oversimplification to say that all tailing loops are caused from an inappropriate application of power and that the cure is to simply smooth out the power application to the point of having a straight-line

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path of the rod tip. It might be simple but it is also true. Every tailing loop is formed from a power spike during the power application that causes the tip of the rod tip to dip down. Every tailing loop can be cured by smoothing that out. In fact, I think it is possible to help a student with their tailing loop without knowing the cause. That said, knowing the cause is important to further coach the student and further their development.

Timing - Inappropriate timing can cause tailing loops in a number of ways—waiting too long where the line can hit the ground, as well as not waiting long enough. Either way, the

correction is simply working with the student to understand appropriate timing and be sure the caster is waiting just long enough for the loop to unroll before initiating the next cast.

Stroke length - Commonly discussed is creep, basically a shortening of the casting stroke. As we know, this gets us back to the issue of too much power in too short of a distance. As noted earlier the correction here is not creeping or otherwise lengthening the casting stroke. Since this is often seen in intermediate casters, I usually use the drift to correct. Explaining and demonstrating the drift followed by having the student perform the

CASTING

drift is usually successful. I will say many students don’t actually drift but in trying to drift they stop creeping, and now have also learned a new skill.

Power - Probably the most common cause, and often having some overlap with the other causes, is a student looking for more power, often with intermediate students who are trying to gain more distance, work into a wind, or even cast larger flies. Anglers looking for more distance often apply a lot of power, but do it with poor timing—starting with too much power or applying it too early before the

stop and what should be the peak of power. With intermediate students, I find it easiest to explain the situation, demonstrate what the student is doing, and then explain the need for a longer and smooth stroke. I like to focus on the caster’s style, expanding on how they move but looking for ways to get more stroke length without creating straight or additional issues.

Distance - As most know this is one of my favorite parts of casting and I have had my fair share of tailing loops. Usually, tailing loops for casters looking for distance come at the very end of the loop unrolling. This tells us

that the tail is happening at the very end of the stroke. Too many casters “hit it” at the end. They try to apply much more additional power on the final delivery than they have been applying when false casting. Two major solves here, to simplify, is to increase the casting-stroke length and/or reduce the power on the final delivery. The most immediate solve is to simply stop applying so much extra power on the final delivery, and then to increase the stroke length. Additionally, too many casters work out more line when false casting than necessary, especially on the last sequence. Resist the urge to shoot another few feet of line in the last false cast or two.

While we can discuss many aspects of tailing loops, the core fact remains the cause and correction is straightforward. Whatever the cause, focus on a smooth acceleration and a straight path of the rod tip. While we all make tailing loops and they can be frustrating, they should only be a bump in the long road of our flyfishing and fly-casting journey.

Tailing Loops

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FLY TYING

Fun with Foam Jerry Coviello

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the instructor.

I created a four-week “Fun with Foam� workshop and sent out stepby-step instructions on how to tie the flies along with material list so they could tie along with me. I had 50 participants sign up.

The great thing about tying with foam is how the fly can float for a longer time. They are simple to tie, durable, and can be tied for bass,

panfish, saltwater, and trout. The foam is easy to get a hold of and comes in 2mm sheets of many colors.

The white foam can be colored with permanent marker and coated with UV resin to protect the colors.

Here are some flies I did not get to add to the Fun with Flies Workshop; however, I am planning on doing a Fun with Flies Workshop, Part 2 with the flies in this article.

Photo Jerry Coviello

uring the pandemic, I did three Fly Fishers International online fly-tying presentations. I emailed everyone that participated during the three online presentations for feedback and what they would like to see in the future. I got back many replies, and one of them was tying with foam and a live fly-tying workshop so the participants could tie along with

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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The Gurgler Hook: 2XL nymph hook (but any hook can be used) Thread: Color to match foam, 6/0 Tail: Bucktail or calf tail any color, you can even add Krystal Flash to the tail Legs: Rubber legs or palmer rib a hackle through the body Body: Dubbing, chenille, braided ribbon, use your imagination Over body: 2mm foam—and add a second layer for easy visibility This is a simple-and-easy pattern to tie; it was designed by Jack Gartside for stripers. The lip of the fly helps make the fly pop and push water as it is stripped.

Many fly anglers have scaled this pattern down for bass and panfish and tied it on freshwater hooks.

Chernobyl Ant Hook: 3XL nymph hook, sizes 8 to 12 Thread: Brown, 6/0 or 3/0 Under body: Red yarn Legs: Two sets of rubber legs Body: Using different colors, example is black over orange foam. About a hook gap width and extend over the eye and bend of the hook. Orange foam on top of the black foam to see the fly on the water.

This is a strange pattern, but simple to tie and high-floating. Bass, panfish, and trout seem to like this fly.

Foam Dragonfly Hook: Dry-fly hook, size 4, or a bass stinger hook Thread: Color to match foam, size 6/0, or black to help show the segmentation of the body Extended Body: 2mm foam tied on a needle; size to match natural insect; approx. 2 inches Over body: 2mm foam; cover body and fold over to make the head Body: Dubbing or peacock herl Hackle: Grizzly palmered through the body Wing: Super Hair, white Tying an extended-body fly can be a challenge, but it is not difficult.

Triangle Hook: 4X long streamer hook Thread: 6/0 or 3/0 Uni, color to match body Body: 2mm foam trimmed to the shape of a diamond Tail: Bucktail Legs: Round rubber, color of choice Excellent pattern developed by Bart Lombardo. Simple and easy to tie and panfish and bass love them. The triangle design helps keep panfish from swallowing the whole fly. Can be fished just like a popper.

Fun with Foam

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2

Tie in two saddle hackles on each side of the hook.

Tying Steps for the Stealth Bomber Foam Cutter – Stealth Bomber from River Road Creations Hook: Depends on the hook size; for size 10, use a standard dry-fly hook; for sizes 6 and 2, use a bass stinger hook.

Thread: 3/0, white Body: Pearl Ice Dubbing

Tie in chartreuse bucktail the same length as the white bucktail at the bend of the hook.

3

4

Overwing: Krystal FlashTail: Chartreuse bucktail over pearl Krystal Flash over white bucktail Foam Overbody and Head: Stealth Bomber cut foam, any color.

Legs: Rubber legs, 4 on each side

Use a Stealth Bomber River Creation cutter, cut the foam to the Stealth Bomber shape.

1 Tie in the Stealth Bomber cutout at the bend of the hook.

Line up the where the foam starts to taper at the eye of the hook. Secure the foam at the bend of the hook.

5

6 Tie in white bucktail at the bend of the hook. The tail length is two times the shank of the hook.

Tie in six strands of Krystal Flash at the bend of the hook, the same length as the bucktail.

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

Dub a sparse body, a little over 60% of the hook shank.

FLY TYING

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Pull the foam over the hook shank and tie the foam at the second tie-in point where you ended the dubbing.

Over wing of Krystal Flash tied in at the second foam tie-in point. About 6 to 10 strands.

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8

Fold the foam head over and tie it in at the second foam tiein point. This is the head that will make the fly dive and slide under the water.

Add more dubbing in front of the foam head.

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9 Pull the foam head over the dubbing and secure the foam behind the eye of the hook.

Bring your thread on top of the foam to the second tie-in point. Cross over the top of the foam so the thread wrap will be hidden.

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Tie in two strands of rubber legs on each side of the fly.

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Whip finish. I put Bone Dry or head cement on the thread wraps to secure the whip finish.

Don’t be afraid to try different materials for the dubbing.

Pull the foam that is at the bend of the hook to form a bubble. Tie the foam to the second tie-in point. This will make a lot of noise and bubbles when pulled through the water.

Fun with Foam

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LEARNING CENTER

A New Partnership

I

n 2015 FFI Board of Directors adopted a new Strategic Plan which renewed emphasis on the FFI Mission regarding the importance of education to support, enhance, and preserve fly-fishing opportunities for the fly-fishing community.

Specifically, the new Strategic Plan called for the Education Committee to develop a resource of educational and instructional materials as a service to the FFI membership and the entire fly-fishing community.

In the subsequent years it was decided the appropriate name for the educational resource would be FFI Learning Center. The curriculum would require highquality educational and instructional material in the four resource areas: Casting, Fly Tying, Conservation, Fly-Fishing Skills. The curriculum would include resources for women fly fishers, youth fly fishers and all cover all skill levels from beginning to experienced. It was also important that the Learning Center provide both online and inperson instructional resources for each offering.

Part of Fly Fishers International’s success with the new Learning Center will depend on ensuring that its content is seen by the largest number of anglers possible. To that end, FFI will partner with MidCurrent, which reaches the highest number of fly fishers in the world through

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Marshall Cutchin its website, newsletter, and social channels.

Since video gets the lion’s share of engagement, MidCurrent’s attention will be spent first on ensuring that all the new video content FFI is producing gets noticed and watched.

By sharing and promoting new video content on its YouTube channel, in its weekly newsletters, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, MidCurrent will expand awareness of FFI’s content and message, as well as encourage fly fishers to visit the Learning Center directly (and become Members). MidCurrent will also work with FFI on developing video strategies that keep pace with the very fast-moving world of digital marketing.

MidCurrent’s publisher, Marshall Cutchin, commented: “Fly Fishers International and MidCurrent are almost perfectly synchronized on why we exist: we both want to help all types of people, regardless of skill, become better fly fishers.” On the How-To side of things, by including and promoting website articles on topics like casting techniques, fly tying, conservation, and habitat protection, MidCurrent will share

its very dedicated audience with FFI. “We’ve always seen large engagement among our audience with anything FFI shares,” commented Cutchin, “probably because MidCurrent places a big emphasis on credibility and accuracy. You don’t get any more credible or accurate than the information that comes from FFI experts.”

YouTube videos that MidCurrent started sharing in July have already produced thousands of views and clicks that deliver traffic and awareness for FFI. But the real impact will happen with the launch of the Learning Center, when sharing and promotion of video, article, and image content goes into hyperdrive.

At that point FFI content will be reaching fly fishers young and old via their personally preferred media, whether it’s web, email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube.

IF YOU CAN’T BE FISHING

JOIN US ONLINE FFI ONLINE LIVE WEEKLY ZOOMS SEASON 2 STARTS NOVEMBER 2020

Even without the challenges of social distancing, it can be hard to get out fishing as much as you’d like. And yet, fly fishing is what makes many of us happiest. That’s why Fly Fishers International is now bringing the world of fly fishing to you (and your computer, tablet, or smartphone).

JOIN FFI ONLINE for weekly discussions and workshops with fly fishing pros and industry leaders who will share their thoughts and expertise on fly fishing, casting, tying, conservation, and more. Taking a break from fly fishing excursions doesn’t have to mean taking a break from the sport you love.

F I N D T H E S CH ED UL E H E RE :

flyfishersinternational.org/FFI-Online

406.222.9369

FFI Forum

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FFI WOMEN CONNECT

Women on a Mission, Going Fishin’

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Patty Lueken, Inaugural and Current Chair of FFI Women Connect

ome say that fly fishing is addictive, and FFI Women Connect (FFIWC) is working hard to perpetuate this potential addiction. What is FFIWC? For enlightenment, read on.

The Fly Fishers International (FFI) Board established a Women’s Program Standing Committee to maximize FFI’s outreach to women in July 2020 (See photos for current members of the committee). FFIWC is that program. Now, every woman that holds a membership in Fly Fishers International is a member of FFIWC! We hope to hear from all our women members with your ideas, questions, and concerns, as we are here to serve you!

A little history: Molly Semenik, Mary Ann Dozer, Sandra Carpenter, and Patty Lueken founded FFI Women Connect in 2016, pulling together and expanding what had been Women’s Workshops. Each year thereafter, FFI Women Connect offered more classes for women and opportunities for women to teach, provide leadership, and socialize.

Now, FFIWC includes approximately 1,000 women. Helping birth this collection of women into a functioning organization has been a very satisfying experience.

Hopefully, we are doing our part to

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provide equal access for women in what has traditionally been a maledominated sport.

You may ask, “Why work within FFI when you could be an independent women’s organization?” First, FFI has the organizational structure needed for WC to become an international force. Traditionally, FFI was founded and built by fly-fishing men, but has always been supportive of adding a strong contingent of women, so the ground was ripe.

Second, the FFI Learning Center and educational programs are second-to-none. The casting and tying programs provide teaching consistency not seen anywhere else in the fly-fishing community. And then there is the personal part.

I, personally, love all of the wonderful women I have met through FFIWC. If I want to go fishing virtually anywhere, there is a female angler that can help me get the lay of the land and potentially fish with me. This is particularly important since my husband died. Whether you are married or single, novice or more advanced angler, FFIWC offers opportunities for you.

Our FFIWC mission is to build a community of women fly fishers that will help women develop and improve their fly-fishing/tying skills, and

provide opportunities to learn and fish in a safe and non-intimidating and fun environment. We want to encourage female leadership in FFI clubs, and the fly-fishing industry as a whole, by creating a platform where women can build confidence through fly fishing.

FFIWC wants to empower women to take on new challenges and encourage conservation awareness, so that our members will take a lead role in protecting our environment, particularly our fisheries.

Through our outreach efforts, FFI Women Connect hopes to become a solid resource for our own members as well as for women in other organizations and independent women anglers. Our goal is to cultivate, facilitate, and maintain connections between FFIWC members, all fly-fishing women, and the fly-fishing related entities that support women anglers. In order to be a strong resource, skills building and education are of paramount importance.

The educational component of FFI Women Connect is designed to help women improve their fly-fishing skills, including but not limited to: fly tying, fly casting, safety, fishing, equipment, safety, entomology, conservation, and fishing etiquette

by offering online learning, live workshops, and opportunities for fly-fishing travel. It is often women teaching women in a safe and supportive atmosphere, although we also engage men as guides and instructors when needed. A little added chocolate also helps smooth out the stress of learning new skills!

Providing a solid educational program requires teachers and leaders to put together great programming.

FFIWC encourages and prepares women to mentor others and assume leadership roles. Often, women express more reluctance than men to assume a role if they do not feel totally prepared.

FFIWC offers opportunities for women to start small to build confidence and skills, and then expand into more enhanced involvement. Currently, FFI supports 17 regional councils. Of

those 17 councils, there is only one woman council president. We’d like to change that. The FFI Women Connect program hopes to increase the number of women in all FFI leadership roles, including council presidents.

Women members enjoy the social aspect as well. FFI Women Connect plans to provide and promote opportunities for women to meet like-minded women fly fishers.

Networking opportunities abound.

During the COVID 19 quarantines, FFIWC programming has been focused on monthly Zoom classes, webinars, Zappy Hours (social hour on Zoom), weekly fly-tying events online, and is establishing a social media presence.

Our board consists of strong and passionate women anglers. We are all eager to support women fly fishers

and hopefully fish with you!

The new FFIWC Liaison Program, chaired by Karen Hall, offers opportunities for FFI women members to help us grow FFI Women Connect. We’re building a network of fly-fishing women leaders through regional FFI councils, asking each council to appoint someone in charge of Women’s Programs in each region. We are also encouraging FFI charter and affiliate clubs to appoint a women’s program lead on their boards. Karen is available to offer guidance and support for local and regional women’s fly-fishing leads, or liaisons, as they implement women’s fly-fishing events in their regions.

“One of our goals for 2021 is to get as many women as possible onboard to establish a month-long series of women’s fly-fishing events in

Women on a Mission, Going Fishin’

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their respective regions during a ‘Women’s Fly-Fishing Month,’” says Karen. “Please contact me if you’d like to participate!”

Although based in California, Karen hopes to visit different areas of the country to meet with interested women next year. So, if you want to change the world, learn to fly fish, improve your fly-fishing skills, or help mentor other women fly fishers, contact Karen and become a part of this great movement to empower women in the outdoors. Karen is also the lead for our FFIWC sponsored trip to Baja in June.

Corie Berrigan, our Communications Chair, is available to help promote not only FFIWC activities, but local and regional women’s fly-fishing activities. Corie is a true guru of the technical aspects of social media, pulling many of us into the Twitter and Instagram era. Corie also advocates for fishing the Driftless area in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. In September 2021, FFIWC is sponsoring a weeklong fishing adventure in the Driftless with casting challenges, tying events, and other educational

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

components—and you are invited! We will also have some fun giveaways.

And did I say you are invited?

Sandy Carpenter is the Vice Chair of FFIWC and in charge of the educational programs. If you have attended the Zoom or webinars, Sandy probably had a hand in developing the program and you may recognize her as our moderator. She also envisioned the monthly social online event called “Zappy Hour.” Zappy Hour is so much fun. Santa Claus requested to attend the December Zappy Hour event that is usually for women only, so we’ve made an exception for Santa this year.

I hope his presents don’t go virtual as well. Sandy will also be attending the Driftless Rendezvous in Minnesota scheduled for September 2021.

Other board members include Tilda Evans. Secretary Tilda is a long-time board member of FFI and provides us with great advice on how to work within FFI. Because of the critical nature of the secretarial role, Willa Campbell, who formerly served on the board, is serving as alternate secretary.

We are also pleased to have the inimitable Jen Ripple, publisher of

DUN Magazine, on board. She brings tremendous communication expertise and media insights to the board and is a passionate advocate for women in fly fishing.

Next year, we plan to expand our board, adding multiple committee members. If you would love to help lead a dynamic, successful group from its near infancy towards becoming the primary resource for women on all things fly fishing, contact us. To borrow a phase, “We are looking for a few good women.”

If you are reading this article, you most likely already have an interest in fly fishing. We hope that you and all women FFI members will participate in and enjoy FFIWC activities and encourage your friends to join.

The 2020 FFIWC Online Program Schedule is shown in the table: Check the FFIWC Facebook page for updates in our online programming.

We plan to host the following live events in 2021, 2022: Tying Awards Workshop in Mountain Home, Arkansas, - May 1622, 2021 Baja Saltwater Fly Fishing Adventure in Baja, Mexico, June - 5-12, 2021 Sisters Rendezvous in Sisters, Oregon – Sept. 12-18, 2021 Driftless Fishing Adventure in Minnesota – Sept. 26 – Oct 2, 2021 Peacock Bass Fishing Trip to the Amazon – Sept. 15-22, 2022 Learn more, Lend a Hand by contacting us at: womenconnect@ flyfishersinternational.org E@ffiwomenconnect Q@ffiwomenconnect #ffiwomenconnect

CONSE RVAT I ON / E DUCAT I ON / COMMUN I T Y

E V E RYO N E

CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE You’re lucky. You’ve had the chance to experience what fly fishing can bring to your life—the stories, the quality time outdoors, and the friendships forged.

But it’s going to take all of us to ensure this opportunity continues today and for future generations. Every donation matters.

ALL FISH, ALL WATERS /// DONATE TODAY

flyfishersinternational.org/donate

FFI Forum

47

FFI GUIDES & OUTFITTERS / BUSINESS LISTINGS Fly Fishers International has expanded the Guides Association to include Outfitters and is now offering additional benefits, including an insurance plan offered through ESP Specialty Insurance. Visit flyfishersinternational.org for more info.

For more information about FFI Guides & Outfitters Association and Business members, please visit flyfishersinternational.org

ALABAMA

Deep South Outfitters fishdso.com Sims & Keith Herron, Guides simsherron@gmail.com

ALASKA

Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge boardwalklodge.com Dave Rocke, Guide info@familyairtours.com Double Haul doublehaulflyfishing.com Michael Brantley, Guide Zz49er@outlook.com Possibilities Unlimited Alaska possibilitiesunlimitedalaska.com

ARIZONA

JB Fly Fishing jbflyfishing.com

ARKANSAS

Michael Foley Sr, Guide Mfsr11@yahoo.com Ozark Troutfitters ozarktroutfitters.com Stonefly Nets stoneflynets.com

CALIFORNIA

Brendon Flynn, Guide brendon@eltruchero.com Clay A Hash, Guide clayhash.fft@gmail.com Fly Fishing Western Wyoming LLC flyfishingwesternwyoming.com Guy Jeans Fly Fishing Guide Service kernriverflyfishing.com His & Her Flyfishing Shop hisandherflyfishing.com Jay Clark Fly Fishing jayclarkflyfishing.com Jeffrey Wolk Company, Inc jeff@jwcocpa.com John Dietsch, Guide john@castlecreekproductions.com Jon Hart, Guide kernrivertenkara@gmail.com Koal Browder, Guide Koalbrowder1@gmail.com Kris Skinner, Guide kris.skinner@gmail.com Lane Leonard, Guide Captl1@me.com Marriott’s Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop bobmarriottsflyfishingstore.com Pat Patman, Guide pat@sourcemeat.com Peter Haight, Guide phaight@aol.com The Fly Shop theflyshop.com The Trout Spot thetroutspot.com

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

COLORADO

Amanda Willshire, Guide amanda@awdart.com David Pehle, Guide dpehle@gmail.com Drifthook Fly Fishing drifthook.com Eleven Angling elevenexperience.com James C Phillips, Guide skifishvail@gmail.com Jeff Powles, Guide jeffp@fishoncolorado.com John MacMurray, Guide jmacster@hotmail.com Jonathan Walter, Guide j_walter@msn.com Montrose Anglers montroseanglers.com Nathan Cook, Guide Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing nathan@fishtherockies.com

CONNECTICUT

William Lanzoni, Guide millriverflyrods.com

FLORIDA

Arthur H. Ferber III, Guide buddyferber@att.net Bonefish & Tarpon Trust bonefishtarpontrust.org Capt. Chip Smith, Guide captainchipflyfishing@gmail.com Capt. Daniel Snapp, Guide snappy252@gmail.com Capt. Daniel Snapp, Guide snappy252@gmail.com Capt. Edward Tamson, Guide evergladesflyfishing.com Capt. Lisa Lowman, Guide llscrogham@gmail.com Capt. Michael Manis, Guide mike@puntagordaflycharters.com Capt. Michael Rehr, Guide captflyrod.com Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters flatsfishingtrips.com Charles Levi redfishchuck@hotmail.com Hitena USA LLC hitenausa.com Mangrove Outfitters Fly Shop mangroveoutfitters.com Metalfab Inc. metalfab-inc.com Pete Greenan’s Gypsy Guide Service floridaflyfishing.com Rick Ruoff, Guide simmsfishing.com/content/guide/ rick-ruoff Saltfly Pioneer facebook.com/comeflyfish

Saltwater Adventures of Central Florida saocf.com The Anglers Mark theanglersmark.com

GEORGIA

Fly Cast Charters of St. Simons Island GA flycastcharters.com Oconee On The Fly Inc. oconeeonthefly.com Spring Creek Anglers Fly Fishing School springcreekanglers.com

ILLINOIS

Les Sutherland, Guide lessutherland@icloud.com

IDAHO

Ballistic Flylines/Snake River Outfitters ballisticflylines.com Cognito Brands fincognito.com Double R Ranch - Northwest Beef snakeriverfarms.com Dreamcatcher Entertainment LLC dreamcatcherent@gmail.com The Fly Rod Company Theflyrodcompany.com The Idaho Angler idahoangler.com

MARYLAND

Gene (Duber) Winters, Guide Greenwatercharters.com Jake Cruze, Guide Catch13fishing@yahoo.com Rich Dennison, Guide richdennisonflyfishing@gmail.com White Marlin Outfitters whitemarlinoutfitters.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Adam Aronson, Guide a.d.aronson@gmail.com Chris Ryan, Guide cjryan93@yahoo.com George Sylvestre, Guide sylvestreoutdoors.com Gypsy Soul Guide Service Cuffs1980@yahoo.com Juro Mukai, Guide juro02@gmail.com Sean Murphy, Guide Seanmurphy4269@gmail.com

MICHIGAN

Capt. Peter R. Scafaru, Guide marshonthefly.com

Brian Kozminski, Guide flyfishbkoz@gmail.com Current Works current-works.com John R Kluesing, Guide jtkluesing@gmail.com Kevin & Joan Morlock, Guides indigoguidekevin@gmail.com Mangan’s Cast a Fly manganscastafly.com Mayotte Design & Engineering PC mayottedesign.com Ray Schmidt, Guide Rschmidt5181@gmail.com Sam Clark, Guide Sdc76121@gmail.com Tom Quail ausableriverguideservice@gmail.com

MAINE

MINNESOTA

IOWA

Driftless Fishers LLC driftlessfishers.com

KANSAS

Sodie Sodamann, Guide sodie6390@gmail.com

LOUISIANA

Fox Carlton Pond Sporting Camps & Campgrounds foxcarletonpond.com Mike Hegarty, Guide navyduckman@gmail.com Mona Brewer, Guide flyfisher.me Peter Fallon, Guide pfallon@mainestripers.com Rangeley Region Sport Shop rangeleysportshop.com Sean McCormick, Guide bhguideservice@gmail.com Scott R Whitaker, Guide bucktailguideservice@gmail.com Tom Welch, Guide Twelch2@maine.rr.com Wild River Angler wildriverangler.com

Dan Brown Guide Association brownstroutadventures.weebly.com FlyDog Fly Fishing flydogflyfishing.com Moose Track Adventures moosetrackadventures.com The Driftless Fly Fishing Co. melvinminnesotaflyfishing.com Twin Cities Flyfishing twincitiesflyfishing.com

MISSISSIPPI

Capt. Sid’s Fly Fishing Guide Service amzilovelincolnhomes.com

MISSOURI

Adam’s Adventures apennington@cableone.net Jim Rogers, Guide bennettspring@aol.com

MONTANA

Breakline Optics LLC breaklineoptics.com Bryan McCravy, Guide captainbryan@att.net Chris Strainer, Guide castrainer@hotmail.com Elizabeth Donahue, Guide donahue.elizabeth@gmail.com Elk River Books elkriverbooks.com Fins & Feathers of Bozeman finsandfeathersonline.com Garrett Blackburn, Guide hookedoutfiting@gmail.com Hatchfinders Fly Shop hatchfinders.com Jacklin’s Fly Shop jacklinsflyshop.com Jan D. Axtell, Guide janaxtell@msn.com Linehan Outfitting Company fishmontana.com Livingston Chamber of Commerce livingston-chamber.com Madison River Outfitters madisonriveroutfitters.com McKinnie Fly Fishing Outfitters of Montana mckinnieflyfishingmontana.net Michael Sanders, Guide msanders@eactours.com Montana Troutfitters troutfitters.com Nick Spencer, Guide njsconst@gmail.com Sweetwater Fly Shop sweetwaterflyshop.com Tom Morgan Rodsmiths tommorganrodsmiths.com

NEBRASKA

Mark Anderson mra@unl.edu SEVENWT LLC sevenwt.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE

John McKernan, Guide grnleech@yahoo.com Harry Mehos, Guide northstarguide@hotmail.com Ken Snelling, Guide ksnell46@gmail.com

NEW JERSEY

Woodz’s Guides Service woodzsguideservice.com

NEW MEXICO

High Desert Angler highdesertangler.com Just Drifting, LLC justdrifting.net Thomas F Harper, Guide tharper@thomasfharper.com

NEW YORK

Damon Newpher, Guide newpherd@gmail.com

Eastern Caster Guide Service easterncaster.blogspot.com Friends of the Upper Delaware River info@fudr.org Mike Lane, Guide weedrift@aol.com Patricia (Sam) Decker, Guide samfishes@hvc.rr.com River Bay Outfitters riverbayoutfitters.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Highland Outfitters highlandoutfitters.com Michael Foreman, Guide Speckledchef.trout@gmail.com

OHIO

Alert Stamping & Manufacturing Co. Inc Alertstamping.com Jeff Liskay, Guide jeffliskay@gmail.com Lapel Pins Unlimited LLC lapelpinsunlimited.com Semper Fly Rods LLC semperflyrods.com

TEXAS

Capt. Stacy Lynn, Guide saltyflygal@gmail.com Fly Tyer/American Angler/ Gray’s Sporting Journal Magazines americanangler.com Ironhorse Outfitters ironhorseforge.net Mark Machado, Guide missionarymgm@sbcglobal.net Mark Marmon, Guide markmarmon@gmail.com Phil Dopson, Guide phil@phildopson.com Shean Phelps, Guide sheanphelps@ymail.com Tom Strawther, Guide tomstrawther@hotmail.com

UTAH

Park City Outfitters and Lodge parkcityoutfitters.com The R&R Life Hold My Line holdmyline.net

VERMONT

OKLAHOMA

Catamount Fishing Adventures catamountfishing.com

OREGON

Capt. Art Conway, Guide caconway@vcu.org

Chilcutt Direct Marketing Inc denitao@cdmlist.com Bert’s Guide Service bertsguideservice.com David F. Hellings, Guide tgsqueegydfh@aol.com Jamie Briscoe, Guide castblastcoach.com Jim Ulm, Guide Jimulm9@msn.com Moriston Rod Co./Tyne Reels jsrods.com Stillwater Adventures stillwateradventure.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Dusty Wissmath Fly Fishing School dwflyfishingschool.com Ronald Nimitz, Guide rlnsailor@comcast.net Steve Cohagan, Guide Stevecohagan56@gmail.com

RHODE ISLAND

John Lemont, Guide Johnlemont53@gmail.com

SOUTH CAROLINA

Anthony Welch, Guide twelch@accountant.com Hilton Head Fishing Adventures hiltonheadfishingadventures.com Will Stephens, Guide Wstephe2@yahoo.com

TENNESSEE

Crossing Creeks Fly Fishing crossingcreeks.flyfishing@gmail.com Travis Burt, Guide tburthn@gmail.com

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

AUSTRALIA

Driftwater Tasmania driftwater.com.au Jonathan Burgess, Guide flycastingseqld.com.au High Country Fly Fishing highfly.com.au Brenda Galey, Guide msguidedff.com.au

CANADA

Chinook Wind Outfitters chinookwindoutfitters.com Clarence E Button, Guide cebutton@gmail.com Dave Burns, Guide dave@goldengillie.com Douglas Goosen, Guide dgoosen@xplornet.ca Pat Johnson, Guide Paddy.johnson65@gmail.com NaturAventur NaturAventur.com Peter R F Taylor, Guide Peterray.prt@gmail.com The Enlightened Angler jamesbaxternelson@gmail.com Total Gate Manufacturing Inc. totalgate.com

GERMANY

Nico Hesselmann nico@flycasting-berlin.de

Atomic Glow atomicglow.net Bruce and Walker North America bruceandwalkernorthamerica.com Dana Bailey, Guide cleelumtrouthead@yahoo.com Dennis Pearce dennis@raincimdigs.com Jenn Cordz, Guide jenn@gypsyfishing.com Leeanna Young, Guide talesbylky@aol.com LPJ’s Guide Service lpjsguideservice.com Patrick McDonough, Guide Pmcdonough225@gmail.com Thornton Outdoors LLC thorntrout@tds.net

INDIA

WISCONSIN

Robert J. White, Guide Salmon-fishing-scotland.blogspot. com

Dan Boggs, Guide dbguideservice@yahoo.com Jacquish Hollow Angler/ Anglers Inn Jacquishhollowangler.com

WYOMING

Mike Kaul, Guide mikekaul@wyoming.com Pioneer Anglers pioneeranglers.com

ARGENTINA

Sur Outfitters suroutfitters.blogspot.com.ar

Ajoy Eric Lal, Guide ajoyericlal@gmail.com

ITALY

Battistella Mauro, Guide s.salar.mauro@gmail.com

JAPAN

Fly Fishing Shop Nagomi nagomifish.jp

MALAYSIA

Ping Anchorage (Terengganu Fly Fishing Outfitters) pinganchorage.com.my

NEW ZEALAND

Matt von Stumer, Guide matt@saltflyfish.co.nz

SCOTLAND

SOUTH KOREA

Matthew Patrick Awalt mpawalt@gmail.com

SWITZERLAND

Marco Flury, Guide Flurry.marco@gmail.com Toms Fly Fishing Academy flyfisheurope.ch/thomas-luescher. html

UNITED KINGDOM

Alex Adams, Guide Alex.adams1969@gmail.com Alba Game Fishing Scotland stewart@albagamefishing.com

FFI Forum

49

FFI FORUM

FFI Forum Chuck Bucaria have been working on conservation efforts on the Smith for over 10 years, beginning with stopping chinook snagging during low water and the implementation of catch-andrelease regulations for wild steelhead.

All three of these individuals, along with former NCC Conservation V.P. Lowell Ashbaugh, are responsible for creating this plan.

Previously, fish returns were calculated by dead fish counts along the river bank, but this is inaccurate for many reasons. The new plan will utilize in-river DIDSON sonar that can count and measure fish accurately in all conditions.

Monitoring and data collection will be done by the Tolowa Dee Ni Nation

Northern California Council Smith River Monitoring Plan California’s Smith River is one of the state’s most well-known rivers for large chinook salmon and steelhead.

Its storied past includes renowned anglers such as Bill Schadt and Lani Waller. It is the longest free-flowing river in California that empties into the Pacific and remains primarily a wild fish river, unlike others on the west coast. The California state record steelhead, a massive 27 lbs.

4 ounces, was caught on the Smith in 1976.

Today, as is the case with many coastal rivers, fish populations have dropped while angling pressure has increased. The Northern California Council (NCC) of Fly Fishers International, with the help of FFIHQ, recently submitted the final report of a Smith River Fisheries Monitoring Plan to the USFS. The plan focuses on accurately counting returning anadromous fish in the Smith River watershed. The NCC has long been involved with efforts to preserve the Smith River.

Dr. Mark Rockwell, Ben Taylor, and

and shared with state and federal wildlife agencies. Pending funding, monitoring on the Smith River is scheduled to begin in October 2021.

The importance of monitoring these runs on the Smith River is twofold.

First, more accurate fish count data will allow the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to make good management decisions on fishing regulations, take, and habitat work.

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” says Dr. Mark Rockwell.

Secondarily, measuring a health river system with healthy fish runs will enable a direct comparison with other coastal rivers with issues such as dams, logging, and other factors contributing to their overall health.

This comparison will provide data to further study if an anadromous fish population is only affected by adverse ocean conditions, as opposed to the health of the freshwater ecosystem.

Writing this new plan was a heroic five-year effort. Countless hours, meetings, phone We congratulate and thank everyone involved. The data collected from this monitoring plan will help guide proper fisheries management for years to come.

ME WA

VT ND

MT

MI

MN

OR

WI

SD

ID WY CA

UT

CO

MI

IA

NE

NV

NY

IL

MD WV

KY

MO

KS OK

NM

AR MS LA

TX AK

HI

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

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VA NC

TN AZ

NJ

PA OH

IN

NH MA CT

SC GA FL

DE

RI

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-IDMT-ND-SD)

Chesapeake Council Fletcher’s Cove When Washington, D.C., comes up in conversation, fishing is likely the last thing that jumps to mind. But instead of politics, think of the anadromous striped bass, American and hickory shad, herring, and numerous freshwater species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, and musky that call this stretch of the Potomac River home.

One of the river’s premier fishing accesses needs help.

Fletcher’s Cove is an access point that is situated directly at the divide between the tidal and non-tidal sections of the Potomac. There is archeological evidence that shows it has been used as a fishing access for at least 2,000 years.

In the 1960s, a load of sediment was deposited into the river as a result of the construction of a major sewer system project carrying waste from suburbs

in Virginia to a wastewater treatment plant in DC. This impediment has altered the historic course of the river.

The new flow pushes the sediment and other debris into Fletcher’s Cove, causing infill, which has had a significant and detrimental effect on the access. Sediment has covered important spawning and rearing grounds for native fish and has filled in the fishing access to the point where it it may soon be unusable.

The cove has been dredged twice (1986 & 1997) in the past 40 years and the process needs to be completed again. However, dredging is only a temporary solution. Now is the time to permanently solve the problem.

The Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders, a Charter Club in FFI’s Chesapeake Council in the D.C. area, has joined with Friends of Fletcher’s Cove and numerous conservation organizations including FFI, TU, TRCP, AFFTA, ASA,

BHA, CSF, CCA and local grassroots fishing groups to present a letter to the National Park Service regarding the issue at Fletcher’s Cove. This letter proposes a plan to not only dredge the cove again but remove the impediment and restore the Potomac to its original course.

The solution is projected to cost $27 million, as pollutants in the sediment slated for removal drove the remediation costs up significantly.

However, not only will this project restore the original course of the river, but it will improve the health of the ecosystem. Some funding has been secured and has been utilized for the necessary sediment sampling and analysis in the first phase of the project.

The cove sits within the C&O Canal National Historic Park, which puts jurisdiction within the National Park Service. This allows for potential funding for the project from the Land and Water Conservation Fund as a result of the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act. FFI is proud to support TPFR and the expansive coalition of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts led by Friends of Fletcher’s Cove, to restore and preserve this historically and culturally significant and unique urban fishery.

To learn more about FFI’s conservation actions visit FFI online.

Council Presidents: Chesapeake Pete McCall pete.mc@verizon.net

Gulf Coast AJ Rosenbohm ajrosenbohm@gmail.com

Oregon Sherry Steele steelefly@msn.com

Texas Andy Payne president@texascouncilffi.com

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

North Eastern William Ciaurro william@flyspoke.com

Southeastern Greg Thurlow president@secffi.org

Upper Midwest Ralph Johnson rjpar@aol.com

Eastern Waters Sam Decker samfishes@hvc.rr.com

Northern California Mark Rockwell mrockwell1945@gmail.com

Southern Ron Knight ron79580@gmail.com

Washington State Steve Jones sjones22@comcast.net

Florida Tom Gadacz thomasgadacz@yahoo.com

Ohio Jeff McElravy jmcelravysr@hotmail.com

Southwest Steve Schalla president@swcffi.org

Western Rocky Mountain Dave Londeree dlonderee@roadrunner.com

Great Lakes Dennis O’Brien dennissueob@aol.com

FFI Forum

51

Annual Fly Tying Challenge

Basscatch

The 2nd Annual Fly Tying Challenge was scheduled to take place this Summer at the Fly Fishing Expo in Bozeman, MT. With the cancellation of the Expo, we quickly pivoted to a new process for judging that ensured we could proceed with the Tying Challenge. Through a process of mailing the entries and meeting via Zoom our team of judges are excited to present this year’s winning submissions!

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 project was designed to encourage FFI members and other fly fishers to learn more about native black bass species, their diversity, distribution and especially the differences in the natural habitats where they occur.

Conservation of each species is dependent upon an awareness that their habitats are distinct and must be protected as such. Participation in the project requires that we learn about each species, their unique habitat requirements and conservation needs and apply these learnings in native range classrooms with fly rod in hand and the artificial fly. Those FFI members who successfully catch four species of bass will receive an FFI hat and certificate in recognition of their accomplishment.

To learn more about the program or apply, search “Basscatch” on the FFI website.

Dry Fly Category 1st Place - Bill Hammons Carson City, NV 2nd Place - Dave Michin Toronto, ON 3rd Place - Tony Conrad Lower Sackville, NS Wet Fly Category 1st Place - Dave Michin Toronto, ON 2nd Place - Bill Hammons Carson City NV 3rd Place - Tony Conrad Lower Sackville, NS Nymph/Crustacean Category 1st Place - Aaron Culley Cle Elum, WA Steamer Category 1st Place - Tony Conrad Lower Sackville, NS Overall 1st Place - James Pushchak Canon City, CO 2nd Place - Roger Guth Brentwood, TN 3rd Place - Paul Thebeau Freeport, ME Thank you again for everyone who entered! Be on the look-out for 2021 3rd Annual Fly Tying Challenge.

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

Overall Nymph James Pushchak

Overall Wet James Pushchak

Overall Dry James Pushchak

Overall Streamer James Pushchak

FFI FORUM

2020 AWARDS

T

hese prestigious awards recognize and reward those individuals and organizations that have advanced the sport of fly fishing, including notable achievement in fly tying, casting, fly fishing skills, and conservation. In addition, the Fly Fishers International Awards Program reflects the spirit of FFI’s mission to actively preserve the legacy of fly fishing for All Fish, All WatersŽ through the focus areas of conservation, education, and community. It is only through the dedication of these individuals and organizations can we ensure we sustain our collective passion for future generations.

FFI Fly Fishing Skills Education Awards

Mike Arnold What Mike Arnold of Burlington, Kentucky, has accomplished through his leadership, vision, and personal commitment to fly-fishing education is amazing and beyond what can be presented this evening. Here are the highlights and summary of his efforts.

Starting in 1986 in northern Kentucky, an area with few fly fishers and no trout streams, he led the founding of the Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers, a club with over 270 members; averaging 90

at their monthly dinner meetings. New member growth is about 40 per year.

Membership average age has shifted from 65+ to about 40; about 35% are women; about 25% are families. Mike conducts eight free fly-fishing classes a year in remote communities as far as 120 miles. Classes are offered throughout the year in tying, rod building, and fly-fishing skills. Two volumes of map books to fishing locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina were created by Mike. By joining with youth-oriented organizations, the club supports 15 fishing derbies, totaling 1,500 to 2000 kids plus families each year. During his 30 years of fly fishing, Mike has taught nearly 3,000 adults and 36,000 kids and their families.

As a member of the Southeastern Council for 21 years, he was instrumental in demonstrating to clubs in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida the value of joining to support the FFI model of education and community to the sport of fly fishing.

Molly Semenik Molly Semenik from Blaine, Washington, is an extraordinary fly caster and casting instructor. Using

these skills, she has made wonderful high-quality contributions to the development of the FFI Learning Center. Beyond her contributions to FFI, Molly has developed a wellrecognized fly-fishing curriculum and teaches more than 400 students each year. Annually, she hosts a guided trip to the Blackfoot River for dozens of women for a week of fly-fishing skills learning and on-stream practice.

Molly is a strong supporter of FFI, the Casting Instructor Certification Program, and ongoing development of the FFI Learning Center by the Education Committee.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing FFI is honored to be affiliated with Project Healing Water Fly Fishing. Their accomplishments are outstanding in teaching fly-fishing skills to disabled veterans and wounded active-duty personnel. In each of the last three years, they have introduced fly fishing to more than 8,000 individuals and taught 10,000 classes. During 2019, there were 1,685 casting classes, 5,076 tying classes, and 1,552 rodbuilding sessions. Add to this 1,700 classes on the skills of fishing knots, reading the water, wading safety and etiquette, nymphing rigs, and more.

All leading to 1,700 supervised fishing

FFI Forum

53

outings each year. Teaching volunteers, participating in FFI Expo and Councils, using the Casting Skills Challenge in classes, utilizing the Learning Center and working with local CIs and MCIs, FFI joins Project Healing Waters helping disabled veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, adjusting to prosthetics and adaptive devices for their disabilities, improving their hand-eye coordination, balance, sleep, and concentration.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is helping disabled individuals overcome obstacles and use fly fishing to improve their lives.

FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award Jerry Coviello Jerry Coviello from Chalfont, Pennsylvania is a tireless leader and advocate for fly tying. He has introduced thousands to the joy and art of fly tying. As a member of the FFI Fly Tying Group Board of Governors since 2015, he currently serves as Chairman. Active in the Fly Tying Skills Award program, he is currently a member of the program’s Evaluation Award Review Panel. A prolific writer, Jerry has published and posted numerous articles, including over 70 fly-tying videos.

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FlyFisher Fall/Winter 2020

His passion for the fly-tying art is clear. He challenges himself by tying all types of flies and styles.

FFI Conservation Award Whit Fosburgh of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Whit Fosburgh serves as President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a non-profit collection of more than 60 organizations and 100 corporate partners, which serves as the conservation voice for 40 million Americans who fish, hunt, hike, and enjoy this country’s outdoor opportunities and cherish the health of our natural systems which support our quality and enjoyment of life. FFI is an active member and represents fly fishers within the coalition. Through this collaboration, FFI now monitors, evaluates, and acts with sound biological information on important national and local conservation issues.

Under Whit Fosburgh’s leadership TRCP has become the leading coalition of conservation organizations, industries and interests.

FFI Lee Wulff Award Mustad & Sons Mustad and Sons of Miami, Florida, recently adopted an industry -eading sustainability plan, “Hooked on Sustainable Fishing.” It states, “Here we outline our aspirations, ambitions and targets to become the most successful global brand and company in the fishing industry, and the first choice for sustainability conscious customers. All economic activity has impacts on the environment and society, some of which are negative

and others positive. We aspire to be a ‘net positive’ business, meaning we are committed to giving back more than we take from the natural world and enriching our employees and the regions in which we operate. Our products are sold in 160 countries, presenting us with an enormous responsibility and opportunity to use our global brand as a force for doing more good and less bad across our business activities.” The plan includes net positive plans to protect fisheries, mitigate against climate change, and put social and environmental sustainability at the heart of their business model.

FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award Dwight Klemin – Salem, OR Keith Richard - Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

FFI Roderick Haig-Brown Award Aaron Reed - Georgetown, TX

FFI Dick Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award Jere Anderson - Plano, TX

FFI Darwin Atkin Memorial Fly Tying Achievement Award Dutch Baughman - Southlake, TX

FFI Leopold Award Russ Thurow – Salmon, ID

FFI FORUM FFI Awards Conservation Scholarships Christina Welsh University of South Florida Suncoast Fly Fishers and Fly Fishers International Conservation Scholarships Awarded to Christina Welsh On November 8, 2019, Suncoast Fly Fishers (SFF) established the Suncoast Fly Fishers Scholarship at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to support a graduate student’s research on the conservation, restoration, and reclamation of Tampa Bay and west coast Florida fisheries.

The USF College of Marine Science awarded the inaugural SFF scholarship to Christina Welsh, a second-year Ph.D. student studying Biological Oceanography. Christina also applied for the FFI Conservation Grant program for graduate students doing meritorious research.

The FFI Florida Council reviewed and approved Ms. Welsh’s application and research proposal and sent it to David Peterson, FFI Conservation Chair, for the FFI Conservation Committee’s review. Christina was awarded the FFI Conservation Award of $2,000 to support her research.

Christina’s research focuses on understanding the metabolic physiology of larval fish concerning climate

change. This includes measuring the amount of oxygen consumed by fish at rest and during exercise, and the minimum levels of oxygen needed for survival. By measuring these things at different temperatures, it is possible to estimate how fish populations change as seawater warms. The research will include species that are important components of recreational fisheries in Florida, such as red drum and spotted sea trout.

Excerpt from Christina’s essay: My attraction to ecology began early in life, as it does for many, watching fish in ponds and collecting seashells at the beach. This interest gained focus and direction over the years, eventually leading me the University of South Florida, where I am currently seeking a graduate degree in Biological Oceanography. I am presently enrolled in the MS program, but I have the support of my advisor to transition to the PhD program.

However, securing additional funding through scholarships will be integral to support the additional years of schooling that a doctoral degree will require. I plan to one day lead a lab at a university, conducting experiments to investigate the effects of climate change on physiological processes in marine species. This vein of research is critical to preserving the health of wild fish stocks for future generations.

As seawater temperatures rise, fish will face unprecedented environmental conditions, and analyses of historical catch data will be unable to predict population-level responses.

To properly manage fisheries, it will be necessary to understand how extreme temperatures will impact the physiological function of ecologically and economically valuable species.

Kimberly Martin Fox Valley Technical College The scholarship will provide funds for Kimberly to purchase the proper tools needed for the field experiences that FVTC provides. In addition, the scholarship will allow her to purchase digital mediums needed to provide her a better learning experience overall.

Excerpt from Kimberly’s essay: When I initially decided to return to school when I was 23, I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to go to school for.

I started off in the human resources program at Fox Valley Technical College. After my first semester I realized that wasn’t my calling, and I needed to reevaluate my life goals.

I remembered growing up in nature, and learning all about our ecosystem was something that I looked back on so fondly. I saw FVTC offered a natural resources program and I knew right then and there that was what I was meant to do. As a mother with two young kids, environmental education is something that I find very important. From attending the natural resources program my goal is to gain the knowledge I need to not just teach my own children about our ecosystem but help teach others of all ages and demographics.

FFI Forum

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Bill O’Kelly Tribute It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of former Southwest Council President William O’Kelly.

Bill was a tireless worker for the cause of “all fish, all waters.” He served as council president for a little over a year, as well as VP for two years and membership director for two years. He was always involved with the Southwest Council in one manner or another, and was heavily involved in other local fishing and conservation groups and clubs.

Conservation and preserving fisheries for future generations meant the world to Bill. He was instrumental in the Silver Creek Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Restoration Project in the eastern Sierra. This project restored two miles of stream for the reestablishment of a viable native Lahontan Cutthroat population and involved cross-agency work between the SWC, FFI HQ, and numerous conservation organizations and fly-fishing clubs.

A passion for fly-fishing literature led to Bill serving as Author’s Chair at the FFI Expo from 2016 to spring 2020. In this role, he worked with authors to arrange for them to sign their books in the booth during the 2017, 2018, and 2019 FFI Expos. His personal library of fly-fishing books numbered around 975, with over 700 signed by the authors.

He had a true passion for fly tying and was actively working to better himself in the craft. He took countless classes and had the utmost respect for those who had risen to the pinnacle

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of tying.

While Bill will be remembered for his efforts, sacrifices, and work in the clubs and councils he was involved with, what will truly stand out in memory for those who knew him is his cheerful and helpful countenance. We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Kelly, and two teenage children, Caitlin and Conor.

Steven Jensen Tribute (March 06, 1941 - May 19, 2020 ) After a protracted and tenacious battle with complications incident to COPD, and surrounded by loved ones, Steven Leroy Jensen passed away in his home on May 19, 2020. He was 79 years old. Steve was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, family member, and friend who touched many lives. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 6, 1941, the son of John and Helen (Deck) Jensen, Steve received his elementary and secondary education in the Salt Lake City public school system.

By the time Steve graduated from Highland High School, he had been employed as a scientific illustrator by Dr. George Edmunds at the University of Utah, who had admired Steve’s work at a local science fair. Illustrating the mayflies which later became the focus of his life’s work also led to Steve’s interest in the arts of fly fishing and fly tying. Because Dr. Edmunds was considered the world authority on Ephemeroptera, Steve made the decision to remain at the University of Utah for his advanced degrees, and to work under Dr. Edmunds’ tutelage.

It was while at the University of Utah that Steve met his future wife, Nancy Ann (Smith) Jensen. They were

married on October 2, 1968.

Steve completed his Ph.D. in 1972 and accepted a position as Assistant Professor at (now) Missouri State University. He was later promoted to Associate Professor and then Professor, and ultimately served as Head, Department of Biology for seven years, prior to retiring in 2005.

From 1974-1994, Steve served as an entomologist with the 14th Preventive Medicine Unit of the U. S. Army Reserve. When his Unit was activated in 1990, Steve served on active duty in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.

After Steve returned home, he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and served as Commander of the 14th Preventive Medicine Unit.

Steve enjoyed the game of golf and was a member of Millwood Golf and Racquet Club, and Springfield Senior Golf Association where he served for a record 13 years as treasurer.

He was founding president of Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers; held various positions including president of the Southern Council, Federation of Fly Fishers; and served on the Fly-Tyers Board of Fly Fishers International. Steve earned numerous awards—at local, regional, and international levels—for both his flytying and fly-framing contributions, as well as for the many hours spent teaching these skills to others. In the fishing world, Steve is also known for the hand-held, wooden bobbins he designed for tying flies, and for his beautiful, hand-painted poppers.

Another of Steve’s hobbies was philately. He was honored in the summer of 2019 when the American Philatelic Society sent him the coveted 50-Year (Membership) Medallion.

Most importantly, Steve was a

FFI FORUM family man. His number one priority was providing the best quality of life possible for his family. It was rare that Steve missed a sporting event or extra-curricular activity in which his sons participated, and he often coached their teams or put his bass voice to use in the press box. This supportive tradition continued with the grandchildren, and he was thrilled when Brittany gave him his first great grandson, Dane.

Steve became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2017, and he and Nancy were sealed in the Detroit, Michigan LDS Temple on October 2, 2018 (their 50th wedding anniversary). He enjoyed serving in the presidency of the Sunday School in Chesterfield Ward.

Steve is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Ann (Smith) Jensen; sons: Gary Jensen (Springfield, MO) and Jon (Paula) Jensen (Colorado Springs); grandchildren: Kyra Jensen and Reed Jensen (Springfield, MO); Brittany Goeden (Colorado Springs); great grandson: Dane Goeden (Colorado Springs); sisters: Marilyn (Tom) Valle, Luanne (Roger) Gehrig, and Jody (Randy) Gustaveson; plus numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Tony Spezio Tribute It was a sad moment this last month when the patriarch of the Sowbug Roundup, Tony Spezio, passed away.

Tony and Sowbug were two of the reasons I relocated to Mountain Home, Arkansas, in preparation for retirement.

At one of my first Sowbug Roundups, I was tying my wire woven nymphs when one of my friends from Texas said Tony wanted to meet me.

Tony who, I asked? Then I got lectured on who Tony was and I was a bit intimidated about meeting him, as I had only been tying a couple years.

He invited me to his house on Sunday after Sowbug and when I got there, Steve Jensen, Larry Wegmann (both have passed this year), and Jerry Jester were just leaving Tony’s house. Tony and I then talked weaving flies, bamboo rods, and his airplane, making me feel comfortable. When I left, I was a friend. I kept in contact with Tony over the years through mail, email, and visits when I would come to Sowbug and the Southern Conference Conclaves, even after moving to Southern California.

Once I moved here, about two years ago, I started regular visits with him and, what a treat. I got all kinds of stories on local fishing, especially Tucker Shoals for browns, Crooked Creek carp and smallmouth, and what to use and when. Also watched him work on his bamboo rods. He once asked if I was interested in making one for myself; he said he would teach me.

I laughed and said I think I had ADD, as I did not have the patience to do that meticulous type of work. Instead,

I admired his working while listening to his stories. He was a marvelous wood worker and did some fabulous work. One such project was a custom canoe that he sold, but the buyer never picked it up and, last I saw, was still sitting in his basement. He discussed his Tuholer, a self-designed/built twoseater airplane. It has foldable wings because he did not want to pay for hangar space. Instead, he could store it in his own garage.

Once his health started downhill last December, he just wanted to make 90 on March 22 and attend at least one more Sowbug. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 situation, he and Dot, after her stroke, were in lock down in the care facility in Flippin until a few weeks ago. During that time, he lost his other leg to diabetes. I was finally able to make an appointment to see him for the last time, about a week before he passed. I will surely miss him. I enjoyed being his friend, and am glad that he wanted to talk with me those many years ago. Rest in peace, my friend.

Dave Boyer

FFI Forum

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INDUSTRY PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

I

Scientific Anglers and Sustainability

n an effort to reduce waste and reliance on single-use plastics, Scientific Anglers has rolled out a brand-new packaging program focused on sustainability. With the launch of their new Absolute series of leaders, SA made the decision to go green, something for which the company has been planning for years.

“As a company over the past couple of years, we’ve made an effort to take a look at our packaging, both customer-facing and internal, and see where we can reduce one-time use plastics,” said Joe Wolthuis, marketing manager for Scientific Anglers. “That really became obvious to us when we were looking at creating packaging for our Absolute leaders.”

The new packaging features 100% recyclable paper, a cellulose window, and soy-based inks. Inspired by recyclable and biodegradable packaging found in the gardening industry, SA made the decision based on a number of factors, including a sense of responsibility as well as the wants and needs of their customers.

“As a manufacturer within the outdoor industry, we need to do things that are appropriate for the future of our industry. Our consumers are looking for us to

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lead in this way,” Wolthuis said.

“They want to see people doing the right thing when it comes to sustainable choices.

If we’re not making smart choices in our manufacturing and packaging, that’s contributing to the problem.”

In addition to the sustainable packaging for the Absolute leaders, SA is also pioneering a new way of buying and selling leaders in bulk: no packaging whatsoever.

“We started throwing around the idea, if one time use is something that’s bad, what if we didn’t have any packaging at all?” Wolthuis said.

To accomplish this novel idea, SA designed and created a bulk leader

display that features individually wound leaders, available without packaging. In addition to reducing waste, those leaders are also available at a lower cost than those that come in the standard three-packs.

These displays began shipping on October 1, and will be seen in destination fly shops throughout the country.

“It’s almost like a grab-and-go fly bin,” said Wolthuis. “We wanted to change the way people are thinking about buying leaders.”

While these sustainable options are currently on the market, be on the lookout for more sustainable packaging in the future from Scientific Anglers.

“We’re currently working through additional opportunities to move away from single-use plastics within the remainder of the program,” Wolthuis said.

meet patty lueken, a 1000 steward “I became a member of 1000 Stewards to help support the legacy of fly fishing and all it has to offer. I particularly support FFI’s partnership with key conservation organizations to help projects and advocacy initiatives in a manner that leverages limited resources and maximizes the impact of my contribution. I like that concept.” 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 Scientific Anglers and Sustainability

59

There’s no such thing

as a good PVC line.

All PVC fly lines contain plasticizers - it’s what makes PVC flexible enough to even function as a fly line. And here’s the thing with plasticizers: over time, they leach out of the line into places they don’t belong - namely, you and the environment.

Some of these plasticizers contain chemicals that are known to adversely impact reproduction in certain aquatic species. So, they for sure don’t belong in your favorite trout stream. And while we admit we want you fishing Airflo, we also don’t want you contaminating your favorite waters. (Hell, they’re probably ours too.) So we’ll give you $10 off every new Airflo line when you trade in a PVC line. We’ll even make sure they’re safely recycled. Just visit your local shop, give them your old line, and get $10 off a brand new Airflo. That’s good juju any way you look at it.

PVC FREE SINCE 1984

Isn’t it time you mend your line?

The new Superflo Tactical Taper

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