Page 2 OFFICERS John Robitaille, President Joe DeGraw, President-elect Alex Rose, Vice President Tom Grogan, Secretary Ed Rate, Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms expire in 2009 Spencer Amend Bob Fischer Scott Novotny Richard Soffe Terms expire in 2010 John Fanto Jamie Gibson Joe Meyer Gene Theriault Terms expire in 2011 Steve Burgfechtel, M.D. Darin O’Dell Jim Sparks Bill Wichers The Backcast is the monthly newsletter of the Wyoming Fly Casters, an affiliate club of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy and the Federation of Fly Fishers. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the views of the officers, board or members of the Wyoming Fly Casters. Annual dues are $20 for an individual, $30 for a family, or $250 for a lifetime individual membership or $450 for a lifetime family membership. Visit the club website at www.wyflycasters.org. The deadline for submission of information for each issue is the last Wednesday of the month. Make contributions to the next issue by e-mailing material to the Backcast editor at ChevPU57@aol.com, or call (307) 436-8774. The Backcast is available either in electronic format or through USPS snail mail. To receive each newsletter through a monthly e-mail, you must be able to open .pdf (Adobe Acrobat, a software format available free of charge) documents. Generally, each issue is roughly 1 MB in size, some are larger. Your e-mail provider may have limits on the size of attachments. In order to be added to the e-mail list, send a request message to ChevPU57@aol.com. In addition to receiving each issue of the newsletter earlier than your hard copy peers, email subscribers are able to print each copy in vibrant color -- an added plus if the issue is rich in color photographs. By subscribing electronically, you also save the club roughly $17.40 a year in printing and postage expenses.
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Drag-free drif ts by John Robitaille, President, WFC ell, here we are, a new year, with new blood on the board and in the leadership positions. For those who do not know me, I grew up in Casper and graduated from Kelly Walsh High School and the University of Wyoming. While I was in school here, my father and I used to fish the North Platte out of a canoe. Back then we could float from Grey Reef to Government Bridge without seeing another person. My how things change. As we enter this new year, I believe we need to extend our gratitude towards our exiting board members, and especially our past President Dick DePaemelere (Mr. D as we called him in second grade - right out of school yourself then right?). Dick has done wonderful things for this club and deserves to be recognized for his efforts. If you happen to see Dick around
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town or on the river, you might want to give him a pat on the back and tell him thanks. He's earned it. Thanks Mr. D for all your efforts. We have several new faces on the board this year, and I for one am open to anyone calling about anything at all. Please don't worry about calling me, I may not be able to talk right away, but I'll return your call eventually. Email works well, too. We have several events coming up this summer, outings and such, and I hope to be able to attend most of them, however summer is a busy time for me and I'm sure for all of you. I hope to make time to get out and hope you can as well. Hope to see you with a rod in your hand and a rod in my hand soon!
Tailing loops by Randy Stalker, Backcast editor es, the monthly newsletter for the Wyoming Fly Casters has a new editor and a new “look.” After spending 28 years as the editor of a small weekly newspaper, and retiring a year ago from the repetitive weekly tedium of writing, photographing, printing and delivering each issue, (and sweeping out the place), I thought I was through with journalism. Then Dick DePaemelere, who edited the club newsletter for the last several years, announced his retirement (both from teaching school and as the club newsletter editor) and his vacation plans would be expected to interfere with the production of each monthly issue. He therefore announced he was seeking a successor. After several months of consideration, I told him I would grudgingly assume the helm. During my 12 years with the Wyoming Fly Casters, I have always considered the newsletter to be the soul of the club and looked forward to each new issue. I hope to continue that tradition. If
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anyone does not like the format of the newsletter, I will gladly hand over the reins to another “volunteer.” For those of you who receive the newsletter electronically, you will notice the color splashing every page. For those of you receiving the Backcast by snail mail, it is printed in drab monochrome. To take advantage of color, sign up for email delivery. In order to make the Backcast more interesting, I am seeking submissions from the membership. These could include short articles, narratives of fishing trips, or photographs (high quality ones would be candidates for future covers). Drop me a line at ChevPU57@aol.com, or mail slides or prints to P.O. Box 428, Glenrock, 82637. It’s your newsletter so let it reflect the qualities and heart of the club’s activities -- not just fishing, but conservation and other missions in which we are involved. On the following page, you will notice a box reserved for fishing reports. With continued on page 10
Cover shot: Bill Mixer releases a Platte River rainbow at the “honey hole” by Glenrock.
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
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April’s scheduled outing
FISHING REPORTS
The Big Horn outing at Ft. Smith is scheduled for April 11-13 at Cottonwood Camp. The condo is reserved for us. Ed Rate is the streamkeeper for this outing and is being assisted by Lloyd Ferguson. Please call Lloyd at 234-2234 or Ed at 237-9667 for more information or questions about this outing. Please pay the treasurer $55.00 to cover the cost of lodging and meals. Please make your payment as soon as possible or by the April general membership meeting. For those who have not gone on this outing the accommodations are bunkhouse style with comfortable beds. Lodging costs for this outing will be about $32.00 total. Evening meals on Friday and Saturday and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday prepared and served by Ed, Lloyd, Don and Randy at a cost of approximately $20.00. The evening meal on Friday will be lasagna and on Saturday we’ll have steak. Each participant will be expected to provide his/her own lunches and beverages. Remember that we’ll be on the Crow Reservation and that you cannot purchase alcohol on the reservation. We’ll try to work out shuttles to help each other but be prepared to help your boat captain with the costs of the shuttle, however, a shuttle provided by Cottonwood Camp may be necessary for each boat. There will be a fee for this service. If you don’t have a boat, don’t worry. We’ll try to find you a seat and if that doesn’t work out, you can always wade as there is plenty of public access. At his time Lloyd tells me that there should be a seat for everyone. Don’t forget your camera. You will need to purchase a Montana fishing license and conservation stamp. The cost of the conservation stamp is $10.00 per year and a 2-day Montana license is $15.00. Licenses are available at Cottonwood Camp, The Sheridan K-Mart or on line. If you ride with someone it is customary to help with fuel costs and parking fees.
From the membership
Next month’s slated outing Where: The Cardwell access (Fremont Canyon), just below Pathfinder Reservoir. When: May 24. Streamkeeper: Don Jelinek, Randy Stalker and Daren Bulow. A five or six weight rod is ideal. Casts are short, using a two-fly rig and an indicator. The stream is narrow and shallow by river standards, and is easy to wade in most spots. The most effective fly patterns to use include size 14 beadhead hare’s ears, tiny red midge larvae, pheasant tails, rock worms, and streamers. A size 12 Prince nymph tossed by Chef Ptomaine, right, caught a monster brown during the spring 2007 outing at Cardwell. Chef Ptomaine, Scoop and the Carphunter are to be preparing a meal in the afternoon, and a donation jar is to be availble. Proceeds beyond the cost of the food are to be donated to the club’s spe-
The following reports were gleaned from information presented at the last meeting, as well as from published sources. North Platte River: From Gray Reef, to the narrows, to the Speas easement all the way through Glenrock, the river is fishing really well on red rockworms, San Juan worms, midges and small beadhead flashback pheasant tail nymphs. Cardwell: The Fremont Canyon access requires only three patterns: rockworms, thread midges and beadhead hare’s ears. Bighorn River: For those attending the outing at Ft. Smith, MT this month, reports indicate the river is fishing reasonably well with the usual patterns producing; black and red thread midges in 1820, LBFs or black quills in 18-20, Ray Charles in orange, pink, gray or tan (16-18), tan or pink sowbugs in 16 and 18 and of course the San Juan worm is working well in the flat wax or wire style in red, orange, or two tone. During cloudy days, try a wooly buggers in olive, black and brown. The fish are picky about the depth the fly is presented, so if you’re not getting bites, extend your sinker-to-indicator length. If the weather is cool and the sky is overcast, Jim Sparks suggests tying on a small RS2 or similar emerger and capitalize on the blue-winged olive hatch; or a small Griffith’s gnat for the hatching midges. Fish both below a Goddard caddis indicator. Winter snow pack is almost at normal levels roughly 95 percent of average. Yellowtail Reservoir is now at 80 percent full, which is well above what it has been for the last several years. The current flow is 1870 cfs, which is up from this time last year when it was 1500 cfs.
So easy a caveman can do it.
cial projects coffers. Be sure to get on the signup sheet circulated during the April and May club meetings.
To include your fishing report, send information to the Backcast editor, c/o ChevPU57@aol.com.
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
FLY
of the month
PARACHUTE ADAMS One of my favorites, because it is a versatile and effective dry fly pattern. A staple for the Big Horns, Boxelder and Deer Creek. The high visibity wing coupled with the lower floating parachute hackle team to provide a solid fish-catching silhouette with angler appeal. It can imitate any type of mayfly, even though it is too dark for some and too light for others. It also works as a caddis when skittered, a spinner pattern and a general attractor. It deserves a place in everyone’s box, in a variety of sizes. Hook: Dry fly, 12-22 Thread: Iron grey 8/0 Tail: Brown and grizzly spade hackle fibers or moose mane Wing: Calf tail or white Antron or polypropylene Hackle: Brown and grizzly Body: Gray beaver or muskrat dubbing
Dick DePaemelere with his first bonefish, landed during an outing hosted by Jim Dean at Long Island, Bahamas in February. Several WFC members sampled gulf fishing.
Suggested upcoming outings Quite a few potential outings have been suggested for this season. Volunteers are always welcomed to assume the responsibilities as streamkeepers to organize the activity, publicize it, arrange for a cookout (if desired) and provide insight into tactics and techniques. Here are a few ideas for this summer and fall. May: Cardwell, opening day on the Firehole River. June: Deer Creek, Platte River float, Walker-Jenkins, Snowy Range, Toltec or Walker Jenkins float tubing. July: Middle Fork of the Powder River, North Fork of the Tongue River, Yellowstone, Snowy Range, Muddy Guard. August: Ten Sleep, Snake River, Grey’s River (for a cutt-slam), Snowy Range. September: Platte River float (Glenrock stretch). October: Flycasters access at Speas rearing station. November: Miracle Mile.
THINK SUMMER! It’s not too early to mark your calendar for the most popular outing of the year: Ten Sleep. It is traditionally held on the second weekend of August each year. A couple of years ago, a whopping 72 attended the Saturday BBQ, but last year’s offering only attracted 12 (four members, four wives and four children). The annual fishing weekend is traditionally held in the meadow above the Deer Park campground, west of Buffalo. The most popular (and most accessible) fishing spot is the middle fork of Ten Sleep Creek, and easy 15 minute walk from the camping area. The majority of the fish are small brookies, but there are some browns. But for the more hardy individual, better fishing is available at Paint Rock Creek. The fish are pure Yellowstone cutthroats and eligible for the cutt-slam. A trip down the canyon at Paint Rock is planned for the 2008 Ten Sleep gathering so start getting in shape for the steep hike in and out (don’t worry, it’s not as bad as the Miller Trail at the Middle Fork of Powder River).
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 5
Club banquet is slated for April 5 The Wyoming Fly Casters’ major fund-raising venue of the year, the spring banquet, is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at the Holiday Inn on the River. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., with a buffet-style dinner at 7:00 p.m. The WFC banquet committee has secured a variety of items for this year’s raffle and live auction, including a trip to the Bow River outside Calgary, Canada (two days of guided fishing and three nights’ lodging). Other items include artwork, fly fishing equipment, a handmade boat net, an original painting by Dennis Bienvenu, some goodies from Brunton, a pheasant hunting trip, fly boxes and clothing, among others. Door prizes will also be awarded. Of course, several fly plates will be auctioned, including one featuring the membership, and another displaying flies tied by those achieving prestigious MacTavish membership. During the evening, several members are to be recognized, including presentation of the past president’s plaque and the MacTavish honoree for 2008. Tickets ($25 a person) were available through Monday, Mar. 31 at the fly shops. Advance sales provided a means for the committee to make a reasonable guess at the number of attendees. No tickets will be available at the door. The club banquet is an opportunity to bring the wife and enjoy an evening of food and fun with a number of fishing buddies.
Need a fishing buddy? Here’s two A message from Joe Meyer and Daren Bulow: Most people join our club to learn where to fish and to improve their fishing technique. If we are to keep members active, experienced members of the club need to be available to give lessons on technique or fishing location information. To that end, Joe and Daren would like you to know that they are available to help and they are encouraging other members to add their names to this list so that new members can call someone for help. Call Joe at 235-1316 or Daren at 247-2578.
M Y F LY B OX A wise sage, who obviously was over the age of 50, once observed that given the choice of peeking down Dolly Parton’s blouse or sneaking a look inside Lefty Kreh’s fly box, he would chose the latter as it would provide potentially greater long-term rewards. So, given this scenario, readers each issue of the Backcast will be treated to a look inside a fly box of a club member. This month, Daren Bulow (the “Carp Hunter”) opens his “big trout” box, showing the large nymphs and double-hook streamers he uses to chase jumbo browns as well as carp.
Remind WFC members of approaching events, through timely digital nudges Do you have trouble remembering when there are WFC functions? Have you ever forgotten a function and then remembered about it when it was over? Scott Novotny is undertaking a reminder program for club activities, etc. He requests that members send him an e-mail so that he can have your e-mail address and then he will send out a timely reminder by e-mail of any activities. He promised that your e-mail address would only be used for the purpose of sending the reminder. Send your e-mail to Scott Novotny at gscottn@gmail.com.
For Sale by owner Slightly used drift boat (“Carmen”) for sale. As is, where is. Previously owned by the Skipper and Gilligan. Price is negotiable. Contact Jim Dean
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
APRIL 2008 MONDAY
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
1
2
3
9
10
FRIDAY
SATURDAY 4
April Fools Day
7
6
13
14
8
15
WFC General Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.
16
11
5
Annual club banquet, Holiday Inn, 7 p.m.
12
Bighorn River outing, Ft. Smith, Montana
17
18
19
24
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26
WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
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30 Deadline for Backcast info
MAY 2008 MONDAY
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
4
5
6
11
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13
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
18
19
20
2
3
7
8
9
10
14
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22
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26 Memorial Day
21 WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
Full Moon
25
SATURDAY
1
WFC General Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.
Mother’s Day
FRIDAY
27
28 Deadline for Backcast info
Cardwell Outing
29
30
31
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
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JUNE 2008 MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
2
3
8
9
10
SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 4
11
FRIDAY 6
7
13
14
5
12
SATURDAY
WFC General Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.
15
16
17
18
Flag Day
19
WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Full Moon
Father’s Day
22
23
24
25
20
21
27
28
Summer Solstice
26
Deadline for Backcast info
29
30
JULY 2008 MONDAY
SUNDAY
6
7
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
10
11
12
17
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25
26
WFC General Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.
13
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16 WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
20
21
22
27
28
29
23
30 Deadline for Backcast info
Full Moon
24
31
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Broken rods, frozen fingers and big fish
Winter fishing at Grey Reef by Alex Rose efore moving to Wyoming this last November, I called my good friend Rob, of Littleton, Colo., and told him I was going to live in Casper. He immediately began raving about Grey Reef. "You are going to love it," he said, babbling like a giddy teenage girl before prom. "That place has huge, enormous trout. Get on the Internet and just look at the fish being caught at Grey Reef." Now that I've had the opportunity to fish extensively at Grey Reef this last winter, I have to agree with Rob. The fish are very big, enormous. And I've told Rob to persuade his Greenie friends from fishing here. "The fishing here is just horrible," I lied, with biting sarcasm. "Tell your friends to not even bother fishing here." Since I'm new to Casper, I know I have much to learn about fishing the North Platte. At times, fishing this winter was tough, and the conditions were heinous. Still, in spite of inexperience, two broken rods and near hypothermia, I managed to catch some gorgeous trout this winter, healthy, fat fish, "Jenny Craigs." A friend from Buffalo, Bob, and I spent an entire day on the water during bitter cold and wind. At sundown, we drove back to Casper, mostly in silence as we thawed out. After about 20 minutes, he spoke up. "You know, my feet just don't feel right," he said. During the months of December through February, I fished approximately 25 to 30 days, between Grey Reef and the Outhouse Hole. The winds howled, ice constantly froze up in my guides, and I tried, usually in vane, to keep my fingers warm. I broke one rod by chipping ice off a guide and snapped my tip like a twig. I even broke my back up rod, an inexpensive rod purchased at Sutherland's for less than 30 bucks.
Rose and his 22-inch rainbow in full spawning regalia, caught at Grey Reef on an olive matuka.
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While driving to the Outhouse Hole, I had left my rod in the back of my truck, with the door to my camper shell open, the tip sticking out the back. I drove fast through snow, slush and mud, trying to avoid getting stuck. I hit a large bump and the camper shell door slammed shut, promptly breaking my rod and my heart. So why would I fish during such miserable conditions? Three reasons: First, I like the challenge of catching fish in impossible conditions. It's rewarding, and I'm truly thankful for every fish I catch during the winter. Anyone can catch fish when the conditions are perfect. But it requires grit, determination, and perhaps madness to fish when the wind chill is five degrees and you've lost feeling in your fingertips. And second, although I've fished in several states, from North Carolina to
Maine, and from Colorado to California, I've never seen so many large fish in a single stream. At times, a large trout the size of small pig would swim at my feet, allowing my legs to break the current. Sometimes, when wading, I would feel this brush against my shin, and then swear I had stumbled into some large rainbow lurking nearby. And that's what kept me coming back: that remote, outside chance that a large, sluggish fish would take one of my humble flies. The final reason I spent so much time on the water this winter is that I've heard the stories about how hordes of Greenies gang up on Grey Reef during the spring and summer and crush the place. And I was amazed at the number of stray Greenies I saw there this winter. It's nuts to drive from Casper to the Reef when temperatures
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter are below freezing. But to drive over 250 miles to fish in miserable conditions is truly insane. Anyhow, I fished the Reef hard this last winter, and now I'm fishing somewhere else. Another unique aspect of fishing the North Platte is the large number of trout that I managed to snag, or rather, "foul hook." Foul hooking fish is a new phenomena for me. I never foul hooked a trout when dry fly fishing back home in Tennessee. Once, at the Outhouse Hole, I managed to foul hook three fish in row, unleashing mass pandemonium and a three-ring circus. All three fish ripped out line and took me into my backing. I don't know why foul hooking fish is considered to be so unsporting. After all, a large fish hooked near the tail puts up a terrific fight. You never intend to foul hook fish, it just happens, that serendipitous snag. But I refuse to photograph any fish I foul hook. You must draw the line somewhere. Besides fishing, I took up fly tying this winter. I now have a new vice, and it ain't whiskey. After ten years of buying flies, I decided it was time to make my own. Thanks to a fly tying class by Dick DePaemelere, I'm now obsessed with feathers, thread, hair and dubbing. An employee at the Ugly Bug referred to tying flies as a "sickness." Thanks to Dick, I set up a semi-permanent fly tying station at the end up my dining room table, and my wife hates his guts. My winter flies of choice were black midges, sizes 18 and 20, tiny nymphs and large rock worms. But my most productive flies by far were rock worms, sizes 10 and 14. I caught the majority of my fish on rock worms. They are simple to tie, durable, and very effective. I also despised midges, since I would land only about 1 out of five fish. I didn't care if there was a blizzard of midges in the air; I still used rock worms and caught fish. I never caught large numbers of trout. Winter is a great time to humble you, and to remind you that fly fishing is supposed to be hard. You don't have to catch 20 fish to have "a good day." The most fish I managed to land during an outing was seven, and my average was probably two to four per day. However, I caught, all together, several large, fat and sassy trout between 18 and 20 inches. I usually fished alone, with the company of ducks, geese and eagles. If you have any friends in Colorado, tell them that winter fishing at the Reef is just terrible.
Page 9
Mick Novotny with a typical Cardwell access rainbow trout.
My day in the canyon by G. Scott Novotny hen I was a young boy and before I knew anything about fly fishing my dad loaded up the old Suburban to take me to Pathfinder where we would fish for trout from shore using mellows and night crawlers. When the culvert wasn’t washed out, like it usually was in early spring, I would look forward to spending a day trying to catch rainbows and an occasional cutthroat with my dad. The Cardwell access area was non-existent and the water usually was roaring wildly in the spring washing out the culvert or a flow that would not exist later in the summer. Due in part to the cooperative efforts of the Cardwell family, Wyoming Flycasters and the BLM there is now a constant flow of around 75 cfs and a nice fishery has developed. You won’t catch a bunch of fish but there are some really nice rainbows waiting to be caught by the patient angler. I had caught some nice fish last summer and I was excited about giving it a shot this cold windy spring day. Dad couldn’t make the trip this time and my friend Phil and I decided to give it a go. Like a typical day at Cardwell the
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fishing was slow but we knew that the payoffs could be worth the wait. Phil and I both caught a few smaller rainbows and Phil managed to land a 2 pounder. Now it was my turn, so I moved downriver closer to the canyon’s mouth where I had been quite successful last summer. I have a favorite hole that’s rewarded me in the past and today was to be no exception. I drifted my rockworm down into the depths where many a 15 in. plus rainbow hve been landed and the fight was on. I knew this was a bigger fish than usual and I needed to take my time to complete the catch. Being patient isn’t easy but the virtue grows on you as you age and sometimes become wiser as a fisherman. After what seemed forever the fish released its hold on its sanctuary and entered the world of air and wind and cold. It was a beautiful rainbow with coloring that gave it it’s name. The 25in., 6.5 lb. rainbow was quickly returned to its liquid home to test the skills of another patient angler. The Cardwell family, Wyoming Fly Casters and the BLM have provided fly fishermen from throughout the region another excellent fishery to test their angling skills. Get out and test your skills. But remember: be patient.
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Official Minutes; general membership and board meetings GENERAL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2008 The slate for the physical year 2008/9 was modified as follows: President Elect - Joe DeGraw Vice President - Alex Rose Secretary - Tom Grogan Treasurer - Ed Rate Board Members: Steve Burgfechtel Darin O’Dell Jim Sparks Bill Wichers Jamie Gibson - 2 year term Bob Fischer - 1 year term This slate was accepted by unanimous acclimation. Respectfully submitted by Andrew Sauter, Secretary 3/20/08 BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 19, 2008 The meeting was called to order by the President. A motion was made, seconded and passed (MSP) to accept the Secretary’s minutes as published in the March Backcast. MSP to accept the Treasurer’s report as published in the
Tailing Loops your help, it will contain brief accounts of recent fishing trips. If you have a favorite fly pattern, submit a recipe for inclusion in a future issue. And finally, streamkeepers for future outings are encouraged to prepare a brief outline for inclusion in the issue of the Backcast appearing before the scheduled fishing trip. • This issue features two narratives of fishing trips. Such articles from the membership are always appreciated. So dust off that keyboard and start penning a report. • Congratulations to the new, younger members of the club who stepped up during the March meeting to throw their candidacies into the ring for three officer positions, and others who thought enough of the club and its future to fill board of
March Backcast. The new Officers and Board members in attendance were greeted. Outings – Ap. Bighorn, E. Rate Streamkeeper: May Cardwell Access, R. Stalker Streamkeeper. Revitalization Committee has completed its’ 2007/8 work. Banquet Committee – On track for a successful evening. OLD BUSINESS: Natrona County Sheriff’s group is looking for volunteers for “Camp Postcard”. WFC has volunteered to instruct casting etc. WFC is waiting for instructions from Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. on the new Gray Reef access. NEW BUSINESS: A. VanRensselaer provided a note outlining his resignation from the board. MSP to accept his resignation. The exchange of keys between outgoing and incoming Officers was reviewed. J. Sweet, East Yellowstone chapter of T.U. (Cody) requested financial support for a project to study the reproduction of Lake Trout in Yellowstone Park with the goal of eliminating reproduction. The board will request more information. Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted by Andrew Sauter, Secretary, WFC 3/20/08
(continued from page 2)
directors vancancies. The club is always open to new and innovative ideas, so don’t be hesitant to make some suggestions to improve the meetings, outings and conservation projects. Remember: we’re all volunteers. • This is April, and the Bighorn outing is nearly here. The date has been moved up a couple of months from previous years, but the river should continue to be productive in the early spring. The weather remains a question mark; it could be comfortable or it could be gusty and cold. Fisherman should prepare accordingly. The weekend at Cottonwood Camp has usually been well-attended (15 have signed up so far) and everyone drives home Sunday afternoon with a smile and a creel of memories. Keep in mind that fish cops monitoring the Bighorn River are taking a dim view of those who chum the river by either intentionally dragging
an anchor or by stirring the bottom with their feet (the San Juan shuffle) and fishing immediately below it. A hefty fine could be imposed on these ethically-challenged fishermen. Ask Jim Sparks about the ‘Horn during the April general membership meeting. He fished the river in late March, so he is a credible source of what flies to use and how to fish them. • Spring fever is infectious. As soon as the weather allows, I’ll be heading to Boxelder for the first visit season, perhaps as early as later this month during the window of opportunity before the creek rages during runoff. If you want an opportunity to experience the solitude and variety of fish in this steep and rugged and rarely visited canyon, give me a call. Tight lines,
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 11
Treasurer’s Report for February 2008 INCOME
Description
Amount
Date 2/11/2008 2/15/2008 2/21/2008 2/26/2008
deposit - dues deposit - fly tying class 15.00, 2/13 Raffle - 92.00, spec raffle - 5.00, dues - 15.00 deposit - dues Transfer from Money Market Acct
90.00 247.00 40.00 4,000.00
Total Income
4,377.00
EXPENSES Check #
Description
#3847 #3848
Izaak Walton League - Feb Rent Ugly Bug - Xmas Certificates-310.00, less Backcast Ad (25.00)
#3849 #3850 #3851 #3852 #3853 #3854 #3855 #3856 #3857
Finishing Touch - Banquet Exp Scott Novotny - Club Merchandise Kinkos - Jan Backcast - 97.34, Feb Backcast - 92.61 Void U.S. Postmaster -P. O. Box Rent Ugly Bug 2/13 Raffle Joe Meyer - Banquet Exp Pending - Postage March Backcast Platte River Parkway Trust - Mileage Marker Sponsor Fee
#3858 #3859 -
B W Insurance - Liabi;ity Insurance Cottonwood Camp - Deposit Outing 4/11, 4/12 Bank Service Charge (Not Available)
Amount (75.00) (285.00) (63.00) (156.10) (189.95) (68.00) (105.29) (10.46)
(250.00) (772.50) (150.00) Total Expenses
(2,125.30)
Checking Account Balance Income Expenses
2,785.16 4,377.00 (2,125.30)
Balance
$5,036.86
22,238.86 (4,000.00) 1,216.44
2/29/2008
Money Market Account Balance-(WFC Funds) Transfer to Checking Acct Balance (PRE Funds) Interest Income (Not Available)
2/29/2008
Balance
$19,455.30
Recapitulation Checking Account Money Market PRE Funds - Reserved
$5,036.86 $18,188.86 $1,216.44
2/1/2008
2/29/2008
2/1/2008 2/26/2008
2/29/2008
Total
$24,442.16
Wyoming Fly Casters P.O. Box 2881 Casper, WY 82602
www.wyflycasters.org
The mission of the Wyoming Fly Casters is to promote and enhance the sport of fly fishing and the conservation of fish and their habitat.