WFC 08/08

President’s message . . . . . . . . . 2 Editor’s notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fishing reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Upcoming outings . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 More outings, programs . . . . . . . 4 Fly pattern of the month . . . . . . . 4 My Fly Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 ‘Doc’ moving to Riverton . . . . . . .5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fishing Outlaw Canyon . . . . . . . 6 Drift boat fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Membership list . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fishing etiquette . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Fly box organization . . . . . . . . .13 Club calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Board minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Treasurer’s report . . . . . . . . . . .15

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 y wife and I are blessed with three wonderful children.

Two of the three came at the same time, almost 10 years ago. The third is a few years younger, but tries to be the same age as his brothers. Over the years, I've taken my twin sons to the river, to stand on the bank, and learn to fight fish that I hook for them, then hand them the rod. As time passed, we spent time in the backyard casting an invisible fly, on an invisible leader.

Soon, they were casting a real fly, attached to a real leader. We started with 7 ½ foot rods on a small creek in the Ten Sleep area, and then branched out to the river when the water was low enough for them to wade.

This month marked a milestone for my twins and me. For the first time, we fished from a drift boat. When I decided to do this, I told them we would only fish for half a day, about four hours.

They didn't think that was a good idea, however, and though we should fish for a full day. I remained stoic on my decision. We had one of the boys in the front (alone), and one in the back with me; after a couple hours we switched. I do not recall having more fun fishing in my entire life, even though I didn't land one fish. I had a wonderful day, watching my sons cast, mend, set the hook, fight, lose, fight, fight some more and land fish. We were lucky to have such cool water this late in the summer, and those fish fought like it was early spring.

M

After about two hours, the boys switched positions and continued to fish.

By this time, the sun was getting higher, and their arms were getting tired. I continued to coach them, as did our guide (who was outstanding with them), and they continued to land big fish. As we approached the half day mark, our guide told them we were approaching the last hole and they needed a double. With lines in the water, Thomas (who was in the back of the boat), set the hook first - nice big rainbow. Suddenly, as though it was planned that way, David (who was in the front of the boat), set the hook another nice rainbow. Without missing a beat, our guide soon had both fish in the net, and as we set anchor we had both boys in the front of the boat for the final picture of the day. Twin boys, twin fish. Great way to finish the day.

As we stood on the bank watching the boat trailer being lowered into the water, I asked them what they thought about that type of fishing. They both excitedly told me how much they loved it. Then they decided that a full day was maybe going to be too long for them right now, and a half day was just right.

Hum, I thought, maybe your old man's not as crazy as you thought …

Hope to see you with a rod in your hand and a rod in my hand soon!

Tailing loops

by Randy Stalker, Backcast editor or those of you who don’t get the Backcast digitally, you’re missing the color featured in every issue.

Like the peacock bass featured on this month’s cover. It looks drab and dreary in monochrome.

But if you want to take a glimpse of the cover in color, log onto the club’s

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website (www.wyflycasters.org) and click on the Backcast newsletter in the site map. From there, you can download the entire issue if you desire. Scott Novotny, the club’s webmaster, updates the site regularly, and the newest newsletter is usually posted by the first of the month.

Also new for this issue is four addi-

Cover shot: Arnie Sybrant with a South American peacock bass.

continued on page 12

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

Page 3

FISHING REPORTS From the membership The following reports were gleaned from information presented at the last meeting, as well as from published sources, and filtered from gossip, boasting, bragging, and other exaggerated claims from reliable but biased secondhand sources.

The weekend at Ten Sleep in the Bighorn Mountains has usually been a popular event.

August’s scheduled outing Only one outing has been scheduled for this month.

Mark your calendars for the most popular outing of the year (except for last season), Ten Sleep. It is traditionally held on the second weekend of August each year, but this season is has been moved to the third. 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 held in the meadow above the Deer Park campground, west of Buffalo. To get there, head north to Buffalo, turn west on highway 16. Go west about 40 miles to Deer Haven Lodge. Turn right (north) and go about six miles on the dirt road to Deer Park campground. If you get to Ten Sleep Lake you went about two miles too far. Look for the WFC sign (if the club still has one).

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 -- a dream stream which Richard Soffe revealed four years ago. 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).

Sing up at the next general membership meeting or contact Joe De Graw at 258-0177 or send him an e-mail at joseph_degraw@yahoo.com.

Fishing on the North Platte River is being described as “awesome” from early morning to the early afternoon and then again in the evenings. Flows are at 1700 cfs.

This is the season for morning tricos, midday PMDs and evening caddis. Favored patterns include leeches, red rock worm, split foam back PMDs, split foam back tricos and caddis emergers. Trail midges and tricos in the early morning, switching over to PMD and caddis nymph patterns in the afternoon.

There is some dry fly action, so come prepared with your dry box.

Small streams such as Boxelder and Deer Creek have subsided considerly from the runoff in June and are now in ideal dry fly condition. Boxelder is in particularly nice condition, and the fish (rainbows and browns) are huskier this year with a snotty attitude.

Other streams, particularly in the mountains, are still high and dirty. A trip to the Big Horns in mid-July demonstrated that some streams are still in full runoff mode.

By mid-August, perhaps Ten Sleep Creek flows will be tamer for the scheduled outing.

For a report on the Middle Fork of the Powder River, see page 6.

The North Fork of the Tongue River was visited by six WFC members on July 19, and while the beaver dams have been blown out by earlier high flows, the fish are stil there. Try nymphs in the morning (copper Johns, beadheaded fuzzy things [see page 4] or Prince nymphs), then switch to dries after lunch. Stay around for the caddis hatch, about 6:30 p.m., using elk hair caddis dries trailed with emergers.

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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

FLY

of the month

FUZZY THING Here is the infamous pattern which caused a sensation for the last year in the WFC. It is a terrific searching pattern, as it represents nothing in specific but everything in general. It represents a callibaetis nymph well, hence its success in stillwaters such as Walker Jenkins. In larger sizes it can represent a stonefly nymph. Tied in smaller sizes with a bead head and in olive, it is the Bead Headed Fuzzy Green Thing. For simplicity’s sake, we present the original version here, known in Colorado, where in reportedly originated, as the Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear. Hook: TMC 5262 #8-18.

Thread: 70 denier, dark brown.

Tail: India hen back fibers or guard hairs from a hare’s mask Rib: Fine gold wire or gold oval tinsel.

Abdomen: Natural hare's mask.

Wingcase: Mottled turkey.

Thorax: Natural hare's mask dubbing, picked out.

If ya done it, it ain’t braggin.’

-- Yogi Berra Bring your camera along on your next fishing trip, and use it to document your catch and release fish. Then send the digital image to the WFC newsletter editor for consideration of inclusion in the next issue. Contributions are always welcome. Who knows ... maybe your photo will be the next month’s cover.

Ed Rate and Lloyd Ferguson look to tie on patterns for the evening caddis hatch on the North Tongue River on Saturday, July 19.

Upcoming programs and club activities described The general membership meeting on Aug. 13 is to feature a roundtable of tiers featuring their favorite patterns for the Ten Sleep dry fly clinic and outing on the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17.

The annual barbecue will be featured on Sept. 10. Although a raffle will be held, no other business or programs will be offered.

Then in October, Alex Rose is to present a progam on fly fishing in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains (Tennessee and North Carolina).

• On Sept. 20, the club is being asked to participate in the second annual Platte River Revival, a project aimed at improving the aesthetics of the river. Everyone meets at Mike Lansing Field at 9:00 a.m.

Lunch is offered at noon, followed by some fishing opportunities.

• On Sept. 27 (mark your calendars!), a float trip outing is being mulled to tap the fishing opportunities on the river just west of Glenrock.

We will be floating from Big Muddy

(located north of the highway on county road 22, Cole Creek, look for the microwave tower) and float four miles downstream to Rabbit Hill, also known as White Rocks.

From numerous floats down this stretch, the hot fly patterns include vanilla buggers, bead-headed halfbacks, San Juan worms, rock worms, pheasant tail nymphs and hare’s ears.

Just because you don’t have a drift boat or haven’t been invited, sign up anyway. We hope to have enough boats to accommodate everyone. The outing will begin at 9 a.m. (a shuttle service is to be provided, grudgingly, by the wife of one of the streamkeepers), and will conclude by 1 or 2 p.m. Perhaps Chef Ptomaine’s arm could be twisted so a cookout could be offered; if not, the Classic Cafe in Glenrock is the usual post-outing gathering place.

And finally, on Oct. 18, an outing is scheduled for Trapper’s Route, just downstream of Government Bridge.

Details will be available at the outing date nears.

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

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‘Doc’ resigns his board position Board member Steve Burgfechtel will be leaving Casper for better opportunities in the fall. We wish him all the best in his new home and job, and thank him for all his service to the board. We do, however, need to find someone to fulfill his term. If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in fulfilling the 2½ year term, please let either the president or a current board member know.

Activities chairman and banquet ideas are being sought by the club prez We need a chairman for the activities committee. Activities such as tying classes, rod building, net building, and community fly fishing classes or what ever else you might be interested in putting together would be included. If you are interested, please contact John Robitaille.

• The banquet committee is interested in hearing ideas for next year. If you have ideas that you believe would make the banquet better, let us know. You can email ideas to John Robitaille at john@pawyo.org.

Volunteers needed for the G&F’s Expo next September The Wyoming Game and Fish Expo is scheduled for Sept 4, 5, 6. We have a booth and will be teaching fly casting.

We need volunteers to help out at the booth (now with snazzy new posters) and casting instructors. If you cannot make the next meeting and are interested in signing up please let either the president or a current board member know as soon as possible.

M Y F LY B OX Nancy Stichert has two fly boxes; one for nymphs, one for dries. Here is the nymph box she was using during the Cardwell outing. Her box included several patterns of the “bead headed fuzzy green thing,” which has proven such a consistent producer at Walker Jenkins Lake. It turns out the BHFGT is actually a bead headed olive gold-ribbed hare’s ear. The pattern, for the Wyoming Fly Casters, will remain a “bead headed fuzzy green thing” because it’s a more descriptive name.

More on this pattern on page 4.

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

by Alex Rose Vice President, WFC

A

Tom managed to stay on his feet while crossing the Middle Fork. Rose wasn’t so lucky.

fter a friend took me fishing at Outlaw Canyon last November, I declared the Middle Fork of the Powder River one my favorite trout streams in the U.S. This blue-ribbon trout stream offers spectacular scenery, seclusion, clear, cold water, and cascading pools filled with hungry rainbows and brown trout.

So in late June, when Tom Grogan asked if I wanted to fish the Middle Fork with him, he didn’t have to twist my arm all that hard. Although we knew the water was still high, we had heard reports that the water was certainly fishable – if you didn’t mind swimming.

After picking Grogan up at 5:00 a.m. sharp, we drove to Kaycee, and then on to Outaw Canyon, delayed only by a large herd of cattle that refused to yield the road. When we reached the canyon’s rim, I carefully maneuvered my little truck through deep ruts and rock. Grogan then took me to a historic Native American campsite that featured ancient pictographs.

We walked back to my truck. I turned the key in the ignition, but nothing happened. The truck wouldn’t start.

There was just silence, followed by sinking feelings of concern about being stranded and broke down in a very remote area. I lifted the hood and discovered the problem: When the truck jolted along the road, my battery became lose and broke the connection leading to a terminal.

This ended up being just a small setback. Grogan held the wire in place and my truck immediately fired up. We slammed the doors and my truck lurched forward down the rock-strewn road.

Although I knew we had to fix the problem, our priority was reaching the trailhead, and truck repairs would have to wait.

We quickly hiked down a steep trail into the canyon. The water was noticeably high and swift. Grogan was wet wading, while I wore waders, which turned out to be a poor decision. This was one of those times when we should have simply jumped in the water to “get it over with.”

I began casting my gold foam egg pattern, while Grogan used a nymph, which I will call McLovin, named after a character from the movie Super Bad.

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter This fly represents a common insect found in the Middle Fork. Grogan swore me to secrecy on the true identity of the fly pattern, so you’ll have to drag it out of him. All I can say is that it’s an unusual variation of a common fly pattern.

Since this was still spring, I had high hopes for egg patterns, but all I could catch was one small brown. Meanwhile, Grogan, upstream from me, caught and released several fish with his McLovin.

I reeled in and walked upstream to Grogan. “Are you ready?” he asked, getting out his fly box. He knew I wanted a McLovin. I tied on a fly and immediately caught and released four trout from a single pool.

We continued downstream, fishing pools and carefully negotiating stream crossings. When the sun appeared on the water, Grogan tied on a dry fly, a large stimulator, but the washboard ripples over the surface made effective drifts difficult. Still, Grogan was the true sportsman, while I was the shameless nympher.

Although he caught a few fish with his stimulator, he eventually abandoned his dry fly for a McLovin, and at times we both simultaneously hooked into fish.

While wading back upstream, I casually fished while admiring the surroundings. I had caught and released dozens of fish, and I was ready to reel in for the day and photograph wildflowers. But perhaps I was just a little too relaxed, because I slipped and fell, and the swift current made getting back on my feet impossible.

Water quickly began entering my waders, and after plunging over a small waterfall in the next pool, the current briefly dunked my head underwater. I should have yelled for help, because Grogan was downstream from me and within hearing distance. When you are helplessly swept into a strong current with waders on, this is not the time to act all manly and brave. It’s the time to scream like a little girl.

After about 30 yards, I was eventually dumped into a deeper pool with calmer water, which allowed me to regain my footing. After feeling like I had just gone through the spin cycle, I trudged out of the water, cold, shook up, and surprised that I still held on to both my rod and my hat. If the whole ordeal were not so terrifying, it would have been fun. Only a snug waste belt prevented me from sinking to the bottom like an anchor.

After catching a few more fish, we reeled in and hiked out of the canyon.

We had each caught about 40 trout, and

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we looked forward to our return to the Middle Fork – after the water had dropped.

I consider this trip a success for the following three reasons: First, we said we were going fishing, and we did it.

Second, we caught very large numbers of trout. And third, I didn’t drown.

The hike out of the canyon was steep, and the scorching sun didn’t make it any easier. We popped the hood on my truck, and with the aid of a wrench and

duct tape, we secured my battery to the plate. I turned the key, the Toyota sprang to life, and we slowly traveled down the road, leaving a small trail of dust in our wake.

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Patagonia SST jacket, XL. Brand new. $240 (list $315),

Special prices for WFC club members! Fly lines, fly reels and fly rods.

Call Don Jelinek 267-7477

Call Scott Novotny 266-3072

(Note: We returned to the Middle Fork two weeks later, in early July. The water was still a little high, but not nearly as treacherous. We both caught lots of fish, with McLovin nymphs and stimulators. The dry fly fishing was phenomenal.)

Spend your economic stimulus check wisely!

The federal government has sent each and every one of us a $600 check, in an effort to spur the sluggish American economy.

If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.

If we spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs. If we purchase a computer, it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car, it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy.

The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy American-made fly rods and reels, drift boats or float tubes.

This message brought to you by your friendly neighborhood fly shop

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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

A course in drift boat fishing The following article is an excerpt from the electronic book, Hunt - Don’t Pray - for Fish, Techniques and Strategies for Fly Fishing from a Drift Boat, written by Harley W. Reno, Ph.D., a friend of the Wyoming Fly Casters and occasional program presentor. The entire content is copyrighted by the author, and is used here with his permission. The CD is available for purchase through the Federation of Fly Fishers, and 80 percent of the $25 cost of each CD is being donated by the author back to the federation for its conservation and education funds.

In the coming months, other chapters of Dr. Reno’s book are to be featured in the Backcast.

If you’re going to be successful and safe in a drift boat, some rules must be followed.

Chapter 3: Rules (Part 1) his chapter should be read thoroughly and revisited lightly every time a float trip is planned, especially if long periods of time elapse between trips. The chapter sets forth a few unwritten rules which can make each fly fishing experience from a drift boat more enjoyable, productive, and memorable.

Rules governing behavior in a drift boat by and large are founded on common sense. Some rules, obviously, focus on safety and, in part, are enforced by federal, state, and local authorities. Other rules lessen confusion and annoyances concomitant with two fly fishermen trying to do the same things at the same time. And still other rules enhance the experience of fly fishing from a drift boat. Please note that an infraction often passes without penalty, provided your fishing companion or guide has an understanding and forgiving personality.

Safety Life Preservers-Each passenger in the boat must have a life preserver carrying the stamp of approval by the U. S. Coast Guard. The reason for this rule is obvious, and it is one rule that is enforced by authorities at several levels of government. Be sure that you know the laws regulating the use of life preservers in the state where you are fishing. Do the regulations stipulate that the device must be worn continuously by each person in the boat, worn only during movement of the boat, stowed within arm's reach of each passenger, or used in some combination thereof?

Each state is different. A summary of legal requirements can be found in the opening paragraphs of the fishing regulations of

T

each state. One thing is absolute however: law enforcement authorities do not tolerate violation of life preserver laws. What is more, they should not. In my drift boat, each life vest is properly encoded, and there are more life vests than passengers. The reason is simple: people who fish and float with me come in different sizes. As a result, the life vests are sized variously from small to extra-large.

First-aid Kit-Every boat must carry a first-aid kit. Many states do not issue a guiding license until the applicant demonstrates that he or she has passed the first-aid course offered by the Red Cross and that his or her boat meets the minimum requirements for safety, which include having a first-aid kit aboard.

Unfortunately, a first-aid kit is not a requirement for all boating and fishing enthusiasts. Perhaps it should be. Any person planning to float in someone else's drift boat should inquire as to whether a first-aid kit is available in case of an emergency.

The prudent fly fisherman also should carry the basic essentials of a first-aid kit on his or her person at all times. Basic essentials include, but are not limited to, cotton balls and disinfectant to clean the skin around a wound, hemostats or pliers to extract a hook, antiseptic to treat any wound, and adhesive bandages to cover the wound. Those items can be fitted into a sandwich-sized zip-lock bag and carried in the pocket of a fly fishing vest, shirt, or coat.

Sharpen and Disarm Each Hook-Each fly fisherman should cast a fly with a hook that has been sharpened and disarmed or debarbed. The reasoning behind this rule is both obvious and subtle. A fly that has a razor-sharp hook and pinched-down barb penetrates to the bend when a fish strikes the fly. That is good for

Some fly fishermen are marginally proficient casters. Their lines regularly fly in several directions at once. The chances are high of hooking someone, especially the guide!

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter fishing because the fish cannot throw a sharp, disarmed hook.

Yet, the hook can be removed from the fish without damage and unnecessary discomfort to the animal.

Some fly fishermen are marginally proficient casters. Their lines regularly fly in several directions at once. The chances are high of hooking someone, especially the guide! When someone does get hooked, a sharp, disarmed hook behaves just like a hypodermic needle thrust into and withdrawn from the skin during an inoculation. The wound is no more painful than a flu shot or sting of a bee. Treating the wound with a little antiseptic prevents infection.

In case someone does get hooked, reach for the first-aid kit, get the hemostats or long-nosed pliers, and ask the victim to turn his or her head away and look at something else. Grab the hook with the tool somewhere on the bend, and rotate the wrist away from the bend. The hook will slide out of the skin without discomfort. Nothing could be simpler. However, a fly that has neither a sharpened nor disarmed hook cannot be removed so easily.

A dull, barbed hook tears flesh upon entering and exiting the skin. Removal of the hook is messy and painful. If the attendant is inexperienced at removing hooks from flesh, removal should be delayed until medical assistance is available. A fly stuck in or around the eye is scary and one of the few things I refuse to remove. That is a job for specially trained medical personnel. In short, there should be no room in any boat for a fly with a hook that is armed and unsharpened.

A common failing of a fisherman, regardless of whether he or she is fly fishing from a boat, casting lures, soaking bait, or whatever, is not sharpening each hook the moment the hook leaves the fly shop, tackle shop, or manufacturer's box. The fisherman simply assumes a new hook is sharp. A new hook is not sharp, even though it may look and seem so. Moreover, the fisherman blindly assumes that when the fly contacts a rock, limb, or other obstruction and, subsequently, must be persuaded physically to let go, it remains sharp and utilitarian. It does neither!

Each new hook is coated or plated with a rust inhibitor.

According to O. Mustad & Son (USA), Inc. (maker of Mustad hooks) and Wright and McGill Co. (the maker of Eagle Claw hooks), most hooks intended for use in freshwater are coated with one or more thin coats of clear, amber, or bronze lacquer and then heated or baked in an oven during final processing.

Sometimes additional coatings of lacquer are added after the hooks cool. The baking process is what turns hooks bronze-colored. In recent years, lacquers of other colors, especially red and black, have been introduced to color hooks for special purposes and specialized kinds of fishing.

Hooks intended for use in marine environments are generally galvanized, chrome-plated, nickel-plated, or made from stainless steel to prevent rusting. Some lures used in freshwaterespecially for black bass-also are plated with the same metallic coatings. In both instances, the metallic additive sometimes lessens the penetrative potential of the point of the hook.

Fly fishermen are advised to buy a hook file like the one marketed by Luhr Jensen and Sons of Hood River, Oregon. If a hook file is not available, an ignition file sold by any good hardware store or reputable automotive parts store works just fine,

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provided it has a demonstrated ability to cut steel (obviously, that means in-store testing, much to the chagrin of the sales representative!). Be aware; not all ignition files will cut steel. And please do not be coerced into buying any other type of hook sharpener. Most so-called hook sharpeners on the market today are worthless, being designed to ensnare fishermen, not sharpen hooks with the same effectiveness as a file!

A sharp file quickly and easily removes the coating or plating from a new hook. Once the coating is removed from the tip of the hook and underlying steel is exposed, the tip is razor-sharp and capable of penetrating the toughest jaw. If the hook gets snagged and sprung, simply use a pair of long-nosed pliers to restore the hook to its original shape-and be sure to brush the sides of the tip again with the file.

Eye Protection-Each passenger in my drift boat must wear some type of eye protection. Glasses protect eyes from misguided hooks, brush and sticks, and any other thing that might damage the eyes, regardless of whether the fisherman is casting from a drift boat or walking the banks of a stream or river. A fisherman who does not have a pair of glasses can buy sunglasses at the fly shop, or at a nearby grocery or convenience store. In my boat, each passenger puts glasses on and does not take them off until stepping out of the boat at the end of the day. By the way, my Polaroid sunglasses are styled like those worn by aviators and equipped with safety lenses. Heavy? Yes! But they have saved my vision more times than I care to remember.

I suspect most hooking accidents occur at the beginning of the back cast. The fly fisherman simply fails to collect all the slack line before the line, leader, and fly are snapped off the water. When there is slack line on the water, most of the energy delivered to the line by the rod is absorbed by the slack. As a result, the fly barely clears the water, returning to the fly fisherman on a low trajectory aimed right at the head, neck, and shoulders. Never initiate any cast with slack in the fly line. Collect the loose line first. You will find the whole casting sequence is made easier by that precaution.

Many years ago, I learned to wear a large-brimmed hat, initially to protect myself from my own miscues, and later to protect myself from guests. Whenever I erred, the fly line, leader, and fly always came straight towards my face. The large-brimmed hat afforded protection from my carelessness. I simply ducked my head, letting the brim take the impact of the line and parry the hook. In later years, the wide-brimmed hat protected me innumerable times from tangled lines of careless fly fishing companions. More importantly, I could simultaneously block the fly lines and shield myself from hooks, while still manipulating oars and controlling the boat.

Casting Yoke-Always keep one leg tightly pressed against the side of the yoke when standing in the drift boat. The reason for this precaution is simple. The guide holds more than 18 feet of oars in his hands (measured from tip to tip). He or she can make the drift boat move a significant distance with the slightest stroke of one oar. A fly fisherman not locked into the yoke stands a good chance of somersaulting into the river. For some reason, fly fishermen have difficulty remembering this precaution and must be reminded repeatedly.

A common failing of a fisherman, regardless of whether he or she is fly fishing from a boat, casting lures, soaking bait, or whatever, is not sharpening each hook the moment the hook leaves the fly shop, tackle shop, or manufacturer's box.

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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

Wyoming Fly Casters Membership List 2008 NAME ADDRESS CITY ST SPENCER AMEND 1466 N. BUCK CREEK RD. CASPER WY JOE ARNOLD 411 WALNUT STREET #3622 GREEN COVE SPRINGS FL DENNIS BIENVENU 399 INDIAN PAINT BRUSH CASPER WY MARK BONAME 211 SUNFLOWER CASPER WY MICHAEL BRALEY 3960 JANEL DR. CASPER WY DANNY BROWN 127 W. RIVERBEND CASPER WY STEVE BURGFECHTEL 4400 S. POPLAR #311 CASPER WY ISSAC BUTLER 3650 HARVEY ST. CASPER WY DON & BETTY CARRIER 1931 SO JEFFERSON CASPER, WY COREY DAVISON P.O. BOX 592 MILLS WY JAMES DEAN 2401 GRANDVIEW PLACE #35 CASPER, WY JOSEPH J. DEGRAW 2044 WESTWOOD HILL #2 CASPER WY JIM DEGROOT 458 TRIGOOD DR CASPER, WY DAN DELANEY 1436 CUSTER AVE CASPER, WY MARC DELGADILLO 2020 TROJAN CASPER, WY DICK DEPAEMELERE 2019 AMHERST CASPER, WY DICK DIESBURG 87 MAGNOLIA RD CASPER, WY DON DOBBY 2620 SO POPLAR CASPER WY JOHN DOLAN 3811 SO OAK CASPER, WY PAUL DOLAN 3647 HEMPSTEAD STREET ST. CHARLES, MO RON DUTTON 6700 ROTARY PARK ROAD CASPER, WY REX EGGLESTON 1442 COUNTRY CLUB RD CASPER, WY JOHN L. FANTO 501 TRIGOOD DR CASPER, WY LLOYD FERGUSON 3855 PLACID DR CASPER, WY MICK FINN 6010 Highview Ct. CHEYENNE, WY BOB FISCHER 1008 SURREY CT. CASPER WY CHARLES GARDNER 1660 BLAIR AVE. #33 ROCK SPRINGS WY JAMES GIBSON 4166 DARTFORD CT CASPER, WY DR. LARRY R. GOOD 3005 HALL ST HAYS, KS GREG GRIMES P.O. BOX 194 TROUTVILLE, VA TOM GROGAN 5330 S. CENTER CASPER WY NEIL HAUGLAND 2011 EAST 21st ST CASPER, WY PABLO HEADWORTH 1041 RECLUSE COURT CASPER, WY NEAL HIBSCHWEILER 1020 FARNUM CASPER, WY JIM HOAG 5308 EAST 22nd ST CASPER, WY DWIGHT HURICH 603 S. Gillette Ave. GILLETTE WY ED HUSON, JR 402 WEST 1st ST GILLETTE, WY DON JELINEK 2013 RUSTIC DR CASPER, WY ABE & KATHY KNAPP 5530 SO OAK CASPER, WY LYNDON LACH FAMILY 677 PLATTE PARK RD. EVANSVILLE WY CASEY & TIFFANY LEARY 4820 SO ASH CASPER, WY DR. CURTIS LI 1300 E. A ST. CASPER WY TONY MARTIN 6835 ROTARY PARK RD. CASPER WY BENJAMIN MATTILA 3840 E. 18th, Apt 1124 CASPER WY RICK MCDONALD 1926 E 30TH SCOTTSBLUFF NE B. JOE MEYER 390 INDIAN PAINTBRUSH CASPER, WY BILL MIXER 7205 RIVERSIDE DR CASPER, WY MIKE MOELLER 1810 SYMONS ST. LARAMIE WY MIKE MONTERASTELLI 4060 ARROYO DR CASPER, WY NICOLE MUSSEN 1808 FREMONT AVE. CASPER WY FRANK NEVILLE 1535 SO CENTER CASPER, WY

ZIP 82604 32043 82604 82604 82604 82604 82601 82601 82601 82644 82604 82604 82609 82604 82609 82601 82604 82601 82601 63301 82601 82609 82609 82604 82009 82609 82901 82609 67601 24175 82601 82601 82609 82601 82609 82716 82716 82609 82601 82636 82601 82601 82601 82609 69361 82604 82604 82070 82604 82604 82601

TELE 577-4868 265-0464 265-6089 473-5771 435-764-8881 265-3166 307-333-494?

234-6190 247-3848 237-2777 307-258-0177 266-4944 237-8197 234-7293 234-2594 234-4278 266-2848 265-3427 947-4568 265-6062 235-2180 234-6512 234-2234 433-0740 472-5715 850-4362 266-3432 625-6012 966-3681 605-741-7254 266-3082 473-2129 265-9053 265-2254 682-1659 682-7404 265-1806 577-7703 267-6549 473-2441 266-0314 715-441-1181 308-632-7645 235-1316 234-0647 745-3177 266-6206 277-2139 265-6592

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter DAVE NICHOLS P.O. BOX 106 GRANGER, WY CASEY, TRISHA, CODY NIX 1685 CHAMBERLAIN RD, CASPER WY MARVIN NOLTE 4355 TRAILS END BAR NUNN, WY SCOTT, CONNOR, MICK NOVOTNY 2001 VALCARO RD CASPER WY DARIN ODELL P.O. BOX 748 MILLS WY DICK O'QUINN 113 S. LINCOLN CASPER WY VANCE ORACION 2828 S. POPLAR CASPER WY W L "PETE" PALONE 9029 Tate Ave. KELLER TX STEVEN L. PARK 1766 STUART COURT BENICIA CA JIM PARKINSON P.O. Box 817 GLENROCK, WY MICHAEL J. PIPAS P.O. BOX 91 ALCOVA WY ED RATE 3662 GARDEN CREEK HTS. CASPER, WY PETER ROHDE 15 CADDIS LANE CODY, WY GENE & MARTY ROBINSON 3801 WEST ORMSBY RD CASPER, WY JOHN ROBITAILLE 4112 W. 39th CASPER, WY ALEX ROSE 1116 W. 15TH ST. CASPER WY BILL RYAN 91 RIVERBEND ROAD CASPER, WY CHARLES SHEDD P.O. BOX 1150 GLENROCK, WY BILL SHIPMAN, Jr. 606 HERSCHLER AVE EVANSTON, WY BRUCE & GRANT SLENSKER 2224 GARDEN CREEK ROAD CASPER, WY JAY SMITH 3525 E. 8TH CASPER, WY PHILLIP SMITH 2653 GARDEN CREEK RD. CASPER, WY BRIAN & BRENT SOFFE 62 GARDENIA CASPER, WY RICHARD SOFFE 6421 WESTLAND RD CASPER, WY JIM SPARKS 4041 GRIZZLY CASPER, WY RAY SPELLMAN 756 ELK RUN RD SPEARFISH, SD RANDALL & SARAH STALKER P.O. BOX 428 GLENROCK, WY MATT STANTON 3125 GARDEN CREEK RD. CASPER WY BOB STEWART 2022 LUKER DR CASPER WY NANCY STICHERT 1206 EAST 24th CASPER WY BRIAN STOBER 4221 KODIAK CASPER WY PAUL STOBER 1521 LINDA VISTA CASPER WY ARNIE SYBRANT 3505 ROBERTSON RD CASPER, WY JIM TAYLOR 2311 SO FRANKLIN ST DENVER CO GENE THERIAULT 7230 ROCKING R RD CASPER, WY ROB & SUSAN THOMPSON 11255 HENRIE RD EVANSVILLE, WY CLARKE TURNER 9325 RED CREEK RD. CASPER WY TONY VALDEZ 4670 COATES RD CASPER, WY ART VAN RENSSELAER1914 RUSTIC DRIVE CASPER, WY RICHARD VINE 10 HILLSIDE LANE SHERIDAN WY MIKE WARD 4205 FORT CASPAR ROAD CASPER WY HERB WATERMAN 1220 PAYNE CASPER, WY CHUCK WENDTLAND 789 E. TIMBERLINE DR. SHERIDAN WY SMOKEY & MELODY WEINHANDL 167 S. CONWELL STE. #1 CASPER WY BILL & DONNA WICHERS 4211 DEER RUN CASPER WY CHUCK WILLIAMS 6500 INDIAN WELLS DR CASPER, WY SCOTT WONSER 3401 STAGECOACH DR. CASPER, WY MARK ZAHN 2925 MORENO AVE PLEASANTON, CA DOROTHY GREENWOOD, BARRY FLOYD 602 S. Main St. # 298 CRESTVIEW FL JEREMY HANNEMAN, BRITNEY BISIAR 1041 DUNDEE CASPER WY DARRYL MIYAMOTA, EVELYN SHARAKI 12517 ROSY CIRCLE LOS ANGELES, CA ANDREW SAUTER, VIRGINIA HAZEN 5458 COATES RD CASPER, WY

Page 11 82934 82604 82601 82604 82644 82601 82601 76248 94510 82637 82620 82601 82414 82601 82604 82604 82604 82637 82930 82601 82609 82601 82604 82604 82604 57783 82637 82601 82609 82601 82604 82609 82604 80210 82604 82636 82601 82604 82609 82801 82604 82609 82801 82601 82604 82604 82604 94588 32536-298 82609 90066 82604

875-3520 258-7201 577-1238 266-3072 251-3440 472-1117 235-0086 944-7329 707-373-3571 436-9838 258-6993 237-9667 527-4353 235-1730 234-5333 828-467-3789 473-1348 436-8913 789-4707 237-1039 235-5120 234-2945 377-7182 265-5229 265-3575 605-642-3537 436-8774 258-9915 235-5287 265-3541 237-1167 266-1797 235-8926 733-6401 235-3355 266-0232 235-5263 234-8342 265-9287 673-4324 235-5638 673-7360 234-6671 577-4942 473-2414 237-1561 600-7875 472-6546 277-0513 822-6121 265-3932

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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

Tailing loops (continued from page 2)

No, this is not a Colorado invasion of Grey Reef in July. But it comes close.

A fishing guide to etiquette on Wyoming’s waterways The intermountain West is booming, and Wyoming is fast becoming the premier hunting and fishing destination for crowd-weary sportsmen from Colorado and Utah.

This is good for our economy, but it’s creating a new, unfamiliar challenge on some our most popular and productive rivers and reservoirs: crowds, at least by Wyoming standards.

This is especially true on the weekends, and while the fish are still thriving, courtesy and ethics are not.

We are seeing more and more fishermen on the North Platte and hearing more and more complaints about bad behavior. This is big country with big waters and there are plenty of fish for everyone, but some people see it as a competition. Some even purposely sabotage other people’s fishing and move into the holes while people are still fishing.

While it’s easy to blame outsiders for all these ills, frustrated resident anglers are just as guilty. When you are fishing locally, its easy to presume you have some sort of proprietary right over nonresidents on the water. You don’t. Only the landowner does.

So no matter what the color of your license plate, all anglers need to pay more attention to etiquette and politeness as fishing pressure increases. Consider these suggestions: 1. Floating or wading—it’s first come, first serve.

2. If you come across a stationary angler, leave the water and quietly walk around him or her.

3. Don’t crowd. If you are interfering with another angler’s ability to fish, you are too close. Some even feel if you can see another angler, you are too close.

4. Boat anglers should give shore anglers a wide berth. They have more flexibility.

Boat anglers should even stop fishing while passing a shore angler.

5. Always yield to an angler fighting a fish.

6. Do not move in front of someone already in the water.

7. Know the property boundaries and respect private property.

8. Do not litter.

9. Get your boat and trailer ready before you launch to avoid crowding at ramps.

All anglers share some common traits. We all enjoy the solitude. Consider treating every angler you encounter with the same respect you would afford your best fishing buddy, friend or companion.

tional pages. The membership list forced the editor to expand the size of this issue.

By the time this issue hits the newsstands and the mailboxes, we’re on the downhill slide of the summer. August and September are terrific months to cast tiny dry flies on slow flowing small streams to easily spooked fish. For those of you attending this month’s outing at Ten Sleep, you’ll see what I mean.

Let’s hope the August outing is better attended than others so far this year. A whopping five chose to show up at Cardwell on June 7, and about ten enjoyed a nice day at Walker Jenkins Lake on June 21.

No outing was sadly held in July, usually the busiest fishing month of the year, due to lack of interest.

One of the best things this club offers is outings throughout the calendar year (one is held most months), but it has always surprised me that few members choose to partake in this opportunity. If you don’t like what the club has scheduled, stand up and volunteer to be the steamkeeper and organize your own fishing trip.

This has been a terrific fishing summer. In addition to attending club outings, there have been several trips down the canyon of Boxelder Creek (perhaps my favorite stream in the state, and I’m in the process of putting together a slide show of this beautiful isolated spot), floating the Glenrock stretch of the North Platte River, a trip to the Big Horns west of Buffalo, and most recently, a weekend of camping and fishing North Tongue with five other club members. On Aug. 16, Sarah and I will be floating the Snake beneath the Grand Teton.

Finally, those of you with similar fishing experiences should remember to send me their photos, to be featured in the newsletter and also the Christmas slide show program.

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

The challenge of fly pattern organization Liberated from the FFF newsletter What flies do you carry? How are they organized?

The fly fishing magazines are full of me-and-Joe went fishing stories where the author saves the day by having just the right fly for an unexpected hatch.

Because these experiences are not uncommon, many---if not most---fly fish-

Mark Jindrick-tied size 32 dry flies.

ers are obsessive about carrying every possible fly known to humankind.

This obsession is not limited to fly fishers. Have you ever looked into the tackle box of a well-equipped (and wellheeled) bass angler? The difference is that we must carry our entire inventory on our backs.

So how many flies does the successful fly fisher carry? I counted the flies in my trout-fishing vest and came up with just over 1,100. This count reflects every distinct pattern I carry, including duplicates. So for the Adams, I have 3 duplicates each of the upright, spent-wing and parachute styles in sizes 12-18, yielding a total of 36 flies. Is 1,100 a high number?

Dave Whitlock, in his famous book, Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods, provides a list of his fly boxes. He carries 4 or 5 boxes, organized as follows: (1) General Utility Box (general flies/attractors), (2) Match the Hatch Box (mayflies, caddis, damselflies, dragonflies and midges), (3) Streamers, (4) Terrestrials and Summer

Midges, (5) Large Dry Flies (Hoppers, stoneflies) and (6) Skaters, Spiders and Variants. His total count is over 780 distinct flies, which includes several different sizes of the same pattern. He says he carries between 2 and 3 duplicates, yielding a total of over 1,900 flies!

Somehow, I am not surprised that I carry fewer flies than Dave Whitlock does.

All these flies create certain problems.

First, whatever happened to the idea that fly fishing was a minimalist sport?

Second, carrying five fly boxes is about tops, depending upon vest capacity and how strong your back is. Finally, all these flies begin to tax your organizational skills.

If you are like me, there comes a time when you have trouble remembering where each of the 300-400 patterns is located.

Unlike Dave Whitlock, I started out with a fly box for each basic aquatic insect: three fairly full boxes, one each for caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies.

Very soon, I needed a fourth box for terrestrials and yet a fifth box for streamers.

Soon after that, I added another box of the so-called attractor flies, the Wulffs, Trudes and Stimulators.

With this organization, I had six fly boxes. Of course, I do not carry all of them at once and I have added new ones.

Some boxes I carry only at certain times.

For example, I carry attractors or stoneflies out west, but only rarely in my home state, Wisconsin. Likewise, I have separated mayflies into summer and winter, with the smaller patterns for winter fishing and also added a separate box for midges. Because this is a universal challenge, there are undoubtedly some brilliant solutions out there.

Medical science tells us that as we add years, good organization will help us remember those little things in life, like our anniversary or the big things, like where we put the # 22 black caddis.

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New to the club?

Need a fishing companion?

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 Meyer and Daren Bulow 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.

Digital reminders are available for WFC programs, activities 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 email 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.

PRFS goes green!

Recycle old waders into new fishing products Don’t let your old waders go to the landfill; they can now be recycled.

Please drop off your old unwanted breathable waders at the Platte River Fly Shop.

Mark Boname reports the old waders are being refashioned into wallets and chest packs.

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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

AUGUST 2008 MONDAY

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

3

4

10

11

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

6

7

8

9

13

14

15

16

5

12

FRIDAY

WFC General Membership Meeting, 7 p.m.

17

18

19

20

Ten Sleep outing

21

22

23

29

30

WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

24

25

26

27

28

31 Deadline for Backcast info

Wyoming Fly Casters Board Meeting July 16th, 2008 The meeting was called to order by the president.

Motion with second and pass was called to amend the minutes from the June newsletter to include the following: Issues about the conservation committee and the responsibilities of the Conservation Committee Chair were presented by several board members. In an effort to clarify what the Conservation Committee chairs responsibilities would look like, Dick DePaemelere volunteered to create a formal job description for this particular position and present it at the next board meeting.

Motion with second and pass was called to accept expense report from last meeting.

President Elect Report: The July outing to Bessemer Bend has been cancelled do to lack of interest. The August general meeting will include a fly tying session for Tensleep Creek flies and others of interest.

August Outing is scheduled for Tensleep Creek in the Big Horn range. September outing is tenetivily a float trip on the North Platte west of Glenrock. October outing is tenetivly a wade trip around the Trappers Route area.

Old Business: The Wyoming Game and Fish will be hosting the Wyoming Game and Fish Expo on Thursday, Sept. 4 through Saturday, Sept. 6. The Wyoming Fly Casters now have enough volunteers to help teach fly tying but are still looking for volunteers to help teach casting during the three days of the expo. If you are interested please contact president John Robitaille.

A general discussion of the responsibilities of the conservation committee chair position and the clubs position on conser-

vation was had. Dick DePaemelere, presented a formal job description of the chair's responsibilities. A decision was made to have the job description revised and have a further discussion on the topic at a later board meeting.

On Sept. 20, several businesses and conservation groups from around the area will be participating in the Platte River Revival. The purpose of this event is to clean up the North Platte River. The Wyoming fly Casters would like to have a strong showing, so anyone interested in volunteering should contact a board member for details.

New Business: The Wyoming Fly Casters spring banquet has formally been set for April 4, at the Ramada in Casper.

The WFC video library will be located at the Ugly Bug Fly Shop on Center street in Downtown Casper. The club is now in the stages of buying and collecting videos for the library. Further discussion will be done at the next general meeting.

With the help of Lloyd Ferguson, the WFC is in the process of creating posters for events which the WFC will be present, i.e., the Wyoming Game and Fish Expo. A general discussion of the size, information, and pictures was discussed for the posters.

A motion with second and pass to spend $300 on a raffle item at the WG&F expo to help raise money for the club.

Board member Steve Burgfechtel formally announced his resignation from the board and will be effective as of September 1. Steve has taken a new job in Riverton, WY and will no longer be able to fulfill his duties as a board member. More information will be presented at the next general meeting.

These minutes have been submitted by T. Grogan.

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

Page 15

Treasurer’s Report for June 2008 Income

Description

Amount

6/6/2008

deposit - banquet meals

200.00

6/12/2008

deposit - dues - 20.00, 6/11/Raffle - 55.00

75.00

Date

Total Income

275.00

Expenses Check #

Description

Amount

#3893 #3894 #3895 #3896 #3897

WY Game And Fish - Expo Sponsorship Izaak Walton League - Rent June 08 Ugly Bug Fly Shop - Raffle - 6/11/08 Fed Ex Kinkos - May Backcast Scott Novotny - Reimburse - Shelter - NIC Fest

(1,000.00) (75.00) (101.76) (75.39) (157.23)

June Bank Charges

(3.00)

Total Expenses

(1,412.38)

Checking Account 6/1/2008 Balance Income Expenses

3,492.06 275.00 (1,412.38)

6/30/2008

$2,354.68

Balance

Money Market Account 6/1/2008 Balance-(WFC Funds) Balance (PRE Funds) 6/30/2008 Interest Income

30,355.19 1,216.44 32.16

6/30/2008

Balance

$31,603.79

Checking Account Money Market PRE Funds - Reserved

$2,354.68 $30,387.35 $1,216.44

Total

$33,958.47

Recapitulation

6/30/2008

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.