Page 2 OFFICERS Alex Rose, President Melody Weinhandl, President-elect Vacant, Vice President Vacant, Secretary Ed Rate, Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms expire in 2010 Jamie Gibson Joe Meyer Brent “Smokey” Weinhandl Vacant Terms expire in 2011 Bob Fischer Scott Novotny Bill Wichers Vacant Terms expire in 2012 Casey Leary Neil Ruebush Andrew Sauter Matt Stanton 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 next to last day 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 to ChevPU57@aol.com. In addition to receiving each issue of the newsletter earlier than your hard copy peers, e-mail subscribers are able to print each copy in vibrant color -an added plus if the issue is rich in color photographs. By 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 Alex Rose, President, WFC alexmrose@hotmail.com "Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it..." -- Harry Middleton
“I
'll miss you," I said to my lovely wife, three days before a recent over night, out-of-town fishing
trip.
"No you're not," Erin said. "You're not going to miss me one bit. I know how you are. When you have fish on the brain, you don't think of anything else. You can put that in your fly fishing newsletter, I don't care." I sat in silence. "See?" my all-knowing wife said. "You aren't saying anything, so it's true. Otherwise, you would have some witty retort. But you don't. See? You know, it's so true." Yes, she was right. Two days before the trip, in an effort to spend quality time with Erin, I took her out on the town for a date. She looked absolutely stunning, with her fitted sweater, and her jeans tucked neatly inside her tall riding boots. When we returned home, I held her close, and let my hands slide gently down to the curve of her hips. I told her she was beautiful. "Well," she said, while breaking free from my clutches. "You just think about that while you are out fishing." • The Wyoming Fly Casters is now fully supporting the Conservation Fund, the BLM, and Wyoming Game and Fish in an effort to protect habitat and expand fishing opportunities on the North Platte. This project would allow over one mile of public, walk-in river access downstream from Government Bridge. The WFC is in the early stages of supporting this significant conservation and access project. Look for more information and updates in the near future. This is an outstanding conservation project for our club. • The club's former annual "Cabin Fever Clinic" will occur on Mar. 6. The fly fishing clinic will be held at the Casper Recreation Center between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Activities will include casting and fly tying instruction, with the goals of promoting fly fishing and the recruitment of potential members. If you are interested in teaching casting or fly tying, please call or e-mail me. • Joe Meyer is still accepting flies for the club's two fly plates, which will be auctioned off at the spring banquet in April. For a general club member, tie one fly, and include your name, along with the name of your fly. McTavish members are to include two flies. Get your flies to Joe as soon as possible. • A few words about Daren Bulow's wonderful contribution to the Backcast, his "Streamside Chef" column. I laughed out loud at his January recipe for "Golden Trout Fish Tacos." We are fortunate to have Bulow write such creative recipes for our newsletter. Even the most stoic catch and release anglers can admire the creativity that goes into his recipes. After reading Bulow's golden trout taco recipe, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to wince or salivate. But full disclosure: In the past, I thoroughly enjoyed eating golden trout in the high country. However, this was in California, so that's OK. I only have one negative thing to say about Bulow's golden trout recipe: Chipotle sauce mixed with sweet and sour sounds absolutely disgusting. • I'm going to close with my own favorite trout recipe I call, "Mexican Trout." This is a simple but delicious recipe, best cooked by a campfire, near a picturesque backcountry stream or lake. Take a large, freshly killed and cleaned trout, and impale on a stick. Roast over a fire until the meat becomes mostly firm. Remove the skin, pluck the meat off the bones, and place the tender morsels on the bottom of a pan. Place slices of pepper jack cheese over trout morsels and set pan over a bed of glowing coals. Bake the fish until the cheese melts down into the trout. Enjoy!
Alex
Cover shot: Lloyd Ferguson drifts a dry fly down Boxelder Creek on a July afternoon.
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 3
BRAG BOARD From the membership
A few polar bears converged on the Sunset Bar and Grill at noon on Jan. 1 for hot chili, deluxe cheeseburgers and cold beers. And a few actually fished that morning.
January program to feature the Moffitt Angling System The February general membership meeting is to feature Bill Wichers explaining the Moffitt Angling System. This patented catch-and-release system uses hookless flies tied on flexible synthetic cores instead of hooks -- quickly looped on or off the leader -- with a specially designed barbless circle hook at the end. When the angler sets the hook, the flexible fly is pulled out of the fish’s mouth and the trailing circle hook is implanted into its jaw. Moffitt includes a handy hook release tool with its six, twelve and eighteen fly promo kits (ranging from $15 to $40). Other benefits to the system include the ability to fish multiple flies of differing patterns simultaneously, each looped ahead of a single circle hook. Currently, the available Moffitt nymph patterns include the gold-ribbed hare’s ear, pheasant tail nymph, Prince nymph and bead-head ice caddis. Three
of each are included in the promo kit, along with threaders, a release tool, instructions and ten appropriately sized circle hooks. Due to the trailing circle hook, there has been some concern that the system may violate the anti-snagging laws in some states. States are lining up to approve the system, however. A wide selection of dry flies and streamers are slated or already have been added to the Moffitt system. A question intriguing many fly fishers is how the recreational fly-tier can produce patterns which will utilize the hook-less Moffitt system. This meeting is set for Feb. 10. • No outings have yet been scheduled for the balance of January, or even in February or March. But mark your calendars for the annual trek to Ft. Smith in Montana to fish the Bighorn River in early April.
Tyler Hallock caught these fish outside Cancun, Mexico during the Christmas holiday. Species included barracuda, yellow tail racer and a trigger fish. He caught about 30 fish in about 2 hours in 7 foot seas.
Page 4
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
FLY
of the month
Tailing Loops by Randy Stalker, Backcast editor chevPU57@aol.com Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. -- Robert Frost
SKINNY NELSON Hook: TMC 3761 #16-20 Bead: (Optional) black tungsten, sized to hook Thread: Black 70 denier Tail: Ringneck pheasant tail fibers Rib: Small gold wire Abdomen: Black 70 tying thread Wingcase: Pearl Flashabou Thorax: Peacock herl This simple fly works so well because it can cross over from a baetis nymph to a midge pattern in the blink of an eye! Place the bead on the hook. Start the tying thread behind the bead and wrap a smooth thread base back to the bend. Select three or four pheasant tail fibers and even their tips. Measure the tips against the shank so they are about 2/3 of a shank long. Tie the pheasant fibers in at the bend of the hook. Tie in a length of small gold wire right behind the bead. Wrap back over the wire with the thread to the bend of the hook, then return the thread to the back of the bead forming a smooth, slightly tapered abdomen as you go. Spiral wrap the wire forward from the bend and tie it off at the bead. Tie in two strands of Flashabou at the center of their length. Pull the long front ends of the flashback over the abdomen and tie them in place with a couple turns of thread. Tie several small peacock herls in by their tips just behind the bead and wrap to the back edge of the bead. Clip the excess peacock. Pull all four strands of flash over the top of the peacock herl thorax and tie them off at the immediate back edge of the bead. Fold the long ends of the flash back once again and trap them under a few firm wraps of thread. Whip finish.
ark your calendars. On Wed., Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m., the art film, “Voices of the Platte,” is to be shown at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. The 20 minute video, shot in high definition, chronicles fly fishing in central Wyoming and features many prominent members of the Wyoming Fly Casters in interviews, background narratives and fishing stories. Those included in the film are Jim Dean, Herb Waterman, Kathy Knapp, Bill Mixer, Fred Eiserman and Jim Sparks. The film is the product of Greg Omelchuck of Austin, TX, who shot some 40 hours of video, which he edited and condensed into 20 minutes of screen time. Omelchuck is a computer animator who works professionally in producing television commercials. There is a good chance the WFC may be provided with a copy of the film, and be available for showing perhaps at a regular club meeting for those unable to make the premier showing in late February. The film is to be entered in contests this year. • Here are a few updates to public access opportunities along the North Platte: The south bank of Outhouse Hole, formerly available to fly tossers wading across the river, was closed to the public on Jan. 1. Signs have been posted reflecting the no trespassing order, as the landowner declined to review the walk-in area. And the island complex at Lusby is the subject of on-going legal review to determine the public’s right of access through the delineation of boundaries. The same individuals are involved in this issue as the Lusby boat ramp access lawsuit a year ago. • A recent thread on a Field and Stream bulletin board posed the ques-
M
tion, “You're stranded by a river, lake or on the ocean. You'll be stuck for at least a month. You get to carry one lure and one lure only. We'll pretend that you managed to get stranded with a rod and reel to fish said lure.” Most of the crowd responding indicated they would prefer a Panther Martin, a red Daredevil spoon, a Rebel minnow, a bucktail jig for saltwater, a silver Rapala floater, a Castmaster or Krocodile, and, of course, the ubiquitous hook and garden hackle. But how about the castaway who only has a fly rod on a deserted freshwater stream? Although many would choose a wooly bugger, my clear choice would be a size 18 parachute Adams. I have caught more fish by a considerable margin in this pattern than any other, dry, wet or streamer. There are candidates for runner-up, however. These include the elk hair caddis, a foam hopper, a size 8 beadheaded halfback, a size 14 Prince nymph, a size 24 RS2, a size 12 stimulator, a size 20 bead-head flashback pheasant tail, a size 16 emergent sparkle pupa, and a size 4 vanilla bugger. My fly boxes have many other patterns, but these are the ones I use the most. Of course, my boxes are arranged according to the water being fished. The Adams would not be among those patterns selected for, say, on a float trip down the Platte. Especially during winter. But I have caught fish, in the fall, on small Adamses on the Glenrock stretch of the river. When I visit one of my favorite small streams, like Boxelder or North Tongue, I most often fish a double dry fly rig. The trailing fly is almost always the Adams (unless early in the day, then it’s the Prince). The point fly might be a hopper, elk hair caddis, or a stimulator. Such a system works for me, so why change? It’s a lot like asking Republican or Democrat, Ford or Chevy, Sage or Winston, .270 or .30-06 ... What are your favorites?
Scoop
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 5
Cardwell acquisition chronology by Herb Waterman 1961: Fremont Canyon Power Plant completed and operational (48MW). Stream below Pathfinder dries up. Late ‘60s and early ‘70s: Norm Weiss, a physical professor at Casper College, lobbied to return flow in the channel below Pathfinder Dam. Early ‘80s: Low head generator recommended. This would allow some water to be returned to the old channel. BuRec analyzed the proposal and deemed it unfeasible. Early ‘90s: A bridge was built over the channel below Pathfinder Dam. This was necessary if flow were ever to be reestablished in the old river channel. It also gave access to the east side of Pathfinder Reservoir. The Platte River Boat Club was instrumental in advocating for the bridge. 1995: At a TU meeting in the first part of the year, John Lawson (BuRec) proposed a private group approach the Cardwell family about an easement on the private land straddling the old channel. Lawson would not release any water unless a public access could be provided. 1995: John Traut and Herb Waterman of the WFC visited Bob Cardwell at his ranch in the Pedro Mountains. A flow of 75mcf was discussed for the old channel. He was not immediately receptive because he was bothered by the potential loss off revenues from the power generation. He said he would not get on board unless the Pathfinder Ranch does. Waterman talked to Haynie Stevenson, the manager of Pathfinder Ranches, and he approved of the idea because his cattle would have a new water source. Sept. ‘95 to April, ‘97: Janice Brewer called Waterman, saying the “Cardwell family would like to talk.” Ultimately the Cardwells accepted a $3000 option from the WFC to explore the possibility of securing an easement. ‘98: Easement was finalized. Don Painter, a WFC member and an attorney, put together the legal documentation for the agreement. John Traut, Andrew
Alex Rose landed this large rainbow trout, caught and released from an undisclosed Wyoming river.
Sauter and Steven Degenfelder negotiated the details. The Cardwells received $70,000, in addition to the option money. It took two years for the WFC to raise the amount. 2000: The WFC presented the easement to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 2001 and beyond: The G&F worked on improving the channel. 2002: An Aug. 3, on the 100th birthday of the BuRec, the new Cardwell public access fishing area was dedicated.
Ron Dutton represented the WFC. Costs associated with the project: Bridge over the channel, $407,000; shouldered by Natrona County, BLM, and the G&F. Road: $157,000, BLM. Valves (low flow): $1.88 million, BuRec. Channel restoration: $200,000, G&F. Easement acquisition: $73,000, WFC. Lost power: $100,000.
2010 membership fees due It's that time again! If you haven't yet renewed your club membership for 2010, now is the time! Individual membership is $20, and a family membership is $30. Memberships can be paid at our general meetings. Please see our treasurer, Ed Rate, or mail a check to: Wyoming Fly Casters, P.O. Box 2881, Casper, WY 82602.
Page 6
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
STREAMSIDE CHEF by Daren Bulow
Sweet and Sour Carp -- really! Probably the only thing I admire about the French is their ability to make carp, usually regarded by us in Wyoming as a trash fish, taste pretty darn good. Here is one of my favorite recipes for preparing some of the whoppers I catch below the Dave Johnston Power Plant, in Wheatland Reservoir No. 3 or Pathfinder Reservoir. I must admit that I toss back the large carp, and keep only the smaller ones which are more appropriate as Bulow family dinner fare. Believe me, this isn’t a joke; carp are pretty good fish when they are prepared right. And you don’t need a shingle. Ingredients 1 carp, 4 to 5 pounds, cleaned and scaled 3/4 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup wine vinegar 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 3 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp soy sauce 1/2 cup each of green onion, green pepper, and pineapple, cut in thin slivers Preparation Place the fish, wrapped in cheesecloth, on a rack over hot water so that the fish does not touch the water. Cover, and steam until it is firm -- about 25 minutes or so. Arrange on a serving dish. Cook together the pineapple juice, vinegar, sugar, and water. Thicken with cornstarch, and season with soy sauce. Add the slivered green onion, green pepper, and pineapple, and cook these in the sauce just long enough for the onions and pepper to turn bright green. Serve over the fish. Goes great with a white wine. Nutritional info: carbohydrates, 16; calories, 62; calcium, 8; sodium, 6; and vitamin A, 50.
Clarke Turner with a brown trout caught in mid-January at the club hole on the Mile.
Lyin’ and Tyin’ clinics return The next one is Feb. 13 at 9 a.m.
The Lyin' and Tyin' clinics will be held this year at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The next session for this season is Feb. 13. The clinics will be held between 9:00 to noon. The final date for the year is Mar. 13. For new members not familiar with these clinics, they provide an excellent opportunity for tiers of all skill levels to socialize while tying flies. The sessions are also a great opportunity for beginning fly tiers to learn from the experienced tiers, and to get one-on-one tips and instruction regarding the art of tying. New members or beginning tiers simply show up with a vice and materials, and the pros will show, step-by-step, how to tie bugs.
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 7
Patterns needed for framed fly plates Members are encouraged to sit down at the vice and tie up a pattern to be included in the fly plates to be auctioned off at the April 3 annual fund-raising banquet. MaTavish members need to provide two patterns. The flies are needed by the Feb. 10 club meeting so Joe Meyer can arrange to have them placed on the plates by the framer. Flies could also be dropped off at either the Ugly Bug or Platte River fly shops.
Banquet committee seeks raffle items
Daren Bulow with a bevy of babes from the Tourism Saskatchewan booth at the International Sportsmen’s Exposition on Jan. 9 in Denver.
No zebra or quagga mussels found in state’s major reservoirs, G&F says Several of Wyoming's major reservoirs have tested negative for invasive zebra and quagga mussels. These damaging organisms have not been found in Wyoming yet, but have been found in neighboring states of Colorado and Utah. In Wyoming, sampling for larval zebra/quagga mussels has taken place in Glendo, Boysen, Buffalo Bill and Keyhole Reservoirs and Bighorn Lake. Sampling by the Game and Fish has not turned up any adult or juvenile mussels. In addition, a study of the Greater Yellowstone Area by Portland State University students did not find any zebra or quagga mussels in that region. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is continuing education efforts to make boaters and anglers aware of the potential impacts caused by the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, (AIS), primarily zebra and quagga mussels. To help combat the introduction of these species into Wyoming, signs will be installed on 21 priority waters around the state before the boating season begins this year. In addition, an AIS summit is being planned in Cheyenne in February to inform affected users such as power companies, sportsman groups, municipalities and others of the AIS issue and potential impacts to the state. The Travel Recreation and Wildlife Committee of the Wyoming State Legislature is lending their support and has agreed to sponsor an aquatic invasive species bill and a bill to increase the penalties for the illegal stocking of fish. The proposed AIS bill would allow for interdiction authority to establish mandatory inspection stations, the authority to establish a "user pay" system to help fund the AIS program and an appropriation of $2.5 million for the 2011-2012 biennium. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has organized an AIS committee that has developed an AIS management plan that was to be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in January.
The spring banquet committee is seeking items to be raffled off at the April banquet. Examples of items: An antique bamboo fly rod, fly tying equipment, float tubes, and boxes of flies. If you have something of value to donate that would make a nice raffle item and raise money for the club, please contact Joe Meyer, 235-1316. The banquet is slated for April 3.
Nominations sought for officers, board The annual election for Wyoming Fly Casters officers and board members will occur at the general meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 10. If you are interested in pursuing a board member or officer position (president-elect, vice president, treasurer, or secretary), please contact Alex Rose to have your name included on the ballot.
Rep sought as liaison to the print media by Marty Robinson I’m looking for someone to put notices of WFC meetings in the newspaper. It is simple, especially for someone who spends time on the computer (which I rarely do). The position consists of contacting the president-elect, who arranges programs for our meetings, getting the info and emailing it to the paper. I had been doing the job, but am not anymore. It is very simple to do. Please contact me at 235-1730 to find out more.
Page 8
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Fishing the up- and downstream sides of a large rock or boulder and currentless tongue.
Drift boat fishing 101 Chapter 13: Strategies (Part 1) very fisherman dreams of hooking and landing a trophysized fish. Few, unfortunately, have the opportunity to fish for a trophy, and fewer still hook or ever land one. Some fishermen become content with catching smaller fish. That in itself is thrilling, especially if the fish are caught on dry flies with 2-, 3-, and 4weight tackle. Every strike is exciting. Every fish brought to the net is gratifying. But, why and how is it that a small fraction of the fly fishing community always seems to catch trophies, and do so with remarkable regularity and consistency? Do those people use some heretofore unknown or unpublicized technique? Have they found or invented the perfect fly? Perhaps they fish where no one else has ever fished. Maybe those fortunate few are just lucky, but lucky all the time? That is doubtful. For the most part, answers to those questions are simple and logical. Luck plays only a small part in the equation of consistently catching trophy-sized fish. Those fortunate few who consistently catch trophy fishes are like everyone else, with two exceptions: they (1) know where big fish live and (2) understand why fish grow to trophy sizes. That knowledge changes their approach to fly fishing, revolutionizes their strategies, and narrows their focus to fishing only those places that harbor trophies. Many
E
successful trophy fishermen fish only those habitats that consistently hold large fish, and they are careful not to waste time on less productive habitats. Here is a general rule about fishing all habitats from a drift boat. Whenever possible, the fly fisherman in the front should make short casts, fishing a dry or subsurface fly, and the fly fisherman in the back of the boat should make longer casts, fishing a big, heavily weighted fly. That courtesy allows each fly fisherman to fish undisturbed water and mollifies the notion that the fly fisherman in the front always has the advantage. That technique of fishing different kinds of flies results in the whole water column being fished from the surface to the bottom. However, when one or the other fisherman finds the right combination of fly and technique and starts catching fish, the other fisherman is encouraged to use the same fly and adopt the same technique, all the while keeping in mind that the fisherman in the front should make short casts and the fisherman in the rear longer casts. Of course, the alternative to this general rule is discussed in Chapter 3 for experienced and accomplished casters floating stretches of streams free of massive logjams, overhanging trees, and boulder choked riffles and runs. The following paragraphs outline strategies for each habitat described in Chapter 11.
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.
Boulder or Large Rock The fly fisherman in the front of the drift boat always has the advantage when fishing a boulder or large rock. He or she is the first to encounter the boulder or rock and, if anticipating an opportunity of hooking a good fish, has the best chance to fish the pocket of quiet water in front of the obstruction. The best way for the fisherman in the front of the drift boat to fish the pocket in front of a boulder or rock is to
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter make a short cast slightly upstream and beyond the pocket, letting the current sweep the fly into and through the pocket. The fly fisherman in the back can make only a short cast to the near side of the rock as the boat floats by. Remember, each fly fisherman has only one cast at the pocket, because the boat and current are most often moving too fast to make a second cast. If, for example, the anxious fly fisherman in the front of the drift boat makes a second cast, the fly always lands in the casting territory of the fly fisherman in the back of the boat-and that is a no, no! Obviously, fly lines are crossed, and the fly of the fisherman in front drags instantaneously, pre-empting any opportunity for success by either fly fisherman. If a second cast is made into a pocket by any fly fisherman, the cast should be made by the fly fisherman in the back of the boat only. Since many fishermen opt for fishing dry flies exclusively, the best dry fly for fishing the pocket in front of a boulder or rock is a big grasshopper. The best subsurface fly is an unweighted muddler minnow or woolly bugger. I, however, always use a doctor's remedy or streamliner because, on a sink-tip line, each of those flies sinks rapidly and flutters naturally in the pocket. Both fly fishermen can fish the pocket and currentless tongue downstream of the obstruction. Unfortunately, fly fishermen, especially the one in front, inadvertently concentrate on casting to and fishing the quiet water immediately behind the obstruction, instead of waiting until the boat clears the boulder or rock and the currentless tongue comes into casting range. Of course, there are fish in the quiet water behind the obstruction, but they often are small! That is the only place where smaller fish can survive, be freed of competition with larger fish, and still find food. The larger and largest fish, respectively, are in the currentless tongue further downstream. The fly fisherman in the front must be patient, waiting to cast slightly downstream, across the currentless tongue. Sadly, in my experience, the fisherman in front never waits. Instead, he or she always opts to cast into the pocket immediately downstream of the boulder or rock. That mistake passes the advantage to the fly fisherman in the rear of the drift boat because he or she is forced to wait. That fly fisherman makes the longer cast downstream and across the currentless tongue and has the best chance of hooking the good fish. But
there is time for only one cast-I repeat, only one cast-downstream and across the currentless tongue. On rare occasions, when the currentless tongue is exceptionally long, both fishermen can make additional casts across or into the currentless tongue. When the fly is cast across the currentless tongue, the fly is swept downstream, along, over, and sometimes through the currentless tongue. Obviously, the fly of choice is the same fly used when fishing the upstream side of
The best flies for fishing steep, rocky banks are a parachute grasshopper on the surface, a woolly bugger or super renegade just under the surface, or a heavily weighted stonefly nymph or streamliner deep in the water column. the obstruction moments earlier. There is not enough time to switch casting systems or change flies when fishing a boulder or rock. Therefore, the opportunity must be anticipated and correct equipment and fly selected, before encountering the boulder or rock. A subhabitat of boulders and large rocks is a steep, rocky bank. The current along a steep, rocky bank is usually fast and swirling. Each rock is a miniature environmental mirror of a boulder or large rock. In some situations, a combination of two or more rocks actually is the environmental equivalent of a boulder or large rock. Each rock or combination of rocks has a pocket of quiet water on the upstream and downstream sides. The sizes of those pockets are large enough to hold a few small fish, one or two middlesized fish, and occasionally a large fish. However, there are always more rocks and pockets than possibly can be fished by two fly fisherman. As a result, neither fly fisherman has an advantage. The best flies for fishing steep, rocky banks are a parachute grasshopper on the surface, a woolly bugger or super renegade (in cream and green or fluorescent pink and green) just under the surface, or a heavily weighted stonefly
Page 9 nymph or streamliner deep in the water column. The technique is simple: splash the fly in as many pockets as possible, leaving the fly to float, drift, or sink for just a few moments, inches, or feet. Never take your eyes off the fly. If there is a fish in the pocket, it takes the fly instantly! The fly fisherman must be prepared to react as fast as the fish. The hook must be set instantaneously. The fast current obviates the possibility of the fish closely inspecting, accepting, or rejecting the fly. Incidentally, this is one of the few situations where a sinking fly like a super renegade is fished totally by sight. A word of caution. Fishing steep, rocky banks is not for the faint-hearted. Yet, it is the most infectious and exciting fly fishing I know. Things happen so quickly that people with slow reflexes soon feel humiliated and totally defeated. Sharpen your reflexes first! Then, give it a try. Soon you will agree that it is exhilarating. Uprooted Tree Fishing the upstream side of a root mass of an uprooted tree is just like fishing the upstream side of a boulder or large rock. Again, the advantage goes to the fly fisherman in the front. The choice of flies is the same as for boulders and rocks. Fishing the downstream side of the root mass is a little tricky. Limbs in the top of an uprooted tree make casting and drifting the fly through the currentless tongue almost impossible, especially when the drift boat is passing the tree on the deeper side. Whenever possible, the boat should navigate the shallow or bank side of the tree because the current is slower, and the boat is easier to maneuver. Both fly fishermen are afforded opportunities to make several short casts into spaces between limbs. Remember, fish living in the currentless tongue do not have time to study whether something is edible. Instead, they react instantaneously to whatever looks edible. If the object is not edible, the fish expels it spontaneously from the mouth. Fortunately, that spontaneity is slower than the reaction time required for a skilled fly fisherman to set the hook. Persuading a big fish to abandon limbs of an uprooted tree is difficult. The fly fisherman needs a heavy rod; tight drag; strong leader; big, heavily weighted fly; and plenty of arm strength. Anything else begets only memories of the experience.
Page 10
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
FEBRUARY SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
2
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
3
4
5
10
11
12
SATURDAY 6
Groundhog Day
7
8
9
Regular Meeting, 7 p.m.
14 Valentine’s Day
Full Moon
15
16
Lincoln’s birthday
18
19
20
25
26
27
WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
President’s Day
21
17
13 Lyin’ and Tyin’ clinic
22
23
24
Deadline for Backcast info
28
MARCH SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
2
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 3
4
FRIDAY
SATURDAY 6
5
Cabin Fever Clinic, 1-4 p.m. Casper Rec.
7
8
9
10
11
12
Lyin’ and Tyin’ clinic
Regular Meeting, 7 p.m. Daylight Savings Time begins
14
15
16
17
18
19
WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
Deadline for Backcast info
Full Moon
13
20 Vernal equinox
25
26
27
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Page 11
WFC TREASURER'S REPORT PERIOD ENDING 12/31/09 INCOME Date Dec 3 Dec 9 Dec 17 Dec 31 EXPENSES Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 9 Dec 10 Dec 15 Dec 17 Dec 31
Vendor/Item Deposit - Xmas Party Deposit dues - 30.00, Xmas Party 180.00 Deposit - dues Interest earned - Nov 23 thru Dec 31, 2009 TOTAL
Amount $330.00 $230.00 $ 70.00 $ .51 $630.51
Reliant Fed Credit Union - Check Purchase #4000 - Postmaster- Postage Dec Backcast #4001 - Izaak Walton - Dec. Rent #4002- Wall Mart - Water/Ice Xmas Party #4003 Izaak Walton Rent Jul/Aug Ck# 3991 Wells Fargo - never cashed #4004 Fed Ex Office - Dec Backcast #4005 Bullwhip Catering - Xmas Party Reliant Fed Credit Union - Deposit Slips/Dep. Stamp TOTAL
$12.50 $8.16 $75.00 $14.44 $150.00 $84.63 $972.33 $51.90 $1,368.96
WYOMING FLY CASTERS BOARD MEETING MINUTES -- DRAFT Jan. 20, 2010 The meeting was called to Order 7:03 PM by Casey Leary. All members were present except president Alex Rose, who was excused. Guests present were Richard Soffe, Marty Robinson and Al Condor. The treasurer’s report was approved by the board. Ed Rate presented an end-of-year comparison of the proposed budget and the actual budget. Ed reported no concerns. Melody presented the 2010 budget for the board and was approved, with minor adjustments. The secretary’s report was approved by the board. Matt Stanton presented a conservation committee report. Matt provided some information regarding the North Platte River Special Resource Management Area. The Conservation Fund is undertaking a project to protect 380 acres along the North Platte River, including over one mile of river frontage. This would provide additional recreational access for sportsmen downstream of Government Bridge. The board approved President Alex Rose writing a letter to the Conservation Fund supporting the project for the purchase of the land for the eventual transfer to BLM and the WFC would be willing to be a financial contributor. Bob Fischer presented an update for the banquet committee. He reported the committee held a meeting on Jan. 20, and they are making progress. He reported the banquet will be held April 3, 2010 at the Ramada. Tickets will be $25 and the choice of entrée will be beef or chicken. We have a 100 ticket limit. The committee is accepting donated merchandise in new or excellent condition to be used at the banquet. The next meeting will be held Feb. 3, 7 p.m. at the Wonder Bar. Richard Soffe asked the board if the WFC wanted to continue involvement in the Wyoming Game and Fish Expo. The board approved continued WFC involvement in the Expo with Richard in charge. The board also approved a $1000 donation to the Expo. The Expo will be held Sept. 9, 10 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) & 11 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), at the Casper Events Center. The next Expo meeting will be held Mar. 9 at the Casper Wyoming Game
and Fish Office at 10 a.m. Al Condor of the WGFD presented additional information to the board regarding the Bolton Creek Project. He reported the project is larger than he first heard. The board approved the WFC to provide up to $5000 and 200 hours of labor for the Bolton Creek Project and this offer expires 12/2011. Mr. Condor reported he will be looking for volunteers from the club to look where fish spawn at the Cardwell Access. The board discussed the upcoming Cabin Fever Clinic. The board approved to spend up to $200 to get posters to advertise the Cabin Fever Clinic and WFC banquet. Melody and Brent Weinhandl will discuss the details with President Alex Rose. Bob Fischer provided board members with a list of members who will be contacted to seek out possible nominations for officers and board members. Board members are expected to report their results at the next board meeting. Scott Novotny reported he sent out an e-mail asking for volunteers for positions. Scott Novotny reported some of the challenges he has encountered regarding the Fly Fishing Movie Tour. He will again look into the matter further with suggestions such as the Krampert Theater and as well as other theaters as possible venues. The board received a letter of resignation from Gene Theriault, effective Jan. 1, 2010. He cited a lack of time to attend board meetings. President Rose will send a letter to Gene thanking him for his services. The board approved Scott Novotny to develop a Facebook page for WFC. Jamie Gibson reported the last few Lying N’ Tying sessions have had low attendance. The board discussed the matter further and provided suggestions on possible ways to improve attendance. Ed Rate reported our insurance policy expires in March 2010. He commented we presently have third party coverage and has sent out requests for quotes. He did mention some issues of third party coverage which were discussed by the board. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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.