Volume 32, #6
June 2006
A Message From Your President June President’s Message:
Gene' notes; Life is good at the WFC- we have water and money to continue life as we know it. There are several great outings to choose from this summer: June 3 and Sept.22 -Big Horn at Ft Smith, MT; June 17 - High Savery Reservoir. (Tiger trout, under-fished). We'll be the first to provide information on conditions. For more info, email genet@bresnan.net for a G&F newsletter regarding the High Savery. July 15 - Yellowstone; July, Aug., Sept. - backpacking with Cheryl. Inside this Issue
For me, outings are about making friends in a fishing format, enjoying a lunch paid for by club fund raisers, and possibly even catching a fish. Watch out for the snakes this spring, Four observed at the Cardwell outing – two with rattles, two without.
pp. 2-4 p. 4 p. 4, 11 p. 5 pp. 6-7 p. 9 p. 10
Programs continue to be fun and informative. See you at the outings and at the meetings. Show up and enjoy Gene
pp. 12-14 p- 15
Secretary’s Report This Month’s Program 30 Minute Seminar Information WFC Treasurer’s Report Calendar of Events 10 Sleep Outing Information Yellowstone Outing Information, Membership List 10 Ways to Save Gas and Not Compromise Fishing Trips this summer
1
Phone #
Officers President
President Elect
Gene Theriault
234-4264
Dick 234-2594 DePaemelere
Board Term
Of
Directors
Expires
2007 Joe Meyer
2008 Lloyd Ferguson
2009 Mark Jindrick
Vice President
Marty Robinson
235-1730
Art VanRensselaer
Neal Hibschweiler
Scott Novotny
Secretary
Andrew Sauter Ed Rate
265-3932
John Fanto Heidi Palmer
Steve Burgfechtel Casey Nix
Richard Soffe
Treasurer
237-9667
Spencer Amend
WYOMING FLY CASTERS GENERAL MEETING MAY 11, 2005 MINUTES Call To Order by the President R. Stalker is Raffle Coordinator G. Theriault said that issues should be brought to appropriate committees before going to the Board President Elect Report: Outings Cardwell Outing this weekend June 17: High Savery Tiger Trout – G. Theriault June 2,3 Ft. Smith – J. Meyer, L. Ferguson July Yellowstone – M. Braley August 10 Sleep – A. Sauter Programs A. Sybrant, C. Shedd to do the May Program Vice President – No Report Web Page: S. Novotny noted that the page gets 15 hits per day. WWW.Wyflycasters.org. Membership Committee – G. Robinson will chair. Two charges – 1) exit interviews, 2) organize a tying casting event at the Events Center P.R.E. – Volunteer needed to tie flys 1st Wednesday of each month Adjourned Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Sauter Secretary, May 21, 2006
2
WYOMING FLY CASTERS BOARD MEETING MAY 17, 2006 MINUTES Called to order by the President A. Condor reviewed the W.G.& F. view of the Seminole Road Gas Project 1600 wells in this project FS runoff. W.G. & F. suggests water quality tests be run on game fish too. Sedimentation is an issue. D.E.Q. recommends treat to ambient conditions. Pilot project is 4 years old. Suggests E.I.S. is 1 year away, Full Scale production 2 years after that. Reports: Motion made, and passed (M.P.) to accept Secretary’s report as published in the May Backcast M.P. to accept the Treasurer’s report as published in the May Backcast President Elect Report: Outings Cardwell Outing this weekend June 17, High Savory Tiger Trout – G. Theriault June 2,3 Ft. Smith – J. Meyer, L. Ferguson July Yellowstone – M. Braley August 10 Sleep – A. Sauter Vice President – No Report Membership – No Report Conservation: G. Theriault selected rock for Handicap Access at Yesness A. VanRensselaer to follow-up on ramp to dock Publicity – No Report Youth – No Report Banquet – No Report Sports Show – No Report P.R.E. – G. Theriault has signature authority on P.R.E. account M.P. to assemble a Process notebook to be held by the President and the Secretary. The Key process sheet will be inserted. A. Sauter Membership – G. Robinson is Chairman Old Business: IWL screen is not fixed. Revised By Laws was distributed Finance Committee: E. Rate Chairman, R. Soffe, L. Ferguson, and J. Fanto Budget: R. DePaemelere passed out draft copy for comments M.P. to accept budget Web Page: S. Novotny suggested adding a Classified page. Idea tabled New Business: Stage and Pond location issue tabled G. Theriault will provide a fishing report to S. Novotny E. Rate discussed need for filing IRS form 990. 3
Meeting Adjourned Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Sauter Secretary, May 21, 2006
?? 30 Minute Seminars ?? (Hope this is less confusing)
What? Yes, a meeting before the regular meeting. On June 14, 2006 from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. there will be a short seminar before the regular meeting. This meeting will be conducted by Andrew Sauter who will begin a six meeting series on the essentials of fly fishing equipment and by Joe Meyer who will demonstrate tying a crawdad. The purpose of these special meetings is to acquaint each other with the many aspects of fly fishing. Over the coming months we hope that members will step forward to demonstrate their knowledge and/or expertise in the following areas: equipment, knots, casting, fishing with nymphs, dries, and streamers, maintaining your fly fishing equipment, and reading the water. A sign up sheet will be available at this clinic. Please consider sharing.
Are you interested in learning to become a better caster? Charlie Shedd will be available to help on Tuesdays at 5:30 and on Wednesdays at 4:30. These sessions will be held at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park. Contact Charlie at 436-8913 for more information.
WOW! Check out our newly remodeled web site http://www.wyflycasters.org Thanks, Scott Novotny! P.S. Note address change for the website.
This month’s program will feature Al Conder of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Al will talk to us about the Seminoe Road Natural Gas Project. 4
Treasurer’s Report May 2006 Income
Description
Date 4/11/06 4/11/06
Deposit Deposit
4/11/06 4/11/06 4/11/96
Deposit Deposit Deposit
Amount
Renewal Dues Banquet Bighorn Outing Renewal Dues Banquet Banquet Renewal Dues Banquet Big Horn Outing Raffle 4/12/06 Video Sales Total Income
40.00 42.00 55.00 40.00 2,967.00 2,079.50 90.00 75.00 220.00 86.00 25.00 5,719.50
Expenses Check # #3686 #3687 #3688 #3689 #3690 #8691 #3692 -
Description
Amount
Izaak Walton League - April Rent John Dolan - Banquet Exp Holiday Inn - Banquet Exp Kinkos - Mar/Apr '06 Backcast Marviin Knolte - Banquet Exp A. Sauter - Banquet Exp Platte River Fly Shop - Apr 06 Raffle April '06 Bank Charge Total Expenses
4/1/06
4/30/06
4/1/06
4/30/06
4/30/06
Checking Account Balance Income Expenses Balance
Money Market Account Balance Interest Balance Recapitulation Checking Account Money Market Total
-75.00 -27.21 -2400.12 -311.32 -262.50 -86.80 -102.14 -9.00 (3,274.09)
16,514.33 5,719.50 (3,274.09) $18,959.74
1,895.01 6.35 $1,901.36 $18,959.74 $1,901.36 $20,861.10
5
The Conservation Committee will meet at 6:30 in the Issak Walton Clubhouse on June 14, 2006. Anyone who is interested should plan to attend.
This month’s outing will be at High Savery Reservoir on June 17, 2006.
Gene Theriault is the stream keeper. You may call him for more details. To access the new High Savery Reservoir from Rawlins, take HWYs 71/401 south approximately 38.5 miles from the I-80 exit to the boat ramp access road. The reservoir is on the west side of Hwy 401 and it is approximately 1.4 miles from Hwy 401 turn off to the boat ramp. The access road is not marked but you can see the reservoir from the 401 and you should be able find the boat ramp access road. There is no overnight camping allow at the boat ramp or around the reservoir. The nearest camping facilities are located south in the Medicine Bow National Forest.
June 2006 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
Big Horn Outing at Ft. Smith, MT 4
5
6
11
12
13
18
19
25
26
7
8
9
10
14 WFC General Membership Meeting 7:00 p.m. at IWL 20 21 WFC Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. at IWL 27 28 Deadline for Backcast Information
15
16
17 High Savery Outing G. Theriault
22
23
29
30
24
6
July 2006 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1
2
3
4
5
6
9
10
11
12 WFC General Membership Meeting 7:00 at IWL 18 19 WFC Board Meeting 7:00 at IWL 25 26 Deadline for Backcast Information
13
16
17
23
24
30
31
7
8
14 15 Yellowstone Gull Point National Park Picnic Outing Ground Cookout at 20 21 22
27
28
29
August 2006 Sunday
Monday 6
Tuesday 7
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
3
8
9 WFC General Membership Meeting 7:00 at IWL
10
Saturday 4
5
11 Tensleep Outing at Deer Park
12 Tensleep Outing at Deer Park
13
14
15
16 WFC Board Meeting 7:00 at IWL
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 Deadline for Backcast Information
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Tensleep Outing at Deer Park
7
Did you know that the Backcast is available via email? If you are interested in receiving the Backcast in this manner, keep in mind that you must be able to open .pdf format on your computer. Generally each edition is about IMB in size, some are larger. Your email provider may have limits as the size of attachments, so it would be a good idea to check if you are not sure. You can contact Dick DePaemelere at 234-2594 or at fishguy27@bresnan.net and request that you be put on the email list. Thanks to the FFF Club Wire for this article.
Great Tip For Your Everyday Fishing Gear Submitted by Robert McKeon
The Backcast is a monthly newsletter of the Wyoming Fly Casters. The Wyoming Fly Casters is an affiliate member club of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited and an affiliate of the Nature Conservancy and the Federation of Fly Fishers. Editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the Wyoming Fly Casters or its members. Annual dues are $20 for an individual member, $30 for a family, or $250 for a lifetime individual membership, or $450 for a family lifetime membership. Please visit our web th site at: http://www.wyflycasters.org/ The deadline for submitting information for publication is the 4 Wednesday of each month. The Backcast editor is Dick DePaemelere (fishguy27@bresnan.net) 307-234-2594. Contributors to this edition of the Backcast include Ed Rate, Gene Theriault, and Andrew Sauter.
8
ANNOUNCING
10 SLEEP FISH WITH AN EXPERT BACK TO BASICS
OUTING TOUR!! AUGUST 11, 12, 13 PICNIC DINNER AUGUST 12 WE BRING BURGERS AND CHIPS YOU BRING POT LUCK DESERT - BRING SOME TO SHARE (WITH ME) BEGINNER? WELL MATCH YOU UP WITH A GENUINE W.F.C. EXPERT! ONCE YOU QUIT LAUGHING, YOU CAN FISH WITH THAT PERSON SATURDAY! HOW 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 6 miles on the dirt road to Deer Park campground. If you get to 10 Sleep Lake you went about 2 miles too far. Look for the WFC Sign.
SIGN UP AT THE NEXT MEETING ANDREW SAUTER (265-3932)
9
The date for the Yellowstone outing is fast approaching. The cookout will be held on Saturday, July 15th, at the Gull Point picnic ground (from Bridge Bay, cross the bridge and take the first left turn; follow the shoreline of the lake to the picnic area). Rib-eye steaks and trimmin’s will be served. Accommodations at Yellowstone may be a little tight except for camping at Bridge Bay (tents or camping rigs up to 40’ total length; dump station available but no utility hook-ups; if several of you go together, you might check out the group sites). For current availability call 307-344-7311 or go on-line at www.TravelYellowstone.com. In case you haven’t fished in Yellowstone before, be advised that a Yellowstone fishing permit is required. Also, if you bring a boat or float tube, a boat permit is required. When you enter the park, request a copy of “Fishing Regulations.” The park rangers at the entrance stations or in the visitor centers can direct you where to purchase the permits. A sign up list will be circulated at the Fly Caster meetings in June and July so that enough steaks can be ordered for everybody attending. The cost is $10 per person. For more information or to sign up, call Mike Braley at 473-5771 or email him at mlbraley@bresnan.net. If you can help by carrying something to Yellowstone and/or bringing a dessert, please also let Mike know.
10
BEGINNERS FLY FISHING SEMINAR! 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS! The Wyoming Fly Casters is Proud to announce 6 SEMINARS (!) For beginners. Come to the I.W.L. one half hour (6:30 PM) each month for the next 6 (yes, really 6) months. The Subjects are as follows: March 8,
Basic Equipment
April 12,
Beginning Casting
May 10,
The Only 3 Knots You Need To Know How To Tie
June 14,
Beginning Casting (Review to See If You Have Been Practicing!)
July 12,
Reading a Stream
August 9,
We Will Figure Out Something For This One (Don’t Worry)
This BASIC course will lead you up to a successful outing at 10 Sleep Creek August 12, and 13. This REALLY SIMPLE course will be presented by Andrew Sauter (Who Knows Only Slightly More Than You Do) and, when he is in town, Bill Mixer (Who Knows A Lot). So Show Up Next Month at 6:30 PM. Bring A Friend - Non Members Are Welcome.
Stu Apte Saltwater Clinic Aug. 5, 2006 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Platte River Fly Shop Cost is $65 without lunch and $75 with Lunch Limited to 20 people. Sign up at the Platte River Fly Shop or go to WyomingFlyFishing.com for moreinformation. 307-237-5997 Paid Advertisement
11
Wyoming Fly Casters Membership List June 2006 LAST
FIRST
ADDRESS
CITY
ST ZIP
TELEP HONE
SPENCER
AMEND
1466 N. BUCK CREEK RD.
CASPER
WY
82604 577-4868
JOE
ARNOLD
411 WALNUT STREET #3622
FL
32043 885-2919
GLEN & RACHEL
BAKER
1317 S. JACKSON
GREEN COVE SPRINGS CASPER
WY
82602 577-5749
MARK
BONAME
211 SUNFLOWER
CASPER
WY
82604 265-6089
MICHAEL
BRALEY
3960 JANEL DR.
CASPER
WY
82604 473-5771
DAREN
BULOW
1544 EAST 21ST ST.
CASPER
WY
82601 247-2578
STEVE
BURGFECHTEL
4400 S. POPLAR #311
CASPER
WY
82601 265-3166
MRS. IRWIN
BUTLER
8811 CREEKSIDE WAY #14
CO
80129
DON & BETTY
CARRIER
1931 SO JEFFERSON
HIGHLANDS RANCH CASPER
WY
82601 234-6190
GARY
COLGROVE
2501 SAGEWOOD
CASPER
WY
82601 235-2547
AL
CONDER
3030 ENERGY LANE, STE 100 CASPER
WY
82604 473-3400
TRAVIS
CUNDY
P.O. BOX 6249
SHERIDAN
WY
82801
BLAINE
DAVEY
4442 E. 21ST STREET
CASPER
WY
82609 473-5729
JAMES
DEAN
CASPER
WY
82604 237-2777
JIM
DEGROOT
2401 GRANDVIEW PLACE #35 458 TRIGOOD DR
CASPER
WY
82609 266-4944
DAN
DELANEY
1436 CUSTER AVE
CASPER
WY
82604 237-8197
MARC
DELGADILLO
2020 TROJAN
CASPER
WY
82609 234-7293
DICK
DEPAEMELERE
2019 AMHERST
CASPER
WY
82601 234-2594
DICK
DIESBURG
87 MAGNOLIA RD
CASPER
WY
82604 234-4278
DON
DOBBY
2620 SO POPLAR
CASPER
WY
82601 266-2848
JERRY
DOGGETT
3603 SO COFFMAN
CASPER
WY
82604 577-4031
JOHN
DOLAN
3811 SO OAK
CASPER
WY
82601 265-3427
PAUL
DOLAN
3647 HEMPSTEAD STREET
ST. CHARLES
MO
63301 947-4568
RON
DUTTON
6700 Rotary Park Road
CASPER
WY
82601 265-6062
REX
EGGLESTON
1442 COUNTRY CLUB RD
CASPER
WY
82609 235-2180
JEREMY
EVINS
229 E. LATHROP RD
EVANSVILLE
WY
82636 536-1536
JOHN L.
FANTO
501 TRIGOOD DR
CASPER
WY
82609 234-6512
LLOYD
FERGUSON
3855 PLACID DR
CASPER
WY
82604 234-2344
MICK
FINN
6010 HIGHVIEW CT.
CHEYENNE
WY
82003 630-7354
BOB
FISCHER
1008 SURREY CT.
CASPER
WY
82609 472-5715
TOM
FISCHER
18 PELHAM SPRINGS PL
GREENVILLE
SC
29615 370-3995
12
JAMES
GIBSON
2954 EAST 11th ST
CASPER
WY
82609 266-3432
DR. LARRY R.
GOOD
3005 HALL ST
HAYS
KS
67601 625-6012
GREG
GRIMES
P.O. BOX 194
TROUTVILLE
VA
24175 966-3681
PAUL
GUSTAFSON
228 SUNFLOWER
CASPER
WY
82604 234-3075
NEIL
HAUGLAND
2011 EAST 21st ST
CASPER
WY
82601 266-3082
PABLO
HEADWORTH
2088 N PINEY CREEK RD
CASPER
WY
82604 473-2129
RICH
HEPNER
571 THELMA DR.
CASPER
WY
82609 234-7616
NEAL
HIBSCHWEILR
1020 FARNUM
CASPER
WY
82601 265-9053
JIM
HOAG
5308 EAST 22nd ST
CASPER,
WY
82609 265-2254
DWIGHT
HURICH
400 SO KENDRICK STE 302
GILLETTE
WY
82716 682-1659
ED
HUSON, JR
402 WEST 1st ST
GILLETTE
WY
82716 672-7423
DON
JELINEK
2013 RUSTIC DR
CASPER
WY
82609 265-1806
MARK
JINDRICK
6616 VILLAGE
CASPER
WY
82604 472-4590
JUDITH L.
JOHNSTON
1821 E. 24TH STREET
CASPER
WY
82609 266-5682
BRUCE & CHERYL
KEFFELER
5993 OKEEPA RD
CASPER
WY
82604 472-9535
KEN
KIDNEIGH
3136 MONTE VISTA DR
CASPER
WY
82601 234-0089
LARRY
KING
1089 HORIZON DRIVE
CASPER
WY
82601 266-6206
ABE & KATHY
KNAPP
5530 SO OAK
CASPER
WY
82601 577-7703
CASEY & TIFFANY
LEARY
4820 SO ASH
CASPER
WY
82601 473-2441
SUE & JOHN
LILLIE
2034 NORWAY
ANN ARBOR
MI
48104
TONY
MARTIN
3835 ROTARY PARK RD.
CASPER
WY
82601
B. JOE
MEYER
390 INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
CASPER
WY
82604 235-1316
BILL
MIXER
7205 RIVERSIDE DR
CASPER
WY
82604 234-0647
MIKE
MONTERASTELLI 4060 ARROYO DR
CASPER
WY
82604 266-6206
CURTIS
MUEHL
3881 GANNETT ST. APT. C1
CASPER
WY
82609 277-0939
GREG
MUELLER
P.O. BOX 1795
GLENROCK
WY
82637 436-2460
FRANK
NEVILLE
1535 SO CENTER
CASPER
WY
82601 265-6592
DAVE
NICHOLS
P.O. BOX 106
GRANGER
WY
82934 875-3520
CASEY,TRISHA, & CODY MARVIN
NIX
1685 CHAMBERLAIN RD.
CASPER
WY
82604 258-7201
NOLTE
4355 TRAILS END
BAR NUNN
WY
82601 577-1238
G. SCOTT
NOVOTNY
2001 VALCARO ROAD
CASPER
WY
82604 266-3072
VANCE
ORACION
1201 BEAUMONT
CASPER
WY
82601 235-0086
VERE & HEIDI
PALMER
6720 SHARROCK
CASPER
WY
82604 472-5442
W L "PETE"
PALONE
9029 TATE AVE.
KELLER
TX
76248 944-7329
JIM
PARKINSON
P.O. Box 817
GLENROCK
WY
82637 436-9838
MICHAEL J.
PIPAS
P.O. BOX 91
ALCOVA
WY
82620 258-6993
ED
RATE
1958 GARDEN CREEK RD
CASPER
WY
82601 237-9667
PETER
RHODE
15 CADDIS LANE
CODY
WY
82414 527-4353
TOM & WANDA
RHODE
1326 SO WOLCOTT
CASPER
WY
82601 265-3456
JAMES
RIPLEY
291 INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
CASPER
WY
82604 258-2415
MRS. ROD
ROBINDER
4850 SQUAW CREEK ROAD
CASPER
WY
82604 237-7639
GENE & MARTY
ROBINSON
3801 WEST ORMSBY RD
CASPER
WY
82601 235-1730
JOHN
ROBITAILLE
5483 COATES ROAD
CASPER
WY
82604 234-5333
13
BILL
RYAN
91 RIVERBEND ROAD
CASPER
WY
82604 473-1348
CHARLES
SHEDD
P.O. BOX 1150
GLENROCK
WY
82637 436-8913
BILL
SHIPMAN, Jr.
606 HERSCHLER AVE
EVANSTON
WY
82930 789-4707
BRUCE & GRANT
SLENSKER
2224 GARDEN CREEK RD
CASPER
WY
82601 237-1039
JAY
SMITH
2025 SO LENNOX
CASPER
WY
82601 235-5120
PHILLIP
SMITH
2653 GARDEN CREEK
CASPER
WY
82601 234-2945
BRIAN & BRENT
SOFFE
62 GARDENIA
CASPER
WY
82604 377-7182
DON & LAREE
SOFFE
6743 SHARROCK ROAD
CASPER
WY
82604 577-4063
RICHARD
SOFFE
6421 WESTLAND RD
CASPER
WY
82604 377-7170
JIM
SPARKS
4041 GRIZZLY
CASPER
WY
82604 265-3575
RAY
SPELLMAN
756 ELK RUN
SPEARFISH
SD
57783
RANDALL
STALKER
P.O. BOX 428
GLENROCK
WY
82637 436-8774
TONI
STANLEY
1052 S. JACKSON
CASPER
WY
82601 263-3369
ROBERT L.
STEWART
2022 LUKER DR
CASPER
WY
82609 235-5287
NANCY
STICHERT
1206 EAST 24th
CASPER
WY
82601 265-3541
ARNIE
SYBRANT
3505 ROBERTSON RD
CASPER
WY
82604 235-8926
JIM
TAYLOR
2311 SO FRANKLIN ST
DENVER
CO
80210 733-6401
GENE
THERIAULT
7230 ROCKING R RD
CASPER
WY
82604 235-3355
CORY
THOLL
1521 S. MCKINLEY
CASPER
WY
82601 266-5682
ROB & SUSAN
THOMPSON
11255 HENRIE RD
EVANSVILLE
WY
82636 266-0232
JOHN
TRAUT
3740 VALLEY RD
CASPER
WY
82604 265-2653
TONY
VALDEZ
4670 COATES RD
CASPER
WY
82604 234-8342
CAL
VAN HOLLAND
2231 S. JACKSON
CASPER
WY
82601
ART
1914 RUSTIC DRIVE
CASPER
WY
82609 265-9287
RICHARD
VAN RENSSELAER VINE
10 HILLSIDE LN
SHERIDAN
WY
82801 752-0701
JAMES W.
WASHBURN
CASPER
WY
82609 237-5877
HERB
WATERMAN
4340 CENTENNIAL HILLS BLVD. 1220 PAYNE
CASPER
WY
82609 235-5638
LARRY
WEAVER
2012 RUSTIC DR.
CASPER
WY
82609 473-7963
CHUCK
WENTLAND
P.O. BOX 792
DUBOIS
WY
82513
CHUCK
WILLIAMS
6500 INDIAN WELLS DR
CASPER
WY
82604 473-2414
SCOTT
WONSER
212 COLUMBINE
CASPER
WY
82604 237-1561
WILBUR
YANKEY
P.O. BOX 495
EVANSVILLE
WY
82636 234-4929
MARK
ZAHN
2925 MORENO AVE
PLEASANTON CA
94588 600-7875
14
Ten Ways To Save On Gas And Not Compromise Fishing Trips This Summer by Tim Cavileer – taken from the Clearwater Fly Casters newsletter I was thinking recently about the rising gas prices and decided I needed to figure out some cost cutting measures so that my time on the stream this summer won’t be adversely affected. Surely, it really is just a matter of priorities. Here’s my list. 1. Fish at destinations that can only be reached by bush planes. This one ties in nicely with No 3. If you’re going to risk tree top skimming into a grass strip back in the Frank Church Wilderness, you might as well stay the whole week, plus BOTH weekends. This one is voided if flying with AJ. 2. Take your fishing partner’s rig. If you time it right, you can invite your buddy on trips to the local spots while alternating trips further a field in his vehicle. 3. Stay an extra day. Two days on the stream are always better than one. In fact, if a little is good, a lot must be better. Stay the whole week. 4. Combine trips. Were you planning to fish for cutts on the St. Joe and the rainbows on the Henry’s Fork this summer? Shoot, spend the first week on the Joe then swing down to the Henry’s Fork for the second. Here again, the rule of multiples applies: it stands to reason that good fishing begets good fishing so common sense says it will be closer to drive to the next fishing spot than it is to drive all the way home. A swing through northern Idaho lends itself to western Montana, Montana is just a skip down to Yellowstone and Yellowstone leads to eastern Idaho. Once there you can leisurely fish your way back to Moscow through the South Fork of the Snake, the Big Wood, Silver Creek and Big Creek. 5. Always grab two of any fly fishing items when visiting the fly shop. It’s better to stock up on two of everything the first time than make two trips duplicating your fly tying needs. 6. Remove all unnecessary items from the fishing rig. What’s that spare tire really costing you? Think in terms of fishing weight equivalent units. One properly inflated spare tire is worth 0.5 fishing weight units. A properly outfitted vest, 3 fishing weight units. Therefore, you don’t really need those 6 extra tires in the truck. Take the vest instead. Unassembled rods and reels are like broken cookies – they don’t count and fall under the empty calorie rule, or in this case the empty fishing weight units. 7. Slow down. There’s no need to hurry since you’ll be staying an extra week. Enjoy the view. 8. Invest in alternative fuels. Stock up on hay for the goats. The three goats will do nicely for the lawn and the gas saved from the mower can be used to take fishing trips instead. 9. Buy property closer to prime fishing destinations. If you can’t afford the fuel, it makes sense to have that cabin on the lake or near the stream. 10. Take early retirement. Sell the house and buy an RV. With no house payments you’ll have plenty for gas to be a traveling trout bum. Well, there you have it. Surely, you can come up with a few of your own gas saving measures. Thanks to the FFF Clubwire for this article.
15
Wyoming Fly Casters P.O. Box 2881 Casper, Wyoming 82602 www.wyomingflycasters.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.
16