www.wyflycasters.org
Page 2 OFFICERS Melody Weinhandl, President Vacant, President-elect Andrew Sauter, Vice President Casey Leary, Secretary Matt Stanton, Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terms expire in 2011 Bob Fischer Scott Novotny Alex Rose Bill Wichers Terms expire in 2012 Spencer Amend Neil Ruebush Brent “Smokey” Weinhandl, DDS Vacant Terms expire in 2013 Greg Groves Joe Meyer Will Waterbury Herb Waterman 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 program available free of charge) documents. Usually, 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 Melody Weinhandl, President, WFC brooktrout6671@gmail.com
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nip in the air brings the inevitability of autumn and the many images of the season: foliage changing color, football games, bonfires, Oktoberfest…ah, yes Oktoberfest. This German festivity has skipped the banks of origination in Deutschland and transplanted itself all across the United States. Much like an equally if not even more appreciated German transplant, the German Brown trout. The species called Salmo trutta (meaning respectively "salmon" and "trout") is one of the few examples of an exotic species that was introduced into the United States with great success and general public approval. It was introduced in North America in 1883 but the story begins in 1880. In 1880 fish culturist Fred Mather was appointed by the U.S. Fish Commission as a representative to the Berlin Fish Cultural Exposition in Germany. He befriended the Baron Friedrich Felix von Behr, a wealthy sportsman and president of the German Fish Culturists Association. They fished together in the streams of the Black Forest and Mather was so impressed by the species of trout found there, that he decided to import it to America. In the late nineteenth century transoceanic transport of trout was a reality because it was discovered that converting a room on a ship into an ice house, with temperatures just above freezing, prolonged the incubation period of developing trout eggs. This shipment consisted of 60,000 eggs from lakes known as the "lake trout" form of brown (Seeforelle in German) and 20,000 eggs from the brown trout inhabiting small brooks and streams known as the "brook trout" form of browns (Bachforelle). On February 23, 1883 the German steamship Werra delivered its cargo to a New York State hatchery known as the Cold Spring Hatchery on Long Island. The hatchery did not have adequate facilities to handle the 80,000 eggs so Mather divided them sending some to a hatchery in Northville, Michigan and the rest to his arch rival Seth Green at the Caldonia, New York hatchery. Green claimed that his hatchery had the greatest survival rate and his attempts
to garnish most of the credit for the introduction of brown trout in America sent Mather into near apoplexy. Mather applied the common English name "brown trout" to the new import so Green called them "German trout," resulting in a final "German brown trout" the name still widely used today. The surviving offspring were retained at the American hatcheries to establish brood stock. The first actual stocking of browns in public waters occurred a year later from a shipment of an additional 70,000 eggs sent by Baron von Behr and received in New York on February 5, 1884. At the Northville, Michigan hatchery 4,900 of the newly hatched fry were loaded on the U.S. Fish Commission’s railroad car and on April 11, 1884 they were planted from a railroad trestle into the Baldwin River, a tributary to the Pere Marquette River, which flows into Lake Michigan. The river contained grayling and the 1884 stocking of brown trout initiated a history of browns replacing the native American salmonoids—grayling in Michigan and Montana, brook trout in many Eastern rivers and especially cutthroat in the West. Many subsequent shipments of eggs came from Germany, England and Scotland. The latter, called Loch Leven trout, arrived in New York on January 1, 1885. The Northville, Michigan hatchery records indicate that lake brown shipped to Yellowstone Park in 1890 included both von Behr and Loch Leven trout. They were stocked into Lewis Lake from Lake Michigan. Lewis and Shoshone Lakes and the Lewis River above the falls were barren of fish at that time. It’s been understood that brown trout were never again stocked into the upper LewisShoshone drainage and the present brown trout of the upper Lewis River and the lakes contain an undiluted or pure stock of Loch Leven trout and separate populations of von Behr. This accounts for the color variations of browns within small distances in the park. These varied subspecies represents a large proportion of the diversity of life history forms found in the brown trout of western Europe. The mixing of these forms in American waters provide a (continued on page 8)
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
BRAG BOARD
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
LETTERS
Tailing Loops
Seminar help needed It’s time to start thinking about winter seminars and I need your help. At the next meeting I will pass around a sheet that asks who is interested in various seminar subjects. Please check off the ones you are really interested in attending. Seminars generally last a half day or more and, in some cases, meet several times over the course of a month. So far the list includes: • Rod building (this one will cost you money) • Net building (this one too!) • Winter Platte River flies • Summer Platte River flies • Entomology • Casting • Knots • Getting someone to run for president-elect Don't like any of these things? Suggest an addition to the list! If you are not planning to be at the next meeting and have an idea, e-mail me. Thanks. Andrew Sauter, WFC Veep asauter@vcn.com
Protect our environment
Inspect - Clean - Dry Take the Clean Angling Pledge www.cleanangling.org
by Randy Stalker, Backcast editor chevPU57@aol.com He casts with both arms. He’s amphibious. -- Yogi Berra he weather belies the calendar. Temperatures in the middle to high 80s is unseasonal in late September, when this column was written. But the visual clues demonstrate that autumn, indeed, is here. The flows on the river have been reduced to the winter operating levels, the cottonwoods and aspens are blooming in bright yellow and light browns, and more and more hunter orange clad sportsmen are forgoing their Sage five weights for Model 70 .270s. Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp snap of early morning, the crunch of leaves under the foot, and the knowledge that fish will be sensing the approach of winter and will be putting on the feed bag at the buffet table to fatten up before the snow flies. But fishing opportunities continue to abound. The traditional jaunt to Miracle Mile is slated for Oct. 16, with Andrew Sauter shouldering the streamkeeping responsibilities. This outing is named after the late Rod Robinder, a former president of the club and the original proprietor of the Ugly Bug Fly Shop. If you’re planning to attend, be sure your name gets on the signup sheet distributed during the Oct. 13 general meeting and make a mental note of others so convenient carpooling can be arranged. Bring a five or six weight rod, a floating line, and some leech, small nymph and orange scud patterns. The outing’s central meeting place is the “club hole,” located by taking the first left after crossing the bridge and continuing to the first clump of cottonwoods marking a picnic area. No other club events have been announced (at least to me) for November and December, but that doesn’t mean you can relax in your easy chair, nibble on pizza, wash it down with beer and watch football on the weekends. There are ample opportunities for for terrific fishing. So get out and sample them. I intend to visit Boxelder and
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North Tongue as many times as the weather allows and my wife permits. • It is time to make plans for the annual club Christmas party on Dec. 8. You, to attend, and me to complete work on the eighth annual slide show documenting the year. Any photographic contributions received during the year will be featured in the presentation, whether ot not they made it into the Backcast. I have room for many other photos, so there is still time to submit them for inclusion. I am limited in the newsletter to whatever fits (in page multiples of two), so some photos don’t make it. Like this month, when some shots of Joe Meyer teaching some Boy Scouts to cast a fly line were cut from the issue. So send the photos and show up in December to see yourself cradling that husky rainbow or brown at streamside and relive the event -- and tell others about the catch. This year the video presentation is to be accompanied by livelier music than last year. Several critics of classical music objected to Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony’s first movement used in 2009. So this year, the ear candy will be provided by a medley of tunes from my favorite band, the Moody Blues. If the same cadre of complainers show up, next year I’ll use the most loudly raucous hits from the hip-hop and rap genre. Contributions in the form of words are equally appreciated by the editor in preparing each issue of the Backcast. So put pen to paper tell others about a favorite fishing story. • Finally, the blurb appearing in the last issue promoting the club picnic was supposed to say “Bring a covered dish to share.” It was a Freudian slip, I suppose, but your editor failed to notice the misspelling, as it requested, “Bring a covered fish.” It would have been funny if were intentional. Thanks to those who brought the typo to my attention -- and actually brought a covered fish. Tight lines,
Scoop
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
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WFC MEMBER PROFILE by Greg B. Groves legatcn@gmail.com ecently, I spent an hour with Bob Fischer who has been a member of the WFC for about 12 years. Bob describes himself as a late bloomer to fly fishing. Growing up in South Carolina, he spin-fished farm ponds for bluegill, bass and crappie. When he was about 30 his dad bought him an Orvis Rocky Mountain five weight fly rod. He still has the rod, which has been discontinued from the Orvis line. For sentimental reasons the rod is one of his favorites. From an early age, he worked in a restaurant owned by his family in Laurens, South Carolina. About 12 years ago, he decided he needed a short break from the business and he told his dad he needed two weeks off. During his vacation, he explored Wyoming. Upon returning to South Carolina, he told his dad he needed a year off. After selling his home in South Carolina, Bob and his wife moved to Casper. He didn’t work for about a year and jokingly commented that some people he met asked him what he was doing in Wyoming. Since he didn’t work they wondered if he was maybe in the witness protection program. During that year off, he fly fished the North Platte -- a lot. He described his initial efforts as “beating the river to froth,” and he caught few fish. Disappointed with his new home water, he took someone’s advice and joined the WFC. At his first meeting, he sat next to two mechanics who worked at Big Wyoming, the local GMC dealership. His new friends offered to take him fishing. Their first trip was to the Government Bridge access point on the North Platte where his hosts re-rigged him with two flies and a strike indicator. Within five minutes he was catching fish. He vividly recalls that the techniques he had been using to catch pan
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Bob Fischer fish in South Carolina simply didn’t work on the North Platte. There was nothing wrong with the river, but his techniques were all wrong. About the same time Bob arrived in Casper, Joe Meyer had just retired and started fishing almost every day. He and Joe “fished together hard for several months,” but toward the end of a year away from work, as much as he enjoyed fishing with Joe, he also missed working. Art Van Rensselaer hired him to work part time at the Ugly Bug fly shop. Seven years ago, his part-time work in the fly shop led to a full-time job. Now he’s the manager of the Ugly Bug. The best thing about his job is that everyone he works with loves fishing. Compared to working in the restaurant business, Bob says there is no stress in his current position. His philosophy is, “I will do things I enjoy doing. If it’s no longer fun, I’ll do something else. This is not a dress rehearsal.” If he could only fish with one fly rod for the rest of his life, it would be a nine foot, five weight mid-flex Orvis Helios. He qualifies his rod choice by saying his casting stroke is slower than many fly fishers, therefore he likes the softer
action. He also noted that his fly rod philosophy is like golf. “You can’t play golf with one club and you can’t fly fish with one rod.” Regretting that his wife may read this article, he confessed that he owns and uses 14 fly rods. His most memorable fly fishing trip was with his dad when they took a horse pack trip into the Wind Rivers near Dubois. Getting there on horseback with the assistance of an outfitter and seeing the abundant wildlife all made the trip memorable. All day they would fly fish and some days they would catch so many fish that a mid-day nap was necessary. Bob recalled waking up one morning and looking up to see two big horn sheep looking down at him and his dad from a ridge above Bob’s campsite. Bob believes stream improvement and soil erosion are key conservation issues. He cited the Bolton Creek project as a great example of ranchers, Wyoming Game and Fish officials and WFC members working together to improve water quality and fisheries. He also praised ranchers who are using fences to keep cattle off stream banks. As a direct result of the rancher’s efforts, new vegetation is getting a hold and new streamside bug habitat is cropping up. The larger insect populations will gradually improve the dry fly fishing along the North Platte watershed. Bob emphasized that the prespawn flushing flows conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation at the request of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department have done more to (continued on page 11)
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
Casting for
GOLD
Island Lake marks the entrance to the Titcomb Basin, with Fremont Peak forming the central backdrop.
Hiking and fishing in the Wind River Range by Randy Stalker Backcast editor
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lmost 30 years ago, when my knees were young and I carried 20 fewer pounds on my frame, I regularly would spend a week or two each August in the Wind River Range. I primarily hiked this pristine wilderness to explore and photograph its splendor. But I did occasionally wet a fly or (gasp!) cast a French spinner in a few of the alpine lakes. Specifically, I was in the hunt for golden trout, those rare, California Sierra imports who flourish in lakes above the timber line. Anyone contemplating visiting this paradise should be prepared to climb nearly 5000 feet in elevation on rough, switchback trails, and sometimes, no trail at all. In those days, I carried 75 lbs. of gear in an external frame Jansport backpack. In the first few trips, the gear included rope, ice ax and crampons, but later I abandoned the climbing equipment for the much-lighter fishing rod and small tackle box. My 35mm Nikon was as steady a companion as my sleeping bag and Brandy, my loyal Irish setter.
One of the most memorable of a dozen backcountry trips (including the north and south Winds, hiking from several entrances including Elkhart Park, Trail Lake Ranch, Dickinson Park and Green River Lakes) was the one in which I caught the first, and only, golden of my
fishing career. He was a robust fellow, plump and scarlet red, about 16 in. long. He was among dozens of denizens slowly swimming along the rocky-bottomed alpine lake, but the only one who I could entice to take the hook. The weather in the Winds can be fearsome, but usually is of brief duration. These mountains can generate their own weather, like galeforce winds, pounding rain or blasting snowstorms. I was in the second day of a trip on the Pole Creek Trail, when I decided to take a side trip to the Jean Lakes and the huge Elbow Lake. The sky turned gray as I continued the uphill climb across the rock-strewn tundra. A misty fog served as a transition to a slight drizzle. I donned a plastic poncho (this was in the days before the advent of breathable waterproof fabrics, besides the poncho was cheap and light). The longer I followed the uphill trail, the harder it rained. Soon the rain turned to sleet, and then to snow as I neared timber line. Cold, wet and miserable, I took temporary shelter among a patch of the last trees before slogging on. My hiking boots were waterlogged, and the wool socks were doing their best, but failing,
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter to warm the feet. I hiked perhaps a mile more, before deciding to erect the tent and take refuge. I learned how long it takes to cook Ramen noodles above 10,000 feet; as the boiling point of water is at a lower temperature. But hey, did I have a pressing appointment elsewhere? The next morning, a moist blanket of snow carpeted the landscape, sprinkling diamonds in the morning sun. Breaking camp and climbing into my still-wet boots, I retraced my steps to the trail junction and turned toward Island Lake. This trail would lead to the Titcomb Basin and its three long, narrow alpine lakes. This basin was carved by retreating glaciers, and boulders as big as cars were left in their wake. Glaciers still remain, as the north and east ridges mark the Continental Divide. By the time I reached Island Lake, my Levi’s and cotton shirt were dry, the snow had melted and a brilliant blue sky returned to serve as a backdrop to the snow-topped peaks ahead. A hodgepodge of rock walls, about two to three feet high, are scattered above the upper Titcomb Lake. These were built by former campers, frustrated by the strong convection winds which could and do rip out guy lines and bend tent poles. I chose one and erected my tent behind it. A gentle waterfall, flowing with the milky discoloration of glacier melt, was a few feet from the shelter. The water tasted as pure at it looked, and in those days, I didn’t use a water filter. A lake is hidden from view to the east and above the upper Titcomb Lake, a patch of deep blue sitting on a shelf beneath the formidable face of Fremont Peak. Unless you consult a map or have
previous knowledge, the lake would remain unknown to most hikers. This body was accidentally stocked with goldens, hence its name: Mistake Lake. For the climber, a number of peaks beckon the hardy enthusiast. After scrambling up the snow or talus slope of Bonney Pass (depending on the severity of the winter accumulation of moisture), the highest point in Wyoming – Gannett Peak – can be climbed, among many, many other towering points, all over 13,000 feet high. It would be a long day to climb Gannett and return to camp by sundown. Fishing Mistake Lake with a fly rod was an exasperating experience. I was a neophyte to fly fishing, and I brought a three-piece bamboo rod I stole for a ridiculous sum at a garage sale. A cheap dragless reel sat on the butt end of the heavy stick, loaded with 9 weight line – the size recommended by a clerk at Dean’s Sporting Goods. I would later learn the rod should have been loaded with 6 weight line. Casting the rod was like shooting a .460 Weatherby from a Model 92 carbine. I still managed to cast a Tellico nymph in front of the goldens feeding along the shoreline. Nothing. I tried a wooly worm. Nothing. Those were the only flies in my arsenal. So I switched to a 5 foot ultralight Fenwick fiberglass rod, fitted with a Garcia 308 non-skirted spinning reel and spooled with 4 lb. line. I probably made over hundred casts, tossing a squirrel-tail skirted Mepps spinner halfway across the lake, retrieving it at different speeds. I was unprepared when a fish hammered the offering. The Fenwick bent in an arc, and
Page 7 the Garcia whined in protest. The fish made a run toward the shore, and retreated to the middle of the lake. This scenario repeated for several minutes, neither side willing to concede defeat. I increased the tension on the drag knob. The fish was hugging the bottom, refusing to reveal himself and demonstrate some aerial acrobatics like a Platte rainbow. No, he was like a cagey Boxelder brown, preferring to remain deep and try to tangle the line among the rocks. Ultimately, the fish lost the battle, and within two hours he was being fried on a backpack skillet behind the rock walls outside the tent. If I were to fish for goldens again, I would be stripping a streamer. Since that memorable event in the early 1980s, I was saddened to learn that goldens no longer inhabit Mistake Lake. Or at least that is what was reported by another fishermen looking to add a golden to his quiver of species caught on a fly rod. The world record golden was caught in Cook Lake, a day’s hike south of the Titcomb Basin and Island Lake. Now only stunted brook trout remain in the once golden fisheries of Cook and Wall lakes. The Titcomb Basin is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and while I encourage younger hikers to visit this special place, I no longer join them there. It is a place to savor in small sips, not big gulps, so plan to stay at least a week and bring home a knapsack full of memories. For more about the golden trout, read Melody Weinhandl’s scholarly report appearing in the August issue of the Backcast.
Mistake Lake sits againt the base of Fremont Peak, left, looking south from Bonney Pass. Below, rock walls are necessary to block the wind. And right, a glacier melt borne waterfall trickles past the camp in the afternoon.
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
President’s message (continued from page 2)
M Y F LY B OX . . . M A T T S T A N T O N Boaters continue to support the aquatic invasive species program With the final major boating weekend of the year now over, boaters have strongly supported Wyoming's program to prevent introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species in Wyoming waters. To date, more than 80 percent of the registered boats in Wyoming have AIS decals and as the summer progressed, almost every boater contacted had some awareness of the AIS program. Since the program started last spring, more than 35,500 boats have been inspected. In a typical week, AIS crews inspect 2,000-2,500 boats. Of the boats inspected to date, 20 have been determined to be high risk and were decontaminated. But no invasive mussels have been found. According to AIS coordinator Beth Bear, three boats were found in Jackson this summer that had wintered at Nevada's Lake Mead, a
water known to harbor invasive mussels. All three had encrusted mussels, however all three had been out of the water for more than 30 days prior to inspection and the mussels were dried out and dead. The boats were decontaminated as a precaution and allowed to launch after all mussels were removed. Also this summer, several waters have been monitored for larval mussels (veligers) but none have been found. More waters will be monitored for veligers this fall. "As boaters are becoming more aware of the AIS program and inspections, increasing numbers of boaters are following the Drain, Clean and Dry process before they get to the lake," said Bear. "In addition, the vast majority of boaters already have the decal which helps speed up the inspection process."
broad basis of genetic diversity is not much different from the people who settled our land in that era. As mentioned regarding the Yellowstone browns, brown trout in general promoted the rapid naturalization of self-sustaining populations which also explains the great range of coloration and spotting patterns now exhibited by American brown trout. As hardy as they immigrants they represent, browns still have some issues with the trout malady known as Whirling disease. Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that attacks the skeletal structure of young fish causing them to deform. They become able to swim only in circular patterns, and so unable to find food they soon die. The disease attacks all trout, but the rainbows are by far the most vulnerable. Identified in the 1950s, it has been under strenuous research at a fish hatchery in Oberndorf am Neckar, Rottweil, Baden-Wuertemberg, Germany. Disease resistant browns and rainbows have been bred with significant success with wild Colorado browns and rainbows in an effort to minimize and possibly even eradicate this fatal trout disease. In recent years places like Gunnison, Colorado have been affected by a 99% mortality rate among rainbows in particular and the research has become a silver lining in what once was a dismal situation. The rainbow rehabilitation project was made possible by the discovery of a rainbow trout strain in Germany that is resistant to whirling disease. This Hofer strain of fish is found in BadenWuertemberg and has been introduced to places like Colorado. Interestingly, the Hofer strain was developed partly from crossing with a sample of Colorado rainbow trout that had been sent to Germany in 1903. The Hofer strain had developed in Germany for 100 years in water where the whirling disease is present, and so has developed a resistance. (This German immigrant has such a grand and diverse history I deemed it worthy to continue this article next month. Stay tuned.)
Melody
Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
A tip of the hat to the Expo By Steve Kurtz (The following column appeared in the Casper Journal on Sept. 20) ’m a card carrying member of the Wyoming Fly Casters Casper club, whose mission is to further the sport of fly fishing through conservation and education. I joined because I’m not a good fisherman – fish laugh when they hear my name. The Fly Casters are mostly mature men and women who love to fish and love to sit around and talk fishing. Projects include river cleanup, sponsoring fish preservation and habitat improvement projects, and fishing outings designed to teach you how to fish and have a good time with other fishermen. I like Fly Casters for their enthusiasm, dedication, great monthly meetings, outstanding newsletter and because I always seem to win something in the monthly meeting raffle. A few months ago, G&F personnel reported on this year’s fish survey. They determined there are 3,000 fish per mile in the Miracle Mile, the legendary stretch of the North Platte River west of Casper, where there are a lot of big fish and lots of Colorado fishermen. Using higher math skills I determined that means there’s a line of fish single file, nose to tail, headed upstream at the Miracle Mile. How can you not catch a fish with that many so close to you? Do they notice my fly? No. But if doesn’t matter if you catch a lot of ish; the experience of being outside in nature with wildlife around is plenty good enough. Despite my Army experience of never volunteering for anything, I volunteered to help out at the Fly Casters’ booth at this year’s Wyoming Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo. What a great event for everyone, kids in particular. Besides the many booths and activities for adults and kids inside the Casper Events Center, the outside skill challenge booths in the parking lot for kids was an event to behold. Kids had to complete four of the five or six challenges at volunteermanned booths, including spinning rod casting, fly fishing casting, obstacle course, canoe course/boating safety,
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walleye challenge and archery. A free spinning rod was the prize for completing the challenges. These were neat, candy apple red with gold trim spinning rods. I was jealous. My spinning rods didn’t look as neat. I heard there were 1,000 of them and they were gone by the end of the day. Our job at the Fly Casters booth was to help the kids learn about fly casting, which requires a little more technique and coordination than spin casting. The challenge was to cast the fly into the middle of a glittery multicolored hula hoop about 20 feet away, pretending there were fish in that hula hoop. The kids, from 3 to 13, were great. Helping them hold the rod and practice, and then letting go and having them cast successfully on their own was a really good experience. Often the initial clumsiness would be gone after a few casts and they would be casting smoothly and better than I can – even the 3year olds. Lots of squeals of joy followed successful casts. The wind, blowing maybe 30 mph with gusts fast enough to blow your fly to Glenrock, provided realistic conditions. I was privileged to help maybe 100 kids, including one young man who I had to help stand because he couldn’t without his walker. He did very well with me holding him up, casting with his left hand. And there were a few Boy Scouts who were pursuing merit badges. Parents were helpful, encouraging and proud when their kids succeeded. At the spin casting booth next door, the challenge was to cast your plastic lure out beyond the target fish and reel in, hooking the target and catching a fish. These fish were wonderful day glow-colored, flat on one side, plastic, about a foot long and food wide. They looked a lot like flounder, a fish that has both eyes on the side of its head and lays on the bottom of the ocean, camouflaged, waiting for something to eat to come by. What a deal, holding your orange catch up for mom to take your picture, holding dthe fish out away from your body so it looks bigger. Hats off to the G&F, sponsors and volunteers for a job well done!
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BRAG BOARD
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
WYOMING FLY CASTERS BOARD MEETING MINUTES -- DRAFT September 15, 2010 Called to Order: 7:04 PM Excused absences: Bill Wichers, Brent Weinhandl, Spencer Amend, Joe Meyer, Bob Fischer and Alex Rose. Unexcused: Neil Ruebush. Secretary minutes of August 2010 were approved. Outings: Alex Rose will be the streamkeeper of the night outing on Sept. 25, 2010 on the North Platte River. Casey Leary will be the streamkeeper for the Robinder Outing on Oct. 16, 2010 at the Miracle Mile. President Weinhandl reported she has not had any interest in a nomination for the vice president position. Matt Stanton e-mailed all board members a copy of the treasurer’s report prior to the general board meeting. The board approved the treasurer’s report. Matt reported the club receives mail seeking the club’s support on a regular basis. Discussion was held how the club should manage solicitations from agencies and private organizations for financial or other support and possibly prioritize such solicitations. The board approved to review these solicitations once a year in April to determine which are deemed appropriate for appropriations. Conservation report: Matt Stanton reported the flow below Cardwell access was reduced from 350 CFS to 75 CFS on Monday Sept. 13, 2010. Joe Meyer and Al Condor of the WGFD went to Cardwell to assess possibility of fish stranding. One fish was caught. Al Condor reported the channel looked good and
the spawning gravel was intact. The state Trout Unlimited organization is raffling off a drift boat, 30-40 tickets left at $100 each. Matt reported Trout Unlimited has assisted the WFC in the past. The board approved to purchase one $100 raffle ticket for the TU drift boat, should the club win, the club will then raffle off the boat for WFC. The Expo was well attended, 500 kids came to the WFC booth. Kids from around the state, such as from Evanston, Mt. View and Pavillion were present. The fish stamps were again very successful at this function. Due to the popularity of the stamps, the board approved to purchase fish stamps and ink, up to $200. Two WFC members were present at the Platte River Revival clean up on Saturday, Sept. 11, the same day as the Expo. More help could have been used at the casting portion of the Expo per Joe Meyer. WFC will try to improve next year. It was noted that the club was also involved in other activities that coincided with the Expo this year. Will Waterbury presented information on the Adopt a Highway program. He reported the WFC would have to complete two cleanups a year, after two you get a sign with name recognition placed on the highway. He concluded mile markers 86 to 88 on Highway 220 would be most appropriate. Will to schedule the clean up. Discussion was held on the Speas (continued on next page)
OCTOBER Club Calendar SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Outing at Miracle Mile
Regular meeting, 7 p.m.
Columbus Day
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20
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22
WFC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
24 31 Halloween
SATURDAY
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26
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23 Full moon
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29 Deadline for Backcast info
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Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter
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WFC TREASURER'S REPORT (ending July 31, Date Income 08/23/10 Expenses 08/11/10 08/11/10 08/17/10 08/17/10 08/24/10
Vendor/Item
Amount
Deposit - August raffle, $75; Ten Sleep outing, $76 Total
$151.00 $151.00
#4057 – Izaak Walton August Rent #4058 – Ugly Bug August Raffle #4059- Fed Ex Office - July Backcast printing #4060 – Wy Secy of State – Annual Corporation Fee #4061 – Matt Stanton Tensleep Outing, $198.08, Propane $15.21 (Signed by Melody Weinhandl) Total
Digital reminders available for WFC meetings, outings and 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 e-mail so that he can have your e-mail address and then he will send out a timely reminder by e-mail of any activities. He promised that your e-mail address would only be used for the purpose of sending the reminder. Send your e-mail to Scott Novotny at gscottn@gmail.com.
Board minutes
(continued from page 10)
Memorial about plastic casing as being an option. The matter was tabled until Bill Wichers gets WGFD approval. Sam’s Club provided vouchers to the club for $10 off renewal or new membership. The coupons will be available at the next general meeting. Greg Groves will manage the Christmas party this year. Greg will get quotes to costs. New business: Herb Waterman reported the North Platte Walleye Club had information on the successful projects and donations they have provided over the years to the community. He recommended the WFC should provide similar information on its various achievements and have displays easily reviewed by others. Members reported they will assist with framing of any such posters when produced. Joe Meyer has been helping with the Boy Scouts fly tying and his efforts were praised. Andrew Sauter recommended we ask the WGFD for a commissioner’s license to be raffled off as a fund raiser and Matt Stanton will complete the application as soon as possible. Matt reported the WFC committed 100 man hours to the Bolton Creek Project recently and the project will start Monday, Sept. 27 and Tuesday, Sept. 28. Cuttings from Muddy Mountain will be flow to Bolton Creek. Matt reported an e-mail was sent to members, however some members reported not receiving any such notification. Will suggested that the WFC should improve communications at the annual picnic. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Our members are very special to us and we want to remember them in times of adversity. If you know of a member or their spouse who is ill or is recently deceased, please contact Donna Diesburg at (307) 2344278 or e-mail her at faith10@bresnan.net.
$75.00 $94.42 $49.45 $25.00 $213.29 $457.16
Bob Fischer profile (continued from page 5) improve fishing in the North Platte than any other factors. The flushes prior to the spring rainbow and fall brown trout spawns greatly enhance the effectiveness of the reproductive cycle. Productive spawns keep the wild trout numbers up and reduce the need to stock hatchery fish. Bob is a catch and release fisherman, however, he also likes to eat fish. In his opinion, trout caught in the North Platte should be released. Fish destined for the frying pan are generally smaller, taste better and are caught in waters smaller than the North Platte. It doesn’t bother him that someone would want to mount a trophy catch. However, with the improvements in fiberglass replicas, based on accurate measurements and digital photographs, there’s really no reason to kill a trophy fish. Bob’s favorite restaurant in Casper is Botticelli’s. His hobbies include hunting upland game birds and riding any one of his three motorcycles. Before he dies, Bob hopes to fly fish for giant brook trout in Newfoundland. I encourage all members to get to know Bob Fischer. He’s a knowledgeable resource to both the profession and sport of fly fishing.
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.