Talking about Fly Fishing this evening

 

We are talking about Fly Fishing this evening – club activities.

President Judy called our meeting to order at 7:10 pm. A lot of fishing tales and some club business was discussed with everyone sitting around eating dinner, before the call to order.

With October meeting notices sent out, Dale received a number of emails saying can’t make it RSVPs for this evening’s meeting. It was discussed that as a group we might need to discuss what is the BEST day of the month and week for us to be meeting. Tonight we had six members and one guest present.

Treasurer Harold reported that we currently had $1022 in our checking account and a small amount of make change cash on hand.

Secretary Dale made a brief synopsis-report of our September meeting and ask everyone to check out the club blog for details. https://wallawallaflyfishers.blogspot.com/

We did not have fly box door prize or raffle drawings this evening, but plan to again incorporate these into our future meetings. 

This evening Jerry Finnie did bring a box of flies that he had tied some very nice flies, but we voted to hold these flies for our November 9^th meeting, since our numbers were small this evening.

It was again discussed that there would be NO club membership dues collected before our January 2023 meeting and that the dues would then be Fifteen dollars ($15) per year for individuals and Twenty-five ($25) for family memberships.

We also discussed having club activities – other than monthly meetings – to bring the club together for one and all and the community to be more involved with fly fishing.

Activities discussed were:
1) again have a Fly Fishing Fair at Waterbrook Winery – if they will work with us again on this 

2) Check on again having a Fly Fishing presentation at the 4-H Weekend Activities

3) plan on some club fishing outings on some rivers and lakes 

It was mentioned that the club does have an 8’ pontoon boat and two float tubes for members use. 

As we were looking at the size of Sheri’s meeting room, it was discussed that we might need to look for a larger accommodation after the New Year. 

With our November 9^th club meeting we hope to have a round of new club officers nominations.
Will you think about giving out club 8-months of your time to develop fly fishing in the Walla Walla Valley?
Including the COVID-19 shutdown, the current club officers have giving almost 4-years of service to our cause. Thank you.

Again we will ask for your RSVP to our club’s Email address if you plan to have dinner seating / service for our November 9^th pre-meeting dinner, (this is so we may notify the Sheri’s meal service staffing what to expect on our behalf).
Thank you.

 Respectfully submitted,
Dale McKain
Club Secretary 

Diane Briggs –  Co-President

Judy McDole – Co-President

Harold Saxby – Treasurer

Dale McKain – Secretary - Blogmaster

We are back together again.

Last evening The Walla² Fly Fishers came together for our first "regular" season meeting. This was a Meet and Greet gathering being our last "regular" meeting was over two years ago (the last being FEBRUARY 19, 2020), with a couple of impromptu gathering this spring at the Fort Walla Walla Museum Park. Last evening was a good evening to break bread together, exchanging fishing stories among ole members and new guest. 

The meeting last evening was held in the meeting hall at Shari's Restaurant in downtown Walla Walla on Hwy 125. Dinner gathering was at 6:00 with the business meeting beginning around 7:00. There were 18 club members and guest in attendance.

Shortly after 7:00 President Judy McDole called the meeting to order. She gave a brief recap of our most recent gathering this spring.

She asked Treasurer Harold Saxby for his report. Harold gave an accounting for the expenses we had at our two spring gatherings, of which the club served dinner to one and all in attendance at the club's expense. There was a Thank you for those club's dinner offerings, and the chance for all of us to get together again. Harold announced that the club now has One Thousand-Two dollars and Seventy Nine cents ($1002.79) in our bank account.

It was discussed the timing for the next collecting of MEMBERSHIP DUES. That discussion lead to the agreement of all that since some had paid dues on FEBRUARY 19, 2020 before the COVID-19 shutdown, and there was not much time (only 2 meetings left in 2022) that MEMBERSHIP DUES would NOT be due and collectable again before our January 2023 meeting.

Also discussed was the timing of our Club meetings. The past few years we have been holding our meeting on the third Wednesday of the month. This past month we had several members / guests notices that the third Wednesday was not good for their schedule, so it was discussed and by current attendees it was voted that for the time being we would move our meeting times to be the SECOND WEDNESDAY of the month. Our next meeting is now scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 to be held again at Sheri's in Walla Walla --- dinner gathering at 6:00pm with business meeting to begin at 7:00.

Being we just have two more regularly scheduled meetings in 2022  -October and November-  it was discussed the advent of an ELECTION of club officers to begin 2023. President Judy, Secretary Dale and Treasurer Harold said that they would remain in their currently club offices through 2022. It was discussed that by November's meeting we need a new roster of club officers to open our New Year of 2023. Please THINK about it - you and who could be of service to our club.

The balance of the evening, with President Judy starting the discussion we went around the room and everyone gave a brief HISTORY (past and current) of their fly fishing experiences.
Secretary Dale, and club co-founder briefly told of his past 50-years of fly fishing experience, in NC, SC, NY, FL, the area-states around Y-N-Park, and OR/WA/HI. He said that it took him six (6) fly fishing weekend trips into the western NC mountains before he caught his first rainbow trout with a fly rod and fly. He said with that hookup, he has been hooked for life, on fly fishing.

Always know the fishing regulations

This sport is about patience, perseverance, practice, practice, practice to develop your fly presentation, camaraderie and the pleasure of having fun with flies and fish.    

After this discussion, we briefly talked about our October 12 meeting and possible meeting program, thereby Dave (our programs coordinator) and Tom Craig said that they would begin a search of the next month and near future program presentations.

 Our meeting adjourned shortly after 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Dale McKain 
Club Secretary / Blog master

Tight lines and good fishing.

Walla² Fly Fishers

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A nice afternoon for bass fishing, until...

Last evening The Walla² Fly Fishers came together for our second Meet and Greet gathering in the past two years (the last being April 27th) to break bread, exchange fishing stories among ole members and new guest. 

With the COVID-19 virus still circulating in our area, again the club rented the outdoor picnic pavilion at the Fort Walla Walla Museum Park, and set the tables for everyone to partake in another club’s treat dinner of sandwiches and soft drink beverages. The weather this evening for dinner was most pleasant, sunny and mild temperatures.

Attendance at this evening meeting was 20 fly fishers - club members and guests that have interest in reviving our club’s activities, following so many of our area’s pandemic shutdowns.

After dinner was served, and all were fed Co-President Judy made an evening greeting and called our meeting to order. It was during this time, that an evening breeze began to blow. Shortly thereafter the clouds on the western horizon began to thunder and lightning.

Treasurer Harold then gave his report, reporting that prior to this evening’s meal cost ($140) the club’s checking account had a balance of $1139. He said the current bank account report – should now show that we currently have close to One Thousand ($1000) on account with some club dues (cash) payments in hand. Harold pointed out that $1000 sound like a nice sum to have on hand, but once the club begins to have regular monthly meeting we can go through these fund rather fast with the expense of bringing in guest speakers and having club functions. During Harold’s report the wind began to blow a bit harder.

After Harold’s report, President Judy asked Dale to give a Secretary’s Report. Dale made a brief recap of our last month’s meeting which was more of a Meet and Greet gathering than business, and he addressed the club’s assets (floatation craft – pontoon boat and float tubes) that were being kept at his house. He announced that these items were readily available to any and all paying club members and to notify him via email if you wished to check them out for use.

Dale also mentioned that the club had a fly fishing library (books and videos) available to all club members. By this time the wind was beginning to blow a bit harder and the thunder and lightning was getting closer to the park. Dale was asked to speak a bit louder, and so closed his report.

In the past at each meeting we have held meeting raffles and door prizes, usually these have been fly boxes (with flies), and other items of interest. This evening we had no raffle but gave door prizes of a fly box and two club logo caps.

With the presence of the outdoor elements bearing down on us, President Judy asked if there was anyone that would like to take charge of trying to secure a regular indoor meeting location for our next planned meeting to take place in September. Judy made the point that traditionally our club meetings have always been held from September through May, with a summer break for “not-so-organized” club fishing parties being planned and taking place June – August. There was a short discussion concerning this matter of a future meeting location and our Ex-President Dave stood up to the occasion 

and said that he would work on securing an indoor / restaurant location for our September meeting needs. In the past we have held regular meeting at the China Buffet on Plaza Way, at Smith’s Family Restaurant off of Hwy 12, and at El Sombrero on Second Avenue. Towards the end of this discussion, Dave was also asked to speak a bit louder and the storm was drawing near.

If you have a suggestion for a public meeting location please contact President Judy, or Dave, or Dale with your ideas. Please offer any ideas and suggestions to - 
  WallaWalla.Flyfishing@gmail.com   
Thank you.

Before we could proceed any further with our meeting, it began to rain, the wind blowing harder was beginning to blow rain into the shelter area, so EVERYONE gather up our meeting and meal layouts and ran for their vehicles.

Meeting adjourned.



Please stay tuned to Walla² Fly Fishers follow up emails of / for further summer group activities and announcement of our next meeting which should be around the third week of September.



Tight lines and good summer fishing.



Respectfully submitted,

Dale McKain

Club Secretary 

Diane Briggs –  Co-President

Judy McDole – Co-President

Harold Saxby – Treasurer

Dale McKain – Secretary - Blogmaster

We have returned.

The Walla² Fly Fishers came together for our first Meet and Greet gathering in over two years (the last being February 19, 2020) to break bread, exchange fishing stories among ole members and new guest. Present this evening were 6 club members and 7 guests that have interest in reviving our club.

For the past several months the club officers have been in touch via Email communications, and one small group meeting to discuss the parameters to reactivate the Walla² Fly Fishers as we have watched the decline in numbers of public illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With hopes that spring weather would cooperate with us, we chose this Wednesday evening, to make a reservation with Walla Walla Parks and Recreation to have our meeting at the Fort Walla Walla Park.

After the usual morning rains, we had a most pleasant afternoon sun break with mild temperature for our 5:30 gathering. Club Secretary Dale made arrangements to provide from Safeway a delicious croissant sandwich tray complimented with bowls of melons, strawberries and soft drinks with funds of the club’s treasury. Co-President Judy brought plates, napkins and tableware. Putting all of this together, we had a most pleasant outdoor “picnic” meeting – under shelter covered with sunshine.

After everyone had more than enough to eat - sandwiches and fruit, Co-President Diane called the meeting to order. This was a most informal meeting whereby everyone introduced themselves and gave a brief synopsis of themselves and their past two years of fishing experiences.

Treasurer Harold, reported that prior to this evening’s meal cost ($80) the club’s checking account had a balance of $1239.
Also this evening a number of ole and new members paid their annual dues of $15 per individual and/or $20 per family.
Harold did point out that even though $1200 looked like a health checkbook balance, in 2019 before the pandemic the club had paid out $1000 for the cost of having guest speakers to address our group.

As the meeting closed, Co-President Diane brought out a large bag of fly boxes that Grant Richie of the Minam Store Raft Rentals and Guide Service had given our club and gave a fly box to everyone present. Thank you Grant.

It is with regret, that after 4-years of their service to the club; Secretary Dale makes this announcement to all... that effective after our May 2022 meeting, Co-Presidents Diane and Judy, VP Tyson, Treasurer Harold will be resigning from their elected club offices. Secretary Dale will remain in his position.

In closing this meeting, it was discussed that we will attempt to have another meeting in May – the date and place to be announced, most likely we will attempt to setup the May meeting like this one and maybe at this same location - Fort Walla Walla Park. Please watch your Emails for further development and announcements. Your RSVP will also be requested at that time for attendance. Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,
Dale McKain
Club Secretary

Tight lines and good fishing

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Diane Briggs –  Co-President
Judy McDole – Co-President
Tyson Kopfer – Vice President
Harold Saxby – Treasurer
Dale McKain – Secretary - Blogmaster

It is with a great deal of sadness, we must report...

Sept. 1, steelhead fisheries on large stretches of the Deschutes, Umatilla, John Day and Walla Walla rivers will be closed through the end of the year. See the link below for more details...

https://www.opb.org/article/2021/08/28/steelhead-fishery-closure-deschutes-john-day-umatilla/

August 11 - Club Officers' Meeting Minutes

It has been a very long time since our club went dormant, from the pandemic shutdown of 2020.

This has been a sad scenario, but to stay Safe from the global COVID pandemic the club's officers have felt it best to freeze the club in place since our last meeting of February 19, 2020.

A few weeks ago as it looked like "our world" might be getting some relief from the July SURGE of COVID-19, the club officers made contact with each other to discuss the situation and look at a club meeting scenario. Some options were discussed by emails. Last evening the club officers held a face-to-face meeting at President Diane's house to discuss in more detail.

It was nice coming together again with fellow club members, and sharing our most recent fishing outings. 

Diane had been in Montana, Dale had been on Anthony Lake, Harold told us about some of his Montana outings, it was asked if Jubilee Lake was open. Dale made note that he and club member Jerry had fished Anthony Lake (7,100 feet) to Beat-the-Heat on Tuesday, water was quite warm, he caught 1 rainbow. He says that the lake was covered with too many people on all types of floatation devices. So much surface activity, and very warm surface water conditions has put the fish down into the depths of the lake. He will not be going back until after Labor Day weekend.

When Diane called the meeting to order, officers present -- President Diane, President Judy, Secretary Dale, Treasurer Harold, Vice President Tyson was absent but had communicated his thoughts via email, which Diane read to open our meeting.

Our thoughts were that maybe we should contact El Sombrero to check on the availability of their patio dining room, which could give us an open air dining-meeting area. We talked about the idea of trying to conduct a ZOOM meeting.
Then we discussed the age of many of our club members. We discussed the current SURGE and rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in our immediate area. It was mentioned that we open the club meeting to vaccinated - mask wearing members, but felt that might be discriminatory / preferential to only those who would wish to comply.
This put us between a Rock-and-a-Hard-place, as to what to do for the benefit of all concerned.

We discussed...

In the end, it was decided that we would not try to initiate having club meetings beginning in September.
We do have thoughts of looking again at October... if the current COVID-19 SURGE subsides, and group gatherings appear to be safe again for those who have protected themselves and also CARE for the well being of all others.

Be Safe, and good fishing.

Best regards,

Dale
Club Secretary 

https://www.facebook.com/lovePNWsteelheading

 While waiting for the Pacific Northwest to reopen from the COVID-19 Pandemic, you might want to think about our next Salmon Run and the chance to be in the Great outdoors.

We hope to have our meeting room reopen soon, so we can share some wonderful Pacific Northwest fishing tales and make plans for more in 2021.

Hope to see you soon