Walla² Fly Fishers: February 2019

This evening President Judy called our meeting to order at 7:00 pm. We had three guests that introduced themselves as interested novice, and longtime fly fishers. We gave them a warm Welcome.

Judy asked Secretary Dale to refresh the meeting with minutes from last month’s meeting. Dale gave a quick synopsis of that meeting and asked everyone to refer to the club’s blog site (this site) to stay abreast of current and historical club events. He also mentioned that there were a lot of fly fishing tips and guides to be found here, actually hours of fly fishing reading. He pointed out that the blog site was a re-counting of our club’s history since March 2009. Dale also mentioned that for quick reference, he maintains a Walla² Fly Fishers’ Facebook page with a lot of fly fishing info, and schedule of Pacific NW fly fishing events.

Judy then asked Dave Stemmer to give a report of current activities with our member’s support of the Walla Walla Chapter of Project Healing Waters, LLC. Dave recapped some history of this group, which is a national organization, started in 2005 by some returning Iraq War veterans. Our local group was instigated by Jerry Newell in early 2014, and is now being directed by Dave. Dave pointed out that the Walla Walla Chapter of Project Healing Waters, LLC is FULLY FUNDED by the national organization for all fly fishing activities participated in by any and all US veterans of our area. This group have regular fly tying sessions, annually they build their own fly rods, and several times a year they initiate their own fly fishing trip and have occasion to join other chapters from across Washington and Oregon for fishing tournaments - all lodging, travel and food is paid for - at the expense / courtesy of Project Healing Waters, LLC.

At this point in our meeting with all accounted for we had the first drawing for an evening fly box door prize give away.
Heidi O won the first -door prize- fly box of the evening.

After Tyson's program, Anne B won the second -raffle- fly box of the evening.

It was then brought up that Tom Craig had sold his Outcast 9’ pontoon boat (at a very fair price) to the club for due paying club member to have use of, and Dale was to pick it up to keep at his house. Due to more than a month of winter / snowy weather, Tom and Dale have not gotten around to moving the boat yet. All due paying club member are welcome to check out this boat, for their own personal fun time, and it will be used for club fishing outings for members in need of. Dale brought up that the club had discussed that we would purchase another smaller 6’ or 7’ boat for those members that found a 9’ boat too large to handle.

Tom also addressed the group that he would again be participating with the local 4-H Organization’s –Super Saturday– on March 23. Tom will be conducting demonstrations in the art and science of fly fishing. He has asked for volunteers that might assist him in this day’s project which begin at 8:45 am. He said that there is usually 5-10 kids in two sessions that he “works” with at this annual event.

A copy of this year's program in this PDF Brochure

The event is being held at the Blue Mountain Community Church - 928 Sturm Ave, Walla Walla.

VP Tyson was asked to update the group on the progress of cataloguing the club’s library of many magazines, books and fly fishing videos for the use of all due paying club members. We do have a wealth of fly fishing information in the library. Heidi has said that she can transfer VHS videos into DVD format videos; this will also expand and upgrade our fly fishing library.

Treasurer Harold gave a report of funds on hand and a listing of members that have currently paid annual club membership dues.
ANNUAL membership dues = $15 for Individuals and $20 for your entire Family
Harold mentioned that he had collected $15 more than he has names for. He ask that everyone that had paid their annual club dues in January to contact him during our March meeting, so he might update his membership list. Thank you

President Diane was out-of-town this evening, so President Judy announced that Diane will be participating in North Idaho Fly Fishing Expo in Lewiston, ID on March 15-16 for those interested in joining her for that weekend's event.
With this announcement it was also mentioned that there would be the annual Northwest Fly Tyers’ and Fly Fishing Expo in Albany, OR on March 8-9.
There is also the Washington Fly Fishing Fair in Ellensburg, WA on May 3-4.
If anyone is interested in car-pooling to these events please contact Diane Briggs about the ID function, and Dave Stemmer about the WA event.

This evening our program was a slide presentation given by VP Tyson Kopfer.
Tyson is a past president of our club.

It is said that "10% of the fisherman, hook 90% of the fish caught." Tyson and few other fly fishers in our club are some of the fly fisher fitting in that category. Almost all of Tyson's catches are released to play, and fight again for another day. Remember in most place of the Pacific NW the creel limit is 5 fish - rarely can an angler keep all the fished hooked in a day. The person paying attention to what Tyson says about fly fishing, and watching his techniques, will inevitably be catching more fish in a short time as well.
Being "a picture is worth 1000 words", this writer cannot convey all that Tyson shared with us this evening, so will try to use some of his slides to instigate further research by interested club members in what he know and is willing to tell, to have a good day of catching on streams and rivers.

Click on the images below to enlarge for better reading.

Tyson discussed the mechanics of a fly rod system, and how it works to make a fly presentation.

There is also a matter of "reading the water." One should remember that most fish will drown if exposed to fast moving water current for very long period of time. Fish that reach maturity have "learned" they must spend the least amount of energy, for the most food they can acquire, or they starve. "Reading the water" to learn where fish will lay / hold, makes a difference in an anglers catch rate.
In "reading the water" anglers learn to study flow and currents: a run, a pool, a pocket, and eddies. A successful angler has to begin to think like a pea-brain fish, if they are to catch fish consistently.

There are thousands of Dry Flies that will catch fish...
and there is a lot of satisfaction in tying your own.

10 Flies for Trout Worth Trying Out
Parachute Adams
The Adams and the Elk Hair Caddis are rather widely considered to be the most essential of dry flies
Blue Wing Olive (BWO)
Woolly Bugger
Hopper
Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear
Ant
Pheasant Tail Nymph
San Juan Worm

If you have any further questions concerning dry fly fishing, come to our next meeting and talk with Tyson.

Tyson, Thank you for a most informative program this evening.

Our next meeting will be held at Smith's Family Restaurant on W. 9th Street in Walla Walla --

Wednesday

20th March 2019
6:00 pm Dinner and Social
7:00 Call-to-Order Club Business

Meeting was adjourned at 8:35.

Respectfully submitted,

Dale McKain

Club Secretary