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  

 

We shall RETURN

NO WWFF MEETINGS until further NOTICE

Please observe these COVID-19 precautions

~ Deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

~ Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.

~ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

~ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

~ Deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.

~ Spend plenty of time outdoors in fresh air and sunshine catching fish.  

To discover some of the finest fishing spot in NE Oregon and SE Washington scroll through the years of our blog's postings; to plan your next catching outing.

Tight lines and good fishing ~

COVID-19 pandemic is putting everything on HOLD

The first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced by the state of Washington on January 21, 2020. Washington made the first announcement of a death from the disease in the U.S. on February 29 and later announced that two deaths there on February 26 were also due to COVID-19. Until mid-March, Washington had the highest absolute number of confirmed cases and the highest number per capita of any state in the country.

With the onset of COVID-19 taking place in Washington at this time, this email was sent out today to the membership of our Walla² Fly Fishers.

Greetings ALL,

The COVID-19 outbreak issue has been weighing on our minds for the past few days. 

Tuesday morning I called St. Mary's Hospital, and the WW County Health Dept. to ask for advice. 

The Health Dept. advised  us (I passed it along to club fellow officers) to use our best judgment. The WW County Health Dept. was NOT suggesting calling off group meetings at this time, but would advise sending a message to ALL that if you are feeling less than 100% it is best to stay at home, be safe and not to spread a common cold, or the COVID-19 flu like virus.

Since many of our members are 55+ years old -- a most critical age for complication with the COVID-19 outbreak ~ the club officers have made the decision to be SAFE; to, for, with ALL concerned and CANCEL our March 18 meeting.

Tough call, but we are inclined to stay Safe and Sound, by staying home - with little to no exposure to annual illnesses; waiting for this national / community illness to pass.

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

A New Year ~ old business, new business...

This evening President Judy called our meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

We had 19 members and guest in attendance.

Judy asked if there was any new business that discussed:

Tom announced that he was again “working” with the Walla Walla County 4-H to make a fly fishing presentation at their Super Saturday on March 21^st. He asked if anyone that would be interested in helping with fly fishing / fly tying demonstrations please contact him via email tcraig@cbfr.biz to discuss.

Tom also mentioned that he has a neighbor that has 2 fly rods For Sale – a 4 wt. Sage and a 3 wt. St Croix. Please contact Tom <tcraig@cbfr.biz > if you might be interested in getting a Good Deal on some nice rods.

Next Treasurer Harold gave us a rather extensive 2019 Treasury activity report. He mentioned the income for the monthly fly boxes we raffle and give for a Door Prize. He mentioned the sale of the Walla² Fly Fishers caps had brought in a little money as the club makes $1.20 per cap sold at $15 each.
Harold mentioned we bought an 8’ pontoon boat for ALL Due Paying club members to have FREE access to.
Our speakers cost last year came to $1250.
Harold reported that as of today the club had a little over $1050 in our checking account.

Secretary Dale gave a recap of our November meeting, which was particularly informative presentation given by Heather Hodson.
Our New Year –January meeting was cancelled due to the winter’s only snowstorm making streets and highway hazardous for evening travel.

Dale reminded everyone if they want more details of our club’s monthly meetings and group activities to please make reference to the club’s blogsite.  https://wallawallaflyfishers.blogspot.com/
There one will find a recap of our 10-year history of activities.

Dale also mentioned that the club had purchased the 8’ pontoon boat – kept at his house just south of Stateline Rd. and also given to the club by he and President Diane at two full size float tubes for use of the Due Paid club members. He as that anyone wishing to use any of these watercraft that you give him a 24-hour notice so he will have them unlocked from his chain-link fencing.

Dave gave us an early season fishing report, as since the January snowstorm many days are been very spring like in our area. He told us that there are 3 Tucannon lake opened for fishing, March 1^st most all the lakes in our area will be open for fishing and all the rivers should be open by June 1^st. Please check Washington and Oregon Fishing Regulations for details.
Dale mentioned that he had posted the eRegulations for WA and OR on the club’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/lovePNWsteelheading/

Dave also reminded us that Jefferson Park across from Super 1 Food grocery store was now opened for children, senior citizens, and handicapped individuals to fish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More to be added to this report...

Respectfully submitted,
Dale McKain
Club Secretary

Tight lines and good fishing

Contact Us

~ Follow Us on Facebook ~

Diane Briggs –  Co-President
Judy McDole – Co-President

Tyson Kopfer – Vice President

Harold Saxby – Treasurer

Dale McKain – Secretary - Blogmaster