PARDINI`S 2257 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 CIRCLE THE

Fly Dope Volume 55 Issue 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Gen. Meeting Program
Presidents Message
2016 Banquet Info.
Roger Miller Academy
Thank You
Back of Beyond
Kings River Outing
Supporters
Apr Calendar
May Calendar
Quarterly Calendar
Pay Pal Announcement
Our Mission
Membership Application
Board of Dir.
The best and
most beautiful things in
the world
cannot be seen
or even
touched they must be
felt with the
heart.
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www.fresnoflyfishers.org
Apr . 2016
FIFTY FIVE YEARS AND COUNTING
PARDINI’S
2257 W Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93711
CIRCLE THE DATE
Saturday, April 23, 2016
SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS
GIANT FLY FISHING GENERAL
RAFFLE
BUCKET RAFFLES
RODS, REELS, FLY LINES, GUIDED FISHING TRIPS AND MORE!
DOOR’S OPEN AT 6 pm
Helen Keller
1
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Hi All
You might have thought that the big news of the month had to do
with the presidential election coming up, or perhaps with something
going on in exotic locations, but no! I’m here to tell you that the real news is that the Fly Fishers for Conservation banquet is coming
up soon! How big is it, you say? Well, thanks to the efforts of our new second vice president,
Kevin Wren, and his hard working committee, we now have literally thousands of dollars’ worth
of top quality items ready to delight any fly angler, all ready to be given away (raffle) or sold to the
highest bidder. So, how do you cash in on that loot? First, be sure to come to the banquet, and buy
plenty of raffle tickets. Second, bid! Bid the other guy up, after all, he doesn’t need another fly
rod and you do!
Thanks to our outings director, Scott West, we had yet another outstanding outing last month.
This one was on the Upper Kings, where I for one expected to see some devastation from the
Rough Fire. Instead, what greeted us was a river canyon covered in wild flowers and with the
Kings River flowing at the bottom as usual. It was a great day to be outdoors. The food was good,
comradery better, and the fishing was at least fair.
Looking ahead to May, we have the Roger Miller Youth Academy scheduled, and yet another outing, this one to Hume Lake. Don’t miss it! There is also a general meeting on May 5 in celebration of the Battle of Puebl… what? Not celebrating the Mexican Cinco de Mayo? Oh. Instead,
Guy Jeans will be talking to us about the top 20 fly fishing mistakes. While I’m sure you don’t
make any of the mistakes he’ll be talking about, I just might.
Fly tying with Jerry Hopewell has ended for the year. Many thanks to Jerry for his hospitality and
his efforts in teaching members about that important aspect of fly fishing. This month, Garth
Hirata will be heading up the fly casting classes at Dry Creek Park. Thanks to your membership
in this club and the efforts of the officers, you can learn how to tie a fly and cast it to the trout, and
then join us on an outing to practice your new skills.
Until next time, tight loops and drag free
John Cameron, president
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2016 BANQUET INFORMATION
FLY FISHERS FOR CONSERVATION, INC.
100 E. Sierra Ave., PMB 3310 Fresno, Ca. 93710
January, 2016
PLEASE JOIN US ON APRIL 23rd. FOR GREAT FOOD, FUN, AND TONS OF RAFFLE PRIZES AT OUR SPRING
BANQUET AT PARDINI’S CATERING
Once a year we hold our Spring Banquet to support our club’s continued goals of Conservation and Education. There
are live and silent auctions, as well as two giant raffles.
Established in 1961, we are proud of FFFC’s heritage as the oldest fly fishing club in the Western United States. Our
club is one of a handful of clubs that in 1964, helped form the Federation of Fly Fishers (now the International Federation of Fly Fishers).
FFFC has achieved a long list of accomplishments. We came together as a club in 1961, when a proposed dam above
Pine Flat Reservoir threatened to flood a big portion of the upper Kings River. These FFFC founders & early members
were a driving force in preventing the dam from being constructed. Ultimately, in the 1980’s the Kings River above Pine
Flat was designated as a national “Wild & Scenic” river. Today, FFFC is just as committed as we were in 1961. In 2007
we completed the restoration of a two mile section of Big Meadows Creek – a tributary of the Upper Kings River. We
support the Kings River Fisheries Management in their efforts to improve fishing on the Lower Kings. We also continue
to support the San Joaquin River Parkway, in their efforts to increase public access to this beautiful river bordering
North Fresno. In 2010 FFFC continued its focus on Youth Education, initiating the annual “Roger Miller Youth Fly Fishing Academy” for kids 10-15 years old- a weekend workshop on the basics of fly fishing & awareness of protecting our
outdoor resources. In 2011 we strengthened our support for youth fly fishing by offering two scholarship’s annually to
attend The Fly Shop’s KIDSCAMP- held at Antelope Creek. In 2012 we signed on as a partner with Fresno’s Veteran’s
Hospital, assisting them with our local “Project Healing Waters” program for wounded servicemen. Last but not least,
we continue to provide monetary assistance & manpower to local school teachers that teach “Salmonids in the Classroom”- an educational program where trout & salmon are raised from eggs in the classroom; then released in our local
rivers as a classroom field trip.
FFFC feels very strongly about the importance of educating everyone in the Fresno area (especially the future stakeholders- our kids) on how a healthy river & environment positively impacts everyone in our community. Your support of
our banquet is very important in allowing us to take on more and bigger conservation and education projects. That’s
why our club was founded. It’s truly what we’re all about. With your help we can continue to support projects that connect our community to the outdoors & the sport of fly fishing.
Thank you for your continued support!
John Cameron
President, Fly Fishers for Conservation 2016
Mark your calendars now. Saturday, April 23, 2016
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FLY FISHERS
FOR CONSERVATION
ANNUAL 2016 SPRING BANQUET
Pardini’s
CIRCLE THE DATE
Saturday, April 23, 2016
SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS
GIANT FLY FISHING GENERAL RAFFLE
BUCKET RAFFLES
RODS, REELS, FLY LINES, GUIDED FISHING TRIPS AND MORE!
--Pre-banquet raffle--0nly 150 tickets to be sold-Two night stay at the Indian Creek Lodge plus two days GUIDED drift boat FISHING on the TRINITY
RIVER
and $100 dining voucher
This trip is for 2 people double occupancy
$20 PER TICKET
Winner need not be present. Tickets for sale until 150 are sold.
Buy your banquet dinner tickets and raffle tickets on line or print off this form and
mail it in with your check
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2016 Banquet Dinner Reservation Form
Name:_________________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________________________________________
Qty. of dinner tickets: *$40.00 before March 25th ______x$40.00 = $______ *$45.00 per ticket after March 25th (if space
available) ______x$45.00 = $______ Qty. of General Raffle tickets:($1.00/ea) _____ x $1.00 = $______ Package deal: Pay
for 50 raffle tickets and get 60 ______x $50.00 = $______ or: Pay for 100 tickets and get 125 ______x $100.00 = $______
Qty. of Pre Banquet Raffle tickets: ($20.00/ea) ______x$20.00 = $______ Total Enclosed = $_______
To pay by check …print off and complete the form and mail form & check to
FFFC 100 E. Sierra, PMB 3310, Fresno, CA 93710
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2016 ROGER MILLER YOUTH FLY FISHING ADACEMY
Fly Fishers for Conservation, Fresno
2016 Roger Miller Youth Fly Fishing Academy
May 21st and 22nd
Fresno Fly Fishers for Conservation is again offering a two-day fly fishing academy in partnership with the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust and the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Fresno Fly Fishers for Conservation is the oldest fly fishing club west of the Mississippi. The Academy is designed for young people ages 11 to 15. Instruction will include casting, fly tying, conservation, and a
host of other skills offered by regional experts. The course includes a day of education at the Coke Hallowell River Center and one
day of fishing in regional waters.
All instructional material and equipment is provided. There is a $25 fee (some scholarships are available) and some adult or parental
participation is required. Enrollment is limited to 12 serious young people who would like a hands-on introduction to this engaging
sport. If you’re a Boy Scout there will be a Merit Badge Counselor on Site so make sure you bring your card and book for your merit
badge.
Applications will be accepted until the course is full. For further information contact the Education Director:
Gary Pullings: [email protected]
Learn more about Fresno Fly Fishers for Conservation and to register and sign up, visit our
online application at
www.fresnoflyfishers.org/Youth_Academy
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ROGER MILLER YOUTH ACADEMY TESTIMONIAL
One of our youth academy grads, Evan Cook. Evan has been kayak fishing the
San Joaquin
River below Millerton Lake during spring break.
Certainly looks like his time at the youth academy was totally worth his time.
Great Job Evan
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THANK YOU
7
Thank you, cont’d from pg.
8
BACK OF BEYOND
STEPHEN NEAL
In Wildness is the Preservation of the World - “Henry David Thoreau"
LONE LAKE OUTING
TWO BOB'S, A PAUL, AND A PAIR OF STEPHENS
Islay time, I sit in Steve's, Bells Beach island home, looking across Saratoga Passage towards Mount Baker. Below my eyes' horizon line, seagulls' strut proudly on damp sand while those at eye level and above drop clams from on high to the rocky beach below, dinner on the half shell. The shore line is expanding as the outgoing tide reveals more feeding grounds for the feasting feathered sea birds gathered out front. The evening’s light is diffused, the sharp corners of the day have softened.
At Howard’s insistence that I get out of Dodge, I used up some comp time and left work early on this sunny Thursday afternoon.
I'm getting an early jump on an Alpine Fly Fishers outing. My reward, quiet time; to write and
let the words flow from my mind to the keyboard of this new fangled electronic format
called word processing. On the ride up, while
my conscious mind piloted the car and dealt with
traffic, time, space, moving objects and destination; my subconscious worked its way through
life's' current turmoil and angst. The quest for
power and greed is being played out for the entire world to see on Television and social media.
We live in a world where men scarcely know
each other, and are at pains to fight endless wars
to confirm this somber fact. And while I try to
remain objective, this election pains my heart. I
know where I fit in this pattern, having chosen
my life path very early in my life. While others
seek gold, and power over others; I seek places
where trout live and Steelhead swim. I seek the
small magic, the inconsequential, over the perceived consequential. I've chosen quiet conversation over sound bites and posturing. I'll take clear cool air, fast moving clean cool
water, a good horse in a sage brush desert, a rain puddle, dew heavy branches, my wife's hand in mine, my son standing beside
me in a river, my daughters laughter as her boys delight and horrify us at the same time. I puzzle over why anyone would seek the
other; but each to their own.
Well enough about world angst let me take you on a journey of small wonders with two Bob's, a Paul and a pair of Stephens. The
four of us spent two days upon the waters of Lone Lake casting to unseen trout. Each take was a gift from the fish to us. The take
and the catch went to the fish. It was most definitely not due to our skills or prowess as fishermen. We pulled our yarn and feathered offerings through the water and the fish gifted us with
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BACK OF BEYOND, CONT’D FROM PG. 9
a catch. Every take was a surprise. There
were no patterns to the take, they were on
or they were not. But when they chose to
hook up with us, they gave it their all. We
were rewarded with multiple jumps and
strong determined runs and, when the
trout finally entered the net, they were all
between 16 and 20 inches and their rainbow marked sides literally glowed with
color and brightness. Each one was a
small wonder, gifted to us and I for one
truly felt blessed.
On the water with us were about 20 other
fly fishermen. They all had strategic spots
on the lake and were anchored up bow and
stern. These fishermen chose stillness as
their method of bring the trout to the fly.
They were very successful, way more successful than our method. We all witnessed the effectiveness of chironomids fishing on Lone Lake, and while some of us
dabbled we couldn't quite crossover to the dark side.
I teasingly encouraged Bob Alston to emulate a very successful chironomids fisherman who was pulling a multitude of
rainbow trout from the lake's waters. The fisherman was in a very old aluminum dory. The dories age and weathering
made it look more like a galvanized bucket than aluminum. The fisherman was wearing a reed patterned camo fishing
jacket and sporting long white hair. He had the science and concentration of chironomids fishing down. I implored Bob to
adopt the fisherman's dress and style, sure that the template would increase Bob's catch rate exponentially. He reluctantly
declined.
To us hyperactive fishermen the dory crowd appeared asleep between catches and we kept looking over our shoulders to
see if they moved. We hold our glasses high to their success
rates and their attention to detail. But to escape the boredom
of watching a stationary float in placid waters, we finned
away, trolling with streamers and wooly buggers and a slow
retrieve. This became our refuge from what we perceived as
hypnotic boredom.
Earlier between catches I overheard the two Doctors discussing in dispassionate clinical detail the possible drug combinations that would make chironomids fishing palatable,
something that would enhance your attention and awareness
and something else that would slow you down so that you
don't crash from the boredom of not moving. Unpronounceable chemical drug compounds rolled off their
tongues and then, mucho laughter rolled across the water.
Ah, Doctor humor!
10
BACK OF BEYOND
,
CONT’D FROM PG. 10
There where two chironomids fishermen who
broke the mold they
were anchored up about
two boat links apart.
While they fished they
drank beer and carried
on a very lively discussion punctuated with
much laughter and good
cheer; I do not know if
they were catching fish
but I know they were
enjoying their time on
the water.
In our evenings we
sipped good scotch,
drank assorted beers, and
watched various basketball games from the
March Madness lineup.
In the mornings we
drank Steve's fresh roasted and brewed coffee and watched the news. We swapped life stories, discussed politics, and shared antidotes from living and
hobbies. Our conversations moved with us from living room to porch, out to the beach and then the kitchen. We surrounded
tables and supped on casseroles, salads, ribs and scalloped potatoes. Snacks were laid out and grazed on while, visiting with
each other. We kept ourselves well fed.
We watched and enjoyed sunrises and sunsets and absorbed the quiet and peace into our souls. Bob Koehne shared stories of
his life in the Air Force, his travels with his wife around the world and their fishing trips to Canada and beyond. Bob Alston
and Steve Egge told stories about Canadian fishing adventures, travels and un-named patients. Paul Watanabe told stories of
fishing, hobbies and Boeing. Bears, lost lakes, pee, flipping planes, mats of flies, self inflating PFD's, frozen guides, dirt
roads, border crossing and customs, and fish caught, lost and pursued; these were just part of the magic we shared with each
other. Each of our lives is rich in wonder and discovery. We enjoyed our time together and felt enriched by the experience of
being with each other.
I will always choose the magic of small things, power and greed is not a path I want to walk. Thank you, Steve Egge, Bob
Alston, Bob Koehne and Paul Watanabe for a wonderful time.
Until next time,
Stephen
"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after” Henry David Thore
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KINGS RIVER OUTING REPORT
The club enjoyed an outing to the Upper Kings River on March 19. As you can see
from the pictures, a good time was had by all. The only one we can confirm as having
angling success was Greg Pullins’ granddaughter, Madeline. (see pg. 15) The rest of us
have stories to tell, which may or may not be reliable. We also had a good time swapping stories and enjoying a great picnic on the banks of the Kings. While evidence of
the Rough Fire could be seen, the trout and the vegetation along the river seem to have
survived. The Kings River is one of California’s blue ribbon trout streams, home to
wild rainbows and browns that are a challenge worthy of our best anglers to catch. It
has survived fires before, and will again this time.
As you can see, Mother Nature greeted us with her finest weather and wildflowers,
which makes any day spent outside and away from civilization a refreshing delight. If
you missed this outing, it’s OK. We’ll go again.
12
Kings river outing, cont’d from pg. 12
13
Kings river outing, cont’d from pg. 13
14
Kings river outing, cont’d from pg. 14
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PLEASE SUPPORT THESE GUIDES AND BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE GOALS
AND MISSION OF OUR CLUB
FLY TYING CLASSES
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PLEASE SUPPORT THESE GUIDES AND BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE
GOALS AND MISSION OF OUR CLUB
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April
14.1SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1.
2.
8.
9.
3.
4.
5.
6.FLY
7. NO GEN-
10.
11. BOARD
12.
13.FLY
14.
15.
16.
21.
22.
23.
28.
29.
30.
17.
24.
MEETING
DENNY’S @
HERNDON
AND CLOVIS
18.
25.
CASTING IN ERAL MEETTHE PARK. ING THIS
MONTH.
Dry Creek
Park
6 pm
CASTING IN
THE PARK.
Dry Creek
Park
6 pm
19.
20.FLY
26.
27.FLY
CASTING IN
THE PARK.
Dry Creek
Park
6 pm
CASTING IN
THE PARK.
Dry Creek
Park
6 pm
18
may
SUN
1.
MON
2.
TUE
3.
WED
4.
THU
5. GEN-
FRI
SAT
6.
7. Hume
Lake Outing
ERAL
MEETING
GUY
JEANS
8.
9. Board
10.
Meeting
Denny’s
@Herndon
& Clovis
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21. ROGER
MILLER
FLY FISHING ACADEMY
22. ROGER
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
30.
31.
MILLER FLY
FISHING
ACADEMY
29.
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2016 QUARTERLY CALENDAR
MAY
APRIL
MAY 5: GENERAL MEETING: GUY JEANS,
“ TOP 20 FLY TYING FISHING MISTAKES”
APR . 6 13 20 27: FLY FISHING IN THE PARK
WITH GARTH HIRATA. DRY CREEK PARK AT
6PM
MAY 9: BOARD MEETING AT DENNY’S CORNER OF HERNDON AND CLOVIS. 7 PM
APR. 11: BOARD MEETING DENNY, DENNY’S
AT THE CORNER OF HERNDON & CLOVIS. 7
PM
MAY 7: HUME LAKE OUTING
MAY 21 & 22: ROGER MILLER FLY FISHING
ACADEMY. (MORE INFORMATION ON PG. 5)
APR. 23:
ANNUAL BANQUET 6 PM
PARDINI’S BANQUET CENTER
JUNE
JUNE 2: GENERAL MEETING TBA
.
JUNE 13: BOARD MEETING DENNY’S AT THE
CORNER OF HERNDON & CLOVIS, 7PM.
JUNE 18: LADIE’S BIG MEADOW OUTING.
POTLUCK BBQ
* Dates subject to change - check with a Board
member for more information
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PAY PAL ACCOUNT
Through the persistence of club treasurer Ken Bush, I'm pleased to announce that the
club has created a PayPal account, and will soon be accepting credit cards for club
transactions.
A smartphone card reader will be available at all of the general meetings, and at the
banquet in 2014 to process credit card transactions. We're also working on getting a
PayPal link on the club's web once we get the kinks worked out, we anticipate club
member's being able to pay their membership dues, buy club merchandise, buy raffle
tickets and buy banquet dinner tickets from anywhere that you have internet access.
We've talked to other organizations who have added PayPal, and it's been a success at
each organization site.
Keep an eye out for the link on the website, and also keep it in mind as a payment option at general meetings.
Our website:
http://fresnoflyfishers.com/
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DONATE TO FFFC
Fly Fishers for Conservation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization. This means
you can use your contribution as a tax deduction. The club gets revenue from membership dues and the annual fundraiser dinner. We try to contribute to conservation issues
in the area and to our youth with our Trout in the Classroom program, and by holding a
Youth Fly-Fishing Academy annually. The club is always in need of funds. Please consider donating. You may send a check to Fly Fishers for Conservation at 100 E. Sierra,
PMB 3310, Fresno, CA 93710. Your donations will be greatly appreciated and they will
help the club fulfill its obligations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLUB, VISIT OUR NEWLY REDESIGNED
WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.FRESNOFLYFISHERS.ORG/
THANKS TO WEBMASTER GARY PULLINGS
BE SURE TO LOG IN TO OUR FORUM FOR LOCAL INFO
Our Mission
Fly Fishers for Conservation (FFFC) was organized in 1961 by a group of devoted fly fishers deeply
concerned with the preservation of trout and all game fish, their environment, and the quality of fishing. Our club has maintained two goals since that time:
To foster and promote the sport of angling with artificial flies.
To protect, conserve and increase our angling resources.
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NN
FLY FISHERS
for CONSERVATION, INC.
100 E. Sierra PMB 3310
Fresno, Ca. 93710
2016 FFFC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NAME(s):__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
OCCUPATION/PROFESSION________________________________
______ NEW MEMBER
______RENEWAL
_______ CHECK HERE IF THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO YOUR ADDRESS, PHONE & EMAIL
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________
CITY:__________________________________________________________________
STATE:___________________________ ZIP:_________________________________
PHONE:________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL:________________________________________________________________
Family/Single Membership……………….……$36.00
(Can include partner & children under 18 years old)
__________
Senior Membership (65 yrs. +)……………….…..$24.00
(Can include partner)
__________
Junior Membership (under 18 yrs.)……………...$13.00
__________
Life Membership………………………………..$500.00
(Can include partner)
__________
Additional Conservation Donation….………………..
__________
Total Due……………………………………………….
__________
PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: FFFC (Fly Fishers for Conservation)
100 E. Sierra PMB 3310, Fresno CA 93710
MEMBER CLUB, FEDERATION OF FLY FISHERMAN
www.fresnoflyfishers.com
23
2016 Board of Directors
Phone
Email
President
John Cameron
903-5138
[email protected]
1st VP
Scott Piggott
790-8492
[email protected]
2nd VP
Kevin Wren
439-0608
[email protected]
Treasurer
Ken Bush
641-5193
[email protected]
Secretary
Jim Clark
322-1685
[email protected]
Communications
Scott West
246-4389
[email protected]
Conservation
Brian Loven
897-4700
[email protected]
Membership
Leo Labbe
325-7235
[email protected]
Editor
Judy Cameron
903-5123
[email protected]
Trout in the Classroom
Bill Bruce
392-3963
[email protected]
Education
Fred Ramirez
323-5319
[email protected]
Gary Pullings
559-917-7128
[email protected]
Phil Davis
412-7552
[email protected]
Jeff Trafican
260-7974
[email protected]
Bob Papazian
307-4601
[email protected]
Tim Lawrence
779-5338
[email protected]
Outings
Scott West
246-4389
[email protected]
Web Page
Gary Pullings
559-917-7128
[email protected]
Rod Building
Jim Jacobson
999-8912
[email protected]
Fly Tying
Jerry Hopewell
638-5282
[email protected]
Fly Casting
Dan Busby
433-1651
[email protected]
Garth HIrata
492-2885
[email protected]
Directors at large
Social
Fair
Jim Horn
Mits Kozuki
271-5448
646-3020
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[email protected]
[email protected]