Volume 11 • Issue 2 • February 2006

New Officers and a Vicarious Trip to Alaska

Some new faces will appear upon the scene to help lead our club through 2006. Danny Wheat will be at the helm as our incoming president. He will be assisted by Bill Elgin as vice-president; Roy Hickman, secretary; and Dick Koon staying on as treasurer. This worthy group will also serve on the board of directors and should provide some fresh ideas along with preserving those things that our club already has on board. There will be some tricky decisions that will probably crop up along the way, but these men are fully capable of steering the most logical path when backed by strong support and participation from the membership at large in manning the stations when called upon.

A hearty thanks is due for Dennis Glenewinkel, our immediate past president, for his calm demeanor in leading the way for our Hill Country Fly Fishers over the last two years. He leaves the position after providing a diplomatic and fair platform for all actions that have faced our membership. His tenure spanned very busy times with all of the activities that we have had, both those involving ongoing projects combined with entirely new ventures. Thanks, Dennis, for your steady hand.

One important change in officer duties transpired recently when the board of directors agreed to separate the roles of secretary and that of newsletter editor. Mike Andrews requested that a new treasurer be elected since he had served for so long in that position, and also that the editorship of The Back Cast be operated apart from the office of treasurer. If that could be accomplished, he would be willing to continue serve as editor until, within reasonable time, someone else showed an interest in taking over that position. He also suggested that all committee chairpersons submit articles for the newsletter each month in order to include news within the focus areas of each committee. Such contributions would keep the club updated and also provide more club news for each issue.

Secretary Dick Koon was not present at this meeting but had passed word along that our treasury was in good shape with a healthy balance. "Doc" Harrison, education committee chairman, will be in Baja California until early March; thus, there was no education committee report, and it is doubtful that anyone could have filled in effectively for the good doctor. Rick Wilson called in that he was a bit under the weather and could not be present but that all things seemed to be going smoothly at our trout leases. [Later during our meeting, someone reported that at the Double B, the office was letting individuals not in our club pay $ 10 to fish for our trout. Rick will surely check into this situation.] Mike Andrews membership chairman, in addition to explaining the change in the secretary/newsletter office, said that a question had been raised by Dick Koon regarding our club membership when compared to the number of persons signed up to fish at the trout leases–that there were more names for the lease privileges than names on our HCFF membership roll. The explanation was explained in that at a recent board of directors' meeting a decision was made that members of the Fredericksburg Fly Fishers would no longer be required to join our club to fish the leases but, instead, could join through the Fredericksburg club. This factor resulted in a drop in our HCFF membership. Also, Mary Rohrer asked that the club consider making a contribution to the Casting for Recovery educational project for breast cancer survivors, which provides a weekend incorporating fly-fishing to promote physical and emotional well being through our sport and the great outdoors. She also indicated that the Fredericksburg would be interested in making a contribution to our Guadalupe bass stocking program at the appropriate time. Action on both of these items should soon be forthcoming. Thus, the business portion of our January meeting concluded.

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The Program:
Fly-fishing in Southwestern Alaska

It's far, far away, almost out of reach, yet not impossibly so. It might exist as only a pipe dream; nevertheless, whether in the imagination or in reality, a fly-fishing adventure on a secluded peninsula just off of Bristol Bay would fall into the category of an extraordinary lure with visions of huge fish in the full span of cold water species–Pacific salmon, king, sockeye, pink, chum and silver, hardly to mention rainbow trout, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, grayling, an pike. Thus was the offering of our January program.

As our members entered the meeting room, an impressive display of these cold water leviathans and a host of proud anglers who had done battle with them lined the far corner on an impressive backdrop crested in the name of Alaska's Bear Claw Lodge. Aligned neatly on the tables were companion pictures of various scenes of this gem of a fishing lodge located on the shores of Lake Aleknagik, 350 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. Standing nearby was the proud owner, Rob Fuentes, a young man probably in his late twenties or early thirties, who, along with his wife, Lisa, and three children, live and host anglers from all across America and perhaps a few other places in their remote fishing lodge during the months ranging from June through September.

Using a series of slides showing a variety of scenes including places where the guests may fish along with the lodge's attractive facilities, Rob let the onlookers direct the path of his presentation, which revolved largely around questions that were prompted from the audience. Here are just a few of the many samples of information that resulted: All of the fishing is in freshwater along and within the surrounding rivers and lakes, some of which involve a couple of hours' travel by boat and a few by plane; June and July are the best months for catching the widest variety of fish; the only cold water fish not found in the area are steelheads; any big dry flies work well, especially the Parachute Adams; the most successful nymphs are the Copper John and the Copper Copper John . These observations and others, were enough to offer a tempting platter for a trip some genuine off-the-beaten-track fly-fishing.

Quoting from a brochure that Rob had for those present is a revealing paragraph: "This area is also the spawning grounds of the world's largest population of sockeye salmon and the world's most productive salmon fishery. This thriving ecosystem supports a diverse population of wildlife including brown bear, moose, caribou, eagles, waterfowl and other migratory birds."

Also quoting from the handsome brochure:

"Travel Information: Guests are scheduled to arrive in Dillingham on Sunday and depart on Saturday. We will provide you with flight information from Anchorage to Dillingham.

"What to Bring: To ensure your comfort on the water, the following are recommended: Good, quality rain gear and waders, polarized sunglasses are a must, fleece jackets, fleece pant liners and insulated socks. You will want to dress in layers. Bring a small dry bag to put your extra clothing and gear in while you are fishing.

"Weather: Temperatures will range from 40 to 80 degrees F. Expect rain at some point on your trip.

"We provide: UX B licensed guides; transportation to and form Dillingham to Bearclaw Lodge; comfortable, clean 22' and 18' jet-powered boats; Fish cleaning, freezing, and packaging for your trip home; World class fishing, all gear provided; Immaculate, decorated guest rooms: Hot home-cooked meals, desserts and snacks served with beer, wine, soft drinks, juices. You'll never be hungry"

Our thanks to Rob for a wonderful presentation. If you might in your fondest dreams want to fish from Bearclaw Lodge, contact Rob at www.bearclawlodge.com or Phone: Toll Free (866) 429-2327; Mobile: (254) 749-8168; Lodge: (907) 842-4060

By the way, Rob and family spend October through May in Waco, Texas, where you may reach them through their website or one of the phone numbers.

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The Best of All Seasons

So here we are in February, the best of all seasons for us anglers of the fly. Consider the variety of choices as to where we may make our next cast. With little doubt, fishing for those deeply colored rainbows, both big and strong, first comes to mind. We still have at least three full months to feel the thrill of the unmistakable power of one of these challengers at the end of the line. Not only that, but having our choice of three markedly different locations from which to choose further enhances the excitement of an outing. Crabapple Creek has fascinating variations within its different sections; the Double B offers both a stretch of wade fishing coupled with three or four deep water areas with tricky casting from the bank or else fishing from a pontoon boat, kayak, or float tube; and La Junta on the Guadalupe, so convenient to reach, brings a new setting with limited but quite productive casting areas along the banks of a lake-like setting between the two dams. Fishing from floating craft features access to the sweetest locations and makes for some real tussles with the big ones..  

During this choice time of year, right in the in the midst of trout fishing, the white bass begin their annual trip upstream in February and March. A two-hour trip up Highway 16 and a few miles west of Bend to the Colorado River is a journey worth the effort to cast some Clouser Minnows for a tussle with these determined sporting fish . Places to enter the river are available at Colorado Bend State Park along with several private campgrounds nearby. Now here's a stroke of good fortune, remember that our scheduled speaker for the February 16th monthly meeting is Billy Trimble, an angler with top credentials in the fly-fishing world, who will be speaking on "Fly-fishing for White Bass."

Just after the white fish have made their run and the trout season is beginning to falter, the large mouths, small mouths, Guadalupe bass, and sunfish of all sorts begin the liveliest portion of their life cycles. Coinciding with the awakening of these warm water fish, we find the ever popular Bud Priddy Memorial One-Fly Contest sponsored by the Alamo Fly Fishers and held at Camp Wood on the clearest water most of us will ever wade--the Nueces River. Each year this event attracts a notable number of our fly-fishing friends who always come back full of tall tales.

If we get rain before long, soon the redbuds will bloom, grass and wildflowers will begin to line the highways and hills. January is over. Prime fishing is upon us. Surely, this is the best of all seasons.

–M.A.

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From FFF ClubWire.

The Birthplace of Spring
Submitted by Daryl Crowley,
FFF Member of the West Michigan Hacklers

There is a wonderful place that we've all been to. We go there every year. Well, maybe it's not so much that we go there but that we find ourselves there, or maybe it finds us. It's never in the same place and we usually don't set out with the intention of finding it: that small grassy patch on the riverbank from which it seems that spring is being born and is now spreading to the rest of the world from that very spot.

We usually find the little Shangri-La on a late winter outing. It's on one of those days when we say we're going out for one last shot at late running steelhead, but are secretly hoping that the trout are keyed up and we can pretend that winter is over and that spring trout fishing has returned. You know the routine: once you're out there, it's colder than you thought it would be; there is just a bit of breeze that's got a sharp nip to it; there is still way too much snow on the ground to just pretend that spring has sprung; and the sun is threatening to break through the clouds but for the morning it's a threat. But as the morning turns to afternoon, the sun does appear and the cool breeze subsides as though seeking to hide from the warm sunshine. And then suddenly, there it is. You have found it once again, as you have for many years–that warm, uncanny dry patch of ground where spring has found a toehold and is struggling relentlessly against the surrounding snow. It's not in the same place and maybe not even on the same river as other years, but it's a place at once familiar. It's the birthplace of spring.

It's always a proper nest, lined with last season's dead grasses and maybe some new bright green moss. And even more remarkable, it's dry, or at least relatively dry. It's certainly dry enough for a person clad in Gortex or neoprene and so you give in to the temptation to just lie down right there. And that's when you notice that sun is quite warm here, and the breeze is completely ceased its biting attack. You can smell the earth, the warm moist soil and fragrant traces of vegetation–the smell of newborn spring. The sun feels so incredibly good on your face. You always forget how good such a simple pleasure can be. Like spring, you feel reborn as well, like a kid again. You make the requisite mental note that, yes, you could definitely take a nap here. But you don't. You never do. The moment is always too great to waste on sleep. Instead, you instinctively break off a grass shoot and chew on it and it seems to complete the moment. And what a moment it is. Right now, here in this small oasis it is indeed spring. The life force of spring is emanating from the ground and joining the warm rays of the sun at the very core of your being, and it's always so good. Even the riffling and splashing of the river sounds warmer and you can actually believe that it is spring everywhere, and here in this one special spot, spring has located winter's weak link and has burst forth to the surface, and once again you have been chosen above all others to midwife the birth of spring.

But it doesn't last long enough. It never does, and at some point we need to move on, or an errant cloud intercepts the warm stream of photons from the sun, or the wind manages to intrude just enough to rouse us from our fantasy and so we get back on our feet. Like stepping through a warp in space and time, and we find we are transported instantly back to the land of late winter. But it doesn't matter now. We have witnessed the birth of spring. Winter's fate is cast, and the air is not as cold, and the day is not as foreboding as it was. We are not so easily discouraged now. The mayflies will be hatching soon. We know this now because we were there–at the birthplace of spring.

Upcoming!
March 4, 2006
Flyfish Texas
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Athens, Texas
*Free casting lessons /Basics of fly tying/ Fishing for trout in the Center's ponds/ Kayaking and much more
Adults $ 5.50, Seniors $4.60, youth 4–12, $ 3.50

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Five Tips for Staying Warm on the River
By Davidson River Outfitters

[This contribution was obviously written for anglers fishing in colder conditions than we normally find in the Texas Hill Country, but readers may find it useful in some ways, especially if on a trip to the cold country.]

Though spring is near, cold weather is still here. The fly fishing can be good, but you can get into real trouble if you are not dressed properly. Here are a few hints to help you stay warm and dry:

1. Dress in layers. This way you can take layers off as the day gets warmer.
2. Wear fleece or wool. That way if you get wet, you will retain your warmth.
3. Always carry matches or a device to start a fire. I typically carry a railroad flare. It can start a fire even when wet. If you fall during the winter, you have roughly half as long in the water temperature before hypothermia sets in. So if you or your fishing partner falls in, get out on the bank, start a fire to stay warm and dry your clothes.
4. Keep your head and hands warm. Most of the body's heat is lost through the head, so wear a hat or cap. Use fleece or wool gloves with only the fingers that you use, cut out. Most people leave the stream because their hands are cold. A little preventative measure will enable you to fish that much longer.
5. Keep your feet warm. Wear heavy wool or fleece socks under neoprene boots, but be sure that they wick moisture away from your feet. If not, the moisture will make your feet cold. Also, be sure to wear loose fitting boots. Boots that are too tight will cut off the circulation to your feet.

Some fine weather fly fishers won't even attempt to fish in the winter due to the temperatures. If you dress correctly, then you can stay warm, maybe even get hot, and be able to fish a much less crowded river.