Hill Country Fly Fishers: Back Cast Newsletter May 2007

Volume 12 • Issue 5 • May 2007

Lots Evolving Within Federation of Fly Fishers

The Federation of Fly Fishers, an organization that has been around for a long time, is having signs of some changes being made in the near future. The first clear-cut indication occurred when both the president and the chairman of the board had side-by-side articles in the winter issue of The FFF Flyfisher, the Federation's quarterly publication.

R. P. Van Gytenbeek, FFF CEO/President, wrote, "We had a heck of a year in 2006–but does anybody care?" The body of his statement devoted five substantive paragraphs elaborating on all of the organization's accomplishments during the past year. Then, in closing, our top officer posed the questions, "But do you care? What would you suggest we do to generate enthusiasm within the FFF for the FFF? If you have some serious ideas and suggestions, I hope that you will take the time to share them with me via phone, e-mail, fax or snail mail. They will be read and considered."

On the same page, Ron Cordes, Chairman of FFF's Board of Directors, sensed disquietude within the organization despite the many successful projects that FFF has accomplished and others that are ongoing. Cordes expressed his suspicion: "I believe . . . that the Federation has lost its sense of 'fellowship.' Yes, we all share a certain set of common interests–a basic element of fellowship. But for many of us, we no longer share a sense of pride in what is being accomplished by our fellow members in all corners of the Federation."

A bit further, Cordes wrote: "In my mind, loss of pride and a sense of accomplishment results from not knowing what our fellow members are accomplishing. . . . I asked the Council presidents to send me a summary of conservation and education activities of their respective clubs. . . . What I received stunned me, and it was just a rough representation! My very first reaction was that if each member could see what I received, they could not escape the same sense of great pride and accomplishment in the FFF organization.

"How did this happen? How could we have lost something of such importance? Likely, first and foremost is the basic failure to communicate amongst us. And of equal importance is the basic failure to recognize the critical importance of this understanding of all that is taking place on behalf of our sport. A sense of pride is precisely what we need to bring us together to support each other in harmony on behalf of our sport.

"I need your input on how best to build this pride in the many accomplishments of the members across the organization."

While new ideas were being solicited by our national FFF leaders, on a lower level within the Southern Council a very significant evolution was also in the works, that of the emerging establishment of a new conference as a spin-off from the Southern Council. That would be the new sub-council, apparently soon, if not already, to be independent of the Southern Council as the Gulf Coast Council FFF. This Council will be having Expo 2007 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on May 18th, 19th, and 20th. Several HCFF members plan to attend this Expo, and a serious move has been voiced to become an active member of this FFF Conference–currently classified as a sub-council of the Southern Conference unless formal action has been recently finalized. The Gulf Coast Council's newsletter is quite interesting and may be perused on the Internet at www.gulfcoastfff.org.

All of the above should be high priority news to active fly-fishers. Indeed, the Federation of Fly Fishers is the only national organization devoted to all forms of fly-fishing and the accompanying areas of conservation, restoration, and education. In its role as the primary national representative of our sport, FFF takes on a significant influence both within and beyond or wonderful sport. It is actively involved in providing monetary support along with publicity and recognition in the three aforementioned areas of focus–recruiting of volunteers and serving as a communicating link among fly-fishing groups and individuals; certifying FFF tested fly casting instructors; providing equipment and supplies for educational projects; projecting a national voice for fly-fishing concerns and interests . . . you name it. The FFF is the organized voice of fly-fishing in our country and beyond.

In response to calls for new ideas and suggestions from R.P. Van Gytenbeck and Ron Cordes by way of The Flyfisher , your editor along with "Doc" Harrison replied with our ideas for energizing a fresh interest in the achievements and activities of our national organization. Our focus centered on several ways that special recognition from FFF could be achieved within each individual member club of FFF and also on a plan for organizing small cluster groups consisting of several closely related clubs, each having a representative and working together in coordinating programs within their own club while at the same time bolstering each other and the larger FFF organization. Below is a copy of the content of the letter sent to R.P. Van Gytenbeek, Ron Cordes, and Sheryl Knight, President of the Southern Council.

"With regard to your request for ideas on boosting fresh enthusiasm among the members and councils, my good friend, Dr. "Guy" Harrison, and I have recently discussed ways that might initiate a closer relationship between and among individual FFF members and the various councils that would bring forth fresh and productive outcomes for FFF as a whole. Dr. Harrison and I wish to present these ideas in response to your call for new approaches.

"The basic quandary, with some exceptions, seems to be that individual members and clubs display a remoteness and/or disconnect with progress and achievements outside their own personal and parochial focus. The question often asked when the role of FFF as related to either individual or club membership is, "In what ways will membership in FFF be of benefit to me or my club?" There are plenty of good answers, but for some reason, there is a deficiency in the response when specific examples are cited. There seems to be a lack of any urgency, and the message simply fades away. The bottom line is that unless the message is delivered with genuine enthusiasm coupled with immediate and tangible results, the direct tie between the individual or the organization to FFF is lost. The more that FFF can do to deliver some immediate benefits on a personal basis, the better the chance to establish a meaningful relationship.

"One idea is to announce a new award to be presented annually by FFF to an individual in each member club with a handsome certificate of recognition from the national president and chairman of the board to an individual selected by that member club as having made the most significant contribution in one or more areas such as conservation, restoration, education, or any other important activity related to the sport of fly-fishing and promoted by FFF. This move would honor each year at least one member of every FFF club in the nation, thus providing one small but significant step toward a closer bond for all.

"Another suggestion would be a second award from FFF to fly-fishing clubs that achieve a certain degree of performance as deemed outstanding by the national Federation in the areas of Conservation, Restoration, and Education, since these are the stated goals of the Federation. For example, the Federation could take a page from the Master Naturalist Organization, in which awards are made based on approved activities and number of hours spent on carrying out such activities. The Federation, with assistance of an educational specialist, could approve a number of educational activities and decide on the number of hours required each year for a club to be recognized as achieving the requirements set forth by the Federation to receive a Certificate of Performance.

"A third suggestion is to have our national FFF president personally telephone the presidents of any non-member fly-fishing clubs asking if there is anything that FFF might provide for them that would result in their joining the national organization. Such calls would let the clubs know that FFF is interested in all fly-fishing groups and stands ready to offer many noteworthy enhancements and services. If any interest is apparent, then it would be possible to arrange for an FFF contact person to visit with that a club's president and also attend one of their meetings to present a program and answer questions, point out that FFF is the only nationwide fly-fishing organization that addresses all aspects of our sport–from trout to bass; from conservation to casting–all aspects.

"Finally, and perhaps most importantly, FFF might consider having within each council, the creation of clusters consisting of several–maybe three to five surrounding clubs, depending on their closeness and geographical proximity to each other. Currently, it is too much for national and council officers and representatives to keep close touch with all clubs. The cluster concept would solve the problem. An FFF representative from a cluster who is genuinely interested in promoting a healthy relationship between his or her club and the national organization might volunteer or be designated to represent that member's club in their particular cluster. The representatives forming each cluster would make it a point to be well informed about all of the advantages both for an individual angler or for a whole club to join with fellow fly-fishers across the country through FFF membership. Such representatives would be expected to visit each other club within the cluster perhaps once a year or more to create a bonding with neighboring FFF club members and to provide an occasion to reveal the many good reasons for joining FFF. Each FFF cluster representative would be a direct contact person between FFF and his own club and also a contact person between his own club with the other clubs within their cluster group. Not to be overlooked would be the ability of cluster groups to approach, furnish information, and fill program opportunities to fly-fishing clubs not currently members of our federation who would likely prospects for joining our organization.

"While all clubs already have contact persons with FFF, the cluster concept and the increased focus on a more active role for the contact person in visiting and working with other nearby clubs in the cluster group might call for some additional person who would willingly accept the new and more active role within the new cluster approach. The current contact person could either accept the additional responsibilities or a second person could be the contact working under the cluster plan. It is extremely important that the cluster contact be knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and personable to be effective. Under this plan, for example, the sixteen clubs from Texas in the Southern council might contain five or six clusters; furthermore, state lines wouldn't necessarily keep clubs from joining together in a cluster if they are within close range of each other and are in the same council.

"The above suggestions are designed to develop more frequent and personal contacts between the national office and individual persons and clubs with an interchange which, we believe, would deliver a boost both in outlook and in action toward a more dynamic organization."

Signed by Mike Andrews, FFF contact, and Dr. "Guy" Harrison, Chairman of Education and Membership Committees, Hill Country Fly Fishers

And so we see challenges and changes taking place within the Federation of Fly Fishers. Readers may agree or disagree with some of the ideas and movements now in progress, but there is little doubt that the organization is on the move. In one way or another, what happens within the federation has effects, whether subtle or noteworthy, throughout the fly-fishing community both near and far. The best way to get an idea of all the areas in which the FFF is involved in fly-fishing is to peruse their website at www.fedflyfishers.org.

— M.A.

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From the FFF ClubWire. . .

URBAN FISHING LEGEND
By Mike Steiner–taken from the North Idaho Flycasters Newsletter

Most of us don't aim to fish in a crowd. It is in the nature of our sport. If you end up fishing in an urban setting, you are sure to draw a crowd. This also is in the nature of our sport. A large proportion of the public is fascinated by the art and grace of fly-casting and will stop and watch a fly fisher plying his craft. I have been fishing in some interesting and beautiful places, but nothing is more ego boosting than fishing in town.

While fishing an in town river a few years back, I was beginning to draw a fair crowd. I assumed that my skill with the rod was mesmerizing a knowledgeable crowd, but it was just a crowd of out-of-towners (mostly from the Midwest) taking a break from the basketball tournaments that were in town. It seemed that every cast I made was greeted with reverent oohs and aahhs. My ego (and head) was growing in an alarming rate. I would roll cast to a lie and be greeted with a chorus of "amazing" and "how graceful's."

Now, at my best, I am an average caster and at my worst a glorified bait chucker, but all this adoration made me grow bold. I decided to play to the crowd. I lifted my line from the water and promptly double hauled a size 16 Pheasant Tail Nymph and a split shot into the back of my head. Believe me, there is absolutely no way to gracefully pull a fly out of the back of your skull while you have an audience. This stunt quite handily dispersed my crowd of admirers. Aww. . . I was back to the usual solitude of the fish, the river and fishing. The real world of fly-fishing was back.

The fishing that day was slow at best, but the day was warm and the water was there. I moved to the next lie and tried my luck again. This time I was farther from the Green Belt so I did not attract a crowd with my casting. As I drifted the nymph through the hole, I caught a couple of nice fourteen-inch fish. The day was getting better. The next drift through the hole my line stopped, the indicator dipped, and I set the hook. What happened next was way beyond all expectations. The rod bent in half and reel started singing and there on the end of my line, throwing itself into the air was a twenty-five-inch plus steelhead. Idaho Fish and Game regularly stocks this river with old steelhead from the local hatcheries, and I had just hooked one with a size 18 nymph, 5x tippet and a 5-weight rod. Needless to say, I was in for a battle.

I did well. I fought him to the bank twice, but each time when I approached he took off on another run. I had no net big enough, and no one else to help me subdue my prize. I fought that fish for almost a half hour before the line went slack. I thought I had busted him off. As I reeled my line in, I heard a whistle from across the river. I looked up to see three or four people applauding and giving me thumbs up. I had captured my audience again. This was my type of crowd. They all had fly rods in hand.

When I finally got my line in, I still had a fly on the end of my line. The bend in the hook was completely straight, but I had not broken the leader as I thought. Now it was my turn to swell with pride. If only my adoring public was on this side of the river. I would have been an absolute god in their eyes.

Ah, yes, Mike the fishing god. . . . . All I have to do now to prove my unquestioned fishing prowess is to make a double haul cast to that hole over there. . . . God always has got a good chuckle now and again at the expense of us foolish egomaniac humans.

Book Review. . .
Dapping–The Exciting Way of Fishing Flies that Fly, Quiver and Jump
By Robert H. Boyle, Stackpole Books,
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 2007.
(138 pages, hardbound, illustrated, color
Suggested price $24.95)

There are hundreds of volumes that have been written on how to tie realistic and imitative flies for fly-fishing, but there have been very few books written on how to fish a fly realistically like a living insect or other living food item of trout and other fishes that we angle for. In the U.S. the list is indeed short. There was Leonard Wright, Jr. with Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect in 1972. That pretty much covers it. Until now that is. Robert Boyle has provided an interesting, informative, and delightful little book for American anglers describing the fly-fishing method called"dapping." While this is a very old method of fishing in the British Isles and Europe, though out of style, it is practically unknown and unheard of in North America

The book starts with a short description of the dapping method and the gear needed to optimize your dapping experience. It gives a concise history of dapping followed by a chapter on the author's early dapping experiences. The final chapter in the technique section is one explaining the possibilities of the method and some of the extremes in gear–a 47 ½ foot dapping rod, for example. Spey casters, eat your hearts out! The final seven chapters cover patterns and tying instructions for various forms of fish food so that they are optimized for the dapping method of presentation. Included are chapters on stoneflies, dragonflies, crane flies, grass shrimp, minnows, Hewitt's Skaters, as well as Irish and Scottish dapping flies. The book concludes with a confession by one of the great realistic fly tyers after having tried dapping followed by a well-constructed index.

For those fly fishermen who might enjoy this novel and challenging means of angling for fish, this little book will make your heart sing. And if anyone of you ponies up to the $6,000 for the 47 ½ foot dapping rod, I would love to give it a go! Imagine the water you could fish a salmon fly on in the mighty Deschutes.

FFF Graphite Fly Rod Building Kit Program

The FFF will make fly rod building kits available to FFF Charter Clubs and Affiliate Clubs. These kits will be made available for fly rod building classes. They are not for personal use, or for club fund-raisers. Clubs may order up to 12 kits. There is no charge for the kits for FFF Charter Clubs, except for shipping and handling. FFF Affiliate Clubs will be charged $10 per rod, plus shipping. A flat fee schedule for S&H is as follows: 1–4 kits $20, 5–8 kits $25, 8–12 kits $30.

Kits include:

graphite fly rod blank
set of snake guides
reel seat
tip top
hook keeper
grip

To obtain fly rod building kits, FFF clubs must submit a letter of request on club letterhead containing the following information: FFF club membership number, roster of student names participating in the class, date(s) of the class, and FFF club contact information including: phone number, street address, and e-mail address. Upon receiving the above information, an order form will be sent out via e-mail. The fly rod kits will be sent when payment is received.

Mail requests to:

FFF
attn. Matt
215 E. Lewis St
Livingston, MT 59047

E-mail FFF Education Coordinator Matt Wilhelm with questions at educate@fedflyfishers.org.