Volume 12 • Issue 6 • June 2007

An Awareness of Perspective

Our sport of fly-fishing is often known for its attention to the art of using balance and timing in order to obtain success. Acquiring these skills also requires a mix of diligence and enthusiasm. Using these same tools in many aspects of everyday life might also make good sense. They are instruments we mortals sometimes overlook when they would be most valuable, just as we, at times, come forward too quickly following a back cast or use too much wrist.

Sometime ago I read a delightful little book, Fishing Lessons by Paul Quinett, not only a fly-fishing author but a practicing psychologist. Each chapter is only a few pages long but peppered with both wit and wisdom that draw parallels concerning life's problems and experiences as related to fly-fishing. Here's a good quote, for example: "I love all fishing, but fishing with the fly is somehow special. The quick list of reasons to fish at all include raw joy, mental therapy, physical exercise, spiritual renewal, camaraderie, and campfire talk of rods, reels, religion, politics, astronomy, geography, sex, death, and fishing." Wow! That's quite a list. If we were to take inventory of our reasons for enjoying participation in the Hill Country Fly Fishers, the list might not be as all-inclusive and philosophical as Paul Quinett's comment on fly-fishing in general; nevertheless, it would hold significant attractions pared with a sense of dedication toward providing a foundation for the general welfare of both the sport and the club members' personal pleasure. With that yardstick, Let's consider our club's activities and some of the trends that are taking place and how they might be put into proper perspective.

For example, one of our goals is to increase membership, and each month it seems that we are progressing rather nicely due largely to a deliberate effort on the part of a modest core of dedicated members. As we approach a healthy roll in numbers, new considerations arise. Just how big do we really want to be? It would be nice to have enough members to sustain a pool of enthusiastic anglers who could provide an active source for hitting upon compatible fishing buddies, qualified officers, reliable instructors and volunteers for club projects, and any pursuits in which our club shows interest in undertaking

Currently, with our club's nice pace of growth, there emerges a positive benefit for our organization. Increased membership should lead to more help with projects that we already have ongoing. For instance, over the past few years we have gained a number of individuals who have become qualified in providing fly-fishing instruction, largely through our friend "Doc" Harrison's efforts and the Texas Parks and Recreation Department's training programs. This occurrence offers relief to a staff that previously has been hard pressed with our youth instruction activities, not to mention new endeavors in advancing adult fishing techniques.

An increase in new members has also seemingly instigated a fresh interest in fly tying among our newer anglers. In the past, our club has attempted several times to get fly tying started as a monthly activity, but only two or three persons would show up. With the steady new growth in members, we now have had at least one monthly program devoted to this craft along provided by "Doc's" regular fly tying sessions at the River Nature Center.

Not the least of recent changes in the make-up of our club has been the increased number of women becoming members, some joining on their own and others together with their husbands or friends. Such a step forward cracks whatever barrier that seemed to exist before. It may have occurred due to more efforts in promotional work through the local newspapers, printed cards left at motels and RV campgrounds encouraging visitors and prospective members to visit our club, and afresh effort on a one-on-one approach and invitation by a core of current members.

A number of questions remain to be answered as we grow. Is the message board on our website serving any purpose? So far, it has failed to measure up to expectations despite it's being a major center for emphasis as determined by our board of directors. It is an excellent means of sharing fishing reports, instigating fishing outings, which flies are working, etc. Something is missing. What is it?

Another topic may be arising as we grow: What changes should be made with our trout stocking program for the coming season? Should we add any new leases or vacate any of the present ones? With the club having more members, should we increase the number of slots open for those wishing to participate in the program?

What will our club decide to do in the event that the new Gulf Coast Fly Fishing group attempting to a regional council in the Federation of Fly Fishers instead of a sub council is granted its independence? Will we remain with the Southern Council FFF or transfer to the Gulf Coast Council?

The list could go on, for there are many considerations that our growing Hill Country Fly Fishers organization has facing it. We will have to be keep these challenges in perspective. The four key words at the beginning of this article are balance, timing, diligence, and enthusiasm. A mixture of these qualities would serve well in guiding the course of our club.

–M.A.

HCFF MEMBERS ATTEND GULF COAST FFF CONCLAVE

Bill Elgin, Dr. Guy Harrison, and Roy Hickman attended the recent conclave of the Gulf Coast Fly Fishers held in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The council was, at last report in the Southern Council's 2007 spring issue of Long Casts, still classified as a sub-council within the Southern Council. Brief remarks picked up in conversation with Bill and "Doc"indicate that their trip went well and that the conclave, on the whole, was worthwhile. Bill, who has attended a number of conclaves both national and regional said that it was ". . . the best one I've ever attended." "Doc" said that it was okay but wished there had been more classes that were free. He said that our club was the only one that attended the board of directors' meeting on Sunday, the concluding day of the event. Perhaps our friends will give us an additional run-down at the monthly meeting.

OUTING SCHEDULED THIS MONTH TO ARANSAS PASS

On June 23rd, several of our club members will be going to Aransas Pass, where fellow HCFF member, Preston Weatherred spends a lot of time and is planning to lead those taking part to some of the hot spots. Check with Preston on the web at pweatherred@ktc.com or Bill Elgin at ifish@ktc.com for further information.

TWEEDLE-DE FLY TYING SESSIONS HOLD SATURDAY SESSIONS

Monthly fly tying sessions are taking hold as the group will be meeting again this month, Saturday, June 9th, at the Riverside Nature Center from 9:30 A.M.–12:00 at the Center's Nature Lab Bldg.

HCFF MEMBERS PRESENT FLY-FISHING BASICS AT RV RESORT

Last month's "Introduction to Fly-fishing" presentation at the Buck Horn RV Resort was a big hit with around 25 men camping at the facility giving their full attention to the basics of the equipment, how to cast, and elementary fly tying. Members Bill Elgin, Danny Wheat, "Doc" Harrison, and Mike Andrews conducted various portions of the program.

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From the FFF ClubWire. . .

Fly Fishing is 1,807 Years Old Today ( more or less)
–Taken from the Back Country Fly Fishers Naples Newsletter

If there is any truth to the reports about the origins of fly-fishing, 2007 will mark the 1,807th year of the sport. Apparently, somewhere in what is now northern Greece an enterprising fisherman noticed that fish would rise to the surface to gulp down a newly emerged fly. This man probably caught one of the flies and tied it on to a primitive hook. No such luck; the fly would wilt and fall off the hook. The ancient fisherman then fastened a piece of red wool around a hook, attached a couple of feathers and found success in attracting what were most likely trout. Thus the sport of fly-fishing was born in frustration and the natural human quest for a better way. Why he selected red wool when the natural flies were dark brown will never be known. The length of the rod, the makeup of the line and the reel, if there was one, are lost to history. But the almost 2,000 year development of fly-fishing was born. It is probable that fly-fishing migrated from Greece to Italy and then north to Germany and Britain. Records from medieval times in Germany mention catching trout on feathered hooks. Few details are know about the rods, reels and lines used in the sport, but it is known that rods were made from ash and hickory with bamboo eventually coming into use.

The real emergence of fly-fishing owes much to the interest in Britain beginning around 1800. Bamboo rods in the lengths of 12 to 16 feet were commonly used. Then brass ferules were introduced that permitted long rods to be made in sections and more easily carried. Primitive reels in this period resembled today's bait casting reels. They were positioned at the butt end and on top of the rod. Narrow, below- the-rod reels produced in America ultimately replaced the British designs. Lines presented the largest challenge. Made from a mix of horsehair and silk, they readily absorbed water, sank, and wore out quickly. Casting into the wind proved impossible. The partial solution was the braided silk line. It enabled longer casts (8 to 23 yards with a 16 foot rod ) and durability. Silkworm gut came into use for leaders and hooks and fly patterns were vastly improved.

Rapid industrialization and development of new materials as the world entered the first half of the 20th century gave rise to improvements in virtually every aspect of fly-fishing. Availability of affordable equipment and transportation opened the sport to fishermen below the gentry set. A few of the developments were cork handles, standard reel seats, and fast-winding single action reels, floating lines (on the surface for at least a few minutes), shorter rods, ultra-light split cane rods, and better gut for leaders.

Nothing in the development of fly-fishing had occurred in any prior period that compares with the improvements since 1950. A few of the really big steps include fiber glass rods, followed closely by graphite fiber rods (How would we do without them?), nylon lines followed by hollow PVC lines with nylon cores, monofilament leader material of all sizes and types, light , strong, large diameter and narrow drum reels with variable drag (reliable and sealed). This list does not do justice to the unending array of improvements to equipment over the centuries. In addition to equipment, one of the major developments in the sport in the last 40 years has been the growth of salt water fly-fishing. Some writings about fly-fishing for salt water species harken back for centuries. Salmon fishing, for example, is mentioned in very early writings about fly-fishing. No doubt a key factor in the emergence of fly-fishing was the formation of fly-fishing clubs. Many were established in Britain in the 1800's and now they flourish all over the world. For a comprehensive information on the history of fly-fishing go to www.flyfishinghistory.com.

GREEN BUTT
Submitted by John Berry

Five years ago, I was fishing on the White River between the New and Old Bridges in Cotter. I was fishing a Partridge and Green soft hackle during a caddis hatch and having great success. I took time out to pump the stomachs of a few trout as I caught them. I noticed that they were full of caddis with a bright green abdomen. I was beginning to realize that this particular caddis, Rhyacophilia, was our major hatch of the year. I decided to try and match this type of caddis better. I thought of the Red Ass which is a very successful pattern on the Little Red. I substituted a green tag to imitate the abdomen instead of the red one. I used fine gold wire for the rib to add durability and brown thread to give it a more natural look. I am sure that others have had the same idea. I have found it to be a great caddis emerger and very productive right before a hatch. I have added it to my arsenal, fish it all year, and regularly catch trout with it.

The recipe:

Hook: Tiemco 102Y or the 103BL, the barbless version of the 102Y
Thread: Danville brown 6/0
Tag: 1/8 inch tag of single strand bright green floss
Body: single strand of peacock herl tied in by the tip
Rib: fine gold wire (counter ribbed)
Hackle: two turns of natural Hungarian partridge tied in by the tip

I insert the hook in the vise. I lay down a thread base. I tie in the bright green floss and wrap a tag of about 1/8th of an inch. I tie in a single strand of peacock herl by the tip and a section of fine gold wire. I wrap a tight body with the peacock herl leaving plenty of room near the hook eye to tie in the hackle. I rib the fly by applying five wraps of fine gold wire in the opposite direction that I applied the peacock I tie in the Hungarian partridge by the tip and make two wraps and tie it off. I make a whip finish and apply a drop of head cement. (Fishing buddy, Dean Darling, also adds a drop of head cement to the floss tag to increase its durability).

To fish it, I tie a five-foot section of 5X tippet (6X in catch-and-release water) to a seven and a half foot 4X leader with a surgeon's knot and tie on the Green Butt with an improved clinch knot. I stand in the top of runs with a broken surface looking downstream. I cast to the right in a 45 degree angle to the bank and strip the fly under the surface of the water as soon as it lands. I keep the rod low and I let the fly swing in the current until it is directly below me. I do not mend the line. I do the same thing to the left. I repeat the process three times and take a step downstream and repeat. I this manner I slowly work my way downstream. I can search a huge section of water. When you feel a strike, raise the rod. Fish on!

That's it for this issue of your newsletter.