Volume 12 • Issue 9 • September 2007

A Back Cast of Memories

As we approach a new anniversary for paying membership dues and applying for participation at out trout leases, this issue of the newsletter will recall some of our past history by quoting something of interest from various issues of our newsletter beginning with the first issue in December 1994, which the first editor, Frank Potter, initiated. Thus, new members will get snapshots of the nature of our Hill Country Fly Fishers during earlier times, and long-time members may reminisce over both the fascinating and the mundane as the years passed.

December 1994

First Meeting Huge Success-- We had the officers of the Alamo Fly Fishers in San Antonio come give us the benefit of their experience in club building. Dr. Bud Priddy, author of Fly Fishing the Texas Hill Country spoke, and we had a discussion of the public rights in the use of navigable streams.

January 1995

Our New Leaders Elected by Acclamation– Ted Schiewetz had the pen and [since] he wrote his own name first, and is a lawyer, he was elected "President." The next three persons were just close enough for Ted to read their name tags: Moore McDonough, Glenn McCullough and Bill Emshoff. He wrote them down as 1st VP, 2nd VP and Sec/Treas. Everybody thought that was nice, especially since none of them made a speech.

Interesting programs and events during 1995–

• Harry Lane of the San Juan Troutfitters provided the program for January, and Dan McGrath, professional guide from San Marcos spoke on fishing the Devils River in February.
• Bill Emshoff claimed a 21-inch Guadalupe Bass in June caught at Camp Stewart. He measured and released what could have been a state record.
• Frank Potter resigned as editor of The Back Cast during June, and Mike Andrews agreed to assume the position.
• Bob Miller announced plans for the first Texas Fly Fishing Show and asked for volunteers to help during May 3, 4, and 5 at Louise Hays Park.

1996–

"Special projects for the year–We have a pretty full platter already with manning the Kerville Tourist and Convention Bureau’s booth at the San Antonio Boat Show in January; fly tying and fly casting classes for Kerrville’s Adult Education program in February, March and April; and the Texas Fly Fishing Show in May. Two other projects are (1) developing an emblem for your coat, vest, or cap that tells others who we are and (2) finding some private fishable water near Kerrville whose benevolent owner would allow us to use from time to time. We might even stock it for him or do other good deeds to have access."

1996 (continued) WALT’S ADVENTURES–

"You may recall an article in The Back Cast months ago in which our free spirited fly fisher, Walt Saunders, caught a giant carp on a fly rod baited with corn. Since then he has taken to tying flies with an intense passion, sometimes sitting up into the wee hours to tie colorful flies of his own creation, not the old standard patterns other tyers try to perfect. He’s only been tying for several months but is already creating some unique patterns. And he’s catching fish on them when on one else is catching anything! His latest conquest was below the U.G.R.A. Dam when he hooked a gar on one of his contraptions. I watched to see how he would handle the toothy critter. Cool as tempered steel, he grabbed the thirty-incher behind its elongated head, pulled out his forceps, removed the hook as skillfully as a surgeon, and in true catch-and-release custom, let the primeval creature go. Perhaps he should have banged it in the head, but that’s beside the point. Two other fly fishers from somewhere weren’t catching anything, nor was I, while Walt with his bizarre flies was cleaning up on the sunfish and the gar. Walt seems to have a peculiar strain that lends to fishing success. This guy knows something we don’t."

1997

• BECOMING A KERRVILLE TROUT BUM [Then President Bill Emshoff’s original concept of the club’s putting trout into the Guadalupe]:

  "Picture this: It’s a sunny day in February, and you are waist-deep in the trout-infested waters of the Guadalupe River. Ten minutes from home. Trout were made for the fly fisher, and catching them on light tackle can be fine sport. Several of us have been brain storming to see if we can make trout fishing in Kerrville last a little longer than what we know in the stockings in Louise Hays Park. To me, the problem seems bo be accessibility by wading. I have knocked on many telephone doors at various governmental agencies, and the road now appears clear for us to have our own stocking event if we choose to pursue it.

  "Before proceeding, however, I need to know if the club is supportive and in what ways. Rainbow trout can be purchased through the State of Texas for about 75 cents each. If 30 or 40 of us pitched in say, $ 10 each plus a little from the club and maybe a sponsor or two, we could purchase 500 to 1,000 of the 10-12 inch guys in early winter and stock them in a place that is accessible to waders, such as below the UGRA dam or above Bear Creek Crossing. Think what the numbers could be if we increased the ante. This year, the water temperature in the river would have sustained trout until about May 15. I think I once read that trout of this size grow an inch a month, given food supply. If we voluntarily released our catch until about April 1 and then started harvesting the trout before they die off, some might grow to be respectable by May. If you have experience, you could fish until you were sick of it. If you have never fished for trout, you could learn at your own pace. You will never forget the first time you fill your waders with 45 degree water with no change of dry clothes. There are numerous items that need to be resolved. Yes, we would have to share with the bait and spin fisherman, and one flood could wipe out all of our efforts, but it’s a way and it’s a start. Who knows where this might lead."

• SHOW-AND-TELL TURNS INTO TALL TALES–"Bob Miller and Jim Kuper joined [our group during the monthly meeting] and joined in on a few show-and-tell presentations. We looked at some great photos taken by Bob Harris on his recent trip to the headwaters of the Rio Grande near Creede, Colorado. The place looks terrific for an uncrowded , pristine fishing experience. About this time, John Anderson strolled in. Dick Steele demonstrated the yarn practice rod he used when learning to cast. You’ve probably seen such devices. They actually seem harder to control than the real thing, but they do help establish the basics.

"Here’s where the super fun began. Jim Kuper began telling about how fiberglass rods became popular after sources of Chinese bamboo more or less dried up during the early days of the Cold War. Then Jim digressed into an utterly fascinating and stupendously humorous situations he had experienced as a guide with some upper class English bird hunters. Then he told of how he had once tried to go fishing while staying in Germany but only succeeded in enjoying the amenities of a German fishing club that seemed fixated with the finer aspects of brewing beer. The closest Jim could get to fishing was permission to watch. He had other knee-slapping stories to tell. You should have heard the guy. . . . Let me put it this way. The meeting was especially important because of the Fisheries Committee report, but the real roaring good time came in listening to those humdinger tales."

We’ll stop here for other sections of the newsletter but will pick up in the next issue with other excerpts from past years in our club’s history continuing from 1998.

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Mother Nature May Be Capricious

Okay, is there anyone of us fly-fishers who doesn’t agree that this year has been one out of the ordinary? Sure, there have been droughts and rainy years before, but this one seems to have gone to the extreme. Take note that big changes not only in the weather but in also in other facets of nature around the world have been exceptionally active–earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires. . . . There are natural events occurring over which humans have little control, but there are others over which we may have significant influence and, in fact, make things better than they were before these recent disasters and damage ever occurred. Let’s just focus on one example of how an ever increasing natural occurrence affects fly-fishing and the environment.

It may be found in a letter published in the latest issue of Trout, the quarterly publication of Trout Unlimited. Ed Schupman from Kensington, Maryland, refers to an article, "All Fired Up" in the previous Spring issue: "Roger Phillip’s article provides some illuminating information about fish population and habitat recovery in the aftermath of wild fires. However, it does not seem to address the potential effects of erosion and subsequent fishery-damaging siltation as a result of fires. The proximity of a fire to the water itself, the land gradient and other factors can all influence the severity of erosion. I wonder if any of the studies cited by the author or other research looks at this issue."

Phillips responded to the letter as follows: "Nearly all the studies did look at erosion after wildfire, but erosion itself is a double-edged sword. It can both help and harm fish populations. When creeks blow out or hillsides slough into a stream bed, mud, rock and woody debris wash into the stream, smothering fish habitat. But the same process also creates more habitat by washing the fine sediment downstream and leaving behind larger rocks. The woody debris provides a nutrient boost as well as structure for the stream.

River systems are dynamic; wildfires and the erosion that follows are rapid, dramatic examples of how these systems change over time (See www.tu.org for more information on the sources for the story.)"

From FFF ClubWire. . .

Flyrodding for Bluegills
By Dave Lengyel–Taken from the Long Island
Flyrodders Newsletter

In my opinion, bluegills are one of the most challenging and fun fish to go for, especially when you catch them on a fly rod. They can be found in almost any lake, stream or pond, and pound for pound, bluegills are probably one of the best fighting fish ever.

I tie my own flies, so naturally I have a big selection when it comes to bluegills. The only two flies I ever really use, however, are an ultra small popper or a gray hackle wet fly. The small popper is dynamite in the summer when bluegills feed off the top. When it is windy and the fish go a little deeper, a gray hackle sinks just enough to get them. You should also carry "special occasion" flies, such as an Adams, Black Gnat, a weighted nymph or a grass shrimp, so that you can be prepared for anything.

I use a 5-weight rod with matching reel, weight forward floating line, 20 lb. Braided Dacron backing and usually a tapered leader that starts at 10 lb. test line and ends in 2 lb. test line. If you want more of a challenge, consider using a lighter weight fly rod, such as a 1, 2 or 3 weight. With these weight rods, do not overplay the fish if you are planning to release it.

There are several good places to fish for bluegills on Long Island. One of my favorites is the Peconic River. This place is ideal because it is not over-fished, most of it is shallow and weedy, and there are a good amount of predators to help control the bluegill population. Other good places to try are Blydenburg Lake, Lower Lake and Upper Twin Pond.

Tying Corner– Janet’s Crayfish
By Eric Schubert of the North Idaho Fly Casters Club

Tying various fly-fishing patterns ranges from simple techniques to those that are more difficult. This month’s fly of the month is in the latter category. The Janet’s Crayfish is a pattern from the vise of Janet Schimpf, an accomplished fly tier for more than fifty years.

Janet’s first involvement with fly tying began when her dad purchased a basic fly tying kit for her when she was only ten years old. Janet was fascinated with fly tying techniques and materials and began her lifelong love of tying flies. Later she became a teacher and taught for ten years before she decided to turn her hobby into a business. She currently ties flies commercially for several fly shops in Western Washington.

Janet’s love for fly tying is evident as you watch her explain the various detailed steps involved in tying Janet’s Crayfish pattern. I had the opportunity recently to observe her fly tying skills at the Federation of Fly Fisher Washington Council’s 1st Fly Tying Exposition held in Ellensburg, Washington. Janet is quick to admit that this crayfish pattern may not be of her own origin, but it is one which she enjoys sharing with others.

Crayfish patterns can be deadly when fly fishing for trout or bass. Also call crawfish or crawdad, they are closely related to lobsters. More than half of all 500 species occur in North America. Most live in freshwater and are characterized by a jointed head and thorax, a mid-section and a segmented body. Crayfish are usually about 2 ½" long, with some exotic species in Tasmania reaching eight pounds in weight.

In the Pacific Northwest, we frequently find crayfish in smaller sizes, and for fly tying purposes, consider tying these patterns on hook sizes 2–6. Remember to us hooks that are at least 4X in length, in order to replicate the crayfish’s long body shape. Janet prefers Daiichi hook style #2220.

The head of this crayfish pattern includes two prominent pincers which are made by thoroughly saturating a pheasant feather with head cement and cutting it to the appropriate shape. The prominent eyes can be manufactured by heating and melting 80# monofilament fishing line until the desired shape is attained. All other materials for this fly can be found at your local fly fishing stores. You may want to refer to fly tying drawings included in the May issue of the North Idaho Fly Casters Newsletter (May 2007 issue) for the complete instructions on how to tie this effective fly pattern.

When fishing crayfish patterns, remember that they are most active during early evening hours. During that time, they will emerge from under rocks and logs in order to consume snails, algae, insect larvae, worms, and tadpoles. It is at this time that they become vulnerable to trout and bass.

I fish any crayfish pattern with a full sink line in lakes and rivers. Move the fly slowly through the water column, or use rapid retrieves. The faster style of retrieve imitates the rapid flips of their tails when startled by predators.

Janet’s Crayfish appears to be a highly suggestive and effective pattern if you are looking to catch some larger sized fish. Don’t be concerned about the more involved tying steps for this fly; it is worth spending a little extra time for this realistic fly pattern.

For more details on this fly, click on http://www.fedflyfishers.org/ClubWireArchives/TheFlyBoxDocs/JanetsCrayfish.pdf.

September Meeting: Thursday, September 20, 2007; 7:00 P.M. at the Riverside Nature Center (located on the north side of the Guadalupe River on Francisco Lemos St. At the west end of Louise Hays Park); Business: Committee Reports and Pending Topics; No Program, instead, paying membership dues and paying trout lease fee for those wishing to participate our trout lease fishing program.