Spokane Fly Fishers www.spokaneflyfishers.com Summer, 2017

PREZ SEZ By: Doug Keene

I want to thank the Nominating Committee and the members of the Club for choosing me to be your new President for the 2017/2018 year. I am very pleased with the outstanding members chosen to be the Board Members for this year, and the hard working Committee Chairpersons who tirelessly drive the many events and functions of the Club. I especially want to thank Claude Kistler for his leadership and exceptional hard work as our President over the last two years.

I feel we are on the way to a really fun and productive year. We have become a large organization, with almost 300 members at last count. We are the "go-to" place for those who are experienced as well as those that are just beginning the wonderful sport of fly fishing. We are highly respected for our educational activities as well as our affordability and focus on the fun of our sport.

Looking forward, we are going to be looking at how we can enhance the quality and scope of our many services to our members, building on the many improvements put in place by previous administrations. We want to assure that our Board of Directors is responsive to the membership, and that the members remain involved in the planning and operations of our many activities.

We have some great outings ahead during the summer months, and I hope that you all jump in and get involved. We live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and outings will get you out to experience it with like-minded members, along with the prospect of catching that 18 inch trout waiting just for you. Go for it with Gusto!

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

President Doug Keene Vice President Al Odenthal Treasurer Rick Diffley Secretary Connie Tedrow Board Position 1 Wayne Jordan Board Position 2 Miguel Ferrera Board Position 3 Devon Greyerbiehl Past President Claude Kistler Sgt. At Arms Rick Newman

Contact us at: P. O. Box 4141

Spokane, WA 99220 Or

sffishers@comcast.net

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Programs: Barbless Flyer Editor: Linda Howe Conservation: Miguel Ferrera Outings: Education: Kurt Tempel Membership: Mark Gardner Fly Fishing School: Claude Kistler Rick Newman Librarian: Larry Ray PHW Contact: George Foster FFF Liaison: Rick Newman Beg. Fly Tying: Mary Kovatch Int. Fly Tying: Rick Newman Casting for Recovery: Mary Kovatch A/V Coordinator: David Marshall

AROUND THE BEND June 17: Browns Lake Newcomer Education June 24: CDA River Newcomer Education July 28-30:

Kelly Creek

River Outing Aug. 12-13: St. Joe Outing Aug. 26-27: Kootenai River Outing

URGENT!

We need a volunteer for the Chairperson of the Outings Committee NOW! Fun job, rewarding work. Plenty of support from Club. Call Doug Keene: 509-998-1297 or Email: keene4616@comcast.net

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CONSERVATION CORNER By: Miguel Ferrera. Conservation Chairman

BROWNS LAKE

On Monday, May 15th, six Spokane Fly Fishers from our conservation committee went to Browns Lake. We found the water level really high and Browns Creek was flowing fast and high. The creek itself is in pretty good shape as far as a fish spawning habitat, very little sediment, mostly rocks, small and medium size gravel, and woody debris.

The road culvert that is upstream is the main problem. It sits above the water too far and water also rushes through it too fast, making it difficult even for adult fish to swim against the current to get further upstream. A new culvert design, probably an arch, would allow the creek a wider path of flow. US Forest Service engineers’ work load has kept them from beginning design work this year.

JD Jones (USFS Fish Biologist) was on-site with our group. At one point he placed his camera under water and took photos of fish that were hiding under logs and woody debris. The fish spawning was ending for this year. We identified 24 Redds and 9 fish. Inventory was made of materials and tools needed for work on the interpretive signs and deck. We had a good day, the sun shined and the rain held off until we were finished.

IN THE WORKS

A Simpler creel survey sheet for Browns Lake is in the works that will include the date, angler start time, angler end time, zip code, species (RB, CT, RBXCT hybrid, other), total length (inches), and harvested or released. Doug Keene has offered to build a creel survey box. There is a fairly common problem with people bait fishing there. Fish biologists JD Jones and Bill Baker are working on ‘fly fishing only’ signs, and an explanation of the creel survey and what fly fishing means. (This should probably mention violation fines as well.)

TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM FISH RELEASE

On Friday, May 19th, Claude, Doug, and Miguel worked with three Trout Unlimited volunteers in-structing fifth grade students on casting with a fly rod.

FIN CLIPPING AT THE FISH HATCHERY

Fin clipping was cancelled due to unforeseen problems and not enough volunteers. Randy Osborne (fish biologist) apologized and thanked everyone that had signed up to assist.

SFFC YOUTH EVENTS

We are still looking for a youth events coordinator. It is not a big job but one worthwhile doing. Hopefully, we can find someone to take this on this year. Please contact Miguel for more information.

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CLEAR LAKE OUTING REPORT By Mike Berube

There didn’t appear to be much interest in this outing………nobody signed up! But we had ten members show up and fish. And, they caught lots of fish. It seemed that the fish were not very particular or choosey in what they wanted to eat. Everyone reported catching rainbows in the 12-16 inch range and some to the 20 inch mark. Very nice. The weather held out. Reports were for rain and wind but the skies were just cloudy. Thanks again this year to the WDFW for planting approximately 10,000 catchable rainbows and some really big ones for the prior week's Kids’ Fishing Day. There were plenty left for us. All action was subsurface on buggers, nymphs, and leeches. Thanks to all who attended. A word of caution though, please sign up for the outing if you plan on attending. If you sign up you’ll be notified if anything changes with the event.

PICNIC and AWARDS REPORT By: Claude Kistler

Thanks to Gale and Cheryl Allen, Rick Diffley, Connie Tedrow, Rick Newman and Sharon Kistler for their help in organizing and making the annual picnic and awards ceremony a success. Special thanks to Rick Newman for his work at the grill. Thanks also to all who contributed salads, sides and deserts. About 35 folks attended on a somewhat cool and blustery day to enjoy food, fun and fellowship.

2017-18 Officers and Board Installed were: Doug Keene – President Al Odenthal – Vice President Connie Tedrow – Secretary Rick Diffley – Treasurer Board Position #1 – Wayne Jordan Board Position #2- Miguel Ferrera Board Position #3 – Devon Greyerbiehl

AWARDS – Thanks to Gale Allen for coordinating various awards sub-committees who selected our award recipients and thanks to Kurt Tempel for coordinating the awards engraving.

Our Award winners are:

Lambert Award – Larry Ray Founders Award – Rick Newman Fly Fisher of the Year – Claude Kistler Mover and Shaker – Rick Diffley Conservation Award – Doug Keene Congratulations and thanks to each of you for your work in support of the Spokane Fly Fishers.

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KOOTENAI RIVER (FLOAT & WADE FISHING) August 26th – 27th

Host:: Dan Wight (509) 447-2881

For those that have not been on an outing to the Kootenai River in Montana the options are many and all are good. At this time of the year I like to run the upper section which is just below the Libby Dam.

Directions: For those of you that haven’t driven through Sandpoint for a while, they finished the road construction in Sandpoint so that you don't have to drive through downtown if you are coming from the south out of Coeur d’Alene. Stay to the main highway and it will lead you up over the railroad after you cross the long bridge as you come into town. There are two routes to Libby.

Route #1: Drive through Sandpoint on the main highway and north to Bonners Ferry, crossing the river there continuing North until you reach the junction, turning right on Highway #2 and traveling East through the valley to Troy and on then to Libby.

Route #2: This route takes you from the new interchange north of Sandpoint on Highway 200 around the North shore of Pend Oreille Lake with some spectacular scenery through the town of Clark Fork, Idaho. You will drive past the Cabinet Gorge Dam continuing upriver to the Bull Lake Road which turns left or North and intersects with Highway #2 just East of Troy, Montana. Here, you turn right or East and continue on your way past Kootenai Falls to Libby. On California Ave. which is the Highway #37 intersection, turn left, or North, through downtown and follow the river North toward the dam.

We will do our own shuttles.

Campgrounds: There are two campgrounds below the Libby Dam both free and have paved boat launches. The campgrounds are well cared for and have nice toilets and are level and on the riverbank. I will be staying at the lower of the two campgrounds which is the Blackwell Flats unit which is accessed by way of National Forestry Road #228 which is on your left a few miles upriver from the forest service headquarters center just before you cross the Fisher River Bridge. This road runs up the West side of the lake behind the dam. If you cross the bridge you have missed the turn off to the campground and if you look across the river to your left you can see it. The second campground is a mile or so up the road and on your left, on the East side of the river.

For those that do not camp out (I'm sorry about that.) there are motels available in Libby which is about 20 miles from the Dam.

Note: The last stop for groceries is Libby. BRING DRINKING WATER as the campgrounds don't have wells, but are great otherwise. The free camping will pay for your out of state license which is inexpensive. Fishing licenses can be acquired on line or in Troy or Libby. There is a tackle and fly shop a short distance north of Libby on your left. Note: For questions call me, Dan Wight at (509) 447-2881 or wightshop@yahoo.com. I always go over one or two days before the outing starts to get the site I like for the base camp.

Food: We will have a potluck dinner on Saturday night.

Float Trip: You will need a drift boat or a pontoon boat. Float tubes will not work here. There are several places to wade or fish from the bank. Bring your life jackets.

Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Prince Nymphs, Black Chernobyl Ants, Pale Morning Dun, Stimulators, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Parachute Adams, Emergers, Rusty Spinners, all forms of Caddis, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Stoneflies and Prince, San Juan Worms, Wooly Buggers, Ants, Hoppers and Tarantulas. It has been recommended that you use Royal Ruffs, PMDs and Hoppers, as these usually work well on this river. Also recommended is a bead head rubber leg Stone Nymphs they make a great lead fly with a lightning bug or smaller Nymph behind it below an indicator.

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MISSOURI RIVER OUTING - SEPT 22ND – 24TH Hosts: Carolyn Sells (509) 489-3726 and Jerry Searfoss (509) 290-6302

Directions to Craig, MT: Drive East on I-90 past Missoula and turn onto Highway 200 at the Bonner exit 109. Follow Highway 200 North to milepost 100. Turn right and drive 18 miles to Wolf Creek. Enter I-15 - towards Great Falls - under the overpass and travel North for 11 miles to the Craig – exit 234. OR, you can also travel I-90 until you come to Exit 174 - Highway 12/Garrison. Drive approximately 44 miles into Helena and then follow signs leading to I-15 and go North towards Great Falls until you reach the Exit 234 into Craig. Travel time is approximately the same either way – 5.5 to 6 hours.

Camp Site: This year’s Missouri River outing is primary a float trip. For those of you who plan to “camp” we will be at the Stickney Creek Campground downriver from Craig, MT. Drive straight through Craig, cross the bridge, turn left (North) on Recreation Road and drive 4.5 miles to the campground. Stickney is a primitive campsite with vault bathrooms. Bring Drinking Water as there is no running water on site. The daily camping fee is $7.00

Alternate Camping Arrangements: Lodging arrangements at Wolf Creek, MT (Wolf Creek Angler 1-800-800-4350), Pruitt Creek, MT or Craig, MT (Trout Shop 1-800-337-8528) for information on places to stay. Note: There is limited lodging anywhere close to where we will be fishing. If you are planning on something other than camping at Stickney be sure to check on it EARLY.

Flies: Missouri River has an abundance of nice sized rainbow and brown trout, but by September they have been well schooled on artificial flies so this river is a rewarding challenge. A common method for catching these fish is to use a larger nymph and a smaller nymph dropper underneath with a 5 or 6 weight rod and 3x to 4x tippet. In general the hook sizes for nymphs are 16 and 18. Nymph patterns that have worked in the past are PTs; Copper Johns (olive, red, green); Purple Lightening Bugs; Zebra Midges (size 16 to 20); Cadis Pupa. Also, Wooly Buggers (size 6,8,10 black, brown, olive); Hoppers (may be too late for these). Dry flies that are often used are Parachute Adams; Caddis flies; Carolyn’s Chute. And, of course, for both nymphs and dry flies bring your favorite “go-to” flies.

Floating Laws: Montana Law requires any floating device to have a life jacket and a whistle on board. It’s also nice to have a 2-way radio, if you have one, as well as a camera, suntan lotion and an anchor (Used in back eddies and slow water only).

MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES PASS By: Sean Visintainer

Any anglers headed to Montana to fish should be aware that effective now you are required to purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass ($15). This new AIS rule is required for ALL anglers, whether floating or on foot. Even if you have already purchased a license for the 2017 season, you are required to buy the new AIS Prevention Pass online or at a license vendor before hitting the water. The cost online, with the processing fee, comes to $16.66.

We all need to do our part to prevent the spread of AIS on our waterways.

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BOOK OF THE MONTH By: Larry Ray, Librarian

Joe Brooks. A.J. McClane. Charles Ritz. Ernest Schweibert. Lee Wulff. If you have been around fly fishing and enjoyed our literature over time you have heard some of the great names associated with our sport. A few, such as those noted above, during the middle of the last century rose to such prominence as to become mythical. They lived large and travelled far, in constant pursuit of the best fishing and related adventure to be had throughout the world. And, best of all, they wrote about it in their own personal styles that shared a calming, reassuring elegance that seemed as though they were talking directly to you. And, of these, Arnold Gingrich may have been the best of all. Gingrich’s life aside from fishing was of the stuff that elevated him to the level of Hemingway in terms of adventure and accomplishment. He started Esquire Magazine and was its editor for many years. In fact, he and Papa had more than a little in common, among which was a love for a certain Jane Mason, one of the noted sportswomen of her day. Lady Jane, after her long tryst with Hemingway (as well as similar adventures with such as the famed African hunter Col. Richard Cooper) married Gingrich. He dedicated The Well-Tempered Angler to her in touching prose that hints at the depth of feeling between them. (Those wishing to read further of this triangle can do so in the March/April 2017 issue of SPORTING CLASSICS). Our collection includes two volumes by Gingrich, The Well-Tempered Angler and The Joys of Trout. Both are written in an entertaining, anecdotal style that, while not intended to be primarily instructive, contains much valuable instruction nevertheless. Gingrich became, over time, an avid proponent of pursuing large fish with light rods and midges, fly fishing’s version of the ultra-lite craze of the past mid-century. Chapters like The Larger Joy of Fishing Fine and Paul Young and His Midge Rod describe this. In The Joys of Trout he speaks soothingly and philosophically of those days when no fish are caught and recognizes the value of such days. He also discusses the importance of companionship among the angling fraternity and relates his fishing adventures with other notable anglers who were contemporaries. An admirer of Preston Jennings, Gingrich dedicates The Joys of Trout to Jennings’s Widow, Tiny. His ongoing discussion with Jennings regarding the Royal Coachman, with all the eastern permutations of the pattern, displays a gentle light-heartedness that characterizes much of both volumes. All of which make Gingrich’s writing seem as though he is often speaking directly to you, with and easy, polite sometimes soothing tone that is particularly entertaining and enjoyable, yet instructive. Read our two volumes by Gingrich when you need a lift, a few good laughs, and some easy teaching. In closing this review, I would like to print, once again, these lines from the frontispiece of The Fisherman’s Bedside Book. It describes what fishing literature can mean to us who truly appreciate the warmth and companionship it provides: “Lend me not to another and I will be a quiet companion in all your wanderings. Wherever thou goest there go I, through the eagle’s air and over the wide seas; through heat and cold, calm and tempest, and the changing years. When thou layest thyself down upon thy bed when the weary day is over read of me a little and thy dreams shall be sweet; of camp sheathings and murmuring willows, of the weir’s thunder, and the bright throats of streams. Ye shall dream of the jeweled fishes that live in those places; of waterfalls, brown burns, and of the wild lilies; of the freshness of morning, the burden of noon, and that tranquil hour when cockchafers are abroad and owls and fishes wake to feed. And so shall ye sleep sweetly for I will ever be beside thee and none shall take me away.”

Enjoy a great summer of fishing and reading!

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2017 OUTINGS SCHEDULE

Note: This is the 1st

draft for the club outings and is subject to change. Contact Rick Diffley (Outings Chair - rickdiffley@comcast.net) to be a host and/or co-host an event. Outings will be cancelled when there is no host and/or unsuitable fishing conditions. Check newsletters and the club‘s website for updated outings information and changes. Date Location Host June 3

rd Williams Lake One Fly Contest No Host

June 17

th Browns Lake Newcomer Education Judy Kaufman

June 24

th N. Fork CDA Newcomer Education Kurt Tempel

July 15

th-16

th Clark Fork River (Cancelled) No Host

July 28

th-30

th Kelly Creek River John Hudson

Aug 12

th-13

th St. Joe River Rick Newman

Bob Mirasole Aug 26

th-27

th Kootenai River Dan Wight

Sept 9

th-10

th Chopaka Lake Paul Olsen

Sept 22

nd-24

th Missouri River Carolyn Sells

Jerry Searfoss Oct 7

th Rock Lake Judy Kaufman

Oct 14

th Spokane River No Host

Oct 21

st-22

nd Grande Ronde River No Host

THE BARBLESS FLYER Spokane Fly Fishers P. O. Box 4141 Spokane, WA 99220

NEXT MEETING

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

7:00 PM

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL 1104 W. HEROY

“THE MISSION OF THE SPOKANE FLY FISHERS IS TO PROVIDE A FAMILY FRIENDLY ORGANIZATION FOR PROMOTING THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING THROUGH

EDUCATION, APPLICATION, AND CONSERVATION.”

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR NAME TAGS TO THE MEETING

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED —