Kelly Creek Flycasters

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE    

Saker Medevarapu - Kelly Creek Flycasters President

 

Greetings Folks!

We have several items that I need to bring to the memberships attention in anticipation of the next club meeting:

I am totally jacked about our Fly Fishing Expo!  It is barely three weeks away and your committee has been working hard to make this event go off without a hitch!  There is always a lot of behind the scenes work putting together an event like this, but we will need still some more help yet on the actual day of the event.  Several of you have already be enlisted but plan on signing up at the meeting, if you have not yet volunteered.  All the primary instructors have been lined up but we will need assistants for the knot tying, basic casting, check in for the fee classes, check in for the general sessions, set up for the banquet, and set up for the various programs.  Volunteers for these various tasks will not be labor intensive, actually only a little bit of effort at the beginning and maybe at the end of each session.

Also keep in mind that Feb 20^th is Fly-Fishing the World with Dave and Emily.  This meeting will most likely be held at the China Inn, but we will announce the location at the meeting.  Keep in mind that this meeting is for club members ONLY.  Friday night with Dave and Emily is an appreciation night for our loyal club members.  You do NOT have to be renewed for 2009 to attend as most of us renew in March (for the membership incentive)  but if you know someone that wants to come to the Friday night event and is not a 2008 paid member they WILL have to be paid for 2009 to attend.  To repeat, membership is the only criteria in being allowed to attend Friday night with Dave and Emily.

Also please remember to bring your donation item to the general club meeting.  If you have not obtained something yet for donation, I might suggest a Fly Fishing DVD; there are quality fly-fishing DVDs with high production value out there now, look to Mark for further guidance on that.  The committee requests to have your non-perishable donation by then to allow for planning on how your item will be best used during the Saturday evening banquet.  Please bring you perishable items to the banquet by 4:30pm that evening (the banquet starts at 5:30).

We will also be awarding the Kelly Creek Flycasters Fly Fisher of the Year (FFOTY) at the banquet so we will need to select a recipient at the meeting.  Please consider a member who has exceeded general expectation in club participation or organization, done something noteworthy to conserve or preserve our coldwater fisheries, or is noteworthy in some regard.  This is a award of merit and that needs to be considered in your nomination.  During the announcements, we will ask for open nominations for FFOTY and a ballot will be provided for you.  The recipient will then be announced at the banquet.

And remember that there is an incentive award for the top two people that sell the most banquet tickets!  So keep plugging away!  The success of our banquet will largely hinge on the number of tickets that we sell!  Zach thinks that he has it in the bag, but I plan on selling the most!  Any other takers?  I think it would be pretty funny if Zach came in third…

On a completely different note, our show this month should be outstanding!  Our speaker is a guide on the Missouri River and a professional photographer as well!  I always enjoy a show that is packed with stunning photography!  Check out the show description and be sure to attend!

Saker Medavarapu

 

Kelly Creek Flycasters FEBRUARY Program

 

Thursday, February 12^th at 7:00PM

China Inn, Lewiston ID

 

Program:  Fishing the Smith, Blackfoot and Missouri  by Trapper Badovinac

 

 

Trapper Badovinac can't remember a time when he didn't love to fish. His father and grandfather taught him the sport when he was four years old, and he soon learned to appreciate the excitement only a mountain stream could deliver.  After graduation, he worked as a professional photographer and graphic artist.  He moved to Montana in 1996 and has been guiding on the Missouri, Smith and Blackfoot Rivers since 1997. He is lecturing on fly fishing and entomology, and his articles have been published in Fly Fisherman, Northwest Fly Fishing, and Southwest Fly Fishing.  Trapper was a fly fishing guide for eleven years, nine of them on the Missouri, Smith, and Blackfoot rivers in Montana.  Although Trapper realized that while he enjoyed catching large trout on big rivers, he was often beckoned to the solitude of wild mountain streams where he could escape the buzz of cars, people, and the sometimes carnival atmosphere of it all.

Join Trapper as he shares his experiences on fishing the Smith, Blackfoot, and Missouri Rivers.  There is also information on helping the angler who desires solitude, to get off the beaten path and how to find and evaluate new waters.  Of course Trappers’ show will be enhanced by breathtaking photography!

 

When your fishing goal shifts to being that “Quality Experience”

 

When I first started fly fishing I really did not care about the “how” as long as I caught fish.  If it was fishing with a fly, it was all fair game.  The more I caught the better.  I even used to think nothing about tying on a glo-bug and casting over spawning fish.  Now don’t gasp and act all righteous, I know all of you have done that at one point in time or another in your fly-fishing history, and maybe a few of you still are…. 

I remember buying the best rod, reel, and line that I could afford at the time aka the cheapest I could find, thinking “Those guys that bought those $200 plus Sage or Winston rods were all crack smokers! And that was without the stinking reel or even line!”  That was almost the full price of my month’s rent when I was in college.  I would look for bargain flies at the sporting goods shops because the flies at the Fly Shops were just too expensive for my pocket!  Even hemostats, I would get free from the sterile processing at hospitals, because they just through them away when they are done!   I think I still have a bag of 30, or so laying in some dark deep corner of my basement.

But as I started to fish more and more, I realized that some of the challenges that unique and selective fisheries offer, and even single fish, are more rewarding then catching lots of those spawning or other easy to catch fish.  I found out that cheap flies were often just that; cheap!  The points would break off when you pinched the barb, or they would start spin on the shank or even unravel after only few of my expert false casts.  The shop flies were always superior to the discount stores.  I soon began to realize that maybe the rods were better as well.  I demoed a Sage DS from All Seasons Angler in Pocatello, from H. (his last name eludes me but I know lots of you may know him from his guiding on the Henry’s), and immediately started to catch more fish.  It was a more effective tool than the cheap Eagle Claw I had been using.

Now that I have a job, I can put more money into my hobby/addiction, and cringe to see that I have become one of those “crack smokers”.  There is a lot of Sage and Hardy in my closet, but I now find myself starting to move away from that too.  Maybe even a step back towards my early fly-fishing days where the gear was simple and the fishing was more pure.  And I get that from fishing with split cane that I have crafted with my own hands.

Here is the end to my rambling: As we all grow, and what I mean is age, how many fish we catch and how big they are (okay maybe not that one) seems to become less and less important.  The surroundings, who we go with, the specific presentation, or the stalking of one single quarry gains more meaning. The significance of our endeavors shifts from quantity to quality and for me that is a good thing!

Saker

Board Member

 

 

What:          North Idaho Fly Fishing Expo & Banquet

Hosted by:   Kelly Creek Flycasters

When:          Saturday, February 21, 2009

                    Expo Classes: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm  (Expo check-in starts at 8:30am)

                    Banquet, Auction and Presentation: 5:30 - 9:30 pm

Where:         Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston WA 99403

Class schedule for the Fly Fishing Expo

Expo classes will include Nymphs & Emergers, Fish Food & Imitations, Fly Fishing Knots & Connections, Basic Gear, and a Women’s Focus Group.  Find out about Fly Fishing: the St. Joe, Eastern WA Dry Rivers and Ascension Bay.  Learn about the Asotin Creek Steelhead Project.  Bring your fly rod along since there will be casting classes: Introduction to Introductory Fly Casting, Special Casting Techniques, and a special series of classes designed for Youth Fly Fishermen (9 years and older).  The day will culminate with our annual banquet, a fund raising auction and a presentation by Dave Whitlock.   For more information you can call Will Godfrey at (208) 413-4999

 

COST	FLY FISHING EXPO	WHO	BANQUET	GOLD Tickets	RAFFLE Tickets
$10	YES	Adult or Child >= 14 years old Children < 14 Free with a paid Adult	NO
$30	Included	Adult Single Banquet	YES	0	0
$40	Included	Adult Single Banquet GOLD package	YES	2	5
$55	Included	Couples Banquet (2 adults)	YES	0	0
$75	Included	Couples Banquet GOLD package (2 adults)	YES	3	10
$80	Included	Family Banquet Ticket  (2 adults & Children < 14)	YES	0	0
$100	Included	Family Banquet GOLD package (2 adults & Children < 14)	YES	4	10

NIFFE Tickets for classes - available for $10 Saturday, February 21st during morning registration

Advanced Banquet Tickets Available

    1) The Traditional Sportsman Fly Shop at 814 Main St, Lewiston ID 83501

    2)  Tri State Outfitters at 120 Thain Rd, Lewiston ID 83501

    3) The Bank of Whitman at 303 Bridge St, Clarkston WA 99403

BANQUET evening includes - Dinner, Raffle and Games, Silent and Live Auction

Additional Raffle Ticket available at the Banquet

SPONSORSHIP of this event was provided courtesy of the following establishments:

o          Bank of Whitman

o          Clearwater Paper

o          Lewiston & Clark Orthopedic Institute

o          The Traditional Sportsman Fly Shop

o          Tyler & Kelly Motors

o          Tri State Outfitters

KELLY CREEK FLYCASTERS TREASURER’S REPORT

Account Balances through January 2009

 

 

Kelly Creek Flycasters

2009  EVENT  SCHEDULE

 

February 12, 2009	2nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, China Inn, Lewiston ID       6pm dinner, 7pm meeting & program.
February 17, 2009	3rd TUES, Board Meeting, 5:30pm at Clarkston Physical Therapy
February 21, 2009	North Idaho Fly Fishing Expo
March 12, 2009	2nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, China Inn, Lewiston ID
March 17, 2009	3rd TUES, Board Meeting, 5:30pm at Clarkston Physical Therapy
Sat, April 4, 2009	Amber Lake Fish-Out
Sat, June 20, 2009	KCF Annual Picnic at Chief Timothy
July 18-19, 2009	Lochsa Fish-Out
Aug 15-16, 2009	Kelly Creek Fish-Out
Sep 12-13, 2009	Lochsa Fish-Out

 

Kelly Creek Flycasters Board of Directors

 

KCF Board Member	Positions	Term Exp	E-Mail Address	Phone Number
Saker Medevarapu	President	2011	geeper@cableone.net	(208) 746-7721
Kent Mayer	Vice-President	2010	upacreekk@earthlink.net	(509) 552-1270
Jeanie Centenari	Treasurer	2011	Snake_river_djc@hotmail.com	(208) 791-5474
Dale Mickelson	Secretary	2011	skutch7@msn.com	(208) 743-9649
Will Godfrey	Board Member	2009	wgodfrey@cableone.net	(208) 798-5424
Fred Smith	Board Member	2009		(208) 790-3213
Laura Gifford	Board Member	2010	helga27@cableone.net	(208) 305-3277
Tim Gifford	Board Member	2010	helga27@cableone.net	(208) 791-6078
Dave Clark	Board Member	2011	daveeclark@cableone.net	(509) 751-1266

 

 

TYING CORNER – Tellico Nymph

Article by Bob Bates – Federation of Fly Fishers

 

Comments:

Tellico Nymphs are absolutely necessary for many anglers.  If they are not in your fly box go home and get some.  The Tellico Nymph is an old pattern that was developed around 1927 by a priest along the Tellico River in Tennessee and North Carolina.  The Tellico River basin is one of the Southeast's premier trout-fishing destinations.  According to website promos it offers year-round fishing for wild and stocked trout in secluded mountain streams.  It seems like every guide or fly shop in Tennessee and North Carolina that has a website mentions the Tellico Nymph.  I also see references to huge brook trout, a 20-pound brown and also smaller fish (stockers) that apparently love Tellico Nymphs.  It is an approximate imitation of many insects like Golden Stoneflies and bees.  Probably most of the time it is fished in streams, but it has been successful in lakes.

There are many variations of the Tellico Nymph, at least 7 or 8 according to Mike Stewart.  Mike was tying his version at the 43rd FFF International Fly Fishing Show and Conclave in Whitefish, Montana, July 22-26, 2008.  Mike lives in North Granby, Connecticut.  This is an easy fly to tie.  This is the third pattern (without the reinforcing over-rib) that Mike teaches in his beginner fly tying classes.

Use your favorite nymph fishing technique.  One person describing his experience said he made sure it was right on the bottom.

Whenever you do demonstration fly tying you frequently run into a variety of atmospheric conditions from air conditioners or heaters.  Mike uses his pet “Dubbing Doggie” (carved by Mike) to keep materials from flying away.
 

Materials & Equipment:

Hook: Mustad 3906B or similar, size 8 (this can be tied down to 16, but Mike swears by size 8)
Thread: Black, 3/0
Tail: Hen back hackle, mottled brown
Over-Rib: Copper, brassy size or smaller
Weight: Lead or lead substitute, 0.020 inch dia.
Rib and shellback: Peacock herl
Body: Floss, bright yellow
Legs: Hen back hackle, mottled brown; (alternatively you can use any brown feather)

Step 1: Start thread about 1/4 of the way back from the eye, and wind toward a point near the barb.

Step 2: Tie on a few fibers of hen hackle to make a tail that is a shank length long.

Step 3: Tie on the over-rib.  You could use a finer wire than what he used because you really do not need the flash.  He folds a little of the wire back and wraps the thread over it to be sure it is secure.  The wire reinforces the peacock shellback and rib that will be put on later.  The Tellico is easily shredded by the sharp teeth of fish.  The wire over-rib solves that problem.

Step 4: Put about 12 wraps of lead or lead substitute.  Use a half hitch tool to roll and smooth the ends of the wire.

Step 5: Use some “Sally Henson’s Hard as Nails” clear fingernail polish over the wire and build up a thread ramp at each end.  Select a bunch of peacock herl.  How many you need depends on the bulk of the fibers.  Some strung herls are thin so more are needed.  Mike used 12 on this fly.  Tie them in near the eye so the materials can be tied down smoothly over the back.  Put all the herls in a material clip.  Select a nice full herl from a feather.  This will be the rib.  Tie it in with the others and secure it in the clip so you can find it later.  Leave thread near bend of hook where you tied-in the tail.  Tie the yellow floss just in front of the peacock herl.  Use 8-10 inches of floss for size 8 hook.  Double the floss over the thread, slide it to the tie in point and secure it.  Smooth out lead with thread to get nice ramps front and back of lead.  Wind thread forward to about an eye length from the eye.

Step 6: Wetting your fingers before starting to wrap helps prevent fraying the floss.  Also, when wrapping floss pass it from one hand to the other rather than sliding it through the fingers, again to prevent fraying the floss.

Step 7: Take the full herl and spiral it forward in five wraps.  Secure it at front of floss.

Step 8: Pull herls forward and put one wrap of thread over the top.

Step 9: Now start counter wrapping the wire.  First make one wrap at the back like a tag.  Counter-wrap wire over the shellback and ribbing at evenly spaced wraps as was done for the rib.  Use your thumb to keep the shellback on top.  When you get to the last wrap, stop and unwrap the thread while keeping tension on the wire.  Tuck shellback herls out of the way.  Take one more spiral wrap of the wire, then tie down the wire with three wraps of thread, pull the wire back to lock it in place and tie it down.  Use “kluncky” (a new fly tying term??, for those poor quality, inexpensive scissors used on bulky and hard, tough materials) scissors to snip off the wire.  You have to get down with the point of the scissors to cut the wire, and that will damage good scissors.

Step 10: Select a hackle with barbs that will almost reach the point of the hook.  A hackle gauge can be used.  Stroke the fibers back, and tie it in softly by the tip.  Then Mike pulls it back through the thread a tiny amount (about 1mm) so a tiny amount of shaft is exposed.  Trim the barbs sticking out front.

Step 11: One wrap of the hackle is usually enough.  If the feather is not webby you might need two wraps.  Finish wrapping on top of hook, so it not critical if you clip a fiber or two when the feather is cut.

Step 12: Collect all the herls, pull them down and then forward.  Make a soft wrap, check to make sure everything is centered.  Then put on two more wraps, first one soft and second tight.

Step 13: If you have a stray fiber, grab it with tweezers and snap it off.  Form a head and finish with a whip finish.  Put on head cement or “Sally Henson’s Hard as Nails.”  See the fly at the start of the article.

Closing Comments: Mike goes through a hundred Tellico Nymphs each year.  He uses so many of them because they catch fish.  If you really want it to sink fast put a bead on it.  There is so much great fish catching history attached to this fly, particularly in the eastern U.S., that fly anglers in the rest of the world should check it out.  Mike actually caught his first striped bass using a Tellico while smallmouth bass fishing on the Connecticut River.