Kelly Creek Flycasters

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Will Godfrey - Kelly Creek Flycasters President

Fly fishing has been a love of mine for about 62 years. It was my father, Bill Godfrey, who introduced me to my first fly rod and my neighbor, Fred Newsom, who taught me a little about fly tying and insects. I suppose Outdoor Life, Sports Afield and Field and Stream magazines had a lot to do with my interest in the sport early in my life. I found those magazines at the local barber shop in Sugar House, Utah. We did not have money enough for a subscription so I spent extra time in the barber shop looking at the hunting and fishing pictures and reading some of the stories.

My first fly rod was given to me at Christmas time by “Santa Claus”. It was a four piece South Bend bamboo rod. I still have the rod and a 1494 Pflueger reel, but I retired the equipment on August 7, 1963 after catching a 5 pound 9 ounce Brown Trout from the Madison River. My guide on that day was Pat Barnes out of West Yellowstone, Montana and the fish came on a hopper, “WaterBorn” hopper tied by Sig Barnes, Pat’s wife.

As a 10 year old boy, my brother and I, while camping with our parents on Big Cottonwood Creek just below Silver Lake at Brighten Utah, headed up stream to the lake on an exploration expedition. We were probably more interested in rocks, frogs and wading in the Creek than we were in fishing. However, upon arriving at the lakes’ shore line I saw a fellow seemingly way out in the lake. He was wading the flats and he had on a pair of water proof pants. At least, that is what my 10 year old mind thought. Turns out he was wearing a set of waders and he was waving a “pole” back in forth. Of course he was using a fly rod and he was casting to rising trout on the lake. I must have watched the fisherman for a couple of hours. What a sight that was. I can still vividly see that picture in my mind today. Being totally intrigued by what he was doing, and as a 10 year old boy dreaming of doing the same thing, I thought to myself, I have got to learn how to do “that”. I was excited and that evening around the camp fire I spoke to my father about fly fishing and a rod and reel. This was 1947 and that conversation resulted in my South Bend fly rod fishing gift from “Santa Claus”. By the way my first reel was a Pemco automatic reel with a multi-colored level fly line—not the exquisite Pflueger 1494 and a DT6F that would follow later in life.

My father and I spoke of that entire experience prior to his passing this recent October. He was near 97 years of age and he died naturally and peacefully at home with no sickness in his body. As I sat by his bedside holding his old worn hand, I am sure he heard me thank him for teaching me about life and about fly fishing even though at his old age he could not respond with any energy. He and I and my brother had so many great fly fishing trips in Utah, Idaho, Montana and Colorado. I will miss him a lot but I will always remember that he taught me to fly fish. I am reminded how important it is to teach others the sport of fly fishing. Did you know that one of the main purposes of our club is to teach others to fly fish and take care of the resources we use—the rivers, the lakes, and the fish? I am sure you do!

I think this can be a great year for the Kelly Creek Flycasters. We have a vibrant and experienced membership of men and women who have keen interest in our sport. We have an outstanding Board of Directors who are willing and able to serve. We will have many club meetings that, under the direction of our programs coordinator, Zach Funkhouser, will teach us and inspire us to go places and do things. We will have a few fun outings and events under the direction of Ginny Foote, our events chairwomen. Above all we will develop new friends and enjoy mutual comradeship as we associate with one another and the “new ones” that choose to be part of our club. I think the best way to enjoy the Kelly Creek Flycasters is to jump in and be involved. Take part in the activities. Improve your skill level by participating and teaching others what you know.

My dad was a quiet energetic worker. He got things done. I think some of that has rubbed off on me and I expect to be a not so quiet energetic worker promoting our club, our sport and our associations this coming year. Let’s go do it and let’s start with our Club meeting this week at the Quality Inn Club Buffet and Christmas party.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season to each of you.

Will Godfrey

President

Kelly Creek Flycasters DECEMBER Program

Thursday, December 10th at 7:00 PM

Quality Inn, Clarkston WA

Program:

Early days of Steelhead and Salmon Fishing

in the rivers of the northern California coastline.

Join us for our Kelly Creek Flycasters December Christmas meeting, and remember to dress in festive colors, and come visit with club members. Dinner will be provided by the Quality Inn, it is $15 a plate and has been delicious. The KCFs will be giving away some fantastic prizes to members that are present at our December meeting. We'll have drawings for two complete fly fishing packages, a steelhead rod and reel combo and a trout rod and reel combo. Both packages include rod, reel, and fly line. The steelhead combo is a spey rod and also includes a full set of sink-tip lines. Christmas will surely begin early for a couple of lucky club members, but remember, you must be present to win.

Our entertainment will be a program about the early days of steelhead and salmon fishing in the rivers of the northern California coastline. The program has a strong conservation theme and is certain to capture the interest of anyone that loves to pursue steelhead or salmon on the fly.

Join us on December 10th, for a spirited Christmas celebration.

We look forward to seeing you and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

KELLY CREEK FLYCASTERS TREASURER’S REPORT

Account Balances through DECEMBER 2009

Savings CD:

$10,345.82

Checking Account Balance:

$ 9,545.64

----------------

Total Funds:

$19,891.46

2009 - 2010 EVENT SCHEDULE

December 10, 2009	2^nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston WA 6:00 pm dinner = $15, 7:00 pm meeting & program. KCF CHRISTMAS Party
January 05, 2010	1st Tuesday, Board Meeting, 5:30pm at Roosters Restaurant, Clarkston WA
January 14, 2010	2^nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston WA 6:00 pm dinner = $15, 7:00 pm meeting & program.
January 28, 2010	4^th Thursday, Fly Tying Night, 6pm at Ortho Pro, 823 16^th Ave, Lewiston ID
February 02, 2010	1st Tuesday, Board Meeting, 5:30pm at Roosters Restaurant, Clarkston WA
February 11, 2010	2^nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston WA 6:00 pm dinner = $15, 7:00 pm meeting & program.
February 20, 2010	3^rd Saturday, FLY FISHING EXPO, BANQUET & AUCTION
February 25, 2010	4^th Thursday, Fly Tying Night, 6pm at Ortho Pro, 823 16^th Ave, Lewiston ID
March 02, 2010	1st Tuesday, Board Meeting, 5:30pm at Roosters Restaurant, Clarkston WA
March 11, 2010	2^nd Thursday, Regular Meeting, Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston WA 6:00 pm dinner = $15, 7:00 pm meeting & program.
March 25, 2010	4^th Thursday, Fly Tying Night, 6pm at Ortho Pro, 823 16^th Ave, Lewiston ID

Kelly Creek Flycasters Board of Directors

KCF Board Member	Positions	Term Exp	E-Mail Address	Phone Number
Will Godfrey	President	2009	wgodfrey@cableone.net	(208) 798-5424
Kent Mayer	Vice-President	2010	upacreekk@earthlink.net	(509) 552-1270
Jeanie Centenari	Treasurer	2011	Snake_river_djc@hotmail.com	(208) 791-5474
Peg Kingery	Secretary	2011	pkingery@vandals.uidaho.edu
Laura Gifford	Board Member	2010	helga27@cableone.net	(208) 305-3277
Dave Clark	Board Member	2011	daveeclark@cableone.net	(509) 751-1266
James Lowther	Board Member	2010	jimlowther@yahoo.com
William Provost	Board Member	2011	bprovost@cableone.net	(509) 758-7772
John Zillich	Board Member	2011	jazillich@tds.net

TYING CORNER – Tak’s Crystal Midge

By Bob Bates, FFF Newsletter

http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4478

There are thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of midge (chironomid) patterns. Every time I turn around my friends have a new chironomid pattern that is a better fish catcher than the old one. At the 2009 Federation of Fly Fishers Conclave in Loveland, Colorado I stopped at Rich Takahashi’s table to see what he was demonstrating. Guess what, it was another midge pattern. However, this one is a little different. It is different by the way the body and rib are put on and how it is finished with a body coating that is cured with ultra-violet light.

Fishing a chironimid can take many paths. One is to use a sink-tip or full sinking line, let the line and fly sink to where you think the fish are. Sometimes, but not always, a fish finder can help locate these fish. If you don’t have one you can start out with usual rule: “At or one foot off the bottom.” The retrieve can be a slow hand twist or a variety of strip pause retrieves.

Many anglers do as some say “go bobber fishin’” which is another name for using a strike indicator. The length of leader and tippet between the fly and strike indicator puts the fly just above the bottom. All you have to do is watch the bobber, and hope that it does something other than just sit there. If the strike indicator sinks give the rod a long sweeping strike to straighten out the 90 degree bend between the fly line and leader. If you are fishing in 10 to 20 feet of water a quick short strike will not do the job.

A few years ago I was fishing in 5 feet of water and using a slow retrieve. My fly was at 4 feet, and no fish were interested. Then the WIND made me throw a bow tie in the leader, which left the fly at 2 feet below the surface. Fish started hitting the fly on almost every cast. So it was good that I didn’t stay near the bottom as the rule dictated.

Also remember with bobber fishing a fish will usually hit as you are pouring a cup of coffee or watching an eagle fly by.

Materials & Equipment:

Hook: Tiemco TMC 2302 – size 10 to 22
Thread: Uni 8/0, white
Abdomen and rib: Stretch Magic, 0.5 mm, Olive or Clear
Top Wingcase: Mirage tinsel, large
Side Wingcase: Biots, brown or color to match the natural
Gills: Oral-B ultra floss, white
Protective Coating: Loon Fly Finish Clear

Step 1: Attach thread about three eye widths behind eye.

Step 2: Secure Stretch Magic with about two eye widths of thread, and return thread to original tie in point.

Step 3: Put some tension on the Stretch Magic and wind it rearward to a point beyond the barb.

Step 4: Hold up the Streatch Magic an color it with a dark color marker. On this fly Rick used a red marker.

Step 5: Spiral the rib forward, secure and trim.

Step 6: Attach clear tinsel on top of hook and wind thread forward. Attach a brown biot on each side of hook. Have the concave curve on the biots to the outside.

Step 7: Wind thread forward to one eye width from the eye. Then use a dark permanent marker, and color all the way around the thorax.

Step 8: Bring the tinsel forward, secure, then move biots forward and secure. The biots represent the developing wingcase.

Step 9: Trim off excess tinsel and biots.

Step 10: Attach breathing gills with a figure eight wind at the front of the wingcase. Rick used poly yarn until a friend told him about Oral-B ultra floss

Step11: Whip finish behind the gills, trim thread and trim gills short.

Step 12: Coat abdomen and wingcases with Loon Fly Finish. Expose to ultra violet light for a few seconds until the plastic sets. Several uv-cure products indicate that the plastic will cure in direct sunlight. However, it will not cure if the sunlight is filtered by glass.

Closing Comments: This mimics the chironomids that are more transparent than the solid black, olive, etc. species we frequently see. The acrylic plastic sets much quicker than any of the solvent evaporation cements. If the Stretch Magic is not in your fly shop; look for it in craft or scrapbook supply stores. I guess the message here is to explore a little for material that can be used for fly tying. The fish don’t know that you didn’t find it in a fly shop.

Special and Many, Many Thanks to Will Godfrey who is with this December issue taking over the

monthly newsletter duty of printing the hardcopy KCF newsletters and mailing them out. -Diane

Riffles, Runs & Lies is edited by Diane Lillibridge on behalf of the Kelly Creek Flycasters.

All club members are welcome to submit articles for inclusion into the club newsletter

by contacting Diane at KCFNewsletter@gmail.com or by phone at (208) 743-8970.

Kelly Creek Flycasters

Quality Inn, Clarkston WA

E-Mail Address