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Volume36 No9 Bellevue, WA September 2010 2010 Officers & Board  September 28th Meeting and Program

President Fly Techniques and a Secret River! We are very lucky to have Joe Kristof 206-910-7954 [email protected] one of the premier guides coming to speak to our club. Tim

1st VP, Membership Irish is known as the master of the Yakima River. Tim was the top guide Tim Allen 425-256-0325 [email protected] for the Yakima for many years until he decided to take a position as the manager and guide at the Stehekin Lodge. Tim spent 12 years managing 2nd VP, Programs the lodge and guiding fishermen on the Stehekin River. Tim is going to John Kristof 206-525-2120 [email protected] share his top strategies and that he has refined over 30+ 3rd VP, Education years of guiding. In addition, he is going to give us the inside scoop on Mick Larkin 206-2926520 [email protected] fishing the Stehekin River in the fall. He says the green drake and BWO

Secretary hatches are unbelieveable. The Stehekin trip would be a fantastic trip to Fred Saenz 425-454-9335 [email protected] take your wife on. It is a real adventure. You depart from Chelan, WA on a large boat and disembark at the end of Lake Chelan. The Stehekin Treasurer Lodge sits right on the shore of the lake. The solitude and scenery is Lee McKenna 425-296-6340 [email protected] outstanding. This will be a fun and informative evening. Trustees 2010-11 Dick Lange 425-481-3063 [email protected] Finally, there will be membership drive prize drawing for a fly reel. Any 2010-11 Ray Kanemori 425-822-3181 [email protected] club member bringing a guest or a new attendee will receive a free ticket 2009-10 Dave Nielson 425-827-7238 [email protected] for a chance to win a new fly reel. 2009-10 Ed Kane 425-746-8542 [email protected]

Committee Leaders See You There! ConservationAlan Olson 425-869-9476 [email protected] Date: September 28, 2010 - Tuesday Auction TBD [email protected] Times: 6:00 pm – Cocktails, Fishing Tales, Demonstration Historian Lory Watkins 206-243-1182 [email protected] 6:45 pm – Dinner – $10 Library Bob Kulwin 425-417-3606 [email protected] Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Carrots & Peas, Caesar Salad, Pie Outings Ray Kanemori 425-822-3181 [email protected] 7:15 pm – Business Meeting Picnic Larry Hartman [email protected] 7:30 pm - Raffle Raffle TBD [email protected] 7:40 pm - Break Webmaster Michael Dugan 425-260-5441 [email protected] 7:50 pm – Speaker / Presentation Windknots Tim Langton 360-863-0998 [email protected] 9:15 pm – Adjournment Ghillie Andy Wade 360-319-9937 [email protected] Location: VFW – Veterans of Foreign War Lodge  Club Meetings  4330 148th Avenue Northeast - Redmond, WA - (425) 883-2995 Directions: Club Meetings FROM I-405 North Bound Place: VFW – Redmond Merge onto WA-520 East via Exit 14 toward Redmond. 4330 148th Avenue Northeast, Redmond - (425) 883-2995 Take the 148th Ave. N.E. – North exit http://www.vfwpost-2995.org/canteen.html Turn right onto 148th Ave N.E Time : 6:00 PM Cocktails & Tales Continue 1 mile on 148th to 4330 148th N.E. on the right 7:00 PM Dinner 7:30 pm – Business Meeting FROM I-405 South Bound ______Merge onto WA-520 East via Exit 14 toward Redmond. Board Meetings Take the 148th Ave. N.E. – North exit Place: VFW – Redmond Turn right onto 148th Ave N.E. Time: 6:30 pm Continue 1 mile on 148th to 4330 148th N.E. on the right. ______

Chubski Fly Tying Roundtable Place: VFW – Redmond President’s Message

Time: 6:30 pm Well it is hard to believe that  Visit our website  summer is over and fall is in the air. I hope everyone has had a great summer of family, fishing, and fun.

I know many of our club members OFFC’s website is a great resource for up-to-date information. With links to had a great time at our summer contact officers; Library info; Flytiers page; Topo Maps; Entomology; Post a gatherings, club picnic, club outings Picture; Bulletin Board; Calendar dates; Outing times and Locations; etc… (Alagnak, Smith, Kanektok, and Elk Please send picture files to: [email protected] for publication. Rivers) and individual adventures. OFFC website, make it your resource I want to highlight a couple of important upcoming items. http://www.offc.org We start our formal club meetings in September... continued This meeting is going to be a real extravaganza with a great September Meeting Speaker speaker, upgraded raffle, game and prizes, membership drawing for a new fly reel, summer fish tales, Tim Irish – NW Guiding Legend and a great meal. Don’t miss it. Read more in the article in During Tim’s early childhood his family relocated to this issue of the Windknots. Ellensburg and in 1956 he began fishing the smaller streams around the Kittitas Valley with his father. By the time he In addition, the OFFC Board needs you input in an effort to was 10 he was spending most of his care free days fishing improve the opportunities and services for our members. A the Yakima River. membership survey is included in this edition of the In the 1960’s, the McKenzie style modern drift boat design Windknots. Please look it over and complete it via mail or at that are regularly used now on many of the big western the September membership meeting. rivers were uncommon. Rafts made of rubberized canvas

manufactured in Japan with heavy steel rowing frames were And finally, I would like to thank the following club the most popular form of river transportation during this members for making a positive difference in the Overlake time. Tim was proud of the four man yellow slug he owned. Fly Fishing Club. He and his fellow fishing brethren spent their carefree -Dick Lange for hosting the Alagnak and Kanektok fishing teenage summer days, drifting the Yakima River. trips in Alaska. Also his wife, Jackie, for helping to organize the meals – boy were they good! In 1982, after owning several profitable business ventures in -John and Renee Kristof for hosting the Smith River trip. Ellensburg, Tim set his sights and Scenery and camaraderie was unparalleled. admirations in a different direction

-Larry Hartman for chairing the OFFC picnic. What a great and started thefirst ever guiding and time with 55+ members. outfitting operation on the Yakima River. Irish’s Fly Fishing Guiding Tim and Barb Allen for hosting the August Gathering at Service was formed and operated their house on the Cedar River. Great food, fishing, and fun! exclusively by Tim himself. During the early years of the guiding operation, Tim worked exclusively from an Avon -John Waggoner for hosting the Elk River, BC outing. The raft. Peak guiding periods at this time were April to October fishing and scenery doesn’t get any better than this. and Tim stayed busy spending many of his days on the

waters of the Yakima. When he wasn’t guiding the famed Start planning your fall fishing outings ~ keep your fly in the river canyon, he spent his off days working retail at the water and not in the bushes. “” fly shop in Renton, Washington. Here

Tim had the opportunity to meet potential clients from the Joe Kristof Seattle area and introduced them to the spectacular fly OFFC President fishing opportunities on Central Washington’s, Yakima

River. September Outing – Rattlesnake Lake

Rattlesnake Lake Outing Honoring Bill Mackay Over the first several years, Irish’s Guiding Service grew and with it the demand for more manpower. Tim hired The annual club outing to honor Bill Mackay is scheduled several local residents training them to work the rigorous for Saturday, September 25. More information is available summer waters of the Yakima. Many of these individuals in last month’s Windknots. The outing will be held at are still around today operating guiding operations of their Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend. Travel east on I-90 to own. exit 32. Turn right and continue several miles to the Rattlesnake Lake parking lot. A barbecue dinner will be at As the 1980’s progressed and the Yakima River began to 5:30 pm at the picnic area near the boat launch. take on its world wide fame of today, Tim began working on another project. In order to make this a true blue The club will provide hamburgers and bratwursts plus non- ribbon stream, the infusion of hatchery raised and alcoholic beverages. Please help if you can by bringing planted rainbows had to be eliminated. Tim and other according to your last name: A-H Desserts; I-Z Salads. concerned fly fishermen from the Ellensburg and Yakima Seating is limited so bring a camp area worked tirelessly to begin a regulations change on the chair. Fishing is open all day. If you river. In the late 80’s a movement was have a spare and fins, please formed and slowly the rivers fishery rules consider bringing them to share with began to change. club members that are new to lake fishing. Email Alan Olson at First the planting of hatchery fish was [email protected] or call (425) abolished by the state providing the 922-7120 with questions. necessary means for a sustaining wild trout population. Next the river was designated a

“selective gear” regulations river, which meant bait could no The Stehekin Lodge, independently owned and operated in longer be used for fishing. Shortly after, the Yakima River the North Cascades National Park system has been in was selected a “”, single barb less trout existence since the 1940's. This was now Tim's new found fishery and since then the fish and the fishing has substantial freedom and improved getting better each new season. passion. Tim departed the Tim’s outfitting and guiding operation flourish and he Yakima River continued to guide clients on the fabled waters of the Valley and began Yakima, Wenatchee and other Pacific Northwest rivers. operating the Over the years, Tim's outfitting was captured on film and in remote boat/fly-in countless fly fishing publication. In the early 90's, Fly lodge located on Fishing Video Magazine devoted an full length the banks of the documentation of the river and its seasons of fishing to the lake. He “Yakima River” featuring Tim Irish and his guiding services. successfully managed this outdoor recreation business for over 13 seasons. Many of his afternoons were spent fly The video is still in publication today and offers those fishing the pristine, Stehekin River. Tim retired and interested in fly fishing the Yakima River, a complete and resigned his management position from the lodge in 2007 intelligent account of the rivers biological seasons, hatches and returned home to his beloved river in the Kittitas Valley. and idiosyncrasies needed for a successful adventure. Little did Tim know at the time, but his hard work and dedication Mr. Tim Irish can now be found at the Worley Bugger Fly to the sport of fly fishing, built the foundation and paved the Co. working in retail sales. Tim is also in charge and heads way for a now multi million dollar industry in the Kittitas up the education division of Worley Bugger teaching the Valley. craft of fly fishing, and fly tying to others. Tim states, “I feel I have a responsibility to share the knowledge In 1993, Tim displeased with the back stabbing and client I’ve accumulated between my ears over the years.” He stealing movement taking place with other guides in the often backs up this statement when meeting him as he Yakima River up and vanished from the valley. He left defines a unique and thorough presentation of the game we behind his guiding operation and the hundreds of clients that all enjoy called "fly fishing". A visit to the fly shop in had routinely patronized his business to the feeding frenzy of Ellensburg and you will quickly realize the accuracy of this hungry vultures. statement. Word about his departure Tim and his wife Linda have been married for over 25 years, from the Yakima River raised 4 children during that time and now enjoy 6 grand Valley spread like wildfire. children. Fly fishermen around the

Pacific Northwest could not believe their favorite Yakima OFFC Club Gathering – Cedar River River guide was no longer rowing and working the waters of the Yakima. Unfounded rumors surfaced about Tim's health and well being. Many wondered as speculations and untruths about Tim's exodus from the fly abounded. In the Northern most reaches of Chelan County in Washington State there is a unfamiliar river that flows with a fast furry and strict glacierial sediment. It pushes hard and steep, pulsing over huge boulders and collides with a steep dramatic, beautiful terrain. It is rightfully named the Stehekin River. Located in the remote wilderness at the northern end of Lake Chelan, a small mountain lodge nestles along the shoreline of the lake.

As in past years, we had a great time on the Cedar River Outing this year hosted by Tim Allen. The weather was just right for an afternoon barbeque and some evening fishing. Some came to eat and fish, some came just to eat and relax

by the river. Either way it was a terrific time. For the Stehekin River in Fall colors fishers, they were spread apart up and down the river. Some rode their bikes up the Cedar River Trail to the first bridge used for a long time, it has not been generally known within downstream of Landsburg, some hiked up the trail a short the one - handed casting community of fly fishermen. distance to the “log jam”, others blazed a trail up the river to This book is an important step in correcting this oversight. the “boulder hole” and some just hung out right behind The book comprises six sections, a well presented Glossary, Tim’s place. Rainbow, cutthroat and a few cut-bows were and a well developed Index. In addition, there is an caught that evening before dusk when the bats came out for Acknowledgments section giving credit to those who have the same hatch helped in the development of the book. we were fishing. We’re looking The six sections began with basics of all fly casting using forward to the well designed line drawings to clearly convey the universal Cedar opening physics of casting a line with a fly rod. No matter what cast next year on the the reader prefers, these rules apply. No matter your casting first Saturday in level you will find this short chapter a store wealth of June and understanding of the dynamics of the cast. The second hopefully another chapter provides information on the "To - and - Fro" and the great barbeque "Continuous Motion" types of casts. The next chapter deals and outing! with the only the forward stroke. This stroke being found in every cast of every type means that it is something every Membership Drive Still On! caster must master to become proficient. Finally, in chapter 4, teaches how to perform the "Catch Cast" for the Our strength can be in our numbers, and our numbers are amusement and amazement of your friends and fishing growing. The club has made great progress towards the goal buddies. It also has a useful purpose beyond that, but the of 80 members, we’re currently at 77! To add some startled looks of your buddies is reason enough to learn it. incentive to meet the target, there will be a special drawing The second section of the book provides the reader with for a new fly reel this month. Any club member who brings casts that overcome problems behind the fly when a guest or new member to the September 27th meeting will he is actually fishing. These include the Roll cast, Double be eligible for the drawing. Bring a guest, get in the drawing roll cast, Switch cast, Single Spey and Double Spey casts, and help us meet the goal the Snake Roll, the Snap T and a very interesting Dry Fly Spey cast. The third section deals with problems in front of The Book Review the caster and include casts which can overcome the problems and allow for successful presentation of the fly. These include the Side cast, the Sheperd's Crook cast, The , the Aerial Mend and Slack - Line casts. Section four presents three casts that can overcome a combination of problems front and back. These casts are some of the most creative casts one can add to their arsenal and include the Roll cast with Side Cut, Spey casts with Side Cut, and Sneaky Spey casts. Section five presents advanced information and ideas to lift your casting to a higher plane including Hauling, Advanced D Loops, Slack Casts (poking), and Turbo casts. Each cast has its own chapter that includes a background introduction, a call-out describing the type of cast and when to use it, followed by excellent textual description and photographic illustration. Where it is helpful, well designed line drawings are also used. The final section of the book deals with rod, line, and leader selection for various casting styles, line profiles, type of fly being cast.

This is an excellently designed, well written, and beautifully Single - Handed Spey Casting by Simon Gawesworth illustrated volume. The single - hand caster will learn many Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA 2010 interesting and very useful techniques to make presenting the 248 pages, hardbound, illustrated, Color and B&W, fly in actual fishing conditions more successful. Moreover suggested price $39.95 the information presented here is also of great benefit to any two - hand rod caster. For the fly fisherman this book Spey casts and casts utilizing Spey casting techniques are not presents solutions to many everyday presentation problems. solely the realm of the two - hand rod fly fisherman. They For the fly fisherman that is also a casting "nut" there is great are also very suitable, useful, and successful for casting with food for thought and ideas to play with "just for the love of one - hand rods. While one - handed Spey casting has been casting". Purchase this book, read it, practice what it teaches, and have a heck of a lot of fun along way. The Knot Corner FFF Conclave

OFFC member Aaron Culley watches Al Beatty, Boise, ID, tie flies at the FFF Conclave in West Yellowstone on August 27th.

Lory Watkins Photo

In Passing - Memories

Dan Quinn, OFFC President in 1979 passed away at his home in Sequim, WA on August 12th. Dan was the 6th President of the OFFC. He is shown here with his wife, Marilyn.

 OFFC Calendar 

September 6 Board Meeting 13 Chubski Fly Tying Roundtable 28 Dinner Meeting

October 4 Board Meeting 11 Chubski Fly Tying Roundtable

26 Dinner Meeting Gordon Harle LEGG, Jr. Gordon Harle Legg, Jr. was born to November Gordon H. Legg and Helen Legg at Seattle's Swedish 1 Board Meeting Hospital on June 30th, 1943, and he died on Sunday, August 8 Chubski Fly Tying Roundtable 29th, 2010, at his home in Kirkland, Washington, with 23 Dinner Meeting family at his side. Raised in Seattle, Gordy attended Ingraham HS, graduating with its very first class in 1961. December Gordy went on to attend the University of Washington where 6 Board Meeting he received degrees in and English Literature. He 13 Chubski Fly Tying Roundtable was also a proud member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, 14 Holiday Dinner Meeting a fraternity he continued to support throughout the remainder of his life. Strolling across the UW campus in the Fall of 62' Gordy had a chance encounter with Karen Denson, who had celebration of life service will be held at FareStart later this harbored an affection for him during their days at Ingraham month. HS. After many days of Karen retracing her steps, the two crossed paths again, and from thereafter traveled the same Published in The Seattle Times on September 12, 2010 path, lovingly, faithfully, and joyfully, for the next 48 years.

Gordy introduced Karen to his life's passions, including backpacking, fly-fishing, cross-country skiing and a deep love of the outdoors. He was equally passionate about organic vegetable gardening, a lifelong love that he felt compelled to share with others, inspiring friends and family to follow his lead. Gordy grew up working in his father's shoe business, along with his siblings, but after his father's sudden death he embarked upon a career in insurance, Keep fishin’! Take a friend! eventually leading to the creation of McDonald Insurance Group in Kirkland, in which he was a founding partner. During his career in insurance Gordy developed a fondness for a particular clientele, that of the craft beer industry, and he helped to create an insurance market for the industry's unique risk profile. His engagement with the craft beer industry continued after his retirement in 2001 and he was an active participant in various industry associations and events, including planning for the 2006 World Beer Cup in Seattle. More than the perfect mixture of hops, barley, water and The Windknots yeast that combine to make a fine brew, Gordy was drawn to Overlake Fly Fishing Club the authenticity and benevolence of the craft beer industry P.O. Box 52894 and its members, and he was grateful for the many Bellevue, Washington 98015-2894 friendships that were cultivated through his affiliation with this community. Whether it concerned fly-fishing gear and outdoor equipment, beer, wine, compost or friendships, Gordy much preferred quality to quantity. In reality, because of his easy going, positive and altruistic nature, he was blessed throughout his life with an abundance of the highest quality relationships. This created within him a sense of wealth, defined not by dollars but by the intrinsic value of meaningful human connections, and led to his departure from this earth a happy and contented man. Gordy is survived first and foremost by his "sweetie" and wife of 44 years, Karen Legg, about whom, with hopes of matrimony, he once penned " was adapted to supply aid in graver labours, and to cast a charm over vacant hours"; their children Amy Parker (Sparky) of Woodinville and Steve Legg (Carla) of Redmond; grandchildren Taylor, Jered, Carson and Morgan; brothers Steve Legg of Bellevue and Don Legg of Gig Harbor, and his sister Kathy Repass of

Kirkland. Gordy is also survived by his special aunt, Wanda Dray of West Seattle. In retirement, Gordy enjoyed volunteering in Mrs. Butler's kindergarten class at AG Bell, spending quality time with his twin grandchildren. He also spent a year researching various causes to which he might contribute his time. After an exhaustive search, he found FareStart in Seattle, which for him was a perfect fit. FareStart is an organization that provides training and placement for homeless, disadvantaged individuals, whose motto is "Where you come from isn't as important as where you are going." In lieu of flowers, contributions to FareStart in Gordy's honor are welcome. Contributions can be made "In honor of Gordy Legg" to: FareStart, 700 Virginia Street, Seattle, Wa, 98101, or visit www.farestart.org to donate. A Membership Survey The OFFC Board would like your input! At the September membership meeting, we will be asking all members to complete the following survey. The information gathered will assist the board in our efforts to create the best fly fishing club in the northwest. If you are unable to attend the September membership meeting, please make a copy of the survey, fill it out and mail it to:

Joe Kristof, OFFC President 24507 SE Mirrormont Way Issaquah, WA 98027 Please complete only one survey whether it is by mail or at the membership meeting. The results of the survey will be shared in the October Windknots.

Overlake Fly Fishing Club Member Survey

Please respond to the following questions to assist the club leadership to improve the opportunities and services available to club members. Thanks for your input. OFFC Board

1. I feel the VFW meeting location is a good club meeting facility / location. (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

2. The cost of the meeting meal is reasonable (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

3. The quality of the VFW food is good (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

4. How many club outings or hosted trips have you participated in this year? (Circle One)

None 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

If you circled None, please tell us why you didn’t participate in a club outing. ______

______

5. My favorite activity or part of the fly fishing club is: ______

6. I feel that the fly fishing club provides good value for my $65 dues (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

7. I think we should have formal summer club meetings instead of summer gatherings. (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

8. If I could make one recommendation to improve the club, it would be to: ______

______

9. I think the Club’s level of activism in fishery conservation issues (e.g., donations, comment letter writing, implementing enhancement projects) should be increased. (Circle One)

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

Please feel free to make any additional comments to assist in improving the Overlake Fly Fishing Club.

______

Name (Optional):______