October 2017

2017 OFFICERS CLUB PURPOSE: Promote fly fishing, conserve regional fishing President-Mike Wade resources, encourage friendship & cooperation among all anglers. 509 713-0859 Mike's email 1st VP-Membership: NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 11Oct at CG Public House & Rich Holten Catering in Kennewick. Starts 6p. Dinner served 6:30p. 2nd VPPrograms: John Strand Treasurer: PROGRAM: Club member fishing trip reports. Rich Holten talks Jeff Drowley about Silver Creek, ID, and the Missouri River, MT. Sheldon Secretary: Coleman talks about the Kenia Peninsula, AK. Ron Reed talks Denny Kreid about the annual trip to Yellowstone Park and the Henry’s Directors at large: Craig Anderson Fork, ID. Dennis Collins Ted Lewis Newsletter Editor: Ron Reed Past President: Ted Poston RICH HOLTEN WITH MEETINGS CUTTHROAT FROM Second Tuesday of YELLOWSTONE LAKE every month except Mar, Jul, and Aug

6:00p -Wet Fly-no host 6:30p -Dinner-$18 7:15p -Program - free

MEMBERSHIP DUES $25/yr Indiv&Family $35/yr Business To update personal info please contact Rich Holten: 509 521-4291 or email DO YOU KNOW UPCOMING FISHING EVENTS CBFC CLUB WEBSITE You can attend the 17Oct Western River Conservancy monthly CBFC Club Open House, Portland, OR meeting programs for free. Just show up about 7:15p

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 1 of 10 Mike’s Musings Elections for by Mike Wade, President CBFC 2017 CBFC It is Fall and for many of us that means steelhead fishing is here! At least it used to Board of Directors mean that. This year the number of fish by Mike Wade returning from their ocean foray into the November is the month we celebrate Columbia River and its tributaries is alarming Thanksgiving. And one of the things we have low. As I write this, the number of steelhead to be thankful for is the spirit of making it past Bonneville Dam is less than volunteerism that runs throughout the 50% of the previous five year average. Columbia Basin Fly Casters. We have members who volunteer to give fly tying It gets worse as you move upstream. The lessons. We have members who volunteer to number of steelhead making it past Lower give fly fishing lessons. We have members Granite Dam on the Snake River is less than who volunteer to give fly casting lessons. We 25% of the previous five year average. There have members who volunteer to represent are a number of reasons for this, including the Club at the Sportsman Show. We have previous years flows and temperatures, over members who volunteer to work at the harvest in Alaska and Canada, over-harvest salmon booth during Art in the Park. We have in the Columbia, habitat degradation, etc. members who volunteer to help breast The Native Fish Society has launched a cancer survivors at the Casting for Recovery campaign to “protect the Columbia retreat. And, of course, we have volunteers River’s legendary, B-run, wild who lead the Club through their participation steelhead.” Their proposal would place on the Board of Directors. significant restrictions on sport and commercial angling in the Columbia We will elect the new Board at the River and its tributaries, including November Club meeting. [See the side-bar complete closure in certain areas at certain on page 1 for a list of officers and Board times. You can view their proposal here: members.] We are looking for volunteers to http://alerts.nativefishsociety.org/ fill at least two positions, one for a 3-year campaign/76-save-the-columbia-rivers- Director term and one for President. Of big-wild-steelhead. course, we will also accept any other applicants who wish to run for election to any Unfortunately, their proposal does nothing of the other positions. If you would like to to address perhaps the biggest contributor volunteer for any of these positions, please to decreasing steelhead returns, namely the let me know before the end of October. over-harvest before the fish ever reach Thanks! the Columbia River. Much of this over- harvest is “inadvertent”, a byproduct of commercial salmon fishing in Alaska and Canadian coastal waters. Until that is addressed, it seems to me that restricting KNOW ANY PROSPECTIVE sport fishing will do little or nothing to protect CBFC MEMBERS? these magnificent fish. I urge everyone to Please forward a copy of this newsletter to them, and bring them to the next meeting. consider this problem and read more at the Wild Steelhead Coalition website: tight lines and BIG fish. http://wildsteelheadcoalition.org. Ron Reed, Newsletter Editor

Then, make your voice heard by both organizations.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 2 of 10 Western River Conservancy Salmon Sandwich Open House 17Oct Recipe… mmm, Good! The combination of fresh mango and Brie Portland, OR cheese raise this salmon sandwich recipe to gourmet heights.

CHELSIE WALTERS PHOTO

IF you are cutting down on bread in your diet, serve this on top of an Asian salad instead of the baguette.

Ingredients yield two sandwiches: • 1/2 pound boneless salmon • 3 tbsp grainy Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce (I like the Lawry’s Teriyaki with Pineapple Juice brand) See website for information about WRC: • 1 mango, sliced thin http://www.westernrivers.org • 1/4 red onion, sliced thin • 1 handful arugula • 1/2 avocado, sliced • 1 (7-oz) Brie wedge (will only need about half unless you want it really cheesy!) • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese • 4 tsp garlic salt • 2 mini, sandwich-sized baguettes (1 full baguette makes three sandwiches) • 2 tbsp melted butter

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 3 of 10 Underwater Drones?? Need more fishing gadgets? Want to see Want to Add Some where the fish are and what they are doing? How about an underwater drone? Check out Realism to Your Flies? this YouTube site for a review of five new by Ron Reed drones. And you just bought a fish finder!! Here’s a way to add some realism to your https://www.youtube.com/watch? bigger flies. In my opinion, realism is v=DRoTNVgO6XU especially important for flies that are fished underwater because the fish see the fly up close and personal. There is no surface-film distortion or back-lighting by the sun.

Why Do I Fish?? by Robert Traver

“I fish because I love to. Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful... Because in the woods I Go to this website for details. Also, this can find solitude without loneliness. And website has a virtual mother lode of finally, not because I regard fishing as being information about, and links to, fly fishing. so terribly important, but because I suspect https:// that so many of the other concerns of thewayofthefly.wordpress.com/ men are equally unimportant and not 2011/10/24/how-to-do-realistic-legs/ nearly so much fun.”

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 4 of 10 CBFC MEMBERS AND GUESTS AT CROW BUTTE PARK 23SEP2017

Club Outing DISCLAIMER to Crow Butte, The opinions or endorsements of Columbia River products or services expressed or by John Strand implied in this Newsletter are solely the responsibility of the author, or the Editor Due to a prolific algae bloom in Scootney if no author is listed; Reservoir, the long-planned, Club outing on and do not necessarily reflect the 23Sep was changed to Crow Butte. Twelve consensus of CBFC members. Club members and quests participated. Those attending and shown in the photo included: Likewise, website links are only for Dennis Collins, Rich Santos, Jerry reader convenience and information. Cavens, Jeff Drowley, Kevin Eager, Brett Grogan, Sabina Grogan, Darius Grogan, Walt Blanding, and Vince Pickering. Denny Kreid, and myself, the photographer, are not shown in the photo. Going Fishing Guide Service Bruce Hewitt Fly fishing was generally difficult due to all Washington and USCG licensed and insured the aquatic vegetation. Mostly small bass and Burbank, WA 99323 yellow perch were caught near the surface in 509-430-6448 and around the weed beds on black, green, Fishing eastern WA rivers and reservoirs for salmon, and even yellow wooly buggers. The larger steelhead, trout, walleye and sturgeon. bass were found in water 15 to 20-ft deep. You had to fish the drop-offs beyond the weed beds.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 5 of 10 Let’s Take More Interesting Fish Pictures by Ron Reed Do you wonder why your wife and kids groan when you show them your latest BIG FISH photos? Could be they are boring, just like all your other pictures of some fish, bulls-eyed in the center of the photo, with no reference to indicate just how big it is. These suggestions could help change the groans to "Oh my, that’s a nice one!" Include some relatively common object of known size close to the fish. For example, the hand in the water with the Mountain Whitefish; and the person, Dennis Collins, and hands with the rainbow. The very close-up with the fish extending beyond both edges of the photo, is intentionally ambiguous as to the size of the fish. Makes you wonder……, does it not? And, makes you look. Don’t forget the rule of thirds makes your composition more appealing. Put the center of interest at an intersection, or along the lines, of an imaginary tic-tac-toe grid on your photo. And, change your perspective to eliminate distracting background.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 6 of 10 Know Your Fishing George Anderson at Yellowstone Anglers in Livingston, MT, applied rigorous Here’s a handy accessory for fishers who testing to most of the popular brands of have trouble remembering how to tie those nylon and fluorocarbon tippet. various knots at the junctures of your fishing line. The knots illustrated in the cards include: Improved Clinch , Davy Knot, , Kreh Loop Knot, Turle Knot, Riffle Hitch, Surgeon s Knot, Double Uni Knot, , Surgeon’s End Loop, Albright Special, Perfection Loop. The cards sell for $4.95 from website NETKNOTS. https://netknots.myshopify.com GEORGE ANDERSON TESTING TIPPET

He used equipment specifically designed for measuring various properties of the tippet. Engineers will appreciate the methodology, details, and rigor of the testing procedures.

Many parameters of tippet material were This website also includes information on tested including: breaking strength, knot knots for other applications like rope. strength, visibility underwater, suppleness, abrasion resistance, best deal per yard. This is a very interesting and informative Tippet Shootout article well worth reading. https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/ Here’s a very comprehensive article gear-review/tippet-shootout-seaguar- comparing the various aspects of nylon and grandmax-trouthunter-orvis-mirage- riopowerflex-pline-dairiki-varivas-sa- fluorocarbon tippet. Lee Wulff was once climax-maxima-froghair-stoft-umpqua asked, “What is the greatest improvement you’ve seen in fly fishing?” His reply, “Tippet.”

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 7 of 10 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM WEB HOT-LINKS to FISHING STUFF Columbia Basin Fly Casters FLY TYING Post Office Box 791 Fly Tying Forum -Free access to over 6,000 patterns Richland, WA 99352 2015

OTHER FISHING CLUBS Date: ______Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington that Name______belong to the International Federation of Fly Fishers Renewal, no change in address/phones/ email REGULATIONS Idaho Fishing Seasons & Rules Street Address:______Oregon Fishing Regulations City:______Washington Fishing Regulations & Seasons State: ______ZipCode:______Washington Emergency Rule Updates Primary Phone: ______Links to Regs & Licenses for all 50 States Work Phone: ______Email:______FISHING INFORMATION Idaho Fish & Game Fishing Name(s) of Family Member(s) or Business Information

Oregon Fishing Resources and ______Information Washington Fishing & Shellfishing ______Information Columbia Basin Bulletin's Significant ______developments related to salmon and steelhead recovery and other important Columbia/Snake River Basin fish and ANNUAL DUES:(Please Check One) wildlife issues. Please make checks payable to CBFC

River and stream data USGS current and Family Membership ($25) historical data for Washington State. Business Membership ($35) Includes CONSERVATION business-card size, fishing-related advert Coastal Conservation Association’s in newsletters. Send artwork as xxx.jpg purpose is to advise and educate the public digital file to editor on conservation of marine resources. CCA’s objective is to conserve, promote, and enhance present and future availability of Who can we thank for referring you to our coastal resources. Club? Wild Fish Conservancy. ______

Native Fish Society. To be completed by Treasurer: Wild Salmon Center. ___Cash __ Check #______Trout Unlimited. Membership Database updated:______

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 8 of 10 Do Any of the Nymphs in Your Fly Boxes Look Like These?

FORMER CBFC MEMBER CHARLIE SCAIEF WITH 27-LB CHINOOK TAKEN IN NEW HALEM BAY, OR

Tired of the Hassle of Carting Around and Inflating Your Pontoon Boat or Float Tube?

GET A HORSE Russ Brown’s Cattails West Fly Casting Taking the mystery out of casting a fy

•Basic instructon tailored to the individual TM •Advanced instructon for improving technique, No Sep2017 Board distance and consistency •Custom Clinics for organizatons/Groups/Schools

Meeting Minutes Internatonal Federaton of Fly Fishers Certfed Instructor Since 1997 509-628-6402 [email protected] Richland, WA Since too many Board members were fishing to constitute a quorum, there was no Board meeting in September.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 9 of 10 Fishing Report: However, fish caught around Milepost 70 Three Amigos were smaller than those caught around MP 50. Both locations are upstream of Avery. on the St. Joe An article in a NW Fly Fishing magazine by by Ted Poston John Shewey in 2010 identified the usual Ken Gano, Dennis Dauble and I fished the “trout suite” of flies for Idaho streams. But, St. Joe River, ID, last August and had one of we quickly found that the renegade (or Ken’s our best trout fishing experiences in renegade on steroids) was quite effective, years. even though it was not listed in the article. We camped along the river about 2 miles upstream of the St. Regis–St. Joe River Road junction…. no amenities (bring you own TP), CLUES TO THE THREE AMIGOS but right on the river and quiet. Days were AND THEIR warm, nights were cool, no fires (bummer). HYDRATION OF CHOICE

FISHING THE ST. JOE REQUIRES GOAT LIKE SKILLS AND PERHAPS A SIMILAR LEVEL OF INTELLIGENCE.

PBR IS FLOGGING THE WATER.

Dennis purchased a simple St. Joe’s Special (dry fly with a gray body and grizzly hackle) at the Avery General Store that also fished well.

The three amigos – we try to have one camping-flyfishing outing every summer. In the ST. JOE RIVER BELOW AVERY, ID. past, we have fished the HAS A LITTLE MORE WATER, BUT Grand Ronde, the Wenaha, THE CURRENT IS SLOWER. and the Minam. This trip was IT’S HARD TO SEE DENNIS’S by far the most productive. BOBBER!

The flows were down in the reaches of the IDAHO SPOTTED CARP, AKA river upstream of Avery. The fish were WEST SLOPE CUTTHROAT congregating at the head of the pools. The cutthroats ranged from 10 to 18 inches.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters October 2017 Newsletter Page 10 of 10