“WFI on the FLY” August 14, 2015

August 14, 2015

"WFI On The Fly" “WFI ON THE FLY” August 14, 2015

We’re Going Hi Vis! you know what a lumbersexual is? Don’t miss Adam’s article on INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Welcome to our first newsletter page 6; he explains it all! Last but Avian Influenza Pages of 2015. Our primary focus for not least is Colette’s Coop with By Dr. Tom 2 this newsletter is our Hi Vis Hack- an update of what is happening le. If you haven’t seen it yet, you Dealer Feature: Charlie’s 3-4 at Whiting Farms. Fly Box will because it really is Hi Vis! Be sure to check out our fly tying Colette’s Coop: News from 5 You might notice the newsletter is challenge on page 11! All entries the Office a bit smaller than previous issues. need to be submitted by October While it is smaller it is still packed Pro Team sCOOP”: by 6-7 1 and the winner will receive Adam Kroneberger with great information and news some great Hi Vis Hackle! from Whiting Farms. We’ve heard Featured Pro Teamer: 8 from many of you that have It goes without saying, that our Jon Ray special is the Hi Vis Hackle in missed seeing the newsletter, so Product Feature: 9 watch your email. This smaller some great colors. Our own Phil Hi Vis Hackle version will allow us to present Trimm wrote a great article on more frequent newsletters. We the Hi Vis and tied some stun- Humor: (Fish ‘n Chicks) 10 will be making a concerted effort ning Hi Vis flies for everyone to WFI Contact Info 11 to make sure we get back on track see the potential of Hi Vis Hackle. and provide you with news from We look forward to being Hi Vis Whiting and the articles you love! in the future with our newslet- This issue has a great article on ter! the Avian Flu and its effects on Dr. Thomas S. Whiting and the fly tying industry. Our fea- the Whiting Team tured dealer for this issue is Char- lie’s Fly Box in Denver, CO. Jon Ray is our featured Pro tier with a great article on tying big flies with big feathers to catch big fish. Do Page 2 "WFI On The Fly"

AVIAN INFLUENZA AND THE FLY TYING FEATHER SUPPLY BY DR. TOM WHITING

The agricultural nightmare that To my knowledge none of the fly We at Whiting Farms are con- occurred in the upper Midwest tying feathers producers have cerned and will take the neces- in the first half of 2015 was a been directly affected by this dis- sary precautions to prevent in- monumental tragedy for the ease. Some countries have troduction of Avian Influenza farmers, companies and commu- banned the importation of any into our operations. As a side nities it affected, not to mention poultry products from the USA note, I personally have seen the the chickens and turkeys who because of what happened, disease, as in 1983 I was briefly were infected by the virus and which has blocked some feather on the federal government’s had to be destroyed. The num- exports to maybe a dozen foreign Avian Influenza Task Force bers are staggering. I believe countries. But the supply of when the first significant break something around 48 MILLION feathers is pretty much the same. of this disease hit the USA in have died or been destroyed so I believe everyone in the poultry Lancaster County Pennsylvania. far! Fortunately the disease has industry is stepping up their bi- I had just finished my Master’s abated for the time being, as is osecurity efforts, which include degree at the University of usual with influenzas in all ani- prohibition of all nonessential Georgia and joined the Task mals (including humans) be- visitors, keeping wild birds out of Force working on the wildlife cause the warmer weather sup- the chicken sheds, washing vehi- aspect of the outbreak. It was presses the virus and thus the cles and equipment regularly, both sobering and fascinating, disease has waned. The big fear and in some cases “showering in as it was run like a military op- now is what will happen this fall and showering out” all personnel eration with maps on a big wall when all the migratory water- that work with the birds. There is dotted with colored pins, and fowl, who can be asymptomatic talk of a vaccine being developed early morning “situation brief- carriers of this highly pathogen- for this particularly pathogenic ings”. I even have a slide show ic virus, migrate south from strain of Avian Influenza. But like which I have given a few times their Canadian nesting grounds? the vaccines for human influenza, to county health departments. The epidemic of the early part of each year a new cocktail of viral The scale of the recent A. I. out- 2015, it is feared, might be dis- strains are slammed together, break though is unprecedented. seminated to ALL the migratory mostly from the currently circu- But hopefully the predictions flyways, not isolated to the Mis- lating strains in the southern for the future will be not be as sissippi flyway, causing a re- hemisphere, in hopes that what bad as they could be. newed and more widespread afflicts the northern hemisphere pandemic that will be even population will be protected, at Sincerely, worse than what has already least partially, by one or more of been suffered. The USDA and the incorporated vaccine strains. Tom Whiting the poultry industry has had the No “universal” vaccine has ever roughest of wake up calls in been successfully made for hu- 2015, and the readiness and bi- man influenza, unlike many other osecurity efforts will doubtlessly diseases. The same is true with be very much better in the fu- Avian Influenza, because the abil- ture. But this last go around de- ity of the virus to evolve, mutate fied even some of the proven and recombine precludes creat- biosecurity techniques. So no ing a vaccine that protects one can say at this point what against an ever evolving enemy. the future holds.

Page 3 "WFI On The Fly" FEATURED DEALER CHARLIE’S FLY BOX

We just celebrated our ten year anniversary here at Charlie’s Fly Box this past December and it’s been a hell of a ride. We aren’t located on a river, but just north of Denver right along I-70 which puts us right in the middle of a huge population base and right along the path to get to the mountains, so our shop gets a lot of traffic. The place is almost always hoppin’ with both regu- lar locals and out of towners headed fishing or getting their tying fix.

I can confidently say our shop has more fly tying tools and materials than any shop I’ve ever been in and we draw fly tiers from all over. I was a commercial fly tier for a long, long time before I opened the shop and I’ve probably tied more flies than anyone I have ever met at this point. Both Jay Zimmerman (who works with me here in the shop) and I are Umpqua Signature Tiers as well, so having a great tying selection is really important to us and I think the shop reflects that well.

We’ve always tried to have the latest and greatest new tying materials and the knowledge of how they work, a great selection of Whiting Hackle, including some of the more hard to find bits and pieces that really spur some creativity as well as a huge range of hooks, thread and other staples. Beyond that, a big part of our shop’s philosophy is to teach and to that end we try to provide excellent service and classes all along the way, whether you’re a new tier or angler or an old hand. The fact of the matter is, products them- selves can be found all over with a bit of digging, but finding a shop with the knowledge and expe- rience to make the job easier and more fun is a lot tougher, and that’s what we want to be.

Top: Store front of Charlie’s Fly Box Bottom: Inside Charlie’s Fly Box Photo compliments of Charlie’s Fly Box, Denver, CO

Continued on Pages 8

"WFI On The Fly" Page 4 FEATURED DEALER CONTINUED C HARLIE’ S FLY B OX

The “Whiting Wall” at Charlie’s Fly Box in Denver, CO Photo compliments of Charlie’s Fly Box

When you are in the Denver area make sure to stop by Charlie’s Fly Box 7513 Grandview Ave Olde Town Arvada, CO 80002 (303)403-8800 or look them up on the web at: www.charliesflyboxinc.com

A Humpy fly "WFI On The Fly" Page 5 “COLETTE’S COOP”

WHERE DID THE has already been given the Job Have you checked out our Face- TIME GO? Well Dun award. She may not book page? We post some great know her way around the barn educational videos and would I turned around twice and yard yet but she certainly love to have your feedback. realized a year has gone by knows her way around the com- https://www.facebook.com/ since I opened the coop doors puter and thus gets a Fins Up pages/Whiting-Farms. Don’t for a chat. Those darn roost- from me. forget to Like the page so you ers must have tricked me are kept up to date on the latest again. You know that Tom Other than the normal adminis- bird word from Whiting Farms. breeds them for beautiful trative manuretia (ha ha get it?), If you haven’t done so yet, fol- hackle but they are awfully low us @whitingfarms on Insta- smart as well. If he keeps up we are knee deep (I really crack myself up) in preparing the gram. Both of these have been his genetic work I may be out great forums for showing of a job one day. Just imagine 2015/2016 season pricing and color offering. Now I know that what’s happening at Whiting. the office being run by roost- ers and hens. I’ve seen some Crayola offers 120 colors of Well, I’ve aired out the coop a people who hunt and peck as Crayons these days but we bit and told as many chicken they type but give me a probably won’t be offering quite chuckles as I can think of this break! that many, such as 14 different shades of orange, etc. I’m not a time around. I’m going to close

fish but I wonder if a fish can the coop doors and try to think So here we are and a year has tell the difference between Or- of some new yokes for next passed. Eggscuseme for al- ange and Mango Tango. They time. Have a great summer and lowing a year to slip by with- look pretty close to me so we thank you for your patronage! out sharing my coop stories will probably offer Orange. We with you. We actually have plan to distribute the new sea- had some changes that I can son information to our custom- report. Colette er base via email once it is complete. Janis Vose has moved on from the Whiting office. She will be missed and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors. Though I did try, I have been told that no one fills the candy dish quite like Janis. It’s no yoke! She really did get the best candy.

Next time you give us a ring Amber McPherson will an- swer. She has taken Janis’ place. Amber has been here just a couple of weeks but she "WFI On The Fly" Page 6

PRO TEAM “ SCOOP” BY A DAM KRONEBERGER LUMBERSEXUALS MILLING AROUND FLY SHOPS

What is a Lumbersexual and why do they like Most of these hip millennials or lumbersexuals fly fishing? are not interested in chopping wood, hunting their dinner, or living off the grid. They hit the They can be hard to spot in the wild, but you water around brunch time and leave in time to go may have seen one in town. They are usually shower for the second time in one day before go- wearing a knit beanie, wool flannel shirt, and ing out with friends for the evening. rocking a beard. That doesn’t sound too ab- normal until you learn that this lumber jack Millennials are fascinatingly educated consumers of sorts is too clean, looking at owning works in a coffee shop, quality equipment that and has more tattoos will last. Simple is a than days out fishing way of life and they this season. want to get into this sport quickly and with They might come in ease. your fly shop as hip- sters, lumbersexuals, If you are looking to or flat brimmed punk relate more with Mil- looking kids, but they lennials, understand are the future! Without that community is the all of the hipster nam- backbone for this gen- ing we are talking eration. You will make about millennials in the a returning customer fly fishing industry. from millennials by They want in on this creating a fun, wel- sport because it pro- coming, learning envi- vides an identity of ronment. We recom- outdoorsman, crafts- mend Tying and Craft man, and manly man. Beer nights! Your senses are accu- rate, there is a buzz in Photo by: Colin Michael Simmons Adam Kronberger the industry and it's safe to say that millenni- [email protected] als are the corporate. Pro Team and Social Media Manager I have talked with several fly shop owners who have all said that they have noticed a big shift in their consumer demographic. “80% of our target audience use to be men over fifty. Now we are experiencing 30 to 40% of business coming from millennials showing inter- est in fly fishing for the first time.” said David Leinweber owner of Angler's Covey in Colora- do Springs, CO . Page 7 "WFI On The Fly" “sCOOP” WHITING FARMS PRO TEAM!

From the USA: Georgia New Hampshire Wisconsin Tim Ivey Peggy Brenner Guy “Doc” Jensen California Ben Byng Iowa New Jersey Wyoming Ken Hanley Ward L. Bean Chris Del Plato Marvin Nolte Scott Hoff Don Ordes Wayne Luallen Idaho New Mexico Scott Sanchez David McCants Bruce Staples Deborah Duran Randy Stonebraker Steve Potter Chris Williams Deward Yocum Internationally: Colorado Louisiana New York Ed Berg Rusty Dunn Frank J. Audino Australia Pat Dorsey Levern “Vern-O Burm Mick Hall Bill Fenstermaker Massachusetts Bob Lindquist Tim Jacobs Joe Cordeiro Ireland Merne Judson Leslie Wrixon Ohio Alice Conba Larry Kingrey Chuck Moxley Mark McMillan Michigan Sweden Carol Oglesby Dennis Potter Oregon Jan Edman Pat Oglesby Norman Domagala Johan Klingberg Jeff Oulton Minnesota Phillip E. Fischer Taila Oulton Brad Befus David E. Roberts The Netherlands Al Ritt Tyler Befus Jack Schlotter Herman Broers Jon Spiegel Marc Williamson Hans Van Klinken Steve Schweitzer Missouri Faiza Weilenmann Rich Takahashi Roxanne Wilson Pennsylvania Hans Weilenmann Kirk Webb Terry Wilson Ginger Allen Martin Westbeek Kimberly Boal Connecticut Mississippi Kieran Frye United Kingdom Roger Plourde Melvin G. Pecaut Richard S. Ross Christopher Reeves

Florida Montana Tennessee Thank you all for Bruce Chard Bob Jacklin G.S. “Stack” Scoville, Jr. representing and Oscar Feliu Bob Lay promoting Whiting Tom Logan Lars Olsson Texas Farms products! Dave Schmezer E. Neale Streaks Ken “Bo” Bohannon Mel Simpson Fred DuPre’ Nebraska Sue Armstrong Utah Buddy Knight "WFI On The Fly" Page 8 FEATURED PRO TEAM TIER —J ON R AY Pro Tip - Tying with Big Feathers for Big Flies

Fly tying with big feathers and Look at the top of the patch, creating BIG flies seems to be a and on the underside. These part of the industry that has few extra feathers on the dry exploded over the past 5 years. fly capes are great for build- Using up to 12+ hackles per fly, ing that silhouette. I like to and additional materials that set these feathers aside in a create monstrous flies. These separate zip lock bag, label flies are not your great grandfa- them, and then match them thers size #6 wooly bugger, but up on patterns when I need a size 6/0 triple articulated baitfish pattern that you them. Don’t be afraid to need a catapult to throw. You are truly building a check out dry fly hackles for lure, more than a fly and you need the correct feath- your streamer patterns! ers to build them. Protect your materials—One of the best lessons I When your investing vast amounts of material into ever learned is to protect your materials these patterns, there are few tricks that you can use when tying. Another lesson that goes hand and to make sure you pick out the correct feather. If you hand with this is don’t be cheap with your materi- are tying your own patterns you can invest some se- als. Find the best feathers for each pattern, and rious dollars into each pattern. When you finish your your patterns will swim better. Whiting hackle fly, you want to make sure that it swims correctly. selection of feathers will give you plenty of That the vision you have when ty- options when tying. When you invest time ing, actually swims the way you and materials into each pattern you need to want it to. protect your investment. Covering up your Understand the curvature of the tying area and stem with buck tail and flash feather– When picking out a feath- can save your feathers from toothy preda- er to tie, one must first have an tors; almost like a bite guard! There is noth- achieved goal, for the pattern you ing worse than watching your feathers float are tying. What is your achieved away or fall off. Using a little extra head ce- goal? What do you want your end ment and taking a little extra time to protect result to be? Are you tying a pat- the tie in point will create a fly that will last. tern that is more about profile or are you looking for pattern that will wiggle more and give you more movement? Each feather has a different curvature; matching feathers on both sides of note from whiting farms: Ready to try your your fly will give you symmetry. Look for feathers hand at tying big flies? Get to your local fly shop for the with identical symmetry in length, width, and taper. latest patterns and techniques for these monstrosities; When tying big flies I first pick out the feathers I and while you are there, pick up all the great Whiting want to tie with, then build my fly. Products available for your creations. Feathers for Streamers– Some of the longer, skinnier Try our Bugger Packs for feathers that provide a great profile and movement; 43 colors to choose from! feathers can be found on the genetic hackle patches and they tend to wiggle more and give you great Another great product is Whiting Farms Schlappen; length. Fatter feathers are great for silhouette; Bug- with 31 colors and 4 size categories to choose from, ger or Streamer Packs are the best place to find feath- you can create a 4” trout streamer up to a 14” Shark Fly ers that give you the best silhouette. Finding these and everything in between! Schlappen also has a great profile and even better movement. fatter, longer feathers is the real trick. Make sure to sort through the bugger packs and find the best ones Don’t forget to share your creations with your buddies for your vision. A helpful hint is that you can find a or with your favorite tying periodical! few extra feathers in your dry fly hackle patches. Page 9 "WFI On The Fly" HI VIS DRY FLY HACKLE PRODUCT LINE B Y PHIL TRIMM

“To See Or Not To See” through the whole drift. Don’t to dress your flies for catching What’s new here at Whiting forget…. “God Save the Queen”! fish in the river or catching the angler in the fly shop. In case Farms? High visibility hackle! Here’s a thought: A half cape will you haven’t tried our Super If you asked me 10 years ago cover all the sizes you need to Bou, it is a marabou far superi- if I thought Hi Vis fly tying tie, including the elusive size 6 or to turkey with great durabil- products had a place on my and 8 dry fly hackle for your big- ity and movement and available tying bench I would have ger patterns. These larger hack- in 28 colors. Grizzly dyed colors proudly said, “heck no!” Now les are also great for tying available as well! that I can’t read the paper in brightly colored Wooly Buggers the morning without my for your next Alaska trip or to Now with the Hi Vis flies I’ll be glasses my tune has changed. that secret spot for the trophy able to leave my glasses at Whiting Farms has incorpo- brookies. Paired with Whiting home on my next fishing trip. rated 3 high visibility colors Farms Super Bou, you have a Has anyone seen my tippet into our Whiting Rooster perfectly matched hackle and tail spool? capes, High & Dry Rooster capes, and our 100 Packs. These Hi Vis hackles are now available in hot pink, hot orange, and hot fluorescent green chartreuse. Perfected by our Dye Master, these colors really stand out with bril- liant, vivid intensity. Matched with the best genetic hackle Hi Vis Chartreuse Crystal Bugger on the planet, the hi vis hack- using Hi Vis hackle and Whiting Farms Super Bou—tied by Phil le is a perfect tool for those of Trimm us that need a little extra help spotting that small fly on the water. Hi Vis Ants using High & Dry hackle in Not sure what color cape or orange, chartreuse, and pink—tied by Phil Trimm half cape to start with? Try all 3 colors in a 100 Pack of your favorite size. These colors are great on Parachute Adams and Stimulators. Ants, bee- tles, and hoppers with Hi Vis posts and wings are easy to Pink Parachute spot along those overhanging Adams tail using grass banks and especially Whiting Farms Coq easy to see in that late after- de Leon, High & Dry Hi Vis pink noon sun. You’ll be amazed combined with when you can once again see High & Dry Griz- the fish take that dry fly that zly—tied by Phil you have been able to follow Trimm "WFI On The Fly" Page 10

FISH ‘N CHICKS HUMOR

YOU MIGHT BE A TROUT BUM If your cat is named Winston and your dog is called Lefty, you might be a trout bum. If your family had to eat Christmas dinner on TV trays because your dining room table is set aside for fly tying, you might be a trout bum. If you missed the birth of your first child because it coincided with the start of the sulphur fly hatch, you might be a trout bum. If your fly tying vise cost more than your automobile, you might be a trout bum. If one or more of your children were conceived on the back seat of a drift boat during a lull in the salmon fly hatch, you might be a trout bum. If your wedding reception was held in a fly shop, you might be a trout bum. If your wife wants to do something romantic on your anniversary and you take her night fishing, you might be a trout bum. If she thinks you finally hit a home run with that idea, she might be a trout bum. If you have ever worn a fishing shirt to a funeral, you might be a trout bum. If Wapsi or Orvis makes more than three deliveries a week to your home, you might be a trout bum. If you can identify every insect you encounter on the river with its complete scientific name (in Latin) but can't remember your children's names, you might be a trout bum. If the only time anyone has seen you cry was when you broke the tip on your bamboo rod, you might be a trout bum. If your greatest fear in life is that when you die your wife will sell your fishing tackle for what you told her you paid for it, you might be a trout bum. Cook a man a fish and you feed him for a day. If you honestly believe that you can save money by tying your own flies, But teach a man to fish and you get rid of you might be a trout bum. him for the whole weekend. If you own more fly boxes (all completely filled with flies) than your wife has pairs of shoes, you might be a trout bum. This list is by no means complete; be concerned if you exhibit more than five indicators! I got a new fly rod and reel for my wife...... best trade I ever made.

Peeple—send us some chicken yokes & fishin’ tales to: [email protected] "WFI On The Fly" Page 11

Whiting Farms, Inc. 5796 Sawmill Mesa Road P.O. Box 100 Delta, CO 81416 USA Whiting Farms Mission Statement: Phone: 1- 970-874-0999 Fax: 1-970-874-7078 To produce the highest quality, value and selection of feathers for the fly tiers of the world.

Whiting Farms Pro Team Mission Statement: To be the ambassadors of the WFI products to the fly tying community. Follow us on instagram

Whiting Farms, Inc. Customer Service Contact Information: Whiting Farms Inc. sells our hackle products wholesale through our Dealers and Dis- tributors. To find a Dealer or Distributor near you please visit our website, www.whitingfarms.com. If you are interested in becoming a Whiting Farms Dealer or Distributor please contact us at [email protected] with information about your business.