Tight Lines May, 2013
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May, 2013 Tight Lines Andy Harrison, Editor ([email protected]) http://www.santaluciaflyfishers.com President’s Letter by Lew John Gierach: Going fishing when you told your family you Leichter wouldn't is a dangerous gambit, but if you don't catch hell now and then for being irresponsible and shirking your responsibilities you're not really a fisherman in the finest sense. SEASON OPENER: Finally we can start heading for those waters that have been closed to us. While not as bad as in past years because several waters are open year around I'm looking forward to having more venues to fish. Chasing surf perch in the winter and bass, pan fish, etc. in the spring is fun—now it's time to head back to the mountains. We'll kick things off with a Hume Lake/Sequoia creeks outing from May 2nd to 5th (see page 6 for info). While I'm thinking about it take a moment to read the article (page 4) on wading safety. It contains very good info for those new to the sport and is a good reminder to those at the other end of the curve who tend to forget about these things. SLFF WEBMASTER NEEDED: Our website is one of our primary sources of new members and with our newsletter is our vehicle to communicate to our members. We need someone; our website is actually maintained by Dave Baldwin. Our webmasters job then is to be the interface between the club and Dave and work with committees and members to keep the information on our website fresh and current. Contact me if you would be interested MAY MEETING: Greg Vinci will be our guest speaker. His program will be on the Eastern Sierras. (See next page for more info.) SAVE THE DATES: May 2nd: Fly tying 6:30pm at SLO Odd Fellows Hall. May 2nd-5th: Hume Lake Sequoia creeks outing (page 6). Contact David Holmes or Lew Leichter. May 9th: Board of Directors meeting 5PM at Margie's. 6:30 General meeting featuring Greg Vinci. May 11th: SLFF garage sale 9-12 at David Holmes’ (see page 3). May 18th: David Holmes knot tying session (see page 2). May 25th-26th: Shad outing to the American River (see page 7). Contact Rich Chubon. Sept 20-22nd, 2013 SWCFFF Faire in Mammoth (1 SLFF Tight Lines Newsletter – MAY 2013 Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 6:30pm Margie’s Diner, 1575 Calle Joaquin, SLO Guest Speaker: Greg Vinci Program: “California Trout Highway-- Fly fishing the Hwy 395 corridor (between Greenville NV and Bishop). After twenty one years as the owner of Sierra Pacific Products, where he innovated many popular fly fishing tackle and accessories products, Greg sold the business in 2010. Since then he has been able to re-establish a relationship with his first loves, writing and photography that can be now seen in many fly fishing and outdoor magazines such as Fly Fisherman, American Angler, Flyfishing & Tying Journal, Salmon & Steelhead Journal, Northwest and Southwest Fly Fishing magazines, California Fly Fisher, Sierra Heritage and Runner’s World. His photography has been on the covers of California Fly Fisher, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, and Sierra Heritage. He also has kept his foot in the door of the fly business, by continuing to develop fly tackle product lines on a consultancy basis for clients in the fly tackle industry. In 2011 his product Insta-Set Indicators was selected by Field & Stream magazine as the best fly tackle accessory of the year! One of his most recent endeavors has been to develop the California-FlyFishing.com web site which is a portal to California's most popular waters. As a signature fly tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants, the fly tackle industry’s most prominent fly manufacturer, he has developed fly patterns that can be found in most fly shops around the country. Knots, Leaders, Tippet and Lines Class To Be Held May 18 All the flyfishing skill in the world, and the best equipment, will be of little use if your tackle system fails the next time you have a big fish on. So, it’s a good idea to focus on the skills needed to minimize the chances of that happening, especially when you’ve invested so much time and money in the rest of your gear and skills. On May 18 (a Saturday), at 9:00 AM at his home (63 Benton Way, SLO), Dave Holmes will be leading a class where we’ll discuss and demonstrate a few of the old and new knots which are most practical and useful for fly fishing. In addition, we’ll talk about line, leader and tippet selections. As a part of the class, we’ll think about knot choices, the factors that go into knot selection and proper tying techniques, along with choices of fluorocarbon v. mono. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll give you the techniques for you to select and test the knots you use, including a discussion of why the number of knots actually needed is surprisingly small. Our goal is to put you in a position where you can, on your own, evaluate and decide on proper knots (and related gear) to use in the future. We’ll also discuss web and other resources re knot tying and related topics, and will have some handouts for you to take home. Class size is limited to 10 students, so you should contact David ([email protected] - 805.550.9323) to reserve a place and for further information. Please bring a spool of 2x (or 4x, if you have good eyes!), and a pair of nippers or small scissors. –David Holmes (2 SLFF Tight Lines Newsletter – MAY 2013 Fly Tying THE KLINKHAMMER SPECIAL--A GREAT SEARCHING FLY FOR TROUT! by Jim Crescenzi The May Santa Lucia Fly Tying session will be on Thursday, May 2nd, at the Odd Fellows Hall in San Luis Obispo (6:30 – 8:00 PM). Bernard Pieters will lead the session, tying a ―Klinkhammer Special‖. Our members will enjoy tying this pattern, and particularly fishing with it. According to Skip Morris, Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple II – Advanced Techniques (quoting a few interesting sentences of his introduction to the pattern): ―I suspect that the Klinkhammer Special is a hit fly mainly for the obvious reason – it catches trout – but partly because it represents to fly tiers a straightforward sort of entryway into emerger patterns with parachute hackles‖. ―Hans van Klinken created the Klinkhammer and considers it an imitation for both mayflies and caddisflies when tied in various sizes and colors.‖ ―The Klinkhammer is designed to rest on its hackle, with its abdomen submerged – the suggestion of an insect in an early stage of emergence, wings up and legs free of the split top of a shuck that still contains most of the body.‖ Quoting Dick Talleur, Trout flies for the 21st Century: ―It’s become a go-to fly for me, and I carry it in several sizes and colors. A fishing tip: Apply flotant to only the hackle and wing post, so that the body of the fly hangs beneath the surface‖. Schollmeyer & Leeson in Flies for Western Super Hatches show a ―Klinkhammer Female Trico‖ pattern, which further supports the versatility of the pattern. My favorite tying video on this fly is ―Fly Tying with Hans: Klinkhammer Special‖ of Dakota Angler & Outfitter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQwM70MzgVo), from which I have taken the photo of the fly used for this article. Paul Crafts led in April tying with ―Joe’s Hopper‖, which will certainly see good use this summer. Our session for June will be led by Rich Chubon tying the Pheasant Tail Nymph, which may well be the most-used nymph pattern for trout. There are a surprising variety of versions of this fly, and Rich will provide valuable tips on tying this ―not as simple as it looks‖ fly. Tied properly, it can be amazingly productive. We will take a break in July and not have a tying session then (There are other things to do on July 4th!). Annual SLFF Garage Sale/Swap Meet - May 11 This year the SLFF Annual "Garage Sale" will be at David Holmes' house (63 Benton Way – SLO, 805-550-9323) on May 11, beginning at 9AM and ending at Noon. On offer will be a selection of gently used and still serviceable fly fishing gear and related items, all at far lower prices than you might pay at retail. Often, even those members selling gear find items for sale by other members, which they can't live without! Buyers should bring small bills, if at all possible, and possibly (cont…) (3 SLFF Tight Lines Newsletter – MAY 2013 checkbooks - credit cards will not be used. Sellers should: Identify the gear clearly with a tag or label showing the name of the seller and the asking price. If you have more than a few things, bringing a card table or similar to display them will be helpful. Bring change and/or be prepared to accept checks. Sellers should remain present as long as they have items for sale. Call David if you have any questions. MORE MEMBER NEWS: This from Gaye Holman: ―I must admit I miss you and the gang. I have been working at the solar fields in California Valley and my shifts are Wed to Sun 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. So I don't have a life anymore. I hope all is well with you and keep me in touch with the latest.