March 2016

2016 OFFICERS President-Ted Poston CLUB PURPOSE: To promote fly , to conserve regional fishing 509-438-0531 resources, and to encourage friendship and cooperation among all [email protected] anglers. First VP-Membership: NEXT MEETING: Annual banquet at Meadow Springs Country Club. Rich Holten PROGRAM: Our guest speaker is Skip Morris. Skip is a fly fisher, fly Second VP-Programs: tier, fly developer and inventor, prolific writer, and is considered an Craig Anderson expert on with a fly. He is the author or co-author of Treasurer: numerous books, including Survival Guide for Beginning Anglers, Jeff Drowley The Salmonfly, Tactics for , Seasons for Trout, Secretary: Made Clear and Simple, Fly Tying Made Mike Wade Directors at large: Clear and Simple II: Advanced Dale Schielke Techniques, and many others. He has co- John Strand authored several books with Dave Hughes Dennis Collins and Rick Hafele, two of our prior Banquet Newsletter Editor: speakers. Skip and his wife Carol were Ron Reed recently at the Lynnwood, WA Past President: Show where he conducted several Jim Loomis demonstrations on tying and fly fishing. Some of Skip's books will be available for MEETINGS sale and signing. The evening program is Second Tuesday of titled "Creeks," and is a presentation every month except interesting to both the avid fly fisher March, July, and and spouses that don't fly fish. August at Country Gentlemen If you don't have your ticket(s) yet, call 9221 W Clearwater Craig Anderson at 378-7849, and we might Kennewick, WA be able to squeeze you in. There will be over 6:00pm -Wet Fly-no two dozen boxes of flies to bid on, and many host silent auction items as well. There will be a 6:30pm -Dinner-$15 free fly-tying clinic conducted by our guest speaker at 1:00p at MSCC. 7:15pm -Program - Whether you are coming to the Banquet or not, you are welcome to join free us. Reminder, there is a dress code at Meadow Springs that does not allow jeans, hoodies or tee shirts, but a pair of khakis and a collared MEMBERSHIP shirt is fine. Jeans are permissible at the afternoon clinic, but not DUES encouraged. Please join us and the Morris's at the Banquet for a fun $25/yr Indiv&Family evening. $35/yr Business To change address or phone number contact DID YOU KNOW UPCOMING FISHING EVENTS Rich Holten: Mar 3 Order materials for Rod Grace period for 509 521-4291 Building Class, see page 5 membership dues [email protected] Mar 5 Annual Banquet ends in March. Do Mar 17 Drop-in Fly-Tying Session CBFC CLUB WEBSITE the dues, Dude. Mar 24 Rod Building Class

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 1 of 10 The New Rocky Ford President’s Back Cast by Dale Schielke by Ted Poston Click this link to read an informative article in the Spokesman-Review about recent changes Usually I would be discussing the Club’s trip to Rocky Ford, but our Newsletter editor at, and plans for Rocky Ford. gave me a deadline of yesterday. I wouldn’t http://www.spokesman.com/stories/ be able to make the March Newsletter if I 2016/feb/20/rocky-ford-creek- waited until Sunday. When I first became an increases-in-volume-pleasing-angl/ officer about 8-9 years ago, Rich Holten was president, and he wanted to see more fishing trips. I volunteered to take Rocky Ford and My First Steelhead with that offer came to be what is now a by Ron Reed tradition – a chili and hot dog lunch to combat the weather; the lunch has been held Beginner’s luck!! My first time fishing for every year since. John Strand has joined steelhead. Caught this one on the Skagit me in sponsoring this trip. River near Newhalem in 1981 while camping The Spousal Unit help cook the chili and (and fishing!) with my family and parents. cleanup the aftermath. The chili is a concoction that is never the same from year to year. This year’s version will be milder than previous versions, and has caribou to mix things up. There is hot sauce for those that what to jack up the burn. There will be a report on this trip in April’s newsletter, and it will talk about fishing – for now the point I want to make is that this club is about participation and people. Our membership is up, so we have more people. To get the most out of your club, you need to participate. John and I enjoy sponsoring the chili feed. It provides an opportunity for members to meet other members at the expense of cutting into our time on the water. We enjoy doing this and it is a worthwhile tradeoff. Sponsored fishing trips are one of several options besides our regular monthly meetings that provide opportunities to meet other club members. You can organize or offer to help someone organize a fishing trip. You can help with a club activity. You can volunteer for established events including the club picnic, the salmon booth during Art in the Park, Kid’s Fishing Day in May, or local conservation projects as those opportunities materialize. If you have an idea for an activity, simply bring it to the attention of a Board member for consideration. We are 9-ft Pontoon Boat Up always looking for new activities, but they for Grabs take involvement of the membership. Sportsman's Warehouse has donated a 9-ft Having said that, I will have a bowl of chili pontoon boat for CBFC Banquet fundraising. The assuming that there is any left, and start boat, which normally sells for $800-$900, will be preparing for the Banquet. Hope to see you sold via silent auction at the Banquet. there – and if not, then at the next monthly Minimum bid is $300. We can help you get it meeting in April. home. If you are not going to the Banquet, find a proxy to bid for you. Better yet, call Craig Anderson (378-7849) for tickets to the Banquet.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 2 of 10 Get To Know Your , and stories. I like stories by Nick Lyons, Hemingway, Travers, and of course, CBFC Officers John Gierach. I think that Northwest Fly Fishing is an excellent magazine. Dennis Collins-Director at large 8. What is it about the sport of fishing that keeps you involved? That's easy… it's the 1. Tell us about your first fish. I caught my people. I've fished with so many great people, first fish in Hood River, OR. I was 5 or 6, and it knowledgable people, people interested in was probably a planted trout. I imagine it learning, trying new things, tying new flies, new was caught on either canned corn or Pautzkes ideas. It's just been great fun. Plus, the places "Balls o Fire" that we fish are beautiful… the scenery, the 2. Who taught you weather, the rivers, and the lakes. Then, at the to fish? My dad was end of the day, a campfire, a glass, and an avid hunter. He conversation. What could be better? wasn't much of a though; so, most of Ted Poston-President my fishing was with 1. Where were you when you caught you school friends. We used to ride our bikes first fish? How old were you and what kind out to Mill Creek of fish was it? Do you remember the fly/ Pond, and the creek lure/bait? I grew itself, outside Walla up in Yakima. While Walla. I had a 3- I cannot remember dollar bamboo rod. where, when, or We used both flies what, it most likely and gear. Flies were was a much more fun than throwing Mepps spinners. I don't know where we got flies, but I remember at Bicycle Creek using Carey Specials. Great fly… caught a lot of next to the airport fish with it. in Yakima. My first 3. What are some local venues you like to fish on a fly that I fish? Locally, I like the Yakima River for had tied was a smallmouth bass. Floating in my pontoon boat is Coastal cutthroat a day well spent. In the Fall and Winter, it's that I targeted on Ringold for steelhead. Also bass on the Columbia the Nestucca River and Snake Rivers. If you're not fishing for bass on the Oregon coast. I had tied a , around the Tri-Cities, you're missing some great fishing opportunities. Also, the local lakes and my first, and it took 35 minutes to finally nail the ponds are fun to fish. fish. 4. What are some of your favorite 2. Who taught you to fish? My friends and destination venues you like to fish? Lots of Mother. wonderful places to fish on trips. The Grand 3. What are some local venues you like to Ronde, John Day, Deschutes, Montana, and of fish? Yakima River, Big Four on the Tucannon. course, the Henrys Fork in Idaho. I also like the 4. What are some of your favorite Owyhee, Clearwater, Lochsa rivers; really, there's destination venues you like to fish? Anthony just so many. Alaska, Canada, the Gulf Coast in Lakes, OR. Louisiana, Florida, on and on. There are still lots of places I'd like to fish in the future. 5. What are some of your GO-TO flies for 5. What are some of your GO-TO flies for still water? ….for creeks? ….for rivers? still water? ….for creeks? ….for rivers? Anything Ken Gano ties – he has great Parachute Lakes: Damsels, Leeches, Wooly Buggers. and a wooly bugger that will knock the Streams: Soft Hackles, Klinkhammers, Purple socks off a walking catfish. Haze, Pheasant Tails. Big water: Bombers, Spey 6. What kind of fish do you target most flies, Dolly Lamas (a new fly that I'm sure will often? Trout, bass, and Irish Death. eventually prove productive, I hope). 7. What are some of your favorite fishing 6. What kind of fish do you target most books and magazines? Northwest Flyfishing. often? Smallmouth bass, Steelhead, and Trout. 7. What are some of your favorite fishing 8. What is it about the sport of fishing that books and magazines? I read a lot, and I treat keeps you involved? The people and the fishing how-to books as textbooks. I read and outdoors. study fly-tying books, books that describe specific Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 3 of 10 Genetics Of Hatchery Drop-In Fly-Tying Sessions Steelhead Change In by Hyrum Taylor Just One Generation I will be hosting monthly, fly-tying sessions. Excerpts from Study Published Feb 2016: The free sessions are intended to be an It takes just one generation for the DNA of opportunity for fly tiers to socialize with other steelhead domesticated in hatcheries to be tiers, swap some fish tales, get some flies altered, and to be significantly different than tied, and learn new fly patterns and tying steelhead whose parents are wild, according techniques from each other. There won’t be to a recent study by Oregon State University. any formal instruction. In fact, the study found that in just one generation there were 723 genes that Participants will need to bring their own differed between the offspring of wild equipment and materials. The sessions will steelhead and the offspring of first- be held on the Third Thursday of the month generation hatchery steelhead. starting on March 17 at 6-8p at Further, the study found through gene Sportsman Warehouse, Canal Drive in enrichment analysis that adapting to the Kennewick, WA. Contact Hyrum Taylor hatchery environment involves responses by 720-260-3303 for additional information. the steelhead in wound healing, immunity and metabolism, suggesting the adaptation is due to crowding in hatcheries. “We found hundreds of genes were expressed differently between the offspring KNOW ANY PROSPECTIVE of first-generation hatchery fish and the CBFC MEMBERS? offspring of wild fish, and that the difference Please forward a copy of this newsletter was heritable from their parents,” said lead to them, and bring them to the next meeting. researcher Michael Blouin, professor in the tight lines and BIG fish. Department of Integrative Biology at OSU. Ron Reed, Newsletter Editor Although over 700 genes are just a small fraction of the total number of genes in the genome, Blouin said it is a surprisingly high number to show a difference after just one DISCLAIMER generation of selection. The opinions or endorsements of The results show that hatchery fish can be products or services expressed or genetically different from wild fish after only implied in this Newsletter are solely a generation of selection in a hatchery, he the responsibility of the author when said, and “more importantly, it allows us to listed, or the Editor if no author is generate hypotheses about what types of listed. traits are under selection in hatcheries.” The opinions and endorsements do To read more and access the full text of not necessarily reflect the consensus the study, go to: of CBFC members. http://www.cbbulletin.com/ 436113.aspx

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 4 of 10 Rod Building Class Washington State Aquatic by John Pfeiffer Invasive Species For those fishers interested in building a Prevention and , there is a meeting Thursday, Enforcement Program: 3Mar, at 6p. The purpose of this meeting is 2015 Report to the to order the components necessary to build the rod of your choice. There will be Legislature Club members at the meeting to provide Excerpts assistance and advice on what components to The Aquatic Invasive Species team purchase. Call John Pfeiffer, (509) inspected more than 27,373 watercraft for aquatic invasive species during the 627-5429, for the meeting location, or if biennium. Of that number, 83 were found you have questions or need more to be carrying aquatic invasive species – information. including 19 with zebra and quagga Where possible, the orders will be grouped mussels. All those watercraft were together in order to qualify for a group decontaminated. discount. Materials need to be ordered next [Editor’s note: Just a reminder to be vigilant week to be received in time for the first class to clean and dry boats, , and other meeting for assembling the rods on 24Mar. fishing gear that gets wet, before we use them in different water.]

Don’t Weasel Out! Come to the Banquet Saturday 5March

To get a head start on deciding what kind of rod you want to build, check out these web sites: www.anglersworkshop.com www.mudhole.com/nws www.utmostenterprises.com/ utmost_001.htm batsonenterprises.com rodbuildingtutorials.com

Going Fishing Guide Service PHOTO BY RON REED Bruce Hewitt Washington and USCG licensed and insured Burbank, WA 99323 Buy tickets at Sportsman’s Warehouse or 509-430-6448 call Craig Anderson at 509 378-7849 or 509 628-9802 Fishing eastern WA rivers and reservoirs for salmon, steelhead, trout, walleye and sturgeon.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 5 of 10 If your camera doesn’t have grid lines, just Pleasing Piscatorial eyeball these imaginary tic-tac-toe grid lines and intersection points on the view-finder when you Photos compose and take the photo. by Ron Reed Here are two principles that will make your 2- CLOSER IS BETTER fishing photos more interesting and pleasing: Sometimes we want a photo of the whole 1- Rule of thirds, and 2- Closer is better. mountain range or prairie. But many, if not most, of our fishing photos will have fishers in them, and sometimes, fishers with a BIG FISH. In general we want to see faces; we don’t really care about seeing feet, knees, or elbows. That means get closer, closer to the subject or center of interest. Fill more of the picture frame with people, faces, and fish. If you can’t physically get close enough, use your camera’s optical zoom Think they’ll bite feature. before dark? APPLYING RULES 1&2 TO EXAMPLE PHOTO The original photo, "Think They’ll Bite Before Dark?" is like one many of us take, and many of us would be satisfied with it as is. But, I think there is room for improvement. I cropped the photo to zoom in, and to eliminate unnecessary sky and visual clutter, like the time stamp. And, most importantly, I located the center of interest, the fishers, around the lower right intersection This article assumes you will be using a digital point of the imaginary tic-tac-toe grid. [ I also camera. Before we apply the principles, however, we need to begin with the end in mind. That is, how do you plan to display your digital photo after you take it. For me, I view or display my photos on a Wide Screen TV or Desk Top computer, both of which have screens with a 16:9 aspect ratio with landscape orientation. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of the image. Now, I take virtually all my photos in landscape orientation with my camera set to record the image with 16:9 aspect ratio. The displayed image completely fills the TV or Computer screen.

1- RULE OF THIRDS decreased the exposure and enhanced the tonal This rule is used to locate the center of interest. contrast, which adds visual and emotional Divide any rectangle like a tic-tac-toe game. The contrast between the warm glow of the evening lines will intersect at four points. Place the sun on the fishers, and the ominous rain clouds in photo’s center of interest at one of the four the background. But, that is another principle.] intersection points. I used a photo editing application on my Most new digital cameras, and many older computer to edit the original digital picture file. ones, have a setting which shows Rule of Third’s But, you can apply the principles of the RULE grid lines on the viewfinder. Use this setting if OF THIRDS and CLOSER IS BETTER when available. Using the grid lines on the viewfinder you take the photo to noticeably improve also helps you keep the horizon level. I hate it them without the need for later editing. when the ocean drains off one side of my picture.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 6 of 10 Steelhead Fly by Jim Shearer My First Trout by Mike McWethy 3 AM Madness I was eleven, in sixth grade, living in Shoshone, Wyoming. My fishing experiences at that time were with my grandfathers. My maternal grandfather, Bill, was a sheriff in Crook County, who loved to take all his grandchildren fishing for bullheads in ranch reservoirs.

A can of worms out of the garden, a bundle of cane poles strapped to the roof of the Thread: 6/0, black sheriff's car, and off we went. Endless stories Hook: Steelhead hook, 2-6 as we went, about every ranch passed and Body: Silver tinsel tag every car passed. Granddad knew everyone Blue-green Krystal Flash in the county, and even who voted for him. Hackle: Black pheasant rump, 3 turns Buckets of bullheads to be gutted and Red pheasant rump 2 turns skinned. Wing: Purple marabou My paternal grandfather, Mac, took us fishing Originated, named, and tied by Jim Shearer on Ocean Lake for crappie. A rented boat, after 3 AM trip to Ringold. rods, a piece of red cloth for bait and gunny sacks of huge crappie to be nailed to a board and de-scaled with a large knife. The Chironomid dirt floor of the garage would be sparkling tied by Rick Johnson with thousands of crappie scales.

Then, that summer, my mom took the family RICK’S BEAD-HEAD to Sheridan to visit her older brother Merle. He took my dad, me, and my cousin J.D. fishing in Little Goose Creek in the Big Horn Mountains. Rainbow trout in a cold, clear stream. Tumbling, rushing water, willows and overhanging trees everywhere, and the cold, beautiful, slippery trout. I was enchanted, excited, enthralled. I loved it. I loved the trout and everything about them. I never Thread: 8/0 red outgrew this love of trout. An addiction, a Hook: Scud hook, 6-14 lifelong passion providing endless hours of Ribbing: Brassie silver wire exciting moments engaging the wily and Abdomen: Red thread willing trout. I have never forgotten the Thorax: Peacock herl legacy of my Uncle Merle's gift of trout. Wingcase: White polypropylene Gills: End of wingcase Bead: Silver bead

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 7 of 10 Newsletter Editor’s Report – Ron Reed Board Meeting reported that he has received a few articles Minutes 23Feb2016 from members but would appreciate more. by Mike Wade He will issue the March newsletter in advance Call to order: 7:00 PM of the banquet.

Board Members Present: Ted Poston, Other Business – Dennis Collins, Ron Reed, Jim Loomis, Conservation Committee – Dennis John Strand, Dale Schielke, Jeff Drowley, Dauble reported that six members have Mike Wade, Rich Holten volunteered to be on the Conservation Committee. They are Ted Poston, Duane Visitors: Dennis Dauble Horton, Jim Loomis, Ron Reed, John Strand, and Marty Ottem. Dennis has started Secretary’s Report – Mike Wade contacting other organizations to see what presented the minutes from the January conservation projects they are involved with Board meeting. One spelling correction was and to gage their interest in having CBFC made and the minutes were approved. participate. The committee will meet in Treasurer’s Report – Jeff Drowley March to review and discuss project options presented the Treasurer’s Report and a and will make recommendations to the detailed analysis of the club’s income and Board. expenses for 2015 and for January, 2016. As Rocky Ford Outing – Ted Poston previously reported, club expenses exceeded reported that 25 people have signed up for income in 2015, but the principal contributor the Rocky Ford Outing to be held February was banquet speaker expense. The Board 27. He sent a reminder along with a recent had approved this cost in advance of the article from the Spokesman Review banquet last year, so this was not an issue. concerning the water flow changes at Rocky An additional contributor was an Ford. unrecognized increase in the cost of the Fly Tying at Sportsmans Warehouse – monthly dinner which has not been passed on Ted reported that there will be open fly tying to the attendees. Ted Poston and Jim Loomis at Sportsmans Warehouse on the 3rd will meet with Country Gentleman Thursday of each month, from 6-8 PM. Club management to discuss reducing the dinner members are welcome to attend. cost and will report back to the Board. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. VP Membership Report – Rich Holten reported that the club has 128 memberships, Respectfully submitted, Mike Wade, 93 of which have paid 2016 dues. Reminders Secretary will be published in the newsletter and will be sent to those who have not yet paid. The cutoff date is March 31.

Programs Report – Craig Anderson was absent but provided an email report. Banquet arrangements have been completed and 60 tickets have been sold as of February 20. Skip Morris will be the speaker at the banquet. For the club’s April meeting, Craig has lined up John Kreft of River Keeper Flies.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 8 of 10 After a short while we noticed little wiggly, greenish-brownish bugs attacking the paddles Red Flies and invading the canoe from below. I now know by Hyrum Taylor the miracle of the Damsel, but at that point in my addiction, I had no clue what was happening. My Dad is not a fisherman, but he took me However, we did notice that the fish were going fishing anyway until I got my Driver License. One nuts. There were some of the most memorable trips with Dad was on Nymphs the box of red flies that were about the Lenice Lake. In those early days I had only one same size as the bugs. So, we changed flies, fly box, but it was jam packed with killer flies. slowed our speed to match that of the Patterns from Bob Barnard, Marv Clements swimming thingies, and caught many, many fish. and Patrick’s Fly Shop Recipe Book. My Dad had If you look in my fly boxes, more than one box no faith in my flies because they were not red. now, you will find some red flies and traditional So as a gift or a joke, or maybe both, Dad flies with red worked into them somewhere. I am received a collection of Red Flies. sure if I looked long enough I could find some of those red flies tied forty-odd years ago. Two reproductions I recently tied for my steelhead fly boxes are shown below. The recipes are as best I can remember. Red Carey Special: Hooks — Mustad 9672 #8, 2x long 1x heavy hook. Thread — Red Nymo. You get bonus points if you know what that is, and double bonus points if you still have some. Tail — Golden Pheasant red breast stripped and tied in strands Rib — Gold Mylar probably small since I only had 1 spool back then Body — Raw wool that my Dad had carded and dyed red with Kool-Aid, or Jello, or some other bubbling caldron concoction Hackle — Golden Pheasant, red-breast feathers

RED CARY SPECIAL

After dragging the canoe to the lake, we strung our rods, and went for our fly boxes. After going through my bag, I discovered to my horror, that my fly box was missing. I left it on my fly- ROYAL COACHMAN NYMPH tying bench, which is a story in itself. How could a brilliant, 14 yr-old kid who tied flies for hours in a Harry Potter room under the stairs be so brain Royal Coachman Nymph: dead as to not pack his only fly box? Oh, the Hook — Pretty sure it was a Mustad 9671 #12, horror, the shame, the infamous eating of crow… 1xl 1xs I was forced to use Dad’s red flies. Thread — Pretty sure it was Red Nymo. If memory serves, we slowly trolled Red Tail — Golden Pheasant Tippets in strands Carey Specials along the ledge at the inlet. Rib — Probably very small copper wire reclaimed Trolling was how we fished together since neither from the innards of some old electric razor of us could cast. We caught fish; how many fish Body – Peacock with middle, red-floss joint and how big is a lost memory. It was simply Hackle – Big ugly brown trimmed top/bottom awesome.

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 9 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 Richland, WA 99352 2015 6,000 patterns

OTHER FISHING CLUBS Date: ______Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington Name______Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington that belong to the International Federation of Renewal, no change in address/phone/ Fly Fishers email

REGULATIONS Idaho Fishing Seasons & Rules Street Address:______City:______Oregon Fishing Regulations State: ______ZipCode:______Washington Fishing Regulations & Seasons Primary Phone: ______Washington Emergency Rule Updates Work Phone: ______FISHING INFORMATION Idaho Fish & Game Fishing Email:______Information

Oregon Fishing Resources and Name(s) of Family Member(s) or Business 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 wildlife issues. ANNUAL DUES:(Please Check One) Please make checks payable to CBFC River and stream data USGS current and historical data for Washington State. Family Membership ($25) 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 on conservation of marine resources. CCA’s digital file to editor 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 #______Membership Database updated:______Trout Unlimited

Columbia Basin Fly Casters March 2016 Newsletter Page 10 of 10