Newsletter of the Dallas Flyfishers u March 2019 Volume XLII u Number 3 u www.dallasflyfishers.org President’s Letter by Jack Janco, President, Dallas Fly Fishers

is what I do and this is the only thing I do. The day with a new fishing partner, introducing other day I was thinking about my the youth in your neighborhood to fly fishing, “Out of the Comfort Zone” comfort zone and said to myself… Jack do you or anything different! If you want to try For the“ Jpasat cskev’esra l Jyeoatrst iIn hgavse” probably realize what you have been missing? There something or someplace different there are been in a comfort zone with my fly fishing. are different waters, different species, many members of the Dallas Fly Fishers who What that means to me is: trout, high different seasons of the year, steamers, are there to help you out. Do not hesitate to mountain lakes, dry flies, moderate temper - nymphs, and they make fly rods in other than make use of the great talent, experience, atures, a 5 weight medium flex-9 foot long rod, 5 weight! The one thing I do not think I could wisdom and friendliness of our membership. weight forward floating line, furled leader, 5x compromise on though is my favorite fishing tippet and most likely an at the partner, Mary K. I have missed out on a lot of Another way you can broaden your comfort end of my line that I tied. The outing always fun by getting into and staying in my comfort zone is by volunteering to help out with our involves Mary K, who is my favorite fishing zone. club activities or attending an outing. Giving partner and wife. I love to fish for trout. On a of your time and talent is one of the most fishing trip with him a dear friend of mine, My message is please do not be like me. If you meaningful things you can contribute to our Malcolm Duke, said to me; “Jack..trout are keep doing what you feel most comfortable wonderful sport whether on the water or at the gentleman fish. You do not have to get up doing you probably will not enjoy the sport of bench. early in the morning to catch them. And also fly fishing to its maximum potential. This year I look forward to seeing you and me out of our remember that trout do not live in ugly I vow to expand my horizons and get out of my comfort zone. places.” How true I have found his words. comfort zone. If you are like me I urge you to change it up. Try saltwater, local waters, a fun — Ja c k Ja n co I will admit that I have found myself in this comfort zone that I have created for myself. I have to admit that for the past seven years this A Tribute to Frank Schneider by Jere Anderson IN THE MARCH ISSUE Jeff Ziehm posted the following Email: Jere came to know Frank when I took over as Page: Newsletter Editor in 1994. Frank was our Frank Schneider passed away last night, at age Treasurer, and as such had the most complete 1 President’s Letter 93. Frank was the last of the founding members lists of paid up members. He printed our mailing 1 A Tribute to Frank Schneider of the Dallas Fly Fishers. labels for me, since in those days we were snail 2 mailing the Newsletter. As we worked together, I DFF Board 2019 When I joined the club in the mid 90’s, Frank came to know and appreciate his impact on not 2 2019 Meeting Notes was just retiring as Treasurer Emeritus of the only the Dallas Flyfishers, but his impact on fly 3 March Volunteer Opportunities club. I believe he had been treasurer for over twenty years. DFF was founded around 1971 by fishing worldwide. 3 2019 Trout Stocking is About Over Frank Schneider, Joe Meier, Jim Cory, and 4 In the first half of the 1970’s as the Federation of 2019 Calendar Lionel Schultz. Jim died of cancer in the late 70s. Fly Fishers was just a fledgling group finding its 4 The Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival Joe left us last year. self, one of the impact players was Frank. The 5 The Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival Flyer Honoring Frank’s request no memorial services FFF was largely a coastal organization then, with 6 Fish Tales will be held. most of the USA in a gigantic swath of middle 6 The Conservation Corner America, known as the Midwest Council. This Frank, we will miss you. —Jeff huge and somewhat diverse Council had a 8 Education And Outreach Report (Continued on page 2) 10 Membership/Renewal Application 1 Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers DFF Board 2019 A Tribute to Frank Schneider (Continued from page 1) President Jack Janco C-214-542-1738 H-972-542-8692 President, and two Executive Vice Presidents. The EVP More locally, most of us in the Southern Council had a [email protected] for the Western half was Frank Schneider. At the Frank story. Tales of him like when he offered to drive Vice-President federation level, one of the Conservation Chairmen was a member from the Little Rock Airport to Mountain Al Hillman [email protected] Clem Fullerton, who then was from New York, but is a Home for the Southern Conclave. He had fished that Past President DFF member now. morning and he arrived at the Little Rock Airport after Peter Rea coming from Mountain Home still in his . 214-701-7585 Frank’s impact was also in part due to his wide travels as [email protected] Tales of him watching a fisherman flogging the water in a fly fisherman. He was instrumental in getting a lodge Treasurer places like the White River to no avail were many. But Steve Jackson in Argentina to be a member of the FFF, and that lodge he would just wade in and correct the fisherman’s [email protected] may have become one of the first truly international Secretary presentation, after which the lucky recipient of his members. He was the FFF International Representative Jim Woodman advice would begin to catch fish. It was well known in [email protected] into the 1990’s. the club that Frank knew all the water within a day’s Trustee 2019 drive so well that his advice was almost a guarantee of Barry Webster As a DFF member, Frank previously had our success. [email protected] membership directory printed in a little booklet. On the Trustee 2020 Jay Garrett back page were a list of many destinations world-wide. It is not possible to describe the impact Frank’s life had 903-217-6165 Under each of these would be DFF member names that on most of us, nor would we ever be able to explain how [email protected] you could call for information about fishing in that great a man we knew him to be. From our club to the Trustee 2021 location. It was interesting to me that virtually every one International FFF, he was highly respected and a huge Steven Pirtle [email protected] of the locations, both near and far, listed Frank as a contributor of time and expertise. Trustee At Large knowledge source. Via Con Dios, Frank. William McAlpine 214-773-4716 [email protected] Membership Mike Becker [email protected] 2019 Meeting Notes Instructor Greg Herring March Meeting Speaker is The May Meeting Speaker is Capt. [email protected] Adam Pennington Jeff of Fly Fish Rockport Conservation Jere Anderson 972-618-6714 Adam Pennington is a professional guide that resides in Located in our coastal bend area, Rockport has a great [email protected] South Missouri. He has been guiding for a year and half location. Capt. Jeff had guided in Central Washington Outreach Julia Bell preceded by several years of experience in Fisheries before moving his business to Rockport. They have a great [email protected] Education Coordinator management. He is now a full time guide on Taneycomo web site at https://www.flyfishrockport.com/about/ Richard Johnson and spends his summer working for Sun Valley Outfitters which will make you want to go there. Good stories and 469-877-0695 [email protected] in Ketchum, Idaho. When he’s not fishing you can bet he’s great pictures on the web site. Newsletter Editor sitting in front of his vice tying flies where he developed a The June Meeting Speaker is Cole Jere Anderson 972-618-6714 stonefly pattern that he has had much success with in of the San Juan Angler [email protected] western states and will be sharing with you in our March Outings Located in Durango CO they are right in the middle of a lot Kevin Crawford meeting. of great and famous water. Their web page at 310-625-4927 The April Meeting Speaker is [email protected] http://thesanjuanangler.com/index.html tells it all. Lots Johnny Martinez Steve Galletta [email protected] of options and lots of action. HIs exact presentation subject IT Specialist Steve Galletta has fished and guided on the Bighorn River is not yet available, but Jere has fished with them, and Jeff Ziehm 214-202-2826 for over fifteen years. He is the co-owner/outfitter of the anything they put together should be a great program. [email protected] Bighorn Angler Fly Shop & Lodge and is on the board of the Auction Chairman — F in ny Kh a n Finny Khan Bighorn River Alliance. He lives in Fort Smith, Montana. Program Chairman, [email protected] Dallas FlyFisher Programs More here: http://bighornangler.com Finny Khan [email protected]

Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 2 March Volunteer Opportunities

We do public service demonstrations of fly-fishing Monday, March 11th, and Tuesday March April 6th - The Saturday part of the Lake Athens Fly skills for many other people’s events like the Trophy 12th - The spring break Dallas Baptist University Fishing Festival will have lots of fish to catch, but if Club back to nature event. And how can we commit Outdoor Experiences Class. Monday is in the you are not fishing, come on down anyway and to so many and such big events? Because we can classroom in South Dallas, and Tuesday will be fly have fun. If you want to Fly Tie with some of the count on all of you, the members, to support this fishing the TFFC in Athens, Texas. Unless it is a very best, Jere is coordinating the fly tiers. Contact Jere level of activity with your time and materials. We early spring there will still be good trout fishing. at 972-618-6714 or E-mail to him to be a fly tier at are very proud of you all. The TP&WD recognizes our this great event. There is a full schedule of the fun March 19th - Stephenville H.S. Students fish at the commitment when almost half the DFF members in this news letter. Athens fisheries center. Volunteers are needed to that turn in their volunteer time are in the 100 help the kids catch a fish. Please call Richard at 469- May 11th - The basic Fly Fishing Certificate Class at hours plus club. We contribute a lot to Fly Fishing 877-0695 to volunteer. the Rosemead Recreation Center. Certified Angler and the goals of the FFI to be a public-spirited force Education Instructors and other volunteers needed. Thank You so very much. for good. March 23rd - BSA Circle 10 Merit Badge event at Contact Richard at 469-877-0695. the Fresh Water Fisheries Center in Athens. We have a busy Spring volunteer calendar. Please Volunteers are needed for this all-day event. Call Bill June 1st - Carrollton kid fish day. Come help the review these dates and let Richard Johnson know if Slaughter at cell 972-342-9630 to volunteer. kids catch a fish on conventional gear or show them you can help out. how to do it on a fly rod. This is a City of Carrollton March 30th - Trophy Club back to nature event. event that we will help out in the morning. Call Saturday, March 2nd, we will be teaching the This is a lot of fun for the family with pony rides and Richard at cell 469-877-0695 to volunteer. This will Basic Fly Fishing Certificate at the Coppell other kid friendly events. Volunteers are needed for be a good event to bring a young family member to Biodiversity Center, in Coppell, TX. This is a really casting demonstrations, fly tying, and back yard and is the Texas Free Fish Day.. great conservation site, and you need to visit it once bass. call Richard at 469-877-0695 or Al Hillman at whether you teach or attend the class. cell 972-302-6451 to volunteer. 2019 Trout Stocking is About Over by Jim Crump Texas Parks and Wildlife trout stocking is ending with final stockings for the season being recently done or about to be done in the coming days. If you haven’t had your shot at catching some trout near home this winter, you still can. Here are the near locations which should hold trout based on the trout stocking schedule.

Ablon Park in Garland - Stocking date 3/3

Kidd Springs in Dallas - Stocking date 2/19

LLELA Lewisville tailwater - Stocking date 2/25

Mesquite City Lake in Mesquite - Stocking date 2/22

Towne Lake in McKinney - Stocking date 2/24

Waterloo Lake Pond in Denison - Stocking date 2/24

South Lakes Park Pond in Denton - Stocking date 3/8

An update says that the Paluxy River near Glen Rose has been added as a new site and will be stocked with 1000 rainbows on 3/2.

These dates are subject to change so check TP&WD trout stocking on their website before you go. Note that the website offers the capability to receive updates by text or email.

Git ‘um while they last.

3 Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 2019 C ALENDAR :

March 2nd – Coppell Biodiversity Center basic fly fishing class. April 27th – A chance to fly fish the private water on Jeff Gannon’s Ranch.

March 4th – The March Meeting of the DFF. Our speaker is Adam Pennington April 28th – May 2nd White River Outing, cal the Fly Fishing Supervisor at Dogwood Canyon. Mike Becker [email protected] for details.

March 9th – TRWD Flyfest, a great event in Fort Worth on the Trinity. May 3rd, 4th – The Smallmouth Rendezvous in March 11th – 12th The Dallas Baptist University Spring Break Outdoor Tahlequah, OK Experiences Class. May 6th – The May Meeting of the Dallas Flyfishers. March 19th – Stephenville H.S. students fish at the Athens fisheries center. Our speaker is Captain Jeff Johnson, the head guide March 23rd – BSA Circle 10 Merit Badge Event at the TFFC. A great chance to at Fly Fish Rockport. help some scouts. May 11th – Basic Fly Fishing Class, Rosemeade Recreation Center, Carrolton.

March 23rd – 24th Texas Fly Fishing and Brew May 25th – 10th annual world championship bass on the fly fishing tournament. Festival, in the Plano Center. lake fork, Texas, USA at lake fork marina, from 6:00am- 2:00pm. rods, reels and flies must be exclusively for fly fishing. this is a catch-photo-release tournament.

June 1st – Carrollton kid fish day. Come help the kids catch a fish on March 28th – 30th The Sowbug Roundup in Mountain conventional gear or show them how to do it on a fly rod. This is a City of Home, AR at the Baxter County Fairgrounds. The best Carrollton event that we will help out in the morning. fly tying show and tell in the South. June 3rd – The June Meeting of the Dallas Flyfishers will feature Cole Glenn of the San Juan Angler.

March 30th – Trophy Club back to nature event. This is a lot of fun for the June 14th-16th – Texas Angler Education Area Chiefs Meeting at the TFFC. family with pony rides and other kid friendly events. July 1st – The July Meeting of the Dallas Flyfishers April 1st – The April Meeting of the Dallas Flyfishers. Our speaker is Steve Galletta who has fished and guided on the Bighorn River for over fifteen years. July 20th-27th – The DFF/FWFF Colorado Outing and Mountain Trout Trip.

April 5th, 6th – The Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival. July 23-27 – FFI Fly Fishing Fair and Fishfest, Bozeman, MT. The Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival by Johnny Martinez

Hello Dallas Fly Fishers. First, I would like to extend an invitation to the raised and donated over $4200.00, and with your support we hope to 5th Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival on April 5th and 6th. I hope you will exceed that this year. come out to enjoy and support this great event. I would like to share a little about the history of this event. Over the years our activities and attendance has grown. The Competitions, which I call the Challenges, have been fun and sporty. In 2016 we had a In 2015 I proposed a fish outing on Lake Athens. Doctor Lou Montanaro two-way tie in the Big Bass longest stringer challenge between Janet Baca and I had been coming out here to fish it regularly and found it to be a fun and Kimberly Penick with each landing and reporting 5 fish. The tie was and productive fishery. The first year was a simple event, we hired Danny's broken by total inches in which Kimberly won by 4 inches. BBQ for lunch, sent out a few emails and TFO donated us a one rod of choice certificate and some of the very well-known TFO caps. We had Over the last two years the Kayak division has dominated and taken most around forty anglers come out from the Ft. Worth, Tyler and Dallas Clubs. of the big prizes with Lee Kodat from the Lonestar fly Fisher winning the The Lake authority let us use the patio of the Marina restaurant as the longest stringer in 2017 and 2018 along with Biggest over all bass in 2018. business was closed. By the third year we had gain support from some of the metroplex area Outfitter fly shops, a few of the local Athens businesses The Tiers. Over the last three years Jere Anderson, Dutch Baughman and and support from several of the other Fly Fishing Clubs. Sue Spangler have helped grow the tiers round table (we really have round tables) and last year we had over 30 fly tiers. I invite and hope that you Having gained some success, I thought we should do something beneficial will join and support us this year for the biggest and best LAFFF 2019 with this fun event. During 2015 - 2016 Johnny Walker from Lake Fork Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival. had asked me to help as a boat Captain for a few of the Healing Waters weekends. So as an Angler and a Patriot I found it a natural fit, so we Tight lines adopted this worthy cause as our benefit. Over the last two years we have Johnnyonthefly.com / [email protected] / 972 697 7096

Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 4 Lake lake LAFFF 2019 Lake Athens Fly Fishing

Festival

Schedule of Events

Friday 5th

3pm registration

5-7pm Sunfish Challenge (free)

TH th 7pm Dinner LAKE ATHENS FLY FISHING FESTIVAL APRIL 5 & 6 at Lake Athens 7:45 TFOs Banning Collins LAFFF 2019 Marina/RV center 8:15 How I Would Fish It. Join us for the 5th Annual Lake Athens Fly Fishing Festival Johnny Martinez Benefitting Saturday 6th

5:30am Registration

6:30am Anglers meeting Featuring two Fly Fishing Challenges*Sunfish Challenge* Big Bass Challenge*Fly Tying round table*Tying Demos*Casting Instruction* Casting Contest* Great 7am -1pm Big Bass Prizes*Great food*Great friends* Fun for the Whole Family Challenge - benefitting Healing Waters. Event is free to attend but you must RSVP and pre- register and pre- pay $40 Entry fee to Fish the Big Bass Challenge at johnnyonthefly.com 7am-1pm Fly tiers round table Boat and small watercraft divisions. Casting instruction 100% on entry fees and donations will be donated to Healing Waters. throughout weekend

First 50 registrations for Big Bass Challenge get a swag goodie bag and Event Tee. upon request.

2pm Luncheon at TFFC Hart-Morris Conservation Center.

3pm Casting Contest at TFFC.

4:30pm Awards and closing presentations.

Register at Johnnyonthefly.com

For more info contact

Johnny Martinez

972 697 7096

5 Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers

Fish Tales by Finny Khan

Landon Mayer’s new book “The Hunt for Giant MO) are within a 6-7 hour drive from right here the last one. So, I make a few casts and on the Trout” hit the bookshelves a couple months in Dallas. One of our Club Members Finny Khan third cast the brown takes my Chamois Fly and back. It is a bucket list of top destinations in the who is also the Auction & Club Programs the fight was on. After a short fight, we bring the US for trophy trout, featuring interviews with Chairman is featured on page 123 of Landon’s fish to the net and surely it was bigger than the local guides, and details of water systems from new book, holding a beautiful 29” Brown Trout. last at a whopping 29” with 17.5” Girth. I was in Alaska to Maine, revealing what makes each complete shock and my adrenaline was pumping unique. It also details where, when, and how to Finny still remembers the day when he caught at faster rate than I could process what was going fish; and what flies to use, as well as how to tie that fish (back in 2015) with Taneycomo Local on, did this just really happen? Wow, two big the patterns. With essential advice and tips from Guide Chuck Gries, who owns and operates trophies to my name, but it doesn’t stop here… local experts such as Pat Dorsey (CO), John ‘Anglers Outfitters’ the oldest Fly shop in We decide to go downstream and try a different Miller (PA), Phil Tereyla (CO), Nanci Morris Branson. Finny describes that day: area, so Chuck spots another fish that was a bit Lyon (AK), and Chuck Gries (MO). I would farther out, I made two casts to him and bam the advise everyone to get a copy of this book as it is I have been fishing Taney for about 2 years and fish takes my fly and heads down stream. When a great read! never had went out with a Guide and heard a lot we got the fish to the net it was just shy of 26”. of big fish stories about Chuck. It wasn’t until We caught a few more fish after that and one day I was fishing and had a casual eventually ended the day with three trophies conversation with Chuck while he was passing 29”, 27½” & 26” all to my name within a 4-hour by with some clients. During that time I window. That day just seems like yesterday, with managed to land a nice 26” brown on my own great memories that I will always remember. with just a few tips he gave me on fly presentation and timing of hookset. From then, I knew that I had to fish with Chuck, so I booked a half day with him for next week.

We start fishing around 1pm and about 30 minutes later they turn the water on which pushes the fish closer to the banks. Chuck immediately spots a nice brown and tells me where to cast, after a few casts I made the right drift and the fish takes my fly and the fight was on. After a lot of runs up & down stream, we get the fish to the net & it measures out to be 27.5”, clearly the largest trout I had ever caught on a fly rod till now. We took two quick photos & Finny’s Brown Trout that is featured on released the fish in good health and continued It’s amazing to know that two destinations from Page 123 of Landon Mayer’s his book (White River, AR & Lake Taneycomo, fishing. It wasn’t long before Chuck spotted “The hunt for Giant Trout” another big one saying that it looks bigger than The Conservation Corner by Jere Anderson The Grand Daddy of all conservation events Capitals of the major nations of the world. What environmental understanding and resource IMO might just be Earth Day. When it first we needed was a single point on the end of a conservation? We had Arbor Day. Arbor Day happened on Arbor Day April 22nd in 1970, it very large spear. As our national motto states, originated in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton. had huge impact. Up to that time we had lots of “E Pluribus Unum, Out of many, one”. Birdsey Northrop of Connecticut globalized it in individual groups doing lots of great work. 1883 on a trip to Japan. The American Forestry Each of these causes were important, but our We had some huge environmental problems at Association assigned Northrop to campaign for impact was fractured by having no central the time. They were so big and so obvious that Arbor Day nationwide that same year. Arbor focus. As good and important as these the late-night humor shows like Johnny Day is observed in the Spring, but dates vary individual efforts were, they did not move the Carson’s Tonight Show made them a running depending on the region's climate and planting needle of public opinion enough to get the joke. So how could we have a landmark day of season. It is a holiday to encourage people to attention of the entrenched interests in the the year, dedicated to the fellowship of plant and care for trees. (Continued on page 7) Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 6 The Conservation Corner (Continued from page 6)

Somehow this just wasn’t making it. We needed is one tree for every man, woman, and child on more widespread since the Blue Marble picture another day, and good organization. We needed the planet. What is the point of planting trees? was taken. So, what happened? Quite simply, an Earth Day. So what would it be, and how If you are one of the folks that believe the due to better growing conditions from the would we sell the idea? Peace activist, John carbon content of the atmosphere is a danger to climate change, more of the planet is suitable McConnell proposed the day of March 21, 1970, the inhabitants of Third Rock, the most for plant life. More plants mean more food for the first day of spring, to honor the earth and the practical way of getting that atmospheric carbon the planet’s growing population without concept of peace. The date changed to April 22, back into the environment as biological carbon resorting to strange and possibly harmful 1970 and was celebrated much like a is trees. Plants in general absorb CO2 and turn hybridization. With more plants, more of the Woodstock which was just a year earlier, but it into carbohydrates, or plant fibers. Is this dreaded CO2 is converted into biological with more speech’s mixed in with the music. Of working?? Well, let’s consider the evidence. carbon by trees and things you find in the all the issues we had, the organizers chose a Big When we went to the moon in the 1960’s, this produce section of grocery stores. Three; 1) Air pollution symbolized by the Los very beautiful picture of our home planet Angeles Smog problems, 2) Water pollution became one of its signature accomplishments. symbolized by a river in Ohio that was so loaded It is known as the Blue Marble. with bacterial waste that the methane given off by the organic matter could be lit with a match, and 3) Climate Change, which at the time was the fear of a coming ice age due to the sharp drop in global temperature that occurred from about 1936 to the 1970’s. The impact of this event led to the Clean Air Act, The Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency. Not a bad start.

By 1990 Earth Day was taken international and grew to the point where today more than 192 nations celebrate Earth Day. Worldwide events are held to support environmental protection. Earth Day is globally coordinated by the Earth Note that there is a lot of brown showing. In Day Network. Activities might include lectures, fact, except for the tropical jungle along the learning time in schools and universities, Amazon Basin in Brazil, there is a lot of room So how does that fit into Earth Day? It doesn’t peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes for more plant growth. What promotes plant matter to nature if you do or do not buy that CO2 focusing on a key issue like the benefits of growth? What do plants need? Besides is the control knob on the thousands of recycling. suitable soil, they need warmth, water and CO2. processes in nature. It doesn’t matter to nature What are the Climate Change believers telling that one variable is seen to override all the other In Texas we have the organization known as us are the dangers we will be facing? Rising processes, some of which make us warmer and Earth Day Texas. Founded in 2011 by Dallas- temperatures, increased storms and rainfall, some of which make us cooler. What matters is based environmentalist & businessman and rising CO2. Sounds great to the gardener in that we repair the damage done to the wonderful Trammell S. Crow, it has grown and has renamed me. So are we planning on planting 7 Billion balance of nature that so many of us love and https://earthx.org/ itself. It is online as and trees in the face of improving conditions for admire. Conservationists are needed to slow the as a Facebook page as well. A huge annual plant life? Well, it isn’t totally that simple, but rapid extinction of natural species. We are event in Fair Park in Dallas is organized and it is not too farfetched to answer YES…. How needed to conserve nature where it is still good, promoted by this group. The Texas Council of is this related to the currently perceived issues repair it where it is damaged and to restore it the FFI was there for two years at the huge event of Climate Change? It is a solution. One big where it is damaged beyond most of our in Fair Park when I was the Conservation issue is to create less atmospheric carbon expectation of its ability to recover without help. Officer. While we no longer have a booth, I and/or to sweep the stuff we already have out of I DO caution us in doubting the resilience of really recommend this event to you. It is the atmosphere. nature. Too many times cosmic events like free, though parking is $10 on the grounds of meteor hits, ice ages, volcanoes and lessor fair park. Here is a more recent picture put together by catastrophes have happened to the planet, and NASA, our National Aeronautics and Space the miraculous ability of the environment to In 2016 Earth Day International had a goal of Administration, who manage our space recover and take a “do over” is a real-life story planting 7 Billion Trees by the time of the program. It shows that plant life is quite a bit that keeps happening. fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day in 2020. That (Continued on page 8) 7 Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers The Conservation Corner (Continued from page 7)

None the less, we need to do our part in taking than would be expected from the fossil record, huge damage to our streams from the flooding care of the great outdoors. This year the theme highlighting the need for effective conservation events in the last five years. These are of Earth Day is species preservation. Science measures. opportunities to get involved and help with characterizes mass extinctions as times when these projects. Even if you just take one of our the Earth loses more than three-quarters of its Here in Texas we are already several decades yellow bags and be sure to haul out garbage you species in a geologically short interval, as has into projects to protect our unique species. Our find left by thoughtless users of our outdoors, happened only five times in the past 540 million state fish, the Guadeloupe Bass, has been you are helping. years or so. Biologists now suggest that a sixth brought back to a sustainable population in mass extinction may be under way, given the many of our Hill Country Streams. This is part Best wishes for a Springtime full of great fish known species losses over the past few of a larger Black Bass Initiative in the Southern and relaxing times in our Texas Outdoors. centuries and millennia. Modern studies States to preserve about a dozen unique strains Tight lines and big fish… confirm that current extinction rates are higher of this great fly rod fish. We have also sustained — J er e Education And Outreach Report by Jere Anderson

February decided to This the bigger picture, probably early since We did get a really great group of fly tiers, 22 let us know that the spectators are not present. of the best, but had a lot fewer spectators than winter is real this usual. In any case, here are the fly tiers. This year. While we had group is the Roadkill Roundtable corner with few really cold days, two Cabela’s tiers setting up. it as been hard to get outside a lot of the time. However, some good events occurred in spite of nature taking a break from our usual mild climate.

The Dr. Ed Rizzolo Fly Tying Festival in Houston was well attended. While I was busy with our 56th Anniversary, and felt it was not And then came the 20th Fly Fish Texas held wise to take the time off, many of our club at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in supported this event. Here is Jerry Hamon, Athens. A huge number of trout were freshly DFFer at large and Texas Council President stocked in the Lake Zebco water, and a really making his presence known. Great job, Mr. big event was built. This show was started in President. 2000 by Ginger Knight of the TFFC with The Bell Family, always a great hit. encouragement of the presidents of five fly fishing clubs in the area. Walter McClendon and Jere are the only two of the original group still active, but a great group of new leaders are keeping it going, and with the help of TP&WD are helping to improve it. In any case it is more fun than ought to be legal.

The big problem was that we did not draw the Bob and Sue Spangler hard at work. crowds we used to. A different date in a different month with no free publicity in the DMN didn’t help. The general public is not reached by the TPWD web site as well as we might hope. In any case we had more people teaching the Fly Fishing Certificate at the Fly Fishing Pond than there were taking the lessons. Here are some pictures;

(Continued on page 9) Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 8 Education And Outreach Report (Continued from page 8)

Two tiers from the Pineywoods Club. We And this stalwart group braved the somewhat used to have a joint outing with then at Purits cold and light rain to share our skills with the Creek State Park that I really liked. public. Great job, you all deserve the Presidential Unit Citation for bravery in the face of nature, a much more powerful adversary.

The FFI Texas Council booth manned by Russ Husted.

The Cabela’s tiers of Peter Rea, Dave Smith, Jere, Neil Stabb and J R Reynolds.

Another great event in February was the GRTU Troutfest. I hate not getting to this one yet. On the GRTU web site they state;

GRTU’s Troutfest Texas is the largest event of its kind in Texas and brings out a crowd of over 3,000 people interested in fly fishing and preserving and protecting cold water fisheries. The event is hosted by the Guadalupe River And they fed us. A fairly good BBQ outfit Chapter of , the largest TU catered the lunch. Then at the back of the Center, Richard chapter in the country with over 5,500 Johnson and the assembled multitudes of the members at Lazy L&L Campgrounds. DFF taught two cycles of the Fly Fishing Certificate. They did not get as many students As I write this the event is still going on, but as usual, but those that did come got a lot of their Facebook page covers it very well. I high quality attention. Here is Zoe teaching have a policy of not using pictures even from pond life to the crowd. the web without some permission, but I doubt that they would mind if we did.

Our favorite gal, Keira catching a very good Our calendar looks totally insane for the first Sunfish, and then doing the bug picking quarter of 2019, and so I need to have you pay demonstration. attention to your calendar page in this newsletter. There are 14 events from the first of January to the Lake Athens Fishing Contest the first of April. In this newsletter is an article by Johnny about the LAFFF event. Please sign-up soon, either to fish or fly tie at the event. It is too much fun to miss. Last year nature conspired against us, and the fishing was cut off early as a matter of safety. But we went inside at the TFFC and had fun and good food anyway. So Plan B in case of major Climate Change event is in place. (Continued on page10) 9 Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers Education And Outreach Report (Continued from page 9)

Check our Volunteer Page for opportunities to Roundtable in the Grapevine Bass Pro, and help spread the word about the great outdoors the Orvis fly tying in North Dallas. All of and fly fishing. There are plenty of them. these deserve your attention, and they are fun. Spring topwater season is taking off, so hit the I will be trying to tie my Gold Award flies this water. This is the best season and the best spring, so I will need a lot of hints and help. reason to be a Texan. Best wishes for big fish and Write me an article or two about your huge So, between fishing adventures, rest up and go lots of them….. fly tying at the three big tying venues; successes. Renew your dues. I hope you all Cabela’s in Allen, TX, The Roadkill have great fishing year. — J er e

To Join DFF, complete the form below and mail along with your check to: Dallas Fly Fishers 8349 Club Meadows Dr. Dallas, Tx 75243 You can also join or renew online at http://www.dallasflyfishers.org/membership.html MEMBERSHIP / R ENEWAL

New Member o or Renewing My Membership o (Check one) Date ______

Name:______Spouse’s name:______

E-mail address: ______

Home phone:______Work: ______Cell: ______

Address: ______

City: ______State:______Zip Code: ______

Are you a current member of the Federation of Fly Fishers? Yes o No o (check one)

New Members: Renewing Members:

Annual membership dues: $36 per year Annual membership dues: $36 per year After July 1st, pay $18 for half year After Oct 1st, just pay for the following year

Newsletter of the Dallas Fly Fishers 10