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June 2016

2016 OFFICERS President-Ted Poston (509) 438-0531 tmpkap29@charter.net First VP-Membership: Rich Holten Second VP-Programs: Craig Anderson Treasurer: Jeff Drowley Secretary: Mike Wade Directors at large: Dale Schielke John Strand Dennis Collins Newsletter Editor: Ron Reed Past President: Jim Loomis

MEETINGS Second Tuesday of every month except March, July, and August at Country Gentlemen 9221 W Clearwater Kennewick, WA 6p -Wet Fly-no host 6:30p -Dinner-$15 7:15p -Program - free

MEMBERSHIP DUES $25/yr Indiv&Family $35/yr Business To change address or phone number contact Rich Holten: (509) 521-4291 rpba@charter.net

CBFC CLUB WEBSITE

DID YOU KNOW We need your fishing

trip reports, & favorite fly articles. Please send them to

the editor.

CLUB PURPOSE: To promote fly fishing, to conserve regional fishing resources, and to encourage friendship and cooperation among all anglers. NEXT MEETING: 14June at Country Gentlemen in Kennewick. Starts 6p PROGRAM: Christmas Island. What kind of fish can put this much bend in an 8-weight salt water rod? Our speaker is Mike Wade, the CBFC Club Secretary. He will tell us about the bend when he reports on his recent fly fishing trip to Christmas Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Christmas Island is renowned for bonefish; but, there are over 20 other species of fish that can be caught on a fly in this tropical destination. Come to the meeting and learn about Christmas Island, how to get there, what gear to take, and how to be successful stalking “the ghosts of the flats.”

UPCOMING FISHING EVENTS Jun 23 Fly tying @ Sportsman’s 6p Jul 29-30 Salmon Booth @ Art Show Aug 4-7 Club outing-Lochsa River Aug 9 Annual Club Picnic Sep 8-11 Club outing-Anthony Lakes

President’s Cast by Ted Poston

Summer is upon us and it is time to fish. June marks our last regular scheduled meeting until September; but, there are plenty of things to do.

I encourage you to volunteer for the Salmon booth at the Sidewalk Art Show in July. Dale Schielke is hosting our annual summer picnic in August.

Speaking on behalf of the Club Board of Directors, one of our prime objectives is to promote fly fishing. We are always looking for ways to involve members, and we sponsor several outings each year to that end. One of the problems with fly fishing is that it is not conducive to large crowds in many instances, particularly on streams. We try to circumvent or minimize crowded conditions by scheduling outings at lakes or larger river systems. We currently have outings scheduled at the Locsha River, ID, in August and at Anthony Lakes, OR, in September; other trips are under consideration.

These outings are one of the best ways to get involved with the club and meet potential fishing buddies. If you are new to the club, I encourage you to participate in Club functions. Better yet, if you are going fishing, invite another Club member along. It took me several years to get involved. A close friend who is also a member of the Club was instrumental in helping me get involved. Now, I have many fishing friends because of my participation in the Club… but I still don’t get out often enough.

If you have an idea or a concern about the Club, please feel free to tell me or any other board member. Our job is to make this Club successful in pursuit of its mission; and we can’t do that without your input and participation.

Shearer’s Penny Brite Midge

!

Thread: Copper wire and red 6/0 thread Hook: Midge hook, 16-22 Ribbing: Small copper wire Abdomen: Red flexi-floss, tied-in near

thorax, wrapped backward into bend of hook, wrapped back to thorax, and tied-off.

Thorax: Peacock herl Wing: Polypropylene fibers Wing case: Turkey fibers

Originator: Jim Shearer

Walla2 Eighth Annual Fly-Fishing Fair

Saturday, 18 June 2016. Starts at 11a at Waterbrook Winery, 10518 W., Highway 12, Walla Walla, WA. [Editor’s note: I went to the event last year. Excellent, informative, and informal event with free casting instruction on the private, catch-and-release Winery pond. The event is a nice Saturday outing for couples, with opportunity to taste some Waterbrook wine, and meet some members of our fellow fly-fishing club from Walla Walla.] Check out these links for more info: Walla Walla Fly-Fishing Fair

Waterbrook Website:-fly-fishing-fair

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Places to Fish by Ron Reed

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Cutthroat Trout & Mountain Whitefish: Fish Creek Tributary to Locsha River, ID

Craig Anderson

Cutthroat & Rainbow Trout: St. Joe River, ID

Gary Roberts

Steelhead: Snake River at Lyons Ferry

Sturgeon: Columbia River near Crow Butte

Pan fish: Thompson Seep

Cutthroat, Rainbow, & Bull Trout: South Fork Walla Walla River, OR

Bass: Columbia River Slough near Finley

Physics Lessons with Larry & Mike

by Mike McWethy Larry and I were fishing the aquarium at Dry Falls during a club outing many years ago. We anchored up both ends of Larry’s boat in a cross wind and cast midge emergers downwind. Larry was giving me another lesson, as usual, on hooking and landing rainbows on 6X tippet while I was practicing tying on new flies after repeated break offs. Larry was sitting on his cooler on the back seat, as usual, getting a good view of the cruisers. He had his head down retying a fly, when a gust of wind blew a Snickers wrapper over the side. I warned Larry that I was reaching for it as I leaned way out and picked it up. Physics lesson #1: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. My center of gravity moved maybe a foot outboard, which moved the boat a foot the other way. Lesson #2: Larry’s point of support, the cooler, suddenly moved a foot, out from under his center of gravity. He is now falling backwards off his center. Meanwhile, having grabbed the candy wrapper, I sit back up, moving my center of gravity back to its original position. This also moves the cooler back to its position. Since Larry is now falling off, the cooler gives him a swift kick in the butt. He is propelled backwards into a perfect backflip, landing on his feet in two feet of water, not even getting his shirt wet! I’m stunned and laugh nervously. Then follow shouts and laughs from several members of the club. Larry is not a happy camper, but takes it good-naturedly. A fellow in the closest float tube congratulated Larry on his water landing. We find out a week later that he is the speaker at the next Club meeting. He calls Larry up to the front and presents him a pair of kid’s water-wings, presumably in case Larry tries that backflip in deeper water.

Thus was born the ‘Water Wings’ award at the annual banquet. It has since morphed into the Smashed Hackle award. A couple of years later, again at Dry Falls, I’m in a float tube and Larry is in his johnboat. After a shore lunch, I go out with Larry to take more fishing lessons at the aquarium. I wisely leave my waders on; I’m no dummy. This time I’m in back, sitting crosswise on the back seat - no cooler for me. I have my head down tying on a fly when the boat moves out from under me, throwing me backward. I feel the gunnel in the small of my back and hear water running into the boat. Just as suddenly, the boat moved back under me, and I’m sitting up again, as a gallon of water runs down my back and soaks my socks. I had gone over backward enough to dip the top of my waders under water. Larry had this odd smile and puts his hands up, like ’It wasn’t me!’ Yeah, right, revenge is sweet.

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DISCLAIMER The opinions or endorsements of products or services expressed or

implied in this Newsletter are solely the responsibility of the author, or the Editor

if no author is listed; and do not necessarily reflect the

consensus of CBFC members.

Likewise, website links are only for reader convenience and information.

KNOW ANY PROSPECTIVE CBFC MEMBERS?

Please forward a copy of this newsletter to them, and bring them to the next meeting.

tight lines and BIG fish.Ron Reed, Newsletter Editor

Kid’s Outdoor Experience

by Dale Schielke

A number of volunteers from the CBFC assisted and mentored anglers at the Columbia Park

Pond. The event started Friday evening on May 6th for Special Needs people. Kids, aged 5 - 14 fished on May 7th. The event is organized by local non-profit group Kids Outdoor Experience (KOE) along with the help from numerous organizations, like CBFC and local businesses.

WDFW rears and releases over 6,000 trout with well over half being jumbos at 1.5 pounds or more. Numerous fish were tagged for over 200 special prizes for the lucky anglers that caught one during the event. This year there were 195 special needs anglers and 815 kids on 4 flights on Saturday. Each participant receives a new fishing rod and reel plus assistance as needed from the army of volunteers in an attempt to assure they have a positive experience. For many participants, if not most, this is a first time fishing adventure. A big thanks to all who volunteered.

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FRED RIEDEL, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW JACKIE RIEDEL, AND GRAND DAUGHTER CHLOE

JACQUES YOUNG WITH TAGGED FISH AND HIS PRIZE, A FLASHLIGHT

Lochsa Club Outing by Rod Gilge

The Lochsa outing is Aug 4-7. Expect good dry fly action for westslope cutthroat (Oncohynchus clarki lewisi) and great camaraderie at the potluck and campfire. See April CBFC Newsletter for details about camping and reservations. The weather may be hot. It is a long drive, about 253 mi. Here are some possible options to break up the drive: The Country Cupboard at 330 E. Main Street in Dayton has a great bakery. Idaho licenses are available at the Black Sheep Sporting Goods at 1701 Main Street in Lewiston. If you need any tackle, the North 40 Fly Shop at 2981 Thain Road in the Lewiston Orchards is a relatively new, well-stocked shop. It is up 21st Street at the old Wall-Mart location. If you like BBQ, the Lunch Box Deli and BBQ at 602 20th Street North in North Lewiston is a fun place to stop. For spey casters, a stop at the Red Shed at 20652 Big Canyon Road just off Highway 12 near Peck could be in order. They claim to have one of the largest selections of spey rods and spey gear in the west. The Hearthstone Restaurant and Bakery at 502 Main Street in Kamiah is a good lunch option. If you are looking for some things to do besides fishing, you could visit the Lochsa Historic Ranger Station which is near Wilderness Gateway Campground, or take a short hike to the Jerry Johnson Hot Springs at milepost 152 ½. (A word of caution: the hot springs is not a developed area and some consider it a clothing optional area.) Another option is to fish your way up to the Lochsa Lodge near milepost 163, have a nice relaxed lunch and fish your way back to the campground. If you have any questions about the outing you can contact Craig Anderson at 378-7849 or Rod Gilge at 585-0747.

For Sale Lazy Susan rack for fly-tying stuff. Sorry…stuff not included. $75, of which $25 will be donated to the CBFC. Call Stan Haff (509) 438-8602

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Going Fishing Guide Service Bruce HewittWashington and USCG licensed and insuredBurbank, WA 99323 509-430-6448

Fishing eastern WA rivers and reservoirs for salmon, steelhead, trout, walleye and sturgeon.

Rod-Building Class by Dan Robertson

The 2016 rod-building class is in the books.

This year we had nine folks building fly rods. No spey rods were wrapped this year, but

several fly casters focused on specialty, single-handed rods for bass fishing. This years participants included our Treasurer, Jeff Drowley, and club members Fred Riedel, Tom Klein, and Jerry Cavens. New participants who signed up for the class at the Sportsman’s show included: David Shepherd, Steven Roberts, Darren Coonrad, and Bill Merk. Deputy Fire Marshall, Keith Ramsay from the Richland

Fire Dept and Bill Merk finished up fly rods that they started in last year’s class.

I want to thank John Pfeiffer, Ron Reed, Denny Kreid, and Gene Woodruff who helped each rod builder order and craft their

new rods. Special thanks go out to John Pfeiffer who’s done a fantastic job coordinating this class for at least the last ten years. John turned over the reins to me this year. Special thanks also go out to Mac Ryan, who not only provides lots of terrific instruction on rod building, but, also opens up his home each year to all rod builders so they can apply the epoxy coat on the rod wrappings using his commercial rod-turning and drying racks.

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MAC RYAN AND JOHN PFEIFFER COACHFRED RIEDEL

BILL MERK

DARREN COONRAD

DANROBERTSON

JERRY CAVENS

BILL DAVIDMERK SHEPHERD

JOHN PFEIFFER

JEFF DROWLEY

Patch Those Leaky Waders

Nothing dampens a fine day of fishing like a pant leg and boot full of ice cold water. But, there’s hope. The breathable kind of waders are easy to fix. To find a leak in the legs of breathable waders, put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, then spray around wherever you think the hole is. The fabric near any penetrations will turn dark. Mark each dark spot with chalk or some non-permanent marker. Let the waders dry, then seal with Aquaseal™ or Sportsman’s Goop™. Do the outside first, let the patch dry, then patch the inside also.

Federal Court Again Rejects Columbia

Basin Salmon/Steelhead Recovery

Plan Last month, a federal court rejected much of the federal government’s recovery plan for Columbia River salmon and steelhead, the 2014 NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion for the Federal Columbia River Power System. And, the court gave federal agencies almost two years to come back with a new and improved version that complies with federal environmental laws. This is the fifth rejection of an FCRPS BiOp for a system that impacts thirteen species of salmon and steelhead listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Previous BiOps were challenged in 2000, 2004, 2008 and a supplemental BiOp in 2010. To read more details of the Court ruling and issues involved click on this web link: Columbia Basin Bulletin

Salmon Booth by Dale Schielke

If you have not already volunteered to assist with CBFC’s major fund raising project, please consider volunteering. We still need people to help with fish prep on July 28th from 6-8p at the Shilo Inn. There are also a few open slots on all three shifts Friday July 29th. But, the greatest need is on all shifts Saturday July 30th. We still need 5 or 6 volunteers. There is a complimentary meal for volunteers. A sign-up sheet will be at the June 14th Club meeting. Or you can also call Dale Schielke 375-0183.

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SKETCH BY RON REED

Get to know Your CBFC Officers

Ron Reed-News Letter Editor Tell us about your first fish. I consider my first fish to be the one that I caught all by myself. I had hooked and landed fish before then with help from my dad. This time I assembled my rod, attached the reel, threaded the line up the guides, selected a lure, and tied on the lure. That happened when I was 6-yrs old on Birch Creek in southeast Idaho. The lure was a Colorado Spinner with a peacock nymph trailed about 6-in behind the spinner.

The fish was a huge 8-in rainbow. Seems like yesterday. Who taught you to fish? My father, who was a farmer, avid hunter and fisherman. What are some local venues you like to fish? I like to fish for steelhead from shore on the Columbia River at Wallula Gap, and on the Snake River from Ice Harbor Dam to above Little Goose Dam. Lately, I’m learning how to fish for bass on the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers near the Tri-Cities. What are some of your favorite destination venues you like to fish? My favorite destination is the Henry’s Fork in Island Park, ID, where I learned to fish with my father 65 years ago. I enjoy the rivers and lakes in Yellowstone National Park very

much. I like the Lochsa and Grande Ronde Rivers, too. I also enjoy fishing for Surf Perch along the Olympic Peninsula coast. What are some of your Go-To flies for still water? …for creeks? … for rivers? I have to confess. I fish with traditional fly fishing gear about 40% of the time, and with spinning gear the other 60%. However, about half the time that I use spinning gear, I fish with flies. That’s how I learned to fly fish when I was 6-yrs old. My favorite lure for still water and rivers is the Tasmanian Devil. For small mountain or meadow creeks, I like a Colorado Spinner, and traditional Adams and Gray Wolf flies. For rivers…. I like flies

that resemble whatever is hatching, or crawling around the bottom. I like Hellgrammites, Copper Johns, Pheasant-Tail Nymphs, Black Hemingway Caddis, Elk-Hair Caddis, Sparkle Dun, Adams, and a Gray Wolf pattern that has black hair wings, an olive body, and grizzly hackle dyed green. What kind of fish do you target most often? Probably trout and steelhead. Bass are fun. Catfish taste great! Heck, just about anything that wiggles and

lives underwater qualifies. What are some of your Favorite fishing books and magazines? I enjoy Northwest Fly Fishing and Washington-Oregon Game & Fish magazines. I especially like the CBFC Newsletter! It’s hard to name a favorite book; maybe The Old Man and the Sea, by E. Hemingway. What is it about the sport of fishing that keeps you involved? There’s something in my soul that needs and responds to the hunt and the chase. Mayhaps Nimrod is in my family tree. I love to hunt, but am getting a little too old to do much hunting. Fishing still qualifies as a hunter/gatherer activity. I love the outdoors, the fresh air, the beauty of the ever changing flora and fauna… and the camaraderie of friends who enjoy the same.

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Ron & Blaze on a camping-fishing trip to Palisades Lakes in Southeast Idaho in 1956

BAJA by Ken Gano

You never know who you're going to run into at 5a on a Monday morning in the Tri-City airport. Ted Poston and I were on our way to La Paz, Mexico, to do a little salt water fishing with Baja Pirates guide service, when we ran into Mike Wade. Mike was heading to Christmas Island for bone fishing. Then,

after going through security, we ran into Dennis Collins and Rod Gilge who were going to Alaska to chase steelhead and salmon. I guess you could say our CBFC Club was well represented and just about had the compass covered that day. Ted, Dennis Dauble, and I had fished with Baja Pirates about a year and a half ago. We caught several dorado using bait, and found them to be one of the most exciting fish we had ever caught. This time, Ted and I really wanted to try fly fishing for dorado and roosterfish, so we set up the first day to cast the fly. Unfortunately, the dorado and roosterfish were not in, and we were fishless the first day.

The day was not without excitement, though. At one point, we saw some birds working a bait ball, so we approached cautiously and saw a 7-ft striped marlin lounging on the surface with a fish in his mouth. He didn't seem the least bit concerned that we were within 100 ft of him. We tried dragging our flies in front of him for about 15 minutes, but

he apparently was happy with the fish he already had and eventually disappeared into the deep. The next two days we fished with conventional gear using live bait fish, and were able to put some fish in the cooler. We caught spotted grouper, two different kinds of rock fish, trigger fish, bonito, skipjack, yellowtail, and amberjack. One of the fun things about fishing in the Sea of Cortez is you never know what you're going to catch. The bonito are pound for pound one of the strongest fish I've ever caught. They are only 24-28-in long and about 5-8 lbs; but they fight like a 35-lb fish. The last

fish of the last day was the best fish of the trip. Ted caught a 25-lb amberjack; a beautiful fish that gave him the fight of his life.

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KEN GANO AND TED POSTON WITH YELLOWTAIL, AMBERJACK AND GROUPER

CBFC Board Meeting Minutes 24May2016

by Mike Wade

Call to order: 7:00 PM

Board Members Present: Ted Poston, Jim Loomis, Dennis Collins, Ron Reed, Dale Schielke, Rich Holten, Mike Wade

Visitors: Hyram Taylor

Involving and encouraging participation – Hyram Taylor presented his concerns and ideas related to widening the appeal of the club and encouraging more youth involvement in the sport of fly fishing. The Board discussed a variety of ideas to make club meetings more open and welcoming to new members and outreach projects aimed at young people. Ted Poston will take the lead in youth projects.

Secretary’s Report – Mike Wade presented the minutes from the April Board meeting. The minutes were reviewed and approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Jim Loomis presented the Treasurer’s Report on behalf of Jeff Drowley. The Board reviewed and approved the report

VP Membership Report – Rich Holten reported that the club has 106 paid memberships and 5 more who have indicated they will renew this month.

Programs Report – Craig Anderson was absent and no report was given.

Newsletter Editor’s Report – Ron Reed is soliciting more articles for the newsletter.

Other Business – Annual Picnic – The annual picnic will be held at Dale and LouAnn Schileke’s house on August 9th. Details will be published in the newsletter. Salmon Booth – There are still some openings for the Salmon Booth and Dale Schielke will pass around a sign up sheet at the June Club meeting.

Conservation Committee – Ted Poston reported that the Conservation Committee continues to seek out projects our members can participate in. Potential projects include Powerline Lake access improvement, Yakima River access improvement, steelhead tagging at Ringold Fish Hatchery, and involvement in the Tucannon watershed improvement.

Venue Assessment – The Board reviewed bids from Shiloh Inn and Country Gentleman for the monthly dinner meeting and awarded the contract to Country Gentleman. A decision on the Banquet venue will be made at a future Board meeting.

Backup Speaker – The Board discussed the need to have a few standby programs ready in the event a scheduled speaker becomes unavailable at the last moment, as happened in May. Several members have volunteered to fill the speaker position should the need arise.

Youth Conservation Camp – The Board has received 3 applications for Youth Conservation Camp sponsorship thus far.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mike Wade, Secretary

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WEB HOT-LINKS to FISHING STUFF

FLY TYING Fly Tying Forum -Free access to over 6,000 patterns

OTHER FISHING CLUBS Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington

Fly Fishing Clubs in Washington that belong to the International Federation of Fly Fishers

REGULATIONS Idaho Fishing Seasons & Rules

Oregon Fishing Regulations

Washington Fishing Regulations & Seasons

Washington Emergency Rule Updates

FISHING INFORMATION Idaho Fish & Game Fishing Information

Oregon Fishing Resources and Information

Washington Fishing & Shellfishing Information

Columbia Basin Bulletin's Significant developments related to salmon and steelhead recovery and other important Columbia/Snake River Basin fish and wildlife issues.

River and stream data USGS current and historical data for Washington State.

CONSERVATION Coastal Conservation Association CCA’s purpose is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. CCA’s objective is to conserve, promote, and enhance present and future availability of coastal resources.

Wild Fish Conservancy.

Native Fish Society.

Wild Salmon Center.

Trout Unlimited.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Columbia Basin Fly Casters Post Office Box 791 Richland, WA 99352 2015

Date: _____________________

Name_______________________________ Renewal, no change in address/phone/

email

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State: _______ZipCode:________________

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Work Phone: ________________

Email:_______________________________

Name(s) of Family Member(s) or Business

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business-card size, fishing-related advert in newsletters. Send artwork as xxx.jpg digital file to editor

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To be completed by Treasurer: ___Cash __ Check #__________ Membership Database updated:_________