May 2006        

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www.natgreeneflyfishers.org                                               Email:  info@natgreeneflyfishers.org

 

Nat Greene Flyfishers    May 2006

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NAT GREENE CALENDAR

MEETINGS & EVENTS

Tuesday May 9, 2006 - John Pugh and Jessica Robinson will present a talk about their canoe trip down the Mississippi River in 2005.  All are welcome.  Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410, 7:00 p.m.    map and directions

May 25-29, 2006 - Fun Fishing Trip to the Nantahala River.  Lorraine Rothrock, 288-9976 for details.

June 13, 2006 - We will be having a "Bamboo Rod" night.  Everyone is invited to bring in their cane rods to show off, discuss building & casting techniques, and a documentary entitled "Trout Grass" which follows Tonkin Cane from China all the way through to a completed rod.  All are welcome.  Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410, 7:00 p.m.   map and directions

July 11, 2006 - Annual Summer Picnic with hot dogs, beverages, and pond fishing.  All are welcome.  Bur-Mil Park, 7:00 p.m.

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New Meeting Location

Starting on May 9, 2006, Nat Greene Flyfishers will be holding all future monthly meetings at the Leonard Recreation Center, 6324 Ballinger Road, Greensboro, NC 27410.

The Board of Directors discussed this matter extensively before making this decision, and hopes that the size and central location of the Leonard Center will allow more of our current and future members to attend our meetings. We hope that this decision is acceptable to you all, but if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact any of the Board members listed below. You can also drop us a line at at our website at http://www.natgreeneflyfishers.org or email us at mailto:info@natgreeneflyfishers.org.

We hope you'll come out for our next monthly meeting and see our new home!

Click here for a map and directions

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May Monthly Meeting:  Now That’s a Canoe Trip!

On Tuesday, May 8 we are fortunate to have two unique individuals as guest speakers. John Pugh and Jessica Robinson, both Ph.D. candidates in the Department of Parks and Recreation at NC State, canoed the length of the Mississippi River in the summer of 2005. The purpose of the trip was to raise awareness for the Audubon Society’s Upper Mississippi River Campaign. They put in immediately downstream of Lake Itasca, the river’s source, and took out close to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, they passed through locks, stopped to meet locals and took cover from storms. They saw birds and traversed marshes. The only thing they didn’t do, and which puzzles me, is bring a fly rod along. I guess their canoe was already full.

My wife Molly and I listened to John and Jessica at a presentation to the local Audubon chapter and thoroughly enjoyed it. Their trip is an outdoor adventure of a lifetime. You may recall the articles on their trip appearing last summer in Greensboro News and Record. John had previously walked the Applachian Trail and sent updates on his experience to the paper. Their engaging stories allowed me to vicariously travel along. This is one trip I can definitely say I’ll never take so seeing it through their eyes was the only way to go. Hope to see you at Leonard Recreation Center!

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NCBA Youth Outdoor Day

NC Bowhunters Association will have a "Youth Outdoor Day" on May 20th at the Reidsville City Lake Park.   Would you or someone from Nat Greene FF be interested and available to come set up a flyfishing/casting demo??   If so.. please call me...

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2006 NCTU Rivercourse Seeks Volunteers

The 2006 NCTU Rivercourse, cold water conservation and fly-fishing youth camp, is looking for volunteers to assist as ghillies. NCTU Rivercourse 2006 will run from Sunday, June 18th, to Friday, June 23rd at the Lake Logan Center near Canton in western North Carolina.

Ghillies will work with campers both on and off the water. The West Fork of the Pigeon River downstream from the northern boundary of the delayed harvest section to Lake Logan is owned by the center. This is over ½ mile of private water that will be stocked by the campers on Sunday afternoon. On the stream, ghillies will act as guides to the campers. This includes working with them on casting, presentation, tactics, techniques, and etiquette. Off the water, ghillies will be responsible for maintaining tackle (repairing leaders, etc.) and working with campers in small groups on assorted fly-fishing related subjects such as knots and casting.

Fly tiers are also needed to work as ghillies specifically working with the campers on fly tying (in lieu of being on the stream). The morning session will be split into two groups: one will tie flies while the other group fishes and then they will switch. This will give each group an hour and a half on the stream in the morning.

For ghillies having to drive more than an hour and a half one way, there are a limited number overnight lodging slots available. Overnight stays will be a three-day/two-night arrangement. Come join us for an evening session, two sessions the next day, and a morning session the last day. Please make arrangements when you volunteer.

Rivercourse will pickup all meals while you are on the premises.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be a positive influence on the next generation of river stewards. It is a most rewarding experience. To volunteer as a ghillie, drop me an email at maeda@us.ibm.com or leave me a voice mail at 1-919-254-0805. For more information on NCTU Rivercourse 2006, take a look at the Rivercourse link off the NCTU home page at: www.nctu.org

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Jack Nicklaus Named Spokesperson And Chairman of FFF President’s Club

The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), a fly-fishing conservation and education organization representing over 30,000 fly fishers worldwide, announced today an association with golf legend and sportsman Jack Nicklaus.

Jack Nicklaus has agreed to be a national spokesperson on behalf of the Federation of Fly Fishers, as well as to become Honorary Chairman of the FFF Presidents Club. The members of this charitable arm of the FFF represent those truly dedicated individuals and organizations that have made a 10-year financial commitment to support the mission of the FFF. Mr. Nicklaus is the first to be honored with this position. In addition, he has agreed to become a member of the FFF Board of Directors.

Mr. Nicklaus has been an avid fly fisher for most of his life and has visited many exotic worldwide destinations to pursue this passion. Mr. Nicklaus’ philosophy is very consistent with that of the FFF.

“I am an avid outdoorsman and few activities or sports provide me with as much joy as fishing,” he said. “If you want to break it down even further, it would be fly fishing. I actually prefer to fly fish because I enjoy the skill, art and challenge of it.”

Roger Maler, President of the FFF’s Southern Council, stated “The commitment to the FFF by an individual of the caliber and renown of Jack Nicklaus is an acknowledgement of the importance of the Mission of the FFF.”

Dr. Ron Cordes, incoming Chairman of the FFF Board of Directors, added, “The participation of Jack Nicklaus in furthering the efforts of a non-profit organization such as the FFF, the success of which is based upon the support of a vast number of volunteers, cannot be underestimated. His presence alone will send an important message to individuals and corporations alike whose potential support is critical to the FFF.”

Visit www.fedflyfishers.org to learn more about the Federation of Fly Fishers, its Mission, and its accomplishments on behalf of the sport of fly fishing and the environment.

Contact Information:
Peter Van Gytenbeek
FFF CEO
406-222-9369
www.fedflyfishers.org

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National Fishing and Boating Week

 

For the benefit of the few who haven’t learned of it and as a reminder to the old hands of the Federation of Fly Fishers, the next National Fly Fishing Week, a part of National Fishing and Boating Week, is June 3-11, 2006.  It’s a good chance to get your club involved in various fishing and boating activities, especially the “Take Me Fishing” program to get the youngsters into fishing.

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How To Catch A Record Fish

The dream of a record starts with a mental picture of catching a huge fish. One that is larger than anyone has ever landed before. A fish that you can hang on the wall, put your picture in magazines and make you a legend of the sport. It may be a fish that will win you buckets of cash, maybe a boat and motor and free equipment for life. People will be asking you where you caught it and you will put your fingers up to the right side of your mouth and say "right here". That is the dream.

Once the dream is manifested into possible reality the anticipation begins and this becomes a major factor in the pursuit of this record fish. It begins with the preparation for the challenge.A trip is planned: where to go to catch this "big fish.” Every magazine is read that has any information about the fish you are going to catch. Everyone you know who has any experience fishing will be questioned for any facts you can stow away for the quest. Finally, you decide on where and 'when to go. Both of those become very important factors for your success and you must choose one from the many places advertising to get your business.

Once this has been decided you must prepare for the trip. This is part of the anticipation, and will begin weeks and even months before you take the trip. Preparation requires deciding what rods, reels, lines and lures you will need and you will need to make purchases for anything you do not have. Invariably you will buy much more than you 'will ever need. You will spend time checking out your rods to see that they are in top condition to handle that fish you expect to catch. You will not want a broken rod to spoil your quest.

Next you oil your reels and check the drags to see that they are smooth and suitable to handle big fish. You must purchase new line and put it on the reel. Never go for big fish with old line. Buy extra in case you lose some for any of the many reasons lines are lost while fishing.  Snap swivels should be the best you can buy. Sampo makes the best on the market for holding big fish. Avoid cheap tackle if you want to hold that record fish. Once you have it on the line. If you are spending big money for the trip don't save on cheap tackle that will spoil it. 

Then the big question -- what do you catch this monster fish on? You read the articles again, look at catalogues and visit the sporting goods stores to try and find out what the hot lures being used are. You buy several of them. In fact there are so .many that when you depart you have a regular sporting goods store with you just in case that fish might like something different.  You don't need all that. If you have done your preparation properly you can put everything you need in a bank deposit bag. That's all I and the people who fish with me take with us on our trips. We have eliminated guess work. We know what to bring.

Once you are prepared the wait begins for the big trip. All of your future conversations will eventually end up in a discussion of the trip. The anticipation is great and your confidence is at a high level that you 'will catch that "big fish." All of the information you have accumulated as well as the equipment you will need are ready to go. How could you possible miss?

This year will be my 40th year fishing in the arctic and this will be my 37th year at Great Bear Lake. I fish there because that is where the "big fish" that make the records come from. If you want records you must fish where the big fish are. In those years I have boated 19 fish over 50# and caught hundreds of fish 30-50#. They include 10 Canadian, North American and IGFA records. The people who fish with me have exceptional “luck” using the same methods and equipment that I use, and continually catch these "big fish." The best tips I can give to those who would fish for record fish are these:

  1. Fish where the big fish are. Find out where they are and spend your time fishing there. You will seldom catch a big fish where you catch smaller fish. Fish of equal sizes tend to congregate together and that includes big fish.
  2. Fish near structure, preferably in areas where water drops off from shallow to deep water. Work on and off the edges in a zigzag pattern.
  3. Fish with a light drag. You should be able to pull line off your reel easily. If you have to yank it then it is too tight. Loosen it until you can pull it smoothly off the reel.
  4. Never, never, never put your thumb on the spool when playing a big fish. Play it on the drag. Let it take line when it wants to run or it will snap your line or rod so quick you'll hardly know what happened. Big fish are powerful. A tight drag or thumbing the spool has caused more broken rods, broken lines and lost fish than all other causes possible. In the first day of our 2004 trip there were 5 broken rods and several broken lines because some of our fishermen listened to the guides and cranked up the drag tight. Most of those guides have never boated a fish over 30# and now you know the reason why. Don't get caught like that. Listen to what my many years have taught me. Some really nice fish were lost that day.

Luck is seldom a factor in bagging records. 95% of the record bucks are shot by 3% of the hunters. Likewise a major percentage of the "big fish" are landed by a small handful of

fishermen who pay attention to the details necessary to hook and land such fish. Preparation of knowledge, equipment and tactics are the best factors for those record holders who have managed to live their dream. I happen to be one of them and I readily share my knowledge with others who would like to catch those "big fish" just waiting for them.

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NAT GREENE FLYFISHERS CLUB OFFICERS

President

Cindy Spicer

855-1325

703-5632

cell 406-6171

cspicer@BBandT.com

Vice-President

Cornell Bowden

Treasurer

Neal Mitchell

643-5001

cell 706-1123

nealmitjr@msn.com

Board of Directors

Jack Patterson

674-9700

664-7776

jackwpatterson@bellsouth.net

Linke Combs

282-7040

632-7572

lccombs@earthlink.net

Dick Feulner

Trip Coordinator

Lorraine Rothrock

288-9976

272-3962

cell 707-3761

samsngriffs@earthlink.net

Banquet Chair

Greg Peters

656-7379

632-2366

greg.peters@syngenta.com

 

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