Kernal Kevin | Hoosier Fly Fishers

The next meeting of the HFF will be on February 21^st. As usual, we will meet at the Colorado Steakhouse at 6:00 for dinner and the program will begin at 7:00. The program this month will be our friend Rex Waters of IDNR telling us about public access to fishable waters in the area. Reports have it that many of these will be relatively little known, little fished spots. Rex will also have a map of these sites which will be available to members. I am looking forward to exploring some of these waters this season!

The March 21^st meeting will be the Colorado Steakhouse Chef Steve showing us how to flay fish. Chef Steve says he likes us as friends of the Colorado Steakhouse and that he will also treat us to a free walleye fish dinner! Steve is an avid Bluegill fisherman and I think it would be great if he left the meeting with dozens of our best bluegill flies. Tie some up!

The April 18^th meeting will be the annual auction. Once again the auction will be called by our own Kernal Kevin Montague. So, gather up some really good stuff you can live without to donate to the auction and set aside a few extra bucks to buy all the stuff you can’t live without.

The Annual HFF Picnic will be in May, either the 6^th or 7^th. More on the gala event later. Thanks again to the Clarkes for hosting this event.

Finally, don’t forget the 2nd Annual Great American Fly Fishing Expo at the State Fairgrounds. in Indianapolis. The Great American Fly Fishing Expo has been merged into Tackle Town USA at the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show. Tackle Town USA is a 70,000 square foot, all things fishing related building, filled with everything a fisherman needs or dreams of owning. For more information on the show, please contact Mitch Renfro at (765) 400-5004

Have a great day,

Tim

FISH REPORT: 60 degrees and rain at Lake Monroe today. Fish will still bite if you can find them. Warm rain flowing in might make them hungry. February fish are hard to come by but a few anglers have caught a few fish. Smaller flies, slow retrieves and patience, lots of patience, might pay off.

Everyone had a great time at the January Hoosier Fly Fishers meeting at Bobby’s Colorado Steak House. The highlight of the evening was the 2nd in a series of Fly Tying Challenges. This one was hosted by Paul Brown. At the last meeting Paul gave a hint about the January Challenge when he said “Go Big or Go Home”. This events challenge was Lefty’s Deceiver to be tied in the appropriate colors for local lakes. Several members participated in the challenge and everyone enjoyed the evening. Prizes were awarded for the most popular fly that would attract fish and for the best looking fly. Steve Bay tied the best fishing fly and Kimberly McCoy tied the best looking fly. All the flies tied at the challenge will be donated or raffled off at some time. Congratulations to the winners and a special thanks to PaulB for hosting and supplying the fly tying packets. Check the gallery below for more tying pictures.

Don’t forget the Fly Fishing Shows coming up, check the HFF calendar for times and places. Some upcoming programs at future HFF Meetings will include, Rex Waters of the IDNR, Fish FLAYING, and of course the Annual HFF Auction of really great stuff hosted by our own Kernal Kevin Montague, which is always a fun time for all. Bring money for this one.

FISH REPORT: Due to the milder temperatures we have been having and all the rain, Lake Monroe is still free of ice and lake levels are 4ft above normal pool. Water temperatures range in the high 30’s to mid 40’s. A few members have been getting out and reports of fish being caught are coming in. Look for spots with warmer temperatures close to structure and down size tackle and flies. Fishing slow and deep seems to be the best approach with weighted flies. If you get a sunny day, don’t be surprised to see fish close to the surface where the warmer water is.