The February HFF Meeting was a big success with several people attending the meal portion of the meeting as well as the fly tying part. Everyone had a good time visiting with old friends and welcoming some new faces to the group. Welcome David and Matthew to the Hoosier Fly Fishers Club. Thanks to Colorado Steak House for letting us meet there and for their great food and service.
The main attraction of the meeting was fly tying. Four club members were tying some of their favorite flies for all to see. Dick Powell demonstrated how he ties a deer hair Humpy Fly and had handouts for all the details. It takes lots of practice to tie humpies correctly and Dick does a wonderful job. Mike Donovan tied one of his favorite all around flies, the wooly bugger. Mike showed new member David how to tie a weighted one. Everyone at that table had a good time talking about the fish that wooly buggers catch. Barry Clarke tied some very small Griffith’s Gnats using dubbing on a Renzetti rotary vise. The rotary vises are pretty much standard fly tying equipment now. Griffith’s Gnats are a great small fly for any time of year or fishing location. Paul Brown tied one of his favorite BIG smallmouth flies, the Belly Ache Minnow. Paul explained how to fish the fly in creeks to new member Rowan.
There was a good turn out for the January meeting at the Colorado Steakhouse. Almost everyone came early for the great food they serve there. After the meal, club President Tim Mather introduced club Treasurer Barry Clark. Barry gave a great presentation on fly rod selection and building fly rods. There was great interest in the topic and lots of discussion about good fly rods vs great fly rods and how to tell the difference. Barry also showed some of his great fly rods to demonstrate differences in fly rod components. There was some interest in maybe having special fly rod building classes for club members in the future. Thanks Barry!
Mike D tying a woven body nymph.
Club Vice President, Mike Donovan was in charge of the fly tying demonstration and showed how he ties a woven body nymph. Mike chose red and black embroidery thread for the body and tied a great looking little fly. Mike presented the fly to new club member Rowan seen in the picture. Rowan and his dad Aaron are a great addition to the club. Rowan also received a new fly box and some flies tied by club member Dick Powell who always donates his great flies for club functions.
Other new members in attendance were Tom Alwine, Dave Warnsman, and Jonathan Busse. Jonathan is the fly guy at JL Waters Outfitters in downtown Bloomington. Stop in and see him at the store on Fridays and Saturdays for fly fishing equipment and fly tying supplies or just to visit for a while. The store will be featuring a beginning fly tying class coming up in February. Check the calendar for that and other interesting events. Anyone with an interest in fly fishing or fly tying is welcome to attend our meetings. Check the calendar for the meeting dates and times. We would be glad to see you there.
