streamers | Hoosier Fly Fishers

The February meeting of the HFF is coming up on the 21^st. We will meet as usual at the Bloomington American Legion Post with dinner at 6:00 and the program at 7:00. We will have announcements and round table.

Looks like that damn groundhog has worked at helping push good fishing weather back a bit. However, this may well be a good time to put together the fly boxes we will need for those fishing adventures that are just around the bend so to speak. The program this month will be a discussion started by Larry Barber and Mike Donavon about how to organize our fly boxes and what to fill them with according to species you are after and the water type you are headed for. This seems to be a good opportunity to share your suggested flies for various types of water and species of fish you have had success with in the past and pick up a few good suggestions. Who knows, Larry may even reveal his flies and spots for those one pound Bluegills.

As if this was not enough fun for a great evening, Paul Brown will be tying a Slump Buster fly. This is versatile John Barr pattern for anything that will eat a minnow. This fly is tied with Pine Squirrel zonker strip and a cone head. It will really get down there and wiggle away…I have seen Smallies or Wipers chasing this fly.

There is a schedule change coming up for March. We will be holding the Annual Auction this March rather than the usual April. As usual Kernal Kevin will be exercising his dulcet tones to part us and a few bucks. This year we are going to divide profits from the auction 50/50 with the Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery groups. So, gather up all your very useful fishing and outdoor related items to donate to the auction. And I might add bring a few extra bucks to buy some of the very useful stuff that will be up for sale….

Information on the April meeting will be coming up soon. The May meeting will be the picnic and more information on that coming soon as well.

Hoping to see you all on the 21^st at 6:00 dinner and 7:00 meeting.

TimM

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.