February 2010 "Take care of the fish and the fishing will take care of itself." -Art Neumann,TU Founding Member,1959
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What's on this page:
February Meeting Galleria Day Scheduled for the 20th ! Stream Cleanup Plans TU State Council Raffle 2010 Meeting Programs Fly Fishing and Tying Classes Scheduled Fly Fest & Ice Capades Scheduled at CFFCM TU's 50th Anniversary Video President's Message Our Advertisers Map to our Meeting Hall
February Meeting
Our February meeting will be Monday, February 15. The featured speaker will be Ben Turpin who will discuss Eastern Pennsylvania Trout streams including those in the Poconos. This region is not that far from our area and offers some interesting fly fishing opportunities.
Ben will tie some of his favorite flies beginning at 6:30 before the start of the general meeting.
Galleria Day set for Saturday, February 20
Our annual tying demonstration and chapter publicity session will be held in the center court of the Poughkeepsie Galleria from 10:00 to 5:00. Come join your fellow members and spend an hour or two, or whatever, to chat with the public about our organization and our sport. If you'd like, bring along your fly tying stuff and demonstrate your favorite patterns.
2010 Stream Cleanups
A schedule for stream cleanups can be found on the "Get Involved" page. Additional dates will be added as the schedule evolves. Involve yourself and help take care of the streams that you fish!
SPECIAL RAFFLE TO BENEFIT NYSCTU CONSERVATION FUND
The New York State Council is raffling off an outstanding rod, along with additional prizes. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each or 3 for $10 or 10 for $20.00.
Prize #1: A Sage ZXL 590-4 (9’ 5wt 4pc.) Fly rod
Prize #2: A 3 day - 2 night stay for two at the West Branch Angler Resort Any time this year after July 1.
Prize #3: Flies of New York – An assortment of flies tied & donated by fellow TU members from across NY State.
Proceeds from this year’s raffle will benefit the NYSCTU Conservation Fund. Help support the fund that gives back to chapters, providing financial assistance for projects on our home waters. The drawing will be held at the June NYSCTU General Meeting on Saturday, June 5th, 2010 held in Lake Placid. Tickets will be available at the next three Council meetings (September, November and June) or you can purchase them through Longcasts via mail by sending a check and your name, address, and phone number to:
NYSCTU / Special Raffle
c/o Ron Urban, Council Chairman
PO Box 815
Port Ewen, NY 12466
2010 Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited Programs
Note: For Fly of the Month and fly recipe see the Flies and Tying Page.
February 15 Ben Turpin - Eastern Pennsylvania streams, the Poconos and more
March 15 Loren Williams - Fishing for Trout
April 19 Fishing Local Waters - Good spots to fish and the fly patterns to use
Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Classes for 2010
These classes, which are held every winter, are scheduled for five consecutive Wednesdays from February 17 to March 17. They are Part of the Adult Education Program at Arlington High School and are held at their campus on Route 55. Both classes run from 7:30 to 10:00 in the evening, and include a membership in Trout Unlimited for 2010 or a renewal for attendees who are already members.
The fly fishing course is oriented towards trout fishing and will provide the student with the basic knowledge required to get into this sport. The course will include equipment, casting instruction, entomolgy, understanding streams and trout, techniques, knots, and flies. It is recommended for individuals, ladies included, twelve or older. It is not necessary to bring your own equipment to class; however, if you do own a fly rod and reel we encourage you to bring it. The course will be held in Room 1104.
The fly tying course has two sections. Beginners will learn the basic techniques needed to tie dry, wet, and streamer flies as well as some advanced skills. Intermediate students will refine their skills by mastering techniques needed to tie more complicated patterns. Materials will be provided but students are required to bring their own vise and tools. The course will be held in Room 1316.
There is a registration form available in the DACE winter/spring course guide and the course fee is $80.
If you do not have the guide available you need to provide the following information: Name and Age Address Daytime and Evening Phone Numbers Email Address Course # (#3398 for fishing or #3397 for tying) Tuition fee
Make checks payable to: Arlington Central School District Mail your application to: Arlington Continuing Education, 1157 Route 55, Lagrangeville, NY 12540
Gift cards are available for this wishing to give one of these classes as a gift. For a gift card or further course information call (845) 868-7715.
The Catskill fly fishing Center and Museum will hold its annual Fly Fest and the first Ice Capades February 13 from 9 AM- 4 PM
This is the cure for Cabin Fever. Put it on your calendar right now and don't miss it. This event draws over 50 experienced fly tyers who get together in the museum and tie flies, swap lies, share techniques, and unravel some new patterns. This is a great day in the museum and it is open to everyone.
Details, as they progress, can be found at www.catskillflies.com on the message board. Joining Fly Fest will be the first CFFCM IceCapades. IceCapades will be a full fledged fishing derby on the pond...including ice fly fishing. All fishermen are invited to attend maybe the first ice fly fishing derby ever held. Although we prefer and suggest that fly fishermen test their skills with jigging flies, traditional tip ups will be allowed. Keeping with cold country traditions, catchers will be allowed to keep a perch to bring home or cook right there on the ice. Entrance fee will be $5 per rod or tip up. Prizes measure Big) will be awarded. There will also be contests including a casting accuracy contest to get your fly in the hole, first fish, most fish, biggest fish, etc. Committee Chairmen Jan Weido, Skip Alford, and Mike Canazon will be in charge.
Agnes will be cooking up some of her favorite soups to take the chill off and have a hot pot of coffee on too. Registration is recommended. All money gathered will be for a spring pond stocking of pan fish for our youth programs, on pond demonstrations, and those physically challenged. Of course, weather and thickness of the ice will dictate the day. Watch our website (www.cffcm.net) for cancellation.
This simple question kept repeating it self in my mind over and over again. It was 10:00 in the morning and well into the regular deer season as my eyes scanned the woods and the hundreds of deer tracks which crisscrossed in the newly fallen snow from the previous night. Only a few weeks earlier during the archery season the woods seemed to be teaming with deer, yet if I didn't know better I would bet my favorite bamboo fishing rod that there wasn't a deer within twenty miles of me at that particular moment. As I leaned against a ragged oak tree I began to think about how well Mother Nature hides the creatures of her world. Where do they all go? I was reminded of the many times this same thought process had occurred during this past years fishing season. How many times had I been prospecting for trout in the early afternoon hours swearing there wasn't a trout within a hundred yards of me only to find a few hours later that dusk brought rises from everywhere. Sometimes when I am fishing it is a mental effort to keep reminding myself that the fish are there. Trout hide. They may be under the bottom edge of a rock in the shade, deep inside an under cut bank, at the bottom of a deep pool or even in a slight riffle that blurs the water just enough so you can't see them. But they are there, and it is most important for the beginning angler to keep this in mind so they don't get discouraged. Sometimes a positive mind set can make the difference between success and an empty net. I know that when I have a positive mind set I concentrate on my fishing skills a little more than when I am tired and discouraged. When I think positive about a fish being somewhere right in front of me, my casts seemingly are a bit more accurate, I spend a little more time analyzing which fly just might trigger a take, and even spend the extra bit of effort to change my tippet from 6X to 7X. All of these little things add up and can make a difference. Everyone knows a person who always seems to get his deer during a hard hunting season or always manages to land a nice fish on those days most anglers can't buy a strike. Is it luck? Are they that much superior than other sportsmen? Maybe, but I honestly believe that the individuals who constantly catch fish all have one thing in common. A positive attitude that at any moment they could get a strike. So the next time you find yourself standing at the edge of a gin clear pool where you can see every stone, rock and pebble, and there are no fish to be found, just remember, the fish are there and if you keep a positive attitude when they strike you will be ready.
Good Fishing and God Bless,
Steve Dolce
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Chapter meetings are the third Monday of each month at 7:30pm at the American Legion Post 1302, Overlook Road, Poughkeepsie, NY (845 471-4641).
From the east or westoff Rt 44, turn left from the east, or turn right from the west, at the light near the Purple Parlor Car Wash. Go 2/10 mile on Overlook Road then take the first right onto Old Degarmo Road, follow and follow it a short distance, the Legion is on the left behind the softball field.
From the west off Rt 44, go 4/10 mile past the light at Adams Fairacre Farm. At the light by the Purple Parlor Car Wash turn right. Follow same directions above after turning onto Overlook Road.
