NOVEMBER 12 Eric and Theresa Van Nooten (SCOTT RODS)
FLY ROD CONSTRUCTION
Eric Van Nooten and his wife Theresa, both of the
Scott Rod Company, will be our November 2003
speakers.
Here is what they have to say about their
presentation and their fly fishing:
So where to start? The two of us are very serious
about rod building. Both of us have devoted a reasonably lengthy portion
of our lives to learning the craft, myself going on ten years, Theresa
six. Both of us started with Scott as entry level, production employees
and crept up through the company's ranks as we learned and mastered the
many difficult tasks involved. At this point, Theresa is versed in almost
every aspect of the process; from the initial material handling and
cutting of patterns, through ferruling (where connections between sections
of rods are fashioned), to finishing the rod into a fishing tool meant for
everyone's enjoyment.
She is a master roller, the task of laying up raw
carbon fiber onto the forms we use экскурсия на теплоходе в СПб. Theresa inscribes perfect Scott hand
signatures on rods (she'll demonstrate when we come) and is one of two
people at Scott who can do this artistic task. Her guide wrapping
abilities are second to none. In addition my wife is very well suited to
teaching others the craft of rod construction. In short, she is the type
of person who makes my job as production manager much easier.
I became production manager about two years ago,
before that I was factory foreman. Serving as foreman (between 1996 and
2001) I watched the daily construction of the product. Quality and
performance have been very important to Scott since its birth almost
thirty years ago, and I've tried very hard to carry that on. I had to
start somewhere.
My first day at Scott Flyrod was spent in the coating
room applying epoxy to guides. It would be fair to say it took six months
for me to become a coater, some jobs are mastered easily and others take
more time. Since my beginning with Scott in Telluride I've done almost
all the jobs present in our factory and become a master at several. The
nice thing about it, like fly fishing and fly tying, one is always
learning, growing one's skills as time and experience passes by. We both
love working on fly rods.
I think this will show in our presentation, 'Fly Rod
Construction'. It will be our intention to share with your members as
much meaningful information about the construction of rods as is possible
in about an hour. People will be able to shake/cast a variety of models,
actions, fresh water, salt water, high end product and low end product.
We love fishing. Theresa and I were wed next to our
favorite pool on the Gunnison River in May of 2002. Almost all our free
time is spent chasing fish with fly rods, now we have a third fishing
partner, Brandon Fisher, our eight-month-old son.
I generally grow tired of hearing too much about
people's fishing lives, so I'll be try and be brief with the consideration
that you might be the same. The Gunny is truly our favorite spot and we
go deep into the river's dark places where few can go. Rainbow and browns
abound, each species commonly reaching 20 inches or better. But the fish
are of a secondary concern to the both of us. The remote location
provides solitary enjoyment of the river, rocks, animal and plant life.
We carry heavy packs so we can remain for extended
stays; up and down sheer cliffs, across slides of scree, over slippery,
river washed moss rocks. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River National
Park is THE place.
Problem is there are too many places near us that
hold the same allure, allow for solitude and great fishing. How can a
couple of hard working parents get to them all!? We give it our best
shot. This past spring and summer found us on the Green throwing cicadas,
on the 'Jaun placing tiny dries in front of sipping 'bows, casting hopper
and dropper on the San Miguel, fishing beetles on the Dolores, and
stripping streamers on the Colorado.
We can't get enough of throwing flies to tiny fish on
brushy little creeks with one-weights and glass rods. Mountain lakes are
abundant in western Colorado and we do visit them. Carp don't scare us.
We've been known to throw flies in irrigation ditches and a few canals.
Technical presentations, long casts, light tippets, of course. Strike
indicators, 3x, split shot, why sure.
The Uncompagre River flows next to the rod factory,
it has plenty of trout and great hatches. This summer we traveled to Lake
Nipigon in Canada and cast to big pike and Coaster brook trout of multiple
pounds. We like fishing with streamers and dries, nymphs and frogs. I
tie almost all the flies we use. Generally we prefer to sleep in a tent
and cook our own food. We've never hired a guide. We can usually put the
fly where it needs to be and we're usually fishing in some of the most
beautiful and compelling fishing locations on earth. We do feel uniquely
blessed that we are able to share work and play together, involved in
fly-fishing.
OCTOBER
8, 2003
JACK GARTSIDE
- SALTWATER PATTERNS
AND HOW TO FISH THEM
Jack Gartside took his first fly tying lesson in 1956
from Ted Williams, the great Boston Red Sox outfielder, and has been tying
and fishing ever since-- in both fresh water and
salt-- accumulating an extraordinary range of fishing experience both in
this country and throughout the world.
He was one of the first flytyers profiled in Sports
Illustrated (Oct. 12, 1982).
Since that time, he has been profiled in Fly Rod &
Reel, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Fly Fishing in Salt Waters, Villmarks Liv
(Norwegian), La Peche en Mer (French), Tight Loop (Japanese), as well as
in many other magazines and newspapers both in the US and abroad.
Jack has appeared as well
on the cover of Fly Fishing in Salt Waters (the famous photo of Jack and
his inflatable giraffe) and also Tight Loop (a Japanese Fly Fishing
Magazine, December, 1998). Jack has also written articles for all of the
above magazines as well as for many others.
September 10, 2003
Mas Okui
Fishing Hot Creek
Some who fish it call Hot Creek one of the most magnificent streams in the
West. Others are not so complementary. It is frequently referred to as
"complex," "difficult," "technical" or just plain "tough." What's your
impression? How have you done on Da Creek?" Are you able to consistently
catch fish there?
Regardless of your past Hot Creek record, you will not want to miss our
September speaker, Mas Okui. From time to time he is referred to as
the "Father of Hot Creek." Ever since Mas started fishing Hot Creek
nearly 50 years ago, he has taken it upon himself to master this water.
His theories, strategies and exclusive patterns will be presented in a
most educational and entertaining evening! You don't want to miss this!
August
13, 2003 Will Trefry from CalTrout.
IF YOU WANT
YOUR VOICE HEARD BY CALTROUT, COME TO THIS MEETING! THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR
THE FUTURE OF TROUT FISHING IN CALIFORNIA!!
Our August speaker is Will Trefrey,
Director and So Cal Representative, Cal Trout. I can't stress the
importance of this meeting, too much. CVFF donates money every year to CT
and meetings of this type will determine where our money goes and how it
is spent. If you have concerns about local fisheries including the
Sierras, or questions relative to CT's position on a specific fishery, be
sure to come. Mark your calendars, the date is August 13. See you then.
Larry Garfinkel
JULY 9, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENTATION
Bill Becher talks about fly fishing in Baja for
tuna, dorado, skipjack, rainbow runners,
jack crevalle, pargo,
roosterfish, and even a sailfish jack, and more.
See http://becher.com/baja.htm
JAY MURAKOSHI, PERCH IN THE SURF
I have been in the fly fishing business for the past 31 years. My
background includes 30 years of commercial fly tying, having tied for such
notables such as Lefty Kreh, Ed Rice and Trey Combs. I have tied for most
of the Northern California shops at one time or another. My patterns have
been featured in California Fly Fisher, Western Outdoors and South West
Fly Fishing.
As a speaker I have been doing seminars and clinics since the early 80�s.
I have spoken to thousands of people at events like the International
Sportsman Expo in Sacramento, San Mateo, Los Angeles, sports pro shops and
conclaves. With my partner Ken Hanley, I conduct on- the-water seminars
related to salt water fly fishing both local and in Baja. I am also on pro
staff for G.Loomis, Bauer Fly Reels, Air Flow Lines and Angler�s Sports
Group (Dai Ichi Hooks).
With the popularity in fly fishing the surf, this
program is designed to give the angler some knowledge of how to approach
this new adventure. With over 500 miles of California coastline, you can
have plenty of room to roam. Why fight the crowds on your favorite river.
In this slide presentation, I will give you information on what equipment
you will need, what flies are the most preferred and how to read the water
and tide books. You will also see some of my "HOT" flies that have
produced a large number of fish for me over the years. I have put in over
30 years of fishing the surf and have put a lot of the knowledge into this
slide presentation. There is nothing more exciting than hooking something
that goes screaming across the bay. Other
species such as stripers, halibut, salmon, jack smelt and White Sea bass
can be caught from the beaches.
Jay's website is at
http://www.fliesunlimited.com/
Tying demo at 6:30 pm
Come See Mel Krieger
One of the most famous fly fishing instructors in the world, the man
who has probably taught more people to cast than any other luminary in the
fly fishing community, will be our guest speaker in April. Mel Krieger
will entertain, inform and charm us all the evening of April
9th.
For those new to fly fishing or to his name, Mel is one of the few fly
fishers to garner unrestricted praise from just about every professional
casting instructor and fishing guide. And this praise comes from such
diverse sources as Mike Lawson, Lani Waller, TV personality Curt Gowdy and
Outdoor Life Magazine's Jerry Gibbs. As just one example of his talent,
many years ago Mel gave a young boy his first casting lesson at the Golden
Gate Casting Club in San Francisco. That young boy is now into middle age,
but still consults Mel about casting. The boy's name: Steve Rajeff. Steve
has been the World's International Casting Champion for about 25 years.
Mel grew up in Illinois and Wisconsin and later moved to Texas, where
he learned to fish for black bass. While in the Lone Star State, he met
Fanny, his future wife and partner. In 1964, they took a vacation to
California, fell in love with the Bay Area and moved there immediately.
While in San Francisco, Mel took up fly casting with a passion, became a
tournament caster and, after winning a first prize trip to New Zealand in
a casting contest, Me',s career as a traveling
fisherman and instructor was born. It's almost
40 years later and today Mel and Fanny run the Krieger International
School of Fly Fishing and Club Pacific, an angling and travel agency that
specializes in fishing travel around the world.
He has personally taught fly casting and fly fishing at schools in
Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Scandinavia, all
across Europe and, of course, throughout the United States. Wherever and
whenever he appears, standing-room-only and turn-away crowds are the norm.
His acclaimed book, The Essence of Fly Casting, has been so sought
after it has been translated into such diverse languages as Norwegian and
Japanese. His videos and DVDs, "The Essence of Fly Casting I and II",
"Beginnings � An Introduction to Fly Fishing" and "The Essence of Spey
Casting" are used as curricula around the world. Innovative programs
created by Mel include the Fly Casting Certification Program, which is
endorsed and administered by the International Federation of Fly Fishers.
Mel's presentation, titled "Mel's
Exciting Adventure, will be slides and stories about the place in the
world that has truly captured his heart and where he now visits as many as
three times a year. You'll have to come to the
show to learn what magnificent place has so affected this superb fly
fisher.
MARCH 12 - BRIAN OKEEFE
- ALASKA, TOP TO BOTTOM
Brian O'Keefe
has been fly fishing seriously for the past thirty years.
He developed his deep-rooted interest while spending summers in Montana
with his grandparents. There he was taught the art of fly casting
and fishing by a Montana dry fly purist, his
grandfather, Fred Johnson. Brian began fishing
the world in 1973 just out of high school, with a solo trip
through New Zealand and Australia, and a brief trek into the
Himalaya Mountains to fish for brown trout.
After returning from this two year adventure, Brian began guiding
in the Northwest and Alaska for trout, salmon
and steelhead.
At age 30 Brian began his career as a tackle
rep and angling photographer. He is also an
accomplished fly casting instructor, earning the title of Master Certified
Fly Casting Instructor from the FFF. Brian has also placed and won
many fly casting competitions and recently
competed in the ESPN Outdoor Games' fly casting
and fishing competition.
Brian has traveled to some of the wildest and most remote angling
destinations in the world, including: Bikini Atoll, the Seychelles,
Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tonga and Kashmir.
He has also traveled to more accessible locations such as the
Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Chile,
New Zealand, Christmas Island and more. In many
of these location he chooses to venture off the beaten
path, hiking, floating, sea-kayaking or taking a Zodiac into the
back country.
Brian and his wife Judith live in Gates, Oregon. He continues to work
as an angling and outdoor photographer with
photos published in the LA Times, NY Times,
Miami Herald, USA Today and others. His cover shots include
Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod and Reel, Fly
Fishing Salt Waters, Outside Magazine and Men9s
Journal. Brian is also a tackle rep for
Scientific Anglers and Scott Fly Rod Company. Today you could
just as easily run into Brian on his way to a slide show
presentation as you could in an airport in
Mozambique.
Fly fishing for Klamath River Steelhead,
Mike Kuczynski, Eureka Fly Shop FEBRUARY 12,
2003
A life long student of fly fishing, Mike
Kuczynski came to the north coast in the late 1970s to obtain a degree in
biology and a teaching credential at Humboldt State University where he
now teaches fly fishing and fly tying classes. His financial aid program
for college was guiding in the summer, and tying flies commercially in
the winter. After working as a sales representative for several years
Mike and his wife Janet opened Eureka Fly Shop with the philosophy "luck
is when preparedness meets opportunity", their goal to help provide
customers with both.
Mike fishes extensively throughout the
west in pursuit of a variety of species from Montana browns to coastal
kings. He specializes in dry line steelhead technique, and is one of the
pioneers of fly fishing for rockfish and surf
perch. Mike fishes for cutthroat, salmon, and steelhead during the winter
when he is not off to the tropics after bonefish, trevally, tuna and wahoo.
Mike with Klamath half pounder.
The Klamath has
a reputation as one of the finest steelhead
streams in the world. Adult steelhead begin to enter the lower river in
July and run through October. This is an ideal time for the fly fisher the
weather is mild, the river low and the fish eager. The
first run of adults is followed by the famed "half pounders" in
August, at 1-3 pounds these two-year old fish are fresh from saltwater,
supercharged and aggressively hit surface flies. This
makes them ideal for the light tackle angler using four to six
weight floating lines. Adult fish run from three to twelve pounds and are
spectacular battlers.
This program takes anglers through a
systematic approach to the methods and techniques to experience this world
class fishery.
Kevin Peterson - January 8,
2003 Speaker Bridgeport to Bishop
Kevin was born in Laramie Wyoming in 1957. At the age
of three, he and family moved to Fort Collins Colorado where he began to
develop his love for the outdoors. His father, who had worked for the
Wyoming Department of Game and Fish and as a hunting and fishing guide,
taught him to fish and hunt at a very early age. He quickly figured out
that fly fishing was something that he truly loved to do!! Any free
moment would find Kevin at The Thompson or The Pudre Rivers or whatever
water he could get a ride to.
At 9 years of age, the Petersons moved to Costa
Rica. His parents were involved with a land development project on the
Pacific coast, where he spent all of his summers and most weekends. Kevin
learned to surf and apply his love for fly fishing to the saltwater. After
graduating from Costa Rica Academy in 1974, Kevin moved to Houston Texas
where he spent any free time on Galveston bay fishing for Speckled Trout
and Redfish. Finding that the big city was not for him, in 1978, he moved
to Santa Barbara California. Even though he found the area beautiful and
the fishing and scuba diving great, it was still a little too big. Since
many weekends found Kevin driving to Mammoth to ski, hunt ducks or fish
for trout, he moved there in 1981.
After working at a glass shop in town for almost ten
years, Kevin was offered a job working part time and guiding for Fred Rowe
at The Sierra Bright Dot. Part time became full time and in 1986 he was
offered a partnership in The Eastside Guide Service at the newly opened
Trout Fly. Sixteen years later, Kevin is co-owner and lead guide of both
The Trout fly and The Trout fitter in Mammoth Lakes. He also enjoyed
guiding for 6 years in the spring of each year for Clearwater house on Hat
Creek until he became too busy at home. Kevin is an F.F.F. certified
casting instructor and is currently helping the other guides at both shops
get certified.
His love for the sport has continued to grow and he
still loves to teach new fly fishers and show some of the old dogs a new
trick or two! He loves to travel to The Bahamas to chase Bonefish,
Florida for Tarpon or back to Costa Rica for Sailfish, Dorado and Tuna!
You might find him on a Steelhead river in Oregon or a duck blind with his
faithful Lab Tule. He could be found chasing wild turkeys near Paso
Robles or on Mammoth Mountain snowboarding with his girlfriend Lisa. You
could even find him behind the counter at on of the two shops, but one
thing is for sure, you won�t find him on the couch!!