Williamson River, photo by Tom and Pat Leeson.
Save the Date for the Annual Auction! Conservation Grantee Announced!
Plan to join your fellow members for great camaraderie and a great cause on Tuesday May 12th at the Multnomah Athletic Club! The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a rich array of silent auction items including must-have fishing gear, hand-tyed flies, and high end wines. Oral auction items are coming in and you will love them – Northwest fishing trips, gourmet meals, and a stay at the Fitzpatrick cabin on the Deschutes. Finally, the Foundation Board has just announced the recipient of the Keith Hansen Memorial Paddle Raise – It is Western Rivers Conservancy for their project on the Williamson River. Funds raised at the auction will be dedicated to project management, environmental remediation and closing costs to permanently conserve 2,200 acres from the Timmerman Ranch along 3 miles of the Williamson River. The Williamson is a world-class trout fishery and it’s waters are critical to the health of the Klamath Marsh. So invite your friends to join you to support the worthy causes of your Club’s Foundation and have lots of fun doing it!
Mike Collins receives FCO Meritorious Service Award at February 2020 meeting.
Member Mike Collins Honored with FCO Meritorious Award
The Flyfishers’ Club of Oregon Meritorious Service award was established in 2012 and our dear departed Tom McAllister was the first recipient. At the February FCO meeting, the honor went to Mike Collins as his wife, Leann, and an appreciative audience of Club members joined in celebrating his many contributions. Mike gave a nostalgic and at times humorous account of his 17 years of membership including an enthusiastic welcome into the Club by the late Dr. Keith Hansen in 2003. Mike jumped right in the “help” with the annual auction when auction chair, Stephen Bukieda, became ill. He soon assumed responsibility for running the auction, along with storing the myriad (upwards of 400) silent auction items that Keith, Steve, Jordy Isaiou, and other members gathered in advance of the event. Mike served as 45th FCO President in 2008, treasurer of the Club, and treasurer of the Foundation over the years, having stepped down from the latter position just last month. Mike said he is most proud of recruiting the first woman president of the club – our own Janet Arenz who went on to serve as our leader for three years!
Welcome New Members!
Robert Best grew up saltwater fishing on the east coast. Now he ventures far and wide across the west fishing for trout and hunting upland birds. Robert, you will find many of our monthly presentations useful for planning future trips!
Brian Blihovde notes his interests are fly-tying, rod building, fishing travel, and backcountry fishing. Brian, we look forward to hearing about your wilderness adventures!
David Zarosiuski is our most recent new member and we look forward to hearing about his fly fishing interests.
Foundation President and Artist, John Pyrch
John Pyrch is literally a workhorse for the FCO. He managed the FCO/FFF Annual Auction for six years, served five years as Fly Fisher Foundation Vice President and has embarked on his 3rd year as Fly Fisher Foundation President. He has skillfully navigated the Fly Fisher Foundation Board in the important charge of grant awards and other funding decisions that are valuable to our Club. But did you know he is also an artist? Indeed! And it’s no surprise that his subject matter reflects his passion for our sport. In future Flyline issues you will have the pleasure of seeing more his work. Thanks for sharing John!
Trout by John Pyrch
