Member Matters – October 2022

John Pyrch – Deschutes Steelhead (Flyline archive photo)

Leadership Volunteers Needed

The Flyfisher Foundation is looking for FCO members interested in serving in a leadership role on the Foundation Board of Directors.  Currently, there are 3 positions on the Board that need to be filled.  John Pyrch, President for the last 5 years, plans to step down at the FCO annual meeting in February 2023.  The Vice President position in vacant. In addition, there is at least one Director position that needs to be replaced.  As you know, the Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Club and, as such, it is responsible for providing the funding for our key activities (i.e., the annual conservation grant, the OSU grad scholarship and support for Multnomah County Library’s effort to maintain our rare book collection and our Club’s archive).  The Board oversees the corporate’s investment portfolio and meets 4 times a year to make any necessary funding decisions.  If you are interested in discussing joining the Foundation Board please contact John Pyrch (jbpyrch@gmail.com  or call him at 971-244-3289).

Welcome Another New Member!

Mr. Walter Matera from Oak Grove is our most recent new member. He is interested in fly tying, smallmouth bass, kayak fishing. We hope to see you soon at an upcoming meeting Walter!

 

Fall Trout Fishing on Private Lakes

Amanda Justesen of Justesen Ranch sends this message that their lakes are open for fall fishing. The ranch boasts 15 lakes harboring hungry feisty trout. It’s a perfect opportunity to practice some of the stillwater techniques Marc Williamson will be sharing at this month’s meeting!

 

Sue Safford waiting for the strike.

Out on the Water

Club members and Western Rivers Conservancy Donor Relations team, Jim Cox and Jake Campbell, invited my friend Sue Safford and me out to a BYOE (bring your own everything) camp on the Yakima River last month. Western Rivers recently purchased the 812 acre Yakima Canyon Ranch, encompassing 3 1/2 river miles, adjacent to the BLM Umtanum Recreational Site and 2 miles upstream from Red’s Fly Shop. Part of the property functioned as a private campground and was a perfect location for us to try our luck fishing for the energetic Yakima River trout. We scheduled a half day trip with a guide out of Red’s Fly Shop and nymph fished with indicators per his recommendation. Sue and I did pretty well and learned some of the techniques for success on this stretch of the Yakima. When we returned to camp we found Jim streamside practicing for an upcoming concert. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short due to worsening air quality associated with several fires. We hope to get back out on the Yakima again and are glad that Western Rivers Conservancy is helping to expand the BLM’s Yakima Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern with the addition of the Yakima Canyon Ranch property.

 

Trumpet practice on the Yakima River.

 

Fish of the Gibraltar

And from Fish Bums Afar

Fish are always on their minds – Janet Arenz and Curt Marr have been vacationing in Spain and found this lovely tilework displaying the fish or pesca of Gibraltar.