Brown Trout by John Pyrch
Maintaining Our Fly Fishing Community Connections
I was saddened to see that we had to cancel our upcoming spring meetings and fishing trips due to the pandemic that faces us all. But I was particularly deflated when we had to call off the annual auction. Our auction has raised remarkable sums each year for worthy conservation projects on rivers that we value deeply. Our auction chair, Janet Arenz, had amassed a variety of fantastic trips, fishing gear, dinners, wine, and other items our members would have loved to bid up. Thankfully, most of our dedicated donors are willing to hold on to those offerings until next year. Our Fly Fisher Foundation remains committed to the causes they have supported and that our members value. Support will continue for the Tom McAllister Graduate Scholarship at Oregon State University and the C. Edwin Francis collection of fly fishing books at the Multnomah County Library. Moreover, Western Rivers Conservancy will receive a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for their project to conserve and restore three miles of fish habitat on the Williamson River.
During this strange time of isolation, our local fly shops are reaching out to keep us informed and connected with our sport. If you aren’t already receiving their e-newsletters or reading their blogs, go to their websites, sign-up and feel the fish love! And what better time to go through your rods, reels, lines, flies, and other accoutrements and figure out what you need to get organized for the trip you are yearning to take. Take a virtual trip to the online stores at Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters, Royal Treatment Fly Fishing, The Fly Fishing Shop, The Portland Fly Shop, or farther afield to shops like the Caddis Fly in Eugene or The Gorge Fly Shop in Hood River. They could use your business and you will enjoy getting a package of new fishing equipment delivered to your door!
Lisa Hansen
Rick Pay John Day Steelhead
Welcome New Members!
Rob Peterson of Portland shared that his interests include two handed spey casting and fishing as well as writing. The Flyline editor is hoping that Rob will consider contributing to our Literary Angler page!
Dan Hassler, also of Portland, notes that he enjoys ecology and bird watching, and is interested in increasing his fly fishing skills. Dan will find many like-minded folks in our Club.
Finally, Ted Gillette joins us from Salem! Nice to see more interest in the FCO from down (slightly) south. Welcome and look forward to meeting all three new members when we are able to resume our meetings and events.
Membership Chair, Rick Pay sends this update: The current total FCO membership stands at 160 with twelve new members thus far in 2020. Our most distant member resides in New Zealand! We also have one non-resident member in Massachusetts and one in Vermont. There are several in the Rocky Mountain West and quite a number in central and southern Oregon. Thank you all for your continued membership!
There are a few people who have not yet paid wither 2020 dues. We know these are tough times, but we would appreciate their continued support and membership. Click to renew your membership-
