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October 2017 ISSUE

MONTHLY MEMBERS MEETING

Please check your calendar and make sure that the monthly meeting of the McKenzie Fly Fishers is there in bold print - Monday, October 16, 2017 at Willie’s Restaurant. 400 Industrial Way, Springfield. Cocktails and an opportunity to chat and mingle at 6:00, dinner at 7:00, speakers at 8:00.

PREZ SEZ … Sparky Rice It seems like a long time since I attended to this column and a long time since our Gold Lake outing, but thanks to all of you who helped out and congratulations to Stevie Brehm our Gold Lake fisherman of the year. The controversy surrounding this award has been settled or at least laid to rest. The next two times I went fishing did not include flies, but I don’t have much else to write about. So the Saturday after Gold Lake I took my friend Abe out with guide Dan Taylor. Abe is from Montana and has done a lot of fishing and backcountry hiking, but he has never caught a chinook salmon. You can take that off your bucket list Abe.

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A few days later I took something off my bucket list when six of us went albacore tuna fishing out of Westport, WA. It's a long story but after a very slow morning we found two big schools, 50 miles out, late in the afternoon. Albacore I'm told usually run 14 to 15 lb. Our 29 were mostly 25 to 30 lbs.and a couple were 35. We lucked out with a good group, good weather, good seas, only a light wind, and lots of anticipation of agony and disappointment before chaos and elation when we finally found our query.

Last Saturday I did decide to see if I could catch one of those rare Town Run steelhead. It went something like this: 5 I did catch 5 trout - not a big deal on a 7 wt. 4 my dog threw up 4 times in my drift boat 3 my 3 different steelhead flies caught 0 steelhead 2 I was 2 hours late getting home to help Bette pack up for our big Tailgater for the Cal

Bears football game. You know how compulsive you can get trying to catch a fish

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As fishermen I know many if not most of you can relate to this situation of coming home late after fishing and being misunderstood by an unsympathetic spouse. It just didn't seem to me like it should be such a big deal. I've said it so many times in the past, “ When I'm out fishing, don't expect me home until you see me coming”. I should have just shut up and taken my tongue thrashing. So anyway I didn't go fishing this Saturday before the WSU Cougar game, but I do think I’ll try the Town Run again on Monday.

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October 16, 2017 Program Ty Holloway (fly fishing guide)

All About Catching Summer Steelhead on the Fly.

Ty Holloway is a knowledgeable and respected fly fishing guide, one

of a handful of certified fly fishing guides on the North Umpqua. Don’t miss this presentation as Ty shares his secrets for success fly fishing

for Summer Steelhead.

The Holloway Brothers, Ty and his brother Clay were raised just outside of Eugene. They grew up fly-fishing the McKenzie, exploring the area’s rivers and lakes, and working at the local Caddis Fly fly shop. Following high school and after a couple of seasons guiding in Montana they returned to Oregon in search of year-round fishing and focused their energy and knowledge developing their guiding business. The Holloway Bros. Guide Service showcases the finest fly fishing the state of Oregon has to offer.

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FUTURE PROGRAMS November 20, 2017: Annual McKenzie Fly Fishers Auction Sunday, December 10, 2017: Holiday party EVENTS AND OUTINGS

Outing Overview

MCKENZIE FLYFISHERS 2017 OUTING/EVENTS SCHEDULE

DATE LOCATION FISHMASTER October 13-15 Klickitat River WA (Kalama Cup) Evergreen Fly Fishers This weekend (Oct 13-15) the Kalama Cup has been scheduled. Originally planned for the Klickitat River in Washington by the Evergreen club. Steelhead returns to the Columbia system are the worst on record so they decided to try the No. Umpqua. It is a river we all love. This area right now is currently under a road closure due to the No. Umpqua complex of fires. Places like Horseshoe Bend and Apple Cr. are totally closed and many structures are on immediate notice of evacuation. Things are tough, but a little rain could change all of that. It is a wait and see but it is worth planning for as we need all the rods possible to catch the largest steelhead to take back the trophy (cup). MFF LIARS LUNCH ANNOUCEMENT: Sparky Rice The Liars Luncheon that is held every Friday at 12:00 - 1:00 has been moved to House of Chen until further notice. It is across the street from Matt Arena at 1861 Franklin Blvd. Get there 15 minutes early if you want to make sure you get a good seat. MFF AUCTION: Jim Rhoten The club auction is coming soon. So far, little has been turned in, so please bring your items to the October meeting. Please label the items you bring in so we can keep track of who brings what. E- mail Walt Petty with your trips to auction off, contact John O'Conner with your wine donations, and Clint Brumit about fly boxes. Any questions or need pick up , contact Jim Rhoten at (541)484-1407 or (541)505-6837. Please help your auction committee by getting items in early.

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FISHING REPORTS Gold Lake Outing Prez Letter Sparky Rice Stevie,WouldyoulikeyournameontheGoldLakeFishermanoftheyear?Ineedtotakeitbackanywaysincetheinvestigationofasupposedsightingofasmallwhitecardboardcontainerresemblingawormcontainingcouldnotbesubstantiated.ThereforeIwillgetafishermanwithaflyrodinsteadofabaitcastingpoleandreel.Congratulations!ThatwasanicestringeroffishyouandWaltbroughtin.

IdoneedtotellyouthatsincebothyouandWalthavewontheTrophyinthepastandsomemembersdidnotcatchanyfish.Itseemsonlyfairthatpastwinnersofthetrophyshouldnotfishtogetheronthisouting.Theycouldbesharingtheirexpertiseandexperiencewithothermemberslikeme.ThereforeatMonday'smeetingatwhichyoursandWalt'sabsencewasnoteditwasdecidedtoreferthistotheRulesCommittee.Sincewedon'thaveaRulesCommitteeIformedoneofallthememberswhodidnotcatchfishatGoldLakelastweekend.Theywillrefertheirfindingsandrecommendationstotheboard,noneofwhomhaveeverwonthishonor.Don'tbothertosendmeormembersoftheboardanyofyouthoughtsonthismatter.AspresidentIassureyouourdeliberationswillbecompletelyfairduringourclosedsession.Again:CongratulationsDon'tforgettoletmeknowifyouwantyournameonthetrophyanddoIreallyneedtochangeoutthefishermanfigure.Sparky

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Alljokesasidetheoutingwasahugesuccess,charwereslaughteredanywherefrom4inchesto16andwefeastedlikekings.Thankstoeveryonewhocame,securingsites,settingupcampandthosewhobroughtthesuppliestoandfromourstorageshed(JimR.).TheFliesthatgot’em

BagfullofBrookes(orasmysonsays“Fishys,fishys,fishys…”

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CreweatingBreakfast

Diamond Lake Outing Tom Fauria and Ted Taylor (aka Club Photographer)

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Like every outing the food is always a highlight.

Gets cold in a pontoon floating around in Diamond Lake but as the next picture shows those who endure it get rewarded, nice looking Diamond Lake Rainbow (Tom F.).

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INVITATION TO JOIN You do not have to be an expert fly fisher to join the McKenzie Fly Fishers. Our monthly meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet other area anglers, to have the best of regional experts on subjects dear to the hearts of fly fishers, and our outings and classes are wonder ways to hone skills and lead local waters first-hand. Interested? Just curious? Contact Karl Lockbaum (541-214-9909).

2017 BOARD

President Sparky Rice At-Large Clint Brumitt

President Elect Al Eckerdt At-Large Jim Rhoten

Secretary Dave Thomas At-Large Mark Campbell

Treasurer Mike Layne & Bala Palani At-Large Terry Willis

2017 COMMITTEES

Auction Jim Rhoten Conservation Arlen Thomason

Education Tim Knerr & Clint Brumitt Holiday Party Patrick Dowd

House/Raffle Tom Fauria & Phil Johnson Library Ted Taylor

IFFF Terry Willis Outings Clint Brumitt

Membership Al Eckerdt & Karl Lockbaum Website Liz Yocom

Newsletter Editor Mark Campbell Picnic Jeff Devore & Joanie DeVore

Handbook Dave Thomas

Lawsuit Oversight Dave Thomas & Arlen Thomason

Programs Dan Robinhold, Sr., Bill Laing, Mike Star, & Scott Halpert