Western Massachusetts Fly Fishermen

November the gateway to winter, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. The leaves are off the trees and most of us have put away our rods and reels for the season as we move into holiday mode with Thanksgiving right around the corner. 

Our November meeting will be held at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

November is Club Officers election month. Be prepared to submit your nominees for Club President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer we will be voting for our 2024 officers. We will also be voting on a Board Member position this year.  

Tom Ricardi will be our guest speaker for November’s meeting, Presenting Birds of Prey. Local raptor rehabilitator, Tom Ricardi, has been rescuing birds of prey for more than 50 years. He has saved thousands of owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and many more during the course of those 50 years. MA Birds of Prey Rehab is a non-profit organization and most of its costs are paid for out of Tom’s own pocket. Please bring a friend to this meeting and enjoy Tom’s talk!

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. Thank you Dan!

Purple Para Ant Hook- standard dry fly 12-14-16 Thread – black Wing-  white para post Body – antron purple sparkle dubbing Hackle – Grizzly

Alexandra wet fly Hook – standard wet fly 10-12 Thread- black Tail – red hackle fibers Body – silver tinsel Wing – peacock sword Throat- black hackle

Partridge and peacock Hook- standard wet fly 12-14-16 Thread –  UTC Fl.fire orange Tag – fire orange thread Body – peacock  herl Hackle – partridge or speckled hen neck Head – fire orange thread

We will be conducting our October meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

It’s October and fall in New England. There is no better time to be on the water with the summer heat behind us, cooler nights, the colors reflecting off the water and the days warmth still in the air. To be rewarded with an afternoon winged hatch, to cast your fly upon the ripples, the drift, the take, the set the fight, will all soon be memories once the trees are devoid of leaves, there spiny fingers reaching up into the gray sky. Soon cold days and the threat of ice and snow forcing us indoors to pursue other hobbies and the warmth of the fireplace.

Our October guest speaker will be Ryan S. Leclerc of New England Guide Service. His presentation will be Fishing Alaska

A Little about Ryan Leclerc:

Fishing is an obsession, a passion, a love.  Fishing is a pillar of my life, not merely a past time.  I have trained with some of the most well-known names in the industry like Rodney Flagg & Ora Smith.  A differentiator for me when one considers choosing a guide is that I am Licensed and Registered to guide any inland open bodies of water in New England & Alaska.

Fly Tying Demo: Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.

PHEASANT FLASHBACK TAIL Hook – Standard nymph hook 18-14 Thread- Black 8/0 uni Tail – 3-4 pheasant tail fibers Body – 4  Pheasant tail fibers, Rib fine copper wire Thorax – Peacock herl Covert – Pheasant tail  & small  pearl mylar Legs – Pheasant tail

RAINBOW WARRIOR Hook Scud hook 16 Bead – Silver Thread – Red uni 8/0 or UTC 70D Tail – Pheasant tail Body Red thread with pearl mylar over Thorax – Rainbow Sow-Scud dubbing Collar- Red thread

THE THUD Hook – 2 xl dry fly size 8-10 Thread – 8/0 black uni Tail – Moose Mane fibers Body – Mahogany brown superfine dubbing Wing – Lt Grey poly yarn

We are back! In fact, our first meeting of the fall season will be on Monday September 16th. I trust everyone had a fantastic summer and enjoyed some great fishing during our break.

We will be conducting our September meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Lodge, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA. The meeting is open to the public.

September’s guest speaker will be Jim Lagacy from MassWildlife Outreach & Education.

It will be great to see everyone again!

Fly Tying Demo: Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.

• RAY CHARLES SCUD
   
  Hook – standard nymph size 14, 16
  Bead – 5/64 Fl Fire Orange
  Thread – light grey uni 8/0
  Body – grey ostrich herl
  Back – pearl mylar tinsel small

• ZEBRA MIDGE
   
  Hook – scud hook, size 16 to 26
  Thread – Black 
  Bead – 1/16 nickel 
  Rib- silver wire

• PAT’S RUBBER LEGS
   
  Hook- 2 xl nymph hook size 8, 10 
  Thread – 8/0 black uni
  Bead – 5/32  Black tungsten nickel
  Tail, feelers, legs – small round black rubber
  Body – variegated chenille MED Black/Coffee

It’s April and the days are getting longer, however it doesn’t seem to be getting any warmer, the high water levels and strong currents in the rivers and streams have made it harder for early spring fishing. Hopefully soon we will be able to get out and wet a line.

We will conduct our April meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

April’s guest speaker will be Connor Quigley, rod designer and product development manager at Thomas and Thomas Fly Rods in Greenfield MA. 

In his presentation, He will be covering rod design, rod selection, rod actions, line pairings, and local fly-fishing opportunities.  It will be a 45-minute presentation, with ample time for discussion during and after the presentation.  With multiple fishing seasons on the horizon, he will be covering rod selection for these fisheries, and provide explanations why rods are designed for certain applications. He will be bringing a few items to demonstrate concepts during the presentation, hoping you will all gain valuable information from his presentation.

Fly Tying Demo:

 Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.  (7:00)

Thanks Dan!

WOODUCK AND ORANGE Thread – Ultra thread 70D Fl. fire orange Hook – 2 XL nymph hook size 8 Body/Wing – Nat. wooduck Hackle – Orange

FUZZY WUZZY SULFUR Hook – standard dry 16-18-20 Thread – yellow Danville 6/0 Wing – yellow CDC feather (trout hunter) Body – yellow CDC feather

DAN’S BLACK FOAM PARACHUTE ANT Thread- 6/0 black uni Hook – 2 xl dry fly hook size 10 Wing – white calf tail Hackle – black dry fly quality Body – black foam 3 mm

Monday February 19, 2024, Meeting Notice

As we move into the new year we have a number of Club events coming up in February and March. We have the Springfield Sportsmens Show at the Big E in February where we will need volunteers to representing the club, we will also be preparing for the WMFF Expo where we will also need club member participation and volunteers.  

We will conduct our February meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

Our guest speaker at our February meeting will be Adam Kautza from Mass Wildlife

Once again, we have been invited back to the Springfield Sportsman’s Show at the Big E, February 23^rd. – 25th. We are in need of volunteers to man the booth at this event. You can tie fly’s or just be there to talk about the club. We want to have coverage all three days so please sign up to help. A sign- up sheet will be available at our meeting Here is a link to this event https://www.osegsportsmens.com/index.html  

As a reminder we are rapidly approaching the time to renew our individual membership. Renewals are due by the end of March 2024.  Dues are still $20.00. I will be available to renew your membership during the meeting.

Thank you John D Lawor Secretary WMFF

Fly Tying Demo:

 Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following flys at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. 

(6:30) Thanks Dan.

Fly Tying Demo:

 Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. 

(6:30) Thanks Dan.

NO SEE UM MIDGE

Hook – ring eye dry fly TMC 101,

TMC 2488 sizes 22,24

THREAD – 8/0 UNI rusty brown,

8/0 uni black, 8/0 uni dk olive

Hackle- dry fly quality, brown, lt. dun 

ZUG BUG 

Hook – standard 1 xl nymph hook 10.12,14

Thread- Uni 8/0 black,

Tail – peacock sword

Body – peacock eye

Rib – oval silver tinsel

Throat – brown hackle

Wing cover – mallard

Wing – deer or elk body dyed black

Thorax – black dubbing

Hackle – grizzly

PHEASANT TAIL PERDIGON

Hook – standard jig hook any size 14,16.18

Bead – copper bead 

Tail – woodduck fibers

Body – Pheasant tail

Rib – copper wire

Thorax – peacock her

7 Fox Hill Dr., Wilbraham, MA. Contact # 413-579-199 wmffclub@gmail.com

Monday May 15th 2023 is our last meeting before we go on summer break. We had another great year and got through another WMFF Expo.

Our May meeting will be the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA at the Pavilion for our close of the season cookout. We will be starting at 5:00 pm the meeting will commence after the cookout outside in the Pavilion area. Anyone wanting to help with the cookout please see Dan at 4:00 pm to assist him with preparations and cooking.

We will be starting back up in September on Monday the 18t^h at 7:00 PM. Our regular September Meeting will be held at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

7 Fox Hill Dr., Wilbraham, MA. Contact # 413-579-199 wmffclub@gmail.com

It’s April and Spring is here. The days are getting longer, and warmer, Mass Wildlife has been stocking our streams, rivers ponds and lakes, it’s time to get out flex the muscles shake off the winter rust and throw a line.

We will conduct our April meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

Guest Speaker

April’s guest speaker will be Karl Meyers, Society of Environmental Journalists. The topic will be “LIVING RIVERS FLOW DOWNSTREAM: A History of Fish Passage on New England’s Broken Rivers”

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the meeting.

(7:00) Thanks Dan!

IRON MIKE STREAMER

HOOK – size 6 – 2 xl nymph/streamer

BEAD- silver tungsten 5/32

THREAD – 6/0 black UNI

TAIL – white marabou with mallard flank or teal feather

BODY- pearl wing & flash, or ice wing or secret stuff

WING- pearl wing & flash with mallard or teal feather

HEAD- med pearl mylar collar

LANDON MYER BLACK MINI LEECH

HOOK – Jig hook size 10

BEAD – black tungsten 1/8

TAIL- black pine squirrel

BODY_ red mylar tinsel

LT. HENDRICKSON  DRY (CATSKILL STYLE)

THREAD – 8/0 uni

HOOK – standard dry size 14

Tail – dun (gray) hackle fibers

BODY_ Hendrickson dubbing (pink/gray/tan mixture)

WING wood duck flank

HACKLE – Med. blue dun (gray)

The Western Mass Fly Fishermen club wants to thank everyone that came out to support our March Expo!

The following images were provided by John Calhoun. Thanks John!

I hope everyone survived the cold weekend we had at the beginning of the month without any frozen pipes or dead car batteries!

We will conduct our February meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

Guest Speaker

We will not have a guest speaker at our February meeting due to the time required to discuss our March Expo plans and other club activities.

We will have representation at the Springfield Sportsman’s Show at the Big E February 24^th – 26^th. We are in need of volunteers to man the booth at this event. You can tie fly’s or just be there to talk about the club. We want to have coverage all three days so please sign up to help. A sign- up sheet will be at our next meeting. Here is a link to this event https://www.osegsportsmens.com/index.html

As a reminder we are rapidly approaching the time to renew our individual membership. For individuals that are looking to join the club the membership dues are $20.00 a year. The annual renewal date for the 2022-2023 season is March 31, 2023. I have included a mail in renewal form with this meeting announcement.

Hope to see many of you at this coming meeting.

January Meeting Minutes:

At this time of this publication we do not have the January meeting minutes.

John LaFrancis – Vice President

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the meeting.

(7:00) Thanks Dan!

7 Fox Hill Dr., Wilbraham, MA. Contact # 413-579-1994

Monday November 21, 2022 Meeting Notice

We have successfully completed our first two meetings of the last quarter of the 2022 season.

Our November meeting will be held at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

November is Club Officers election month. Be prepared to submit your nominees for Club President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer we will be voting for our 2023 officers.

James Conleyour newest memberwill be our guest speaker for the November meeting. James will be sharing his fly fishing experiences fishing Pyramid Lake in California.

Thank you, James,

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following flys at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.

7 Fox Hill Dr., Wilbraham, MA. Contact # 413-579-1994

We are back and we have successfully completed our first meeting after our return from summer break.

We will be conducting our October meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

The Pandemic is over at least according to President Biden, however please feel free to use what ever virus protocols you feel comfortable with.

Sean Rose will be our guest speaker for the October meeting. Sean will be sharing some of his living and fly fishing experiences out west.

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.

Thanks Dan!

Just a reminder for anyone interested in attending.

The Bill Rose Memorial Fly-Fishing Clinic, co-sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association and the Western Mass Fly Fishermen Club, will be held this year on October 15th across from the Huntington Health Center in Huntington, MA. from 9 AM – 12 Noon

7 Fox Hill Dr., Wilbraham, MA. Contact # 413-579-1994

I hope everyone had a great summer and enjoyed some great fishing during our break. It looks as though the virus is somewhat in our rear-view mirror, although some may want to adhere to past virus practices, masks, distance, sanitizer etc…

We will be conducting our September meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

September’s guest speaker will be Tom Panaccione

Tom will be sharing fly-fishing stories and personal experiences from his trip to Argentina. The presentation will include trip info, fishing techniques and the flies used. Questions during the presentation will be welcome. Please join me in welcoming and thanking Tom for taking the time to share his experiences.

It will be great to see everyone again and start a fantastic and fun after break season.

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.

Thanks Dan!

May 2022 and Covid seems to be in our rear-view mirror, we are no longer living under Covid mask mandates, lock downs or distancing. However, Covid is still very real so at this point please utilize whatever virus practices that you are personally comfortable with, masks, distance, sanitizer etc.

Our regular May Meeting will be held at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA

This month we will be meeting in the Pavilion for a cookout and our close of season meeting. We will start serving food at 5 pm. Anyone that would like to help set up the barbecue come to the Pavilion at 4:00pm.

Hope to see all of you at the cookout.

It is now February 2022 and we are still dealing with Covid and it’s two variants Delta and Omicron. We will still have to adhere to the current Virus Practices. masks, distance, sanitizer etc. or whatever they may be at the time of the meeting or what ever is your comfort level. We will be conducting our February meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.

We are rapidly approaching the time to renew our individual membership.

 As we all know due to Covid membership renewals were suspended until March of 2022. Please note if you would like to renew your membership by mail or would like to join the club you can email me at wmffclub@Gmail.com and I will email you back the form. If you prefer to renew in person fill out the form and bring to the next meeting.

There was a Bord of Directors Meeting held at the end of the regular meeting. A discussion was made by all directors and officers present that the March Fly Fishing Expo will be moved to April 18th, 2022.

It was also decided to monitor COVID activity to possibly postpone to a later date or to cancel.

Currently we do not have guest speaker for this meeting. In lieu of a guest speaker we will be presenting the documentary “Trout Grass”. This is the story of Bamboo and its journey from China and the process of turning it into a fly rod.

Hope to see many of you at this coming meeting.

Fly Tying Demo:

 Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. 

(6:30) Thanks Dan.

Welcome to 2022!

We will conduct our January meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.  We will adhere to current Virus Practices. Masks, distance, sanitizer etc.

January’s guest speaker will be Don Stewart from WMFF and TU. His presentation will be on his fly-fishing experiences fishing Alaska. Please join me in welcoming and thanking Don for taking the time to share his experiences.

We are rapidly approaching the time to renew our individual membership. As we all know due to Covid membership renewals were suspended until March of 2022. For those of you who wish to renew early your new expiration date will be March 2023.

Hope to see many of you at this coming meeting.

Just a reminder fly tying class started Thursday January 13th. You still can come and join the class that will run for 8 consecutive Thursdays. Classes will start at 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm and be held at the Elk’s Lodge in Ludlow, MA.

Fly Tying Demo:

 Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. 

(6:30) Thanks Dan.

FREE Fly-Tying Classes starting January 13th 2022

We will conduct our December meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.  We will adhere to current Virus Practices. Masks, distance, sanitizer etc.December’s guest speaker will be Tom Panaccione   

Tom will be sharing an eclectic mix of fly-fishing stories and personal experiences from his trips to some great fly-fishing destination’s such as Argentina, Montana and Belize. The presentation will include trip info, fishing techniques and the flies used. Questions during the presentation will be welcome.  Please join me in welcoming and thanking Tom for taking the time to share his experiences.

Hope to see many of you at this coming meeting. 

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting. (6:30) Thanks Dan.

We will conduct our September meeting at 7:00 pm right after the Fly-Tying Demo, at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.  We will adhere to current Virus Practices. Masks, distance, sanitizer etc. It’s been a while since we had our last meeting! (May Cookout)  We hope that you are all in good health and trying to live your lives as normal as possible given our extenuating circumstances.  One thing that I look forward to is getting back to our meetings and enjoy the interaction, comraderies, and sharing fish stories that we can all relate to.

Meeting Minutes:

Our last meeting was the annual cookout.  We all thank Dan Trela and his wife, plus Roy Britton for pulling off a successful event.  It was a good time to see all the folks and enjoy the good food and friendships at the event. If you want information on the status of our funds, please see our treasurer (Don Vacon) for the info available at the meeting.

Welcome our newest member, Thomas (Tom) Rzasa who joined our group at the cookout.

Working on getting WMFF Club letterhead if you need some.  Can send it by file via email or I will carry some in my bag.

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following flys at our meeting on Monday night beginning before (6:30) the scheduled meeting.  Thanks Dan.

Guest Speaker:  None so far but we are open to your sharing of a topic or experience!

See Harold to set the date.

Field Notes from Our Local Fly Fishers: Be careful when you venture out onto the water.  Levels are high with all the rain we’ve been getting

Hope to see you at the Annual Cookout in the Elks Pavilion!  The meeting will be held outdoors. Dan Trela will be grilling some mighty fine burgers and hot dogs for us.  There will be some deserts, chips and other fix ins for us to enjoy.  Our meeting will be held on Monday, May17, 2021 at 7:00 PM, right after the cookout that starts at 5:30 at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow, we hope you can make it there.

No Fly tying demonstrations will take place because Dan is tied up with other duties.

April Meeting: Minutes:

• Our first indoor meeting since the Covid attack!  We had 22 members and one guest show up.  (guest is now a new member! Thank Harold!)
• Dan Trela demonstrated his superb fly-tying abilities on various Caddis flies that are productive on the Swift.  The “Wicked Pissa” is really hot on the Swift River!
• Our Raffle was a tremendous hit!  Many multiple winners of some nice prizes!  Wish you had been there to share the winnings! been there…

TREASURERS REPORT:  We are holding our own until we renegotiate our hall rental contract this month! 

Speaker:

There will be no scheduled speaker for this meeting.  If you are interested in giving us a demonstration or short talk at a future meeting, please give Harold Norman a call to schedule your talk.  We all appreciate learning more about Fly Fishing and other related interests.

GREAT NEWS! WE`RE GETTING TOGETHER AGAIN!

First, we hope that you all survived this immense ordeal in good health and spirit.  Many of us are still adjusting to the new environment, whereby we have all gone “viral” with all the changes in our lives.  Restrictions have been reduced to allow groups to gather with limits of 40% of the facility’s capacity.  Our max club meeting attendance has stayed at 30 members/guests.  The Elks Club hall accommodates several hundred people.  Therefore, we fall way under the 40% limit.  ALL COVID MEASURES ARE STILL IN AFFECT DURING OUR GATHERING!  Masks, attendance register, hand sanitizer, and social distancing.

We will conduct our club meeting at 7:00 pm beginning with the Fly-Tying Demo portion of the meeting. Located at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA.  We miss gathering as a group of people who love this sport/hobby/passion and love sharing experiences, knowledge’ and support of our fishing environment for all to enjoy.  See you at the meeting.

Meeting Minutes:

Our last meeting was during the Fall when we got together in the Pavilion.

Treasurer’s report will be available at the meeting.  See Don Vacon.

Fly Tying Demo: 

Dan will be demonstrating how to tie the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night beginning before the scheduled meeting.  Thank you, Dan for tying some terrific flies and describing their unique features and “fishability”!

TIPS: When tying the CDC and deer hair caddis on a size 14-16 hook select a CDC feather about 1 1/4 inch long. Tie it in over the hook barb and twist the feather into a rope. Wrap the CDC to form the body at about the 3/4 point wrap the feather as a hackle.  Then tie in the deer hair or elk. Short and fine deer hair is distributed by Wapsi and is available at fly shops.

Guest Speaker: None scheduled.  If you know of someone, please contact Harold Norman.

Field Notes From Our Local Fly Fishers: Be careful if you venture out on the ice, some spots are not as safe as they look!  The Swift is seeing some good activity!

With the pandemic in full swing here in January of 2021 and our meetings canceled, I wanted to find ways to keep us together virtually. In the video link below Dan is going to show us how to tie five fly’s. Four of the fly’s are variations on the Pheasant tail nymphs and the last one is a dry fly.

I am fairly new to fly fishing/fly tying and found it interesting that by changing in most cases one material in the fly pattern that you now have a different fly that you are making. The opposite of that is you already are using four items on your bench and by changing out one you can practice tying a different fly!

Here are the fly fly patterns to accompany the video.

Pheasant tail nymph

Hook size: Standard nymph hook size 16 NW1 16 hook n

Thread: 6/0  Uni-Thread black

Body: Natural pheasant tail

Ribbing: Extra fine copper wire

Thorax/legs: Peacock herl

Hendrickson nymph

Hook size: 12-14-16 hook

Thread: 6/0  Uni-Thread

Tail: Pheasant tail dyed brown.

Ribbing: Extra fine copper wire

Thorax: Mahoney super find dubbing

baetis nymph

Hook size: 18 standard

Thread: 6/0  Uni-Thread

Tail: Pheasant tail dyed brown or olive

Ribbing: Extra fine copper wire

Thorax: Gray olive super fine dubbing

Pheasant tail soft hackle

Hook size: 14

Thread: 6/0  Uni-Thread

Body: Natural pheasant tail

Ribbing: Extra fine copper wire

Thorax: Hairs ear dubbing (Note: European rabbit has more brown than gray)

Hackle: Hungarian Partridge feather

Dry Fly – Charlie Craven Mole fly variation

Hook: Scud emerger – Dieche 1130

Thread: 8/0  Uni-Thread

Wing: CDC (Cul de Canard)

Body: Natural pheasant tail??

Ribbing: extra fine copper wire

I want to thank Dan Trela for tying the fly’s and Tom Panaccione for his video work!

Here is the link to the video:

Pheasant Tail Nymph Variations by Dan Trela

In watching this video here are some other links I found of interest:

Deciphering thread size

How to select CDC feathers

Aquatic insect Encyclopedia

**ALL MEETINGS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

We all realize that 2020 is going down as a sad, crazy, and “hectic” year with some of us loosing family and friends to this crazy virus.  Plus, the constantly changing Virus related information, guidance and rules that keep us from living normal lives with freedom of mobility, freedom to gather, Freedom of choice, etc.  These restrictions have directly affected our club members and our club organization.  Even when we did attempt to legally restart our meetings, the attendance was never over 16 members.  Many of us have not seen each other for almost one year!  This has created a negative impact in our membership. Currently we have a total of 24 out of the 62 members who are “In Good Standing” (current dues paid, membership card with an expiration date of March 2021). 

The WMFF club Board of Directors held an emergency meeting to address the current and future mandatory changes of the Massachusetts COVID Virus restrictions on our ability to conduct club meetings and group activities.  These restrictions directly affect our ability to conduct meetings, Fly Tying Classes and possibly, the March EXPO.  The changes also impact many other organizations like the Ludlow Elks Club where we conduct our activities.  The WMFF Board of Directors decided to approve two opportunities for our members.

1. All members currently in Good Standing during 2020 will be issued new Membership cards upon return of the old card with no new fee for the new cards that will expire in March of 2022.
2. Granted an extension to all the members who were not able to update their membership in WMFF by the March 2020 renewal deadline, to do so by March 2021 ($20.00).  The new expiration date will be March 2022.

November 2020 Meeting Minutes: 

*Potential for more COVID changes down the road impacting our meetings such as, sign in log, RSVPs via email or telephone for snail mail users, attendance limits, currently we social distance, wear masks, and sanitize our hands and multi us items.

*Thanks to Dan for demonstrating some nice looking flies.

*Thank you also to Tom Panaccione for an excellent presentation on his African Safari and all the terrific photos

*There were many multiple raffle winners!  14 members, 36 items!!

We miss you, the comradery, and staying connected while sharing the passion of our sport/hobby/craft!

We are looking at the upcoming MARCH EXPO 2021 as our target date to hold the event and as the start date to conduct our meetings.  Please consider signing up for club leadership positions.  This will promote continuity, growth and variety for our club.  If you are interested, please let one of the officers know.

Field Notes To & From Our Local Fly Fishers:

FROSTBITE and Hypothermia alert!  Please remember to cover bare skin during these low temperature days. Try to stay dry and stay warm.  It doesn’t take long for frostbite or hypothermia to set in! 

We will hold our November meeting at starting at 7:00 pm at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA. The Fly tying demo portion of the meeting begins at 7:00.  We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and always appreciate your support.

Meeting Minutes:

• Our October meeting was well attended with 14 members and 4 interested guests.
• Please welcome our new members James Carvalho, Tom Bankman, Kevin McClure and Clay Tsaursnik (sp)
• Treasurer’s report is available at the meeting.  See Don Vacon.
• Our new club bylaws/Standard Rules are almost ready!  Our president and secratary need to sign the copies and will have them for distribution at the meeting.
• The COVID Flu has thrown everyone off their regular schedules.  If by some chance you have forgotten to make your current dues payment, (several members) you will be in Good Standing when you make payment.  We ALL appreciate your support for our club. 
• Please keep Manny DaSilva in your thoughts and prayers as he continues on the road to recovery from cancer. 

** COVID UPDATES ON MEETINGS AT THE ELKS LODGE: 

1. We MUST all practice SOCIAL DISTANCING
2. We MUST ALL WEAR MASKS or FACE SHIELDS
3. Indoor gatherings at all venues and locations are limited to 25 people (we usually hit around
4. 25 to 30)
5. We will have sanitizer for all to use whenever you need or items are handled by more than one person.
6. All meeting attendees must sign the ATTENDANCE LOG WITH NAME, AND CONTACT NUMBER
7. ALSO, IF YOU’RE NOT FEELING WELL OR HAVE SOME DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR          CONDITION—Please consider seeking medical attention or staying home.

Fly Tying Demo: Dan will be demonstrating the following flys at our meeting on Monday night beginning before the scheduled meeting.  As always, THANK YOU DAN for all your amazing support.

Hook- DAIICHI 1640 16-20

Thread- black  8/0 UNI

Body – COATES & CLARK THREAD NO. 454 A  Summer Brown   (Available at Walmart or Joanne’s )  

• 

DEER HAIR CADDIS

Hook – standard dry fly hook12-24

Thread – 6/0 uni tan Body – Tan , grey dubbing ( I like Wapsi Dark Tan synthetic )

Wing – fine deer hair ( On northern deer its the hair from the mask)  

The Bill Rose Memorial Fly-Fishing Clinic is Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m..
Location: Route 20 in Huntington, in scenic turnout across from Huntington Health Center. Click here for more information.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS   Fly Fishermen

146 Old Enfield Road, Belchertown, MA 01007

MONDAY October 19, 2020 Meeting Notice!

We will hold our October meeting at 7:00 pm at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and always appreciate your support.  Fly tying demo around 630.

Meeting Minutes:

• Treasurer’s report is available at the meeting.  See Don Vacon.
• Our new club bylaws/Standard Rules are almost ready!  Our president and secretary need to sign the co[pies and will have them for distribution at the meeting.
• Thank you in advance to all our members who made it out to the Westfield River Watershed Assoc. Fly Fishing Clinic in Honor of Bill Rose, our past President.
• The COVID Flu has thrown everyone off their regular schedules.  If by some chance you have forgotten to make your current dues payment, (several members) you will be in Good Standing when you make payment. We appreciate your support for our club.
• For those that have not attended our cookout in August and the outdoor meeting in September, WE MISSED YOU!  Good food and Dan tied a unique local fly.  Guaranteed to catch the Big One!  If you want more info on it, please talk to Dan!
• Manny Thanks you all for the support during his challenge with his medical issue.  He is doing better and plans to be at this meeting.

Fly Tying Demo:

Dan will be demonstrating the following fly’s at our meeting on Monday night beginning before the scheduled meeting.  As always, THANK YOU DAN for all your amazing support.

Guest Speaker:  None scheduled but if you know anyone who is interested please call Gil

Field Notes From Our Local Fly Fishers:   Fall stocking is in progress throughout Western Mass. 

Club Meeting Thursday September 17, 2020

6:30 at the Elks Club Ludlow

Message from our President Harold Norman:

We hope that all our members, their friends and families are in good health after all that has been experienced in our country and parts of the world for the past several months.  For those members who have friends and families that were taken ill or suffered a loss of a dear one, our hearts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.  Please know that this pandemic has impacted us all in some way shape or form.  As a minimum, I miss gathering at our meetings and the experience of sharing our passion for the fly tying/fly fishing hobby/profession.  If there is one lesson that this pandemic has taught us is; to NOT take things for granted as if we expect everything to happen the way we want, or because that is the way it’s always been, or we have always done things or expect things to take place.  Life is short, sometimes unfair, and definitely complicated!  Please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay tuned for information on our upcoming meeting in Sept.  (I hope).  Also, since our membership is comprised of many members with seniority, please take time out to touch base with a couple of our members/friends during this summer.  In fact, when you get the chance please give Manny DaSilva a telephone call at 413-283-2915, he could use a few encouraging words during his fight with cancer. 

Well it has been several weeks since this notice was initiated and now we are in Phase 2.5 of this crazy Corona Virus pandemic.  I hope we are moving toward some normalcy soon.  I will be contacting the Elks Club in the next few weeks to see when they plan on opening and based on that information, we will get the word out to you ASAP.  We hope that by the third Monday in September (21) we will hold our first meeting since January!

We will send out our usual Meeting Notice before the meeting with all the meeting info.  Until then, please stay safe and get out there and enjoy our summer.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at tiger66gd@verizon.net, call me at 603-305-5301, or snail mail at the address listed above.  My Face-Book and Messenger accounts are shut down due to a hacking problem so you won’t find me there.

Guest Speaker: Dan Trela Dan will be tying the Teco Bug

Field Notes From Our Local Fly Fishers:

The shutdown of our country has really impacted the activity on the Swift River!  I have never seen the Route 9 bridge area with so many cars that there were NO parking spots in the lot, the field across the street, route 9, the pumping station and the side trail to the Y-pool!  Poor trout don’t stand a chance!

Due to the affect and impact of the current Corona Virus epidemic, we along with many other groups and organizations cannot gather in large groups until the state revises their group meeting restrictions.  We will stay tuned for any changes to these restrictions and notify all the members when things begin to get back to normal.

Due to these circumstances, our April and May meetings and our cookout are all cancelled.  I will miss enjoying our outing and I miss our meetings as well.  Just another lesson for me NOT to take things for granted because we never know when they will be gone!

Membership status:  Normally we all renew our club memberships in March, usually at the March EXPO.  Due to the current situation, all memberships are in the GRACE period.  No one will lose their membership.  If you want to send your dues by mail, the address 146 Old Enfield Road, Belchertown, MA 01007.  If you want to wait until we meet again, that should be fine as well but the decision/agreement has to be made by the Board Of Directors.

Our President (Harold), wishes everyone a great summer, and looks forward to gathering together in September.

Please be careful and mindful of your environment whenever you are in a public place, and do stay safe.

He also recommends fly fishing as a great therapy for times of stress and anxiety!  I feel better just thinking about it!  Thanks Harold.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at tiger66gd@verizon.net, call me at 603-305-5301, or snail mail at the address listed above.  I have shut down my Face-Book and Messenger accounts due to a hacking problem so you won’t find me there.

Best regards,

Gil DaCosta