Author: Scott Seifel
Monday April 20, 2026, Meeting Notice
It’s April and time to hit the water. The snow is gone and the rivers and streams are running fast because of the melt off. Just remember to take wading precautions when out on the water. Hopefully the temperatures will start getting warmer and more comfortable and the spring stocking is also about to start giving us even more incentive to get out into the open air.
We had a very successful March Expo, in fact the best one ever. Don will be going over the numbers at out April business meeting. A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers and vendors that made this year’s success possible.
Time to renew our individual 2027 membership. Renewals were due by the end of March 2026. However, we will be extending this into April to give ample time for those members that have not gotten around to renew yet. On the Membership webpage you will find a Renew by Mail Form, you can complete on the webpage or download a PDF copy. Please follow the directions on the form to renew by mail or if you prefer to renew in person just fill out the form and bring it to the April 2026 meeting. Dues have changed, which are listed on the form.
Thank you.
John D Lawor – WMFF Secretary
JLawor@wmffclub.org
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.
For April our guest speaker will be. Matt Tempesta of Tempco Fly Fishing he will be doing a presentation on knot tying, and leaders.
Mark Grych has put together a monthly hatch guide to our favorite local rivers and streams. A hat’s off and a big thank you to Mark for taking the time to do this for us. You may find the information on the new “WMFF’s Fly by River by Month” webpage.
John LaFrancis – WMFF President
JLaFrancis@wmffclub.org
Fly Tying Demo
Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following flies at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.
Y2K
Hook- scud hook size 14-12
Thread – yellow uni 6/0 or danville
Bead – gold tungsten 1/8
Wing – glo bug yarn or egg yarn
GREEN WEENIE
Hook – jig hook size 12/14
Thread – chartreuse uni 6/0
Bead – tungsten slotted black 3/32
Body/ tail – chartreuse micro chen
CET SULFUR EMERGER
HOOK – size 16 wapsi scud SE1
Thread – uni rusty brown 6/0
Tail – 3 strands uni rusty brown splayed
Body – uni rusty brown
Wing – Lt. grey poly
Thorax – yellow dubbing
Our March Meeting is our club premier event THE MARCH EXPO and it looks to be the best one ever with a great guest speaker and a number of new vendors. We also have some really great raffle prizes this year. Be sure to come out and enjoy the 2026 WMFF Expo. For complete details, please see the March Expo webpage.
I would like to thank all of you who volunteered to work the WMFF Booth at the Springfield Sportsman Show in West Springfield last month. Your hard work and dedication to the club made our presences at the show a success.
As a Membership Reminder March 2025 is the time to renew your membership for the 2026-2027 season. For those of you that have not renewed please find the mail in renewal form with this meeting announcement. You can fill this form out and mail your renewal directly to me, and I will mail your Membership Card to you. Alternatively, you can renew online at the WMFF’s website, or bring the completed form to the March EXPO meeting to renew in person. Remember dues are now $50.00. Please see the Membership webpage for details, the online membership form, or a downloadable PDF copy of the membership form.
Hope to see many of you at the EXPO!
Thank you.
John D Lawor – WMFF Secretary
jlawor@wmffclub.org
Monday, March 16th
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Guest Speaker at 7:30 PM
The Ludlow Elks Lodge
69 Chapin Street Ludlow, MA
ADMISSION: $8.00, free for children under 12 years old
For complete details, please see the March Expo webpage.
Fly Tying Classes 2026
2026 March Expo
The 2026 WMFF March Expo
is coming soon!
Please check out the 2026 March Expo webpage for details:
Monday February 16, 2026, Meeting Notice
So far it has been a very cold winter with a snow fall like we haven’t seen in a few years. Historically, February is the worst month and as we fall into February’s winter grip, let’s hope we see an early spring thaw. With that said, most of us will not be out on the water fishing for at least a few months. However, to keep us occupied we have a number of Club events coming up in February and March. We have the Springfield Sportsman’s Show at the Big E in February where Club volunteers will be representing WMFF, we will also be preparing for the WMFF March Expo where we will need club member participation.
So, get involved, try to stay warm and look forward to spring.
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 Jillian Whitney.
Ms. Jillian Whitney is a wildlife biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Water Supply Protection. She began her career with the DCR in 2005 as a seasonal technician and has remained with the agency ever since. Jillian studies wildlife throughout the Quabbin and Ware River watersheds and will share insights into projects such as Common Loon monitoring, vernal pool surveys, and other efforts aimed at better understanding local wildlife.
Once again, we have been invited back to the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show at the Big E, February 20, 21, and 22. I would like to thank those members that have volunteered to man the booth at this event.
John Lawor, John La Francis, Scott Seifel, Cody Ackley, Tom Johnson, Mark Galarneau, George Dunham, Laurn Comstock, Harold Norman, Terry Connolly, Don Vacon, Dennis Dube
As a reminder we are rapidly approaching the time to renew our individual 2027 membership. Renewals are due by the end of March 2026. Please note that attached to this meeting announcement you will find a Renew by Mail Form. Please follow the directions on the form to renew by mail or if you prefer to renew in person just fill out the form and bring it to the next meeting. Dues are now $50.00. You can now renew using the form on the WMFF web site wmffclub.org. I will be available to renew your membership during the meeting.
Thank you.
John D Lawor – WMFF Secretary
jlawor@wmffclub.org
Next month is our March Expo. If you have items (new or slightly used) that you would like to donate to be auctioned off please bring them to the February meeting. We are in need of (6-8) volunteers to help set up the hall. This starts any time after 2:00 pm. We are also in need of (2-3) volunteers to man the admissions table as well as (5) volunteers for the raffle tables. It would also be nice if we could have a couple of volunteers to be demo fly tiers. The doors open at 6:30.
Thank you in advance for your time and the items you are donating. If you can’t make the February meeting, but are available to help please email me at jlafrancis@wmffclub.org or call me at 413-351-7809.
John LaFrancis – WMFF Club President
jlafrancis@wmffclub.org
Fly Tying Demo
Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following flies at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.
Hendrickson Emerger
Hook – curved shank, 1 x fine size 12
Thread- 6/0 uni black
Tail – brown antron yarn
Body – dk brown vinyl D rib
Wing – 2 nat. CDC feathers
Hendrickson Comparadun
Hook – standard dry fly Size 12/10
Thread – 8/0 uni grey
Tail – brown antron yarn
Body – Lt. hendrickson dubbing
Wing – Nat. short/fine deer hair
Hendrickson Nymph
Hook – standard nymph hook 10/12
Thread – 6/0 black uni
Tail – Nat. woodduck
Body – dr. brown rabbit
Rib – ultra wire brown
Wing Cover – nat. mallard wing fibers
Legs – Nat. lemon woodduck
CRSA 48th Annual Dinner
Monday January 19, 2026, Meeting Notice
Happy New and welcome to 2026. I expect that everyone is well and has had an enjoyable Holiday. It’s the New Year 2026 and time for making resolutions, and WMFF is ready to start the 2026 season. We have some great things coming up in 2026, and we will be looking forward to another successful year.
- The 2026 WMFF Fly-tying classes starting on Thursday, January 8th, 7:00pm to 9:00pm, and continuing for eight weeks ending on Thursday, February 26.
- We have also been invited back once again to represent the club at the Springfield Sportsman Show at the Big E in West Springfield on the weekend of February 20-22.
- We will also be holding our March Expo, along with having some great guest speakers in 2026.
Springfield Sportsmen’s Show
The club will be needing volunteers to man our booth at the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show in February. The show will run Friday Feb. 20 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday Feb. 21 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday Feb. 22 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We will be needing volunteers to fill all the time slots. Please contact me to schedule a time slot and also to let me know if you will be able to be a demo fly tyer. You can contact me at JLawor@wmffclub.org, by phone at 413-579-1994, or at our next meeting on January 19th.
Thank you.
John D Lawor
WMFF Secretary
We will conduct our January meeting at the Ludlow Elks Club, 69 Chapin Street in Ludlow MA on Monday the 20th at 7:00 PM, right after the Fly-Tying Demo.
Our January Guest speaker will be: Chris Parisi
Chris Parisi has been in the fishing industry for the last 23 years. A former shop manager, shop owner, and guide, Chris cut his teeth on the small streams of Connecticut and in Long Island Sound before opening his first tackle shop in Cape Cod, MA. Chris’ new store, The Local Fly Company is finishing up year one in Bristol, CT and you will see him at the Marlboro and Edison Fly Shows as well. His winters are spent behind the vice, on the ice, and speaking to clubs and at fishing shows across the country. But once Spring comes around you will find him looking for the first of our larger mayflies in the area…The Hendrickson. Chris will take us through patterns and life cycle, what type of water to focus on, and his best nymph, emerger, and dry choices for this boutique hatch. Chris’ shop also offers hosted trips to Montana each summer and he will discuss the options for 2026. Each member at attendance will also get a 15% discount code for use at the shop or online at www.localflyco.com
Fly Tying Demo
Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following flies at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.
FOAM WING CADDIS
HOOK- standard dry 14-16-18
Thread – black uni 8/0
Body – black superfine dubbing
Hackle – nat. grizzly
FLASH BACK HARE’S EAR NYMPH
Hook -curved shape hook 14-167-18B
Thread -black uni 8/0
Tail – hare’s ear
Body lt. hare’s ear dubbing
Wing case – black thin skin with a strip of pearl flat tinsel over
FOAM BACK EMERGER
Hook – dry fly curved shape 18-20-26-28-30
Body – black uni 6/0 can also be tied olive, brown etc.
Rib – x-small silver wire
Wing – white 2 mm foam
Monday December 15, 2025 Meeting Notice
It’s December and we have snow on the ground and cold weather, winter has embraced us and doesn’t look as though it will release us from its icy grip anytime soon. Fishing will only be for the hardest of us to wage the war against winter, to feel the rush of the set, the line going tight, the hard pull, the fight and the final reward of the net.
Christmas will be on us all very soon and the club would like wish everyone and their families a Happy Holiday.
The December 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.
Our December Guest Speaker will be: Mark Damon
Mark has been the president of the Westfield River Watershed Association for the last three years. He is an adjunct professor of biology classes at Westfield State University and Holyoke Community College. The fly fishermen would probably know him as the guy who goes into the river with the net to catches the bugs in the river at the Bill Rose Memorial Fly fishing clinic on the Westfield River. Marks topic will be “Aquatic insects in the Westfield River“.
Fly Tying Demo
Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following flies at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.
THREE DOLLAR DIP (Kelly Gallop)
Hook – 1 XL SIZE 16-18-20 NYMPH HOOK
Thread – any color – Black, Olive, Tan etc.
Body – thread
Rib – x small gold wire
Wing – Short and fine deer hair bleached
Antenna- pearl crystal flash
Hackle – grizzly
GOOBER FLY (Kelly Gallop)
Hook – any dry fly sizes 16-18-20-
Thread -uni 8/0 black
Tail – pearl polar flash
Body – black superfine dubbing
Wing – short and fine deer hair natural
EEKO BUG
Hook – 2 0r 3 xl nymph hook size 8-10
Thread – black uni 8/0
Body – rabbit hair with guard hairs nat, olive, purple
Wing – nat woodduck
Monday November 17, 2025 Meeting Notice
November a time to gather with family and friends and a time for giving thanks. Winter is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Everyone has a great Thanksgiving
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 2026 officers. This year is even more important because by now all of you should know that Harold is stepping down as President. Harold’s announcement email was sent to all of you, however, for some reason if you did not receive or see the email I have copied it below.:
Dear club members,
I just want to inform you that I am stepping down as president of the WMFF club following our November meeting. I have been president for the past six years and have enjoyed representing the club as your president. I have made many friends since joining the club in the late 1990’s. I much appreciate all the help provided me by my fellow officers and board members over the last six years!
By the way we are still looking for donations of fly-tying and fly-fishing items for our monthly meeting raffle table.
Mr. Jason Stolarski will be our guest speaker for November’s meeting. Jason Stolarski is an aquatic biologist with Mass Wildlife, who is originally from Hadley and has been with the division for 13 years. The talk titled Growth and ecology of Lake Trout in Wachusett Reservoir will cover some aspects of Lake Trout ecology that have been gleamed from a tagging project that has been conducted on the reservoir for the past ten years.
Fly Tying Demo
Dan Trela will be demonstrating how to tie the following flies at our meeting on Monday night before the scheduled meeting.
DEER HAIR CADDIS
Hook – standard dry fly 14/16/18
Thread – 6/0 uni Grey
Body – superfine dubbing any color to match natural (grey is most popular)
Wing – short/fine deer hair
IRIS CADDIS a pattern from Craig Mathews/Montana
Hook – standard dry fly 14/16/18
Tail – zelon/antron tan
Body – lt. hare’s ear dubbing
Wing – a loop of white zelon/antron
Head – lt hare’s ear dubbing
ROYAL COACHMAN PARACHUTE
Hook- 1 xl-long dry fly hook size 10-12
Thread – 8/0 uni black
Tail – golden pheasant tippet
Wing- White calf tail
Body – peacock herl – red floss- peacock herl
Hackle – Brown