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
