Reflections 2008

December 2008

2008 was another great year for the Long Island Flyrodders (LIFR), and one especially important to me as the new incoming president in March of 08’. The club ran a host of trips from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and many members embarked on their own trips from Montana to the Bahamas. Our members caught a lot of fish, released most with pictures to prove it, and fond memories to get us through the cold winter months.

The Flyrodder membership was involved with many community outreach activities as well, including handicapped fishing, river cleanups and fly fishing education to the next generation of fly fishers. One of our clubs most important activities, and one I am most proud of our membership for, is our support to Casting for Recovery (CFR) retreats. Many LIFR members donate an entire weekend, twice a year, to these retreats, teaching fly fishing to women recovering from breast cancer. These three day retreats span all the basic elements of fly fishing, from equipment to knot tying to flies, and culminate with the women fishing on the Connetquot River Preserve, one on one with our club member guides. The CFR retreats have a dramatic effect on these women, providing them with support, camaraderie and a chance to laugh and once again experience the simple joys of life. I know that our members enjoy helping these women catch their first trout as much as these women do bringing their first trout to hand.

Our club has grown in membership as well, with many new faces attending our meetings and joining our Connetquot fishing days, camping trips and other club outings. Again, I must acknowledge the effort our members put forth in coordinating all the club activities, making each and every one of them a success. It takes a lot of work and dedication to make the Long Island Flyrodders one of the most active clubs in the Northeast.

So as this year comes to its close, I reminisce about all we have accomplished as a club, and all the laughs and fellowship we have shared, and the new friends I have made. This is the true essence of LIFR, where members are more like family to one another, and friendship endures for a lifetime. My one regret of 2008, if I may be allowed one indulgence, is the loss of my best and most cherished friend, Cinnamon, a beautiful red Doberman Pincher. While she didn’t fish, she certainly enjoyed sharing in on a nice fillet.

Now it is time to look to the new year, and the challenges and experiences awaiting us as we continue our search for the perfect cast, on the perfect run, and the perfect take. It’s the expectation of a new fishing season, and the renewal it brings to our body and soul that makes being a flyrodder so special. 

Tight lines my friends, see you on the water.
--Joe Otterstedt--

September 2008

July 2008
As usual, the Eldred fishing trip was another good trip. We all caught fish. We caught a ton of big blue gills, some bass, yellow perch, trout and one nice crappie. Sunday afternoon we spent at a local lake where we caught bass, yellow perch and blue gill.

Although it rained heavy Sunday night, it didn't spoil the nice dinner we had at Eldred Restaurant. A couple of martinis put me in a good mood. Sunday we were fishing in Steges Lake at Eldred, from bass boats where we had the bass contest that Gordon took first place in. It was a real nice sixteen inch bass. Congratulations again, Gordon. Also, as usual, Joey Donuts came up with the Dunkin Donuts. See you next year.
---Joe Caroleo---

The Casting For Recovery (CFR) retreat was held July 11–13, and once again was a great success. Eleven women attended the 3 day clinic culminating in fishing on the Connetquot with volunteer river guides from LIFR and TU. Many of our members volunteer for these Long Island retreats held twice a year, and special thanks to Betty Ann Timmerman, Lee Weil, Coreen Gelber and Linda Macy who spent the entire weekend with these gals recovering from breast cancer. Special thanks to Mike Gelber for coordinating the river guides on Sunday, and to our club members who served as river guides and river helpers.

June 2008

There are a million stories on the Deerfield River; This is one....

We came to the land of the Mohawk Indians in peace.  We set up our teepees at the Mohawk Park Campground and headed into town (Greenfield, MA) to tour Thomas and Thomas Rodmakers. We were shown the steps required to transform graphite and  bamboo into fly rods and came away with a new appreciation for the skill and artistic ability that goes into making each piece. 

On Saturday we headed off with our guides to explore the Deerfield River. We saw it change from low and glass-like to class 3 rapids. We watched as the gin clear water changed to a murky brown after the dam release and then settled down and cleared up again. The three boats met up to enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverside and be  entertained by the bevy of rafters and kayakers passing by. Our guides knew every nuance of the river and took advantage of its many pockets to guide us to fish. By 7:30 pm we had traveled nine miles down the river. We were exhausted, but happy when we got to the pull-out point and made it back to the campground to have dinner (with a little music and dancing) at the campground pub.

In keeping with the Indian spirit, we gathered around our campfire after dinner to trade folktales about the day’s activity. To show we came in peace we gave the Mohawks the traditional Flyrodder gift…rain.

May 2008
On May 17, thirteen Long Island Fly Rodder members were joined by nineteen Housatonic Fly Fishing Association members and four Boy Scouts from a local troop in a river clean up at the Cornwall Bridge, CT section of the Housatonic River. The weather was great (a rarity for a Fly Rodder trip), dry, sunny and warm. Perfect for a day in the field. The clean up session itself was quick and easy caused by an unexpectedly litter free riverbank area and large work crew. This is a great compliment to earlier clean ups and present users of the river. The condition of the river certainly is a good sign for the future.

After the clean up was completed, all hands returned to the Meadows area of the state park for a cook out hosted by LIFR. Helping Paul McCain flip burgers and roll hot dogs was John Fisher. Paul went way out supplying baked beans, sauerkraut, pickles and chips and some fine cooks from the HFFA brought home made Macaroni salad.

After the cook-out, many members spread out along the river to fish. The water was a little high, but wade able, and the water temperature was perfect at the mid 50’s. Fortunately for the fish, the fishermen must have been a bit full and lazy as not many fish were caught. 
--- Dan Van Buskirk ---

April 2008
Thanks to the volunteers who converged on the Willowemoc on April 26, the creek side is now rid of at least 35 bags of unsightly garbage. There was an informal contest going on to see who came up with the most curious finds. Besides the commonplace items such as plastic bags and cans, workers uncovered mattresses, a shopping basket with wheels and two vacuum cleaners. John Gerbitz was kind enough to use his pickup truck to collect the bags of garbage and carry them to the dump.

Back at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, Peter Van Buskirk cooked a bountiful bar-b-que for the workers. The weather cooperated and provided a nice afternoon to do some fishing. Those who stayed over Saturday night met again at the Rockland House for dinner.

The club along with the CFFCM did a great job in coordinating this event and organizing the volunteers. Through their efforts we were able to accomplish our river cleanup goals and have time to enjoy the day with friends.
--Susan Solomon--

March 2008
At least 10 club members attended the Fly Fishing Film Tour in New York City on Monday or Tuesday, March 17/18. Six club members met at Penn Station and went to eat at Hill Country, a Texas Bar-B-Q across the street from the Ultra on W 26th ST. where the show was held. There were enough ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and Lone Star long necks to satisfy even our crew. Check it out if you’re ever in the area.

Prior to the show club members got to talk with members of Angling Exploration Group, (AEG) makers of the “TROUT BUM DIARIES” series of videos (Vol. 1, Patagonia and Vol. 2, Kiwi Camo) and the people running the tour. With our show tickets came raffle tickets, a $400 shopping spree at The Urban Angler, local sponsor or the NYC event, and a copy of their latest DVD. In fact Susan Solomon, club V.P., walked away a winner of one of the raffles.

The show consisted of 8 videos, one a great coming attraction for AEG’s next release “ FISHBUM 1, MONGOLIA – RIVER WOLF”; you will never wet wade again. Other films covered Alaska including the Pebble Mine debate, Steelheading, fly fishing in Slovenia, Tarpon and Bonefish, to name a few.

If the tour repeats next year, and I’m sure it will, make plans to attend, I know we’ll be back.
--Dan Van Buskirk--

January 2008
The January general meeting featured the nomination of officers and incoming board members as well as a "Fly Tying Night" with some of the Club's best fly tyers demonstrating.

We'd like to thank those members that contributed to the 2007 fly donation collection. The flies will be used for various raffles throughout the year and will aid in funding our activities. Cliff Dies had the winning ticket for the "thank you prize", which was drawn at the January meeting. He is now the proud owner of a new Thompson vise, hooks and fly tying materials.