Reflections 2009

October 2009

Great Lakes - October 28,2009

The guides determined that Cattaraugus Creek was unfishable, due to high and muddy water. Of course yours truly found that out after buying the Seneca Nation license for $45. Plan B was to have six people fish Canadaway Creek in Fredonia and three to go to 18 Mile Creek, in Hamburg, NY (south of Buffalo).

Those of us who went to Canadaway had an awesome day, especially in the early morning. It was really loaded with steelhead (and fishermen). It was one of those great days where you lose count of how many fish you caught. 

The fishing slowed down as the morning got warmer, so we broke for lunch, and then went to another stream, Chautauqua Creek, which is close to the Pennsylvania state line. This had to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever fished in, as we were in a deep gorge with shale cliffs and bright fall foliage. There were fewer fish in Chautauqua, but they were bigger on average. We also had the stream to ourselves, so we didn't have anyone elbowing in or tangling lines with us. 

We caught almost all our fish on an interesting rig that I had read is used in Alaska. The 'fly' was a pale pink plastic bead, about the size of a pearl, with a bare circle type hook tied about six inches below the bead, and a big indicator/float. When the indicator dipped under water and you set, this hook would catch the trout in the outside corner of their jaw. Probably real safe for the fish as the hook never goes inside their mouth. 

The three members who fished in 18 Mile Creek didn't fare as well and only caught a couple of fish between them. Al Battistelli was really ticked off at the guides for not sending everyone to Canadaway after he found out how well the rest of us did there. Don't know if it was bad guiding or conditions, as 18 Mile seemed to have a good reputation for steelhead.

Today wasn't so hot, as rain moved in overnight and blew out Canadaway. I ran into the guys in the hotel parking lot as I was about to leave for the Buffalo airport. According to Wolfgang, the stream had silted up, was choked with leaves and about a foot higher than yesterday. The weather for the rest of the week is supposed to better, so hopefully they have good luck at Oak Orchard, where they were heading to later today.

See Photo section for pictures of trip.

--Gordon Mueller--

August 2009

Gimme Shelter - Housatonic Trip 

It’s been a long time policy that only members in good standing may attend Flyrodder trips. Yet, on the recent Housatonic Camping Extravaganza we had an uninvited guest. Danny, as in Tropical depression Danny, graced us with his rain soaked presence. This time we were prepared. We had the Bill and Sue Gordon Pavilion to protect us. 

We were able to dine and converse in the dryness of our new shelter. Members who hadn’t experienced its greatness on the Farmington trip were amazed. Flyrodders no longer have to worry about the inevitable rain that has become synonymous with our trips turning their meals into soup.  Part of the enjoyment of having the new enclosure is the mantling and dismantling activity. Watching Flyrodders figure out the layout of the poles and canvas sides is poetry in motion.

We will continuously praise Bill and Sue every time the canopy is used, and then bless Tommy DiMauro for having the patience to store and schlep the thing. 

-- Susan Solomon --

LIFR Yellow Breeches Trip 2009

Seventeen LIFR members attended the annual trip to the Allenbery resort to fish the Yellow Breeches river August 7, 8 and 9. Trip captains Joe Otterstedt and Linda Macy hosted cocktails Hors D’oeurve on the Mansion porch before dinner and the stage performance of “The King and I” musical. We had a white fly hatch, albeit a light one, and some quality trout were caught. Weather was great, and swimming pool refreshing, and a good time was had by all.

-- Joe Otterstedt --

July 2009

Remember when.....

I remember when I caught my first trout. In fact, I’ll never forget it. It was 26 years ago at Beat # 12 on the Connetquot. It was a rainbow; 14 inches, and it took a Muddler Minnow. I was totally enamored with the way that fish fought, and the beauty of it.

I remember when I watched three bucks enter the river one evening in September as I sat watching fish rise on the far bank from the dock at Beat # 15. I had already caught enough fish to be able to stop and appreciate the drone of the bees hovering in the branches of the fragrant bush next to me, and the deer were a special added blessing.

I remember when I caught the first big trout of my life. It was a brown with a big kype; 27 inches long and chromed in the glory of his sea-run attire. He took a Texas Rose. It was in the middle of a storm on the Connetquot.

I remember when I took my dad with me to see the wonders of the park; to see the beautiful fish that lived there. And the first time I took my friend Laura there and watched her catch her first trout, passing on the gift of the Connetquot. She in turn passed it on to others. We shared the paradise that was the Connetquot, and took from it memories and peace that we would always cherish.

I remember when I believed that it would never change. It was the one constant in my life that always welcomed me back when I needed a sanctuary and a place to heal. The strong, healthy
fish were a testimony that gave me joy and inspiration.

I remember when I held my rod in the hand of a man named Charlie who was stricken with cerebral palsy and saw the excitement in his eyes; though he was unable to speak I could understand him completely. And I remember Drew’s Crew – the group from AHRC who in spite of their having Down’s syndrome were able to break me out of my funk after September 11th with their exuberance as they caught the brightly colored brook trout that were always there to provide a day of happiness. And the ladies of Casting For Recovery, able to catch their first fish after a crash course in flyfishing with a minimum of skills.

I remember when I truly believed that the people empowered to be stewards of our natural resources would act with the responsibility to protect and manage the few precious fisheries we have left. I remember when I believed they would be guided with wisdom and jurisprudence and not make hasty decisions without consideration of the repercussions and effects.

I remember when I believed the Connetquot would never succumb to the machine that is called bureaucracy and that my heart would never be broken by watching her fall victim to poor decisions and complacency. I remember when ……..

Tight Lines & God bless, 
-- Lee Weil --

June 2009

This year's camping/fishing trip to the Farmington River in Connecticut was attended by over 25 club members. It is amazing to see how far we have progressed over the years regarding camping. At the beginning, it was exclusively tents, then pop-up campers started to show up. These gave way to trailers and now they dominate the field.

One thing that has not changed is the rain. As with most LIFR trips, at least one day or one night of rain is a requisite and this trip was no exception.

Paul McCain ran an excellent trip and, as always, did a bang-up job providing us with excellent meals. In the evening we gathered around the fire shooting the bull and enjoying each other's company. Generally, fishing was good with some large fish being caught.
-- Gil Padovani --

May 2009

May 16 was the annual Housatonic Clean-up. The LIFR club members met at the rest area on I-684 for coffee and bagels at 8:00 then proceeded to the picnic grounds at the Housatonic Meadows in Cornwall Bridge, CT. At that point everyone broke up into small groups and spread out along the river. With 15 LIFR club members, 15 members of the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association and 5 Boy Scouts from a local troop, the work was completed in quick order.

By 1:00 PM, everyone was back at the picnic grounds for a cookout by Paul McCain, the trips organizer. The meal consisted of hot dogs, hamburgers, beans, sauerkraut, chips, soda and water. While waiting for the food to be prepared everyone watched a lone angler fishing below us catch and release numerous trout. All the anglers that were going to fish later in the day made note of the fact he was using nymphs.

After eating many members spread out along the river. Peter Dubno and other TU members did very well at Dune Roolin’ Pool while Dan Van Buskirk and Paul McCain caught browns and rainbows at the Cellar Hole. 

By the way, the weather was great. Definitely not “FLY RODDER WEATHER”.....
-- Dan Van Buskirk --

May 1 to May 3 marked the first Club Camping/Fishing trip of the season. Twenty-one Flyrodders, including children, gathered at the Nickerson Family Campgrounds on the banks of the beautiful Natchaug River in Chaplin, CT. 

Kudos to Susan and Howie Solomon for discovering this site and for planning  a very successful trip.  As with most LIFR outings, the weather did not fully cooperate but it was a lot better than predicted as most of the  rain fell on Saturday night while most of us were sleeping. Better still, the fishing was good and everyone caught fish, mostly on dry flies. The predominant species was the brown trout but some rainbows and at least one brookie were also caught. 

On Saturday evening we had dinner at a nearby restaurant.

All in all this was a most memorable and successful trip and Susie and Howie have already made arrangements for a repeat  performance on April 30 - May 2, 2010.
-- Gil Padovani --

April 2009

Saturday, April 25 dawned as the warmest day of the year and found over 20 Long Island Fly Rodders meeting at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor, New York for our annual Willowemoc Clean-Up. Garbage bags where distributed and groups of two to four spread up and down stream to collect stream side trash. 

Special thanks to Paul McCain for preparing the picnic of Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, chips and soda for all that was supplied by the LIFR.

After lunch many members spread out along the Willowemoc and Beaverkill to fish with Bruce Krabel being the high hook with three browns from Cairn’s Pool and Allan Manz taking an 18 inch Brown lower down the river, naturally Allan wouldn’t say exactly how far down stream. Saturday night saw 12 members meet at the Rockland House Restaurant for dinner and tall tales.

Thanks to all members who helped with the clean-up: Herman and Doris Abrams, Susan and Howie Solomon Morty Schneiderman, Dan and Peter Van Buskirk, Tom Cooleen, Cliff Dies, Bill and Sue Gordon, Tony Jones, Nick Friedman, Peter Dubno, Peter and Maria Yuskevich, Ralph Napolitano, Bob Piccano, Michael Berghofer, Allan Manz, Bruce Krabel, Paul McCain, Gil Padovani and Jose Viera.

Dan Van Buskirk

March 2009

The Annual LIFR Junior Fly Tying class took place on Saturday, March 7th, and seven students participated in tying a total of 4 patterns. While proud grandpas, moms and dads watched, the kids went through the steps to tie an inchworm, caddis larva, woolly bugger and foam beetle. They learned how to handle a variety of materials, tie in tails and dub bodies. Everyone was able to finish all their flies with the half-hitch, with a little help from their coaches. All the students graduated and received their diplomas. After the diplomas were presented they were lined up for the official class photo taken by Susan Solomon. (Rumor has is that “Flat LIFR” was in the house, too.) Tom Cooleen provided refreshments during the break, because as we all know, you can build up a real appetite working at the vise. We’d like to say thanks to the Levittown VFW for being so kind and offering the room for the class, and a special thank you to all the guys who helped out and made this class a huge success; Tom Cooleen, Jim Foley, Wolfgang Porte, Susan Solomon and Lee Weil. 

CLASS OF 2009 : Kyra Cooleen; Jack Manz, Joseph Mooney, Michael Mooney, Ryan Murad, Kelsy Quinn and Molly Quinn. 

Lee Weil

January 2009

The January meeting brought out the “animal” in seven of our members as they tried their hand at tying wooly buggers while donning animal themed blindfolds. Warren Ray of Parkwood Outfitters joined Wolfgang Porte, Lee Weil, Peter Dubno, John Fischer, Paul McCain, Tom Inglese and Mike Gelber in our first ever Blind-folded Wooly Bugger Contest. It was a hoot. Egged on by the rest of the membership, these brave souls risked their dignity to compete. The audience was held spellbound as they watched in amazement and admired the skill and guts of the participants. Lee Weil came in first place, but all the contestants were winners. Will this become an annual event? Stay tuned… 
--Susan Solomon--

As in the past,  the LIFR were represented at the Fly Fishing Show held in Somerset, NJ.

Neither the cold weather nor the bad economy seemed to have an effect on the show's attendance. Quite a few people stopped by our booth to inquire about our club or just to shoot the breeze. Thanks to Nora Solomon who sold many of our raffle tickets. Our prize this year was again 1,000 flies (give or take), most of which were tied by our members. The lucky winner was Jerry Bottcher, owner of the Hungry Trout Motor Inn and Restaurant in Whiteface Mountain, NY.