Reflections 2010

May 2010

Housatonic Clean-up 2010

Thanks to the volunteers who met on Saturday, May 15 at the northbound rest area on I-684 for bagels and coffee. After breakfast we headed for the Housatonic River at Cornwall Bridge, CT to join up with members of the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association. The river’s banks are now rid of at least 15 bags of unsightly garbage. Paul McCain again was kind enough to cook lunch of franks and burgers for all. Every year there is less litter spread around, so that we are able to extend the area that we rid of garbage.

I want to thank LIFR members Paul McCain, Dan Van Buskirk, Allan Manz, John Manz, Bob Picciano and Bruce Krabel for all their hard work. The weather cooperated and provided a nice afternoon to do some fishing. The club along with the HFFA 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.
--Dan Van Buskirk--

April 2010

Willowemoc Clean-up 2010

Thanks to the volunteers who converged on the Willowemoc on April 24, the creek side is now rid of at least 12 bags of unsightly garbage. Paul McCain was kind enough to use his pickup truck to carry the bags of garbage to the dump.
Every year there is less litter spread around, so that we are able to extend the area that we rid of garbage. The volunteers came from the Fly Rodders and Long Island Trout Unlimited along with some local residents.
I want to thank Paul McCain, Morty Schneiderman, Tom Cooleen, Tony Jones and his wife, Peter and Maria Yuskevich, Tom O’Donnell (from PA), Tom McCoy and Tony Mason for all their hard work.
Back at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, Paul McCain also cooked a bountiful bar-b-que for the workers. The weather cooperated and provided a nice afternoon to do some fishing. Those of us who stayed over Saturday night, caught fish at the Cemetery Pool on the Beaverkill.
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, make a contribution to the CFFCM and have time to enjoy the day with friends.
-- Dan Van Buskirk --
 

An Open Letter tp the people of Connecticut

Over the last 8 or 9 years my wife and I have enjoyed fly fishing in your state 4 or 5 times a year. We frequently fish the Farmington, Housatonic and the Natchaug rivers with fly fishing clubs which we both belong to. The clubs either have camping trips or stay at local motels in the area. Most of the trips consist of 25 to 40 people who come on a Friday and stay until Sunday or Monday. While we are there we pay for the campgrounds or motels, for food from restaurants and supermarkets, gas and supplies from fly fishing shops and other stores in the area. My wife and I run 1 or 2 of these trips that have been set up since January.

Next year I know that the 2 trips which we are running will no longer be to Connecticut. Although we have always found the people of Connecticut to be very friendly, we will not return because the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has refused to refund or credit the $25. difference between the cost of the license when we bought it in January and the new rate that was established in April. As trip leaders, we encouraged all our participants to buy their licenses early. We now feel terrible that they have all overpaid.

The extra $25. that the State of Connecticut thinks is a bonus, will end up costing the business owner in lost revenue from people who will no longer be fishing in your state. Since the licenses are all computerized, it would be very easy to determine who is entitled to a refund.
-- Howard & Susan Solomon --

Webmaster's Note: Howie sent the above letter to several major newspapers in Connecticut and, at least one of them has agreed to publish it.

March 2010

Foam, Feathers and Fair Weather Fun

Sunshine, warm breezes and temperatures in the 70s; can this really be March 20th? It was a banner day for the LIFR Junior group, who met at the VFW hall for a Saturday afternoon of fly tying and casting practice. The Junior Fly Tying class has taken place for many years, but this year was especially enjoyable. Since the weather was exceptionally warm we decided to change up the venue and include casting in the mix.

We started out tying three flies, which consisted of foam bluegill and bass patterns “custom” tied in the students colors of choice, including pink, green, red, purple and orange. Not your typical colors, but I’ll bet they catch fish. Wolfgang had some trouble keeping up, but in his defense he was doing double duty as photographer.

After the lessons at the vise, we all had snacks generously provided by Tom Cooleen, dining al fresco and sipping Capri Sun 2010. Then it was time to get out on the field for a lesson in fly casting. The sunshine and balmy breeze made it feel like May instead of late March. We warmed up and then had some target practice, with everyone hitting the mark by the end of the session.

Our class of 2010 graduates are : Kyra Cooleen, Anita DeSantis, Katie Inglese and Michael Mooney. Special thanks to Wolfgang Porte, Tom Cooleen and the great guys at the Levittown VFW Hall for their help in making it all come together. Congratulations to the kids, and I really hope we get to see you guys out on the water and fish with you. We also want to hear from you letting us know how those flies work, and which colors worked best (and don’t forget to share a couple with your mom and dad.)

-- Lee Weil --

January 2010

Fly Tying Relay Contest

This month we held a fly tying relay contest. Although members knew there was something up my sleeve, there was no problem getting volunteers. I’m sure they were suspicious because last year when we held the blind folded wooly bugger contest at our January meeting, they all had to wear silly masks.

My point is, that no one even flinched when they were handed their outlandish hats. They donned them with pride and went right to the task of tying a stimulator fly and attempting to be the first team finished.

In the end, we all had a great deal of fun, friendships were strengthened and some even learned how to tie a new fly pattern. The Long Island Flyrodders is a great group of people. The more time you spend with them, the more enjoyable the experience.

--  Susan Solomon --

Somerset Fly Fishing Show

This year, The Somerset Fly Fish Show was an all-around success. Considering the state of the economy, the unemployment situation and high consumer prices,  show attendance was excellent and considerably higher than last year's. Ditto for the number of visitors who stopped at our booth and bought raffle tickets. The raffle prize consisted of approximately 700 fresh and salt water flies beautifully arranged (thanks to Susan Solomon) in two display cases. The drawing took place just before closing time on the last day of the show. The lucky winner was our own Joe (Uncle Joe) Bryant.

As in the past, several cadets, members of the "West Point Military Academy Fly Fishing Club" attended the show. This year, they were accompanied by a major who sported a "Rangers" patch and a considerable number of decorations. It was heartwarming seeing how many ordinary people expressed their appreciation to both the major and the cadets for all they are doing for our country.

--  Gil Padovani --