Here we are starting a new year and hopefully it will be a year of good fishing for all of us. The club will be off and running with new speakers, fish-a-longs and raffles. Be sure and check out the blog for the current information.

On another subject, I have served as the President of the club for ten years and have enjoyed that role. It is rewarding to have seen and been involved in it’s successes and a few struggles over those years. I notified the board last year that 2019 was my last year as the CFF President. Dave Kilhefner will now take over as CFF’s President. Thanks Dave!

Speaking of stepping up we continue to need members to participate in the board of directors. It does not take a lot of time and it a great way to meet and work with members plus have a role in the health and activities of the club. I encourage any one to let a board member know of your interest and of course your always welcome to attend a board meeting.

Again, remember to support our sponsors as they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by and visit with them and better yet buy something or book a trip with them. Showing our appreciation is always welcome.

Gil Henderson

Summer is upon us and a reminder that we will not have a meeting in August, so our next general meeting will be in September.

First, regretfully, Tim Mahoney, our current secretary has tendered is resignation because of personal reasons. Tim all of us Thank You for you serving in that role so admirably and the extra contributions you made to the club.

Now we have need of a new secretary and the board would appreciate any member stepping up to take over that role. It mainly involves attendance at board meetings, preparing minutes of the meeting, filing federal and state forms once a year, and coordinating other documents and correspondence. Of course other board members are always available to help for vacations, etc. so one does not have to feel they must be at every meeting. If interested let any board member know.

The last fishing outing to the Justensen Lakes was well attended with about 8 -9 members attending. The weather was great and the fishing was enjoyable . Everyone tied into a few feisty Rainbow trout and all had an enjoyable day.

Next, we are off to Round Lake for our July outing so put that on your calendar. More information to follow.

Our speaker for July is Elke Littleleaf, a guide on Deschutes and other tribal waters. He is going to share with us the fishing opportunities on tribal lands. This a first and should be very interesting.

Remember our sponsors are they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a outing with them.

Gil Henderson

As you read we had a dozen members brave the elements and attend the Sandy River fish-a-long. It turned out to be a okay morning with almost everyone spending some time on the water. The company and the lunch were great. Our thanks to Dave and Sheryl Kilhefner for hosting the event. Next we have out sights on the Crooked River in March.

Our Founding Gold Sponsor, Mark Bachmann gave a great presentation on Spey lines and tips to a packed room. He fielded a number of questions and everyone came away with a better understanding of the lines.

In March we will welcome John DeVoe from the Waterwatch organization. John will share information and activities of there efforts to protect our waterways. It should be interesting and informative.

Again, coming up in Albany on 3/8-9/19 is the Northwest Fly Tiers & Fly Fishing Expo at the Linn County Expo Center. Check it out.

Remember our sponsors are they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a outing with them.

Gil Henderson

We are off and running for a new year. Certainly like to start seeing more rain and not such a cool drier winter. Anyway we can still get out and go fishing.

The last fish-a-long on the Sandy river at Oxbow Park as well attended with about 12 members making the trip. A couple of fish(not saying what kind) were even caught and the lunch was great. Also a number of members assisted others with casting pointers.

We are back on the Sandy this month, but gathering a little farther upriver at Dave Kilhefner’s place. Again we will enjoy a hot lunch and maybe even find a willing Steelhead. More information to follow.

There was a good turnout for our January meeting and the speaker Brian Marz gave an interesting presentation on winter fly fishing opportunities. In addition we had a special silent raffle of a number of items recently donated to the club by the widow of one of our members. We would like to thank Mrs. Wayne Sparks for her generous donation of the fly fishing equipment of her late husband. We will miss Wayne.

The February speaker is our one and only Founding Gold Sponsor, Mark Bachmann from the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches, Oregon. Mark is an annual speaker and always has a interesting and well prepared presentation. In addition Mark has donated a float trip on the Sandy River and we will be auctioning one seat and having a raffle for the other seat at the meeting. You do not want to miss this one.

There are a couple events coming up one of which is this week and that is the annual Pacific Northwest Sportsman Show 2/6-10/19 at the Expo Center in Portland. Next is the Northwest Fly Tier and Fly Fishing Expo 3/8-9/19 at the Linn County Expo Center, Albany, Oregon.

Remember our sponsors are they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a outing with them.

Gil Henderson

Happy 2019. We are off and running for a new year with interesting programs and fun outings. Hope all had a great holidays and spent some time getting your equipment ready for the new year.

We had a great December meeting with and outstanding presentation by Gary Lewis a well known author of many books on fly fishing. He talked about fishing in the Mt Hood area with pointers and information about many lakes and streams. In addition every member in attendance got a little something and a number received gift certificates from out supporting fly shops.

Our speaker this month is Brain Marz and he will share his knowledge of winter fishing opportunities. It should be a very informative presentation.

We will also be kicking off the year with our first fish-a-long at Oxbow park on the Sandy River. We will be swinging flies for Steelhead while polishing our Spey casting skills. More information to come.

The Fly Fishing Challenge will continue for another year and Brad Jonasson has the following updates for us.

1.  There will be a random drawing for an additional award for those who completed the 2018 Challenge, but the member must be present to win the prize, and

2.  The criteria for the 2019 Challenge will be announced and early birds may sign up immediately.  The 2018 and 2017 Challenges will not be repeated in 2019.

Be sure to attend our January meeting to get the new challenge information and participate in the drawing.

Remember our sponsors are they are the lifeblood of the club. Stop by their shops and let them know your appreciate their support. Better yet buy something or book a outing with them.

Gil Henderson

Wow the year is almost over. Happy Holidays from the board to you and your families.  It has been a different year with a tougher year for the Salmon and Steelhead returns, but other fisheries faired better.

Our November speaker, Jeff Morgan,  gave a great presentation on Winter Trout fishing.  He shared locations and techniques as well as some unique flies he had developed for winter fishing.  A lot notes were taken by many attendees.

This month we welcome back Gary Lewis a well known Northwest author on both hunting and fishing. Gary will share with us information on fishing in the Mt Hood area.  Gary will give us and entertaining and informative presentation so do not miss this one.

Don’t forget that every member who attends will receive a gift from Santa Phil.

We will not have a fish-a-long in December because of Christmas holidays.  We will begin again in January on the Sandy River  so stay tuned for more information.

Just another reminder that on Saturday 12/8/18 is the annual Metal Head Christmas party on the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches, Oregon. This is fun and educational so take some time to check it out.

Do not forget our sponsors as they are the lifeblood of our club. Stop by their shops to say hello and thank them for their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip to really underscore our gratitude for their support.

Gil Henderson

 

 

We are off and running after our summer break.  First, I would like to acknowledge a member who volunteered to take over the role of Membership Director. Please join me in welcoming Gregg O’Brien  as our new board member responsible for the development and managing our membership.  Gregg has already working with Red Smith to make this a smooth transition.  Catch him at an upcoming meeting and give him a pat on the back for stepping up.  Thanks Gregg!!!

Our speaker last month was Frank Day from the Fly Fishing Shop, our one and only Founding Gold Sponsor, who spoke to us on fishing Mount Hood waters.   He covered trout fishing in the streams in and around the Sandy River with information on access, species, flies, and equipment.  Saw many members taking notes and asking many questions.  A good alternative fishery close to the metro.

Next we welcome Scott Richmond to share with us his Magic Fly Box.  Scott is well renowned in the Northwest fly fishing scene with a number on reference books on the Deschutes, a novel set on the river and of course the creation and management of Westfly, an informative fly fishing website.  You do no want to miss his presentation.

The September fish-a-ling on the Deschutes River was not very well attended.  Those that did attend reported fun trout fishing even though Steelhead fishing was slow. In addition Dave Kilhefner’s wife Cheryl made a great spaghetti lunch for the attendees.   Thank You Cheryl.

This month we are planning to go to Timothy Lake for trout.  More information will be coming soon so mark your calendar for Saturday 10/20/18.

Do not forget our sponsors as they are the lifeblood of our club. Stop by their shops to say hello and thank them for their support. Better yet buy something or book a trip to really underscore our gratitude for their support.

Gil Henderson