WFC 05/11

You must lose a flyto catch a trout.

~George Herbert� �

ight out of the blocks I want tothank everyone who attendedthe banquet. While the num-

bers may have been down a bit therewas still an excellent showing of supportfor the conservation aspect of the club’smission, as evidenced by the net pro-ceeds of the auctions and raffles.

All of the members of the banquetcommittee deserve a big thanks for all oftheir exceptional work and dedicationthat went into producing a great ban-quet. As the chair Greg Groves did amarvelous job of shepherding the plan-ning and execution of all things ban-quet. Co-chair Bob Fisher and MartyRobinson seemed to be the keepers ofthe banquet institutional knowledge(and thanks Marty for making sure therewas a “basket of ladies interest” avail-able). Scott Novotny, Spencer Amend,Andrew Sauter, Alex Rose, Casey Leary,and the rest of the crew were shamelesssolicitors of the incredible collection of

chapter raised a little over$3000 dedicated to theongoing riparian rehabilita-tion project at BoltonCreek. Orvis, Hyde Boats,Green Anchors, and aforth company (who’s nameI didn’t catch) graciouslydonated the goodies to beraffled and WFC and GreyReef TU sold tickets on the19th, 20th, and 21st. Theevent was well attended,

the food was good, and the people weregreat. Almost made me wish I had thetime to dedicate to becoming knowl-edgeable enough to be a guide.

I think that if George Herbert hadspent any time at all fishing with me hisquote might well read, “You must losemany flies to catch one trout.” If youwould like to find contributions to yourfly box just ask me where I have beenfishing and then go search the shorebehind where I was. The Monday afterthe general meeting I was out atPathfinder and lost two Streamlinersand a Vanilla Bugger in my first eightattempts to get the flies to where thefish were. Some days are like that. Iknow I have some bad casting habits to

items and services thatwere available for prizesand auction. Bill Mixervolunteering his quick witand humorous knowledgeof the club was a realtreat. Peg Novotny didthe photography and I’mlooking forward to seeingthe photos on theFacebook page. Thanks toJoe Meyer for puttingtogether the great flyplates. (Last year when I first heardabout the fly plates I had images of a setof ceramic plates with flies carefullypainted on them, and as I learned moreabout them the image changed to din-ner plates with a bunch of flies somehowmounted on them). I was fortunate tosee some of the process and the consid-erable time investment involved inmaking the plates before the banquetthis year. Thank you to Matt Stanton(bidder extraordinaire) for keeping trackof all the money that traded handsthroughout the entire banquet process.

Continuing the conservation andmoney thread: an Orvis GuideRendezvous was in town last week. In afour way cooperative venture: Orvis,Wyoming Trout Unlimited, WyomingFly Casters, and the Grey Reef TU

Wyoming Fly Casters Monthly Newsletter

The Backcast is the monthly newsletterof the Wyoming Fly Casters, an affiliate clubof the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited,the Nature Conservancy and the Federationof Fly Fishers. Editorial content does not nec-essarily reflect the views of the officers, boardor members of the Wyoming Fly Casters.

Annual dues are $20 for an individual,$30 for a family, or $250 for a lifetime individ-ual membership or $450 for a lifetime familymembership.

Visit the club website at www.wyflycast-ers.org.

To pay dues or contact the club, write toP.O. Box 2881, Casper, WY 82602.

The deadline for submission of informa-tion for each issue is a week before the end ofthe month. Make contributions to the nextissue by e-mailing material to the Backcasteditor at [email protected], or call(307) 436-8774.

OFFICERSWill Waterbury, PresidentVacant, President-electVacant, Vice PresidentCasey Leary, SecretaryMatt Stanton, Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORSTerms expire in 2012Spencer AmendScott NovotnyNeil Ruebush

Brent “Smokey” Weinhandl, DDSTerms expire in 2013

Greg GrovesJoe MeyerAlex Rose

Herb WatermanTerms expire in 2014

John DolanBob FischerJim JohnsonChris McAtee

The Backcast is available either inelectronic format or through USPS snailmail. To receive each newsletter througha monthly e-mail, you must be able toopen .pdf (Adobe Acrobat, a softwareprogram available free of charge) docu-ments. Usually, each issue is roughly 1MB in size, some are larger. Your e-mailprovider may have limits on the size ofattachments. In order to be added to thee-mail list, send a request [email protected]. In addition toreceiving each issue of the newsletterearlier than your hard copy peers, e-mailsubscribers are able to print each copy invibrant color -- an added plus if the issueis rich in color photographs. By sub-scribing electronically, you also save theclub roughly $17.40 a year in printingand postage expenses.

Cover shot: A relationship that works well ... ladder bridges provide public access on private property to the Bighorn River.

Drag-free DriftsDrag-free Drifts

by WILL WATERBURY President, WFC

[email protected]

R

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Brag Board


Banquet 2011


Catch & release or catch & kill?Here's some helpful

tips on how to handle

your fresh caught fish

Catch and release, or catch and kill,there's a right and a wrong way to treatfish. After all, there's no point to killinga fish if it will never make it to the din-ner table. And why let a fish go if it'sgoing to die. These are two very impor-tant questions that each and every sportangler must ask.

The idea that releasing a wild crea-ture to live another day is one of the mostempowering sportfishing accomplish-ments an angler can experience, is stillfar from a majority opinion. Speakingspecifically of wild salmon and steelheadstocks, there's very few river systems inthe lower forty eight and also Alaska thatcan continue to support a "harvest" fish-ery. Reduced limits, fishing restrictions,and mandatory catch and release, are allprecedents of our collective anglingfuture and understanding the importanceof proper fish handling and release proce-dures, is integral to the sustained healthof increasingly popular fisheries.

Let’s look at the properetiquette for releasingfish. A recent studydone at QueensUniversity inO n t a r i o ,Canada whichlooked atphysiologicaleffects of briefair exposure inexhaustively exer-cised (played out)rainbow trout, is veryrevealing and educationaltoward showing just how precarious anddetrimental, improper catch and releas-ing fishing can be. I will be the first tosay that even as a professional fishingguide and well accomplished recreationalsportfisherman, I did not know all thefacts when it comes to releasing the quar-ry of my angling efforts.

I will attempt to share with you themost scientifically substantiated informa-tion I have seen on catch and releasemethods. The study looked at survivalrates of played out rainbow trout that

were also exposed to air for 60 seconds, 30seconds, and 0 seconds. Additionally, thesurvival rates on non-exercised rainbowtrout were used as a control for the study.Get ready, the results are surprising.

As you'd expect, the control grouphad a 100 percent survival rate. The rain-bow trout that were exhaustively exer-cised and not exposed to air survived atan 88 percent rate. However, the rate ofsurvival for fish exposed to air for 30 sec-

onds was only 62 percent, and thosethat were held out of the waterfor 60 seconds had a mere 28percent chance of living tofight another day. Theresearchers attributed thehigher mortality amongfish exposed to air to a sig-nificant reduction of oxy-gen content in the fish'sblood.If these statistics leave you

wondering or unconvinced, considerthe following analogy: Holding a fish outof the water for 60 seconds or even 30seconds would be like a human runningfull speed for a half an hour and thenimmediately being submerged in waterfor up to one full minute. Many of uswould not fare very well under those con-ditions and if we did survive, we'd surelycarry some ill effects, some possibly per-manent.

This study will change the pace ofmy Kodak moment and expedite thetime it takes me to put my catch backinto the water. Ideally, keeping the fish

submerged in the water while you takepictures will help tremendously towardmaking sure the fish doesn't eventuallygo belly up.

Some other important methods forhandling fish you intend to releaseinclude touching the fish as little as pos-sible, not squeezing the fish, and neverputting your fingers inside the fish's gills.The more you handle a fish and run yourhand(s) along its sides, the more that fishis likely to be depleted of its protectiveslime layer, thus increasing its risk of fun-gal infection and decreasing its ability togracefully cut through the water.

I like to run my hand along theleader to the fish's mouth and grasp thehook firmly until I can pinch it with apair of pliers, using the weight of the fishto pull it loose. A lot of times (unless thehook is in an awkward position) I don'teven touch the fish at all. When youhold a fish by squeezing it in the palm ofyour hand, you are not only removing itsprotective slime, but also possibly injur-ing its internal organs.

Equally important and potentiallylife-threatening to the fish is putting yourfinger(s) in their gills. A fish's gills areamong their most fragile and crucialorgans. Evolution has provided them pro-tective gill plates to prevent anythingfrom entering or piercing this fragile area.But unknowing anglers will routinely usethis gill plate to hold their catch andalthough this is fine when you intend tokeep the fish, it's a bad deal if a release isplanned.

“Potentially“Potentiallylife-threateninglife-threatening

to the fish isto the fish isputting your putting your finger(s) infinger(s) intheir gills.”their gills.”

Holding a fish out of

the water for even 30 seconds would be like a

human running full speed fora half an hour and then

immediately being submergedin water for up to one

full minute.


President’s message

Protect our environment

Inspect - Clean - Dry

Take the Clean Angling Pledge

www.cleanangling.org

CLASSIFIEDS

GOOD STUFF

FOR SALE

Patagonia SST jacket, XL, Brand new.

$175 (list $315).Scott Novotny266-3072

•2003 low profile Hyde drift boatG-4 bottom; deluxe trailer andspare tire; bow storage; front/rearstorage; tempress seat and

adjustable foot brace; rower's com-partment; oarlocks; passenger kneeBrace; 9 ft cataract oars; sideanchor system with 30 lb. spikeanchor; aqualon cover and tiedown strap. Garaged, only 3-4trips. Excellent condition. $6200

Jim Hoag265-2254

•Drift Boat - '97 Hyde(pre dove tail)

With all the stuff you would expectAND an extra front seat with stor-

age.$3500.00

Andrew Sauter307-265-3932

break and much to learn about our cho-sen sport. We have been fortunate tohave some new members join who wantto be and, it seems, stay activelyinvolved. For many of us the primarymotivation to join was the prospect ofhaving access to folks with a lot moreknowledge about fly-fishing. I am ask-ing you to consider what aspects of fish-ing you would be willing to teach tosome one else, and also what you wouldlike to learn more about. At the Maygeneral meeting we’ll be passing arounda sign-up sheet and hopefully be able topair up some interested parties this sum-mer. I would love to learn how to man-age a drift boat, so if a brave soul wouldlike to tackle the North Platte in arental boat, I’m game.

We welcomed three new boardmembers; John Dolan is back on theboard and recent members to the club,and new to the board, Chris McAteeand Jim Johnson. New member JackRuffner has stepped up and volunteeredto be the club Historian. He will soonstart work on the history of the club. Itlooks like his first project will be toorganize as much of the club’s scatteredpaper history as we have. If any one hasmaterial they think could/should beincluded let Jack know [email protected]. We have no idea what paththis project might take, though it feelslike it has the potential to become

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something larger and it would be greatto have another member or two teamingup with Jack. (This is not an idlerequest give it some thought please.)

At the last board meeting we spenttime discussing outings. Unfortunately Iwill be working every weekend frombefore Memorial Day through afterLabor Day. Alas, I will miss every onethis summer but I hope that many ofyou will partake in them and enjoy thecamaraderie that is a big part of theirappeal. Should you sign up for an out-ing, and I hope you do, please honor thecommitment and respect the effort thatthe streamkeeper puts into making theouting great for all attendees. I reallywish I could attend one; I have seen thelooks of contentment on people’s facesas they recall their experiences on pastoutings.

A last note, I apologize for not hav-ing the adopt-a-highway clean upscheduled by the last meeting. It slippedthrough the calendar. The clean-up isscheduled for Saturday, May 7. Send mean email [email protected] or giveme a call if you can help (503-349-7595). I figure we can meet at theRobertson Road boat ramp at 9:00 a.m.and carpool. As an afterward perhapswe can do some fishing or have a bowlof chili at the Sunset.

See you May 11, if not before.Here’s to calm winds and hungry

fish.

WillProposed fishing, watercraft and license

regulations are subject of G&F meetingsChanging the trout limit to allow up

to six trout of any size in lakes and reser-voirs and allowing a general limit of 16brook trout of any size highlight some ofthe proposed fishing regulation changesto be discussed at public informationgathering meetings across Wyoming thefirst two weeks of May. Proposed changesfor watercraft and license issuance regu-lations will also be presented.

Fishing regulation changes approvedby the Game and Fish Commission willgo into effect for the 2012-2013 regula-tion period. Other proposed regulationsinclude establishing a general streamlimit of three trout, of which only onecan be over 16 inches. It should be notedthat proposals will include exceptions to

the general limit for certain waters in dif-ferent drainages. Various regulationadjustments will create a separate catego-ry for lake trout removing them from thegeneral trout limit. In addition, there areproposals to change regulations in cer-tain waters where native cutthroat troutare present and also proposals for changesin regulations involving fishing contests.

The Casper meeting begins at 7 p.m.in the Casper G&F office on EnergyLane.

Comments on fishing regulationscan be mailed to Wyoming Game andFish Department, Attn: FishingRegulations, 5400 Bishop Blvd.Cheyenne WY 82006. The deadline forcomments is June 6.


MAY Club CalendarMONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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23 24 25 26 27 28

Regular

meeting, 7 p.m.

WFC Board

Meeting, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY

29 30

SUNDAY

Deadline for

Backcast info

Full moon

31

WYOMING FLY CASTERS BOARD MEETING MINUTES, April 20, 2011

Adopt-a-high-

way clean-up

Palm Sunday

Memorial Day

Called to order, 7:02 p.m.Greg Groves, Bob Fischer excused, Scott Novotny and Jim

Johnson absent. Also present Andrew Sauter.Andrew Sauter reported after speaking to Bob Fischer, they

agreed to ask the board to allow Andrew Sauter to fill the firstyear of Bob Fischer’s 3 year board position and Bob would servethe remaining two. The motion was carried and approved.

The secretary’s report was approved. Matt Stanton present-ed the treasurer’s report and was approved. A motion was madethat prior to all board meetings the treasurer, president and anyother board member would review the clubs financial statementsprior to each board meeting, carried and approved. Discussionwas held making note that organizing the club shed appearsneeded to prevent duplicate purchases.

Matt Stanton reported Natrona County Weed and Pest,with five other counties, are involved in the Russian Olive TaskForce. They are seeking support, not to eradicate, but to thinRussian Olives. No money is being sought. A motion was carriedand approved that WFC lend support to the Natrona CountyWeed and Pest. WFC will seek a possible program from theNatrona County Weed and Pest regarding this matter. TheGovernment Bridge project is on hold and no report on theSpeas project. It was reported the WFC Foundation paid$5,000+/- for the Bolton Creek project to the WGFD. JohnDolan reported a possible project for WFC would be to assistwith boat ramps and camp grounds on Trappers Route. Matt willcontact Eve Bennett at the BLM to explore this matter furtherand report back to the board. The board discussed some optionsfor the Bill Ryan Memorial such as a bench on the Platte RiverParkway or a potential pond at Speas. No further action taken

and further discussion to be held.Joe Meyer will be having a Fishing-with-Joe sometime in

the near future. Randy Stalker might have a float tube outing inthe future. Andrew Sauter will have a North Tongue River out-ing in July, date TBD, and Matt Stanton will be the streamkeep-er for the Ten Sleep outing on August 12, 13 & 14. Casey Learywill be the streamkeeper for the Robinder outing at the MiracleMile on Oct. 15. Joe Meyer asked the board to spend up to $50for food which is provided on his fishing trip he donated at thebanquet, motion carried and approved.

Casey Leary volunteered to manage the membership list.Jack Ruffner volunteered to become the club historian.Discussion was held regarding a procedural historian for the clubto assist the board by having some form of notes that indicateprior motions approved as the board often cannot rememberwhat motions have been previously approved. Casey will presentsome more information at the next board meeting. Discussionwas held regarding open positions, the matter was tabled. JoeMeyer reported two vises were purchased for $60 and the clubnow has 6 working vises for members to use.

Discussion was held regarding contacting members whohave not renewed their dues. Numerous members volunteered tocall members to remind them their dues are now past due. MattStanton reported the WGFD Expo is set for September. Theboard approved to donate $1,000 to the WGFD Expo. Mattreported the Platte River Parkway notified the club that to con-tinue to have our WFC mile marker on the Parkway we have torenew our dues. The board approved to provide at least $500 tothe Platte River Parkway for mile marker renewal.

Meeting adjourned 8:33 p.m.

Mothers Day

The mission of the Wyoming Fly Casters is to promote and enhance the sport offly fishing and the conservation of fish and their habitat.

Wyoming Fly Casters

P.O. Box 2881

Casper, WY 82602

www.wyflycasters.org

WFC 05/11

Documents

Transcript of WFC 05/11