In The Trout’s Window
Newsletter of the Pioneer Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
February 2010
Our upcoming chapter meeting will be held at 7:30PM on Tuesday, February 9th at the West
Springfield/Agawam Elks Lodge, 422 Morgan Rd., West Springfield, MA.
NOTE: No Fly Tier’s
Corner this month!
\
Russ Cohen,
Massachusetts Riverways
“Why We Should Care About Trout Streams and
their Inhabitants”
Mr. Russ Cohen, serves as the Rivers Advocate for the Riverways Program, Division of Ecological
Restoration, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. He understands first-hand as to why we
should care about our trout streams, their inhabitants, and in particular, how we can best protect them.
Mr. Cohen is the author of “Ten Ways Conservation Commissions Can Help Protect Coldwater
Streams and Their Inhabitants”, an important publication that provides tangible ways in which
conservation commissions can most effectively protect coldwater resources under their jurisdiction.
Besides the obvious appeal trout streams and their inhabitants have to Trout Unlimited members, and
the fact that many TU members are familiar with cold water conservation efforts, Mr. Cohen will
expose our members to new ideas and current approaches to stream management.
Fly Tier’s Corner — Join us at 7:00pm for a live demonstration
Well-known for his exquisite custom-crafted fly rods, Chapter member Dan Trela is also an established
fly tier. On February 9th, Dan will give a very special fly-tying presentation as he will demonstrate the
techniques involved in tying the classic Atlantic Salmon fly - the Jock Scott. If time permits, Dan will
also demonstrate another classic pattern, the Green Highlander.
This is not a Fly Tier’s Corner to miss!
Page 2
Thanks to January Attendees,
Not Too Late for New Year’s Resolution
By PVTU President, Paul Beaulieu
I want to thank all of the TU’ers who came to the January Chapter meeting and donated or purchased
items from the “President’s Sale” table. I am pleased to report that we raised a record $450 for the
Casting for Recovery program. Over one dozen Chapter members showed up at the “President’s
Table” to donate quality books, hats, fishing gear, etc. I am embarrassed to mention names in fear of
leaving someone out, but you know who you are, and we appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Kudos to all.
Also, a special thanks to all of our volunteer fly tiers listed in last month’s newsletter who provided
great education and entertainment for the 125 folks that attended the January meeting.
On another note - How about making an easy, yet very important, New Year’s Resolution for 2010?
By volunteering to do just one thing for your TU Chapter in 2010, we can go a long way in our
upcoming program and conservation efforts.
Our Chapter has over 440 members, so just think of how much we could accomplish this year if each
member volunteered to do just one thing?! Maybe write one article or book review for the newsletter,
maybe arrange for one monthly speaker, maybe show up for a river clean-up, volunteer for Project
Healing Waters, etc. If we could capsulate the enthusiasm and generosity that Chapter members
showed at the January meeting and release it throughout the entire year, a lot of great volunteer work
would be accomplished.
So please, come to a monthly Chapter meeting and see one of our Chapter officers. There are plenty
of quick and easy things you can do to help your Chapter. Thank you.
Fishon!
.
- Paul
Still Time to Join Winter 2010
Fly Tying Classes
There is still time to sign-up for our TU Chapter’s free Beginners Fly Tying Course on Wednesday
evenings, February 10, 17, and 24. Classes begin at 7:00pm and are taught by Rene Huard. To
register, call Rene at 413-563-0067. All material and tools will be supplied.
There is also time to sign-up for our free Intermediate Fly Tying Course scheduled for Wednesday
evenings March 3, 10, 17, 24. These classes will begin at 7:00pm and will be taught by Jim Turcotte.
To register call Jim at (413-527-5863) All fly materials supplied, bring your own tying tools.
Both the Beginner’s and Intermediate classes will be held at the West Springfield/Agawam Elks Lodge,
422 Morgan Rd., West Springfield, MA.
Page 3
Chapter Members Rate Favorite Books
We asked our readership to submit the names of their all- time favorite angling or conservation related
books. Their responses have been received and are both numerous and interesting. In order, here’s
what made the list:
#1 Favorite Books:
What the Trout Said: About the Design of Trout
Flies and Other Mysteries, by Datus Proper
A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leupold
The Earth is Enough, by Harry Middleton
Small Flies, by Ed Engle
Even Brook Trout Get the Blues, by John Gierach
A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean
Lefty’s Little Tips by Lefty Kreh
The Seasonable Angler by Nick Lyons
The Art of Tying the Wet Fly and Fishing the
Nymph by Leisenring and Hidy
One More River by by W.D. Wetherell
#2 Favorite Books:
The Art of the Trout Fly, by Judith Dunham,
The Fly Tier's Benchside Reference to Techniques and Dressing Styles, by Ted Leeson and
Jim Schollmeyer
Muriel Foster's Fishing Diary, by Muriel Foster
Striper Wars, by Dick Russell
True Love and the Woolly Bugger, by David Ames
Hatch Guide to New England Streams by Thomas
Ames, Jr.
Wet Flies, by David Hughes
The Dry Fly and Fast Waters, by LaBranch
#3 Favorite Books:
Royal Coachman, by Paul Schullery
Good Flies, by John Gierach
Flyfishing through the Midlife Crisis, by Howell
Raines
Universal Fly Tying Guide by Dick Stewart
The Practical Angler, by Stewart
The Dry Fly, by Paul Young
If you haven’t read any of the aforementioned books, based on the recommendations of fellow anglers
you may want to consider these for a good winter’s read.
Page 4
Here are responses to our request for Chapter member reviews of
their favorite fly-fishing literature…
Hoover: The Fishing President
Hal Elliott Wert. (Stackpole Books 2005)
Book Review by Gary Metras
Most people today probably think of Herbert Hoover as the president during the worst economic
times in our country’s history: The Great Depression. Few know that Hoover was an avid fisherman
his entire life. Wert’s biography reveals how strongly the role fishing, especially for trout on a fly, was
a part of the fabric of Hoover’s life. Having grown up in West Branch, Iowa, he learned early the
beauty of nature and the restorative power of fishing. We think of the Rogue, Willamette, McKenzie,
and Columbia Rivers as legendary trout fisheries. Hoover fished them all, many others throughout the
country, and was also an ardent fan of the Florida Keys, where he fished every winter for most of his
adult life.
Wert attempts to keep politics separate from the fishing, but there were occasions when the two
merged. As Secretary of Commerce under President Harding, Hoover initiated the first federal fishing
restrictions in the Pacific, which helped to restore populations of salmon, halibut, and cod. He was
also a supporter of dams for flood control and hydropower on the major rivers systems of the west.
As biographer, Wert clearly has affection for Hoover, the man and the fisherman. He maintains an
objective stance throughout the controversies of Hoover’s political life: “Hoover was pulled in two
directions at the same time. His ambition pulled him into the public spotlight, while the shy, refining
part of his character pushed him to seek secluded private retreats in the wilderness” (pg. 134). Wert
never directly criticizes Hoover, nor point out some obvious ironies between his love of the outdoors
and fishing and his political views. Instead, Wert shares with the reader other’s opinions: “In
Coolidge’s mind, Hoover’s other great sin was that he was not a regular Republican…” (pg. 149).
Fishing was such a part of Hoover’s life that, “leaving the details of his budding presidential campaign
to political lieutenants, Hoover went fishing” (pg. 150). Wert even goes so far in assessing Hoover’s
fishing abilities as to state that “Hoover proved himself an excellent fisherman, one of the country’s
finest, almost as good as two other fishermen he greatly admired--Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway”
(pg. 270). Hoover stayed politically active after his term in office: “Spring found Hoover working hard to
prevent American intervention into the war [WW II]…but spent May 23 and 24 fishing with [friends] in
the mountains of western Massachusetts” (pg. 276), where he would return for several outings late in
life. Hoover thought of himself as a conservationist, though others would disagree. He was an active
member of The Izaac Walton League, an early twentieth century fishing conservation group with more
than a hundred thousand members, and was briefly the League’s president.
Included in the book are some wonderful photographs of Hoover holding a stinger of Alaska salmon,
Florida sailfish, huge rainbow trout, of Hoover in canoes, on the deck of charter boars, and always he
is wearing suit coat and tie, which shows the gentlemanly tradition of fly fishing. My favorite photo
shows Hoover in 1928, jacket, tie, and hat, as always, wearing hip boots and standing on a rocky
protrusion of Larry Creek in Pennsylvania with fly rod angled upward as he guides the fly through
riffles, with that plain, stern, concentrated expression known to all fly fishers, whether they be plumber,
professor, or president.
If you are at all progressive or Democratic in your political leanings (and here I must confess that I did
not purchase this book; it was a Christmas present from my brother-in-law), the politics referred to in
the book will irritate you, but you can read it and be fascinated by the fishing lore and practices of late
nineteenth to early twentieth century America, when the gear, techniques, and attitudes differed so
much from today.
Page 5
One River More
by W.D. Wetherell (The Lyons Press, 1998)
Book Review by Jim Lafley
After reading his first two books, Upland Stream and Vermont River, I anxiously awaited his next one
on fly fishing. While reading it I realize he had no interest in writing a fourth book which is a loss to our
sport’s literature. He decided a trilogy was all the energy he wanted to dedicate to revealing his
intimate encounters with rivers, fish and the people with whom he shares his experience.
His essays cover the expected topics, but his writing style reveals many different sides of his
personality. At times you will recognize situations, as when two inexperienced fly fisherman, fishing
one of his favorite pools less than effectively, jump in their car and race upstream to beat him as he
walks to the next pool. He reflects on the etiquette and patience which were part of the sport in the
past.
Wetherell also shows sensitivity to other fisher’s enjoyment of their outing by observing them. If they
see him and nod, he will say hello to sense whether conversation is welcomed. He doesn’t pursue it if
there seems to be no interest.
One of my favorite essays describes his whirlwind Montana & Wyoming trip with a fishing buddy.
They attempt eleven rivers in eleven days! Sounds like a frantic pace, but they operate leisurely out of
West Yellowstone and fish many well-known rivers.
His home water is the upper Connecticut River and he is proud of the fly fishing options in northern
New England. Those of you that fish the area will recognize his descriptions.
I would highly recommend the book for winter reading or as one to carry on trips.
Editor’s Note: Due to space limitations, an additional review will appear in the March Newsletter.
Special Fly Rod and Reel Raffle Tickets Available from Your Home!
The Pioneer Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Chapter is holding a very special fly rod raffle: a Sage
VT-2, 4- piece, 5-weight, 9-foot custom-crafted fly rod by renowned fly rod maker, Dan Trela. Special
features include: jungle cock eyes embossed above the cork grip and a hand painted label, "PVTU
276 Special". Also included is a Battenkill mid-arbor reel, pre-loaded with fly line and backing. Thanks
to his generosity, this special fly rod package is accented by nine dozen beautiful fishing flies custom
tied by Jim Terrett! Best of all, we are making it even easier for you to win this enviable combination
package... You now can purchase raffle tickets from the comfort of your own home! Tickets are $5
apiece or 5 tickets for $20. Just fill-in and mail the coupon below. You will receive a receipt for your
ticket. This rod will be on display at each upcoming PVTU Chapter meeting. The winning ticket will be
drawn and the winner will be announced at our May meeting. The winner does not need to be
present.
Pioneer Valley Chapter Fly Rod Raffle: Enclosed is a check for _____ tickets ($5 apiece or 5 tickets
for $20).
Name:
Street:
City/Zip Code:
Mail to: Mail to: Mr. Thomas Tonelli, 49 Pearl Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
Page 6
UPCOMING CALENDAR of EVENTS and SPEAKERS
.
February 9, 2010
Russ Cohen, Massachusetts Riverways Project, “Why We
Should Care About Trout Streams and their Inhabitants”
March 11, 2010
Tom Roginski, “Phenology – Matching the Hatch to Blooms ”
April 13, 2010
Michael Hopper Coastal Trout Stream Restoration on Cape Cod
May 18, 2010
Mickey Novak Live demonstration at the Cronin National Salmon
(note special date
Hatchery and TU Picnic
and time 6:00pm)
May, 21-24, 2010
Indian Hollow Camping Weekend