St. Vrain Angler News & Muse February 1, 2005

Greetings!

I hope this finds you well, enjoying the time of your life. That's where we are, after all, living life in space and time. Here we are. Now what do we do?

As I mentioned last week, several of us went fishing at 11-Mile Canyon. It was bright and beautiful, on the warm side - even though everyone eventually complained about cold toes as the water temperature was about 34 degrees - and the water was crystal clear. We could easily see the fish in the water, and fish were caught. Some of them on dry flies! Cool. And cold, I guess.

I wonder if the folks who joined us are telling stories of their work week, or stories of their fishing weekend? Hmm. I wonder if in a year or so the issues that seemed so important at the time, keeping us from fishing and recreating our beings, will be held as fond memories. Or, if our friends will be telling of the first midge-caught trout in a lovely place.

Perspective is interesting.

2005: The year to go fishing, and build memories.

We'll help.

Mark, Jay and I are working on some exciting thing to help you get on the water. Please stay tuned for more. I have posted the Class Schedules for the coming season. There will be a few additions, which I'll let you know about.

Last week I offered twelve sets of the Classic Eastern Dry Flies. They were gone almost immediately. Thanks to everyone who asked for them. It took longer to tie them than I thought it might, but I really enjoyed tying these flies. While I tie in the shop I'm invariably visiting with someone about fly fishing, life, daily issues, fly presentation and tying tips. You know, fly shop talk. That's one of the reasons I like fly tying so much: the social aspect of it all. Teaching classes, doing demo's, tying for friends and so on is full of delight. Will the next fly be the perfect one? How can the one after be better yet? I love tying flies.

Thanks to the folks who asked for the flies! I hope you enjoy them very much. Know this. I put lots of love into the tying of each fly, hoping that they will bring pleasure and delight to those who see them.

Whatever that might mean. Oh well. I'm just a fly shop junky, that's all. Frittering away time in a fly shop, and liking it. What a mess.

Classes

Class Schedules

The first Introduction To Fly Tying Class of 2005 finished last Tuesday. Tonight is an off night, and then a new session begins next Tuesday, February 8, 2005. Classes are held at the shop and start each evening at 7:00PM. We're usually done about 9:30PM and lots of fun is had by all. Mark informs me that a few spots are open for that session. Give him a call at 303-651-6061 to reserve your time. Tuition is $70.00 per person and includes our Intro To Fly Tying Solutions booklet and all the materials we use during class time. Sign Me Up!

Our Intermediate Fly Tying Class is in its third week tonight. We're having a fine time. Last week we learned to spin deer hair and made a mess of the shop in the process. Thanks to the folks who invented the vacuum cleaner! Tonight we'll tie Attractor Dries, and next week we might do streamer patterns. We'll see what everyone wants after we finish this evening. The next session will begin on February 15, 2005. At this time, it is the last Intermediate session we have scheduled. However, if it fills and there is still interest we'll do another one. Tuition is $75.00 per person, and we have a fine time together. Please call 303-651-6061 to reserve your time. Sign Me Up!

Specialty Class Offering: I've mentioned tying some Steelhead flies, and there has always been some interest in doing so. I'm going to offer a Steelhead Tying Class on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at the shop. We'll meet at 6:30 and finish at 9:30. We'll tie several flies, including a Rusty Rat, Green Butt Skunk and several others as time allows. I'll provide the material, including jungle cock, and instruction. I'm going to limit this session to 6 people. Tuition will be $35.00 per person. Please call 303-651-6061 to reserve your spot. By the way, the flies shown in the picture were tied and fished by Zane Grey. Cool beans, huh? Sign Me Up!

Due to demand we're adding an Entomology Class. Interested? Please let us know. The first session will be held next Monday night - February 7, 2005 - at the shop. We'll meet at 7:00PM and finish by about 9:30 or so. Tuition is only $30.00 per person.

Hackle Swap

Last year we offered several Hackle Swaps at the shop. People loved them, and in addition to great hackle received wonderful information about the birds that grow these feathers.

This is a great deal for anyone who is just getting started tying flies, or for someone who has done it for some time and just needs excellent feathers to tie new patterns.

We need ten folks to sign up because that's what works best. Tuition will be based on the feathers we get. It has usually been between $70.00 and $100.00 dollars per person. The value is much greater.

Hook Swap

In light of the popularity of the Hackle Swap, we've decided to offer a hook swap. Here's how it works. We will buy 1,000- packs of hooks in popular styles and sizes. There will be ten boxes of hooks, and ten students. Each person will count out ten piles of one-hundred hooks and put them into a box which we will provide. So, each student will get ten boxes of 100 hooks that are most commonly used to tie flies. What a deal. In light of the fact that 100-packs that are pre-packaged cost about $16.00 to $20.00, we're going to charge each person about $100.00. That's $10.00 per 100-pack. That's a significant savings.

The limit is ten per session. Call 303-651-6061 to let us know you are interested; the first session is in the works. We'll do more of them as there is demand. Sign Me Up!

Web Updates

I've been working on the site. Hope you'll visit around and see what you like. The Classes page has been updated, as has the Class Schedules page. If you haven't done so, please check out the trip report from Ascension Bay. More is on the way.

Doesn't good poetry give you goose flesh? Ascension Bay; on the way. Ah.

Environmental news

There is a meeting this Wednesday evening - that's tomorrow - in Estes Park at the Fire Station. The meeting is being hosted by the Forrest Service, and according to our friend Keith they are going to try to do some clear cutting of forest above Button Rock Dam along the North St. Vrain. That would be a bad thing for the river and the habitat that's up there. You may remember that the area has been proposed as a Wild area - I don't know the exact designation - so there would be not cutting and no development. While that has not happened, the area does function in that way. For more info today, please drop Keith a line at leankeenan@netzero.com He'll let you know the details.

Shop Trip

After we do a shop trip there is a neat level of electricity running around the shop. Folks say they wish they could have joined us, folks who joined us say it was great and they'd like to go again, and so on. Mark always has a certain aura about him after fishing trips that invites others to join the fun.

Shop Hours

Our days of having Monday off to fish are over. Either Mark, Jay or I will be in the shop. Here are shop hours for the rest of the Winter, Spring and Fall. Please stop by, have a cup of coffee and get some goodies to tie your next fly or to prepare for a fishing outing.

Monday: 9:30-6:00 (Specialty Classes start at 6:30PM)

Tuesday 9:30-6:00 (Tying Classes start at either 6:30 or 7:00PM)

Wednesday: 9:30-6:00

Thursday: 9:30-6:00 (TU Board meetings are 1st Thursday of month at 6:30; TU Meeting at VFW on 3rd Thursday at 6:30; specialty Classes on the other Thursday evenings!)

Friday: 9:30-6:00

Saturday: 9:00-4:00 (Free Clinics from 10-Noon)

West Denver TU Tying Clinic

The annual West Denver TU Fly Tying Clinic will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2005 from 8:00AM until sometime in the afternoon - I can't remember when it is over. The Clinic is held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds off West 6th Avenue, just west of the Indiana Exit. Follow the signs.

I've tied at this for about twenty-some years. And it is cool. Lots of shops are represented at the clinic, and lots of local tiers feature their thoughts about flies, materials and tying techniques. The TU Club sells the flies that are tied to raise money for projects. There is an entry fee, and food is available. I promise a good time and heartburn from the food - always a good thing when fly fishing is involved. (There has to be some misery, right?)

Used Gear Sale

I have two Winston BL5 9-weight fly rods that I'm willing to sell. The rods have been used, and they have caught fish. They would be useful for saltwater, Alaska Salmon, Pike and so on. I also have two Bauer M-4 reels that match the rods very nicely. They have fly line on them - floating saltwater lines - and backing.

I'll sell each set - that would be one rod and one reel, including cases for each, for $500.00.

Mark, Jay and I hope to see you soon. We're wishing you the best, and hoping you'll take us up on the mantra: 2005: Let's Go Fishing!

Please forward this issue to a friend, if you would. That is, if you enjoy reading. I like adding folks to the mailing list and look forward to writing to you each week. I'm always here and I'll always answer your email questions.

Hope to see you soon!