the indicator

The newsletter of the Firelands Fly Fishers Inc.

P.O. Box 244, Avon Ohio 44011

Volume 2 Issue 11 Jan 2006

Presidents Corner…

Bill Grake, our fearless leader is vacationing in Florida for the Winter. Dave Snyder will be the acting chief of staff until his return.

In place of Bills’ message, I have put a little Christmas remembrance sent in by one of our members, Jim Piper. It puts a nice cap on the holiday just past.

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CADDIS

BY RICHARD FRANK

Twas the night before Christmas when down by the stream

The full moon looked out on a chill winter scene.

A lone trout was sipping a midge in his brook,

Untroubled by worries of fishers with hooks.

Then from above a small sleigh did appear

Pulled by a brace of eight tiny reindeer.

It swerved of a sudden and down it did glide,

Settling its runners along the streamside.

The fat, jolly driver dove into his sled

And emerged with his three weight held high over head.

"Thank you my elves for this wand smooth as silk.

This break will be better than cookies and milk."

So saying, he jumped from his sleigh with a chuckle,

Hiked up his boots and cinched up his belt buckle.

Santa meant business that cold winter's eve.

A fish he would catch - that you'd better believe.

Looking upstream and down, he spotted that trout,

Then he open his flybox and took something out -

"Size 32 midges are only for faddists

I'll go with my favorite tan reindeer caddis."

So he cast out his line with a magical ease

And his fly floated down just as light as you please.

And it drifted drag free down the trout's feeding lane,

But the fish merely wiggled a fin of disdain.

"Oh Adams, oh Cahill, oh Sulphur, oh Pupa,

Oh Hopper, oh Coachman, oh Olive Matuka!

I've seen every fly in the book and the box.

I'm old and I'm wary and sly as a fox.

To catch me you'll need an unusual gift,

For a present this common no fin will I lift."

Old Nick scratched his head for his time it grew short

The reindeer behind him did shuffle and snort.

He looked once again in his box for a fly

When a pattern compelling attracted his eye.

"The Rudolph!" he muttered and grinned ear to ear

"Far better to give than receive, so I hear."

So he cast once again and his magic was true,

And the trout it looked up and knew not what to do.

"This fly has a body of bells don't you know,

And if that's not enough there's a shining red nose!

I know it's fraud and I know it's a fake,

But I can't help myself. It's I gift I must take!"

So he rose in swirl and captured that thing,

Flew off down the stream. Santa's reel it did sing.

"Ho!" shouted Santa, "You're making my day.

If the heavens were water, you'd be pulling my sleigh."

So, Santa prevailed and released his great rival

First taking great care to ensure its survival.

He then mounted his sled and he flew out of sight

Shouting, "Merry Caddis to trout and to all a good night!"

The Penns Creek trip slated for June 5^th and 6^th seems to be filled. If you would like to make the trip but haven’t signed up, contact Bill Grake at bgrake@msn.com . There is discussion of planning another Pennsylvania trip.

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Editors notes…

Firelands will again be represented at the North Coast Tying Expo this month.

It is one of the better shows put on by Federation clubs with many noted and accomplished fly tyers, not to mention the wide variety of fly fishing parafinalia and demonstrations. We will be sending members to man the Firelands table. It’s great to see the numbers of volunteers for the show. If you have the opportunity, stop by the show on the 14^th. More info in happening around the federation section later in this issue.

At the last board meeting the topic of purchasing fly rod sets from Sage for $145.00 each was discussed. These would be used by the club for instructional purposes. A motion will be brought up at the next general meeting on whether we want to pursue this issue.

Happy new Year to all.

Catcher on the fly.

Ted Zalenski

Communications Director, Fireff

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Gone Fishing. . .

The Penns Creek trip slated for June 5^th and 6^th seems to be filled. If you would like to make the trip but haven’t signed up, contact Bill Grake at bgrake@msn.com . There has been discussion of planning another Pennsylvania trip.

Future Events…

General Meetings

Jan 11^th - guest speaker Dana Ohman, Where to find the hog trout.

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The Favorite Fly

If you have a favorite fly to share contact the editor.

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Conserve, Restore and Educate through Fly Fishing

Happenings in and around the Federation….

4^th Annual Norther Ohio Fly Tying Expo put on by North Coast Fly Fishers

Saturday, January 14^th, 2006 8:30 a.m. - 4:00.m.

Croatian Lodge & Party Center 34900 Lake Shore Blvd.

Eastlake, Ohio 44095 for more information visit the Expo Website at: www.expo2006.ncff.net

Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show presented by Buckeye United Fly Fishers

Saturday, February 11^th, 2006 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center

Fairfield, Ohio (close to the I-275 expressway) info at www.buckeyeflyfishers.com

28^th Annual midwest Fly Fishing Expo

Saturday & Sunday, March 18-19, 2006

Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center

Expo website www.mffc.org or mffcexpo@mffc.org

Firelands Fly Fishers Officers

and Board members