November HFF Meeting was a Challenge!

The November meeting went very well with several members present. As always Bobby’s Colorado Steak House took very good care of us and the food was wonderful.

The highlight of the evening was the First HFF Fly Tying Challenge, something new for the club, that was created and organized by members Paul Brown and Larry Barber. It was a fun event for participants and spectators as well. Many thanks to this event’s sponsor, Larry Barber, who made the first HFF Fly Tying Challenge a big success.

Basically the challenge consisted of members bringing their fly tying tools to the event and without prior knowledge of the fly they are to tie they are supplied with hooks, and all materials they will need to tie a predetermined fly pattern. Participants could choose to tie one or two flies, one for fish appeal and one for people appeal. Almost everyone attempted to tie two flies in the allotted time.  Everyone present got to vote for their favorite flies. Each category winner was awarded a prize. 

The fly for this Challenge was the Adams, probably the most popular dry fly in use today. In a variety of sizes, it belongs in everyone’s fly box. All materials were supplied by event sponsor Larry Barber. Larry also supplied, from his own collection, prizes for the winning flies. The prizes were beautiful original HL Leonard landing nets. In the Fish Category, Barry Clarke tied the winning Adams and in the People Category Mark Fuller tied the winning fly. Everyone had fun with the Challenge and thanks again to Larry for making it a big success. I expect there will be more Challenges for the club in the future.

Check out the pictures below, Larry Brown attempted to tie the Adams with out tools and Charlie Shaw used a vise he crafted himself. 

November HFF Meeting and More

    This seems to be a season of change.  First, I think the water temp at Monroe seems to be getting low enough to invite the big Wipers into shore. Second, Halloween ads are being replaced by Christmas ads (I wonder what happened to Thanksgiving?).  And third, perhaps most importantly, we are going to try something new for the next meeting.  For those of you who were at the last meeting, you will remember Larry’s presentation of the “fly tying contest” event. Please understand this is not “real’ contest just a fun event to demonstrate a variety of tying techniques. So please join us for the fun on next Tuesday, November 15th at Bobby’s Colorado Steak House at 6PM.

Fly Challenge Rules
Fly Challenge Rules

For the ten folks who expressed interest in this gala event at the last meeting, please note that you will need to bring your own tying tools e.g. Vise, thread, ect. also a light, battery powered would be best. I am attaching the details of the “Hoosier Fly Fishers Fly Tying Challenge” as provided by Larry B and Paul B. More about the Fly Tying Challenge can be found in the club members discussion forums.

Membership Dues are due if you haven’t already paid those. Now would be a great time to join the club to get in on all the fall and winter HFF Club meetings and demos.  We are planning the annual Christmas Party for Hoosier Fly Fishers club members! This will be December 11th at the Colorado Steakhouse. The fun will begin at about 11:00 AM and we will eat at about 12:00.

FISH REPORT: Lake Monroe water temperatures are cooling down fast and fish catching has been sporadic. Wipers were very active about a month ago but only the small schoolies.  No big fish have appeared yet. Several of the club members and fly fishers from Indy and Shelbyville have been fishing for them from shore with little success. We’re hoping the good bite is yet to come.  Several bass have been caught in the backs of coves where you can still find weeds. The heavy frost this morning will make the weeds disappear soon.  A few crappies and yellow bass have been caught also.

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