Tag Archives: Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show

Hospitality, Meetings and the Expo.

Talk about Hoosier Hospitality and we’re talking Bobby’s Colorado SteakHouse.  The Club holds it’s regular monthly meetings at their restaurant and the month of February was made special by Steve who cooked us up a fish fry for the evening meal. Thanks Steve it was great!

Jill Vance INDNR Naturalist
Jill Vance INDNR Naturalist

The speaker for the February meeting was Jill Vance, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Interpretive Naturalist for Lake Monroe. Jill informed us about past and present activities offered by her office around Lake Monroe . Activities range from Nature Hikes in the Winter to Youth Activities in the Summer. Some of her favorite projects involve wildflowers, youth activities, hikes and Lake Monroe Cleanups. Jill is a very good speaker and presents an interesting program about Lake Monroe and the year round activities that are available from her Office and the INDNR. To find out more about Jill and scheduled activities around Lake Monroe for 2016 visit their Facebook Page or the DNR website for Lake Monroe. You can download updated activity sheets and read more on recent events sponsored by Jill’s office.

The second half of the meeting featured Mike Donovan at the fly tying vise. Mike always does a good job showing everyone how to tie traditional flies.  This month Mike demonstrated tying a hair wing streamer.  I’m sure it will catch fish.

Don’t forget your Indiana State Park Entrance Pass this year. The prices have gone up again but if you’re a Senior you get a discounted rate. If you have a boat, registrations are due and you must have the DNR Launch permit on State waters. March will be time for new fishing license, don’t forget.

Indy Fly Fishing Expo: A few of us attended the fly fishing expo at the Indiana State Fair Grounds last week end. Coupled with the Indy Boat Sport and Travel Show, a guy could spend an entire weekend looking at all the GUY stuff they had there. The Fly Fishing part of the show was a three day event. It took us a few hours to visit all the booths and talk with some new friends and some familiar faces. They had a casting pond setup and fly fishing seminars were held all day long, featuring some of the most informative fly fishing experts in the Midwest . Booths were full of fly tackle, guide services, fly tying supplies, fly tying demos, zingers and forceps by the hundreds and free hats for special anglers.

Fish Report: What a weird year for weather and fishing around Lake Monroe. During the mild winter fish were very active up to the end of last year but the fly bite slowed down a little in January as water temperatures dropped into the 30’s. Fishing was slow but with patience fish could be found where there was open water. February sunny days have prompted fish to move a little shallower and they continue to bite on small flies. Fishing will only improve if the water temps continue to rise. Spring is on the way, get out and fish.

January HFF Meeting Notes

Hoosier Fly Fishers started the new year off with a great meeting.  As always the food and hospitality at Bobby’s Colorado Steakhouse was the best.  Thanks to the staff for always taking such good care of us!

Mike Exl Fishing Guide
Mike Exl Fishing Guide

The guest speaker for this month was Mike Exl, head fly fishing guide at Wildcat Creek Outfitters located on Main Street in Zionsville, Indiana.  This evening Mike gave a talk about fly fishing for carp in Indiana and Lake Michigan.  Mike is very enthusiastic about fly fishing for carp and covered every aspect of carp on the fly so well that several of the members are ready to start tying carp flies for the coming year.  He even mentioned a few of his secret flies and honey holes for carp.  I know I am anxious to get to the tying bench to tie up some of those purple thingies and this summer you will find me wading the flats. Thanks Mike for a great presentation.  If you are interested in fly fishing Indiana stop in at  Wildcat Creek Outfitters and talk to Mike about a fly fishing trip soon or email him from their website. You’ll be glad you did.

Tim Mather
Tim Mather

Club President Tim Mather gave a fly tying demonstration on tying weighted flies.  Tim showed a large fly box full of examples of weighted flies from size 8 up to size 2/0.  For the demonstration Tim tied a Flat Wing Full Dress Clouser with tips on tying dubbing loops and spacing materials.  Tim also discussed what fish species he has caught using weighted flies such as wipers, smallmouth bass, carp and one pound bluegills.  What a great looking fly! I will use it wisely, thanks Tim.  If you missed the large box of weighted flies, it is rumored you might get a close look at it in the April Meeting, bring cash.

Flat Wing Full Dress Clouser
Flat Wing Full Dress Clouser

Fish Report: NONE

Upcoming Meeting Highlights:  February, Jill Vance of the Indiana DNR will be here to talk with us about youth fishing and Lake Monroe events.  April, Colonel Kevin will once again delight us with his Auctioneer Skills.

Upcoming Events:

Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show January 23rd

Great American Fly Fishing Expo February 19th – 21st

The Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show February 19th – 28th

Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo March 18th – 20th