HFF Annual Christmas Party

A reminder…The annual Christmas Party will be December 13th at the Colorado Steakhouse. We will get started at 12:00 noon.

As is always the case, the food, coffee and soft drinks will be provided by the club.  However, if you want or need a seasonally appropriate adult beverage, that is on your dime.  And there will be usual excitement surrounding the raffle prize. That prize is yet to be determined but I do know it will not be a bowling ball or set of golf clubs. Rather, I would look for some much coveted fly fishing gear.

If you have not paid your dues, this would be a good time…pay dues, get a free meal. I doubt there is a better deal around.

Looking ahead to the April meeting…that will be our annual auction. So I am planning to round up some good stuff for the auction and try to round up a few dollars to take home some of the cool stuff you all bring to the auction.  Once again we will be treated to the dulcet voice and clever rapid fire patter of our own Kevin Montague.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the HFF annual Christmas party on December 13th at the Colorado Steakhouse.

Tim

Fish Report: fish are still biting at double secret Honey Hole locations on flies of appropriate size and color. Just slow things down a bit for some December action.

November HFF Meeting Recap

Guest Speaker Rex Waters of the INDNR chats with Tim Mather, Club president.
Guest Speaker Rex Waters of the INDNR

On Tuesday November 17th, we had our meeting at Bobby’s Colorado Steakhouse with guest speaker, Rex Watters. He spoke to us about many of the management strategies taking place at both Monroe Reservoir as well as the Stillwater Marsh Wetlands area he manages. He also mentioned a few ways we can help including volunteer days planting trees and helping manage and keep these areas that we use so often clean.

Rex informed us about the issue with the Asian Carp here in Bloomington. While most of us do not use live bait, there is still a concern about the spread of this invasive species due to their destructive quality and their ability to outcompete other fish in the region.  He also spoke to us about how we can prevent the spread of these Carp from entering Lake Monroe, informing us about the resemblance of Gizzard Shad to the Asian Carp. With both looking so similar in their growing stages, many are unable to differentiate these species and will accidentally spread these invasives into undesired areas such as Lake Monroe.

One project Indiana DNR is currently attempting to implement here in Monroe County is building disposals for the fishing line (leader, tippet) and bait. This will help decrease the chances of spread of invasive species as well as keep the environment and the critters in it happy!

Rex also spoke to use about the Bald Eagle population at Monroe Reservoir, and it seems they are thriving in the region with 17 nests currently being used as well as one of the oldest documented Eagles living right here in Monroe County.

Mike Donovan
Mike Donovan tying a Parmachene Belle Streamer

The fly tying demonstration part of the meeting was presented by Mike Donovan, tying a Parmachene Belle Streamer as promised in previous meetings. Mike always does a good job of explaining about the materials he uses and why they are important in reproducing classic flies.

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