General Information

North to Alaska

North to Alaska
North to Alaska

The expression “North To Alaska” has been used quite a bit in the past by pioneers and adventurers.  There has been a popular song by that name and a John Wayne movie called North To Alaska.   Today there is a website and TV show about North to Alaska with Larry Csonka.   It seems there has been a migration North To Alaska from this country ever since the US acquired the territory in a treaty with Russia in 1867 and purchased it in 1868, see the actual receipt here.

Today some of the migration is due to the fantastic fishing and the lure of a wilderness adventure that is available in Alaska.  Modern fishing lodges are scattered throughout some of the best fishing areas in the state and most of them will cater to the fly fishing enthusiast.  A few of our members have had the chance to experience the wonder and thrill of a fishing trip to Alaska.  One of our own, Ben West,  will be migrating to Alaska for the summer and we hope we can follow along with him.

Ben’s first passion is fishing and he is good at it, we say he is “fishy” because when we fish it’s Ben that catches the first fish…always and he usually gets the most fish.  He is also an accomplished fly tier and always seems to know what the fish like.  Well, Ben is on his way to Alaska to work and guide at one of the remote fishing lodges of Deneki Outdoors.  We hope to follow along with him in his travels and maybe even get some fish pictures and fishing reports straight from the wilderness.

Caught ya Caddis by Ben West
Caught ya’ Caddis

Ben is also a very good artist and plans on taking lots of Alaska pictures as well as fish pictures for his collection of art resources.  Hopefully we can share some of the pictures here in a “North To Alaska Gallery”.  Ben’s artwork is featured on his website at West River Artwork and he recently had a showing and sale at the King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Virginia.  He is very talented and his paintings feature his passion, fish and fishing.

We’ll post more links and information from Ben as soon as he is able to send that information on to us.  For now Ben is on his way North To Alaska!

Events, Fish Report, Meetings, Meetings 2014

April Fly Tying

We had a good turnout for the April HFF Meeting.  For those that were expecting to see Ian Anderson we apologize.   He will reschedule and join us later in the year.

Dick Powell Tying a bluegill fly
Dick Powell Tying his bluegill fly

Most everyone came to the meeting for the great food and service at the Colorado Steakhouse and the fellowship and fly fishing tales.   However, the highlight of the evening was the fly tying demonstrations done by club members Dick Powell and Mike Donovan.

Mike Donovan tying with Rowan
Mike Donovan and Rowan

Our newest members, Rowan and David joined in on the fly tying and the older members were eager to help them.  It was an enjoyable  meeting and almost everyone went home with new flies and hopes of great success using them.

Dick Powell's Bluegill Fly
Dick Powell’s Bluegill Fly
Predator Tied by Mike D
Predator Tied by Mike D

 

The next HFF Club meeting will be at the annual club picnic on the 31st of May.   More information will be posted soon.

Fishing Report:  Spring is here and along with it comes rain and high waters in some of Indiana’s rivers and reservoirs.  Most rivers have high flow rates from the reservoirs release rates but most small ponds and pits are looking good.  Most small streams are clear and wadable now and fish are on the move with water temperatures ranging from the low 40’s in tailwaters to almost 60 degrees in small ponds.  Fish are hungry and eager to bite this time of year.  One Pound Bluegills, crappies, and bass are active in the small ponds and pits.  Reports have come in of a few smallmouth being caught in creeks and some walleye, white bass,  crappies, and wipers moving in the rivers and below dams.  Check the stream flow rates on this website in the sidebars and forums.  Get out and give it a try, let us know how you do!

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