Tag Archives: fly tying

Flymasters, Expos, and Rancid Crabtree

We had a great turn out for the January HFF meeting. There were lots of old faces around the tables as well as several new faces. It was good to see all of you there!  Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and food before the meeting with tales of Florida Fly Fishing, Big Wisconsin Smallies, walleyes on a fly and the Indy Fly Fishing Expo.  There was also a rumor about one of our old faces having a discussion with Bob Clouser last week about designing better flies for wipers.  But then again maybe I heard it wrong,  hopefully there will be more discussion about that at the February HFF Meeting. Don’t miss it!

Derrick Filkins
Derrick Filkins Flymasters and Tim Mather HFF President

One of the new faces at the meeting was Derrick Filkins of Flymasters Indianapolis.  Derrick was welcomed by club president Tim Mather. Derrick spoke to the group about warm water fly fishing and clued us in on some of the newest and greatest fly fishing gear available now at Flymasters. Check out their website or drop in the shop on Allisonville Road on the NE side of Indianapolis. If they don’t have what you need they will order it.

Lead Wing Coachman
Lead Wing Coachman by Mike Donovan

This year the fly tying demonstrations will be Traditional Classic Patterns that are over 30 years old and still produce fish. Mike Donovan, club program director, demonstrated how to tie a Lead Wing Coachman.

The trick is getting the wings on correctly and Mike showed how to do that. It is always educational watching how other people tie flies. Learning the little shortcuts or tricks they use  at the vise can save you lots of time when tying your own. Most all of the HFF meetings will have fly tying demonstrations.

On a sad note, it’s the end of an era.  If you are a fan of Pat , Crazy Eddie Muldoon, Rancid, Melba Peachbottom, Sneed, Strange  or are a member of the Rancid Crabtree Fly Fishing and Filisofical Society then you need to go to www.patrickfmcmanus.com.  Sadly the McManus website monthly blog and book store is no more.  You can read more about it on the website.

HFF Christmas Party

Several Hoosier Fly Fisher Club members,  along with several guests enjoyed the afternoon at Bobby’s Colorado Steakhouse. The food was great, fellowship was nice, fish and fly stories were unbelievable, and at least one person  left with more than they came in with.  The club always has a really nice raffle prize for the Christmas Party.

Everyone had a great time and topics of discussion around the room varied as it is at most of the HFF Club meetings at the Colorado Steakhouse. On one end of the room the discussion was about the ball game on the big screen TV, while at the other end of the room you could get in on Barry’s latest trip to Florida and whose flies caught the most fish in salt water.  In the booths you could hear tales about blue clousers and sitting on Santa’s lap and around the center table the buzz was unusual materials to tie flies with and where to find them.  One topic that seemed to be circulating everywhere was the new TFO Bob Clouser 6wt Fly Rod that was on display for the raffle. Congratulations Judy! Hope to see you on the water soon!!  Towards the end of the party all thoughts seemed to merge into one of Celebration, the Joy of friendship and the Joy of the season.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

A few random photos during the party.