Tag Archives: Mike Donovan

March 2026 HFF Meeting

The next meeting of the HFF will be Tuesday March 17th. As usual we will meet at the American Legion Post #18 here in Bloomington, with dinner at 6:00 and the program at 7:00. It is that Indiana spring weather when the pretty yellow flowers come out in 70 degrees and spend the next two days poking their heads through the snow.

The program this month will be a talk by Eric Helton from the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife. I am sure it will be most interesting as the Division oversees about every aspect of fishing in Indiana from licensing to habitat enhancement. I am interested in what changes, new species, and new habitat may result from the warming of the climate.

Justin Swafford’s power point for his program on rod building will be available soon. This was a great presentation and it got a lot of things about splining a rod straighten out for me.

March 17th is St. Patricks day. And what would be better than having Mike Donovan tie a Pat’s Rubber Leg fly. I am interested to see how he deals with all those legs…

Annual Auction of Good Stuff
GOOD STUFF

The April meeting will be the annual auction of good fly fishing stuff. The April meeting will be the auction, I wanted to repeat that so you would not forget. This is a great time to get rid of some of the extra cash you may have lying around. It is also a good time to donate fishing/outdoor related items for the auction. I am sure there will be some terrific flies, perhaps a few feathers, some books with pretty pictures and maybe some surprises. This is a chance to pass on some of that stuff you were sure you really needed but didn’t really need. Again, Kernal Kevin’s dulcet voice will encourage you to part with a few bucks and take home treasures. The auction helps fund the annual picnic, club Christmas party, gifts to the Legion folks, occasional conservation projects, Project Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery.

The annual picnic will again be in May. Details on that fun time will follow soon.

On another note, both sad and happy, Kyle Swafford has gotten a new job and will be leaving the area. We are happy for the better job but sad to see him move on. At least come back for the picnic. This means we will need a new Conservation Office for the club. If you are interested please let Kevin know.

Hope to see you all on the 17th. Dinner at 6:00 and the program at 7:00. The program will be Eric Helton from Indiana Fish and Wildlife.

Stay warm or cool or wet or dry or whatever Indiana weather has in store for us,

Tim

January 2026 HFF Meeting

I hope the new year is off to a good start for everyone and we are getting some winter fly tying done. I hear some talk about a football game coming up on the 19th. Our January meeting will be on the 20th, so we will be able to share a round of celebration or grief as the case may be… I am assuming it will be celebration!

The new meeting of the HFF will be on January 20th at the American Legion Post #18 on 3rd. Street here in Bloomington. Dinner will be at 6:00 PM and the program will start at 7:00 PM. The program this month will be four HFF members demonstrating different fly patterns.
Justin Swafford will be tying a Salmon/Steelhead fly.
Paul Brown will tie a Baby Fat Minnow.
Mike Donovan will be tying another pattern sure to catch fish,
I will be tying a Full Dressed Clouser Deep Minnow.

There are a number of fly fishing shows coming up including the Heartland Fly Fishing Festival in Lebanon, Indiana on the 16th and 17th. Get the 2026 season started off right!

There is also a fund raising event in Indianapolis on the 18th. Casting for a Cause sponsored by Casting for Recovery. For more information you may contact Tracy Woods at tracywoods2023@gmail.com

Casting for a Cause
Casting for a Cause

Also draw your attending to the recent post for the 2026 WKU Fly Fishing Montana adventure trip coming up in September. Contact Raymond Poff at raymond.poff@wku.edu

Have a good week, see you on the 20th.

Stay warm or cold as the case may be,

Tim