Presidents Message - January 2008: "Dialing It In"

by Joe Filer, AFF President

Joe with SalmonSo, here I stand in the middle of the Guadalupe River in mid-December trying to catch some of those rainbows that I know are here. So far, nothing. No takes, no rises, nada….. I realize that it is not going to be as easy as it has been during other years. It’s time to step outside comfort zones (read this as olive wooly buggers down deep) and figure out what is going to work for that day or that time.

It’s time to “dial it in”.

As you probably figured out by now, I am not really standing in the middle of the Guad writing this article. This concept did come to me as described above and those thoughts did occur exactly as described. Fortunately, I was able to figure the fish out and caught a couple nice fish before the day ended around noon. I suspect that many of you know exactly what I am talking about. You have probably experienced something similar during your fishing past where it started out real slow and finally BANG, you get it just right. You dial it in and the fish seem to come at you like telemarketer calls at dinner time.

Thankfully, it does not happen all the time and when it does one tends to remember them as something very special. I personally recall a couple of days in Alaska when rainbows or arctic char seemed to be at the end of every cast. I know that Lloyd Mathews and I talk fondly of a day several years ago at Hunter’s (now called Gardo’s) when they were hitting like crazy for us while other fisherman were getting frustrated watching our success. We had it dialed in and our excitement was obvious. Why all this talk about dialing it in? As we begin a new year with Alamo Fly Fishers, a new set of officers is charged with leading the club for the next twelve months. As in past years, we have the knowledge and successes of the past twelve months to serve as a spring board for the coming year. There are additional paths as well.

As Todd (more about him later) mentioned in a previous newsletter article, it has been a tough 2007 for fly fishing for many. Too much water in most cases made both the freshwater and saltwater fishing a lot tougher for many of us. We had to step out of our proven approaches/comfort zones and try new places, approaches, etc. Sometimes these
opportunities result in new water, better approaches and new comfort zones. That is my hope as 2008 begins. As your new President, I am committed to ensuring that this
coming year is all about “dialing it in” by doing things throughout the year that are fun and dedicated to addressing the reasons why you pay to be a part of this
organization. To that end, many of you have already responded to a survey that will help us better understand who “we” are and what “we” want from the club. I personally
extend an invitation to each and every one of you to tell us what you are thinking about the direction of the club and why you joined our merry group. And, you don’t have to use the survey. If you would like to discuss directly with me, I can usually be found at the
Church on most Tuesday nights tying and lying with the best of them. Look for the handsome one with the Cabela’s hat…..

Before I close for the month, I mentioned Todd earlier. What a year we have had under Todd’s leadership! His energy is seemingly boundless and his dedication to this organization is just amazing. We are all very fortunate to have folks like Todd involved
ongoing as ambassadors for the club while pushing us to new opportunities. Please join me in thanking him for his dedication to this organization over the past several years. Thanks Todd for being a good friend and a true leader. Don’t forget to come out to our annual Cooking Meeting at Carmine’s Restaurant in Schertz on January 15. We eat at 7PM so come out a little early to find out what fly fishing presents Santa brought everyone. Leaping into 2008………..