Outings Outlook - August 2009
by Todd Fleming, AFF Outings Director
It sure has been tough being the Outings Director for the Alamo Fly Fishers. It’s been difficult to figure out if the drought has dried up all interest in fishing, or if the economy has sucked every cent of discretionary income from our pockets, or if it’s just fishing apathy that prevails among our members. Maybe our outings are growing old and tired and routine, or the destinations are too mundane for interested participation. Our participation numbers might suggest that most are not interested in the current club outings. Instead of multiple outing opportunities each month, maybe a single quarterly outing that is planned with more detail and more activities including lodging, meals, and fly fishing instruction would be preferred. The club officers and this outing director want to hear from you in regards to your outing preferences.
I have been involved with this club since the summer of 2000, and owe my fly fishing achievements to several members who took the time to teach me, answer my questions, and show me how to be successful. In the beginning, I expressed an interest, and made the effort to learn. I committed time to reach out for help, and some veteran club members were there to eagerly pull me along. In the past nine years, the occurrence of that same dynamic relationship has begun to dwindle. Sadly, I have seen many active members become inactive, and many new members fail to engage. I’ve noticed veteran members – even former club officers – lose interest, step away, and seemingly disappear from the rolls. Likewise, I’ve noticed new faces that show up for a meeting or two, maybe even sign up for membership, but never enter the mainstream of active participation. Having been an officer of this club for several years, I feel responsible for failing to keep the interest of those veteran and novice members. Obviously, we need to change something to be more responsive to the needs of both our experienced and new members. We have a dynamic club, with boundless potential, but only if our members want to be involved and participate in the club programs.
We are a service organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through conservation and education. We attract our membership with the programs we offer, but need participation to retain those members. We need our members to be active so that new members will want to participate. I’m asking veteran members who have drifted away from being involved in club outings to renew your interest. The next generation of club members and club officers need you to be active.
Regarding recent club outings, in June we had an exciting outing where we tangled with tarpon from the North Jetty at Port Aransas. In July we tried to duplicate that experience, but high winds squashed our effort and reduced our outing to just a keen location for watching the 4th of July fireworks with good friends. A return trip should be considered for early September. Let me know if there is someone who will volunteer to plan that date. Also in July was the First Annual Lydia Ann Fly Masters Fly Fishing Tournament. This tournament, organized by Alamo Fly Fishers and Lighthouse Fly Fishing Co. and benefiting Casting for Recovery, was an instant success! Palmer Simpson had the idea for this tournament and was the driving force to make it happen. Thankfully, Rob Burlingame was not about to let him do it alone. Together, and with undoubtedly energetic help from Erin, Palmer’s lovely wife, they organized, planned, and produced a new saltwater fly fishing tournament that will bring recognition to our club from all around the state and beyond. This tournament, with all proceeds benefiting CFR, typifies our goals of being dedicated to the betterment of this sport through conservation and education. Major thanks are in order to Palmer and Erin, Rob, and the long list of sponsors that were eager to be part of this worthy cause. Thank you also to everyone who participated. Our club was well represented, and I hope to see even greater interest from AFF at next year’s Second Annual Lydia Ann Fly Masters!
Already in August we made a return trip to Fence Lake aboard the Skimmer. This outing to our favorite flats fishing location had a new twist. Bill Slough, David McWilliams, and I brought a little extra gear to extend our stay overnight. The previous Fence Lake outings have all been day trips, and from the beginning I always hated leaving. There is something just not right about having to leave when the fish are still biting! So we figured out how to make the outing last a little longer. It is an ideal Tentcot opportunity to camp out on a shell reef between the bay and flats. Fishing was excellent! We found Fence Lake covered with schools of black drum and redfish. The shallow water resulted in tails and backs exposed in every direction. You might say it was a “target rich environment!” The action was continuous until after dark when I could no longer see tails in the moonlight. We definitely will be doing this overnight outing again – look for a November outing date.
Capt Tom Callahan and I will be testing out a new outing to Nine Mile Hole on September 12th. This water is remote and only accessible by boat. It is also shallow, full of fish, and ideal for kayak fishing. The problem is getting there. We are going to try hauling 3-4 fishermen with kayaks down to the Hole for the day. Be sure to attend the club meeting September 15th for a full report.
Mark your October calendar now for three great events. Saturday October 10th is the 23rd annual Redfish Rodeo in Rockport. This is a fly fishing honor system tournament for two-person teams sponsored by the Texas Fly Fishers. This has always been a fun event. More information and entry forms are available at www.texasflyfishers.org.
Saturday October 17th plan to be in Junction for Oktoberfisch sponsored by the Fredericksburg Fly Fishers. This event actually starts on Friday and features a whole weekend of events including transports upstream to float and fish the Llano River. It all takes place at Morgan Shady Park on the river in Junction. This is another well organized event at a premier, clear water, fly fishing destination. Go to www.fredericksburgflyfishers.org to register and get more information.
And finally, go to the GRTU meeting on October 24th to see Brian O’Keefe. Brian is a renowned outdoor writer, photographer, and fly fisherman. He will be the featured speaker at the GRTU meeting in Sattler. The GRTU website is www.grtu.org. Brian O’keefe and Todd Moen produce a free electronic fly fishing magazine called Catch Magazine that will inspire us all to get outdoors. It is unlike any magazine you have ever seen. Check out www.catchmagazine.net to see an issue with award winning photography. These images are sure to get your fly fishing heart pumping!
That’s enough for now. In the mean time, get involved, participate in an outing, and by all means go fishing! Be safe and pray for rain. I hope to see you on the water!