THE DYNAMIC DUO … WICKSTROM & KOLANDA

Front Range Anglers March 30, 2013 10:00am to 12:00pm

On March 30, 2013 you will have a unique opportunity to hear from two sides of the same coin.  On one is Gordon Wickstrom the steward of Boulder’s fly fishing history.  A man who grew up in a sleepy little college town and entered the sport via a 1939 Christmas gift – a restored, eight-foot bamboo and a new South Bend Orenomatic automatic fly reel.  On the other side is his great friend Rob Kolanda, a leading edge enthusiast of the sport using techniques that reflect an international flavor. He aggressively pursues any species of fish that might be inclined to take a fly.  Both were born and raised here and share an abiding love of fly fishing and the wonders that surround it.

Gordon Wickstrom Gordon Wickstrom is a WWII Navy veteran, a graduate of Stanford with a Ph.D., a college professor, and a serious student of Shakespeare.  For more than sixty years, when asked about his occupation, he has stated “I’m fisherman that teaches schools and stages plays”.  But Gordon is far more than these things.  He’s a voice to be heard on the sport of fly fishing through is writings, a resource about the our fly fishing history, considered about where things are headed, and reflective about where they have been.  His books, Notes from an Old Fly Book and Late in an Anglers Life are classics about why we do what we do.

On Saturday he will share with you his thoughts on writing about this wonderful sport.

Rob Kolanda

Members of the Fly Fishing Industry, our customers, and Colorado fly fisherman in general either know or have heard about Rob Kolanda and his prowess as a fisherman and fly designer.  He grew up in Colorado and currently resides with is wife and family in Longmont.  Rob has made a living guiding, instructing, and managing a variety of fly fishing operations for 18 years. He has been a member of Fly Fishing Team USA and part of Front Range Anglers Management Team for some years.

When Rob is not a working his personal days out are often spent on still waters where he enjoys chasing warm-water fish such as wipers, stripers, and pike in addition to trout.  His time not spent on the water or in the shop is often spent behind the vice designing new patterns for Solitude Fly Company, who currently produce over twenty trout, warm water and saltwater fly patterns of his design.

Rob’s competitive angling successes include numerous medals and high place finishes in competitions across the US.

On March 30, 2013 the Program by both of these men is something you will not want to miss.  We would suggest an early arrival to get reasonable seating.

What’s on Tap for Youth Night on Feb. 22, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

ReelFun  Education Demonstrations: Tommy  Lorden will introduce kids to casting as part of his fly-fishing education program.
Fly Tying Demos by Ron Donahue & Steve Schweitzer who published on of the most complete fishing reference books for RMNP – Fly-fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
Youth Fly Tying to be led by the CU Fly-fishing Club
Colorado Parks & Wildlife will present wildlife topics and fishing regulations.
Trout in the Classroom Project presented by Centaurus H.S. Students
Colorado Trout Unlimited presenting TU education & 2013 Youth Camp  applications
Rocky Mountain Anglers discussing information on where to fish and tactics for local fishing spots.
Orvis demonstrating & display of fly-fishing equipment.
Front Range Anglers will introduce the kids to aquatic entomology.
City of Boulder Water Resources talking about “The Keep it Clean” program detailing how kids can help keep our creeks and streams clean and healthy.
Water Conservation discussed by City of Boulder experts who will identify why water conservation is importance to our streams, lakes & ponds.
JAX Mercantile will show you how to tying knots and other useful streamside techniques.
Umpqua Feather Merchants will talk about what a beginner needs for fly-fishing and about fly tying materials.

BFC Boulder Creek Maps will be given to all youth participants.  Door prizes and raffle drawings will be conducted giving all kids an opportunity to leave with a fly-fishing gift.

You Can’t Be Serious!

Here is a post from by Kirk Webb, Taylor Creek Fly Shops.  A good many BFC members fish the Pan but this is over the top!!
On Monday, with temperatures in the single digits, I decided to take a drive up the Fryingpan and go fishing for a few hours. Mile after mile, pool after pool, the entire river was devoid of anglers. I’m no longer the guy that fishes the “Toilet Bowl” pool immediately below the dam, but when the opportunity presented itself with an empty river, I thought what the hell and gave it a go. Twenty minutes into my adventure and several fish later, I hooked the king of the river — a 20-pound-plus brown trout.
I’ve played this big fish scenario in my dreams several times; how to do everything right and nothing wrong. Never before has my focus been so intense. I thought about every move, every action and reaction, and was lucky enough to not only hook this beast but land it by myself on an empty Fryingpan River. The fly that fooled the beast was a classic, Tim Heng’s mysis shrimp in a size 16. The size of the fish will go down in Fryingpan and Colorado lore as one of the largest brown trout ever landed with an estimated weight of between 21 and 23 pounds. What makes this fish special is the girth at 24-plus inches plus, and a length of 29-plus inches.
With some incredibly large fish to my name at an early age, I thought for sure that I had already caught the biggest brown trout of my career, only to once again experience and hold in my frigid and shaking hands the fish and experience of a lifetime. In the time since, I’ve still been laying in bed sleep deprived, restless, reliving my fish and answering the now frequent emails, phone calls and social media “friend requests.” The now-viral pictures of the fish spread like wildfire over the web this past week and I am ultimately just thankful to admire briefly and release this wonderful fish back into the Fryingpan River so another angler can have the same opportunity that I had.
Merry Fishmas.

Surface Film Event Presentation by TU Greenbacks

The Greenbacks of Trout Unlimited are excited to announce the third annual Surface Film event, showcasing top professional fly-fishing photography from across the country. It will be held at the Anthology Fine Art gallery on Thursday Feb. 7, 2013.

Framed prints will be available through a silent auction to benefit the Greenback’s work to conserve Colorado’s cold water fisheries and recruit the next generation of Trout Unlimited Members.

Making A Difference

Boulder Flycasters is working through one of its long term members, Ron Donahue, to assemble flies for use by two very worthy organizations.  Project Healing Waters who sponsors outings for military personnel and veterans.  Their program is specifically  designed to help our American heroes get back on their feet physically and/or emotionally.  Reel Recovery that helps men with all forms of cancer share their stories, learn how to fly fish, form lasting friendships, and gain renewed hope as they confront the challenges of cancer.

“We started out a month ago with Project Healing water and the response was very strong.   As such, we decided that it would be appropriate to extend the coverage to another group, Reel Recovery, that the BFC has helped in the past….Ron Donahue”

Ron is doing his level best to match every 6 flies or more flies tied by the participants.  If you are interested in helping Project Healing Waters click here or Reel Recovery click here.  If you want to do something for both just signify this in the comment section.  The value of this kind of gift is immeasurable.

IF YOU DON’T TIE FLIES AND WOULD STILL LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, WE CAN SECURE A SELECTION OF 1/2 OR 1 DOZEN PATTERNS FROM A COMMERCIAL SOURCE AT COST.  SIMPLY FILL OUT THE SAME FORM AND DESIGNATE THIS INTENTION IN THE COMMENT SECTION.  YOU WILL RECEIVE A CREDIT CARD BILLING VIA EMAIL FROM THE BFC.

Help American Military Heros Through Fly Tying

Ron Donahue, a long time BFC member, is personally committed to helping Project Healing Waters with flies tied for outings with military personnel and veterans.  He has a challenge for other members of BFC who tie.  He will match your contribution of 6 or more flies. If you are interested in helping American Heroes get back on their feet physically or emotionally click here

IF YOU DON’T TIE FLIES AND WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE WE CAN SECURE A SELECTION OF 1/2 OR 1 DOZEN FROM A COMMERCIAL SOURCE AT COST.  SIMPLY FILL OUT THE SAME FORM AND DESIGNATE THIS INTENTION IN THE COMMENT SECTION.  YOU WILL RECEIVE A CREDIT CARD BILLING VIA EMAIL FOR THE SELECTION.

Fly fishing with a purpose on the Blue River
Rotary supports fly fishing event for disabled soldiers and vets
OCTOBER, 7 2012
DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORT


On Sept. 29, three members of the Rotary Club of Summit County witnessed a remarkable healing effort, Project Healing Waters, on the Blue River just north of Summit
County. Local businessman, Rotarian and angler Jim Buckler, of Cutthroat Anglers in Silverthorne, brought the project to the attention of the club’s Troop Support
Program.

A significant grant was given to support the effort, a three-day experience for 28 soldiers and veterans. They were supported by about 50 local guides, ranch hands and business people who ensured the success of the event.

One young soldier confided that prior to attending a similar event he did little but sit in front of his TV and feel sorry for his situation. Now he not only fishes regularly, but works events like this one helping others.

The mission of Project Healing Waters is to “assist in the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly-tying education and outings. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. strives to effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our nation.”

 

When is Enough….Enough!

At what point do the citizens of Boulder get to reclaim the enjoyment of Boulder Creek from the summer bums who have setup housekeeping.  When they aren’t home you can find them loitering and trashing-out every picnic table set aside for families in the vicinity of the library (the entertainment center we provide).  It seems to get worse every year……funny you don’t see it this bad in other front range communities.  I wonder why?