Fly Casting Session Set for May 18th Meeting
The Canandaigua Lake Trout Unlimited meeting is a casting clinic with FFF Instructor Kevin Kram and other Chapter members. Bring your own rod(s) for practice, hands on instructions and critique. This meeting (Monday, May 18th) will begin at 730pm and is at the Ravenwood Golf Club, Lynaugh Road, Victor. You will also have an opportunity to try some other rods as Panorama Outfitters will bring a selection of rods to test and perhaps purchase. If you have a rod for sale, this might be a good time to bring the rod to a meeting for a prospective buyer. Feel free.
You are welcome to join us at Ravenwood's grill and patio for hots and hamburgs with our guest beginning at 6pm. Or come early to check out a new rod.
Guests and friends are always welcome to our meetings. The 50-50 raffle will have some new prizes. So remember to bring dollars or flies!
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The West Branch of the Delaware
The West Branch of the Delaware is located in the Catskill Mountains in New York State. This river system is one of the best wild trout fisheries in the Northeast. Its cold water and prolific hatches create miles of prime trout fishing. Many anglers believe that the West Branch can be compared to the top trout streams in the West.
The West Branch of the Delaware River is separated into two areas, above and below the Cannonsville Reservoir. From its headwaters in Schoharie County to the Cannonsville, the West Branch runs just about 43 miles, passing through mostly farmland. Access is obtainable off Route 10, which runs almost parallel to the river its entire length. Fishing is marginal with some wild brookies. Brown trout are stocked by the State and about one-third of the brown trout residents are wild fish. If you're looking for wild brookies, try going well up into the tributaries that dump into the West Branch. Wild browns can be found in the lower sections of these tributaries.
To most fly fishermen, the West Branch of the Delaware begins at the Cannonsville Dam. The Cannonsville Dam controls the majority of the Delaware River releases. These cold-water releases keep the West Branch and upper main stem cold enough to support trout all year long. This constant flow of cold water gives the trout a longer growing season and makes them an explosive adversary to any angler. And the consistent water temperatures also help the insect life on the river.
Hatches are more consistent and abundant than on other rivers in the area. It's common to see five to ten different types of insects on the water in a single night. Early season Stonefly and Mayfly hatches blanket the river. You shouldn't miss the Hendrickson hatches in late April, which last through mid-May. The end of May brings the excitement of the Brown and Green Drake hatches; while June through August have consistent hatches of Blue-Winged Olives and Sulphurs. Although the water temperatures and the insect life are perfect for trout fishing, these fish are still very difficult to catch. Factors such as water clarity, the size of the river, number of hatches and the well-educated browns and rainbows make this river a challenge to all fishermen.
The West Branch winds some 20 miles until it joins the East Branch to form the main stem or Big "D." The combination of long, deep runs broken up by shallow riffles forms some of the best trout water on the East Coast. The size of the West Branch ranges from 75 to 200 feet wide. Its bottom is made up of a mixture of gravel, sand, small rock and boulders, creating a perfect habitat for great numbers of brown trout. The West Branch has a no-kill section in Deposit, which fishes well all year long. Fishermen should expect to catch browns ranging from 12 to 16 inches long and may even catch fish over 20 inches. Some rainbows do migrate up the West Branch when the main stem temperatures become too warm.
Access to the Lower West can be gained in Hancock by crossing over the Hancock or 191 bridge and making a right onto Winterdale Road. This road runs upstream along most of the river. Most of this section of river is posted until you get up to Balls Eddy. Here, the road turns to gravel and public access to the river begins. Fishermen can park and access the river along the gravel road in the Pennsylvania State Game Lands. The Upper West can be reached off Route 17 in Deposit. The no-kill section and the Cannonsville Dam can be found off this exit. Additional public access can be found at Hales Eddy. The Cannonsville Dam has made the West Branch one of the best wild trout fisheries in the Northeast. It's a "must visit" for all fly fishermen. ~~ flyfishingconnection.com
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Casting Basics
In spin casting the weight of the lure pulls the line off the reel. In fly casting the weight of the line carries the fly to the fish. In fly casting you must learn to use the rod to cast the weight of the fly line. You can do that quickly by following five basic principles of good fly casting:
1. The line (and fly) goes in the direction you point the rod tip during the cast.
2. Good fly casting is not strength-related; it is timing-related. Thus you must practice the timing of the cast to become a good caster. How much practice? At least 15 minutes a day to become a good caster in a month.
3. Proper stroking and stopping of the rod are fundamental to good fly casting. The caster loads energy into the rod during the casting stroke. The rod releases the energy into the line in the cast. The caster loads a little energy (a short, low-energy stroke) into the top of the rod for short casts; he loads a lot of energy (a short, powerful stroke) into the middle and bottom of the rod for a long cast.
4. Casting arcs (the arc the rod makes in the air during the cast) are small for short casts and large for long casts.
5. Stopping the rod after the casting stroke is critical to forming the casting loop, and it allows the rod to unload, thus casting the line.
Fly fishers seldom need to cast more than 50 feet when fishing. Yet becoming proficient at long-distance casting can improve all your casting. You should learn to cast short (30 feet) first and then practice at greater and greater distances.
You can't learn casting from a book. You must do it. The more you practice the better you'll become. Practice on a lawn or pool. Casting while fishing is not practice. Practice allows you to focus on casting fundamentals without distractions.
The best way to learn casting is from an expert instructor--a friend, or relative. You can also find instructors at fly-fishing schools, fly shops, or fly-fishing clubs. If one is not available, take the balanced rod, reel, and line you have bought to your back yard. You'll need at least 120 feet (60 feet in each direction) of lawn with no overhead obstructions.
Mark your fly line with an indelible marker at 30 feet. The marker will indicate how much line you have out when you cast. Place hats or some other objects on the lawn 30 and 60 feet from where you will stand. The markers will help you develop the sense of distance that is critical in casting accurately to fish.
Directing the Rod Tip: The farther you intend to cast, the higher you must aim. The line will travel in the direction that you stop the rod tip.
For short casts you aim about four feet above the water (or lawn). As your casts get longer aim higher to allow the line and fly more time to reach the target. Learning to aim accurately is a hallmark of expert casting. You should spend considerable practice time learning to aim and to hit targets on the lawn.
Using the practice steps you should be able to teach yourself how to cast the line, leader, and yarn (fly) from 15 to 30 feet in your first hour of practice. Now you can present a fly to bass and panfish in a pond or to fish in a stream or on the ocean.
Expert casting takes practice, but 15 minutes a day (every day in summer) of practice can make you an expert caster in one season. Here are some helpful tips when practicing casting or when fishing.
1. Wear protective glasses (polarized sunglasses) to prevent eye injury.
2. Push yourself to greater (measured) distances in casting the yarn fly only after you achieve competence at the shorter distances--15 feet, then 20, then 30 and so on.
3. Have a good caster watch and critique your casting.
Basic casting errors and how to correct them:
Problem: Backcast dropping to the lawn or water.
Fault: The rod tip is flopping over (pointing too low), sending the cast to the ground.
Correction: Stop the rod tip high. Keep a firm casting wrist.
Problem: Tailing loops.
Fault: Stroking the rod too hard or too soon. Correction: Stroke more gently. Allow the line time to straighten out in the backcast completely before stroking the forward cast.
Problem: Fly snaps off with a crack in the backcast.
Fault and Correction: Same as for tailing loops.
Problem: The cast dies before reaching the target.
Fault: Underpowered cast caused by loose line or by a floppy wrist stroke. Corrections: Tighten the line before the pickup for the backcast. Use a firm wrist stroke on the backcast and forward cast and stop the rod immediately after the stroke.
Aiming the Cast:
Unless it's windy, you should not aim your cast directly at your target; instead, aim just above it. The longer the cast, the higher you should aim.
The proper grip is important. Keeping your thumb on top of the rod helps you apply greater force in a short casting stroke.
Grasp the rod firmly with your casting hand and place your thumb on top of the rod grip. When you are learning casting keep the rod butt under and in line with your wrist and forearm. That way the rod will remain in plane during your cast. If the rod comes out of plane during the cast the tip wanders and the line follows the tip, wandering and spoiling the cast.
Thread the line off the reel and up through the line guides and out the tip top of the rod. Tie a 9-foot leader onto the end of the line using the tube knot and tie a small piece of yarn to the end of the tippet. Stand on the lawn with your feet slightly apart. Pull about 20 feet of line off the reel and lay it out on the lawn to the right of where you stand (to the left if you are left-handed). Make sure the line is drawn tight on the lawn and is not lying in S-curves or it will not cast well.
The casting principles remain the same for all casting positions. Start your practice with a sidearm cast then move to 45-degree casts and finally to vertical casts. Try to maintain good casting loops. Longer casts require a wider casting arc.
Using a horizontal sidearm cast, flick the rod tip forward from your right to your left (from your left to your right if you are left handed) and watch the line form a loop and roll out to your left and then settle to the grass.
Using your arm and a flick of your wrist together (the way you'd throw a frisbee backward and a baseball forward), cast the line repeatedly back and forth in backcasts and forward casts. Try to make the line form candy-cane-shaped loops in both your backcasts and forward casts. Loop formation is the intent of your casting--the tighter the loops, the better the cast.
Loading the Rod: Loading energy into the rod requires good timing, not strength. You should feel the rod bend as you cast.
As you stroke the rod back and forth, keep a firm wrist and stop the rod abruptly after each stroke. Stopping the rod allows the line to form a loop off the rod tip. It also allows the rod's tip to turn over to unload energy into the line efficiently. The energy in the rod casts the line. You must stop the rod when making both the forward cast and the backcast to become a good fly caster.
After casting sidearm for 15 minutes, or until you feel comfortable with the feel of the line and the rod, try casting the rod at a 45-degree angle and then vertically. You'll use all these casting positions when you are fishing, so get used to them. You want to groove your casting stroke in the position that is most comfortable for you--sidearm, 45 degrees, or vertical. The casting principles remain the same for all casting positions. The sidearm cast allows you to watch the line and thus to teach yourself timing and loop formation.
For Sale --
Albright Tempest 5/6, large arbor, cork drag reels and spools. Two reels and two extra spools available. Each reel with one extra spool @ $225.00 or 1/2 off the original price. Never fished, new in box. Contact nbrust@rochester.rr.com.
Precision Reels 8/10, machined 6061-T6 aluminum reels with cork drags comparable in fit and finish to Abels. Two reels and one extra spool available. $300.00/reel or $400.00 for a reel and extra spool. Never fished, new in box. Contact nbrust@rochester.rr.com.
9ft vintage split bamboo fly rod with 2 tips and case for sale. Excellent condition. $400.00. Call Dave at 585-742-2932 or e-mail at kingrd@frontiernet.net
Long sleeve fly fishing shirts. Large. Velcro flap front pockets. $20. Slightly used but in excellent condition. Contact Jean Chaintreuil. 585-360-1812 or jpc@travela.com
Maine Cottage with Striped Bass Fishery. June 20 to 27, June 27 to July 4, July 18 to July 25. Sleeps 5, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, views, 3 minutes from the beach. $Discounted$ rate of $900 per week. Contact Craig Dennison at 585-507-9655.
For Sale: ???
Email jpc@travela.com with the details and we will list your item(s) for sale.
How else can we say it?
It's a free Want Ad.
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Prez sez . .
A special thanks to Brian Pitre and his committee for all of their work with the Fly Fishing Film Tour. All went extremely well and the Chapter got to put a little money in the treasury.
Our next event is the stream clean-up on the Cohocton. Under the direction of Al Kraus, I am sure that this will be a success. While we have had a slight set back in funding from Embrace-A-Stream TU (National), the Board feels that this project is extremely worth while and will fund the shortage. We have asked for support from the NYS TU Council and they seem to be receptive to providing us with additional funds to cover the shortfall from National.
I hope that all of you have "tested" some of the recent information received from past meetings on our local streams; namely the Hendrickson hatch info from Mike DeTomasso and the Oatka Creek resident information from Tom Wermeth.
Would you like to help out with some of our projects, at meetings, be on the Board? Now would be a good time to step forward. Give me a call (585/360-1812) if you would like any information or I can answer a question or concern. And on another matter, we are looking for meeting ideas. Again, call me or send an email (jpc@travela.com) to me.
I'm goin' fishin'.
~~ C
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Notes from the April 2009 Meeting (condensed)
Norm Brust brought the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Visitors were invited to introduce themselves. Norm indicated that anyone wanting to join the Chapter and participate in our events should contact him at nbrust@rochester.rr.com.
Al Kraus gave a status report on our efforts to plan/organize a clean-up/restoration project for five miles of the Cohocton River, to be conducted on the 1st and 2nd of August 2009. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help or get further information can go to the Chapter’s web site and click on the Clean-up Project link. Also, a volunteer is needed to be the “Volunteer Person” and another to be a “Team Leader”; if you would like to help by performing one of these important jobs please contact Al at krausengr@earthlink.net. This project cannot be completed properly if we do not get the full support of our members…WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Brian Pitre indicated that the 2009 “Fly Fishing Film Tour/ Film Festival” was a great success (we earned about $1,500) and the Chapter will probably look at using this means to raise funds again in the future. Brian also indicated that the Chapter was looking into supporting “Project Healing Waters”. This is a project designed to help Veterans with physical and emotional problems. Our support would be to help introduce these Veterans to the wonderful world of fly fishing and tying. More information will be provided at a future meeting.
Dave Morrow indicated that the Chapter will once again be supporting the Canandaigua Lake Trout Derby by helping to man the weigh station at the north end of the lake on 6 and 7 June. Monies earned by conducting the derby go to supporting the Camp Good Days Program and Mercy Flight. Contact Dave at p3orion@frontiernet.net.
Craig Dennison indicated there were still spaces open for the Chapter’s trip to the West Branch of the Delaware River. The trip will take place from 10 to 14 June; however, participants can choose to either stay just two nights or all four nights. If you have any questions about the trip you can contact Craig at craigdennison1@yahoo.com.
Norm adjourned the business meeting and introduced Tom Wermeth, who gave an excellent presentation on fly fishing the Oatka River. ~~ Al Kraus
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May 18, Chapter Meeting. Casting clinic.
Ravenwood Golf Club.
June 6 and 7, Canandaigua Chamber Trout Derby.
June 10-14, West Branch of the Delaware Trip.
June 15, Chapter Annual Picnic, Powder Mills Park, Powderhorn Lodge.
July, No Chapter Meeting.
August 1 and 2, Cohocton River Restoration Project
August, No Chapter Meeting.