TU Meeting Set for Monday, October 19th
This month's meeting starts at the normal time, 730pm, at the Canandaigua Wegmans. We will open with a Chapter report on the August Cohocton Clean-up Project. Al Kraus will provide all of the details of this very successfull project. Brian Pitre has produced an entertaining and informative DVD that "shows all, tells all". Lots of pictures!
After the update on the Cohocton project, Chapter members Steve Coleman and David Morrow will tie, demonstrate and teach egg patterns. Bring your vise and tools (including thread and bobbin) as the Chapter will provide all of the necessary materials for you to tie your own Carpet fly and other egg patterns. Tie these flies Monday night and go fish steelhead with 'em on Tuesday! No joke, these are the hot patterns for steelhead.
Please feel free to bring a friend (always welcome).
We will have our usual raffle.
So . . . Remember to bring dollars or flies!
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Board Elections
Also on Monday, we will elect three members to the Board to serve for a three year period. The following have indicated they would like to be included in the election process: Steve Coleman, Brian Pitre and John Dwyer to replace current Board members Steve Coleman, Al Kraus and Craig Dennison. Nominations from the floor are also possible.
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TU Chapter Shirts from Simms
With special arrangement with Parker Sterner and Simms, we are offering the Simms Tournament fly fishing shirt. The shirts will be available in long sleeve and short sleeve, and four colors: white, khaki, green and blue (khaki and gree shown below); all sizes are available: S, M, L, XL, XXL. The shirts will have the TU logo and Canandaigua Lake Chapter embroidered above the pocket. These shirts are: a 100% cotton fishing shirt designed for masters and aspiring anglers alike, have UPF 20 sun protection, the 100% sand washed cotton gives this shirt the feel of your favorite shirt, has a bi-swing back for a no restriction fit, has pleated chest pockets with hook and loop closure plus one external accessory loop, the sleeves articulated, have under collar buttons, and a straight hem with slight drop tail. Complete information is on the Simms web site, http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/simms_tournament_shirt_09.html# .
The retail price of these shirts is $39.95 for the long sleeve and $34.95 for the short sleeve. Order at the September and October TU meetings for $25 for the long sleeve or $22 for the short sleeve. Checks should be payable to “Canandaigua Lake TU”. Norm Brust has all the information and will coordinate all orders. Contact him at 315/331-0678 or by email, nbrust@rochester.rr.com. Click here and print out an order form.
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Oak Orchard Fishing - Steelhead, Browns, Salmon
Oak Orchard in New York is a fishermen’s heaven when it comes to big steelhead, brown trout, and salmon. From the early months of fall to the late months of spring trout call Oak Orchard in New York home. Brown trout in The Oak can range anywhere from a few pounds to 20 pounds and the Chinook Salmon run way over 20 lbs, but the fastest fish in water is the steelhead which takes off like a rocket when hooked.
Oak Orchard however is one of the most crowded streams in all of New York due to it’s limited area that is considered fishable for most anglers. There is a 2 mile stretch that stretches from the power dam at Waterport NY to just below the Archery Hole where there is fast moving water that is considered prime fishing water. Often around Thanksgiving and Columbus Day this stretch of water is elbow to elbow with anglers chasing big browns and Chinooks. During the winter month’s anglers will target steelhead that will move into the creek all winter long and into the spring. There are two parking areas that the state of New York has available for access to the creek and most park at the Waterport Dam and walk in. There is a large downhill accent into creek from the dam so be ready to do some climbing when you return to your car. The water coming out of the dam is swift and can vary in depth and swiftness depending on the how much water is being released from the power dam. So be careful when wading there are a lot of step banks, which have a fast flow right along them. A good pair of waders with felt bottoms are a must if fishing the area directly below the dam. 
Tips for Fishing Oak Orchard
- Look Behind the Chinook – In the fall fish are feeding on Chinook eggs and the browns and steelhead will lie behind the Chinooks which are easy to see due to their size. Drift egg patterns such as estaz eggs, sucker spawn, glow bugs, single egg patterns behind the Chinooks for a chance to hook into a monster brown or steelhead.
- Just Because It’s Shallow – One thing that took me a while to get used to was the idea that fish are in shallow water and in a fast run in shallow water. Fish in Oak Orchard call these fast shallow runs their homes and fish are easily sight fished in these areas.
- Bring a Net – A big one and fish with a buddy who can help you net these monsters. One problem in Oak Orchard is the lack of a bank to beach fish. So the need for a net and a buddy is key. Have the netter stand out in the stream about 20 feet downstream then you back up to the shoreline and work the fish toward your buddy who is out in the stream and downstream. You’ll get the hang of it after a couple of fish and if you forget your net you won’t forget it the next time you return to Oak Orchard.
- Fly Rod, Reel, and Line – Have a good 7 weight fly rod in the 9 to 10 foot range with a good reel. When the water is clear you’ll need to use a pretty fine tippet to keep from spooking the fish, I always fish with fluorocarbon, which allows me to use a little heavier tippet due to it being invisible in the water.
- Bring Your Patience – Oak Orchard can be crowded so patience is needed and be courteous to the other anglers who are chasing a once in a lifetime fish. There’s a lot of water and there is fish everywhere.
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Rod Care
Rod maintenance has nothing to do with rod breakage. Anglers will always find ways to break their rods, ranging from common (car doors) to plain stupid (standing on it) or what some qualify as heroic (while fighting a huge fish).
• Avoid at all times to knock the rod against hard surfaces. Small scratches and nicks may cause rod breakage.
• After fishing, rinse your rod and dry it with a soft cloth before putting it back into the sheath.
• Better not put a rod wet with seawater back in its sheath, as you will contaminate it with salt. If this cannot be avoided for transport reasons, wash the sheath thoroughly as soon as possible.
• Never stow a rod in its tube. This can trap humidity and cause corrosion of the guide rings. This is especially recommended for cane rods.
• At least twice a season or more frequently when fishing in saltwater, inspect the rod rings with a magnifying glass or slip a wad of cotton through them. Small scratches will hold some cotton… and also damage the line that goes through the ring. These rings should be replaced immediately.
• Check if no water seeps under the wrappings and corrode the guide ring legs. Once rust is seen, the ring should be replaced immediately.
• With cane rods, inspect the varnish regularly: if water can penetrate under the protective layer, it may cause the bamboo to rot or the strips to become unglued.
• Wash the rod with lukewarm soapy water and a soft sponge. An old tooth brush will remove the dirt from the guide rings and reel seat.
• Getting the cork grip to look like new again is easy. Take some very fine, waterproof sandpaper (the one used for car paint jobs) and a bar of ordinary hand soap. Wet the rod grip and sandpaper thoroughly. Apply soap on the sandpaper and gently rub the grip. Be careful not to scratch the rod itself or the reel seat. Rinse, let dry and admire the result.
• Small holes can be filled with natural coloured wood putty or with a mixture of cork filings and woodglue.
• Once the rod is clean and dry, spray it with plastic renovator or furnishing spray. You can apply a very light coating of fine oil on the reel seat.
• Avoid stucked ferrules by rubbing some parafin (or candle wax) on the male ferrules.
• The best way to stow a rod over long periods is to hang it in its sheath on a nail or clothes hanger inside a wardrobe. This is especially true for cane rods: leave a cane rod leaning against a wall for a long period and you will discover it will be slighty curved. ~~ Roland Henrion
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SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
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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 kingrd@frontiernet.net.
Orvis Zero Gravity 150 Anniversary 9' 4 pc. 5wt Limited production Rod #355. Brand new and never fished nor had a reel put on it. Asking $525 or b/o. Contact Kevin Casey at 585 309 1625 or kpcasey@rochester.rr.com.
New and never fished Orvis Superfine Trout Bum 150th Anniversary Rod 7' 4pc 4wt Rod #458 of this limited edition. Asking $425 or b/o that's $150 below the current Orvis price and it's not a 150th Anniversary rod. Contact Kevin Casey at 585 309 1625 or kpcasey@rochester.rr.com.
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 . . 
With the completion of the Cohocton River Project, it is time to express a very sincere thank you to the people responsible. Al Kraus was our Chairman for this project (seems Al always gets these "dirty" assigments) and certainly kept a firm hand on things. Great job Al, and thanks to to all of your committee leaders. Come to Monday's meeting and you will see how successfull this project was and how many non-TU members were glad to help.
FYI, all of the meetings for 2009-2010 have been confirmed. You can see the plan for the whole year on the Chapter web site. As always, if you have any ideas for future meetings, please send me an email (jpc@travela.com). We do need ideas, so please contact me.
Again I will ask: 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. Or send an email (jpc@travela.com) to me.
As of October 12th, Canandaigua Lake TU had 128 members!
A couple of weeks ago, Mark Donahue and Dave Everland tied flies at the DEC Hunting and Fishing Days at the DEC Office in Avon for the benefit of the Chapter. They helped to introduce the Chapter to many visitors and even got some interest in our Fly Tying Classes and the Fly fishing School. Thanks guys.
I'm goin' fishin'.
~~ C
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October 19, Chapter Meeting, Members teach tying Carpet flies and other egg patterns.
November 16, Chapter Meeting, Makeing a JP Ross rod and fishing it in the Finger Lakes..
December 21, No Chapter Meeting.
January 18, Chapter Meeting, Bob Hacker tells of his first fly fishing trip to Argentina.