the split tail monthly - main line fly tyers
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The Split Tail MonthlyThe Official Newsletter ofThe Main Line Fly TyersPhiladelphia's Oldest Fly Tying ClubEstablished 1971
May, 2019
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JOIN US AT
Greater PlymouthCommunity Center2910 Jolly Rd, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Get Directions to the meeting
About The Main Line Fly Tyers
The objective of The Main Line Fly Tyers is to promote the art of Fly Tying andthe sport of Fly Fishing. Our club is composed of enthusiastic Fly Fishers andFly Tyers who are interested in furthering and sharing their knowledge of thesport. We welcome. men, women and youth between the ages of twelve andeighteen. We are a non-profit organization.
Our club meets on the third Thursday of the month from September to June atthe Greater Plymouth Community Center. The meetings start at 7:00 PM withfly tying demonstrations, camaraderie, and refreshments. There is always ashort business meeting and a presentation by a leader, author, or experts in thefields of fly tying or fly fishing. Throughout the year, our speakers cover a widevariety of fly fishing subjects including: trout, salmon, bass, saltwater and flytying.
May , 2019 Meeting
May, 2019 Presenter Steve WascherSteve learned early on that perfection to detail, proportion, and the utilization of qualitymaterials was of utmost importance in the production of every pattern. Their flies had tobe spot on perfect to fool the wary browns and wild brook trout of the Pine Creek Valley inNorth Central Pennsylvania. Steve was taught the craft at an early age by his father, who inturned learned from his mother. Steven Wascher is a third generation fly tyer who has tiedflies and fly fished for over 50 years.
In addition to be an accomplished tier, Steve also guided for over 15 years. Also, Stevetaught a variety of tying classes for over twenty years. His classes varied in depth from
Directions
basic trout flies to spinning deer hair bass bugs as well as Steelhead flies and Tube Flies.
Professionally, Steve was a Special Education Teacher for over 30 years teaching a widerange of learning styles. Steve also taught for several summers at the New York StateDepartment of Corrections – Shock Incarceration Camp in Brocton, New York. While inthe education field, Steve coached Girls’ Basketball for six years and taught a college levelcourse entitled – Introduction to Fly Fishing at Jamestown Community College from 1998– 2000. Prior to obtaining a Bachelors and Master’s Degree, Steve served in the UnitedStates Army for three years as an Artillery Surveyor in West Germany.
Currently, Steve works as a manufacturers sales representative in the fly fishing industry. He carries such product lines as: Abel and Ross Fly reels, Scott Fly Rods, Korkers Wadingboots, and a host of other great product lines.
Lastly, over the course of the past 10 years, Steve’s flies have be published in many booksand magazines. Fly Rod and Reel, Hatches Magazine, Mid Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide arejust a few of the periodicals he has been published in.
The Editor's CornerLocal Trout Streams French Creek catch and Release
Our club has a large and diverse membership. Some members are as experiencedand skilled any as of the professional fishermen we read about in the fly fishingmagazines, but many others are novices. Therefore, I thought that it might be useful to talk about some local streams that they might want to explore.
I know that when ever I speak to someone who is not an experienced fishermantheir first question is "where?" "Are there any trout streams near Philadelphia?" This month I thought I would discuss French creek which is near Pheonixville Pa,and only 30 miles from Philadelphia. The picture above is of the French Creek Catchand Release stretch.
The stream is a moderate-size freestone stream and warms up in the summer. I
doubt is any trout survive the heat of late summer. Nevertheless the stream hasseveral strengths. First, the catch and release stretch is very pretty because it flowsthrough woods and horse country. When you fish it, you will often see horse backriders walking past the the stream. Second, it maintains good flows into the summerand is very well shaded by trees from the sun. This maintains good temperatures atleast until late June. It also clears up very quickly after a rain and quickly returns tonormal flows. This makes it a good choice when most better-known area streams aretoo high. Finally, it has some insect hatches. Its best hatch is the black and brownstone flies that hatch in late February and March. They appear in abundance! Afterthat the stream has primarily caddis hatches, but there are modest hatches of mostspring mayflies. The early stone fly hatch makes French Creek a great stream to fishpre-season.
Upper Delaware Camping Trip May 31 to June 2! Our annual camping trip comes up in a few weeks. There is no more challengingfishing in Pennsylvania than the Upper Delaware. The trout are large and wild! Pitcha tent at The Pleasant Valley camp ground just outside of Equinok, Pa. or stay at alocal motel. When you arrive at the camp group be sure to check in at the office. Thecampsite owners need to know who is there and that you paid.
The club will be providing diner on Saturday night. Dinner is usually around 8 PM.This is a great event and you will never forget the thrill of hooking one of the reallylarge browns or rainbows of the Upper Delaware!
There will also be a second camping trip on the last weekend in July. Thatwould be July 26, 27 and 28th. The club will not have any special meals planed forthat weekend. Bring your own food.
One more point. You can always come early and stay more days. Many clubmembers do this. More days=more fishing.
Main Branch of the Upper Delaware.
Election ResultsElection results are in:
President Todd Lustine
V. President Joel Pigeon
Treasurer Charlie Hammes
Secretary Don Bowers
Wow! We are very fortunate to have such a good group of officers. Without peoplevolunteering to serve as officers or on the board the club would not run, In addition,many members volunteer to bring food and coffee to meetings, teach classes, tie flies,cook food on club trips. All of these volunteers make the club work. They do anoutstanding job.!! Thanks.
Let me give special thanks to Dave Gutsch and Jim Costello for the work they havedone. Dave did an outstanding job getting excellent speakers over the past two years.
In addition he had to run the club board and deal with the many conflicting ideasthat members have. He was/is an excellent leader.
I don't remember how long Jim has been working as our treasurer. It has been avery long time. During his terms the club faced a number of financial challenges. Jim handled all of them with good humor and patience. He kept excellent records ofall expenses, sales and dues. This is not a fun job. It needs someone who is honest,patient, dedicated, compulsive and good humored. Jim is all of those and the clubowes him a great deal of thanks.
17th Annual Fly Fishing Heritage Day
17th Annual Fly Fishing Heritage Day
The Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association 17th Annual Heritage Day will be held on
Saturday June 8th, 2019.
The location will be at the
Monroe Fire Company,
1225 Peffer Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055.
Hours are: 9am to 4pm.
Free admission courtesy of:
Precision Fly and Tackle,
502 Baltimore Ave, Mt Holly Springs, PA. 17065.
The activities will be both inside the firehouse as well as outside. Featured will be a large selection of vendors, both
inside and outside as well as fly casting instruction, fly tiers, bucket raffles, silent auctions, food and refreshments.
Food catered by Jazzeryn Catering.
Presentations by:
Bob Clouser- Casting weighted Flies and Lines demo.
Tom Smithwick- All day bamboo rod building demo.
Don Baylor- Entomology (Bug) program.
Brian Shumaker- Smallmouth Fly Fishing.
Eric Richard- Modern Look at Pa Brown Trout.
Main Line Fly Tyers Gear
Great New Main Line Fly Tyer Gear is available at club meetings.
Help support our club and show your club pride with our great new gear. Wehave short and long sleeve T-shirts, Hooded Sweat Shirts, MLFT Ball Caps,Fleece Stocking Caps, and more!!
Meeting ScheduleOur monthly meetings is held on the third Thursday of each month at theGreater Plymouth Community Center. Meeting run from September throughJune and from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTE: January's meeting is the 4th Thursday - January 24th.
Photos of the MonthFly Fishing and Fly Tying photos contributed by our members
Slate Run Swimming hole. May 2018 Last years intermediate fly class collection.
Directions to Our ActivitiesFire up your GPS with the following links to your favorite activity.
Directions to Club Meeting Site:Greater Plymouth Community Center2910 Jolly Rd, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462610-277-4312
From Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276)
Take Exit 333 (Norristown - old exit 25). At the end of the ramp, turn left ontoPlymouth Road. At the light, turn right onto Germantown Pike West. Continueapproximately one (1) mile, through four (4) traffic lights (not counting the lefthand turn light at Sandy Hill Road). At the fifth light, turn right onto JollyRoad. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Blue Route (I-476)
Take exit for Germantown Pike West (Exit 20). Continue on Germantown Pikewest for approximately one (1) mile, through five (5) traffic lights (not countingthe left hand turn light at Sandy Hill Road). At the fifth light, turn right onto
MLFT Club Meetings
Cheltenham Township Adult School - Beginner Fly Tying
Indian Crest Middle School - Advanced / Intermediate Fly Tying
Greater Plymouth Community Center - Advanced / Intermediate Fly Tying
Resica Falls - Learn to Fly Fish Day
Jolly Road. The Community Center is on the right at 2910 Jolly Road.
From Route 202
Follow Route 202 to Germantown Pike. Travel EAST on Germantown Pike,through five (5) traffic lights. At the next traffic light, approximately half a mile,turn left onto Jolly Road. The Com- munity Center is on the right at 2910 JollyRoad.
Officers and Board MembersCurrent officers and board members are listed below
Club Officers
President: Dave Gutsch -- [email protected] President: Todd Lustine -- [email protected]: Don Bowers -- [email protected]
Newsletter: Don Bowers -- [email protected]
Treasurer: Jim Costello -- [email protected]
Board Members
Steve Nack, Dave Shillington, Sam Vigorita, Jim Costello, Ed Emery,Mike Ebner, Pete Fazio
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