President Kenneth Baker

V-President Royce Feaster Chapter of the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers

Sec./Tres. Bill Heugel

Founded 1988 June 2000


TAG TEAM

TOURNAMENT

THIS SATURDAY

JUNE 3RD.

At Kurth Lake



Meet at the boat ramp.

We choose partners (boat owners and non-boat owners) at 7:00 AM and start fishing. Count the fish caught by the team (honor system). Come in at 11:30 (time confirmed before fishing starts). Bring your lunch and we will eat at the lake.



Remember, The Paddle Award is at stake!



Unless y'all are willing to let R Feaster win by a slow walk again, someone needs to get his/her fly rod, small nymph fly box, light leader, and winning attitude out to Kurth Lake this Saturday.







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Reminder**** The July meeting is scheduled for July 8th at Houston County Lake at the Family Marina!

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SCATTERSHOTS

From The Prez



At the May meeting, we discussed the

Open House and had the final reports and results. All agreed that even though not as many attended the Open House as we would have liked, it was a very good and successful Open House. I am asking each of the club members to write any suggestions you might have to make future Open Houses even better.



Gene Sullivan was the winner of both the flies and the door prize. Ronny Julian won a special drawing for a fishing trip given by Jay Renken. Hopefully at the next meeting others will offer a fishing trip.



We once again had a great time at Bill Heugel's house for the May 13th outing on Toledo Bend. We had a good time fishing, and Bill and Conni served some great food. It is always a lot of fun at this outing; and it was good to see Bill progressing so well from his illness. We look forward to having him back at full strength soon. Thanks, Bill and Conni,

for another good time. Counting Bill and Conni, we had eleven people in attendance.



Our next club function will be the

annual Tag Team Tournament on June 3rd starting at 7:00 AM at Kurth Lake. We will choose teams of two and begin fishing about 7:30. We will fish until 11:00. We will then meet and decide which team has caught the most fish. Bring your lunch and let's have another fun day. Maybe you can take home the coveted "Paddle" for a year. This outing will be Saturday before our June meeting, so be sure and come.



Our July meeting will be combined with our July 8th outing at Houston County Lake. Our regular meeting night falls on the 4th of July so there will be no meeting then. Be sure to make plans to come to Houston County Lake.



Remember the Garage Sale is set for August 4 thru 6 at the Expo Center. Be sure to collect your merchandise. I hope you are getting together all of the fishing gear you can, as we want to have a good selection of fishing tackle for the sale.



I hope you have been able to fish. Royce and Jay and I made a trip to Houston County Lake and caught several big bream. Then Jay and I made another trip and, although the wind blew pretty hard, we did catch a lot of Big Fish. Jay and I went back the next Friday and, although the weather was too bad to put in the boat, we caught several small bream off the pier on the dam. We have also had a couple of good trips to Kurth Lake.



I hope to see you at Kurth Lake June 3rd, and remember as always:

"A Bad Day Fishing Is Better Than A Good Day Working".



FLYLINES

From The V-Prez



It has been a good month for fishing and enjoying the out-of-doors. I have talked to several members that have been busy with other things as well. George Reed decided to go to his wife's graduation from SFASU instead of going to the Heugel Haus Outing (Good thinking George). Our Congratulation go out to Denise in her latest accomplishment.



I took Randy McBride out on the Fishing Trip he purchased at the Open House. We didn't catch a bunch of large bream, but we caught enough for Randy to have a good meal of fried fish after he got home. He and I caught everything from small bream (trotline bait) to good eating size bream, moss (caught by the guide), Hyiscents[sp] (caught by the guide), and the guide's hat (caught by the guide). We saw, but did not even hook, several bass, a large number of 18" to 20" gar, and a number of large (10# to 15# ) carp. It was an enjoyable day. Randy took pictures and I took pictures. We should be able to tell the story easily.



Thomas Holloway, our newest member, is in Northern Colorado. He said that he would try to get us a report on the fishing up there. I will be looking forward to that report. {With Pictures, Thomas?}



I don't know how many of our membership subscribed to the magazine Warm Water Fly Fishing, but if you did, you know that it has been discontinued. Apparently there were not enough southern flyrodders that purchased the magazine. This is another indication of how little the sport of fly fishing in the south is enjoyed by fishermen and fisher women. We certainly don't mean to be exclusive, but it does seem to be that way. We do need to continue to let people know of the enjoyment of catching fish on a long, limber rod. Maybe some will realize that there is another extension of fishing other than "hog hunting" with a plastic worm and a heavy, metal, spinner bait. I am not knocking that type of fishing. I have done plenty of that type fishing in my day, but other people should know that there are other types of fishing that can be just as rewarding, if not more so. Let us keep spreading the word about fly fishing.





Heugel Haus Outing Report

And Other Things

by Jimmy Lee



If you missed the recent Heugel Haus Outing, you missed a good meal and some good fishing efforts. Bill and Conni hosted another very successful outing at their home on Toledo Bend Lake. The fishing was a little slow, but the food was great. The lake has risen to near normal level in a very short period of time and this may have contributed to the slow bite. Ed: But when have we let that keep us from having an enjoyable time. With so much new water the fish had lots of new areas to explore. I did get into a small pocket that produced several good blue gill. The first cast in this area produced a very good fish, so I decided to anchor my pirogue and fish the area good and slow. I let my leader stay in the water beside the pirogue while lowering the anchor. At the same moment a large blue gill took my fly, and in the excitement I let go of the anchor rope before tying off, and grabbed the rod. My very expensive anchor, 50 cents at a garage sale, was lost in 12-15 feet of water. Even though the wind was hard to deal with I stayed in the pocket and caught several nice blue gill. Everyone fished areas out of the wind and all had a good time fishing and hunting fish.

The guys in the BVFF club have invited members of our club to an outing at Matagorda Island June 30, to July 2. The plan is to stay in the state park on the island. Several of our members are planning on going. If you would like to go, see Walter. I believe all the sleeping areas are full, but you can always take a tent or bring your boat and stay on the Mainland in a nice motel.



I hope the news letter arrives before our outing to Kurth Lake for the annual "TAG TEAM" fishing contest. If it does, then you should all be attending. This a fun time and usually some good fishing. We don't care about size, just the number of fish and believe me some of the fish will be state records. (Smallest)

See you a Kurth Lake!!!





Library Notice

J. Renken



We are having a problem with the library books and tapes. There are several books and a couple of tapes that have been out for over three months. These need to be brought back and checked in so someone else can use them. Please check your bookshelf and tape library ana please return them. Thanks.



Next, We have several tapes and books that have been taken out of the library without being properly checked out. In-Other-Words,

some of you have items from the library and we don't know who has what! Please return them. When you take an item from the library, be sure and sign your name on the card attached to the item and put the card in the card box. Also, remember that an item should be returned the next meeting to allow other members to use it.



Please help us get our library back into good shape.



The Bill Lambing Scholarship

Report by J. Renken



The Bill Lambing Southern Council Scholarship is a $1,000.00 scholarship awarded annually to a college student who is in his or her second or later year of college study, resides within the geographic boundaries of the Southern Council, pursuing a degree consistent with the goals of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and who is either a member or sponsored by a member of FFF. The recipient of this scholarship is announced, each year, at the Southern Council Conclave. The application deadline is each August 31st, for that years' Conclave.

If you know of a potential applicant, please contact

Charles R. Easterling

VP - Education, SCFFF

P.O. Box 1502

Jonesboro, AR 72403

870-932-4355 or 870-578-5334







Annual Award Nominations



This is just another reminder that we need Annual Award Nominations for this year's awards.

Time is slipping by and the June 23, 2000, deadline is coming up fast.

Please alert your club members and officers that it is time to mail or email those nominations

letters to:

R. H. McIntosh

6666 Woodson Drive

Mission, KS 66202

email: [email protected]

See you at the Conclave in October.

Tight Lines

Hod McIntosh

VP of Communications



Membership Fishing Trip Drawing

by Jay Renken



At the May meeting the Club introduced a fishing trip drawing. For the month of May there was one trip given. Ronnie Julian was the recipient. At the June meeting there will be three (3) providers - Ken Baker, Royce Feaster and Jay Renken. If anyone else wants to be a trip provider, all that is needed is to draw a name from cards of members that want to go.



You, the member, have to be present to get your name in, and trips are to be taken

in the same month that they are drawn. Then, if your name is drawn, you get with

the provider to plan your trip. We would like a short written report after each trip, for the Newsletter.



Casting Pains For Fly Fishers

From Jim Abbs and the FFF



Most of us are aware of carpal tunnel syndrome, from too many hours or years of repetitive hand tasks, with the problem made worse by bad arm and hand postures. This is an "over-use disorder" and like most of these problems, including swimmer's shoulder, tennis elbow and other maladies , the cause is too much, too fast, too hard, too long. These disorders can end a promising athlete's career, end a cherished hobby, or even worse destroy a livelihood.

Many also know that there are similar joint and connective tissue problems associated with fly fishing. Aside from being cramped in a drift boat all day, or exposing your lower extremities to the ice cold water of a northwest (or Great Lakes) steelhead stream, the greatest source of joint pain and distress is due to casting.

If you fish only spring creeks, with 3 wt rods and 35 foot casts, you probably have little to worry about. However, the fly angler who chases saltwater or warmwater species, with big rods, heavy lines, long casts and substantial flies is in more danger. Almost as bad may be the steelhead angler who often makes hundreds of casts for a single fish, often with a hefty rod and sinking lines.

In general, casting related pain develops because we are not professional fly fishers and our shoulder, back, forearm and hand muscles are not conditioned for all day use in this way. Additionally, some have developed idiosyncratic casting techniques that put unnecessary stress on muscles and joints.

Finally, many of us are getting older and without focused and active exercise at some point we all experience loss of arm-shoulder muscle strength and stamina, loss of tendon and ligament elasticity and some worn cartilage. So, if you want to keep fly fishing, especially for warmwater and saltwater species or steelhead, there are some steps you may want to take.

If you already experience pain, there are some ways to minimize the discomfort like standard treatments using OTC (over the counter) anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin to ibuprofen (Advil) and applying ice. It also is critical that when you feel the first twinge of pain, slow down, shorten your casts and cast less often. If the pain get worse, stop fishing and seek help.

For those who are now pain free, but are concerned about past or future shoulder or elbow pain from casting, the most important steps must be taken before you go fishing again. There are some specific exercises you can start doing to strengthen muscles and increase blood supply to those critical areas.

It also may be well to consider a visit to the casting doctor to improve your technique as well as to the medical doctor for a proper evaluation. The worst thing is to do nothing.



FOR SALE



Hey Guy,,,

Do you know of anyone who is interested in buying a Coleman 15' Canoe...MINE MAYBE?

I think I have found another, but it is glass,,,also a Coleman and in great shape. Mine will list for $300, if you know of anyone in need of a canoe. I will know very soon....

Let me know if you do.... By the way,,, the seats go with it as well.

The ULTIMATE COS

Comments On New Regs?



I thought you might want to comment to TPWD regarding bass fishing regs at Lake Pinkston.



Alan Allen, Executive Director

Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas (SCOT)

807 Brazos Street, Suite 311

Austin, Texas 78701

[email protected]

512/472-2267

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May 29, 2000



TPW Survey Seeks Angler Opinions About Lake Pinkston



JASPER, Texas -- State fisheries officials are hoping a questionnaire mailed recently will assist in gauging angler opinions about bass management strategies on nearby Lake Pinkston.

Before considering any management actions at Lake Pinkston, Texas Parks and Wildlife's Inland Fisheries Division is surveying randomly selected anglers in Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Shelby counties to get their opinions.



TPW wants to know if there is public support for an increase in the slot limit on largemouth bass at Lake Pinkston. "Although no regulation changes have been proposed, our current understanding of the bass population at Lake Pinkston indicates that increasing the slot length limit from 14 to 18 inches to 14 to 21 inches with a five-fish bag and only one more than 21 inches could benefit the fishery," explained TPW biologist for Lake Pinkston, Todd Driscoll.



Lake Pinkston has a good reputation for producing trophy bass, including a former state record 16.9-pounder caught in 1986. Currently, numbers of 14-18-inch bass (slot fish) are relatively high and are growing well, said Driscoll. "Numbers of fish 18 inches and larger could increase by changing the upper end of the slot to 21 inches," he added. "Consequently, the regulation change could provide more quality-sized bass and increase the probability of catching a trophy bass."



"We're trying to find out what anglers want before making any proposals," explains Driscoll. "Often, turnout at our public meetings can be low and surveys like this are one way we hope to hear from as many of our anglers as possible."



In addition to the survey, interested anglers may comment directly to TPW on this issue or any others relating to Texas freshwater fisheries management by writing to Texas Parks and Wildlife, Inland Fisheries Division, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin TX 78744.





Program For June Meeting

by L. McLendon



Our program this month will be presented by Jack Holder on the IGFA (International Game Fish Association). Jack is a member of IGFA, retired from the Nacogdoches Fire Dept. and a former member of the PWFF. He has a lot of information to share, so come and enjoy this program.







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Remember!

Mark your calender for our club meetings, Every First Tuesday of each Month,

7:00 P M in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall.

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Calender

Outings and Events

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June 3rd. Tag Team Tournament at Kurth Lake.

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June 6th. PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp.

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July 8th. Meeting and Outing at Houston County Lake

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August 1st. PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin

Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp.

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August 4th thru 6th Garage Sale in the Expo Center

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September 5th PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp.

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September 16th Zoo Breakfast 8:00 AM till ?

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October 3rd PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall 7:00 PM sharp

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October 5th thru 7th Fly Fishing Conclave, Mt. Home, Ark.

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November 3th thru 5th North Toledo Bend Rendevous, North Toledo Bend State Park

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November 7th PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp

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December 2nd Christmas Meeting

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More Club Calendar to follow as dates confirmed

(Check your calender, There have been several dates that have been changed)

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Outings: Jimmy Lee

Library: Jay Renken

Conservation: Gene Sullivan

Programs: Linda McLendon

Editor: Royce Feaster

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Art work used by permission of Dave and Emily Whitlock







WET A LINE.... SOON!