We had another really good program

in February. It was presented by David Peterson, who is Fisheries Biologist with the U. S. Forest Service. His program was on rare and endangered fish. He has been with us before and always does a great job.

A note of sadness. It has finally happened. Larry Copenhaver has left to take a job in Montana. The PWFF, as well as me personally, really hate to see him go. He has been a real asset to the club. He has promised to stay in contact with us, and I hope we get an article or two for the newsletter from him. Good luck Larry, and I hope our flylines cross again.

Our deer hair tying class has come to an end and I for one really enjoyed it. We had a good time and had one of the best teachers in Bill Heugel. I look forward to using his talents again. We already have several requests for a repeat of the class.

I also want to thank Hugh Bell and St.

Cyprians Church for the use of their facility. It was great. Hugh has offered the locations for future classes.

I tried something a little new at the last meeting. I would like to call for all known reports, and then open the meeting for anything else that needs to be discussed. I would like to have plenty of time for reports of fishing trips by club members. It worked out really well at the last meeting.

We signed up a new member at the last meeting. She is Ann K. Watson. Ann participated in the deer hair tying class, and I know she will be a welcome addition to the club. She works as a bookkeeper at St. Cyprians and is from Virginia. Maybe we can get some fishing reports and/or programs from that area.

We will be asking several of you to oversee certain activities at the open house. I really look forward to having a fun filled and informative Open House.

I would like for several of you to tie flies for the raffle and the auction. I would also like to have several groups of 5 or 6 flies each to donate as door prizes to be given away during the day. We will also have a club rod to raffle this year. It will be made by our own Ronny Julian. I know it will be a beautiful rod as Ronny always does a great job. The tickets will go on sale for $5.00 each at the next meeting. You Do Not have to be present to win.

By the time you get this newsletter, we will have participated in the Fly Fish 2000 program at the Fresh Water Fisheries Center at Athens, Texas. Several club members will be assisting and I know it will be a good event.

(see article later in the newsletter)

We have again been asked to help the Texas Forest Service with the Forest Awareness Program on March 28^th thru the 30^th. It is held behind Hudson School and is for school age students. It has been a good opportunity for us to introduce these students

to both fly fishing and fly tying. We have helped with this program for several years. I hope, if you can, you will be available to help and keep this gate open for the future. There will be more on this at the next meeting.

Royce and I spent 4 days at Purtis Creek, and although the wind blew hard most of the time, we did catch a few bass and Royce caught 3 trout. He caught one bass that weighed 5#. The thing that impressed me was that the bass we caught did not have that big head and small body that they had last time we were there. We had fun anyway. I know Royce will have more to say on this trip.

See you March 7^th at the meeting and remember:

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

FLYLINES

From The V-Prez

This is a report on the trip to Purtis Creek State Park. Ken Baker and I got there Tuesday afternoon. My boat wouldn't crank. We had to go to Athens and purchase a new battery. When we got back, it was too windy to launch or fish. So we went below the dam to the trout pond. I caught one trout. The next day Ken wasn't feeling well, so I went fishing and caught a 3 # bass. Later the wind got so high, and Ken was feeling better, so we went back to the trout pond and I caught two more. Between the wind and the wind, we did not even try to fish Thursday. We went to Athens and got our path to the Fresh Water Fisheries Center mapped out. This caused us to miss Hugh when he came out to fish with us. He had boat trouble and went back home (he did not miss anything - because of the wind). Ken and I tried to fish Friday morning. I caught a 5 # bass, and we gave up. The wind had won out over us. We packed up and came home. We fished or tried to fish Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We had 6 or 7 known hook ups. We landed 4 fish. Ken's biggest was about 3 � #. His problem ran such that he was having to fish with a 5 wt rod. And casting the larger flies into, across, with, and in competition with the wind, hindered his fishing chances. All of our hits and hook ups were in 18" of water or less. Purtis Creek bass aught to be ready to spawn at any time. If the wind will let you, I would definitely suggest you go try it real soon. It is only 2 � hours away. It would be a good one day fishing trip.

Conservation Notes

G. Sullivan

If you weren't aware, the results of the TPW (Texas Parks and Wildlife) study on Lake Fork suggest that tournament fishing has a detrimental effect on bass survival that could impact the bass fishery. During the Lake Fork

Team Challenge tournament, October 9-10, 1999, a slot-limit-exemption was granted tournament participants. The fishermen could retain any size bass until after weigh-in. 280 fish were brought to weigh-in. TPW researchers placed these bass, as well as bass collected by three other methods, into submerged nets in the lake. After six days, they calculated mortalities for each collecting method. The results, reported in local newspapers, were eye-opening. Catch and release fish suffered a 1.25% mortality, fish caught by electro-shocking suffered 3.7 % mortality, fish culled from livewells of tournament fishermen suffered 14.9% mortality and fish brought to weigh-in suffered a 39.1 % mortality. TPW planned to repeat this experiment during five more tournaments on Lake Fork.

On February 14, TPW released a statement on their website that they will cut short the study after the next tournament if the weigh-in fish once again exhibit high mortality. According to Bill Provine, TPW chief of inland fisheries management and research, if the next tournament results in a mortality of 13% or more, it would provide an average mortality that would damage the bass fishery on the lake.

The sportsman's association and the merchants organization in the area both support TPW's decision. However, TPW inland fisheries division director, Phil Durocher added "if mortalities are low (in the next tournament), more tournaments may be needed to clarify the potential impact."

*******

For 2000-2001, TPW is proposing a temporary $1-$3 surcharge on the Saltwater Fishing Stamp to speed-up the commercial fishing license buyback fund.

*******

Public hearings in East Texas on proposed regulation changes and other issues. 7 p.m. in:

2/28 Jasper County Courthouse

2/29 Walker County Courthouse in Huntsville

3/1 Henderson County Courthouse in Athens

Matagorda Island Outing

by W McLendon

The Brazos Valley Fly Fishers and I began gathering at Port Motel in Port O'Conner on a Thursday afternoon, then off to Clark's for dinner. Capt. Drew Jenkins was our guest and he spent the evening guiding us on his map to his favorite fishing spots and answering all our questions. Drew warned us that only mullet will be found in the bay, no shrimp or baitfish, since there had not been enough rain this year. He did say there are more reds in the bay than ever before but it would be a challenge catching them. The meal and program were very good. Next morning, breakfast at a nearby café, and then we all met at the ferry at 8 AM to share in loading all our gear and the food and cooking ware Ray Reed had purchased. At 9 AM, the ferry began its single 45 minute run through Espititu Santo Bay to Matagorda State Park on Matagorda Island.

The island is 24 miles long and 1&1/2 miles wide. The park is the site of a World War II air base. We disembarked and carried all our belongings into the main building just steps away from the pier where the ferry docked. We each chose a bed in one of three bedrooms all adjacent to our kitchen. I toured the building to find the restrooms and shower locations. As soon as possible, everyone was dressed for wade fishing and dispersing to his favorite destination. I chose to fish the island right off the park where Capt. Drew had pointed out a wide hole that just had to be full of fish. My buddy, Charles Miller and his friend Steve, were ahead of me so I edged in near Steve but kept my distance. They continued to slowly wade further offshore rather than downshore as I would usually do so I stayed where I was in knee-deep water.

There were a few signs of fish off to my left. Suddenly I felt something fooling with my red and white bendback and I set my hook. I landed a nice 17 inch flounder, my first on a fly rod! Flounder can run a little and like many other fish, do not want to be near you. I finally coached it into my net and strung him. That ended up being the only fish caught that afternoon so I decided to process it for a water body record in the Angler Recognition Award program since the club brought their certified scales. Later that evening, Eddie Sullivan bicycled in on his mountain bike with a nice trout or two. I soon found out that Eddie is a supreme fly fisherman and he proved it on this weekend! In addition, he is a very colorful character, as most of this crew are. There were continuous jokes and stories being told, there was no ice to break with these guys, you are their friend from the start!

That evening we ate Ray's special mixed grilled beef & chicken strips, mushrooms, onions and bell pepper on tortillas with red beans. Not enough fish for 11 of us yet! We ate in the entrance room, which is a saltwater museum for island visitors where there is a very long table with ample chairs. Surrounding us were aquariums, glass covered displays full of skeletons, skulls and a whale vertebrate as big as a 5 gallon bucket. The interesting item is an 18 foot wooden canoe that had floated up on this island years ago from some far away island. This is a canoe made from a hollowed out tree and the craftsmanship was excellent.

At 5:30 AM, Eddie was up brewing his special coffee. Do you know what a French press is? Well, Eddie boils water and pours it over ground coffee beans in a clear glass cylinder with a handle. The coffee immediately foams up high so he waited a few minutes, then added more boiling water. Eventually, he pulled out a weird looking thing that looks kinda like the things you put in a coffee percolator but this was black with a flat disk plate surface on one end and a cap on the other. With the cap side up he pushed the flat disk plate in first and then slowly all the way to the bottom crushing and trapping the coffee beans. Then he started metering out coffee to the surrounding cups. He then spiked the coffee with something unknown and then shot a topping of a cool whip of calf slobber from a can. Breakfast was served and we were off again fishing, everyone in a different direction.

The park ranger offered to pickup anyone requesting shuttle to another part of the island to fish. On Saturday and Sunday, the ferry made several trips bringing campers, hikers and bird watchers. The island bus was busy all day filling their needs.

By Saturday, more members showed up so eighteen of us were fishing and eating together. We started filling the second barracks in the park. I never visited that barracks but it has been renovated to accommodate more people. The park brochures do not advertise that the island even has these sleeping facilities, hot water or electricity. In fact, they warn of no electricity, telephones or drinking water. It is true; there is not potable water on the island! Saturday afternoon, I boarded the park truck to the lighthouse. I could not miss this because it was built in 1852! About 110 feet tall, cast iron walls bolted with the first threaded bolts and nuts made and a spiral stairway to the top. Rotted things like owl nests and massive wasp nests at the top prevent the public from ascending the stairs. The Historical Society has now collected over $900,000 to restore this old lighthouse to original condition and colors. They estimate it will cost one million bucks! We visited a nearby graveyard where two former lighthouse caretakers lie and members of one of the two families that once owned this island.

Well, I never caught another fish even though I saw many reds cruising each day. Saturday evening, I found redfish lying on the bottom with heads pointed away from the sun. They had to be asleep because I could wade right up to them from behind. They were everywhere around me but paid no attention to my flies. Eddie came in at sundown with his limit of reds hanging from his handlebars. One was 24 inches! Supper was already cooking so no fish on this trip! One other member brought in fish to clean but most experienced what I did, they saw many but no takes.

Sunday morning there was no sign of life in the bay, no wind, just a glass surface. I came back in time to catch some guys heading for Pringle Lake in their boat. There, I tied into a big one here but made the mistake of fumbling, just briefly, as I tried to get him on my reel. Just enough slack for a red to spit the fly! Finally a sprinkling rain and fog rolling in made us head for the barracks to cleanup and ready for our return ferry trip at 3 PM. I found out that some of the guys had caught fish but released them. Charles and his crew had found several flounder.

I had a great time, we all did! Matagorda Island is well worth the trip but next time I will take my kayak. I did not realize that this was the same island, Ronny, Jay, Sid, Holder and I had fished before! The Army Hole is less than a mile away but the favorite spot of all the local boats. Pringle Lake is a mile walk and Lighthouse Cove a little over two miles. This is really a paradise if you have a boat to explore all the fishing possibilities

Fishing Report from Rusk State Park

G. Sullivan

Last week-end at Rusk SP, the first trout I took had an interesting color variation. Dorsal coloring was bright canary yellow with none of the characteristic spots evident. A pale pink stripe ran down both sides on a background of pale silver. The fish was beautiful. It brought to mind the "white" trout at Beaver's Bend that Ronny, Walter and other "Bendies" talk about. This fish would not have survived very long if born in the wild,

predators could easily find it. Amazing the genetic variation we find in fish populations.

Open House Guest

K. Baker

Our featured tyer at the Annual PWFF Open House April 15^th, will be Jim Green of Backcountry in Tyler. Jim was the choice of several of our club members, and we are fortunate to be able to secure him. He is well known to many of our members as well as fly fishermen all over the East Texas area and beyond. He is a master tyer and really fun to watch.

He has been with Backcountry for a long time and has really been a friend of our club. He has not only been ready to give us advise in what to tie and what materials to use, he has also been generous enough to donate many beautiful flies for our club auction during past Open Houses.

Jim said he intends to tie several of his favorite bream flies and some top flies for redfish. He also said if there was something special you would like to see tied, we could let him know so he could bring the needed materials and he will be glad to tie them.

I urge you to go by Backcountry whenever you are in Tyler and visit with Jim, and tell him you are looking forward to seeing him at our Open House.

Conclave 2000 Countdown

It is not to early to start thinking about this year's CONCLAVE! Every conclave that I have been to has been a really great experience, but we think this year's may be just a little bit extra special.

Here is the early inside scoop on what is going on. Chico Fernandez will be one of our speakers. If you have ever seen one of Chico's tapes, read one of his articles or been

fortunate enough to have met him in person, you understand why we are justifiably proud to have him at this Conclave. Chico will be presenting casting, fly presentation and knot

tying programs, and he truly is one of the very best. Guess what? Chico is not the only special speaker. There are others, but to build some suspense we will save those for a later conclave countdown bulletin.

Want to improve your casting? We will have some very special programs available. First, Bill Gammel, who is on the Board of Governors for the casting certification and co-authored "The Essentials of Casting" will be giving a number of programs. Second, Art Mazzier, will be presenting the "Theory and Philosophy of Casting". Curve casts, slack line casts and aerial mends, how to make them and when to use them. (And remember these programs will be in addition to Chico Fernandez.)

How would you like to sit in and tie flies, and learn from with one of the best, and I truly mean "BEST" tyers in the country? Well, you will have the opportunity to attend a very special class and have a unique learning experience. I would tell you more about this tyer, but we will just hold off till the next bulletin.

Do you like fishing tailwaters but at times find them curiously frustrating? We are going to have one of the truly recognized masters of tailwaters at Conclave 2000, and you can learn strategies and tips that will be invaluable.

I think I could go on and on, but we will save more information for the following bulletins.

Chuck Easterling

Co-Chair Conclave 2000

E-Mail From

Larry Copenhaver

Hi guys...Here I am, 50 miles from Glacier Park on the border of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation...The plans I had to be in Lewistown, MT have fallen through, not to say I may still live there... things seldom go my way, and this is another example... if you have ever read any articles on the res., you know that rainbows up to 15# are possible especially in May....5-9# fish are

common..... there is stream and river fishing too...so!!! I am within a few hours reach of the better known Montana waters..so don't hesitate to get in touch... I would enjoy having any of you visit... write me at my e-mail acct... [email protected] so we can arrange things... I am happy to be home here but I miss you folks... I was treated quite well during my stay in East TX and miss it and you... Thanks to everyone.

Larry Copenhaver

Texas Fly Fish 2000

by R. Feaster

February 26 is gone. The Fly Fishing seminar is over, but definitely not forgotten. The official count of registered visitors was 869 people. There were 9 clubs represented. The PWFF club had 13 known members there. Of the 20 fly tiers, at least 3 were from PWFF. Our people helped in the organization, planning, tying, teaching, and participation. Although not the only one, Dave Whitlock was the star of the day. He gave two presentations. The first was "Searching for the Golden Ghost", a description of fishing for carp in Lake Michigan. The second was a casting demonstration with explanations concerning each kind of cast. Both were very well attended. Other presentations and demonstrations were equally well attended. Since I was tying, those were the only two I had a chance to see and report concerning.

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE

INLAND FISHERIES DIVISION (TPW)

DATE/TIME: MARCH 16, 2000 AT 7:00 PM

LOCATION: LUFKIN CIVIC CENTER

601 N. SECOND ST., LUFKIN, TX

TPW will be holding meetings across Texas to present information about our largemouth bass management programs and to solicit your comments on present and future needs. All anglers are encouraged to attend!

Phil Durocher, Director of Inland Fisheries, will give an informative presentation on current management programs/issues. Local biologists will be present to answer your questions about area reservoirs.

For more information contact: Dave Terre, East Texas Regional Fisheries Director (903) 566-1615 or Todd Driscoll, East Texas Fisheries Biologist (409) 384-9572 or email inquiries to: [email protected].

March Program

L McLendon

Some years ago a friend invited me over to view his collection of antique lures and to bring my husband if he had any interest in fishing. We went one evening and were entertained for several hours. I have asked this friend to be our special guest and show some of this collection for our program. Ron Mize works for the U. S. Forest Service here in Lufkin. He has a great interest in hunting wild birds. After seeing his office with displays of turkey feathers, I invited him to bring along feathers of different species.

Come see the "Past" in fishing tackle; and the present in tying material.

###################################

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.

###################################

Calender

Outings and Events

*********

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

*********

March 17^th & 18^th Sowbug Roundup, At the Fairgrounds, Mt. Home, Ark.

*********

March 28^th - 30^th Forest Awareness at Hudson School. By the Texas Forest Service

9:00 AM until 2:00 PM

*********

April 4^th. PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp

*********

April 15^th. Open House at the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce Building.

9:00 AM until 9:00 PM.

*********

May 2^nd. PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin Room in the Lufkin Mall. 7:00 PM sharp

*********

May 13^th. Heugel Haus Outing on Lake Toledo Bend

*********

May 19^th thru 21^st Texas Fly Fishing Show in San Marcos, Texas

*********

June 3^rd. Tag Team Tournament at Kurth Lake.

*********

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

*********

July 8^th. Meeting and Outing at Houston County Lake

*********

August 1^st. PWFF Meeting in the Lufkin

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

*********

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

*********

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

*********

September 16^th Zoo Breakfast 8:00 AM till ?

*********

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

*********

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

*********

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

*********

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

*********

December 2^nd Christmas Meeting

*********

More Club Calendar to follow as dates confirmed

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

*************************

Outings: Jimmy Lee

Library: Jay Renken

Conservation: Gene Sullivan

Programs: Linda McLendon

Editor: Royce Feaster

*************************

Art work used by permission of Dave and Emily Whitlock

WET A LINE.... SOON!