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October 2017 FFI E-news Edition

Focus on Conservation

 

Conservation Committee Issues Report on Actions

The Conservation Committee has been doing some important work on issues affecting our world's fisheries.  Below are two issues that need your involvement now, but to read the entire report please click here.
 

Bristol Bay Needs Your Voice NOW - Comment Period Closes October 17


Many people ask, "Isn’t Pebble already dead?"

Unfortunately, no. In 2014, we asked you to help mobilize your supporters to comment in support of the EPA’s proposal to use its authority under section 404(c) to limit mining activities that would harm salmon, a.k.a. the Proposed Determination. Hundreds of thousands followed through! The EPA received more than 1.5 million comments in support of strong protections for Bristol Bay. In short, Americans made it abundantly clear that the Pebble Mine is not worth the risk to the salmon, jobs and culture of Bristol Bay.

However, following a series of lawsuits and a change in political leadership within the EPA, the proposed protections so many of us asked for are on hold and are on the verge of being reversed.  Please click here to comment about this important issue.

Boundary Waters in Minnesota Needs Support As Well

Recently Rep. Tom Emmer officially introduced a bill, H.R. 3905, that singles out Minnesota as being unworthy of the fundamental environmental protections afforded to the rest of the country and directly puts public lands at risk. This unprecedented bill would eliminate at least 5 bedrock conservation laws that have been in place for nearly 50 years, overturn the will of Minnesotans and allow a foreign mining company with a history of environmental violations to build dangerous sulfide-ore copper mines on the edge of the Boundary Waters watershed.

Click Here to Take Action  or call your representative and ask them to oppose Rep. Emmer’s H.R. 3905 202-224-3121.
 

Conservation Grants an Important Part of FFI's Program


Completed Fish Passage

We encourage clubs and councils of FFI to apply for conservation grants.  Klamath Country Fly Casters were awarded a grant and provided a final report to FFI on their work.  They completed a fish passage project on an important tributary of the Sprague River in Oregon.  The project had many partners and volunteers to assist.  Click here to read the full report>>

If your club or council is interested in applying for a grant, the Committee will consider applications throughout the year.  Click here for info>>
 


2017 Fly Fishing Fair A Success


Hundreds of fly fishing enthusiasts descended on Livingston Montana for the annual Fly Fishing Fair.  Fun was had by all during the week-long educational event.  Two of the highlights of the week were Iron Fly, a fun competition that provides a tier an opportunity to "strut their stuff."  This year's winner was none other than Jeff Sirbu from Basalt Colorado (pictured right).  Thanks to Gene Kaczmarek (left) for his work to produce the Iron Fly.

Another great highlight was the Women's Program that offered fly tying, casting and general fishing skills.  Thanks to the program coordinators this year Mary Ann Dozer, Patty Lueken and all the instructor volunteers.

We thank all of our donors to the Gear Sale and especially Phyllis & Bob Tabbert for the Yellowstone Quilt won by Bunny Steiner.  Everyone's effort raised over $1000 for a conservation project on the Yellowstone River. 

Join us in Boise August 7-11, 2018 for another great event.  Boise Centre, Century Link Arena and the Grove Hotel will be our hosts.  It's probably the first time we've ever had casting demos on a ice hockey rink, so come join the fun!
 


Tying Times Newsletter Available 

The Fly Tying Group has issued the October newsletter and it's now posted to the FFI website.  Enjoy editorial comments by Jerry Coviello,  Part 7 of the Design Strategy and Construction Tips for Buidling Fly Plates with Steve Jensen, Dyeing Materials for Flytying by Dr. Eunan Hendron and Steelhead Bee pattern by Kevin Erickson

Click here to access the current and past issues of the newsletters of the Fly Tying Group!  Thanks to Larry Murphy for his editorial and design skills!

Invitation to Like Us!

Social media is a very important part of our everyday lives, not only personally but to organizations like Fly Fishers International.  As we demonstrate our relevance in today's society, we find it's tied to how many followers we have on all the forms of social media.  So please help us tell the world we are relevant!   Please like us on Facebook today!

You can follow us on Instagram as well by clicking here!

 

Steelhead Bee

Guest Tier - Kevin Erickson. Originated by noted British Columbia fly fishing author/conservationist /angler Roderick Haig-Brown, the Steelhead Bee was well ahead of its time in many ways.  The Bee’s design allows it to be fished not only in the traditional upstream drag-free dead-drift dry fly approach, but also cast downstream on a tight line and fished with a “waking” or “skating” technique. Click here to see the pattern>>


2018 Fly Fishing Shows

FFI will be present at all the 2018 Fly Fishing Shows.  You'll find us in the Learning Center, providing fly tying and fly casting lessons as well as general information about our sport.  Come join us!

January 5-7 Denver, CO
January 19-21 Marlborough, MA
January 26-28 Edison, NJ
February 2-3 Atlanta, GA
February 17-18 Lynnwood, WA
February 23-25 Pleasanton, CA
March 3-4 Lancaster, PA
 

October 2017

October 20-22, 2017 Oktoberfisch by Fredricksburg Fly Fishers, South Llano River RV Park, Junction TX. Click here>>
 

January 2018

January 12-13, 2018 Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo, Expo Idaho, Boise ID. Click here>>

January 13-14, 2018 West Michigan Fly Show by Great Lakes Council, East Kentwood High School, Grand Rapids MI  Click here>>

January 18-20 Visit Northern California Council at the ISE Show in Sacramento CA Click here>>

January 20 Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Brecksville OH, Click here>>

February 2018

February 3, 2018 Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show presented by Buckeye United Fly Fishers The Oasis Conference Center in Loveland OH.  Click here>>

February 9 & 10, 2018 Florida Council Expo, Crystal River FL, Click here>>
 

March 2018

March 9-10, 2018 ORC Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo, Linn County Expo Center, Albany, OR  Click here>>

March 16-18, 2018 Upper Midwest Council at the Great Waters Expo, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN  Click here>>
 

FFI's extended calendar visit the FFI website

Click here>>


Casting Instructor Certification Tests 

The following tests are in the planning stages for 2018.  More information will be posted as it becomes available.
   
Crystal River, FL - February 8-9, 2018
Albany, OR - March 9-10, 2018
Ellensburg, WA - May 4-5, 2018
MN or WI - June 23-24, 2018 
Roscoe, NY - July 7-8, 2018
Boise, ID - FFI International Fly Fishing Fair - August 7-11, 2018

For a list of open testing events visit the FFI website here. Click here>>



For information from our Casting Instructor Certification Program read the current issue of The Loop.  Click here>>

Giving to FFI is Easy

Fly Fishers International needs support from memberships and donations in order to sustain our education and conservation programs.  Donating to the FFI is easy by using the online donation service called Network for Good.  The service not only gives you the opportunity to make a one-time donation, but you can set up an account and make a recurring donation on your time schedule.  Click the DONATE NOW button below to donate today.  It's EASY!
 
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Fly Fishers International
5237 US Highway 89 S Ste. 11
Livingston, MT 59047
406-222-9369