Fly Tying is directly related to the Education mission of Trout Unlimited. We use fly tying to teach people about natural resources, entomology, and of course how trout relate to their primary food source. We use fly tying as a social event, as a way to connect with youngsters and adults alike. Most of all, we do it because it's fun. You can see some of our ongoing projects below.
The Monthly Fly Swap
Where scores of intrepid TU fly tyers crank out flies each month, and then trade patterns during the monthly meeting. Mike Elkavitch is the 2009 SwapMeister.
The Annual Fly Tying Classes
Our annual winter fundraising and social event at the Keene Rec Center. We use this as a fundraiser, as a social event, and of course to improve our own skills. And it keeps us busy on those cold winter nights...
The Beginner's Class just graduated 6 students, we had 8 in the Intermediate Class, and we're going with an add-on class through April because we're having so much fun we can't quit!
2009 Session Materials
The 2009 Fly Tying classes are complete. We had such a good time, we went for an additional month! So many of us were tying weekly from January through the end of April. A good time was had by all, and we're looking forward to it next year (same time, same place.)
BOOKS! I've started to place the collected wisdom as it relates to books on a separate page. Right now I've got some Technique books listed, but the list is growing. If you click through and order any of these books, the Chapter will get a small rebate - and it doesn't cost you any more. Check it out here.
Or even if you don't like fly tying books, enter Amazon through this link below:
George's Clouser Crayfish.
I happened across some good instructions for tying the Crayfish here. (Thanks to Rodney Chun and the Peninsula Flyfishers (CA).
Casting for Recovery
"enhance the lives of breast cancer survivors by offering no-cost retreats tailored to promote and support mental and physical healing, shared experiences, and the hope that comes from learning new skills."
Groups of 14 women at a time attend retreats all over the USA, and by the way, they need FLIES! We can help. The Chapter will be purchasing 14 fly boxes, and we need to fill them with flies. You can help by signing up for a pattern and making 14 flies. More to come. In the meantime, check out castingforrecovery.org.
CFR Flies are due at the JUNE 18 Meeting!! The last meeting of the season, so get tying! Contact Mike Elkavitch to sign up for a pattern. (Feel free to sign up for multiple patterns! You just need 14 of EACH fly.)
| Fly Pattern | Size | Tyer |
| Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear | 14 | |
| CDC & Elk | 14 | Tom Wansleben |
| Mickey Finn, Green Foam Beetle | 12 | Larry Antonuk |
| Partidge and Green, Caddis | 12 | |
| Caddis Pupae | 14 | |
| Mickey Finn | 8 | |
| Black Nose Dace | 8 | |
| Sparkle Caddis Pupae | 14 | |
| Bead Head Peacock Nymph | 14 |
NOTE: Flies listed in GREEN are complete and have been received by the CFR SwapMeister!
Here's what we did in 2008...
The boxes are two section, compartments in the bottom, foam on top boxes.
July 23, 2008. UPDATE! I received a nice letter from Selene Skoug at CFR in Manchester, thanking us for our donation. Give it a read here.
April 29, 2009 Update. Here's a shot of Kate Fox receiving a fly donation (two salmon flies in a glass dome) from TU member Larry Antonuk. The flies will be used during a fund raising event for Casting for Recovery.
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