Last Sunday we took advantage of the weather to hold a little casting practice session at Lone Lake. Three likely new members showed up, two of whom are brand new to fly fishing. The third is experienced and was able to help with instruction. Thanks, too, to Clarence Hein for lending a hand. Special thanks to Jim Rohrer for stopping by early just to make sure I wasn't all alone.

The newbies, Rob and John, picked up the basics quickly. With a little practice they'll be double-hauling in no time. Keith shared his skills, so that everyone got several perspectives. It was great to spend time with these three, and I think everyone went home satisfied.

After casting, I fished the lake for a couple hours: trolling a white leech-like fly. I had two strikes and netted the two fish. Both were exceptional: 19" and 21". Another fellow on th…

Claire and I had our annual day on the river yesterday. We typically hit a small stream near Darrington, and this year it was Buck Creek--a tributary of the Suiattle River. It's a beautiful, gin clear stream that reminds us of the stream our family camped on each summer as the kids were growing up. There is, in fact, a small campground here, too. If you go here, look for the fishers' trail leading upstream from the most upstream campsite. It's a nice way to access the stream away from camp.

If you're looking for large fish (not counting spawning salmon), this is not the place for you. But if you want a remote-feeling woodland setting and all the 4-inchers you can stand, come here. Pouring down a fairly steep gradient over boulders and logs, this is premier pocket water, perfect for a dry fly.

After fishing, we ate lunch…

Saturday, April 13 was a beautiful blue-sky day that saw a dozen or so club members join in our annual Nyerges Nymph One-Fly Outing on Lone Lake. In this event members use only Nyerges Nymph patters in a two-hour casual competition to see who can catch the most fish. It's a celebration of a classic fly and its designer, the club's nominal founder, Gill Nyerges. This year's winner is Tom Langley with, I believe, seven fish. As winner, Tom, for the period of one year, gets:

Full bragging rights as to the prowess required to win this event;

The benefit of the doubt regarding the truthfulness of any fishing story told;

Prime seating at all club meetings;

The first position in the food line at all club-sponsored meals;

One free hook removal from any part of the body.

I joined 5 old class mates and traveled to the Twins for a weekend of fishing. Keep mind, when I say old class mates I mean we went to grade school starting around 75 years ago, so this is an annual event.

They are not actual fly fishermen, but have bought fly rods and sinking lines (with my help) over the past 30 years so they now can troll and actually do have a great time---trolling from the same 18 ft. boat

I rent a barge so as I can stand, cast and explore On this trip the lake was just coming out of the winter doldrums with the temperature getting down in the 20's at night, thus there were now hatches of any kind and with a strong wind continually blowing out of the SW that made trolling was a challenge for even the boys in the boat.

I…