Why Speakers?

Devin Smith,  Director of Restoration shares about the current restoration programs on the Barnaby Reach

Do you want to understand and help save wild fish habitat? Join the club meeting on June 23, 2022 to hear Devon Smith tell about the programs of restoring the Barnaby Slew as part of the Skagit River project. The Barnaby Reach Feasibility Study was funded through SRFB in 2009. The purpose of the feasibility study was to evaluate habitat conditions throughout the Barnaby Reach including the Barnaby complex and identify restoration actions that could improve habitat. This study had several objectives: 

Evaluate the impact developments in the reach have on flow, fish use, and habitat conditions both currently .

 over time.

Develop and evaluate restoration options for the reach that could improve habitat conditions, restore natural processes, and reduce maintenance costs.

 Identify hydraulic and geomorphic changes to the river and floodplain that may occur in the Barnaby Reach as a result of restoration actions.

Select and develop conceptual designs for preferred restoration actions.

The Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) provides natural resource management services for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. On behalf of these two sovereign nations, SRSC works to actively improve fisheries management within their usual and accustomed fishing areas. These areas include the Skagit and Samish River basins, and were ceded to the United States through treaties signed in 1855. Fisheries management carried out by SRSC includes harvest and hatchery management, research, environmental review, habitat restoration, and a range of other activities.

Gary Lewis, an outdoor writer and hunting and fishing show host, speaker and photographer, who makes his home in Central Oregon. Throughout the year, he can be found hunting and fishing around the world and across the American West. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, he has been walking forest trails and running rivers for as long as he can remember. He is a past President of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association (NOWA). Lewis is a columnist for The Bend Bulletin and a contributing editor for Successful Hunter magazine. He is a humor columnist for Bear Hunting magazine and a regular outdoor writer for many other magazines. 

Lewis is the author of many hunting and fishing books—Hunting Oregon, John Nosler – Going Ballistic, Deer Hunting Tactics for Today's Big Game Hunter, and Freshwater Fishing Oregon & Washington. Lewis contributed to Fishing Central Oregon and Beyond and co-authored Black Bear Hunting with Lee Van Tassell. In 2008, Lewis's The Complete Guide to Hunting and Trout Fishing in the Pacific Northwest was published. Frank Amato Publications published the Oregon Lake Maps and Fishing Guide. 

Heather Hodson, asks, "Do you want to know how to read the water to catch more fish?"

 She is a guide, fly fishing instructor, critical care nurse and other interest as you can see in the write up below. This is a presentation not to miss as fish seem to know where to hide.   Heather Hodson works hard to play even harder.  If she’s not saving lives as a Critical Care RN, you’ll find her traveling the country in search of new water to fish, hosting outings for women throughout the west, and teaching fly fishing classes. Heather founded United Women on the Fly in hopes of building a community, sharing knowledge and giving back to various fishing and conservation groups.  Heather currently holds the position of Western US Women’s/Diversity Ambassador for Trout Unlimited. She’s also no stranger to being behind the camera.  Heather started taking photos as a rodeo photographer with her 35mm.  With over some 100 days on the water this year, it’s always a tossup between catching fish or being creative behind the camera. Her passion for conservation, getting women involved in fly fishing, and enthusiasm to think outside the box is infectious. “There’s nothing better than capturing the expression of someone who just caught their first fish on the fly, learned something new or living the life they love.” 

George Daniel returns to share about Euro Nymphing. Please note the change is the date: November 17.

George Daniel began fly fishing at age six in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Growing up along a native brook trout fishery designated as a “kids only section” and, being the only kid in the village who fished, George was able to fly fish and practice a lot, so he developed a true passion for it. Through his early teens, much of his fly fishing knowledge was self-taught. However, when George was 14, his family relocated to central Pennsylvania, where, at a local fly shop, he found himself talking to his fly fishing idol, Joe Humphreys. Joe kindly took George under his wing and began providing him with his first, formalized fly fishing instruction. When George was just 16-years-old, Joe began to provide instruction on all levels, e.g. the basic cast to advanced nymphing casts. George credits Joe for the bulk of his knowledge, but also graciously acknowledges many national and international fly fishing professionals who have worked with him during the past. Later, George had an opportunity to try out for Fly Fishing Team USA in Bend, Oregon. After qualifying for the team, George had the opportunity to compete in five World Fly Fishing Championships, coach both the US Youth Team and Fly Fishing Team USA in four World Championships.  During this time, George has had an opportunity to travel the globe and learn from many of the best anglers in the world. George is a two-time US National Fly Fishing Champion and was ranked as high as 5th in the world. George’s true passion is in fly fishing education. He appears at clubs and fly fishing shows around the country, where he conducts lectures and seminars. He also logs more than 280 days a year on waters near and far.  George is not only the author of two highly regarded and best selling books, he has also published articles in Fly Fisherman, American Angler and Fly Tyer magazines.  His most recent book, Nymphing: New Angles and Tactics was recently released. George is an ambassador for a number of fly fishing companies including Orvis, Tacky Fly Boxes, FlyCraft Boats, Regal Vises, Competitive Angler Tying Supplies, Golden Trout Lanyards, and Loon.  

Details will be announced in the future.

Scott Willison is the owner of the Confluence Fly Shop. He’s been fly fishing for over 30 years throughout his home state of Washington, and has also fished in the Bahamas, France, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Wisconsin, British Columbia, Costa Rica and Mexico. Scott has an English Writing and Teaching degree from WWU, has taught in public schools and worked as an educator for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. Scott also guided fly fishing on area rivers and beaches prior to his days in the shop. He serves as a Native Fish Society River Steward for the NF Stilliguamish River and is an active member of the Fourth Corner Fly Club. Sometimes he has a beard, sometimes he doesn’t.

Doug Thomas, born in Hillsboro, Oregon, graduated from WSU and worked at Allstate Insurance Company corporate management from 1987-1992 and eventually returned to Washington state and joined Bellingham Cold Storage as Special Projects Manager with multiple promotions that followed, eventually being recognized in 2016 as Business Person of the Year for Whatcom County by Business Pulse Magazine.

He is a respected member of numerous community-based organizations and is the current President of San Juan AREA Sea Life, supporter of the Boys and Girls Club. Doug is on the corporate board of directors for Cascade Natural Gas, a director on the board of the National Fisheries Institute, served the Global Cold Chain Alliance as chairman of the World Food Logistics Organization, and served as chairman of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses. Doug was very active serving for over 15 years on the Washington State University Board of Trustees, athletic advisory board and was elected in 2010 to serve on the WSU Board of Governors from which he retired from in September of 2017. Doug and his wife Sandy enjoy boating in the San Juan’s, Cougar athletics, spending time at their vacation home in Scottsdale AZ and visiting their daughter Lauren whenever possible ,occurrence and foraging success. 

A Conservation Committee Pick 

Douglas Thomas, a second generation executive, CEO, and part owner of Bellingham Cold Storage, the largest portside, full-service public refrigerated warehousing company on the West Coast, will present the proposed development of a salmon hatchery pilot project at a site on Bellingham Bay near the mouth of Whatcom Creek. 

The model for this proposal is the Douglas Island Pink & Chum’s (DIPAC) Macaulay Salmon hatchery in Juneau, Alaska. DIPAC started operations in 1976 and today is one of the most successful salmon hatchery programs in the world. The Macaulay facility releases well over 138 million juvenile chum, chinook and Coho salmon, and rainbow trout each year for commercial, sport and subsistence uses. Annual returns range between 2.5-5 million harvestable adult salmon with an estimate value of $6-20 million. For more about the Macaulay facility: Macaulay Hatchery in Alaska. 

His presentation will include aspects of the Alaska hatchery that have made the model so successful, why Whatcom Creek was chosen as the site for the hatchery project, how it relates to fisheries co-management between WDFW and the Puget Sound Treaty Tribes, the impact on native stocks, how it will help the southern resident Killer Whales, the stakeholders, the cost, and what the current proposed legislation (Salmon Repopulation Act, Senate Bill 6509 and House Bill 274 includes.

As a club our mission and purpose is working to protect wild fish and the habitat which sustains them and working  for the betterment and preservation of angling and surrounding lands. It is in our best interest to gain knowledge and information to better understand the issues, form educated opinions and work towards our common goals. Learn more about this proposed bill and hatchery project.

• Bellingham Cold Storage Project Overview of the hatchery plans (White Paper)
• San Juan AREA Sea Life 
• Tri-City Herald article, ‘Orcas don’t have that much time.’ Hatchery bill could save them | Editorial. February 2020
• King5 News January 2020
• SB 6509 An act relating to increasing the abundance of salmonids in Washington waters.
• HB 2741 Increasing the abundance of salmonids in Washington water

Imagine that you had three-four weeks to find fishing holes in northern Idaho and you ask yourself where might you go, well Heather Hudson has a great fishing plan based on her knowledge and experience flies fishing there.

Heather Hodson, Founder of United Women on the Fly, is an expert at making anglers (especially women) feel comfortable and becoming a part of the fly fishing community.  Sometimes referred to as the “Middle Woman,”  Heather volunteers her energy and time to connect and mentor women to become more confident on the water. Heather has dedicated her time to educate and inspire others. She is currently studying for her Casting Instructor Certification with Fly Fishers International in a study group with club members Frank Koterba and Marion Hiller, and has been teaching Fly Fishing since 2014.  She’s also no stranger to being behind the camera.  Heather started taking photos as a rodeo photographer with her 35mm.  With over some 100 days on the water this year, it’s always a tossup between catching fish or being creative behind the camera. Her passion for conservation, getting anyone involved in fly fishing and enthusiasm to think outside the box is infectious. Imagine that you had three-four weeks to find fishing holes in northern Idaho and you ask yourself where might you go, well Heather Hudson has a great fishing plan based on her knowledge and experience flies fishing there.Heather Hodson @northwestflygril

Founder of United Women on the Fly:

https://uwotf.com

April Volkey Podcast: Anchored Ep. 193: Interviews Heather Hodson Founder Of 

United Women On The Fly:

https://anchoredoutdoors.com/anchored-ep-193-heather-hodson-of-united-women-on-the-fly/

Jonathan Walter: “Successfully Cast Every Fly in Your Box: Suggestions for leader configuration, cast selection and casting technique.” 

As a Fly Fishers International Master Certified Casting Instructor and owner of Clear Creek Fly Casting provides instruction and evaluation in all levels of fly casting and fly fishing, at events, seminars, shows, and using Video Casting Analysis. He posts a quarterly newsletter on his website http://www.clearcreekflycasting.com/index.html that highlights wisdom and answers questions often asked.

Jonathan has lived in Colorado since 1988 and started fly fishing in 1989. 

Before becoming a casting instructor, he received a B.A. in Biology, General, and M.D. Doctor of Medicine, Internal Medicine from the University of Cincinnati College. Then in 2004, he became a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor, in 2013 a Master Certified Casting Instructor, and in 2016 a Fly Fishers International Instructor Examiner Faculty. Currently his is mentoring future Fly Fishers International certified instructors. Jonathan's instructional approach is based on understanding the learner's goals, assessing what is needed to achieve them, and breaking down the required skills into manageable steps as mastery of the fundamentals is critical to success at all levels. He currently lives in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Emerging insects provide some of the most exciting and productive fly-fishing opportunities.  But you have to have the right fly and present it the right way. This program explains the in’s and out’s of choosing the right fly for the right emerger and how to fish them. 

Rick Hefele has been fly fishing for over 50 years for trout in streams and lakes throughout the west which actually extended to Bellingham to attend college at WWU. After completing a degree he got a job i Oregon as an aquatic biologist focusing on water quality issues with a private consulting firm and later for Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. For over 40 years he has watched and studied fish and the insects they eat, both professionally and with a fly rod in hand, throughout Oregon and many other states and provinces.

He has authored multiple books: The Complete Book of Western Hatches, Western Mayfly Hatches, An Angler’s Guide to Aquatic Insects and Their Imitations, Nymph Fishing Rivers and Streams. He asl; sop has completed instructional video, Anatomy of a Trout Stream, produced by Scientific Anglers.  This has been followed more recently by six other instructional DVDs: Fly Fishing Large Western Rivers (a four volume set), Nymph Fishing Basics, Advanced Nymph Fishing, Advanced Tactics for Emergers & Dries.   He has recently written an children's book: My Life as a a Myfly and a card game Mayfly "Hatch Matcher".

He is sought after presenter at club meetings, workshops across the continent, and other fly fishing gatherings. He currently lives in Wilsonville, OR.

Visit his website at https://www.rickhafele.com

August has traditionally been a club picnic. But due to Covid restriction and board approval, we will have two events.

1. A zoom presentation regarding the proposed salmon hatchery on Whatcom Creek-a Conservation Committee Find

2. A Casting SKILLS Challenge Event-

The Fly Casting Skills Challenge Program is designed for the experienced beginner caster, as well as intermediate and advanced fly fishers. It is meant to be a fun, voluntary way to study, practice and challenge oneself in a progressive fashion at one’s own pace. It allows participants to measure progress with an option of receiving documentation and recognition for doing so. Each casting challenge at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold game levels is directly applicable to increasingly difficult fishing scenarios and includes these general areas:

• Pick-up and Lay-down cast
• False casting
• Roll casting
• Reach mends, slack line, and curve casts
• Accuracy, from Dominant and Non-Dominant shoulders
• Distance and shooting line
• Hauling
• Casting while seated or kneeling
• Presenting the backcast

WATCH FOR AN EVENTBRITE SIGNUP IN YOUR EMAIL