Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Spring Creeks TU Rendezvous -- Lots of Fun While Fundraising

Rowyn and one of her first flies tied!
The Spring Creeks TU Rendezvous was held Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Monticello, IA. I was told that over 50 people attended, and attendance has been growing each year! 
This year's speaker was Dan Kirby, a Fisheries Biologist from the DNR. During the TU board meeting held at the start of the Rendezvous, as part of the Diversity Initiative, members agreed to donate up to $1000 toward the women's fly fishing groups currently getting started in Iowa. 
Live and silent auctions were held, along with options for members to try their luck at bucket raffles and rod raffles. Among some of the more desired items including Dave Whitlock prints -- one of a brook trout and the other of a smallmouth bass. 
Most attendees tied flies throughout much of the day or visited and learned from other tiers. I met a wonderful young man, Henry, who (with his fiance too) I hope to take out fishing with friend Kate and I. Henry and Heather are new to fly fishing. 
The 3 regional TU branches and HFFA (Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association) are also in the planning stages of forming a coldwater group that will provide strength in numbers to help maintain, protect, and improve our coldwater fisheries. Some discussion was held about this.

Jeff Moore consistently donates his skillfully tied flies to TU and HFFA events. I won these flies at the live auction. Xxxxxxxxxx, left, caddis, and Blue-Winged Olives. Size 20. (complete names coming)

Soft Hackle Wet Fly that I finally got right!
Thanks Damian Wilmot for sharing this on your website.

Spring Creeks TU board meeting is in full swing.