On April 21st fly tyers from various Fly Fishers International and Trout Unlimited Clubs from around the Great Lakes region will come together for the 12th annual Tie-a-thon to tie and donate flies benefitting Casting for Recovery of Indiana and the Anglers of the Au Sable Youth Program. This Tie-a-thon will mark a special milestone. This year tyers will surpass a total of 100,000 flies donated by individual tyers over the past 12 years. In the 12 years of the Tie-a-thon, tyers have donated 98,458 flies which leaves us 1,542 flies short of 100,000 flies. Thisyear, we expanded the list of flies to include more bass and bluegill flies.
About the Recipient
Casting for Recovery, Indiana (CFR)
The mission of Casting for Recovery (CfR) is to enhance the quality of life of women with breast cancer through a unique retreat program that combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. The program offers opportunities for women to find inspiration, discover renewed energy for life and experience healing connections with other women and nature. CfR serves women of all ages, in all stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery, at no cost to participants.
Anglers of the Au Sable Youth Program – After the Marathon Clean Up The Anglers of the Au Sable (“Anglers”) mission statement is to preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River System for future generations of fly fishers. They collaborate with Crawford County personnel in a way that fully satisfies this mission by educating the youth of Crawford County to appreciate and maintain the special resource that is the Au Sable River, through a river cleanup and fly fishing program.
What is the Tie-a-thon
For more information, check out the website or check out Tie-a-thon on Facebook. The premise of the Tie-a-thon is like an old fashion barn raisin’, several tyers tie as many flies as they can to donate to the cause. Joining forces again this year to tie flies are with members of: St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers; Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited; The Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock; Reel Women – Reel Men of Indianapolis; Grand River Fly Tyers; Fly Girls; Anglers of the Au Sable; Little Elkhart Trout Unlimited and many more individuals. A bunch of tiers come together to tie 100 flies a piece on a Saturday and at the end of the day, we try our very best to surpass our previous all-time high of 13,300 flies raised at one Tie-a-thon.
If you are interested, pick just one pattern to tie, buy a box of 100 hooks, the materials and get tying! To get you there, Terry Wittorp, chef, will have a spectacular lunch for all the tyers, which is worth at least 200 flies, but we will give you a break. Also, so you’re not too bored just tying, we will have a guest tier every other hour show off his or her special pattern. We will have a video set up to make easy to see from your tying station. The Tie-a-thon will last from 8:00am to 5:00pm. If you are not a fast tyer and can’t complete your 100 flies in that time, this is a good time to get a jump on your flies. We would certainly take more than 100 from anyone if they are ambitious.
You don’t have to be an expert tyer to donate flies. Many first time fly tyers have participated, this give you a chance to become very good tying at least one fly. If you need help learning a pattern, contact me, Tim Scott, and I will be happy to give you a lesson.
Just as in the past eight years, the Elkhart Conservation Club has graciously donated the use of their main building for the 2015 Tie-a-thon. (Map)
In seven years the Tie-a-thon has raised and donated over 54,000 flies to various Fly Fishing Schools, Flyin’ Heroes, the youth camp of the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Casting for Recovery, the youth camp for the Brotherhood of the Junglecock, Reeling and Healing of Toledo, a cancer fly fishing retreat and Project Healing Waters.
If you are interested in tying a pattern and donating; please contact either:
| Tim Scott [email protected] 574-289-6392 home Terry Wittorp [email protected] 269-424-5138 |
Elkhart Conservation Club: 55515 Riviera Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514 Send flies to: Tim Scott 711 Forest Ave South Bend, IN 46616 |
RSVP for Tie-A-Thon
These are the flies we ask you to tie: (tie 100 flies of one pattern)
| These are the flies we ask you to tie | |
| Fly | Size |
| Adams | 14 |
| Ant | 18 – 20 |
| Beetles | 18 – 14 |
| Blue Wing Olive Emerger | 18 – 22 |
| Caddis Nymph | 16 – 18 |
| Clouser’s Minnow | 8 |
| Cone-Head white rabbit leeches | 4-6 |
| Elk Hair Caddis | 14 – 16 |
| Griffith Gnat | 20 – 22 |
| Hare’s Ear | 12 – 14 |
| Mickey Finn | 8 |
| Nuke Eggs | 10 – 4 |
| Pheasant Tail | 14 – 16 |
| Soft Hackle | 14 – 16 |
| Woolly Bugger | 10 |
| If you have any questions on the patterns, please contact Tim Scott. | |