News and Updates

Jeff “Bear” Andrews – Tying Class Jan 14, 2012

When: Saturday January 14th, 2012 from 9:00am to 4:00 pm
Where: The Elkhart Conservation Club (main building)
Cost: $50.00

Jeff “Bear” Andrews has been fly fishing and tying flies for 48 years. In 1998 he was the recipient of the “Buz” Buszeck Memorial Fly Tying Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a fly tyer by the Federation of Fly Fishers. Jeff has tied flies commercially for 34 years producing as many as 2000 dozen flies a year and has taught 1000’s of people to tie flies. Jeff will be instructing us on patterns that he has created for trout, steelhead and maybe even a carp fly or two.

What to bring and what is included: Please bring your own tying tools (vise, lamp, tools, thread, etc). Lunch will be provided as will all of the materials for the flies that we will be tying.

All of the guest fly tying seminars are open to anyone that would like to participate, however, these seminars are not intended to be a “first time” learning to tie flies class. Some basic fly tying techniques are required. What these seminars will do is help take your fle tying to the next level with instruction from some of the best in the industry.

 

Please contact Todd Ezzell at (574) 202-0255 if you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot.

Jordan Carter

Jordan Carter was born in South Florida where he fished the keys and Everglades with his father. They moved to Indiana where he started to fly fish. He caught his first steelhead at the age of 12 and has been addicted ever since. He started guiding in AK when he was 19 and plans on going back as long as he can. He will be spending this winter in Key West….. fishing.

After graduating from Purdue, Jordan grabbed his gear and headed north, Guiding for Rainbow Point Lodge in Lake Iliamna, Alaska. Looking for the largest rainbows on the planet? This is THE place. The size and aggressiveness of their “leopard bows” compelled the State of Alaska to designate their home water, the Copper River, as a “fly fishing, catch and release only, trophy rainbow river,” a designation that has kept the fishing spectacular. Come hear Jordan’s amazing tales of the north country.

The meeting is held at 6:30pm on the 6th Floor of the Ramada Inn, in the downtown Chase Building at 211 West Washington Street, South Bend. The public is welcome. Dinner, optional, is served at 7:00pm and is $13.00.

Wesdnesday Night Fishing- October 12th @ 6:00 P.M.

Wednesday Night Fishing- October 12th @ 6:o0 P.M.

This week we will be at Leeper Park in South Bend, IN. (Map)

Directions: Leeper Park is located off of N Michigan St in down town South Bend just south of where N Michigan St. Crosses over the St. Joseph River.  Take N. Michigan St to Bartlett St. Turn east on Bartlett St and go to end. Parking is along the river.

This will be our last Wednesday Night Fishing for 2011 as the days are getting shorter. It has been a great summer andI look forward to next spring.

I hope to see you there,

Todd

Jeff “Bear” Andrews

The internationally known Fly Tyer, Co-Owner of www.Goldenbonefish.com guide
service as well as pro-staff member for USCarp Pro, Jeff “Bear” Andrews will present Fly Fishing for Musky at the October 19th meeting of the St. Joseph Fly Fishers. .

The meeting is held at 6:30pm on the 6th Floor of the Ramada Inn, in the downtown Chase Building at 211 West Washington Street, South Bend. The public is welcome. Dinner, optional, is served at 7:00pm and is $13.00.

Andrews has been tying flies for over 48 years. In 1998 he was the recipient
of the “Buz” Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award, the highest honor bestowed
upon a fly tyer by the Federation of Fly Fishers. At the time he was the
youngest to have ever received the award and only the third from the
Midwest.

From 1977 until 1984 he ran Bear’s Fly Shop in Grand Ledge, Michigan. He
has tied flies commercially for 34 years, producing as many as 2000 dozen
flies a year.

Andrews travels throughout the United States and Europe sharing his
tying skills through demonstrations and classes. He has taught 1000’s of
people to tie flies. Andrews created the “Tyathon” for the Federation Of Fly
Fishers, and for ten years held a 24 hour tying marathon to raise money the
FFF’s conservation projects, raising over $140,000.00

Andrews’s flies are sought after by both collectors as well as fly fishers. His
flies have appeared in numerous books, and magazines as well as limited
edition artwork. Andrews has set 3 IGFA World Records for Brook trout
during his 27 years of fishing Labrador. He is currently the Fly Fishing Editor
for “Michigan Out-Of Doors” magazine and has been for over 20 years.

In 1999 he released his first in a series of fly tying instructional videos,

currently available in DVD format are “Best Of The Bear Steelhead” “Best Of
The Bear Steelhead II “ and “Best Of The Bear Tying Traditions”.

Since 2000, Andrews’s flies have been available in fly shops through the
Umpqua Feather Merchants Fly Tyers Royalty Program. Currently Andrews
works as a Fly Fishing guide for Fuller’s North Branch Outing Club in Lovells,
Michigan guiding for trout, salmon, steelhead, and carp on the fly.

Annually he hosts trips to Labrador and Ontario in pursuit of his favorite
trophy Brook Trout, as well as Alaska.

2011 Salmon Outing

This years SJRVFF Salmon Outing will be held on October 15th at the Thornapple Ave. Boat Launch on the Muskegon River.  The Thornapple Ave. Boat Launch is located  on Thornapple Ave just north of M 82 in Newaygo, MI. There will be two meeting points if you are interested in carpooling. For those in the South Bend area, the meeting point will be at the Meijer store on Portage Ave.  For those in the Elkhart area, the meeting point will be at the Middlebury Exit on the Indiana Toll Road. Please plan for a 6:00 A.M. departure time from the meeting points. Meeting us up there is always an option.  Travel time to the Thorapple Ave. Boat Launch is approximately 3-3 1/2 hours. I imagine that we will fish late morning and all afternoon which should but us back here somewhere in the 8:00 to 9:00 range. Of course, if you wish to stay layer, I am sure that can be option.

This outing is open to anyone who would like to attend. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Plan on lunch being ready at 1:00 P.M.  It would be a great help to me if you are planning to attend to drop me a line – 574-522-0735 or (Email) and let me know how many so that I can plan accordingly for lunch and drinks.

If you have never fished for Salmon/Steelhead before, this could be a great opportunity as there will be plenty of help available to get you started in the right direction. A heavier rod (7wt – 10wt) and a reel with a good drag system and plenty of backing is a must.

Directions to the Thornapple Ave. Boat Launch are fairly simple. (Map)

From the Elkhart Area, take 131 north past Grand Rapids to M82. head east on M82 to Thornapple Ave. then north to the Thornapple Ave Boat Launch.

From the South Bend Area take 31 north to 96, 96 north to 196. 196 NE  to 131 (Grand Rapids). 131 north to M82. M82 east to Thornapple Ave. Thornapple Ave north to the Thornapple Ave Boat Launch.

I you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
574-522-0735 or (Email)

Thanks,
Todd

Wednesday Night Fishing- October 5th, 2011 @ 6:00 P.M.

Wednesday Night Fishing- October 5th @ 6:00 P.M.

This week lets go back and fish the Dowagiac River below Pucker St. Dam at Losensky Park in Niles, MI. I know, I know…we were there last week, however, the fish are there. I even managed to catch one.

Directions: From Niles, MI. take M-51 north to Pucker St. Turn left (west) on Pucker St.  Once you cross over the Dowagiac River, Losensky Park will be on the left (south side of Pucker St.).

I hope to see you there,

Todd

Wednesday Night Fishing- September 28th @ 6:00 P.M.

Wednesday Night Fishing- September 28th@ 6:00 P.M.

This week lets fish the Dowagiac River below Pucker St. Dam at Losensky Park in Niles, MI.

Directions: From Niles, MI. take M-51 north to Pucker St. Turn left (west) on Pucker St.  Once you cross over the Dowagiac River, Losensky Park will be on the left (south side of Pucker St.).

I hope to see you there,

Todd