The “Match the Hatch” event is a chance for those who know his work to spend time with him and hone their skills. For those new to the sport, it is a chance to take a big leap forward in your angling success. Knowing what the fish are eating and having the appropriate imitation is one of the three things you need to consistently catch fish. The mechanics of casting and presentation of your fly are the other two.

It isn’t too late to sign up or attend.  RSVP’ are preferred, but don’t let that stop you. While there is no fee for this event.  Schrems will be happy to take donations.

Remember to bring waders!

Starts at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 14 at the Rockford Community Cabin (map)

Contact: Stuart Decker decker59715@gmail.com

Husband Gregg attributes her success to his professional guiding skills and his fly tying genius…we know better Gregg.

Kelly Galloup and Glen Blackwood with Schrems board members.

Thirty tiers from the greater Midwest will share their skills, art and lore of the quietest sport, fly tying.  Some of the premier tiers in the region will participate.  Tying greats like Ray Schmidt, Chris Helm, Dennis Potter, Christopher Soule, Julie Nielsen, Kevin Feenstra, Jeff ‘Bear’ Andrews, and Jim Reed are just a few of the talented tiers that will be on hand.

A “Close-UP Video Tying Theater” will be set up on the elevated stage.  A professional, close-up camera, two 32” LCD monitors and PA system and plenty of comfortable seating will ensure that everyone will be able to see even the smallest flies in great detail.  Throughout the day, select tiers will conduct special tying seminars in the theater.

There will be no fund-raising, auction or raffle.  Sales will be limited to the flies, fly tying materials and associated instructional items such as DVD’s and books featuring the tier.

Great Lakes Fly Fishing Co. and the Hex Shop will be selling fly tying materials and related supplies.

They will have a bamboo rod maker, a net maker and graphite rod maker on hand.  These craftsmen will showcase their skills and products.

Tables manned with instructors and helpers will be available for those wanting to learn to tie a fly or two.  It is a great way to see how it’s done and give it a try.  GRFT will have a few young tiers on hand from their youth program showing that one need not be a seasoned tier to create a good fly.

Lunch and snacks will be available from the hall’s food vendor.

Doors open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Costs: $10 adults
$5 12-17
11 and younger, no charge with a paid adult

Contact Dennis Potter, Celebration Chair at ausable1@gmail.com with any questions.

Dick was best known among fly anglers as the godfather of soft hackle flies. To many, he was the guy wearing the funny hat full of spent flies, who held many seminars across West Michigan, espousing the benefits by adding soft hackle fishing techniques to your fishing  arsenal. His presentations always drew a crowd, not only due to his knowledge of our sport and soft hackle fishing techniques, but because of his engaging, entertaining, approachable style which employed humor, wit and just the right amount of sarcasm. These attributes were clearly displayed last year when Dick took the stage as the keynote speaker at our chapter’s very succesful February 2010 meeting.

Being the consummate teacher, Dick leveraged his love of fly fishing to help women rebuild their lives by donating his time to Reeling and Healing. Through this vehicle, he and his wife Judy employed the challenges of fly fishing to help cancer victims regain confidence and build self-esteem.

I met Dick nearly 20 years ago when my wife and I became part of a group of fly fishing couples who gather each spring and fall at Barothy Lodge to fly fish for steelhead, salmon and trout on the Pere Marquette river. Dick’s participation and unique persona at these semi-annual events will be missed greatly.

From this introduction nearly two decades ago, Dick and I became good friends. He was my mentor and I his student and we spent many days together fishing the Holy Waters of the Au Sable River (his second home) with our most productive day occurring on the Friday before trout opener about 10 years ago. On that day, Dick and I caught and released more than 100 trout, including several fish in the 14 inch to 16 inch class, using Dick’s soft hackle and dry fly Hendrickson patterns. Dick finished that day catching a 20+ inch rainbow just above Wakley Bridge … a career best on the Au Sable.

Dick was clearly a leader within the fly fishing community. His passion and love for the sport, good humor (and sometime bad jokes) coupled with a commanding presence both on the river and tying vice will be greatly missed, not only by me, but all of you who who ply the streams in search of trout with hooks decorated with floss, dubbing and feathers.

So on behalf of all who knew and loved him, I say good night Dick. And for the rest of you, I just want to say … soft hackle flies do work and I encourage all of you to add these simple, but effective flies to your boxes, thus keeping the spirit of Dick Walle alive for generations to come. I know I will.

Regards
Tom Mundt
The Junior Board Member of the Schrems Chapter of Trout Unlimited