Montgomery County Flyrodders Newsletter
January 2004
Monthly Meeting
NOTICE: Location changed for January 2004 meeting to the First United Methodist Church in Conroe. Church is
located on Hwy 105 West.
Our Jan meeting will be this Thursday, Jan 8, at the First United Methodist Church in Conroe, Room 111, at 7:00
PM. Dan Edwards has some slides of his 28 day Alaskan trip that is part fishing and part sight seeing. Wives are
invited to the meeting and would probably find this an interesting program as compared to our usual fly fishing
only presentations. Barbara Edwards took many of the pictures. The Church is about 1/2 mile west of loop 336 on
Highway 105 west. Park in the back and enter into the large entrance, the room is on the right just inside the
building. We will serve drinks and cookies.
Reviews
Christmas Party
The Christmas Party was well attended this year and we want to thank all the donated to the fund raising event. Your
donations will help us to host and cover our speaker's cost for the many of the meetings.
The staff of the Taipei China Bistro did a good job on keeping the tables rotating with the nights' special menu. We want
to thank several new members for their attendance. Many of our long-time members used the night to catch-up with old
friends and bring us up to date on activities. Overall, it was a great night for all.
Treasurer Officer Elections
We hold officer elections for the upcoming year each November at the meeting. During the start of the Christmas Party,
Dean Cook volunteered to take over the treasurer’s job. Dean knew of the attempt to railroad a vote for the newsletter
editor, Kirby Thomson, to take on the role of treasurer. But seeing the fine job Kirby was doing on the newsletter he
volunteered to become more active in the club and assume this duty from Paul. Due to 'parenting' issues Dean left early
before we had a chance to make this a public announcement at the end of the night.
TTF Annual Fly Tying Festival
th
Mark your calendars for the annual event in Houston for Saturday, February 7 . Will provide the site in future emails
and newsletter.
Goin Fishing ?
Saltwater
From 12/22/03 memo from Dan Houchin, President
I went to West Bay yesterday with my son, Brian. I had read reports of catching specks on the edges of the flats near
deep water. We fished the flats and the edge of the canals with no luck. We then went across the bay to an oyster reef
where about 15 boats were fishing. Still no success! On the way back to the launch Brian saw a boat fishing deep water
in a boat channel and wanted to try it. We found a few specks in 7 feet of water surrounded by a large area of 6 feet
depth. That 1 foot made all the difference even though the fish were suspended at 4 to 5 feet deep. We caught 3 and
last as many. By this time it was dark and the green lights were coming on behind the fishing camps so we decided to
stay a while and try them. We caught several more fish including a 28" redfish. I also lost a similar red when he cut me
off on a boat dock piling. We ended up with one red and six specks that met the size limit. We probably caught 20 fish
altogether. The water temp was 58 deg in the deep water. The specks wanted a very large fly. I was using a 5 inch white
deceiver. The 3 reds weren't so picky, they hit normal sized clousers. I did not catch a single fish on the small clousers
that were so successful in Aug. We quit fishing at 9:00 PM due to Brian's hunger pains. The fish were still biting. No fish
were visible at the lights but they were there. You had to fish almost flat on bottom so weighted flys and sinking lines
helped. The water depth around the canals was 4.5 to 6 feet deep
Further down the coast around Corpus Christi, reports were received of limiting out on reds in the last weeks of
December. Fish were caught using baitcast rigs in waist deep sections in the Flowerbluff area off the inter-coastal cut
(northside) Plastic jigs were used and often the 'rootbeer' color produced strikes when the other colors failed to entice
the roaming redfish. As normal this time of year the water clarity is improving but weather is a major factor in the number
of good fishing days. The fish this time of year are quite hungry so the takes are often exciting.
Fresh Water
No reports have been submitted on these opportunities. We will keep you posted as we get any reports
from 'reliable' sources.
Destinations
No reports this month.
Conversation Corner
Robert ‘Bob’ Sigsby
Due to the sudden change in the weather prior to releasing this newletter, Bob had a
minor case of brain freeze. Expect his wisdom in future monthly issues.
Your Editor- KRT
Looking for a bargin???
Perhaps you are tired of standing in the shallows? Need a means to join the canoeist and kayakers? Then I spotted an
alternative that you will not believe. In the Big Lots store at Hwy 2920 & I-45 you will find a Coleman one-man pontoon
boat (Paddle Cruiser). Cost is a measly $99.99 for a inflatable unit that has paddle wheel propulsion, rudder steering,
and an aluminum frame and large seat for one "angler". This looks like an ideal craft for the local ponds around our
area.
Loose Ends
Woodland Residents
If you see someone keeping fish from one of the Park Ponds that is marked “Please Release All Fish”, you can call 936-
273-4990 and menu option 9 to report them. The superintendent on duty will talk to them and if they are caught a second
time they will be fined $250.00. It helps to get license plate numbers when you report them.
Club Loaner Equipment
The club has numerous rods and reels with lines to loan to club members. We also have 8 fly tying vises and various
tools. These are very inexpensive vises but will work for a beginner trying to see if he likes fly tying. Also Bob Sigsby and
Dan Houchin each have a Hobie Cat kick boat that club members can borrow.
Web Page
Any member who is interested in getting a photo on our web page can send a hard copy or an electronic version to Dan
Houchin. Anyone who wants an article put in the newsletter can send it to Kirby Thomson in electronic form please.
Casting Instruction
Don’t forget Dan Houchin is a FFF Certified Basic Casting Instructor. Dan will give a one hour private casting lesson to a
club member for a $10.00 donation to the club. If this cost is too high, give him a call and he will work something out.
936-321-3373 or tally@txucom.net
Mark your calendar for the following events!
January
8th – Monthly Meeting
15th – Fly Tying Evening (Location to be announced).
February
5th – Monthly Meeting
7th – Annual Fly Tying Festival – TTF (Houston FFF Chapter)
12th – Fly Tying Evening
Depending upon the weather, the White Bass will soon start their run up
river for the annual spawn. The smaller males start first usually in mid
Jan. with the females showing up around mid Feb. Peak fishing is usually
in March but some fish will be around through April. Crappie will also
spawn about the same time period. Water temperatures need to be
above 50 degrees F with fairly clear water for best action. Use flies that
sink about 2 feet for best action. Both white bass and crappie like to stay
near bottom and avoid bright sunlight.
Want something special in your newsletter? Then bring all the suggestions to Kirby Thomson or send email to him at
kthomson@houston.rr.com . Want to submit an article? Then send them in too!
Questions or Suggestion write to:
Montgomery County Flyrodders
83 W. Summer Storm Circle
The Woodlands, TX 77381