LEC MONTHLY MEETING MAY 15TH AT THE BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS CENTER, 2001 UNION ROAD, WEST SENECA, NY
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Beginners fly tying and Social Hour will be from 6:00PM-7:00PM. A general meeting and presentation will be at 7:00PM-8:30 PM. Featured fly will be the “Pheasant Tail Nymph” instructed by Bill Trowman. Casting instruction by Al Kerner and Rusty Hardiman.
Our feature presentation at 7:00 will be “Smallmouth Bass on the Fly” by guest speaker Kirk Klingensmith. Kirk is longtime member and past president of Twin Tiers/Five Rivers Chapter of FFI in Corning New York. A well traveled fly fisher here in North and South America Kirk has also contributed to many books and articles on fly fishing. This is a must see especially in our area where we have such a great smallmouth fishery.
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Smallmouth Bass on the Fly
Fly Fishing for Smallmouth
Smallmouth bass are my favorite species to pursue with a fly rod, and I've spent over 55 years chasing them across the country, from the rocky streams of Maine to the winding rivers of Virginia and the expansive waters of Minnesota—and beyond.
In this presentation, I share my passion for smallmouth bass and the tactics that have proven effective for me over the years. We'll explore how smallmouth differ from other species typically pursued with a fly rod, and how to adapt your fishing strategies accordingly. You'll gain insights into the seasonal behaviors of smallmouth and how they influence their feeding patterns and habitat choices.
We'll also dive into the interplay between fly selection and fishing tactics, and how combining the right approach with the right flies can greatly improve your chances of success. Whether you prefer wade fishing or fishing from a watercraft, our region offers incredible smallmouth opportunities. I'll share recommendations for maximizing your experience from various platforms, including boats, kayaks, canoes, inflatables, and drift boats.
Kirk Klingensmith served as President of the Twin Tiers Five Rivers FFi Chapter from 2008 to 2024. A life member of both Trout Unlimited (TU) and Fly Fishers International (FFi), Kirk has been fly fishing for 55 years. While he enjoys fly fishing for a variety of species, smallmouth bass hold a special place in his heart. Each year, he dedicates 50-60 days to chasing bronzebacks, with 30-40 of those days spent floating the Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers in his Hyde drift boat.
Kirk retired from a 37 year career Corning Inc, as an Engineering Fellow. He led technology for glass melting and forming, for LCD displays, optical fiber making, He holds 24 patents.
Please join us for a unique demonstration.
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The Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishers International { LEC-FFI } is excited to bring back the Fly-Fishing School to the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, February 13-16, 2025. This school is taught by LEC-FFI members with many years of experience in all aspects of Fly fishing. The focus of this school is to provide the beginner to intermediate fly fisher with knowledge such as purchasing the correct equipment and to teach techniques that bring fly fishing to the next level. This school will cover the following:
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Equipment and Safety
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Knots
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Reading the water
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Entomology - from a fly fishers perspective
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Types of flies & how to fish them
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Nymphs
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Streamers
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Wet flies
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Emergers
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Dry Flies
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Casting
After taking the LEC fly fishing school participants just getting into the sport will have the knowledge to purchase fly fishng gear they need as well as the knowledge to be successful their first time out.
All participants of the LEC fly fishing school must register before Wednesday, February 5, 2025. School will be held at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo at 101 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls , New York 14303 on Saturday February 15 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.
To Register, send an email to Rick Widman at rcwidman11@gmail.com. include your name, email address, and phone number in the email. This way Rick can confirm your registration and provide additional information as the school date approaches. The school is open to the first 30 individuals ages 12 and above. Registration is based on a first come first serve basis. We anticipate a large turn out so please register early.
What the participants of the LEC fly fishing school get for registering:
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The cost of the school is FREE.
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Free admission to the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo on Saturday February 15, 2025
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A Fly-Fishing Manual, covering the information taught during the school plus bonus information.