Serving Northern Illinois

Fly Tying, A Great Night Out

Last month we were excited to have over twenty people come to GBTU Fly Tying Night. Thanks to all that made it possible, especially Darwin Adams that took the newer tiers through some good solid basics, and Allen Rupp for sharing his vast knowledge of picking hair for various hair wing flies, especially comparaduns.  Several talented visitors were there and it was nice to have them in the room.

This month we will again break into beginner and advanced groups with Allen taking on teaching the newer folks. The advanced group will take on tying “Driftless” patterns because the early season is less than a month away. If you feel up to it we will take volunteers to demonstrate their favorites.

As usual if you need loaner tools let us know in advance, and as always all are welcome to attend. We meet at 175 East Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills, IL. 60061. In the conference room of Housing Headquarters. (As you enter the building it will down the hallway on your right) 6:30-9:00. Bring your own drinks and money to pitch in for pizza! Contact Matt Jennings for more details at mattsbug@comcast.net

I am very pleased to announce that GBTU elected the following slate of Officers and Directors at last night’s chapter meeting:

President: Darwin Adams (2 Year Term)
Vice President: Kyle Kamp (2 Year Term)
Treasurer: Bob DeGraff (2 Year Term)
Secretary: Fung Chin (2 Year Term)
Outings Director: Kurt Meier (2 Year Term)
Conservation Dir.: Matt Jennings (2 Year Term)
Membership Dir.: Mark Mellicker (3 Year Term)

Please join me in welcoming them to their new positions and supporting them in continuing the good work of the Chapter.

Scott Foster
Past President

Arkansas Trip 2012

The first GBTU trip of 2012 is now set. The location is Gene’s Trout Fishing Resort, 324 River Acres Drive, Salesville, Arkansas 72653-9796. Website: www.norfork.com/genes/  Phone: (870)-499-5381

The resort overlooks the North Fork River. Our two cabins have 19 individual beds, a pool table, DVD, 2 televisions and a stereo. Check-in is Thursday, February 16^th, and check-out is Sunday, February, 19^th.

Meals

Dinner will be provided  on  two nights, including one dinner out at a nearby restaurant. Breakfast fixings will be provided for your use.  Lunches will be cold cuts and snacks that will also be fix-it-yourself. Many snacks will be included in the costs, along with sodas and coffee. All alcoholic beverages are the responsibility of each individual. There is a large stocked kitchen on the premises.

Boats

You will likely need boats and motors when power generation is occurring at the upstream dam. Boats can be rented right there at Gene’s Resort. When power generation is off, wading can be an alternative. As in all cases, these waters can be unpredictable and please use caution and good judgment. Buddy up with another person. We want this to be enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Guides

The use of guides is up to individuals, but we suggest arranging through Gene’s Resort (see contact info above); or the Blue Ribbon Fly Shop. Website: www.blueribbonflyfish.com  Phone: (870)-425-0447; or try www.ozarkflyfisher.com  phone (870) 435-6166. All of these  websites have a wealth of information on local fishing conditions.

Fly Tying

On one night after dinner, a fly tying jam will occur for anyone who is interested. Please bring your fly tying materials to demonstrate and/or learn new patterns. We are asking all participants to bring a fly tying exchange item – doesn’t need to be expensive, just useful for fly tying – keep it under $15.

Reservations

The cost to GBTU members is $180. We would like your reservation as soon as possible. A $50 deposit will be required on or before January 15, 2012. Beginning January 16, 2012, any open spots will be offered to other TU chapters in Illinois and SEWTU.

Anyone interested in making a reservation should e-mail Kurt Meier at wkurtmeier@hotmail.com

See you in Arkansas!

The GBTU meeting originally scheduled for Jan.12 has been rescheduled for Thursday Jan.19 with Pat Elhers still our speaker.  See you then.

A GBTU special meeting is being called for ratifying the chapter by laws and voting on the current slate of officers.  Download the proposed changes to the bylaws here.

All members should plan to attend as the voting needs to be in person- no proxy voting is allowed.

Need

• A voting quorum of at least 30 members in good standing – members that are listed on the GBTU roster and current with dues.

What you can do

• Attend the January GBTU meeting- there will be a special speaker and a raffles for great prizes

• Make sure you are currently registered with national TU as a GBTU member and your dues are current.

• Please contact at least 2 other members to attend the meeting- to insure that the voting requirement can be met. November’s meeting did not have the sufficient number of voting members.

Agenda

1. Ratifying revised chapter by laws

2. Election of officers

3. Speaker

4. Raffle

GBTU Member Jim Tingey and Trout in the Classroom mentioned in a National Science Teacher’s Association report.

http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=59154

Most of our schools came thru with most of the fish intact after the holidays.  Hubbard Woods  School had most of it’s fish disappear.  The likely cause was the premature release of the fish from the breeding nets.  The  natural instinct of the fish is to hunker down into the gravel.  Many do not learn how to feed and succumb.  This has also been the case with a number of TIC programs across the country over the holidays.  Former GBTU member Dean Lippold, now located in Boulder, Co. sent a note with the same trouble in his school’s TIC program. GBTU was able to give him a couple of tips.

Not to fear, The Illinois DNR and Marv Strauch have come to the rescue with the delivery of 100 new fish this past Monday.  Thanks to GBTU member Jim Tingey for assisting with the delivery.

Next outreach- GBTU will be displaying trout at the Woodstock Outdoor Show on March 3 & 4.

View a cool GBTU TIC video here: http://www.winnetka36.org/HubbardWoods/ResourceCenter

Dear Illinois Trout Unlimited Member:

Since 2005, TU’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE) has helped expand watershed restoration across the un-glaciated region of Southwest Wisconsin. With grassroots volunteers leading the way, we have worked with our neighboring states to raise money, train project planners, oversee projects, and protect resources across the Driftless Area.

The results are significant, but we could do more. Restored stream miles have trebled in the four Driftless Area states. Dollars applied to projects have more than doubled. Chapters inside and outside the region have strengthened their capacity to do watershed projects and other parts of TU’s mission. Partnerships have been built based on projects, and they continue to grow. Agencies and other conservation groups that had never done projects are now willing to take them on with volunteer help. And the number of miles of trout streams continues to grow. Through DARE and these projects, we’ve developed

public access on miles and miles of restored streams. TU in the Upper Midwest is stronger for DARE’s efforts, and the Driftless Area has better and more accessible fishing resources, and healthier rivers. We would like to do more, but we need your help.

Though we’ve raised significant project funding, little of that goes to support DARE. No portion of your TU dues directly supports DARE. Key support has come from foundation grants and contributions from some chapters, councils, and individuals. If you support Driftless Restoration, this is your chance to make an individual, tax-deductible contribution to DARE. You can show your support with a nifty

“DRIFTLESS SPONSOR TROUT UNLIMITED” license plate holder for a $100 contribution.  For a $250 contribution, you’ll receive the license plate holder and a TUDARE cap.

Click here to download the Support Form.