| | Whitlock-Vibert Box integral part of IFFF's program Many thanks go to Dave Whitlock for his generous donation to the IFFF many years ago.  Whitlock, pictured here, conducted research and developed the Whitlock-Vibert Box (WVB) into the box we have today. He also gave the patent ownership to the International Federation of Fly Fishers. For those of you who don't know the WVB, as it is referred to in our business, it is an egg plant box that is used to protect fish eggs as they develop into fry. After they reach a certain stage they escape the box and have a much better chance for survival. The box has been shipped all over the world, including Japan, The Netherlands, Canada and several European countries,  Green Country Flyfishers, Whitlock's home club, is shown here (at right, and below) in two historic pictures preparing the eggs for planting and working in a stream. These photos are from the historic files at the IFFF Headquarters Office. No photo credit or additional information was provided.  Currently, Dave and Emily Whitlock, T.L. Lauerman with the White River Chapter of TU, and volunteers from the IFFF are working on a new DVD manual that will provide a great tool to teach people how to use the box for conservation projects. The new DVD should be available by the end of 2013. Anyone interested in the WVB box must obtain the appropriate governing agency's permission to use them. Full details on requirements and ordering the box can be found on the IFFF website by clicking here. Attention, IFFF Life Members! We are updating our records and have found that many Life Member mailing addresses and phone numbers are no longer current. Please take a moment to e-mail your current information to membership@fedflyfishers.org. This will ensure you receive Fly Fisher magazine and other correspondence from us throughout the year. Thank you! Help! I Can't Log In To the IFFF website! The inability to log in to our website may be caused by several factors; however, the most common reason is using an incorrect user name or password. Please keep the following in mind: · Can't Remember User Name: Just use your e-mail address · Can't Remember Your Password: Just click the blue link underneath that says "Password Reminder" and it will be e-mailed to you If those two things do not solve your problem, a quick e-mail to membership@fedflyfishers.org or a call to 406-222-9369 will have you up and running in no time! Smallmouth seminar, anyone?
Bill Spicer, host of The New Fly Fisher television show, presents a 7-night/6-day Smallmouth Bass Seminar at Hawk Lake Lodge, located in Ontario's rugged Canadian Shield. Spicer is a pro at catching smallmouth bass and has perfected his techniques for catching this wonderful species over a lifetime of angling. The focus of this unique week-long seminar is to pass on all of Bill's comprehensive knowledge to you. During this customized event, all guests will receive a multitude of critical need-to-know information. IFFF Casting Instructor starts first Australian Project Healing Waters program Peter West, an IFFF Certified Master Casting Instructor in Australia, is stepping forward to help a great organization in his home country. Peter is starting the first Project Healing Waters program in Australia. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) provides fly fishing, fly casting, and fly tying instruction for wounded military personnel and disabled veterans through various programs across the nation. Since its inception, PHWFF has been helping disabled active duty personnel and veterans overcome the obstacles associated with their injuries and disabilities. And now, the program has been introduced in Australia. "It is a privilege to be able to introduce PHWFF's distinct service of therapeutic fly fishing and fly tying to the military service members and veterans of another allied nation," said Project Healing Water Fly Fishing Founder and President Ed Nicholson. "Australia joins our other international affiliate, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada. We also maintain an association with Fishing For Heroes in the United Kingdom." "Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Australia is about coming together to show our support for our wounded," said PHWFFA President Pete West. "It's about the ANZAC spirit, it's about showing our diggers we will always support them; that we will remember those who have come home, as well as those that have made the ultimate sacrifice," he added. West said that PHWFFA programs are working in collaboration with the Australian Casting Federation (ACF) and their affiliated fly fishing clubs, much like programs in the U.S. work with the Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited chapters. Just as Walter Reed Army Medical Center, then in Washington, D.C., served as the flagship program for the start of PHWFF in the U.S., Townsville, Queensland is host for the first program in Australia. "Townsville is a garrison town with a military base and military hospital treating a majority of our Afghanistan casualties," noted West. He added that over a dozen service members and veterans are already waiting to start meeting with the North Queensland Fly Fishers and get the program underway, and that number is growing as word spreads. Australian troops have served with distinction alongside the United States in every major conflict since the 1st World War; including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other conflicts like Somalia. Australia Defence Department officials estimate that between 15 and 20 percent of deployed Australian military personnel, could possibly face issues with PTSD. "Australia has approximately 1,300 wounded plus a large number suffering from PTSD, in addition to many of our Vietnam veterans that have fallen through the cracks," said West, adding that the time has come for introducing Project Healing Waters to Australian veterans and service members. "It's about giving our warriors the dignity they deserve and the chance to do whatever they choose. Through the therapeutic value of fly fishing no man will be left behind!" he added. Certified Casting Instructors, IFFF Charter Club featured in new film  "All fish in all waters" - that's our mantra, right? For those living in and around our nation's capital, "all fish" includes wild anadromous species like Striped Bass and Shad, as well as notorious invasives like the Northern Snakehead. And "all waters" is centered upon the tidal portion of the Potomac River running straight through Washington, D.C. For several years now, we have been successfully raising awareness about this incredible fishery through our IFFF Charter Club, the Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders. Building this club and community has allowed us to teach hundreds of local anglers that they don't have to travel halfway around the world to have an epic day on the water with a fly rod, and that true adventure is available every day in their very own backyard. In doing so, we've broken down many of the walls and stigmas surrounding our sport, and shown our members that the best thing they can do with their talent, their knowledge, and their passion for the resource is to put it in as many hands as possible. In 2012, three filmmakers decided it was time to take our story and our message to a much broader audience by creating a film titled " Urban Lines." The talented film crew behind this project is made up of Nick and Kami Swingle of Two Fisted Heart Productions and Jereme Thaxton of Freestone Entertainment. Featured in the film are Certified Master Casting Instructors John Bilotta and Dan Davala, Certified Casting Instructor and Master Candidate Trent Jones, and local professional guide Rob Snowhite. A 12-minute cut of the film was named an "Official Selection" of the 2013 Fly Fishing Film Tour, and a full-length version will likely be released via DVD later this summer. While viewing the trailer may inspire one to hop the next plane to D.C. for a fly fishing adventure, we hope even more that it prompts the question, "what's in my water?" If you don't already know, perhaps it's time to grab a fly rod and find out! - Dan Davala, Certified Casting Instructor | | | | | |
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Feb. 16
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