George Abernathy
Last year was a busy year for the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club. For some of us, we manage to fish over 20 times. One of the highlights was our annual four-day trip to the San Juan River in New Mexico. We had 12 members who attended the event. Everyone landed numerous fat rainbows and brown trout. Last year was the first I awarded a perpetual trophy to the winner. Bob Richards won the competition by landing a 17.5 brown trout, and Bob has the bragging rights until the next annual San Juan tournament this year.
Last year was also the first year that we had a “cocktail hour” at the Stone & Barrel Restaurant instead of an early morning breakfast. Close to 50 members and spouses participated for a couple of hours of cocktails and appetizers. We will do this again in December and possibly in April. I came to the realization that a cocktail hour draws more participants than the 8:00 a.m. breakfast meetings.
In April, we head to Lees Ferry for some spectacular fly fishing. The ride in a boat for 15 miles with awesome 1000-foot cliffs and wildlife is worth the cost, and then there is the nymph fly fishing. This spectacular fishing spot is on most fly fishermen’s bucket list.
Several weeks ago, the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club hosted the disabled veterans from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, but this time, we did not fish. Instead, I set up a private tour at the Arizona Military Museum in Phoenix which offered a variety of military artifacts on site, including tanks, a Huey helicopter gunship, as well as numerous types of weaponry from the Conquistadors to the fight on terror. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the narrator, Mike Snozek, who is a volunteer for the museum, is a walking military encyclopedia.
The SLFFC has 45 active members, and if you’re looking to befriend others who enjoy wetting their lines, then join us for breakfast. We meet at the Stone & Barrel twice a month for an 8:00 a.m. breakfast on the first and third Tuesdays. Everyone is welcome.
Most of the world is covered by water. A fly fisherman’s job is simple: Pick out the best parts.
Fish On! Fish On!