THE TROUT LINE
Tualatin Valley Chapter News
June/July 2006
Chapter Meetings are held at the LUCKY
LABRADOR on the second Wednesday of
each month at 7:00 pm with a social get-together and the
formal meeting at 7:30 unless otherwise noted in the
newsletter or website. Lucky Labrador, Multnomah
Village, 7675 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland,
(503) 244-2537. Food and Beverages available.
Board of Directors Meetings Board of Directors
Meetings are held the fourth Wed of the month at a
Board member home at 7pm.
Wednesday June 14th Fifty Places to
Fly Fish Before You Die. You’re free to make
your own list, but local Portland freelance writer Chris
Santella consulted some of the world’s most knowledgeable
anglers to come up with the 50 featured in his well-received
fly fishing destination travel guide, Fifty Places to Fly Fish
Before You Die. He’ll share about a dozen destinations
with us, and talk a little bit about how he came to write the
book, how to plan your dream trip, and maybe share some
fishing tales coming out in his soon-to-publish book of
favorite stories told by the world’s most famous fly anglers.
Wednesday, July 12 Annual Picnic
On The Tualatin River. 6:00pm.
Instead of our regular meeting, our July program is a
potluck picnic at Cook Park in Tigard. Cook Park is located
on SW 92 south of Durham Road in Tigard. It is directly
south of Tigard High School. Head west just past Tigard HS
on SW Durham Road and turn south at the traffic light onto
SW 92nd. Follow 92nd about a half mile as it goes downhill
and curves to the left and dead ends into the park. We
have reserved picnic shelter #3 which is at the very end of
the park road just to the left of the boat ramp. This is also
called the riverside picnic shelter. You can't miss the picnic
shelter. It is the only structure down there by the boat
ramp. There are paved parking areas.
We will have a grill with burgers and dogs and buns.
Please bring a side dish, and/or a dessert or salad that
feeds six. Let us know what category of food you’re
bringing. Call or email, a Board Member, Officer.
We have reserved the picnic shelter #3 from 6pm until
9pm. We hope to have everyone dining by 6:30pm.
Bring your families and friends. RSVP if you can.
Bring your fly rod if you would like to share some
casting tips or want some help.
“To Conserve, Protect, And Restore North America’s Cold Water Fisheries And Their Watersheds”
Editor: David Illig
President Hank’s Column
Hank Hosfield
I used to joke about being el presidente for life, and that
my terrible reign over the chapter would be characterized
by gross malfeasance, corruption and cruelty, as I line my
pockets with pelf looted from the treasury while negligently
leading the organization down a path to ruin. As I once
again assume the mantle of TVTU chapter presidency, I
promise no less—and this time, I mean it.
Personal gain and aggrandizement aside, my modest goals
this time around include a number of things that could
actually benefit us. My vision for the chapter remains the
same. My interests and priorities are to promote TVTU
primarily as a fishing club where members can enjoy good
fellowship, improve their fishing skills, get involved in
conservation efforts and learn more about the local
watersheds. To make us a better club at accomplishing
these things, here are the areas I’d like to focus new energy
in the months to come.
New Membership: As you may be aware, our chapter has
over 600 members on its rolls. Many of them have little
interest or time to be more involved in chapter activities.
I’m less interested in swelling the total number of members
than I am in recruiting more active membership and
diversifying the active membership.
Diversification: We are largely a group of middle-aged men
and older. We need more young people to get involved, and
we need more women. On the books, our chapter is over
25% female. Active female membership is typically less
than 5%. Youth membership is virtually non-existent. We
should be able to improve this. We must.
New Leadership: I have already started by enlisting Paige
Wallace as my vice-president. Paige has done a great job
for us on our last two auctions. She hasn’t been able to be
more regularly involved until just recently. Her stints with
Native Fish Society and the Northwest Sportfishing Industry
Association with Liz Hamilton kept her away from us. Her
new gig with KGW also keeps her busy, but is less of a
conflict. I look forward to picking her considerable brain
about new things we can do. I’m also looking to add a
couple more new board members, and giving each board
member a specific area to rule. We’re already somewhat
organized like this, but it will become more so.
Fundraising: Having been involved in at least five club
auctions, I know how much work they are and how much
money they bring in. Aside from all of the fun they offer,
once you break down the man-hours involved you might
wonder if we wouldn’t have each been ahead simply
donating the money ourselves. That’s not to say I’m
 2
against auctions, but I think there may be better BH Biot Micro-stone:
fundraising options for us—including seeking donations— Originator: Unknown
something we really haven’t done to much extent. Our
chapter currently has operating funds to keep us going for Hook: Tiemco 2457 or equivalent curved “scud”
a couple years, probably, so our situation is not urgent. But hook – sizes 10 to 14.
we need to restock our coffers eventually. We should be on Bead-head: 5/32” Silver or gold, tungsten bead-head
the lookout for any and all new opportunities. nymph- size to hook size
Thread: 8/0 thread, color to match the body.
Defining our Mission: There is more interest from TU Tail: A pair of gray goose biots.
national in supporting the chapters now than any time I Ribbing: Copper wire – try different colors (I used
remember. There is a new initiative to evaluate chapters red on this one)
and more talk about how to maximize chapter resources. Body: Black or dark brown imitation seal
There’s even interest from our Western Regional office to dubbing.
become more directly involved with local chapters. For a Wing case: 2 or 3 pieces of turkey tail or swiss straw.
long time there has been some disconnect between our Arms: A pair of gray goose biots.
chapter efforts and the various projects that TU was doing.
We haven’t really worked together. This will change. There 1. Thread a tungsten bead up to the eye of the hook
will be more direction from above and our chapter efforts and throw a thread wrap around the bead to lash it
will be more meaningful. Our chapter also has many in place.
opportunities to get involved in a number of conservation 2. Opt – secure 3 or 4 wraps of 0.015” lead wire just
projects in the coming months. We’re even considering behind the tungsten bead.
adopting a local watershed to call our own. One of my 3. Tie in a pair of the goose biots just above the point
main goals on this front is to give our chapter more of the hook. Tie in a “v” as in a forked tail, concave
ownership in the projects we do, and to give us more long- side up. Hint: Take care with the fine thread that
term access to use the private lands that our projects help. you don’t cinch down too hard on the biots, it will
cut in to them if you do and they may even sever
As far as the general operation of the chapter goes, I want all together.
to improve the chapter experience. We’re going to continue 4. Tie in a 3” piece of wire just in front of the biot
to add value to our meetings and events, and crank up tails.
some momentum. 5. Thinly dub a tapered body with a “seal-like”
dubbing. Dub up to the thorax, about 1/8” behind
Then I’m going abscond with all of the chapter funds and the BH.
build my fishing palace someplace exotic. This is my 6. Over-wrap the body with the copper wire as a rib.
pledge to you. Until then, viva Hank, el presidente for life! 7. Tie in a sliver of turkey tail at the top of the thorax.
Hank Dub over with the thread wraps holding down the
turkey tail wing carapace with seal fur.
8. Tie in a second piece of turkey tail and repeat item
7
9. Tie in the remaining two goose biots, one each
along side of each side of the body – sweeping
Fly of the Month Bead-head, Biot back.
10. Whip-finish and put a drop of cement on the thread
Micro-stone. . Alex Barkume to finish.
This month’s FOM is the Bead-head, Biot Micro-stone. This
is a great fly for fishing excursions over on the Deschutes.
I ran into this fly when I stopped at a small store in
Pinedale, Wyoming to pick up a fishing license. The upper
Green River flows by nearby and folks over there use this
fly all summer long on the Green. Raschelle (my daughter)
and I were headed up into the high Rockies on a horse-pack
trip into the Continental Divide and didn’t have time to
check it out on the Green. However, the next winter, I took
it over to the Deschutes and found that the red-sides dig it!
It’s heavy enough to sink pretty quickly and could be paired
up with another nymph for a deadly one-two punch.

I tie this in both black and dark brown, as both colors are
found in the real nymphs. Tie this one on as the bottom
fly in a two-fly setup.

“To Conserve, Protect, And Restore North America’s Cold Water Fisheries And Their Watersheds”

The Deschutes flows high in the winter down by Maupin,
but I knew the fish would still be there. Maybe a little
sluggish, but they were there. I tied on a BH Biot Stone
and a Prince Nymph. When I got the weight right, I
started hooking fish at a steady clip. As the fishing
started to slow, I started to probe deeper water in the run
in front of me.
A nice cast in some deeper holding water was rewarded
with a solid hook-up. As I tightened up on the line, I began
to realize this was no small fish. It immediately left the
water in front of me heading out and down the rapid in
front of me. I followed and managed to keep the fish out
of the main current. After about 10 minutes, the great fish
started to tire.
I had to smile when I looked down at the steelhead only to
see the Biot Stone securely hooked in the very corner of it’s
mouth. I don’t go to it as often as I do other patterns,
however, like a Capitol One Card, I don’t go anywhere
without it!
Be careful with this fly however, the fish will pop you off if
you aren’t “ready”. You may want to up your leader size a
notch when using this one.
Tight Lines, Alex
Deschutes River Report (Outing)
Andy Andrews
River conditions:
Upon entering the Trout Creek Campground I had to dodge
water filled potholes. There were numerous sleeping bags
hanging out to dry under mostly sunny skies. The word
was that it had rained hard and long the night before. My
first real view of the river was that it was slightly high, a
few shades darker than I would like and seemed to be
moving right along. I talked to an ‘official’ at the boat ramp
and he said that the river was up not only because of the
rain, but they also had a ‘floater’ somewhere in the river.
Seeing my confusion at the term ‘floater’ he defined it as a
native (American Indian) who had taken a header off the
Warm Springs Bridge the day before. Water had been
released from the Pelton Damn during the night in an
attempt to flush up the body. There appeared to be a
serious attempt at recovering the body as a great number of
4 – wheelers were scooting up and down the far side of the
river and Indians had placed nets at strategic places across
the river.
I fully respect and appreciate the attempt at the recovery of
the body and I don’t want any questions raised about that
from what I’ve written. But I am slightly confused about
the release of water from the damn. If you jump into the
water, and you make no attempt at trying to stay on top,
you will sink; I don’t care what cop show you watch where a
body drifted off on the surface (unless it’s the Great Salt
Lake), you will sink, immediately! The body will not return
to the surface until the cells have started to decompose,
releasing a gas that causes the body to float. In the Coast
Guard Auxiliary we called it the ‘Bloat and Float Factor’
“To Conserve, Protect, And Restore North America’s Cold Water Fisheries And Their Watersheds”
3
(and that’s mostly why I was in the C.G. A. for one –
summer, only!). The reappearance of the body can be
roughly calculated by water temperature and a few other
factors. So, what was the purpose of releasing the water
from the damn? Was the purpose of releasing the water to
raise the water temperature of the river and cause the body
to reappear quicker? One fisherman suggested that the
recovery of the body within a certain time frame may be a
cultural issue. To me, releasing water from the damn might
only confuse the issue of where the body might be resting
and increase the search area. But enough of this subject.
Bug Activity:
There were no bugs in the bushes or on the water at Trout
Creek. I bounced Stonefly (Giant and Golden) nymphs
across the bottom; I also tried adult patterns on top and I
never had a hit, nor did I see anyone take a fish. One
gentleman told me he took two fish the evening before near
the campground, just before the rain started. Everyone I
talked to said that Maupin was the place to be as the
stoneflies were out down there and they just hadn’t moved
up to Trout Creek. My mission was clear; relocated to
Maupin to see what was really going on.
There were stoneflies in the bushes at Maupin, but nothing
on the water. Most of the bugs I observed were Golden
Stones and they were doing the ‘Big Nasty’ (egg fertilization
was taking place). Now, I can’t say the air was full of bugs,
because it wasn’t. Almost every bush had a few bugs in it
with most of the bugs being Golden’s. The Giants were
fewer in number and were being very anti –social with each
other. If I had to make a prediction (stupid me), the
Golden’s will start egg lying early this week but they are not
at or near their zenith yet. The Giants are harder to
predict. Right now I consider their numbers low but they
might start hitting the water later this week, or maybe next
weekend; next week will see some bugs on the water for
sure (?).
I tried adult patterns as well as nymphs at Maupin and
caught a big nothing (the Deschutes just doesn’t like me!).
If I had the time, I’d go the later part of this week and again
the middle of next week, depending on the weather, what
the bugs were doing later this week, the temperament of
my wife, etc.
So there it is; lots of driving, some fishing, and no fish! But
I did get a day on the river and I value that most of all.
Andy
 4
Hope I Catch Something, Hope I
TU Fishing Outings catch something. Hope I catch
something. Hope I catch something
Check the Web site for any last minute changes.
BIG. Oh no, I caught it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2,3,4 State Project, Metolius River David Illig
Base Camp I’ve never really been afraid of snakes. I usually say that as
June 23, 24, 25 Timothy Lake long as they don’t surprise me I’m ok with seeing them and
not bothering them. But I’m not one to watch a Nature
July 21,22, 23 Gold Lake show on snakes or read an article on them. I don’t mind
August 25, 26, 27 Lost Lake, Laurence them in my yard or garden as long as I see them first. But
Lake, Mt. Hood sometimes I do jump pretty high when I’m surprised. I’m
September 20-27 Fall River, even ok in the rocks along the Deschutes.

Central OR. However, all bets are off when a snake is swimming. For
October 6,7,8 State Project, Metolius some reason, unknown to me, it freaks me out when I see a
River Base Camp snake in the water. It’s always bothered me. I instantly have
fantasies of it climbing in the boat with me and something
October 27, 28 29 Crooked River awful happening. I didn’t say it’s rational. But my heart
Call Andy or a Board member for more info. always races and I look around for possible escape paths.
And I’m willing to break my rod fighting them off. (spare
me the dreams, please.)
Andy’s Apprentice
(Position Available) Recently I was fishing on a small Pay-to-fish lake when
about a 3-3 ½ foot snake went swimming across the lake as
Life can take a direction that we don’t always appreciate.
I watched with interest, happy it was going pretty much the
The recent turn in my life has had a good and bad effect.
other way. But as soon as it heard me think that thought it
The good is that I still have a paycheck. The bad is that I’ve
turns back towards me and my float tube. Oh no. Go away.
lost control of my free time because of a new position in
I try to splash my rod in the water and that seems to
the company. And, that my friends, opens the door for
interest it more. Go away. Well, I try to remain cool. I really
you to become Andy’s Apprentice in running the TVTU
do know there aren’t any poisonous snakes in the valley.
outings. I’m not able to participate as I used to because of
But part of my brain still doesn’t like this. I throw a few
time constraints, so I need someone to fill in on leading the
casts out its way hoping to scare it off. False casting doesn’t
trips from time to time. All that is required is that you
work, so I aim about six inches to the left of it figuring that
apply the ‘Golden Rule’ (treat others as you would like to be
will do the trick. I hit my target perfectly. Six inches to the
treated), throw in a dab of patience and you will become a
left. But then like some magical trick, I swear the snake
star of TVTU. It would be nice if you would join us on the
jumped to the left and when I pulled my line back…. You
board, a prestigious position in itself, but it’s not a
know it…… I have the snake hooked about halfway on its
requirement. I’m sure that the applications will come in
body. Oh NO!
fast and furious for this part time position, so make an
effort to get yours in first. A real bonus on your
Now what? I immediately try to break the fly off like I do
application would be your ability to cook “road kill” and
when snagged But it doesn’t work. It just pulls the snake
make it look like a recently shot pheasant (instead of some
closer which is exactly what I don’t want. So I slowly pull in
unidentified creature that lost a foot race between the tire
line figuring I will cut my ten foot leader right at the knot.
on a semi and the highway). Here’s the opportunity for you
But dang, that’s a really nice big, new, pricey fly I have on
to change the program for the better, or follow Andy’s lead;
there and I hate to lose it. And…….. the snake suddenly
your choice. I’ll even loan you the famous personally
goes totally still…… Totally…. So I reach slowly down
extending, manually rotated marshmallow toasting devices.
toward the fly, very slowly………telling myself I will make
They’re a guaranteed hit and conversation booster around
one attempt to get the fly, and if I fail I’m cutting the line.
the campfire. On the serious side, a commitment to this
As I move my hand toward the shank of the fly I’m mentally
position will put you on the water more often than any
seeing the snake go for my hand and I’m wondering who
other position in TU (“Dear, I have to go fishing this
would be faster, my hand or the snake. Not pretty pictures.
weekend ‘cause I’m the leader”!) For more information,
I’m rehearsing my fast draw in my head. But I take a deep
please call Andy at 503 – 969 – 2246. Or if that fails, 503
breath and grab the hook and it comes right out. Thank
– 646 – 2375. Andy
goodness for having squeezed the barb down. Whew!!!!!

But the snake just lies there now for several seconds and
then sinks right to the bottom not moving. Wait a minute. I
didn’t hurt you. Now I have to rescue you???????? Mister
catch and release?…. I can’t………... I couldn’t……… I
kicked away quickly just hoping the snake was ok and
would come back to life but not sure it would…And feeling
guilty. Later talking to the owner he was familiar with the
“To Conserve, Protect, And Restore North America’s Cold Water Fisheries And Their Watersheds”

snakes and said they were harmless as far as poison but did
have small teeth that could hurt a little. And they were
famous for playing possum and sinking right to the bottom.
I had later seen a snake that looked very much the same
near the reeds so I figure it was him but at the time I wasn’t
sure. The owner assured me it was fine.
So now I’ve caught a sparrow and a bat and a snake and I
guess I still have to get the grizzly and the moose and the
buffalo before I retire from fishing.
Darn but I don’t like those snakes in the water. So if I say I
can’t stand those snakes in the water in the White House,
you know I really mean it. I had one on my line and I let
him go. David
Remember to Sign up New Members to
Trout Unlimited. It’s a great bargain for what they
get. Especially at the half-off introductory membership at
$17.50 Lots of people aren’t members who would enjoy it.
We still get something for new member signups. New
members can sign up at www.tu.org/intro and entering
code 633 for Tualatin Valley chapter. If they prefer a paper
membership application, contact Erle to send it to them.
Alex on the Columbian fishing for shad
You guys asked for projects, you're
going to get them. Hank
In addition to the Gales Creek survey we are helping TRWC
with through the end of May, new opportunities are
available for us to roll up our sleeves and put on our
waders. I talked with John Weinheimer, WA Fish & Wildlife
District 9 biologist, and contacted Tom Horning this week.
Both have stuff in the works for us to do.
Horning has already talked with the CRTU about summer
projects, but more details are forthcoming.
Weinheimer, on the other hand, has surveys set to start in
June on Castle and Coldwater lakes. He also has a surprise
“To Conserve, Protect, And Restore North America’s Cold Water Fisheries And Their Watersheds”
5
project in the works for us that I can't divulge. I'll touch
base with him again in late April.
FYI--he just finished a survey of Merrill Lake, and he says
the cutts are looking very good (he also found 4 rainbows
and 1 nice brown in the trap)and the very high water level
has dropped into the willows. The lake was all the way up
to the outhouse earlier this winter. He expects the boat
launch area to open in late May.
Another project that isn't exactly conservation is an
opportunity to help the Oregon State Police. We've talked
about better game enforcement and the value of having
club members adopt stream beats to patrol. Alan Moore,
TU's W. Region Communications Director, contacted David
Pond, the OSP Fish & Wildlife Sergeant out of Bend. He's
more than happy to come to a TU meeting and discuss what
anglers can do to assist law enforcement with
apprehending F&W violators in a safe manner. Obviously,
this is something that we should team up with other area
fishing clubs to do. I'd like to see us enlist all of the area
fly clubs and the steelheaders for a seminar with Sgt. Pond.
Pond says there are a couple of programs on some rivers
where volunteers assist in protection of salmon and
steelhead like the N. Umpqua and N. Santiam. There may
or may not be one in the Portland area. He's going to
check. I think this could be a very good thing. Simply the
awareness that citizen patrols are out there may deter
some violators, and empower other good citizens using the
resource to exert some peer pressure. It's a good
opportunity to help educate the public and protect our
fisheries.
That's all for now. Let's get busy. Hank
Fly caught shad
UPCOMING Newsletter Material
We need material for upcoming issues Or just send some
nice pictures you have. We need your input, please.
Dillig1@aol.com 296 9050
 6

Tualatin Valley Trout Unlimited

June/July 2006
President: Hank Hosfield
228-6553 hankh@imagina.com

VP Paige Wallace

Treasurer: Erle Norman 293-6006

caddis2000@hotmail.com
Membership Chair

Board of Directors:
Alex Barkume - 642-7024
Eric Thompson 297-0718 alexbarkume@comcast.net
anglingeric@msn.com
Andy Andrews
Dick Rohrbaugh Raddicio@aol.com 969 2246
rbaugh@lclark.edu 636-3877

David Illig 296 9050 Jerry Heppell

Dillig1@aol.com gheppell5@verizon.net 639-9408
News Letter Editor
Communications Director
Seth Isenberg 293-3290
sbisenberg@comcast.net