John Loebach

Just want to thank everyone again for a great effort at the fly show. The results were great, lots of member packets & flies went out. The show promo idea really worked.

Bumping this up- we could use a few more each day even for a 2hour fill in.

Interesting, Mark. What lenght? I would like to build an S glass fly rod 5 to 6weight.

Hours with volunteers to date: Friday2/8 - 2:30 to 7pm Ed Buric Rich McElligott Saturday 2/9 - 9am to 1:30pm Alan Sherman Cory Gayle 1:30pm - 6pm Stan Zarnowecki Stuart Van Dorn Sunday 2/10 - 9am to 1pm Pat Hirschtik Michael Taylor 1pm to 5pm Jim Jozwiak Tim Smith Some of these need to confirm with me, I will be there all 3 days to fill in as needed. John L.

We are at the minimum to staff next weekend - don't be bashful more help is needed. Thanks.

Booth at the fly show in Schaumburg still needs a few hands next weekend. More help on all shifts will make it better for everyone. If you plan to come & work a full shift a pass will be available, if you can't make that much time stop in & give someone a hand for awhile. Look at the post under Bassbuggers. Thanks, John

Are you interested in a ISA rod building class? If so, what kind of rod would you build? We are thinking about a two session class with room for 6 or 8 members. Class would be taught at Coren's Rod & Reel with a fee of $50.00 plus cost of rod materials. Please post or pm me with interest or questions, if we can assemble a group soon that new rod could be ready to fish this spring. John

Thanks Rich, right now Ed Buric & I will also be there Friday. Keep em coming guys. Thanks, John

We need volunteers to work the Great Waters Fly Show next Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Friday start at 2:30 pm till close at 8or 9 pm. Saturday start at 9am to 1pm early shift -1pm to close at 6 pm. Sunday 9am to 1pm early shift - 1pm to close at 6pm. We need 2 to 4 per shift , if we have 4 everyone will have some time out of the booth during your time slot. If you can only work a couple of hours sign up, any help is appreciated. Please post if you can fill a time slot. Thanks, John

Way to go, Craig! Hope those appearance fees don't kick in right away. I wonder if the commercial ones will look as good. I know they will catch fish.

Alan Sherman has one - don't know of any others at this point.

We met at Coren's Rod & Reel to tye along with Bob Rogers, lakefront fly angler & tied 3 great looking flies. Alan, Cory , Stuart, Stan & myself learned how to tie the Hula Dancer a floating minnow to be fished deep on a sinking line, the Goby B. Good a sculpin or goby fly with lead eyes & rabbit strip tail and body, and Mike's fly ( Mike Martinek's Electric Sushi). Stuart took pics & we'll get them posted. Turnout was small but it was one of the better learning sessions as we had time and Bob was very helpful with tips for casting & use as well as timing for spring lakefront fishing. Talk to any who attended at the blowout - that has made my list of this years spots to try. We will see If Bob has time to reprise any of these on a weeknite outing or Stuart or I will try, Bob is a very good tyer and I want to thank him and shopowner Eric Heckman again. Thanks also to those who braved the cold for a very sucessful event. John L

Kevin, I couldn't agree more. We as members were well served and anything other than thanks for that service I don't comprehend. A lesson learned I hope - That and a few individuals do not speak for the organization.

Work demands permitting I will do the same.

Excellant site. Notice that all his fly box contents would cast easily on a 5 weight. I'll bet he fishes clearer small to medium size flows & does quite well.

I waited to post on this until I got to talk to Joseph which I did earlier today. He assured me it was no one thing but a weighing of the balance of his experience and the effort. He would not give details but recognizes the many who have become friends and supporters of him & OMC. Not all of his contact with the membership was fruitful, in fact some of it was routinely difficult. The end result is our collective loss in that Joseph contributed freely of his time & expertise and now chooses not to. I can only echo what Michael, Mark, Cory,Kip & Craig have said. I too will continue to value the time & help that Joseph expends& will be a regular customer at Chicago's best fly shop. I will also have to work harder to keep the Bassbuggers activities going. I would hope that participation does not suffer as that is the last thing any of us wants.