Hello Everyone,
March is upon us, and hopefully it will bring with it respite from the grip of our long winter. If you’re like me, I will welcome at this point, a little more sunshine, a little more warmth, and a chance to cast my fly line on a little more open, think ice free waters.
Just some updates on a few things we have wrapped up, or are wrapping up as we move toward our spring season of events.
First, we wrapped up our February 3RFF community outreach with the Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, IN. This was a total success for our organization, the library and the community of Auburn and surrounding area. Our own Brent Walchuk was lead tying instructor and coordinator for the six week Fly Tying Workshop hosted by the library. All classe were booked solid this year, with a few individuals on a waiting list. Brent had a few return students from last year, but most were new to the classes and fly tying. Brent reported that everyone was enthusiastic, excited, and very interactive about the program. We will have more information as it develops, but Brent will be coordinating and instructing at our upcoming spring Fly Casting Clinics. This program will also be open to the public and 3RFF members.
Our – “A Day With Davy Wotton” event is now also behind us, and we had a pretty unique day with Davy. We kicked the day off at 9:00am with the first tying classes diving into tying wet flies, along with interactive instruction and candid conversations with Davy. This was followed by a short break and then the afternoon classes jumped into tying poppers and streamers to finish out the day time events. We all took a dinner break, and then returned for our general membership meeting at 6:00pm. Davy Wotton was then our featured guest speaker for the evening, where he presented a program covering some of the history of fly fishing and fly tying in the U.K. and U.S. as well as fly fishing the Arkansas area, and various trends in fly fishing and the industry both past and present. I would like to thank all of those who participated in tying classes, and all who attended the evening meeting and program to support this all day event and your club.
The annual Tie-a-Thon program will be finishing up before we know it. Please get those flies tied up and ready to turn in. Don Privett has told me the last day he will be accepting flies in person will be at the March general membership meeting on Wednesday the 18th.
Please have your flies ready to turn into Don no later than this date. If you are unable to make the membership meeting the 18th, you may drop your flies off at any of the Tuesday Night Fly Tying events to either Ron Dixon or myself. All flies will be delivered to Tim Scott and company at the annual Tie-a-Thon luncheon to be held in Elkhart, IN on Saturday, April 11th, 2026. Thank You so much, to all those who participated in this worthy cause, and Thanks Again to DonPrivett for being our 3RFF liaison again this year. Great Job!! everyone.
This is also a reminder that we are down to the final stretch for our 3RFF Tuesday Night Fly Tying events. We will be tying every Tuesday in March, with the 31st being our last tying night for the 2025 – 2026 season. That gives us five more weeks of fly tying fun, fellowship and camaraderie. Not to mention the great food, drink and service available at the Coyote Creek Bar and Grill. But it will “fly” by quickly, so come on out and join us. This has been another great year of tying and we’ve had great participation once again. Again, you do not have to tie, or be a fly tyer, these evenings are open to members, their guests, non-members and the public at no cost. They are meant to be educational and informative in nature, as well as a place to relax and enjoy some fellowship and storytelling. Did I mention great food and drink also? So, grab your vise and tying materials, or just grab your top hat and coat, and join us at Coyote Creek Bar and Grill every Tuesday night from around 6:00 to 8:00pm or so for some fun and relaxation. You won’t be disappointed. Hope to see you there !!
3RFF Tuesday Night Fly Tying: March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st. Location: Coyote Creek Bar and Grill, 4935 Hillegas Road, Ft. Wayne, IN. Time: Approximately 5:45pm to 8:15pm, give or take a few. This is a laid back, informal, come and go as you please event.
Come on out, join us, tie some flies, just shoot the breeze, relax, and have a “mandatory” good time. See ya’ there. And “THANKS” to everyone who comes out to support your club. Have a great day!
Until next time –
Most Respectfully and Tight Lines,
Kevin Curtis – President
Three Rivers Fly Fishers – 3RFF
Ft. Wayne, IN