Author: jwwynen@gmail.com

Message from the Pres.

General Meeting,
January 7th, 7:30 p.m.

Albert McCormick Community Centre,
500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo

Upcoming Events:

  • January 16 – Fly Tying Meeting – Guest Tyer TBA – Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
  • February 4 – General Meeting – Daniel Notarianni – Steelheading in New York State
  • February 20 – Fly Tying Meeting – Guest Tyer TBA – Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
  • March  4 – General Meeting – Howard Fiander and Ernie Kalwa – Texas Saltwater – Plus Our Big Silent Auction
  • March 15 – Casting Clinic – RIM Park, Waterloo, 10 a.m. until Noon
  • March 20 – Fly Tying Meeting – Guest Tyer TBA – Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
  • April 1 – General Meeting – Ken Collins – Fly Fishing the Grand River

Jon Schlaich and Catskills Fly Fishing By An Average Joe Fisherman

Besides being a member of the KWFF, Jon has a digital marketing company called Catchy Creative.  He grew up fishing Lake Erie and its many tributaries between Selkirk and Long Point and was fortunate to have a creek in his childhood backyard that was home to spawning resident and migratory browns, rainbows, steelhead, chinook, coho and pink salmon.  Jon was introduced to the allure of fly fishing while camping on the Grand River.  He joined the KWFF in 2010 and served as the member co-ordinator and webmaster from 2012 to 2016.  He redesigned the KWFF logo, club merchandise and website in 2012.  Since then Jon has blended his professional life (marketing and graphic design) with his passion for all types of fishing.  His work has included: 

  • Dan Kennaley’s website “Dan Kennaley Fly Fishing”
  • Rob Reid’s website “Reid Between The Lines” and “Casting Into Mystery”
  • Fish Knockout logo
  • Spey Ontario logo
  • Brant Fly Tyers and Fly Fishers logo
  • Grand River Fishing Society logo
  • Jason Forde Nets logo
  • OnTheFly (personal project)
  • Bucktail Bangers (fishing team for Monster Mash Musky Tournament)
  • Trout Wrangler (personal project)
  • Harry and the Hendricksons (personal project)

Jon’s presentation will be an “average Joe” account of Catskills fly fishing including what he has learned about the area over the past 4 or 5 years with a focus on fishing the Beaverkill River  and Willowemoc Creek.  If you’re interested in a Do It Yourself Catskills fishing trip, there should be lots of useful tidbits.

Fly Tying 

Our January fly tying meeting will take place on Thursday, January 16th starting at 7 p.m. at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Road in Cambridge.  Guest Tyer to be announced.

March Silent Auction

Fly rods, flies, fly boxes, fly reels, fly vests, fly tying vices, fly fishing books, tons of fly tying material….well tons might be an exaggeration worthy of an angler, but copious amounts of fly tying material at least, a portable fly tying table, artwork….If you need it there is a good chance we will have it available for auction.  You just have to come to our March General Meeting on March 4th.  

We are also still encouraging donations for the Big Silent Auction.  All proceeds going to a KWFF.  Our latest donations include a box of flies tied by expert fly tyer Steve May.

March Casting Clinic

After the success of last year’s casting clinic, we have arranged another one on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10 a.m. until noon at RIM Park, 2001 University Avenue East in Waterloo.  Bring your own rods or use one of a number of others that will be available.  Several experienced casters will also be available to offer advice and tips to improve your casting.

2024/2025 Club Membership now due

Please see Rick Flanagan at the meeting or via email at rick.flanagan@flanagan.ca