One way to get really good at tying knots is to practice in the shower with the water running, the lights off, and a fan blowing in your face.  At least that is what Bob Price suggested.  I think he was kidding .... I hope he was kidding.  The classes he and Jim Degnan teach are held in a classroom, not in the shower.  How and where you practice are up to you.

Bob Price and Jim Degnan teach a series of Knots Classes for our members.  Each class is 2 nights - a Tuesday and Thursday evening - 7:00 PM at the Conference Room, Building M, Room 250, Winchester Plaza,  1101 South Winchester Blvd., San Jose.  The cost is $10 and space is limited to 10 members.

The Advanced Knots Class will focus knots used in fishing for species over 50 pounds.  Bob and Jim will be teaching how to tie a Bimini Twist, Speed Nail Knot, Slim Beauty Knot, Huffnagle Knot, Albright Knot, Homer Rhodes Loop Knot, Three Turn Clinch Knot, and Furling a Double Line.

The Advanced Knots Class will take place September 14 and 16, and space is still available.  You do not need to have taken either the Beginning Knots or the Intermendiate Knots Class to enroll in the Advanced Knots Class.

Sign up at the September 8 Flycasters Meeting - for more information contact Wade Goertz    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    or Bob Price This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Both the Beginning and Intermediate Classes were great successes.  Having "hands on" instruction greatly improved my grasp of how to correctly tie the knots as well as understanding their uses.   Plus I get immediate feedback if I tie the knot correctly or not - after all, it's not much good if I practice tying the knot at home if I am tying it wrong.

Knots pose some of the most bewildering challenges for fly fishing.  Knowing which knot to use for which situation can often be the difference between success and failure when hooking, playing, landing and releasing fish.  Being able to tie knots correctly is a critical skill that takes knowledge and practice.

Bob Price and Jim Degnan teach a series of Knots Classes for our members.  Each class is two nights - a Tuesday and Thursday evening - 7:00 PM at the Conference Room, Building M - Room 250, Winchester Plaza, 1101 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose.  Cost is $10 for each class.  Classes are limited to 10 members.

The Intermediate Class will describe fly line types and construction, as well as how to label each fly line in your own personal inventory.  Instruction will include making and installing Braided Mono Loops for fly lines, making Blind Splice Loops and other Fly Line Loops.  August 17 & 19 ( space is still available )  You do not need to complete the Beginning Class to enroll in the Intermediate Class.

Once in a while, if there is no wind, nothing behind me to snag on, and all the other conditions are just right - I can make a cast all the way to the other side of the river and place my fly exactly where I wanted it to land.  The other 96% of the time I come up short and several yards off target.  I would say I need some help in the areas of distance and accuracy.

Tony Yap will be teaching a casting clinic on Saturday morning, August 14 at the Los Gatos Creek Casting Ponds.  He is going to spend a couple of hours focusing on how to increase both distance and accuracy when casting a fly rod.  The clinic is free to members of San Jose Flycasters.  The clinic will begin at 10:00 AM.

You can bring your favorite fly rod - weights 5 to 10 - with a reel, matching weight forward fly line, leader, tippet and yarn.  And bring paper and pen to take notes.  Be sure to bring sunglasses or other full cover eye protection, or you will be asked to leave - courteously but firmly.  You can bring a snack and something to drink, this clinic will likely go on for 3 plus hours.  There is a parking fee of $6 at the Los Gatos Creek Park and they do ticket.

Tony Yap is an accomplished fly caster and teacher.  He is a Lifetime member of San Jose Flycasters and has been involved with the club for over 35 years.  He is a Life Time Member of the American Casting Association as well as a Certified Casting Instructor.  Tony competed for 11 years in tournaments held by the American Casting Association and has won many gold and silver medals.  He was Grand National Champion in Accuracy at several tournaments in 2003 and 2005. He won first place in both distance and accuracy at the Northern California FFF Conclave in Sacramento in 1990.  Tony competed as one of the 5 member team representing the USA in the International Casting Tournament held in Slovenia in 2002.

If you have any questions be sure to attend the August 11 Flycasters club general meeting.

Some years back it started with handheld GPS (Global Positioning Systems) units that people used to track their movements and find exact locations using the military satellites system.  Next, it moved to your cell phones, then into your cars, was expanded in your "smart phone" and now is available in your cameras. What is it and why is it getting to be such a big thing?

On Wednesday, June 23rd we will discuss the terminology, uses and applications of GPS, how you can have fun with it and even use it to help you catch fish.  Sign up for this seminar and come away with a much better understanding of what it does and where it is going.

We'll be meeting at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in our usual meeting room at the Senior Center - near the corner of Payne and Saratoga

Material will be handed out and pre-registration is suggested.

Prior use of a GPS is not required, prior use of a fly rod may be.

In order to make sure we will have enough handouts please sign-up - there is no charge - at the June 9th Flycasters meeting.  Or contact Wade Goertz (408) 272-3990  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it