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Larry Goodell
Golden Trout Program Coordinator
Introduction
This is a skills/knowledge development program in which participants
undertake various fly fishing and conservation-related activities in
order to improve their skills and increase their understanding and
enjoyment of the sport. Upon
completion of program requirements, participants receive a special
‘Golden Trout Award’ pin and Certificate of Completion, and have
their names engraved on the club’s perpetual Golden Trout plaque
that resides in the clubhouse.
Mission
The program was started in 1989 to provide a structure and
curriculum that would facilitate and motivate the advancement of fly
fishing skills (and related knowledge) among members and encourage
club involvement. It's
hoped that participation also serves to foster future club leaders
and mentors – both so crucial to sustaining the foundation and
function of the club. Most
important, the program is intended to enable participants to have fun
while learning!
Requirements
1.) Participants will complete seven of the ten program categories shown in the Golden Trout Program
handbook (and summarized below).
Categories 1-4 are required to be completed by all
participants. Categories
5-10 are elective: any three may be completed, for a total of seven,
to fulfill the requirements of the program.
There is no time limit for program completion.
2.) When a category has been completed, the participant will ask the
respective category 'sponsor' to sign off that category in their
Golden Trout Program handbook, and will notify the Golden Trout
Program coordinator (the coordinator will track each participant's
progress).
3.) To participate in the program, club members will contact the
program coordinator and pay the $10 program fee (to help cover
expenses).
The coordinator will then provide a program handbook and
record the participant's start date (to facilitate periodic
progress check-ups).
Summary of Categories
1. Fly Casting
(Required)
Demonstrate each of the following important casting techniques: roll cast, tuck cast, Belgian
cast, double-haul, aerial mends, and casting loop control.
Every fly fisher should know these essential techniques - each of which,
under certain conditions, is crucial to being able to fish in the
most effective manner.
2. Knot
Tying
(Required)
Demonstrate tying each
of the following basic
fishing knots: improved
clinch knot,
blood knot, nail knot, surgeon's
knot, uni-knot,
non-slip
mono-knot, and
perfection
loop.
Tying these connections quickly and properly can definitely improve your
fishing success.
3.
Conservation
(Required)
Choose one of three activities:
a.)
Attend
and report on a conservation organization meeting,
b.) Research a current fisheries conservation issue and write a letter supporting your opinion, or
c.) Work a day on a club conservation-related project.
In other words… get involved!
4. Club
Event
(Required)
Assist directly in an organized club event, such as the annual picnic, annual dinner, Cal Expo ISE show, Salmon Festival, a youth event, etc.
Other events may also qualify (except fishouts).
5.
Club
Fishouts
Attend two
organized club fishouts.
Check The Leader or website for upcoming outings, then sign
up and go. Learn new
places and ways to fish, and get to know fellow club members a
little better in the process!
6. Literature
Produce a one page article for The Leader.
The topic can be almost anything that's related to fly
fishing. Write something
that you think readers will benefit from or just enjoy reading
about. Feel free to use
supporting photographs to help tell your story (as long as the
photos don't take up the entire page).
7. Entomology
Capture, identify, and submit specimens from three major insect
groups that fish depend on for food (ie: mayflies, caddis flies, and
stoneflies). Discovering
exactly where the bugs live and what they really look like can help you select and
present their imitations more effectively.
8. Fly
Tying
Tie and
submit one each of the following popular
fly patterns:
Parachute Adams, Stimulator, South First Special, Bird's
Nest, Tropical Punch, Fatal Attraction,
and Spun Deer Hair Popper.
A Cork Popper may be substituted for any one of these
patterns if desired.
9. Rod
Building
Build a fly rod from
a
rod blank and components. Many
beginners start with a rod building 'kit' that contains all the
needed materials. Or,
you can select components individually for a truly 'custom' rod.
The price of materials starts around $100 for a very respectable
trout rod.
10.
Net
Building
Construct a wooden landing net from scratch. You select the net frame design
and types of wood to make it from.
Borrow the 'jig' (a form around which the net frame is
bent to shape) from the category sponsor or design your own.
In the end, you'll have a treasured, hand-made net.
To
participate in the Golden Trout Program
Just write a check for $10 (made payable to 'Granite Bay
Flycasters') and give it to the program coordinator (Larry Goodell) at any monthly club
meeting! In return, you'll receive the Golden Trout handbook -
and the club's commitment to help you succeed in the program.
Special offer:
Sign up for the program and get one category 'grandfathered'. This
means you can get credit for any one category that you may have
completed prior to signing up for the program.
Example... last month you went on a fantastic fishout with the club
and this month you decide to sign up for the Golden Trout Program.
If the category sponsor will vouch for your participation and
sign off your handbook for that prior event, then that counts toward
your completion of the program!
If you have any questions about the Golden Trout Program, please contact
Larry Goodell.
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