January 2015 Update

Life gets in the way of fun sometimes, but we managed to hold our RGVFTC social this past Saturday, January 17th. We enjoyed great conversation with our fly tying friends and the help of food and beverages. It was great to just sit back and catch up.

We all know that a party can't be complete without Linn's and Sheala's cookies. I got help with the wine selection and couldn't have asked for a more relaxing time. We were very blessed to have old friends and the opportunity to meet new friends. Dolly Castillo, Bill DiLibero, and Vicki Leggett joined us as new friends.

Mike Gonzalez, Sheala Castillo, Harry Leggett, Charlie Villareal, Linn Keller, Jack Keller, Irma Ramirez, Placida Zuniga, Robert Ramirez, and Yizza Ramirez helped to share the caloric wealth. Unfortunately, Rudy and Mary Castaneda weren't able to find the location and we truly missed their humor and conversation.

We had a quick discussion about the upcoming activities like the Sand Dune Restoration planting event on January 31st, the Ed Rizolo Fly Tying Festival scheduled for February 7th, and the Texas Expo 2015 in May. More information about these events can be found by clicking HERE.

The club will be investigating several places where we can hold family functions and training events. We're planning on meeting after the planting event at the end of the month. Hopefully, we can come up with a good schedule of events. Also, we have begun the post the next few fly tying sessions. The schedule is up website and will continue to be developed.

We need to start our reporting project and get this over to the IFFF soon.

Happy New Year and let's make this the best ever for the club.

Dune Restoration Project - Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Rio Grande Valley Fly Tyers Club will again be helping to restore South Padre Island dunes on Saturday, January 31, 2015. 



Please come out and volunteer to support the city's effort to continue enhancing our continuous dune line.


We'll be meeting at the Bougainvillea beach access #14 at 9 a.m. 

Beach erosion can be prevented with a well coordinated vegetation propagation effort. This is not only a great public service, but its a wonderful way to show our children what it means to care about our environment. And it's fun!

For more information about the event, contact Sheala Castillo at shealacastillo@gmail.com.

Rio Grande Valley Fly Tyer's Social

Thanks to all of you for understanding why I postponed the last social event. We're hoping that this Saturday, January 17th @ 6:30 p.m. would be a good time to try again. We'll be meeting at my home (31940 Cactus Road, San Benito, Texas).

We'll have a great botana platter, chips, and sweets for everyone. You may want to bring your favorite refreshment. However, we'll have sodas and water available.

We're planning our club activities and hope to have a discussion of what you want to see in 2015. Bring your ideas, but most of all yourself and significant other.

Hope to see you there. Please pass out the word to our club members.  Please RSVP by either texting me (956-63-3426) or emailing me (reyram49@gmail.com). 

I'm going to announce it on the Ning, Facebook, RGVFTC (http://rgvftc.blogspot.com/) Blog, and RGVFTC (www.riograndeflytyers.org) Website.

Let me know, if there are any problems.

Ron Ratliff's Crab

This little quarter-sized crab should be easy to cast. Although, it's not an easy pattern to tie for a beginner. However, we had several first time fly tiers do a marvelous job at their first session. That just means that the next one should be a breeze. Matthew Whittington took us through the steps of tying a fly created by his friend, Ron Ratliff. Thank you Ron for such a great pattern. If you read this, know that Matt did a great job taking us through our first edition.

This is my version of the crab fly from behind.

The Rio Grande Valley Fly Tying group met last night at Bass Pro Shop's meeting room. From the photo I had posted earlier in the month, I knew it would attract some new and veteran tiers. We weren't disappointed. Microchenille was used for legs, small black bead chain for weight, elk hair for the body, and monofilament/beads for the eyes.

Matt demonstrated the preparation of both the eyes and the legs prior to beginning the pattern. From there it was a slow, meticulous process of adding on materials at the right place and at the right time.

Variations of the same fly. Looks fish friendly.

Let's encourage others to make it to our fly tying sessions. Mike Gonzalez, Charlie Villarreal, and Matthew Whittington will be working on the 2015 fly selection which I hope to announce before the end of this month.

The flies should be a mixture of crab, shrimp, baitfish, and a freshwater pattern for a variety of Texas' gamefish.

Bernie and his daughter, a first time fly tier.

If you have a recommendation for a pattern that you would like to see send it to me via email (reyram49@gmail.com) and I'll pass it along to the fly pattern selection committee.

Gus Valencia and his nephew.

Ratliff's Crab Pattern

Join us next week as we learn from Matthew Whittington how to tie the Ratliff Crab. Matt comments that this crab was created by a friend and has been an award winning pattern for Louisiana marsh reds.

We will be meeting at the Bass Pro meeting room at 6:30 a.m. RGVFTC members will learn the pattern for free. Non members will pay a nominal fee of $2.50. All materials and vices/tools will be available if you don't have them. New members are welcome.

IFFF Fly Tying Skills Award Program

Visit the IFFF website and learn about how to receive recognition through the IFFF Fly Tying Skills Program.

For more information visit the IFFF Fly Tying Group.

Agenda - November 18, 2014

Rio Grande Valley Fly Tiers Club

6:30 pm

• Welcome

• Minutes

• Financial Report

• 2015 Fly Tying Calendar

• Conservation Project - Surf Riders Foundation

• Social Event - Raffle, Goodies

• Bass Pro Kids Fly Tying Event

• Next Meeting

• Adjourn