Hi Folks,

Hard to believe that our club has two years under it's belt. We have made some really great friends, had some wonderful trips and nice times together. For me, that's what it's all about. I hope as the club continues, that we can build our membership, add people to our board so that we hear from as many folks as we can as we decide how to move on, and continue to provide quality programs to keep our membership interested.

We're coming up on our nominations and elections next month, and I would like to encourage everyone to consider taking part in the organization of the chapter. The more people that are involved, the easier it is to get a lot done with only a minimal output of your time. I will continue to work on some projects that are of interest to me. The most obvious one being the annual river cleanup September 6, 2008. I hope to continue the Project Healing Waters (Teaching fly fishing to disabled Veterans), and our May classroom for teaching the skills of fly fishing (four Wednesdays in May in the evenings). I will also continue to help with the programs with the support of Mike Wesche and Ed Couchman.

There are still a few posts to fill for next year. Please give it some consideration and let me or any of the board know of your interest. It has been my pleasure to have been selected as president of this organization. Thanks to the board for all the time and effort you have put forth to make my job easier, and thanks to the members for making it all worthwhile. Thanks to our speakers for piquing our interest and curiosity, and, I have especially enjoyed our 48 oz. fly tying specials at the Bitterroot Brewery! See you there next Wednesday. Don't forget our December meeting on Dec. 4. featuring Joe Cummings speaking on fishing in Belize.

Phil Romans

Over the last two plus years I have committed the FFF to a number of major programs in education and conservation, our two primary areas of concentration. Few, if any, of our clubs have the resources to actively participate in all of them. Conversely, all of our clubs should participate in one in each area if at all possible. While there is little that is mandatory in a volunteer organization, when you are the only club in an area where there is a major fly show or a retail partner’s store, a lack of participation would represent both an embarrassment and a lost opportunity.

Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. At the recent AFFTA show BobWiltshire commented on the "sea change" in attitude among the fly fishing industry. People kept coming by and saying "thank you" and "congratulations on your programs". Especially, they noted our efforts in creating new fly fishers of all ages and the expansion of the Federation’s base. So, congratulations, and thank you, to all of you who have been active in creating this new attitude.

R.P. Van Gytenbeek

Our fledling Club has come around its two year anniversary. A new Board of Directors will be elected at the December meeting, to sit for one year each. A director may succeed himself or herself. A slate of those who have expressed interest has been compiled and will be presented at the meeting. However, anyone with an interest and one night a month to share is encouraged to join us. There is no limit to the number of directors, so it is fairly likely that, if you raise your hand, you'll be called upon. The new Board will elect new officers at its first meeting in late December or early January. Come on folks, join in and share the frenzy of fish tales at each meeting (not to discount the outrageous goodies and coffee). Call Phil Romans (363-0744) or say something to an officer at the meeting.

Pierre Satkowiak has graciously agreed to be our Club's "Cruise Director" for the coming year. He will coordinate outings and provide needed info on the W's. A number of ideas for various club outings have been discussed: Browns Lake, the mighty Missouri, a Mission River and/or a Clark Fork float, the Bow River out of Calgary and a fall steelhead trip to Idaho among others. One "fer sure" is the Georgetown Lake outing on opening day, the third Saturday in May. Contact Pierre (652-9418) with ideas, and we all need to support Pierre in this endeavor.

Fly tying, Wednesday evenings at the Brewery in Hamilton, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Be there or be square. Bring your favorite pattern or just come to observe. Greg Chester, Phil Romans and a number of great Bitterroot tyers are usually there. And there's always the permitted 48 ounces of your favorite flavor. We hope to see some of you. Any fly you are afraid to throw into heavy cover is good only for an ornament, so you know you need to tie more.

Our next Board meeting will be Monday, November 26 at Cliff Gibbons home at 7:30 pm. All are welcome. Call Cliff for directions: 961-5642.

Because the first Tuesday of the month in January falls on January 1, and we know all of you will be otherwise engaged or hung over, the January members meeting will be one week later, January 8, at the usual place: the Exchange Club.

• These will qualify for credits towards Rod New Member Incentive Program during this promotion period. • This is not for FFF membership renewals

July 1, 2007 until December 31, 2007

For individual Life membership - At a price of $750. it will include for a new member, choice of a Sage 590-4 Z-AXIS Series Rod in 5 wt OR a Sage 890-4 XiZ 8 wt. Thus the new member gets a package valued at approximately $1150.00 for his $750.00 investment.

For couple life membership – For the husband and wife who fish together, receive 2 rods and membership at the price of $1,250.00.

Note: Life payment plans do not qualify for this promotion. Full payment is required at time of sign up.

Mail a check to: FFF – 215 E Lewis – Livingston, MT 59047 or call with a credit card 406-222-9369 ext 106

Life is more than a can of worms but is less than a Royal Coachman.

Like hatches, most things in life occur in cycles. If you know the cycles, you will be successful.

Even beautiful things sometimes have a barbed hook.

Trout have shown me that you can get into trouble by opening your mouth.

Flies do not make very good earrings, particularly if you have never had your ears pierced.

De-barb your fly before trying it on as an earring or catching a fish you intend to release.

Never criticize anything prepared by the camp cook unless you are willing and able to take over his job.

Don't plan your evening meal around fish that you haven't yet caught.

If you consider the landing of a fish as a 'bonus', then you will always enjoy fishing.

If what you are trying isn't working, then try something else.

Removing the barb doesn't decrease your effectiveness.

If you are observant, it will improve your success as well as your enjoyment of the sport.

It takes more than expensive equipment to be proficient at what you are doing.

The joy of fly fishing is lost when you have a beer can in one hand and your rod in the other.

Fly fishers will share their knowledge, flies and gear but never their secret fishing lake. One good vise is enough for any fly tier. If you rock the boat or make waves, expect the skittish fish to scatter.

Don't wade into chest deep waters if you are only wearing hip waders.

A bad day of fly fishing is better than a good day at work.

A wind knot is a casting knot made when there were no witnesses.

The heavy-handed fisherman and his fish are soon parted. Our trout have marvelous growth rates. They double in size each time story of their catch is retold.

About 20% of the fishermen catch about 80% of the fish.

What causes stress is different for fish than it is for people but the reactions are often the same.

Large fish establish and protect a territory leaving the smaller fish to school and compete with each other.