CFR Fly Tying Challenge

[Lonnie]

Hi Everyone!

Casting for recovery is an organization dedicated to helping Breast Cancer Victims and Survivors though Fly Fishing. I found out about this group when I was in a swap at Fly Anglers Online that had several people drop out. The Swap Boss said she was going to send the extras to CFR. I'd never heard of them, but thought it was a great idea. I suggested that someone over there do a "casting for recovery swap" to see how many flies we could get tied for them. "Tripper" (Lori) who was also in our swap, picked up the banner and jumped in as host. The due date over there is April 18th.

To take this one step further, I sent Lori an e-mail seeing if we could get some friendly competition going. Fly Anglers Online vs. UTOF, CFR Challenge.

Now, this is a challenge, it is not a swap, since you will NOT get any flies back. The challenge is to see how many flies on their list we can get tied. So choose a pattern and size, tie up 10-12 and lets see how many flies we can send to a great cause! We should also try to tie more that the FAOL folks. They have a larger member base so we are going to have to step up.

I have pasted their list of flies below, but as they state it is flexible. I'm pretty involved with a few swaps right now, so if someone wants to act as the "meister" that would be great. I'll do it if nobody else steps up. If someone else want's to be the boss, I'll pay the postage to ship the flies. CFR is a non-profit so technically you can write of your donation (any accountants out there???)

The following list of flies are the most desirable for use at our retreats. Feel free to expand on the list as you wish, as we often experience differing conditions that warrant a wide variety of patterns and sizes.

Pattern Size
Adams 12,14
Caddis 12,14
Attractor Patterns (dry) 12,14
Griffith's Gnat 16
BH Hares Ear 10,12
Stonefly Nymph 10,12
BH soft hackle 10,12
Terrestrials 10,12
Woolly Buggers (lightly weighted) 6,8

So if you want to help let me know. I haven't decided how to collect the flies yet. I'll get back to everyone on this one. Come on everybody, tie a few for a great cause.

http://www.castingforrecovery.org

[cheech]

I could do some buggers. I'll do them Halloween style.

[Johnny]

I'll get in on this one. Should we call dibs on what we are going to tie or should we just start tying something from the list? I am tying up some EHC for the March Madness Swap and might as well do 10-12 more for this.

[Lonnie]

I don't care if we duplicate. It's the total number of flies that I'm worried about ! Any little bit helps.

1 more thing. Don't "toe tag" your flies per se. Just write you name/pattern and how many you tied on a note card or similar and attach all your flies to it. Thanks!

Thanks for you support.
Lonnie

PS I heard that another BBS tied over 300 flies for them!

[Johnny]

Do we really only have three people signed up for this? Pretty weak effort so far. It looks like FAOL has taken us to the rack on this one.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum24/HTML/000311.html

[Lonnie]

Yeah, we suck. I thought that we'd get more folks in than this. You guys disapoint me. At least clean your boxes out and get rid of some of your "Dead weight"....

Lonnie

[Junge]

Lonnie,

Is there any sort of deadline on this?

[icthys]

I'm in.

Attractor pattern for me.

[Lonnie]

We can make the deadline what ever we want. End of April or Middle of May work for everyone ?

As for collecting the flies, Folks can drop them at Orivs or Mail them to me.

Lonnie

[Mike]

This is the first I've read about it! Gotta' pimp the cause harder Lonnie! It is a great cause. I'll definitely tie some stuff off of the list.

[rnorth]

I'm in for some gnats. I'm fairly new to posting but what better way to get more involved than halping out a great cause.

[Junge]

I'm in, not sure what I will tie.

[pskeen]

I do not tie...yet, so I can't help with flies but I can offer my nerdness to shed some light on Lonnie's orginal post.

You would be able to deduct the cost of all materials used to tie the donated flies for your personal taxes. It would be reported as a charitable contribution with your itemized deductions. If you do not itemize you would be out of luck, but would still have all sorts of warm fuzzies I am sure.

[Lonnie]

It looks like the FAOL guys are up over a couple hundred flies (One guys chipped in about 100 from an estate sale).

Anyway, for tax purposes could we assign a fair market $ value to the flies, say $1 each? I know for donation to places like DI you can take "thrift store values". I can't imagine that the IRS would argue over the $10-12 that one would claim for this. That would much easier than try to figure the value of the thread hackle etc that goes into each fly???

Just wondering.

Lonne

[pskeen]

I think if you claimed $1 a fly you would be fine. The IRS does not require formal substantiation from the donee on non-cash contributions less than $250. Simply put, if you donated 100 flies at an estimated cost of $1/fly you should be fine. I would keep with your tax records how many flies and their estimated cost and you should have no problem.

[grouser]

I'm in! Post a deadline as soon as someone decides one.

[jim m.]

I'll tie up some bh soft hackles. When's the due date?

[Lonnie]

Let's say April 30th. If anyone needs more time let me know.

Thanks for the effort folks. This was a little bit more like what I expected.

Lonnie

[LIV2FSH]

for bringing this post up to the top! Didn't catch it before.

I'm in for a dozen of something on the list and will throw in a bunch of misc "stuff" that's been sitting around doing nothing but collecting dust. I need to thin out a little!

Let me know the deadline and where to send the flies.

Bruce

[Capn' Bob]

Hi Lonnie!
Put me in for a dozen in the attractor category, like maybe some "Royal Trude's" in a size #14 or #16. This is for a good cause folks.
Capn' Bob

[GrayWulff]

Hey Lonnie,

Put me in for at least a dozen (I'll probably mix and match, that way I'll be apt'd to come in with more). I will also clean out my fly boxes and send those as well.

I'll talk to the fly fishing gang at work and get them tying as well.

Does anyone know if we have a chapter or anything like CFR here in Utah? I would like to donate my time as well.

Thanks for making us all aware of this one !!!

Gray...

[Lonnie]

Does anyone know if we have a chapter or anything like CFR here in Utah? I would like to donate my time as well.

I looked at their site and they don't have anything here in Utah this year. From what I can tell, they need a facility and access to if not private, at least water that dosen't get that much pressure.

If we REALLY wanted to take this to the next level, we could contact CFR and offer to sponsor a get together here in Utah. At this point, I don't really know what that would take. I would be willing to put in a weekend for this cause. With all of the talent on the board, I'm sure we could come up with enough warm bodies. What I don't have is the medical contacts, at least here in Utah, (Jdub?) and the funraising contacts. Maybe I can get my Dad to come out an speak (He's a physician). I'm sure he could use a write off to come see me and the wife and to get in a little fishing. I might call on this just to find out what it would take to put it together. Here is a link to the types of help they need to put on a retreat...

http://www.castingforrecovery.org/helpingCFR/volpositions.html

Suggestions?

Lonnie

[GrayWulff]

What I don't have is the medical contacts, at least here in Utah, (Jdub?) and the funraising contacts.
Lonnie

I work with several people that are certified EMTs. My sister works for an OB/GYN so I'm sure we could get help there. I'll get the troups to circle the wagons and see what I can come up with once we get more details on the requirements. Though having your Father come out is probably a good thing for you and your family.

Coming up with a location to fish shouldn't be too much of a problem, we have some excellent trout water in this state. As you stated there is enough talent on this board as well.

Thanks again Lonnie for bringing this up!!! Hopefully we can rally the troups and pull this off as well :)...

Gray...

[caddis376]

Put me down for a dozen.... maybe 2.

April 30th deadline. Where do we send em?

caddis376.

[Lonnie]

Here the list so far.

1. Lonnie ----> Caddis #14
2. Cheech. ----> Bugger
3. Johnny ----> EHC
4. Icthys ----> Attractor
5. Mike ----> TBD
6. Rnorth ----> G-gnats
7. Junge ----> TBD
8. Grouser ----> TBD
9. Jim M. ----> Soft Hackle
10. Liv2fish ----> TBD
11. Capt. Bob. ----> Attractor
12 Gray Wolf ----> Misc.
13. Caddis376. ----> TBD

I spoke with Brett Perryman for the SLtribune today. Not sure how he got wind of this but they are doing a write up in the tribune on this next week. SO, it would be great if we could get a few more folks to join. When you are finished, send your flies to me. Shoot me an e-mail for my address.

shullln@comcast.net

Thanks!!!
Lonnie

[Larry S.]

Probably some caddis or if I can remember how some Hedgehogs, #14-#16.

[Lonnie]

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Apr/04082004/Thursday/155135.asp

[Lonnie]

1. Lonnie ----> Caddis #14 + Mormon Girl
2. Cheech. ----> Bugger
3. Johnny ----> EHC
4. Icthys ----> Attractor
5. Mike ----> TBD
6. Rnorth ----> G-gnats
7. Junge ----> TBD
8. Grouser ----> TBD
9. Jim M. ----> Soft Hackle
10. Liv2fish ----> TBD
11. Capt. Bob. ----> Attractor
12 Gray Wolf ----> Misc.
13. Caddis376. ----> TBD
14. Larry ---> Caddis
15 Judbya ----> stimulators
16. Grizz ----> Buggers
17. Anoyomous ---> TBD.
18. Fishhunter's Friends ---> TBD.

Thanks for everyone's support. I'll try to e-mail eveyone with my address. Due date April 30th.

Lonnie

PS You don't have to be a member of UTOTF to join (But this is a really nice site.) If you're interested, just send me an e-mail shullln@comcast.net

[Fred]

I'm in.

Can we tie nymphs? If so, I have some rockworm caddis I'll send in.

At least a dozen.

[cardiac]

Since the flies I tie are uglier than fshfanatic, and Cheech put together, Joni will tie up some Gartside soft hackles and elkhair caddis. Dozen each work?

[Lonnie]

Every little bit helps! Thanks guys!

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

1. Lonnie ----> Caddis #14 + Mormon Girl
2. Cheech. ----> Bugger
3. Johnny ----> EHC
4. Icthys ----> Attractor
5. Mike ----> TBD
6. Rnorth ----> G-gnats
7. Junge ----> TBD
8. Grouser ----> TBD
9. Jim M. ----> Soft Hackle
10. Liv2fish ----> TBD
11. Capt. Bob. ----> Attractor
12 Gray Wolf ----> Misc.
13. Caddis376. ----> TBD
14. Larry ---> Caddis
15 Judbya ----> stimulators
16. Grizz ----> Buggers
17. Referee ---> TBD.
18. Fishhunter's Friends ---> TBD.
19. Fred ----> Rockworm Caddis
20. Cardaic/Joni ---> Soft Hackle and EHC.
21 Spearo ----> TBD
22. Chris ---> TBD

24 * 12 = 288 ! Great job everyone.

When your done ship the flies to
Lonnie Shull
14299 Elsbrook Cir
Draper, UT 84020

Or drop them at Orvis with a tag for me.

Thanks again everyone!

[Johnny]

Let's get this up to 300. I'm done with my EHC so I'll do some Hare's Ear.

[jim m.]

fwiw, I plan on sending in 4 dozen. I have three dozen tied already and should knock out another dozen one night next week.

[JayMorr]

I am also including 2 dozen Flies. I will bring them to you next week.


JayMorr

[Junge]

I have 1 doz G. Gnats done. Moving on to something else of the list. I'll see what I can get done before the 30th.

[Lonnie]

I just want to say that you guys are totally AWESOME !!! Your generosity has far exceeded what I could ever hoped for. Take pride that someone, somewhere will take great pride and joy fishing with these.

I don't know how many flies we have promised so far (I think 384). I don't think I can count that high....;-)

Thanks a 1,000,000 !!!!

[Jason]

Lonnie, don't forget about mine. I'm sure i could crank out a dozen or two.

[chris]

Left some on the porch, assortment really. Will bring more later tying now.

[Lonnie]

Chris,

Thx and I'll stop by on my way home from the office....

L

[chris]

Dozen more done, I hold off walking to keep some of my built up winter fat.

[Drake]

I feel like a slacker for not chiming in earlier, but put me down for atleast a dozen (don't know what yet). I probably won't be done till the end of the month, but you'll get them.

[Lonnie]

I just had a brain storm. For those of you helping with the L. Provo clean up on 1 May, I'll pick your flies up then.

Lonnie

[baetis]

I'm in for a few dozen.

[Larry S.]

I'll have my flies at the Expo if someone from down in SLC can pick them up.

[cardiac]

Joni has her flies at Orvis with some others. I emailed Jason so I don't know if he'll pick them up or not. Capn' Bob-Jason has yours also and I think he has Larry's. All in good hands.
How many do we have by now? Lonnie any guesses.
Ouzel, did you tie any, and if you didn't I challenge you to whip out a few.

[Lonnie]

I've gotten a couple of Dozen from Chris. I've sent my address to a few people, but haven't seen anything from them yet. If you are going to the Provo River clean up, I (or a duly designated represenative) can pick them up there.

I'm going try and make Thursday's TU meeting so if you've got flies for me, that will work too.

If you would rather mail them send them to

Lonnie Shull
14299 Elsbrook Cir
Draper, UT 84020

While I haven't cleared it with the good folks at Orvis, I'm sure that they would hold them until I make it by there again.

I'd like to have most of the flies in the mail (to me) by the end of April. I'll try to get the flies out by the first week in May. I've got 1/2 of mine done (the caddis wet's) and I still have the Mormon girls to tie. I've been cranking out BWO's (for me) and llama clousers for Nick's (nightfish) swap. I should have some time to get my own done sometimes soon.

Thanks again to everyone who promised flies. But let's not forget, that's the easy part. :-)

Lonnie

[GrayWulff]

I have 51 right now to give to Lonnie. Caddis is working on another 10 which I told him I needed by Friday if he wanted me to get them to Lonnie. That will give me another couple of days to tie some more (I'm hoping 20)...

Ain't doing something in the service of others the greatest?

[Lonnie]

I got flies from Cheech, Larry S and Capt. Bob today at lunch. All look really good. Over 100 flies today. Great Job everyone.

Capt Bob, Did you use snowshoe hare for the wings on your Royal Trudes??

Larry, Do you want your box back ? If so send me your address and I'll ship it back to you.

Lonnie

[Larry S.]

It's just a 97 cent Wal-Mart case you find over in the "Trial Size"section. I do use a few of them so when I drop one I can find it easy. Purrty ain't it?

Did you get your 3?

[Lonnie]

I got them, then I put them back in for the CFR people. I tried casting with them and when the line laid out all the flies always seemed to drift to the right. I figured I couldn't use them. :-) Seriously, I love the little green caddis pattern.

Lonnie

[Jason]

Lonnie, can we get an estimated total so far?

[Lonnie]

Jason,

This was the first big batch. I'm guessing I've got 135-150 flies at home including a couple dozen of my own.

Lonnie

[Capn' Bob]

Hi Lonnie!
Yes, I like to use snowshoe hare's foot for the wings on the smaller sizes. It floats like a cork. I would use it on the larger sizes but, that's stretching the material a little. The hair on the bottom of the foot is not very long.
Capn' Bob

[Junge]

Lonnie, a few more to finish and I will have 4 dozen. I'll try to get another dozen done before Saturday.

[Lonnie]

I'm going to try and pick up as many flies as I can at the Provo River Clean up on Saturday. Who is going that wants to drop some of to me ?

Capt. Bob,
If Metz (and others) can breed chickens to have longer hackle fibers, then why can't we raise rabbits with longer foot fur (for those bigger flies) ? Hummm????

[Johnny]

I will be bringing mine on Saturday.

[jim m.]

Lonnie,

I plan on giving you my flies at the clean up. I think we're all meeting at Vivian Park so I'll get them to you in the morning before we start.

[Lonnie]

FAOL got about 480 flies tied for the challenge. That's a great number. I currently have in my possesion about 250-300 flies (without counting each fly). I think the numbers should be close, but I'm afraid that FAOL is going to edge us out by just a little bit. As my plans for attending the clean up have changed (I'm not going to be there now), if you have your flies at the clean up you can give the to Jason or JayMorr. I should see them at lunch next week sometimes.

I got about 60 flies from GreyWulff and Caddis last night, a bunch of really sweet traditional dries and some griffith's gnats.

Thanks again to everyone that tied, is tying for this. I'm going to cut off accepting flies a week from Saturday, (May 8th) and try to get the flies in the mail the following week.

Take care and it's not too late to wrap some up for me to send !!
Lonnie

[jim m.]

So where are we at with the fly count after this weekend?
I gave Jason 4-dozen. I'm not sure if any others brought flies to the clean up.

[JayMorr]

I got 2 dozen from people to give to Lonnie and I got my 2 dozen to give to Lonnie.


JayMorr

[LIV2FSH]

mine to Jason H. on Saturday at the clean-up. I didnt have as much time as hoped but I still managed a dozen Ants.

Bruce

[Mike]

Did I see you Saturday Bruce?!

[Junge]

Lonnie,

I didn't bring my flies to the cleanup. I can run them up to you one night this week. I have 4 dozen, haven't been able to get another dozen done.

[LIV2FSH]

I looked for you and didn't see ya. We just grabbed a bagel some bags and headed out to pack out the junk. We went and fished the middle P after that.

Check your mail!

Later, Bruce

[Lonnie]

Hi Everyone.

Just a heads up. I plan on shipping the flies this weekend. Anyone else got any for me ?

Thanks to all those that tied/collected or whatever. This was truly worth the effort !

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

Just wanted you guys to know that I got a very nice letter from the folks at CFR . Good job everyone who helped with this !!!

Lonnie