Columnist Barb Henderson: Local trout group sponsoring annual One-Fly event

Barb Henderson

Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 | 9:35 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

The Southern Nevada Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SNCTU) continues to be an active conservation fishing group providing proper casting to achieve its mission -- to conserve, protect and restore North America's cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.

From the conservation work achieved recently at the Great Basin National Park to the upcoming annual One-Fly Fishing Tournament at Comins Lake in Ely, this seems to be catching its limit when it comes to programs and activities.

Fly-fishing enthusiasts know that a great presentation can achieve magnificent results. A marvelous example: 20 volunteers from the SNCTU provided more than 500 volunteer hours to the GBNP for a project focused on the continued effort to restore the Native Bonneville Cutthroat Trout to its historic range within the GBNP boundaries. The project included population surveys, weighing and measuring trout, conducting census population of listed watersheds, enhancing riparian zones and angler access.

SNCTU, along with High Desert Fly-Casters, will present the annual One-Fly Fishing Tournament, Saturday, Sept. 27, on Comins Lake on the outskirts of Ely.

Comins Lake is a popular fishing hole for catching rainbow trout on a fly from a float tube. The NDOW stocks rainbow trout into Comins from spring through fall. In addition, anglers have an opportunity of hooking on a largemouth bass in these waters.

Tying one on -- and only one. The limited number of participants will fish with one-fly during the entire competition.

Besides a fishing tournament and pancake breakfast, they'll have the 2004 Nevada Trout Stamp Banquet held at the Ely Convention Center.

The 2004 Nevada Trout Stamp will be decided by a panel of judges during the SNCTU banquet. The prestigious winner will have the honor of having their winning painting featured on the 2004 Nevada State Trout Stamp and on the cover of the 2004 Nevada Fishing seasons and regulations booklet.

Unable to attend the banquet? Reel in a great time by attending one of the SNCTU meetings, on the first Thursday of each month at NDOW, 4747 Vegas Drive at 7 p.m. or hook on to the Internet at www.snctu.com.

"The SNCTU has something for everyone that has interest in the future of our cold water trout fisheries," said Kevin Fedrizzi, SNCTU president.

The headquarters will be located at the Sunset Hotel & Casino in Henderson, with the actual tournament running out of Callville Bay Resort Sept. 8-10. Weigh-in will take place at 2 p.m. all three days.

For more information click on the Internet at www.wonbass.com.

The workshops will include; Big Game Tag Application Process; Firearm Safety & Marksmanship; Field Dressing; Processing and Cooking Wild Game; Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Use among other topics.

The series kicks off with an Introduction to Hunting workshop, Sept. 24. For information call (702) 486-5127 ext. 3501.