Dec
03
The Bug Club will hold its first post pandemic meeting Saturday, December 3, at Shari’s restaurant in Idaho Falls at 8:30 AM.
The Bug Club originated over 20 years ago to tie Atlantic salmon flies. Interest in Atlantic salmon flies dropped and we switched to tying flies in general and took the name Bug Club. The primary mission is to provide a means for club members to exchange ideas on fly tying, improve fly tying skills and exchange fly patterns. All members are welcome, whatever their skill level. We are always ready to help any aspiring fly tier to improve their fly tying skills. If you just want to come to the meeting and observe, that is also ok.
Breakfast is at 8:30 AM. if you are hungry, and tying starting around 9:00 AM. The theme for the first meeting will be tie your favorite fly. If you have any questions contact Buck Goodrich, email [email protected] or Mike Miller, email [email protected].
Club History:
In the 1990s, a group of Snake River Cutthroat fly tiers wanted to improve their tying skills so they formed a small tying group. To improve their fly tying skills, they decided to tackle Atlantic salmon flies because they are the most difficult flies to tie and require techniques not common in tying trout flies. One of the top Atlantic fly tiers in the world, Marvin Nolte, was enticed to come to Idaho Falls and present a one day class in tying these flies. Meetings during the winter were held every other Saturday from December through March and were held at the Idaho Falls Library. Donations were taken to buy donuts and coffee. Gary Grant led the group on Atlantic Salmon tying.
It was decided to call the group The Rocky Mountain Fly Tiers Guild. After some skills were mastered tying Atlantic Salmon flies, the fly patterns were expanded to include Bergman wets and Carrie Stevens streamers. Also, the venue changed from the library to the top floor of the Key Bank with 5- 10 people in the group.
After a few years, participation started to drop off and the future of the group was endangered.
Bill Cathrae recommended that we start tying regular trout flies and try to interest participation from the casual trout fly tier with the objective of improving tying techniques and learning new patterns. Bill also talked the folks at Dad’s restaurant (Frontier Pies) into allowing us to use their upstairs room and serve breakfast and coffee. This turned out to be a great suggestion and participation increased rapidly.
Bill also suggested that we change the name to The Bug Club so we wouldn’t intimidate anyone. This also helped bring in more tiers.
Dad’s was used for many years until they sold out when we moved to Shari’s restaurant in Idaho Falls.
The goal of the Bug Club is to present a forum for tiers to improve their technique and learn new patterns and of course camaraderie with fellow tiers. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to show up. Breakfast is at 8:30 am, if you desire, and tying starts at 9 am. You are encouraged to bring your fly tying stuff and tie but observing is also welcome. We would be pleased if you joined us.