April 11th A Great Steelhead Gathering
The original group of old- time California Steelhead fly fishing addicts are having a gathering on April 11th to pay homage to our departed friends who made our sport including greats like: Bill Schaadt, Bob Nauheim, Mel Krieger, Mike Fong, Grant King, Myron Gregory, John"Buddy"Tarantino, Andre Puyans, Gary Rowen, Kay Mitsuyochi, and many others. Lani Waller will do a steelhead presentation and Russell Chatham will provide, “A Look Back.”
The program will kick roughly off with a 4:00 p.m. bar opening and hors d’oeuvres, a display of vintage steelhead memorabilia from bygone eras, a 6:00 p.m. Lani Waller presentation, and dinner which will followed by filmmakers Justin Coupe and Palmer Taylor discussing and showing short clips from the great movie about our buddies, “Rivers of the Lost Coast.” The evening will conclude with a salute and farewell to the Immortals, and a Good Night & Good Luck.
Frank Bertainia is one of the organizers and advises this event will be also be the kick off of the new “Russian River Wild Steelhead Society.” Frank says that one of the main purposes of the group will be to save the remnant runs of Russian River Steelhead and that they are already discussing the possibility of establishing a Russian River Fly Fishing Museum. Think about possible donations.
The Saturday night event starts at 4:00 p.m. and the $35 per person admission includes dinner. Join us at Russian River Sportsman Club, 25150 Steelhead Boulevard, Duncans Mills, CA 95430 (707) 865-9429 (off Moscow Rd which is off Hwy-116).
If you’re coming, please make sure to RSVP in advance, so that adequate facilities and food can be provided. Call either: Frank Bertania at (707) 573-0759, or Steve Jackson of King's Sport & Tackle in Guerneville (707) 869-2156. Frank suggests that if you’re staying over, and many are, you might try the Northwood Lodge, 4 miles down river
www.northwood-lodge.com (877)-865-1665 or (707) 865-1655 in Monte Rio. However, speak to Frank first, because he’s trying to get a “rate.” There are others as well.
This is not a fund raiser, no raffle, or auctions. This is a celebration of another steelhead season, some of it's history and about some of those anglers that helped in shaping it's legacy. There will be a discussion about the wild steelhead habitat restoration of Willow, Freezeout, Austin, and Dutch Bill Creeks and consideration of a low water juvenile rescue plan to help with escapement and enhancement of our wild fish stocks in the lower tidewater section of the Russian River.
As it gets organized, I personally hope that the Russian River Wild Steelhead Society will affiliate with the Federation of Fly Fishers so that our and the NCCFFF’s horsepower can help them in their quest.
Skitt fiske!
Marty Seldon
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