SIDEBAR:
20th Annual Big ‘MOE’
STURBRIDGE-Bill Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, encourages residents in the Greater Westfield area to consider spending a day at the Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big “MOE”) on Sept. 25 at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club.
There are more than 45 activity stations so there is something for everyone, noted Rose.
Local residents from the association will be on hand to do fly-tying demonstrations, while stations that are also supervised include mountain biking, Tomahawk throwing, birdhouse building, shotgun, air gun and rifle shooting, kayaking, archery, birds of prey and a petting zoo.
Admission, parking and all activities are free from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
The Big MOE is produced by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS).
For complete details, visit www.FawnsExpo.com.
HUNTINGTON-Some of Bill Rose’s fondest memories growing up were times when his grandfather took him fishing in a rowboat at the Oxbow.
“I grew up in East Longmeadow with a brook close by so since I was six, I have loved fishing,” said Rose.
Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, is now enjoying his retirement years with family and friends – and as often as he can – exploring the tributaries of the Westfield River.
Bill Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, will be among the association members hosting a fly fishing clinic Sept. 17.
“My passion is catching and releasing native brook trout,” said Rose at the scenic turnout across from the Huntington Health Center which will be the setting for the annual Fly Fishing Clinic slated Sept. 17. The free event is planned from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is conducted in conjunction with the Western Massachusetts Fly-Fishing Association.
“There will be fly-tying demonstrations, fly casting instruction, and aquatic insect and plant identification,” said Rose. “Feel free to bring along your fly rod, both for help with casting and to make sure it’s assembled properly.”
Rose is passionate about fishing and does his homework before he enters the water. He takes a water sample to determine the insects present and then uses two of his favorite guide books – Trout Stream Insects by Dick Pobst and Art Flick’s Streamside Guide to Naturals and their Imitations – so his “Bill’s Retirement Plan” box (that was given to him by his children) will contain the dry flies he needs to snag one of the stocked rainbow trout, brown trout or Tiger trout in the river.
“I have found that the Westfield River also has smallmouth bass,” he said.
During the clinic, Rose will display his dry flies that include his “musts” for fishing the Westfield River – Muddler Minnow, Wholly Bugger, Pheasant Tail Nymph and Humpy.
“I keep my fly boxes in my vest,” he said. “I keep my inventory very simple.”
Bill Rose, president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, casts a line in the Westfield River on Friday morning. Rose will be among the association members hosting a fly fishing clinic Sept. 17.
Another “must” carry for Rose is a lanyard that sports tippet material to attach to a fly, a frog’s fanny, “Gink,” a fly flotant, snips, and a small replica of a Coke.
“I love Coca Cola so my kids gave me a small plastic bottle as a good luck charm,” he said.
Rose noted that in addition to his fly casting instruction, Manny DaSilva will provide fly-tying demonstrations, Mark Damon will conduct an insect and plant clinic with samples from the Westfield River that can be viewed under a microscope, and Lynn Bannon will oversee a table of information on the Westfield River Watershed Association. Membership forms will also be available at the event.
“Watching a fly being tied that is used to catch fish in the Westfield River is interesting and educational for both the novice and experienced fly fishermen,” said Rose.
Rose said he started the clinic eight years ago and has noticed that people come back year after year.
“The event will be conducted rain or shine,” he said. “People stop in out of curiosity and end up staying most of the morning visiting the different stations. We hope area residents join us for an enjoyable and educational activity on the river.”
For more information on the clinic, visit www.westfieldriver.org or contact Rose at (413) 786-0195.
“As members of the association, we are stewards of the river,” said Rose. “Our mission is to protect the watershed.”
On a related note, Rose is also president of Western Massachusetts Fly Fishermen which conducts meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Elks Club on Chapin Street in Ludlow. For more information on the group, visit www.wmflyfishermen.org.
