Truchas Chapter Trout Unlimited News

Author: Bob O'Connor
Article reprinted from February newsletter

Dave Whitlock, world-renowned author, teacher, illustrator and fly tyer extraordinaire, is the keynote guest speaker for the 2009 Truchas Chapter Annual Banquet on Saturday, March 21st.

Dave Whitlock, as most of you know, is an expert on trout and the aquatic foods that make up their diet. As one of the sport's leading fly tyers, Dave is also expert at creating innovative new fly patterns and casting presentations to imitate the naturals that are the key to success on any water.

Dave's program this year is EL SALTAMONTES: A CHILEAN HOPPER PARADISE as he takes us on an entertaining slide tour of Chile. It's a visual feast that includes the dramatic flight over the Andes, a stop at Puerto Montt, views of the mountains, the ranch, the alpaca, the local gauchos and the ox-drawn carts as well as some of the most exciting and explosive hopper fishing you can imagine.

Please take note. Unlike years past, the Banquet will be held at the Inn and Spa at Loretto (not at the Santa Fe Hilton). Cocktails will start with an open cash bar at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 pm with Dave Whitlock beginning his talk and slide show presentation around 8:00 pm as dessert is being served.

The Banquet is our primary annual fund-raising event to support projects throughout the year. As always, there will be plenty of silent auction items including exclusive guided fishing trips, artwork, jewelry, custom-made fly rods and other fishing equipment. We will also have the ever-popular Checkerboard Auction as a separate bid item. And for the first time, we will hold a live-auction at the Banquet to allow this year's guests to bid on the spot for a very unique fly fishing excursion.

See more on our website on our Annual Banquet page.