Author Topic: Team Freestone: Open Membership Recruitment (Read 3558 times)

Mark Hanes · « **on:** December 02, 2009, 07:47:43 PM »

We are happy to announce the formation of "Team Freestone" : a competitive fly fishing group based in the North East/Mid Atlantic United States. This is also a revolving open call for new members. The premise is really pretty simple: through practice, liberal open communication, and a little "blood, sweat, & fun" we will work collectively to better our angling skills as individuals and a team.

If you are interested please feel free to contact myself or Dejon with the following information: Full Name, Hometown, Fly Fishing experience/years, fly tying experience/years, competition experience, ability to travel "free-time", and anything else you find relevant. Remember, there are no specific experience requirements - we're just trying to gauge your situation and hit the ground running!

So if you have a real passion for extending your fly fishing knowledge and enjoy a "team atmosphere" please don't hesitate to contact us with all inquiries. Below are our evolving team goals and guidelines.

Team Goals:
1) Promote Competitive Fly Fishing in the United States
2) Train willing individuals to become high level anglers
3) Field "TroutLegend" teams to Open Tournaments
4) Stage & promote Regional Competitions and Seminars
5) Enjoy the ride!

Team Requirements:
1) Almost unhealthy addiction and love of Fly Fishing
2) Active Contributor to TroutLegend Forum/Website
3) Regular participation in "Field Events"

Conservation and Education:
1) Strengthen young minds, in fly fishing, and life.
2) Continually move to reinforce and extend the educational base of "Competitive Fly Fishing" in North America.
3) Promote cold water conservation efforts with "hands on support" and more!

Membership Roles & Experience Statement
- Quite simply there are no experience requirements nor membership roles not open. If you can dream it up we'd be happy to hear it! Normally, competitors & tiers have at least 5 or 10 years of fly fishing experience with 1 or more years studying competition techniques and practices... but not always.

Josh Almond · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2009, 08:06:02 PM »

AWESOME!!!

Good luck fella's and take it one step at a time. Feel free to contact any of us from the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team if you have any questions pertaining to anything and everything to getting off the ground. I"m positive the same goes for asking Team Stonefly too!

We are one step closer to getting a competitive state circuit going!

This news will have us double checking our knots for future comps

Again congrats!!

Chris Smith · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2009, 10:37:42 PM »

That's great news guys!

What we need is a circuit of comps here on the east coast, and having multiple teams to stage and coordinate such events can only make things better.

As Josh noted, we'd be glad to share advice if needed. I have a feeling you're in good hands, however.

Best,
Chris

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2009, 10:46:42 PM »

Thanx guys! We will definitely be tapping you guys for information as things progress. The success and growth of both of your organizations was really inspirational in the creation of this project.

And I agree completely, working hand in hand we should be able to strengthen the effort not only on this coast, but nationwide.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2009, 11:01:36 PM »

Thanks guys! Your support means a lot.

IHPGFY · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2009, 12:10:59 AM »

Good luck, wish I had a desire and time to take part. Let me know if you guys ever need any fly tying stuff, maybe I could help out that way.

Mike Norton · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2009, 01:35:54 AM »

Thanks for the support fellas

Tim Barrett · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2009, 10:50:44 AM »

Looks like a great start to a great team.
Very nice.

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2009, 01:58:10 PM »

Congratulations on your new team! I am sure that you'll have a great time and learn a ton of stuff from the experience. I would however suggest that you start fishing and practicing together as much as possible, in order to share and draw from your collective knowledge and experiences. Living close together really gives you the competitive edge over some of the teams whose members are spread-out over hundreds of miles.

If I may offer all of you one strong word of advice...
Always remember that the stronger and top teams are those that work together as a single unit, and put the best interest of the Team ahead of their own agendas. Treat this as a Team sport rather than an individual effort, and the individual achievements will fall into place during the actual competitions.

Greed and egos are often the underlying factor that leads a team down the slippery path to failure...

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2009, 02:16:10 PM »

I should also add that having an alternate team member is a very wise move, as injuries and other unforeseen circumstances/issues can cause last minute withdrawls (work, family, economic, etc...) and should be accounted for.

Assembling two or more teams is ideal, as it will allow you to have mini-comps and trials, which can be an invaluable tool and process for mentally and physically preparing those who haven't competed in an actual competition...

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2009, 02:33:00 PM »

Great advice Todd. We are definitely trying to stress the importance of "team over individual" as we build out this organization.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2009, 04:46:05 PM »

Getting better by the hour!

Rich Strolis just joined Team TroutLegend as "Official Team Tyer". Glad to have this skilled fly technician helping the team grow!

Frank Muscente · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2009, 09:41:16 PM »

Thanks,

Excited to be involved with you guys!! Can't wait to meet everyone.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2009, 10:51:30 PM »

Brandon Alexander from Tillson NY just signed up!

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2009, 10:53:48 PM »

Welcome aboard guys! Nice to see we have some interest and members.

Kalvin Kaloz · « **Reply #15 on:** December 03, 2009, 10:54:44 PM »

Guys...this should be an AWESOME adventure and one that I am very much looking forward too!!!

Thanks for the offer of help and mentorship along the way to both Team NC and Stonefly. Todd your insight is invaluable and I could not agree more with what you have said!

The addition of Rich and Frank...this is really starting to get turn in to something!

CHEERS!!!

Jason Baker · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2009, 12:08:43 AM »

Dejon:

Looking forward to support each other in building a great circuit in the East!

Jason Baker
Team Stonefly

Mike Norton · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2009, 01:36:58 AM »

looking good so far..welcome new team members

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #18 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:44:16 PM »

Christopher Smorul from Phillipsburg NJ just joined up!

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #19 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:50:33 PM »

Thanks for the opportunity. I'm not the most experienced FF but I will keep it real.

Frank Muscente · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2009, 08:07:50 PM »

Hey Guys,

For competition can we use Daiichi hooks? Also can we use colored tung beads?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2009, 08:24:21 PM »

Quote from: Frank Muscente on December 04, 2009, 08:07:50 PM

Hey Guys,
For competition can we use Daiichi hooks? Also can we use colored tung beads?

My short answer: No and Yes.

You can squeak into competition with Daiichi's, but you will be severely handicapped because most barbed hooks drop fish once you grind down the barb (i'm not familiar with anyone using the barbless ones). Check out this thread: http://troutlegend.com/forum/fips-mouche-tech-talk-37/comp-flies-standards-and-deviations/

Colored tungs yes! All though they were outlawed at this last US National Championship, but I don't think that will ever fly again.

Also, any potential comp. guy worth their salt has really gotta sit down for 20 minutes and read through the Fips-Mouch rules: http://www.fips-mouche.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=72&Itemid=11