Extravagant Ones:
May Day saw our first ever pre-Extravaganza confab on the glorious Leland Fly Fishing Ranch on a glorious Sonoma afternoon, and what a blast that was! With five (count 'em!) professional fly casting instructors overseeing more than 15 fly rods in action virtually non-stop for four hours, E-10 veterans and rookies alike got a sampling of just what Extravaganza 2010 will be offering up in just over 45 days now.
This event was the first "big party" for the Leland Fly Ranch and, based on the raves of all 70+ that were there, it will be the first of many to come (including our already booking the same weekend for 2011). Under the wonderfully watchful guidance of Heidi and Eddie, the Leland staff was "lights out" in all that they did: The facilities were perfect, the food was marvelous, the setting was idyllic and, for me, the best part was the introduction of fly casting to a whole new generation of Extravaganzers--the spouses and children of our core fishing group.
The attached pics tell it all, starting out with Kocktail Kathy (your Hostess With The Mostess) greeting rookie Group Oners Cal Walters & family, followed by (a) also Group One rookie "Minnow Mel" McCormack [right is style, Group One-wise, that is--casting with wine glass in hand!], (b) the sweetness of our office's chosen "mascot" Natalie "The Natch" James two-handing a 5 wt rod (with a gaggle of casters in the background), (c) Group Threers Bruce "The Rookie" [yes, there IS a story there, as he will forever be known as "The Rookie"!] Mowat with true rookie David Hatch [what a great fishing name, btw!], (d) Group One's Michael Downer overseeing long-in-the-tooth Steve "Da Judge" Graham (seated to the left next to his bride Terry), (e) followed by a close up of one of the marvelous deserts prepared by CLG office manager [as in, "she runs the show"] Stephanie "Mother of The Natch" James.
The folks at Leland's are our newest-found Extravaganza friends and, while you are at home near a computer, you have the opportunity to do your "retail therapy" as, soon, you will be able to access a special section of their website though a link to be posted on Der Blog and have access to their entire, extensive inventory of fly fishing products where 8% of your purchases will then be donated to the Montana Matters campaign (see also the link to that wonderful MM site already on Der Blog). Also, "The Ranch" is nearby to all Bay Area locales, is open seven days a week, and fly casting lessons by the hour are available upon advance reservation by calling any of the wonderful Leland staff at (707) 939-6913. Thanks again, Heidi and Eddie--the two of you rock!
As we have so dearly found through the Extravaganza, gang, folks that fly fish together quickly become friends together--'tis a beautifully beautiful thing.
For those of you who joined us yesterday to celebrate the coming of spring, the nearness of E-10, and RCR/KK's eleventh wedding anniversary, we thank you...indeed, as you witnessed first hand, it rocked!!
Best to all,
Rock Creek Ron & Kocktail Kathy
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