1987 Jackson Hole One Fly Event
Smooth Sailing
1987 saw a team from Idaho, The Henry's Fork
Foundation, head downstream with the George Northup bronze, which is the
One Fly Event's first place traveling trophy. Fly fishing legend Mike
Lawson led the four-man Henry's Fork Foundation team to capture the
two-day event. The event had 20 teams that year and represented many
states, Washington D.C., and Canada. The U.S. Secretary of Interior,
Donald Hodel, and Under-Secretary Bill Horne were honorary chairmen.
The Green Trude fly once again enjoyed great popularity and was labeled
"The Yuppie Fly." However, it was the Western Coachman pattern fished by
Tom Knopick of the Durangler's of Colorado that took top individual
honors. It was the old reliable muddler minnow pattern that took the
biggest fish. Neil Taylor of Santa Barbara, CA, brought a fat 21-inch
cutthroat to net using this pattern.
Hooks without a barb became the rule in this catch-and-release event.
Secretary of the Interior, Donald Hodel, did not escape a barb of
another kind. Regarding the controversial re-introduction of wolves into
Yellowstone National Park he was reported stating, "One should
always have Wulffs when fishing in the contest." Once again
sportsmanship and friendship prevailed to make the 1987 One Fly Event a
great success.
1987 One Fly Event Winning Fly
The Dry Muddler Minnow
Tom Knopick, a Top Gun for the visiting Duranglers team, fished a Dry
Muddler to perfection. The Muddler has always been a popular pick of
One Fly contestants because of its ability to imitate adult insects on
the surface, yet, when fished under the surface, makes an excellent
minnow imitation. The search for the perfect One Fly always seems to
come down to a fly that can be fished both wet and dry. The Muddler has
always been on everybody's fly list. Many anglers - including legend Lee
Wulff - believe that if they were limited to one fly for their entire
fishing career, this would be their pick. There is no question about its
ability to catch big fish in the event. The record, a 24+ inch
cuttthroat, was caught on a Muddler, as was the 1991 winner. |
