September 1, 2023

After a vote from our members, our 2022-2023 officers are (clockwise from top left in photo):

President-Kevin Fraley-Fairbanks resident since 2008, fisheries ecologist, Dolly Varden and sheefish fishing enthusiast 

Vice President-Max Auschwitz-From Bartlesville Oklahoma but has lived in Fairbanks for over 2 years. Junior at UAF studying biology while working part time in the Big Rays Fly Shop. Once moving to Alaska Max discovered his love for grayling fishing and tries to fly fish 3-4 days a week on all the rivers around Fairbanks.

Conservation Coordinator and Secretary-Alex Garnier-Steelhead fishing enthusiast, skillful spey caster, has guided in Alaska, Belize, Idaho, and Colorado. See Alex's previous presentation for MSFC on catch and release techniques here: https://youtu.be/5iJr0BFW2lA

Treasurer-Dave Vick-Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Lived in the Fairbanks area for 50 years, has served in position for many years

October 12, 2022

The Midnight Sun Fly Casters will curate the "Arctic Master Angler Certificate Program", which  highlights the unique and challenging sport fish species of Northern Alaska (and the Arctic region in general) and recognizes the achievements of accomplished fly fishers.

Catch-and-release on the fly 5 of the 6 possible species within one calendar year and receive a certificate, free 1-year membership to MSFC, and recognition on our social media and website. A junior slam is also available with slightly less-rigorous requirements

See all the details and apply at the page here!

August 19, 2022

After a vote from our members, our 2022-2023 officers are (clockwise from top left in photo):

President-Kevin Fraley-Fairbanks resident since 2008, fisheries ecologist, Chinook and sheefish fishing enthusiast 

Vice President-Dan Hoffman-Long-time Fairbanksan, former Fairbanks Police Chief, and author of an "An Alaska Flyfisher's Odyssey"

Conservation Coordinator and Secretary-Will Samuel-Fairbanks born and raised, UAF Fisheries student, avid fisherman and former guide

Treasurer-Dave Vick-Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Lived in the Fairbanks area for 50 years, has served in position for many years

April 24, 2022

MSFC co-hosted a screening of the International Fly Fishing Film Fest at the UAF Pub with Alaska Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. We had a huge turnout with over 80 tickets sold. It was wonderful to gather in person again, and great to catch up with old friends and meet new folks enthusiastic about fly fishing. 

Dan Hoffman shot this photo during the event. Thanks for the photos, Dan, and for donating one of your books as a door prize. Special thanks also to  RVRWZRD, Big Rays Fly Shop, TU Alaska, 10 Barrel Brewing Co., IF4, and the hosting organizations MSFC, TU, and BHA for donating additional prizes.

This film fest capped another great season of MSFC meetings and events. While it was a challenging year again with mostly virtual activities, things are looking hopeful for resuming in-person events when we start our new season of meetings this fall.

Good luck on your spring fishing adventures as the water opens up, and hope to see you all again soon for our CHSR litter cleanup (May 21) or other events.

February 8, 2022

Kid's Camp is tentatively going to be held from June 10-12 this summer at Lost Lake Boy Scout Camp.  Check out the Kid's Camp page here for requirements, details, and registration.

Hello Fly Casters,

Help keep our local river we all love and fly fish beautiful and healthy! Please join us on May 22 to clean up our section of the Chena Hot Springs Road we have adopted for highway litter pickup (along the North Fork Chena, see photo for map).

We will plan to meet at the ADFG stocked ponds at milepost 45.5, which are just down a short access road. We will plan to be there as early as 9 AM, but people can join in the cleanup effort at any time throughout the day. We expect to wrap things up no later than 2 PM. We will start picking up around the stocked ponds and access road, then work on the main hot springs road section from MP 45 to 46.

Make sure to bring bug spray or other bug deterrent, suitable clothing for a half day outdoors (raincoat recommended just in case), gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks, and lunch. Socially distancing and wearing masks is encouraged.

The club will provide trash bags and reflective safety vests for anybody who would like them.

This cleanup day is open to any and all

(MSFC members or the public) who wish to help in this effort.

If we get done early and weather conditions are conducive, those who are interested may do a short float (2-3 miles) on the North Fork of the Chena, or try some grayling fishing along the hot springs road. You will need to bring your own watercraft and fishing equipment to participate in this.

January 13, 2021

Hello all,

We now have an option for purchasing an MSFC membership online.

Check out our new 'Shop' page to utilize this. You get a free sticker and member card with membership.

Also, a limited run of merchandise featuring the Sheefish design will be available soon.

Thanks,

-Kevin Fraley
MSFC President

October 12, 2020

Our fishing meet up on the Delta Clearwater was a success, with a good number of coho caught on both fly and spin gear.  There were large groups of salmon but they were fairly wary and the amount of jet boat traffic seemed to disturb them.  A few grayling were caught too! 

October 1, 2020

Hello all,

The Midnight Sun Fly Casters and the UAF American Fisheries Society Student Subunit will be holding an informal meet-up, BBQ, and fishing excursion on Saturday, October 10 at the Delta Clearwater River near Delta Junction.

We plan to meet at the Delta Clearwater State Recreation Site Boat Launch at 11 AM on October 10th.  There is a picnic area and lots of room to spread out to facilitate social distancing.  Mask use is encouraged  for the safety of participants. We encourage people to travel to and from the site individually or within your "bubble" of family/social contacts.

We will fish from the bank (there is good bank access and trails from the boat launch) for coho salmon and grayling.  Chest waders are highly recommended. Members may also bring boats to facilitate access to fish. Coho have started showing up (e.g., pics below from last weekend) and should be in good numbers for catching when we are there on the 10th. 

After an hour or two of fishing, and at participant's leisure, we can retreat to the picnic area and have a BBQ and perhaps a campfire. We encourage those attending to bring items for the grill or sides. Bring your own drinks.

Please see the Facebook event page for details.

Thanks,

-Kevin Fraley
MSFC President

September 18, 2020

Hello all,

I am pleased to announce that we will be collaborating with the UAF American Fisheries Society student group on a virtual stream cleanup of the Chena River and Badger Slough. 

Participation in this event is optional and easy, just visit the Chena River or Badger Slough in Fairbanks or North Pole, Alaska during the time period of September 18-25 and pick up trash along the riverbank.  This can be done at your leisure, and we encourage participants to do so individually or in a socially distant manner for their safety.

There are a multitude of river access areas where cleanup can be undertaken, including the river banks and bike paths as the Chena flows through downtown Fairbanks, Badger Slough as it flows along Badger Road, or the Pikes, Geraghty Avenue, Wendell Street, Nordale, Chena Lakes, or Hot Springs Road boat/river access sites.

However you decide to participate, remember to email us pictures or post on social media about it with the hashtags #StreamCleanAFS and #ChenaCleanup to help spread the word!  Send questions to Midnight Sun Fly Casters President Kevin Fraley (president.midnightsunflycasters@gmail.com) or UAF AFS Student Subunit President Carolyn Hamman (crhamman3@alaska.edu).

If you are interested in more details about this nationwide stream cleanup program, check out the link here.  You can see our event and others on the following map.

Let's help keep our Chena River clean and beautiful for the people and fish that reside along/in it!

Thanks,

-Kevin Fraley
MSFC President

August 27, 2020

Hello Fellow Fly Casters,

Please join us for our first meeting of the 2020-2021 season!

This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on September 9 (Wednesday) from 6:30-7:30 PM

The meeting can be accessed through your phone or computer by following the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7076918643?pwd=SEJaVGRmcVlaS3JDVVpwQWN6dnI1UT09

Meeting ID: 707 691 8643 Passcode: MSFC

We will conduct officer introductions, go over some brief announcements, and then MSFC President Kevin Fraley will give a presentation about fly fishing the Kobuk River for sheefish and other species. 

Thanks,

--

Kevin Fraley
President

August 25, 2020

The results from the officer elections are as follows:

President:  Kevin Fraley

Vice President: Will Samuel

Secretary: Oliver Ancans

Treasurer: Dave Vick

Please welcome your 2020-2021 MSFC Officers!  

We hope we can provide you, the membership, some good meetings, presentations, and opportunities to engage with your fellow Interior AK fly casters, whether this happens virtually or in-person.

Thanks,

--

Kevin Fraley
President

August 13, 2020

Hello fellow Fly Casters,

We hope that you are staying safe in these COVID-19 times, yet still finding time for the best form of social distancing in the outdoors--fly fishing!

The intent of this message is to check in with you all before the traditional MSFC season of monthly meetings.  Because of the continuing prevalence of COVID, we plan to postpone 2020-2021 in-person meetings of MSFC until later in the winter, whenever it becomes safer to hold such gatherings.

Despite this, we plan to be fully active in other ways by potentially holding digital meetings or presentations, and by revamping the club's web and social media presence.

Given that, I have included a poll here for voting for MSFC officers for the upcoming year. You may write yourself or other candidates in for any position if you choose. There are also spaces for you to give input on the meeting structure and content this year. Please fill out this poll by August 22, after which votes will be tallied.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRZ1RchvwPpiNh_tHAoXbzDp6K6u_80Zv8PKDvv9NP9Ohw5A/viewform

After the final MSFC meeting last spring, the former President solicited applications from the membership for an MSFC President for 2020-2021. While none were forthcoming at the time, I recently submitted my name for consideration for the position, which was met by approval from the MSFC Board of Directors. However, I have included the President's position in the election poll in case there are any competing candidates.

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please feel free to reach out to me or other senior members of MSFC.

Looking forward to a challenging but exciting new year for MSFC!

Thank you,

--

Kevin Fraley

Prospective President