Rocky Ford Memorial Bench

OVERLAKE FLY FISHING CLUB’s MEMORIAL BENCH AT ROCKY FORD CREEK

The Overlake Fly Fishing Club (OFFC) of Bellevue/Eastside Seattle, Washington, dedicated a Memorial Bench at Rocky Ford Creek in Grant County on Saturday, April 13, 2019, to honor past OFFC members who have made substantial contributions to the club. The Memorial Bench is intended to be a living legacy that generations of OFFC members and other fly fishers can enjoy and to encourage and inspire present and future club members to build on the tradition of service to the club and the fly fishing community.

Picture Gallery of the installation and dedication of the OFFC Memorial Bench

Memorial Plaque as of 2023

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF OFFC ROCKY FORD MEMORIAL BENCH HONOREES – APRIL 13, 2019

Gene Armstrong (1910-1990):  Gene was an active member of OFFC until his untimely passing in 1990.  He served OFFC as a Trustee, Education Committee Chair, 3^rd Vice President-Conservation, and Treasurer.  Gene was a well-known conservationist and fly tier and was known for his dragonfly nymph, damselfly, and other fly patterns.  He received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1985. In 1989, he led a group of OFFC members who built the wooden footbridge at the upper end of Rocky Ford Creek, which remained in service for over 20 years.  After Gene’s passing, the club erected a plaque in his memory next to the bridge, dedicating it as the Gene Armstrong Memorial Bridge, and club members spread his ashes in the creek.

Bill Ball (1929-2015):  Bill and his wife Madeleine were active members in OFFC for many years.  Bill served briefly on the OFFC Board, was an active fly tier, and contributed many flies to OFFC raffles.  Bill passed in 2015 and is fondly remembered by many club members.  Madeleine still lives in Issaquah.  In the fall of 2018, Madeleine generously donated to OFFC Bill’s extensive collection of fly fishing gear, flies, and fly tying equipment, which has greatly benefited the club’s Raffle, Education, Chubski Fly Tiers Roundtable, Holiday Party Auction, and Youth Fly Fishing Outreach programs.

Frank Chubski (1923-1989):  Frank was a founding member of OFFC and its monthly fly-tying roundtable.  Frank also served OFFC as Education Committee Chair, Membership Vice President, and President.  Sadly, Frank passed away in 1989 before he could complete his term of office as President.  The following year, OFFC renamed the monthly fly tying roundtable that Frank helped found the Frank Chubski Fly Tiers Roundtable in his memory.  The Chubski Roundtable continues to flourish as an integral part of OFFC.

Julian May Dikty (1931-2017):  Julian was the author of numerous science fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, horror, and children’s books, mostly published under the name Julian May.  She was an active fly fisher and outdoors enthusiast throughout her life and briefly a member of OFFC, preferring to fish alone.  Shortly before her passing, Julian generously donated to OFFC her extensive collection of flies, fly-fishing equipment, and fishing books, from which the club has benefited significantly.

Larry Dixon (d. 2015, age 69):  Larry Dixon was an avid fly fisher and hunter who served OFFC as President, Vice President, and Trustee in 1982-1985.

Larry Graham (d. 2002):  Larry Graham was a master fly fisher, guide, and fly tier who developed the popular Lightning Bug fly pattern and many others.  He was an active member and leader of OFFC’s monthly fly tying roundtable for many years and also served OFFC as Vice President and Trustee He received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1991.

Al Green (1924-2016):  Al was an avid fly fisher who served OFFC as President, Trustee, Conservation Chair, and Warm Water Committee Chair in 1984-1989 before relocating to Winthrop, where he helped found the Methow Valley Fly Fishers.

Malcolm Hickey (1924-2015):  Mal Hickey was an active OFFC member for many years, having served OFFC as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Trustee in 1980-1983, and as Picnic Committee Chair from 1987 through 1999.

Howard Kalber (1920-2003):  Howard was an accomplished fly fisher, fly tier, and rod builder who was actively involved as a member of OFFC and its fly tying roundtable for many years.  He served as President of OFFC in 1986 and also as Vice President, Trustee, Raffle Committee Chair, Auction Committee Chair, and Sportsman’s Show Committee Chair.  Howard represented a number of fly fishing gear manufacturers and vendors for many years.  As a result of his relationships with these companies, he was able to obtain fly fishing gear at bargain prices to benefit OFFC’s Raffle, Education, Holiday Party Auction, and other programs.  Howard received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in both 1987 and 1988.  He led some unforgettable outings to superb fishing spots like the Babine River in Central British Columbia and the Bow River in Alberta.

Gordon Legg (1943-2010):  Gordon was a founding member of OFFC and very active in the early years of the club.  He served OFFC as President in 1978 and also as Treasurer for two years.  He received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1979.

Lloyd Lewis:  Lloyd was a founding member of OFFC and remained active in the club for many years.  He served as OFFC’s President in 1975 and 1982 and also served as Vice President, Trustee, Treasurer, Ghillie, and Picnic Chair. He was the first recipient of OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1978 (with Lory Watkins) and also received that award in 1981.

Charles Lowe: Charlie Lowe was an active member of OFFC for many years, having served as OFFC’s Treasurer for nine years (1981-1989).  He received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1986.

Bill Mackay (1923-2008):  Bill Mackay had previously served as President of the Puget Sound Anglers before joining OFFC in the mid-1990s.  He soon made a huge impact on OFFC and remained a driving force in the club and in the fly fishing community until his passing in 2008.  Bill served OFFC as Membership Vice President in 1997, President in 1998, Trustee, and finally Conservation Chair for eight years.  He was passionate about fly fishing, conservation, and ecology and was an active participant in FFF (now FFI) and numerous conservation organizations.  Bill received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 2003.  In 2006, He became the first recipient of what is now known as the Bill Mackay Hall of Fame Award, which honors a member’s lifetime contributions to OFFC as well as to the fly fishing community.

David Nielson (1943-2015): Dave Nielson was a skilled fly fisher who mentored numerous OFFC members during his long tenure in the club and is fondly remembered by many.  He served as OFFC President in 1988 and also served the club as Membership Vice President and Trustee. David received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 2014 (with Cliff Barker).

Larry Petersen (d. 2016, age 74):  Larry was an active member of OFFC for many years, leading and participating in numerous club outings.  He later relocated to Port Ludlow, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula.  Larry passed away in 2016 and is fondly remembered by many.

Dan Quinn (d. 2010):  Dan and his wife Marilyn were active members of OFFC in the early years of the club.  Dan served OFFC as President in 1979 and also served the club as Vice President, Trustee, and Windknots Editor (for several years).  Dan received OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1980 and in 1982 (with Marilyn Quinn).  Dan and Marilyn later relocated to Sequim, Washington.

Gordon Rasmussen (1923-2017):  Gordon was an avid fly fisher, conservationist, and fly tier who was an active member of OFFC for many years.  He served OFFC as President in 1985, the year the club was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation, and also served as Vice President, Trustee, and Historian (for many years).  After his passing, Gordon’s family and friends generously contributed over $1,000 to OFFC in his memory to be used toward the purchase and acquisition of the Rocky Ford Memorial Bench to honor Gordon and other former OFFC members who have made substantial contributions to the club.

Dick Scales (1927-2017):  Dick was an active club member for many years and an avid fly tier.  He received OFFC’s Bill Mackay Hall of Fame Award in 2008.

Francis Smith (d. 2006, age 73):  Francis was an OFFC member for many years who served as OFFC Programs Vice President, Trustee, and Membership Vice President before stepping in to complete Frank Chubski’s term as President in 1989. 

Lory Watkins (1941-2013):  Lory Watkins was a founding member of OFFC who became an OFFC institution for nearly 40 years until his passing in 2013.  Lory was a skilled fly fisher, fly tier, and conservationist.  He served OFFC as President in 1976 and in many other capacities including Secretary, FFF Committee Chair, and Windknots Editor and Historian for many years.  He was the first recipient of OFFC’s Outstanding Lifetime Service Award in 1978 (with Lloyd Lewis) and received the Bill Mackay Hall of Fame Award in 2007.  After Lory’s passing, his wife Linda generously donated Lory’s extensive collection of his own hand-tied flies and other fly fishing equipment to OFFC to benefit its programs and activities.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF OFFC ROCKY FORD MEMORIAL BENCH HONOREES – APRIL 9, 2022 to APRIL 8,2023

Mike Alfe (1948-2021): A long-time OFFC member, Mike later relocated with his family to Meridian, Idaho. An avid fly fisher, Mike participated in many outings with the club and is fondly remembered by many. He served as OFFC’s Webmaster in 2005-2008 and did much to improve the club’s internet presence at the time. Following Mike’s passing in May 2021, his family and friends spread his ashes in the Owyhee River in Idaho.

Don Foote (1926-2022): Don is remembered by many as a long-time OFFC member, skilled fly fisher, and friend. Don served as OFFC’s President in 1997, and he also served on the OFFC Board as Treasurer in 1996 and Trustee in 1998 and 1999.

Ron Miller (1932-2021): Ron joined OFFC in 1995 after retiring from a distinguished career as an officer and aviator in the U.S. Navy and later as a local business leader. Ron’s final Navy posting before retirement was as Commanding Officer of Seattle’s Sand Point Naval Air Station. A skilled fly fisher and active club member for approximately 24 years, Ron especially loved to fish the lakes of British Columbia and Eastern Washington. He served OFFC as a Board Trustee in 1996 and 1997 and as the Windknots Editor/Chair for 7 years from 1998 through 2004.

Vern Olson (d. 2021, age 74): Vern and his wife Tracy were active OFFC members until they later relocated to Alaska. Vern was an avid fly fisher and storyteller and is fondly remembered by many. Vern served OFFC as Co-President (with Tracy) in 2005, Co-Trustee (with Tracy) in 2006-2008, 3rd Vice President, Education in 2003-2004, and Outings Chair in 2001-2002.

Jay Rusling (1936-2020): An avid fly fisher and conservationist, Jay was a member of OFFC from about 1995 to 2005. He served on the OFFC Board as a Trustee in 2002 and 2003. In 2017, Jay donated most of his extensive collection of classic fly fishing books to OFFC, and some of these books were passed on to club members as part of OFFC’s raffles and auctions. In 2018, Jay rejoined OFFC as an Associate Member and remained a member until his passing in 2020. After Jay’s passing, per his instructions, his estate donated his remaining fishing books to the club

Jerry Wire (1933-2022): A long-time OFFC member, Jerry served as OFFC’s Co-President with his wife Judie Wire in 2000, and he also served on the OFFC Board as Treasurer in 1997, Trustee in 1999, and Co-Trustee in 2001 and 2002 (with Judie Wire). Jerry was an avid outdoorsman and fly fisher who left behind many friends at OFFC.

A brief history of OFFC

OFFC History: The Overlake Fly Fishing Club (OFFC), an affiliate club of Fly Fishers International, was founded in Bellevue, Washington, on September 10, 1974, by Co-Founders Lloyd Lewis and Chris McDonald with 18 other Charter Members, including Frank Chubski, Gordon Legg, and Lory Watkins.

OFFC was incorporated as a Washington nonprofit corporation on November 5, 1985. The club’s Articles of Incorporation underscore its principal objectives to work for the improvement and perpetuation of fly fishing waters; encourage catch and release fishing programs; advocate sportsmanship and conservation; and promote education. Over the years, the club has continued to hold monthly meetings at various venues on Seattle’s Eastside in Bellevue, Issaquah, and presently Redmond.

OFFC currently has approximately 145 members, is governed by a 11-member Board and various standing committees, and sponsors numerous fly fishing outings, education classes, conservation activities, and other programs and events throughout the year.

OFFC history at Rocky Ford Creek

OFFC selected Rocky Ford Creek, a favorite Washington fly-fishing venue, as the site of the Memorial Bench due to the club’s long and historic connection with the creek. The OFFC has sponsored club outings at Rocky Ford for many years. In 1989, with WDFW’s permission, a group of OFFC members led by Gene Armstrong, an avid fly fisher, fly tier, and conservationist, constructed a wooden footbridge at the north (upper) end of the creek.

The bridge provided much needed fishing access to fly fishers and helped conserve the habitat by keeping them out of the creek. After Gene’s untimely death in 1990, OFFC erected a plaque in his memory next to the bridge, dedicating it as the Gene Armstrong Memorial Bridge. The bridge remained in service for over 20 years and was recently replaced, along with the south bridge. That plaque is still mounted on a stand near the present north bridge.

OFFC Memorial Bench Project: The Memorial Bench is the culmination of several years of discussion and planning. After various sites in Western Washington were considered, at the suggestion of OFFC Past President Kent Bassett, OFFC approved construction of a basalt stone memorial bench at Rocky Ford Creek, reflecting its rocky terrain, to honor past club members. Under Kent’s leadership and with WDFW’s support, OFFC obtained WDFW’s approval to install the bench at Rocky Ford and completed construction in September 2018.