Member of the Year Hall of Fame
2011 DVFF Member of the Year:
Dave McCants
2010 DVFF Member of the Year: Kirby Elvin
From Kirby himself —
I've been fishing for 50+ years, a lot of it at Pinecrest in Strawberry fishing the South Fork of the Stanislaus River.
I really started fly fishing just before joining DVFF early in 2007. I was at a neighborhood park with my granddaughter and met Stan Graham (there with his grandson). We got to talking and he told me about DVFF. I went to the next meeting and became a member. I've been to numerous DVFF outings and functions, some multiple times and have always had a great time. Just a bunch of fun people.
Kirby has been a woodworker for over 30 years and built his first wooden rod tube after buying a rod without a case at Creative Sports. George Willis said, "Your a woodworker, build one." So Kirby did and since has helped other DVFF members make well over 40 wooden rod cases. He also crafted the new name card cases and each month donates free printing of the Windknots.
Kirby has jumped into the stream of club fishing activities with both feet. Like many, his willingness to volunteer and share his many talents has greatly enriched the DVFF club and it's members.
2009 Member of the Year:
Patrick Konoske
Pat started fishing pretty much since he could walk. He grew up fishing in Southern California's saltwater, catching small sharks and sanddabs off Newport Pier, and rockfish off the now-extinct L.A. county fishing barges. As a teen he spent a decade of summers camping in Tuolumne Meadows and fishing the area's high-elevation rivers and lakes with a spinning rod.
Then in 2007 he had a life-altering event. He joined DVFF, took the Novice Seminar and discovered the mysteries and secrets of the fly rod. In his words, "I tend to nymph quite a bit but last summer spent a good number of hours casting dry flies to eager brook trout and a few rainbows."
While he was enjoying all things fly fishing, the club was "setting-the-hook" so to speak, and by the end of 2007 Pat began redesigning the club's website, resulting in the best looking club site on the Web. Then in 2008 Pat became the DVFF Secretary and has served in that capacity as well as webmaster, since then. He also runs the "hooking and landing station" at the Novice Seminars, began tying flies after attending Dave McCants' class, and will be leading the East Slope Sierra Trip for the third year in a row.
So, say thanks for all his great work the next time you see him. Too bad he doesn't have time to go fishing anymore. Thanks, Pat!
—Ivan Lee, Windknots Editor
2008 DVFF Member of the Year: Wayne Hofer
Congratulations to Wayne on being named the Diablo Valley Fly Fishermen's Member of the Year for 2008!
2007 Member of the Year: Bill King
Congratulations to Bill King on being named the Diablo Valley Fly Fishermen's Member of the Year for 2007!
Bill joined DVFF in 1979 and has been a major contributor to our club's success almost from the very beginning. He has filled roles as Vice President, Director, Windknots Editor, Chairman of Outings, Programs with his most notable being our Auction Chairman for 26 years.
Bill's interest if fishing encompass all aspects from Trout to Bonefish and Bass to Steelhead and has fished in many parts of the world, he is even known to cast a lure if the fly fishing gets a little slow.
This is the second time he is being recognized as Member of the Year, one of only two members so honored, the first coming in 1983.
Congratulations Bill !
2006 Member of the Year: Steve Hess
Congratulations to Steve Hess on being named the Diablo Valley Fly Fishermen's Member of the Year for 2006!
Steve joined DVFF in 1996 after his move north from Southern California.
Like many, he joined to find out all about fly fishing in Northern California. He quickly became very active in our club and currently is responsible for the annual Crab Feed, our storage locker and club information. He and his wife Terry have excellently managed the Crab Feed for seven years!
Steve's favorite fishing is for trout, with a secondary interest in bass fishing.
A well deserved honor!