The club's founder, Ray Markiewicz, long time avid fly fisherman and fly fishing instructor, felt the need for a fly fishing club in Western New York that followed the mission and philosophy of the Federation of Fly Fishers. Nearly a dozen like-minded fly fishermen of various skill levels joined with Ray in a meeting in January 2007. They met at the Highland Hobby Shop in Derby; this became the first official meeting of the Lake Erie Chapter of the Federation of Fly Fishers. The chapter grew and soon moved its meeting location to the Seaway Trail Center on Route 5 in Hamburg where we meet the first Tuesday of each month..

July 26, 2007 the chapter was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Charitable donations to our Chapter now are tax deductible.

The Lake Erie Chapter has had an array of interesting guest speakers each month since its first meeting. The program topics ranged from casting, fly tying, interesting locations to fish, conservation and fishery updates by NYS DEC biologists. Member Ron Zarnowski organized a casting and fishing seminar with Oak Orchard Fly Shop Manager, Nick Pionessa and Orvis Outfitters Fly Shop Manager, Adam Cook , on Cayuga Creek, this "on the stream event" was a great success. The Lake Erie Chapter also teaches the fly fishing merit badge requirements for the Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America. Our chapter has had booths at the Mayville Spring Steelhead Show, Hamburg Travel and Outdoor Expo and at the Erie County Fair. The chapter is also a member of the New York State Conservation Council and the Erie Federation of Sportsmen's Club in order to
be an advocate for fly fishers on a state and local level.

The Lake Erie Chapter has been a supporter and volunteer base for Project Healing Waters at the Batavia Veterans Hospital. Our founding president
became the Northeast Regional Coordinator for Project Healing Waters in 2008.

Through generous donations the Lake Erie Chapter has available for member and youth programs fly tying equipment, and fly rods and reels. It is our mission to use these tools to teach our youth and people new to the sport the wonderful art of fly fishing and so that we may pass on our outdoor sporting traditions, good sportsmanship and conservation ethics to the next generation.

Join us in our efforts join today!