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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 14, 2004 James invited to VIP section at today’s presidential rally By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune Master fly-tier Gerald James tied his now-famed "Freedom Fly" on Sept. 11, 2001, as a way to deal with the emotions surfacing as he watched the Twin Towers crumple on television. James then sent his creation — an Atlantic salmon fly that resembles an American flag — to President George W. Bush in hopes of sharing those emotions. Today, the men could be sharing a handshake thanks to the Freedom Fly. James, of Grants Pass, was invited to the VIP section for today’s presidential rally at the Jackson County Expo by local Republican Party leaders who learned recently about James and his famous fly that White House officials say is in the Oval Office. James will carry a picture of the Freedom Fly, and a copy of the thank-you letter Bush sent earlier this year, as a way of reminding the president who he is. Advertisement "I’m really hoping to shake his hand and show him the (picture) of the fly," James says. "I’m winding down my fly-tying career and this would be special." James will be one of several hundred people in the VIP section at today’s rally, says Valerie Platt, wife of Bryan Platt, chair of the Jackson County Republican Committee. James will be closer to Bush than other rally-goers and he might get a chance to shake Bush’s hand "if he’s in a good spot," says Valerie Platt, who invited James to the rally. "I think, If George W. knew he was there, he’d want to shake his hand," she says. The fly is a mix of manmade and natural materials. The red and white stripes of the flag are dyed swan wing feathers. The stars and blue field are actually dyed guinea feathers, with the feathers’ natural white dots serving as the stars. Tied on a gold hook, it may not pass muster with Old Glory traditionalists — it has just five red stripes, four white stripes and five stars. But to James, the fly is steeped with symbolism. The dark collar at the fly’s head represents the "death and destruction" of Sept. 11, with the flag representing American’s support. The gold tail made of pheasant topping is in memory of the police and firefighters who died in the melee. "I always thought that he’d use the fly in his campaign," James says. James tied three Freedom Flies. The Southern Oregon Fly Fishers, a club to which James belongs, fetched $500 for it during a fund-raising auction. A second went to Grants Pass auctioneer Wayne Liska as thanks for doing free auctions for the club. James does not have a version of the fly. But this week he expects to get a set of postage stamps recently created by the U.S. Postal Service featuring the fly, he says. The Rogue Flyfishers Association will hold its fifth annual Steelhead Championship Dinner and auction Oct. 23 in Medford to raise money for projects and educational efforts aimed at helping the region’s wild fish. The dinner, raffle and auction will be at the Red Lion Hotel, 200 N. Riverside Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the banquet buffet will sport beef, fish and five salads. The cost is $25 per person, and non-members are invited. The fund-raiser has a silent auction, a raffle and an oral auction. The program includes recognition for winners in the association’s steelhead fly-fishing tournament. For more information and reservations, telephone Mike Ireland at 664-8622 or Bill Rittenhouse at 858-5981. The association also has information posted at www.rogueflyfishers.org on the Web. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers