Across the Stream - June 2003
A Publication of Heart of America Fly
Fishers
HOAFF June Meeting
Monday, June 21, 2004 - 7pm
Bob Heine
Bob has visited our club before to
share his knowledge and experience on the White River. He is also an accomplish
angler for smallmouth in the region. He will be tying flies before the meeting
as the Featured Fly Tyer.
President's Message
Keeping Up with
Current Events
by Dave Andrews
Do you have trouble keeping up with the world around you? I know I do. This summer has been especially
hectic. Just in the circle of our club activities, our agenda is jam-packed.
We recently completed and
submitted a request to the IRS for 501c-3 status for our club. If approved, our
club will become a charitable organization eligible for tax-deductible
contributions. Today, many businesses donate to our clubs charitable
fund-raising activities in exchange for advertising. They can deduct these
contributions as business promotional expenses. However, your officers estimate
that our fund raising could be doubled if businesses and individuals could make
tax deductible charitable contributions. Just recently, an individual offered
to donate about $500 to the club, but we could not provide a charitable
donation receipt. Of course, even with 501c-3 status, member dues, program fees
and other non-charitable contributions will continue to be non-deductible. We
should know if we are approved before year-end.
Under John Richards leadership, we
conducted many successful library programs for the Mid-Continent Public
Libraries. These programs were entitled Fly Fishing 101. Over the last two
years, we have expanded these programs to include Fly Casting 101 and Fly Tying
101. Our libraries have expanded to include the Johnson County Libraries. Most
recently, the officers approved a request from the Sugar Creek Public Library
to be added to our program list. Our programs are well received, and our
volunteers are well liked. Starting last year, we contribute our $75 fee back
to the library if they use it to purchase library materials related to fly
fishing and managing our water resources. Thank you for providing this great
service to our community.
The organizations that we
have supported this year have written us tremendous thank-you letters. I wish I
could share these letters with each of you. Some of the letters are from
Casting for Recovery, American Rivers, the FFF and Blue River Rescue.
Perhaps the most ambitious
and potentially impactful conservation and restoration project to be undertaken
in a fishery close to us will be led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC has
agreed to join a team including the Missouri Department of Conservation and the
Missouri Department of Natural Resources to conserve and restore the upper
Niangua River basin to its natural habitat. This includes all of the land in
Bennett Spring State Park. Major contributors to this multi-year project
include Bass Pro Shops and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.
Obviously, this project could have a major impact on the Niangua River fishery.
To learn more about this project, talk to any officer.
After defeating one bill
this year, the House is again sponsoring a bill to open the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling even though experts agree this will have little
impact on our oil supplies and no impact on the price of oil. Congress is also
considering another bill to prevent irresponsible logging in the Tongass
National Forest. The Alaska Coalition is seeking support on these issues. If
you are interested, call Dan Ritzman at 202-628-1843 to obtain information and
a sample letter for your representative.
In support of the Conclave
this year, the Southern Council has requested that our club contribute 3 dozen
flies to the auction. At this time, we are well on our way to that goal. The
Liberty Fly Tyers alone have offered to contribute 6 dozen.
Others in the club,
including Royce Roberts, have also volunteered to contribute. The more the
better. The HOAFF could really make an impact with a large contribution. Many
thanks to all who are contributing. As always, the club will provide packaging
materials.
7x
by Steve Jenkins
It was early June 2003 and
I had an obligation that took me to Colorado. The Rocky Mountain area had been
plagued by low water levels for over a year. In the fall of 2002, many of the
Colorado reservoirs had been drained to provide water for the thirsty cities on
the front range.
We drove past Dillon
Reservoir in the fall, and it was a mere mud puddle. But winter of 2002-2003
brought welcome snow, and the early spring had provided more moisture with
regular rainstorms.
However, with the snowmelt,
many of the free streams were bank-full and muddy. Fortunately, Colorado has
some tail-waters where the spring run-off was under control.
Ive fished the Frying
Pan since before the new highway was completed through Glen Canyon. Good roads
sure make a difference. Many of my trips had been in the late summer or fall. I
once fished the Pan in June with my two boys. We were totally frustrated on
that trip.
We could see fish
everywhere, we used all the recommended flies and techniques, but over three
days, the three of us probably caught less than 25 trout. And the reason, we
confessed, we didnt
know how to fool these educated trout taking tiny
bugs under the surface! Thus,
apprehension lingered as I loaded my gear and started the drive.
A couple of years back, at
the request of a friend who had been successful on the Frying Pan during the
early Baetis hatch in June, I tied up
some pheasant-tail nymphs in size 20 and 22. He wanted black, so I used the
darkest pheasant tail I could find. When he returned, his report was very
encouraging. It seems he hit pay dirt dragging this nymph behind a larger indicator fly. I had tried
this kind of fishing, even on the Frying Pan, but in the fall. Entomologists
indicate the Baetis family of
mayflies frequently has multiple annual broods. The first hatch produces a
larger fly, but those in the fall are smaller - even down to size 24. Maybe my stuff had been too big or I was
just impatient. I gave up when I found small soft hackles worked well with the
omnipresent caddis.
I got to the Pan on Tuesday
afternoon, just after the rain had stopped. I picked out a campsite near Ruedi
Reservoir (nearly Ύ
full now) and, after getting the tent up and the bedroll in place, headed to
the creek. By 5 PM I was working the .56%er around the rocks and through the
fast water. I got one fair rainbow and after switching through several flies,
including a tiny, dark pheasant-tail nymph, finally connected on a size 16 dark
olive pheasant-tail soft-hackle. It was hard work.
The next day dawned without
a cloud. I remembered that those Baetis
are sun-shy. Most of the morning I fished the .56%er and it worked well. Nearer
noon, seeing some small mayflies around, I changed to a 6X leader and mounted a
size 18 yarn-wing olive imitation. I worked it hard but caught nothing. It was
time for lunch, so I headed upstream to a shady spot where I could eat, watch
the river and contemplate. I was mildly surprised that there were so few
fishermen on the stream. With many of Colorados rivers in flood, I thought the Pan would be
swarming. The water was in near-perfect condition, running about 160cfs and clear.
Flow during the entire winter had been about 60cfs - too low - and the silt in
the streambed was surprising.
As lunch was slowly being
consumed, I spotted a lone fisherman, working his way upstream, catching fish
on about every other cast. It was really remarkable. I couldnt see any fish rising
or much in the way of other indications of activity. Slowly, he fished up to
near my lunch spot. He seemed to be working a dry fly. He soon caught a 17-inch
rainbow not 20 feet from my spot. I clapped and he decided to come ashore. We
talked for a few minutes. I remarked about his success, in spite of the
bluebird weather - he was a bit surprised, too.
Apparently, he had caught
about 40 trout since 10:30 AM, all on BWO (Baetis)
imitations. When he pointed out the activity, I could then see fish slashing
and flashing all through the water - including one very large brown feeding
near the bank in water that barely covered its back. This guy was a guide for
one of the shops and, here he was, fishing on his day off! He was very helpful as to technique and
recommended flies. He had been using the dangling
dropper, earlier, but cut it off when the dry was working so well. His flies
were size 18. His last advice, Be sure you use 7X and youll need about three feet. Then he headed upstream,
saying it was time to find a hawg!
Lunch was quickly over. I
grabbed a 10-foot, 6X leader and tied on the specified 7X tippet. (13 feet of
leader
could I cast this?) I rummaged through
the flies and picked a yarn-wing BWO imitation, size 18. My box of nymphs held
numerous dark pheasant tail fakes and I picked one that still had a 12-inch
dangler leader with a loop on the end to attach to the hook of the indicator
fly. I waded right into where this guide had last fished. There must have been
25 or 30 fish working the Baetis
flies that were hatching. You didnt need much of a cast, and with the 9 foot 5 weight rod, I was
able to keep most of the line off the water. I noticed quickly that with the
light conditions, I could easily see the strike. But, it soon became
frustrating - you could see the fish, see them come up to inspect your offering
and then quickly turn away. For 20 minutes this went on. I cast to every
possible spot - the eddy behind a rock, the current tongues, the slicks
between, the tail-out of the pool - but caught nothing.
Recalling that the guide
had been using only the dry fly while I was having lunch, I pulled in the line
to remove the dangler. The fish didnt seem to be going for the nymph now, anyway. Once out of the
water, the sun caught the leader and the dropper. Obviously, the dropper was
heavier nylon than was the leader. It probably was a 6X, but maybe was even 5X.
That just wouldnt
do, based on his advice. After the dangler was removed, I fished the dry,
indicator fly alone and cleaned up. I finally changed the tattered mess for a
size 20 copy and still the trout were fooled. Finally, about 4 PM, the action
stopped, like someone closed the gate. I was happy and headed for camp.
Thursday was to be the last
day. Again, I started the day with the heavy artillery - the size 8 .56%er. It
yielded several nice browns and one rainbow. I lost that fly about 10:30 AM in
the jaws of Moby Dick. That fish came from over five feet like lightening and
took the fly, breaking the 4X leader, without missing a stroke. After the
break-off, I headed back upstream to try the Baetis again. Overnight I had rerigged the nymph dangler with 7X
leader to match the tippet. I crossed the stream and waded upstream to some
pockets that had always produced. The nymph rig was not hard to cast, but I
wondered if it would work when suddenly the indicator fly disappeared just
behind a rock. Raising the rod, sure enough, it was a trout tearing around to
get free of this surprise. Soon, three more fish were fooled, including a
17-inch brown that took the nymph in very heavy water. But, the 7X leader held.
It was really exciting to see this nymphing rig finally work.
That afternoon, before
heading home, the nymph dropper had been removed and I changed the dry to a
haystack pattern in size 18. It worked great. And, as I was breaking down my
gear to head to Kansas, I considered the guides advice and my results. On Wednesday, the heavy
leader (6X!) may well have hindered my earlier results, but on Thursday, with
all 7X at the terminal, what could have been sweeter?
2004 Officers
PRESIDENT
David Andrews
davidgandrews@kc.rr.com
Home: (816)
741-8314
PAST PRESIDENT
John Richards
jreyedoc1@aol.com
Home: (816)
781-0545
Office: (816)
781-0500
SECRETARY
Mark Borserine
majborser@aol.com
(913) 381-0722
TREASURER
Paul Bennetts
pbennetts1@comcast.net
913-338-3837
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Tom
James
tom@blackdogsports.com
Office: 816-718-0393
PROGRAMS
Cliff Cain
cliffcain@hotmail.com
Home: (913)
780-3865
Office: (913)
433-5224
John Bell
j.bell@kcc.state.ks.us
Home: (785)
843-1782
Office: (785)
271-3139
OUTINGS
Jim Ohnemus
johnemus@kcp.com
Home: (816)
322-1381
MEMBERSHIP
Cliff Newton
ccnewton@sbcglobal.net
Home: (816)
348 7626
Office: (816)
426 3925 x260
Fred Clark
fclarks@planetkc.com
Home: (913) 831-0305
CONSERVATION
BLUE RIVER
PROJECT
Raymond Zook
rzook@kc.rr.com
Home: (816) 941-2862
LIBRARY
Doug McDonald
mcdoug5148@aol.com
(913) 669-5222
EDUCATION
Dick Martin
rlm@mllfpc.com
Home: (816) 781-9557
Office: (816) 221-1430
Don Grundy
dlgrundy@msn.com
Home 816-781-9019
WEBMASTER
Vicky Newton
svnewton@sbcglobal.net
Home: (816) 348 7626
RAFFLE/AUCTION
Dan
Zimmerman
dzmmrmn@aol.com
(913) 829-4768
HISTORIAN
Bill Brant
flyfish@sky.net
Home: (816) 941-9691
Office: (913) 458-6826
SOUTHERN
COUNCIL LIASON
Hod McIntosh
singingreels@worldnet.att.net
Home: (913) 722-3684
Heart of America Fly Fishers Meetings
Meetings are held at 7pm - 3rd Monday of each month
Johnson County Courthouse Extension, 6000 Lamar, Shawnee Mission,
Kansas-Room C)
Hatch of the Month
Bring a fly or a couple of
flies to add to the Match of the Month collection. During each meeting names
are drawn and the winner receives the collection of flies. This is a great way
to learn new fly patterns and share some of your favorite flies with the rest
of the club. Members can also donate a dollar to enter for the drawing.
Featured Fly Tyer
Bob Heine will be tying
flies before of the June member meeting. Bob has tied for the club on other
occasions and it is always a fun time and an excellent way to learn new
patterns .
If you are interested in
being a featured fly tyer, contact John Richards.
Challenge Cost-Share Agreement
between Forest Service, FFF, TU and MDC
The
Challenge Cost-share Agreement is designed be a cooperative effort
between the Forest Service and organizations that share the resources on public
lands.
The goal is to provide fisheries
habitat conservation and management of the watershed and riparian zones,
improving the stream flora and fauna. With the help of all interested parties,
enhancement of habitat in the streams and surrounding areas can improve and
sustain quality fisheries for the future of Missouris public areas.
Restoration and protection of these
valued resources is a big job. It is the responsibility of everyone who relies
on the resources for management and recreational use to aid in the improvement
projects.
The Forest Service has the
responsibility to provide leadership in the management of aquatic resources on
public lands. The Mark Twain National Forest will benefit by receiving
assistance in the enhancement and monitoring of fish habitat, primarily trout,
and further watershed conservation.
FFF, TU, and MDC will receive
recognition of being cooperator and partner in fisheries habitat conservation,
management, enhancement, restoration, and protection; watershed, wetland, and
riparian restoration. The cooperators benefit through the opportunity to
promote trout habitat and the quality of the aquatic resources.
FFF,
TU and MDC
According to the agreement, interested
organizations like the FFF, TU and the MDC would provide financial assistance
and/or volunteer labor for fisheries habitat conservation, management,
enhancement, restoration, and protection; watershed, wetland, and riparian
restoration; and monitoring.
The
Forest Service
For their part, the Forest Service will
provide resource management plans for districts which identify aquatic habitat
improvement projects.
For approved projects, they will
provide the necessary labor, supplies and equipment necessary for the fisheries
habitat conservation, management, enhancement, restoration, and protection;
watershed, wetland, and riparian restoration; and monitoring.
They will match donated funds or
in-kind contributions of FFF, TU, MDC, to carry out the projects.
They will also provide all the
necessary contracting services like project design, layout, solicitation of
bids, award of contracts, and contract inspections on projects for the project
site.
Proposal
for Projects
Providing for the future of public
fisheries, the agreement is effective through June 30, 2009 at which time it
may be extended. Proposals for projects are already in the works for the design
of Wilkins Spring (Dewitt Pond) outlet structure to maximize outflow of cold
water. Projects to monitor the water temperature in Mill Creek and associated
springs. Trout habitat improvement projects on Little Piney, Mill Creek, and
Spring Creek.
St. Jude's Hooked on a Cure
Celebrity Fly Fishing Classic
by Dennis Reed
How
would you like to fish on the White River with Dave Whitlock for the day? Or
maybe you would like to have Flip Pallot of ESPNs Walker Cay Chronicles as your fishing partner
on the Norfork. How about sitting around talking to casting guru Mel Kreiger,
ORVISs
Tom Rosenbauer, Jack Dennis, inventor of the Copper John nymph John Betts,
etc.?
You
get the point I hope. How would you like to spend Friday June 25 - Sunday June
27 with many of fly fishings celebrities fishing, eating, telling and listening to tall
tales, and having the time of your life?
How
much would this be worth to you? Well the fishing trip is worth $2,000. It
includes lodging, meals, a boat load of goodies from different fly shops all
over the USA, and two days of guided fishing (one on the White and one on the
Norfork) with a different celebrity.
Would
you pay $50 for a 1 in 50 chance at this trip of a lifetime? That is how much
the Northeast Arkansas Flyfishers is selling chances for on this dream trip.
Thats
right, we are only selling ONLY 50 chances.
The
trip will be given away at our first Summer Speaker dinner on June 18 at the
ASU Football Complex.
Tickets
for the dinner are $15 per person. AG&FC Steve Wild Man Wilson, host of AETNs Thursday nights Talking Outdoors at
the Corner Cafe
will be the guest speaker.
There
will also be silent and live auctions. Make plans to attend now, and dont miss out on the
chance of a $2,000 fishing trip for only $50. If you are unable to attend, I
will call you that night if you win.
For more information call
Dennis Reed at 935-1837.
30th Anniversary
International Wild Trout Symposium
Reguster Now
September 20 - 22, 2004
Old Faithful Lodge, Yellowstone National Park
Since 1974, the Wild Trout Symposia
have brought together a diverse audience representing governmental entities,
fishery conservation organizations, media, educators, anglers, guides, and
business to share viewpoints on wild trout management and related public
policy, exchange technical information, and seek ways of cooperatively
advancing the conservation of wild trout resources.
Make plans now to join us and celebrate
30 years of wild trout management! This forum not only allows you to connect
with the wild trout state of the art but offers the opportunity to get to know
the major wild trout biologists and fishery conservationists in an outstanding
informal environment.
Technical Session Segments Include:
Balancing Management of Native, Introduced,
and Invasive Species
Watershed-scale Approaches to Enhancing
Trout Habitat and Reducing Non-point Source Pollution
Communicating Fishery Science to the Public
Regulations: Reality vs. Expectations
Full details, online conference
registration, and room information available at: http://www.wildtrout8.com
Techniques for Better Knots
from the Cordes, LaFontaine, Bradshaw Pocket Guide to Fly Fishing Knots
This
and many other Pocket Guides are available FREE with a new FFF membership! See
www.fedflyfishers.org for more details.
1. Before snugging the knot tight, moisten it
with saliva or water. This will cause it to seat more tightly.
2. For knots in stiff or heavy material, have a
pair of pliers handy to snug the knot tight.
3. When the knot is properly snugged, trim the
tag end close to the knot.
4. With tippet materials dont assume that the nylon of one brand is
the same as the nylon of another brand without testing the materials first. If
in doubt, stick with one brand for all your tippet material this is especially
true for knots joining widely dissimilar diameters of leader material.
5. Do not attempt to create a burr in the tag end
with heat. This can weaken the knot and damage the line or leader.
6. To straighten a leader, pull the leader taut
and stroke it with your hand until it warms, then keep it taught until it
cools.
7. To straighten a line, stretch it tight for 20
or 30 seconds.
Changes
by
Tom James
Change is good, especially
when it comes to fishing. Trout will hold in changing environments. Look for
changes when you are fishing, changes in light, depth, current speed all
provide habitat where trout are likely to hold.
Light
Changes in light, areas
where the water is shaded, will draw fish to the cooler waters. Blocking the
sun also makes it harder to spot the fish, making them less wary.
Depth
Changes in depth provide a
holding spot for trout that offers the security of deeper water to retreat to
if a predator ventures too close.
Color
Changes in color usually
indicate areas of varied depth, which we already learned is a good holding
spot. The colored areas of the streambed also help camouflage trout.
Current
Changing currents are
probably the best holding areas for trout. They will hold in the slower
current, relying on the faster current to concentrate food in the current seam.
Streambank
Even the changing
environment of land to water can be a promising area.
Changing environments in a
stream can be an easy place to find where the trout are.
Upcoming Events &
Programs
June 21, 2004 Bob Heine
August 13 -
24, 2004 National Fly Fishing Week
September 20,
2004 Annual Picnic
September 24 -
26, 2004 Fall Outing - Montauk
State Park
October 1 - 3,
2004 Southern Council Conclave
December 3 -
5, 2004 Annual Banquet/Winter
Outing
Bennett Spring
Visit our Advertisers:
Black
Dog Sports
www.blackdogsports.com
The
Fishing Hole
Ray & Jonell Fincke
(913) 642-5554
3731 W. 95th Overland Park, KS 66206
Rainbow
Fly Shop
4706-D
Shrank Drive
Independence,
MO 64055
816-373-2283
9-5 Tuesday - Saturday
K&K
Flyfishers
Everything for Todays Flyfisherman
Total Equipment Selection
Great How To Schools
Pro Staff for Your Questions
Fishing Trips: Alaska Canada Montana Bahamas
87th & Grant, Overland Park, KS 66212
www.kkflyfishers.com
913-341-8118
Fishing
River Custom Rods
Bill Kreitz
13715 Nation Rd.
Kearney, MO 64060
E-mail: b.kreitz@att.net
816-628-5071
Cell: 816-392-6720
River
Run Outfitters
212
South Commercial
Branson,
MO 65616
417-332-0460
877-699-3474
(toll free)
www.riverrunoutfitters.com
Branson
Lodge
2456 State Highway 165
Branson, MO 65616
1-800-334-3104
www.bransonlodge.com
Sawdust Clay Art
Handmade wood sculptures of your
favorite fish.
PO
Box 575 Liberty, MO 64068
(816)
792-4603 lylesw@mdc.state.mo.us
Loon
Outdoors
www.loonoutdoors.com
Pomeroy
Auction
James J.P.
Rozine
Auctioneer
Kansas City, Kansas
(913) 334-2153
Blue
Ribbon Flies
West Yellowstone, Montana
www.blueribbonflies.com
Lilleys'
Landing
1-800-LILLEYS
367 River Lane
Branson, MO 65616
www.lilleyslanding.com
Dr.
Slick Co.
www.drslick.com
Weaver's
Tackle Store
www.missouritrout.com/weavers
11388 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4618
Vogels
Homestead Resort
11451 Hwy 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4097
Rio
Products
5050
S. Yellowstone Hwy, Idaho Falls, Idaho
83402
USA Tel. 208-524-7760
Fax
208-524-7763
e-mail:
rio@rioproducts.com
website: www.rioproducts.com
Spring
View Fly Shop
Ed & Kay
417-588-2116
11726 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
Andys
Catch
Phone:
417 - 532-0755
Fax:
417-532-1101
16161
Highway 64
Lebanon,
MO 65536
www.AndysCatch.com
Readings
Fly Shop
11937
Highway 64A
Lebanon,
MO 65536
417-588-4334
Bennett
Spring State Park Concession Shop
26248
Hwy 64 A
Lebanon,
MO 65536
417-532-4307
1-800-334-6946
Gastons
Tackle
Bennett
Springs State Park
11798
Highway 64 - Lot 63
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-9449
Sand
Springs Resort
1996
Hwy 64
Lebanon,
MO 65536
417-532-5857
417-588-3110
fax
www.sandspringsresort.com
Larrys
Sporting Goods
25976
State Highway 64A
Lebanon,
MO 65536
877-456-7243 or
417-532-8678
e-mail:
larrys@bennettspring.com
www.bennettspring.com
Wilkinson
Outdoor Adventures
Clint Wilkinson
272 Wild Cat Shoals Road
Gassville, AR 72635
870-404-2942
CGFlyfish@excite.com
Rileys Station
Miles & Michelle Riley
129 CR 640
Buffalo, AR 72653
whiteriver.net/rileys/
888-533-2151
870-425-4221
Dale
Fultons Blue Ribbon Flies
1343 Hwy. 5 South
Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653
(870) 425-0447
Fax (870) 425-6954
http://www.mtnhome.net/fultons/
http://www.mtnhome.net/brf/
E-mail: bluflyar@mtnhome.com
Two
Rivers Fly Shop
13718
Hwy 5 South Norfork, AR 72658
870
499-3060 Fax 870 499-5951
www.tworiversflyshop.com
Wapsi
Ask
for Wapsi at Better Fly Shops Everywhere!
Mountain Home, AR 72653
Brass
Door Motel
Hwy
62W
Gassville, AR 72635
Motel
Phone
(870)
435-2988
Restaurant
Phone
(870)
435-2288
(877)
272-7736
The
Red Fern Restaurant
203
N. College St.
(1/2
Block off Hwy 62B)
Mountain Home, AR
870-508-6693
White
Sands Motel & Restaurant
Highway 62B - Next to Cotter's Rainbow
Arch Bridge
870-435-2244
whitesands@mtnhome.com
www.whiteriver.net/whitesands