Across
the Stream – January 2006
A
Publication of Heart of America Fly Fishers
HOAFF January Meeting
Monday, January 16, 2006 - 7pm
Fly Tying Social Night
President's Message
by Mark Borserine
Here we are at the beginning of the New Year! I want to thank everyone who put so much
effort into the club and our events last year; especially those who pitched in
at the last minute to make the Auction a success! And, I want to thank Dan Zimmerman who took
us a long way in his three years as auction chair and laid the groundwork for
this year’s success. I also want to thank Hod
McIntosh for his efforts for two years in developing the format and activities
for NFFW at the Prairie Center, the “stepchild” of which will be our “Fly
Fishing Missouri Waters” seminar. Due to the skills and experiences learned at
the Prairie Center, we’ll experience the same success that the Anchorage and
St. Louis clubs have had.
We look forward to a great 2006! Our auction netted $4,600
plus change. This is honestly more than I thought we’d end with, so this is
very pleasing. Financially, we are starting the year with less than we started
last year, but more than we’ve had in many past years: look forward to good
outings and especially to the A.K. Best Seminar March 11th at the Discovery Center. Each year
the club prices the Spring Seminar as reasonably as possible but still ends up subsidizing it
– the more of you that come out and the more of you that can bring friends, the
better off the club will be financially in addition to being able to experience
the Nation’s best-known living fly tier (other than Mike George)!
We are presenting our first seminar of hopefully many to come
at the Discovery Center on Feb. 11th and 18th, Saturday afternoons. The format is
based on a model used very successfully by both the Alaska Fly Fishers
(Anchorage, AK) and the Ozark Fly Fishers (St. Louis, MO). I talked to Larry Carli, president of the St. Louis Club and he encouraged
us; they have been very, very successful with this format and have added many
new members to their club through it. Alaska has turned out as many as 200
students for their seminar. See my article on it in this newsletter for more
details!
I ended the Old Year with a very successful drift boat trip
down Taneycomo from the Dam to Fall Creek on December
28th. See my article on the Primrose Nymph for more details.
A.K. Best Spring Seminar 2006
Saturday, March 11,
2006 • 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
A professional fly tyer of
international stature, A.K. Best is one of the most well known fly tyers of our day. He has written numerous books on fly
tying and fly fishing. His fly fishing adventures can often be found in the
writings of John Gierach.
Club members: $40.00
Nonmembers: $50.00. Registration fee
includes a lunch catered by Alpine Catering.
Send checks made payable to HOAFF, to: Paul Bennetts,
HOAFF, 13921 W. 114th Terr., Lenexa, KS 66208.
Missouri Department of Conservation Discovery Center 4750 Troost • Kansas City, Missouri
2006 Officers
PRESIDENT
Mark Borserine
majborser@aol.com
(913) 381-0722
pAST
PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
David Andrews
davidgandrews@kc.rr.com
H (816) 741-8314
tREASURER
Paul Bennetts
pbennetts1@comcast.net
913-338-3837
NEWSLETTER
EDITOR
Tom
James
tom@blackdogsports.com
O (816)
718-0393
PROGRAMS
Cliff Cain John Bell
cliffcain@hotmail.com j.bell@kcc.state.ks.us
H (913) 780-3865 H (785) 843-1782
O (913) 433-5224 O (785) 271-3139
OUTINGS
Jim
Jorgensen Bill Lyon
jhjflyfisher@everestkc.net blyon51@yahoo.com
H (913) 469-1950 (816) 525-1243
O (913) 477-7701
MEMBERSHIP
Cliff Newton Fred Clark
ccnewton@sbcglobal.net fclarks@planetkc.com
H (816) 943-8306 H
(913) 831-0305
O (816) 426 3925 x260
CONSERVATION/BLUE
RIVER PROJECT
Raymond Zook
rzook@kc.rr.com
H (816) 941-2862
LIBRARIAN
Doug McDonald
mcdoug5148@sbcglobal.net
(913) 669-5222
EDUCATION/RECOGNITION
Bill Lindley Jim Mattes
(913) 888-3177 (913) 248-1030
SPRING
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Dick Martin Don Grundy
rlm@mllfpc.com dgrundy@sbcglobal.net
H (816) 781-9557 H (816)-781-9019
O (816) 221-1430
WEBMASTER
Vicky Newton
svnewton@sbcglobal.net
H (816) 943-8306
AUCTION/RAFFLE
Dan Zimmerman
dzmmrmn@aol.com
(913) 829-4768
HISTORIAN
Bill Brant
billandkathy@kc.rr.com
H (816) 941-9691 O (913) 458-6826
SOUTHERN
COUNCIL LIAISON
Hod McIntosh
singingreels@sbcglobal.net
Home: (913) 722-3684
BANQUET
CHAIR
John Richards
jreyedoc1@aol.com
H (816) 781-0545 O (816) 781-0500
Heart
of America Fly Fishers Meetings
Meetings
are held at 7pm on the 3rd Monday of each month
Community
of Christ Church
79th
& Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS
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
Due
to the Annual Auction, we will not have a Featured Fly Tyer.
If you are interested in being a featured fly tyer,
contact Dave Andrews.
HOAFF Apparel now available
Now you can get a T-shirt or a fishing hat with the
new Heart of America Fly Fishers Logo. Hats $15, T-shirts $12
An opportunity to educate or be educated!
by Mark Borserine
Our club (HOAFF) will be teaching a four-part course in fly
fishing at the Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Avenue,
Kansas City, MO Saturday February 11th and Saturday February 18th from 12 noon – 4:30 pm each
day. The seminar will be taught in four
2-hour blocks: Fly Fishing 101, Fly Casting, Fly Tying, and Fly Fishing in
Missouri.
Volunteer Instructors will only be asked to commit to the two
hour block they are actually teaching so your time will be minimal! If you wish to and can help us, please
contact Mark Borserine or Jim Mattes.
This is an excellent opportunity for new HOAFF members or
your youngsters (13 or older, please) to learn about fly fishing. HOAFF members are only charged ˝ or $15 and
youngsters under 16 are free, but must come with an adult.
Please volunteer to help or, if you joined HOAFF to learn
about fly fishing, here’s your opportunity!
Boy Scout Merit Badge College
by Tom James
On November 19, Boy Scouts from across the Metro area
converged on William Jewell College for an intense session of merit badge
training. Members of HOAFF joined the faculty to teach the youngsters the Fly
Fishing Merit Badge.
The comprehensive merit badge covers from
general fly fishing information and knots to fly casting and fly tying. Don
Grundy provided the fly rods and fly tying equipment. John Richards, and Tom
James joined forces to show the fundamentals of fly casting as Matt Grundy and
Art Chevalier tackled the art of fly tying.
New fly for Taneycomo
Trout:
The Primrose Nymph
by Mark Borserine
I took a friend from California fishing at Taneycomo between Christmas and New Years.
We went with guide Jim Lund from River Run Outfitters
(877-699-3474) and caught approximately 60 fish between us despite no water
running at all!
If you’re going to Taneycomo check
beforehand; the Corps is repairing Powersite Dam and
is keeping the water in Taneycomo as low as they can.
We used a new fly credited to Shannon, who manages the store for Stan and
Carolyn at River Run, dubbed “Primrose Midge Beadhead
Nymph”.
The body is tied with Gordon Griffiths Primrose thread SHEER 14/0; another thread that matches the
color is Uni Thread Lt. Cahill 8/0.
Use a size 18 Tiemco #2457; Caddis
Pupae & Shrimp hook: Down eye, 2X Heavy, 2X Wide, 2X Short.
Use a tungsten copper bead 2.0 mm for the head; build the
body from the thread and make an over-tye of one
piece of Pearl Flashabou, using the finest copper
wire (such as Ultra Wire X-SM Copper) counter-wrapped for the rib.
The fly is fished below a strike indicator so that it floats
about 3-4” above the bottom; so a strike indicator that is small but large
enough to suspend the fly and can be adjusted up and down the line (as the
bottom changes) will work best.
This fly is at its best when the sun is bright; when it
became overcast, Jim switched us to a red or dark olive beadhead
midge nymph.
4th Annual HOAFF
Banquet 2005
by John Richards
Nearly 50 members and guests enjoyed the 4th Annual Banquet
for the Heart of America Fly Fishers held December 3, 2005 at the Lebanon
Country Club at Bennett Spring.
By all accounts, Bill Brant caught the biggest fish with a
large rainbow taken on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to all who attended the dinner and participated in the
activities of fun and fellowship.
Circle December 2,
2006 on your calendar for the 5th Annual Heart of America Fly Fishers Banquet.
The
awards ceremony recognized the following members of their achievements this
past year.
Golden Strike Indicator Award - Tom James
Conservation Award - John Bell
President’s Award - Dan Zimmerman
Best Newsletter Article - Paul Bennetts
Longest Trip Awards -
Norm Crisp
Tall-Tale-Tell Award - Jim Ohnemus
& Mike Reuck
Multi-Fly Award - Tom James
Streamer Fishing
By Lane Hoffman –
Taken from Clackamas Flyfishers Newsletter
The thought of a large trout boiling and slashing while
attacking my streamer fly has filled my dreams on more than one occasion. Those
of you who have fished with me know that fishing streamers is a passion of
mine, and a tactic I employ whenever the conditions are right. While I fish
streamers all year long, it’s in the fall that this strategy really pays its
largest dividends. The larger fish are on the prowl for a large meal full of
protein to help carry them over the winter months. Bait fish are the best and
easiest way to provide these much needed nutrients. Fishing streamers in both
lakes and rivers can be productive. You can bet I’ll probably catch my largest
trout of the year in the fall, and that fish will be caught on a streamer.
Tackle - While you can fish streamers with almost any gear there are a
few refinements that will help you in your success.
Rods - Streamers are usually larger than most of the flies you are
used to casting, so a heavier rod is an asset. I personally use a 6wt most of
the time but sometimes go to a 7wt or even an 8wt to help toss weighted flies,
sinking lines, battle the wind and hopefully handle the larger fish that
streamer fishing can provide. Graphite rods 8 to 10 feet in length with a
medium to fast action will fit the bill.
Reels - Reels should match the rod and have a smooth drag with at
least 50 yards of backing. Remember, you’re chasing the biggest and meanest
fish in the water, so be prepared.
Lines - I believe this is the most important part of your equipment
for successful streamer fishing. There are uses for a variety of lines from
floating to full sinking but. L really like the sink tips at this time.
Floating lines can be used when fishing shallow water with weighed fifes. Full
sinking lines can be used in both rivers and lakes but are a must for lakes. I
use either an Intermediate or Type II sinker the most.
Sink tips are the most versatile for fishing rivers. I
personally like to fish a sink tip line with interchangeable tips. I carry up
to 8 different hybrid tips that I have made with different lengths and sink
rates. (We will teach you how to make these at a club meeting this winter.)
This allows me to change my rigging to best meet the conditions I encounter. I
can use a long heavy tip to fish a fast deep run and then change to a short
medium tip to swing through a shallow tail-out.
Leaders can be as long as 10 feet or more when fishing a
floating line in shallow water, or as short as 2 feet when fishing a short fast
sink tip in pocket water. The only hard and fast rule is to make sure you use a
heavy tippet. As a rule, fish chasing streamers are usually not leader shy. I
rarely go below 2X (8#) and often use OX (12# test) or heavier.
Streamer flies come in many different sizes and styles. They
are tied to imitate a variety of bait fish and crawfish. Some are attractor
patterns like the Royal Coachman Bucktail. Some
imitate a specific minnow like a sculpin pattern;
e.g., the Muddler Minnow.
Some flies imitate movement and are suggestive like the
Woolly Bugger. All have their place but I find myself leaning toward patterns
that specifically imitate a specific food source. When fishing the Central
Oregon High lakes (Davis, East, etc.) I usually fish a Tui
Chub pattern imitating these trash fish that have infested those waters. When
fishing rivers, I tend to use sculpin patterns
imitating those little bottom dwellers that big trout are so fond of.
One exception to this is that in the fall, brown trout really
have an affection for a streamer with yellow in it. One pattern I won’t be
without is the Yellow Marabou Muddler.
Streamer Fishing
By Kevin Howell, Davidson River Outfitters – www.davidsonflyfishing.com
Well, winter has finally arrived. The fishing can still be
good, but you can get into real trouble if you are not dressed properly. Here
are a few hints to help you stay warm and dry:
1. Dress in layers. this
way you can take layers off as the day gets Warmer.
2. Wear fleece or wool;
that way if you get wet, you will retain your warmth.
3. Always carry matches
or a device to start a fire. I typically carry a railroad flare; it can start a
fire even when wet. If you fall in the winter, you have roughly half as long as
the water temperature before hypothermia sets in. So if you or your fishing
partner falls in, get out on the bank, start a fire to stay warm and dry your
clothes.
4. Keep your head and
hands warm. Most of the body’s heat is lost through the head, so wear a hat or
cap. Use fleece or wool gloves with only the fingers that you use, cut out.
Most people leave the stream because their hands are cold; a little
preventative measure will enable you to fish that much longer.
5. Keep your feet warm,
wear heavy wool or fleece socks under neoprene boots, but be sure that they
wick moisture away from your feet. If not, the moisture will make your feet
cold. Also, be sure to wear loose fitting boots; boots that are too tight will
cut off the circulation to your feet.
Some fine
weather fly fishers won’t even attempt to fish in the winter due to the
temperatures. If you dress correctly, then you can stay warm, maybe even get
hot, and be able to fish a much less crowded river.
Applications being accepted for the FFF Conservation Grants
The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) is proud to offer
conservation grants to clubs, agencies, organizations and individuals who are
working to preserve and restore the waters we cherish. If you know of a
resource project that is working to assure healthy aquatic habitats, visit the
Conservation Grants webpage www.fedflyfishers.org/conConsGrants.php
or contact the FFF Conservation Coordinator at (406) 222-9369 ext 101 or operations@fedflyfishers.org.
FFF Conservation Grants for resource projects have normally
been limited to $2,000.00 per year for any individual project. Please use this
as a guideline in making your annual requests for funding.
We’re
happy to provide these funds to support the valuable work of FFF clubs
throughout North America. Please contact the FFF office if you have any
questions about the program.
Why Fish?
By Ron
Silverman – Taken from the Palmetto Flyrodders
Newsletter
Back in cave man times, when the first fisherman fashioned a gorge out
of bone, baited it, tied it to a line, and tossed it into the water, he knew
why he was fishing . . . to eat. But, in modem times, we likely have much more
complex answers as to why we fish.
As some of you may know, several
years ago, I wrote a book, “Not a Great Fisherman, Just a Lucky One” and
donated all the proceeds to a charity, Canine Companions for Independence.
According to the book cover, it contains “Sixteen Entertaining Adventures” . .
. actual fishing experiences that I had over 50 years of fishing (now 60 plus
years of fishing!). The back cover of the book says: “I have fished virtually
all my life. Fishing has influenced where I lived, who my friends have been,
and whom I married. I did not land every fish that I hooked, but I sure had
some exciting, interesting, harrowing, and often humorous fishing experiences
over the last half a century. I learned a lot about the people that I fished
with an about myself, and found a personal answer to the age-old question of
why people fish.”
Why people fish is on the minds of
others, as well. In a conversation that I had with Bob Rich at a recent IGFA
tournament in Islamorada, he told me that why people fish will be the topic of
his new book that will be out shortly. Bob’s last book, “Fish Fights - A Hall
of Fame Quest”, tells the story of how he set out to catch in one year the ten
species offish, each with tough minimum weight requirements and on specific
light conventional or fly tackle, that would make him the first angler inducted
into the twenty-five-year-old Metropolitan South Florida Fishing
Tournament Hall of Fame. Bob donated
all the proceeds from this book to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Per Rich, for his new book, he
interviewed many, many, fisherman at all socioeconomic levels, and all kinds of
fisherman, from sports-fisherman to cane-pole. Then, he selected a dozen or
more for his book that had the most interesting stories to tell. My
conversation with Bob was brief. However, It was long enough for us to exchange
my personal answer as to why I fish and, for him to tell me the core answer to
this question that will be the theme of his new book (at least, as I understand
it). What he found from all his interviews was that a common denominator among
fisherman was HOPE, e.g. “I hope that I will catch some fish.” “I hope
that the weather will be OK.” I hope that my kids will have a good time.” “I
hope that I will have a relaxing time on the water today.” Hope may not be the
reason that fisherman fish per se, but is a common attribute among them; and
what they are hoping for may explain in part, why they fish.
Upcoming Events & Programs
February 20, 2006 Darrell
Bowman - Arkansas Trout
March 3, 2006 Phil
Lilley - Lake Taneycomo
April 2006 Blue
River Cleanup
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
2626 Hwy
165
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 • sawdustclay@sbcglobal.net
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
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
Bennett
Spring State Park Concession Shop
26248 Hwy
64 A
Lebanon,
MO 65536
417-532-4307
1-800-334-6946
Gaston’s
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
Wilkinson
Outdoor Adventures
Clint
Wilkinson
272
Wild Cat Shoals Road
Gassville, AR 72635
870-404-2942
CGFlyfish@excite.com
Riley’s Station
Miles & Michelle Riley
129 CR 640
Buffalo,
AR 72653
whiteriver.net/rileys/
888-533-2151
870-425-4221
Dale
Fulton’s 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
White
Sands Motel & Restaurant
Highway
62B - Next to Cotter's Rainbow Arch Bridge
870-435-2244
whitesands@mtnhome.com
www.whiteriver.net/whitesands
Bass Pro Shops
www.basspro.com
Chapman Creek Fly & Tackle
2701 North Marshall
Chapman, KS 76431
785-922-6630
www.chapmancreek.com
Rim Shoals Lodge & Fly Shop
River Front Lodging
Guided FIshing Trips
Boat/Motor Rental
Full Service Fly Shop
Gary & Paula Flippin
(870) 435-6144
www.rimshoals.com
Legler Knives
www.leglerknives.com
Guide Lines Guide Service
To Schedule a trip on Kansas Lakes:
Call 785-267-0065 or
cell 785-640-5463
www.clydetheguide.com
Anglers
and Achery Outfitters
136B Eden Way
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 335-4655
anglersandarchery.com
Maloney's
Guide Service
Creekside Inn
Ninilchik, Alaska
maloneys@cableone.net
Parkview
Lodge
1-888-727-5883
5477
Hwy 165
Branson,
MO
Diane
Cristopher-Fulks
Watercolor
Wildlife
Designs
by Diane
(816)
578-4615
Yagers Flies
www.yagersflies.com
(866)
359-7467