Across
the Stream – July 2008
A
Publication of Heart of America Fly Fishers
HOAFF June Meeting
Monday, June 16
- 7:00pm
Fly Tying and a Casting Clinic
or any other skills such as leader
building, knots, etc. Bring your favorite rod and reel or, the club’s will be
available. Bring your questions and
challenges about casting and there will be three of us there to help you with
them!
President’s Message
Generous
contributions of our members
by
Darren Watson
One of the great things about our club is the generous
contributions our members and our club make to help promote what we care about
most.
Every year, many organizations request donations
of money and time. Our club’s funds come mostly from our annual auction and
members’ dues. Because we have limited funds, we created a Donations Request
Committee, which is made up of our officers and board members. Each of these
individuals evaluates every request to determine the best use of our club’s
fundraising efforts. We are currently accepting new requests, so let us know if
you have or know of an organization that you feel we could help. To make a
request, visit our Web site, which has a section for donation requests and a
downloadable .pdf file. We will review your requests and make our decisions in
September or October.
It’s also time to start accumulating items for
our annual auction. We cannot raise funds without your help, so if you or
anyone you know has something to donate, please let Mark Borserine know. We can
always use more fishing packages, rods, reels, and even flies you have tied.
Another way members can help raise money is
through funds conservation. Currently, about half of our members receive the
monthly newsletter by mail. The other half of the members receive the
newsletter by e-mail or by opening it through our Web site, which is most
timely way to get the newsletter. If you receive the newsletter by mail and
want to help our club lower costs on printing and postage, be sure to let us
know so that we may start e-mailing it to you. Our club, in turn, will have
more funds for other causes, not to mention that we’ll do our part in helping
the environment.
Eleven Point River Outing or The River
of No Return!
by Mark Borserine
There is an old story about “The River of No
Return” the same title could apply to our Eleven Point Outing in May. Jim Bebb,
Dan Sulit and myself arrived in Alton, MO on Friday night to excellent
accommodations in what was a full-size Ranch House fully furnished, all to
ourselves! The next morning we met
Brian Sloss at Eleven Point Canoe Rental to begin our journey. The outing was
billed as a Smallmouth outing and after talking to Brian we decided to float
the upper river beginning at Cane Bluff since the water was still too high in
the lower part below Greer Spring to allow for good trout fishing. Greer Spring
is powerful enough that it doubles the size of the River below the point where
it flows in. For trout fishing you would put in at the Greer Spring access.
The water in the upper River was still high,
flowing at 1700 cfs, a velocity which was navigable but which surely
contributed to our disaster and the less than ideal fishing we encountered. I
took the first picture of Dan and Jim at Cane Bluff to illustrate the enormous
size of some of the trees that had been washed down the river during the
flooding.
We were three to the canoe, which Jim Bebb was
concerned about; which Brian assured me was fine. I later found the canoe has a
payload of 850 lbs, which we were well under; but, the heavily laden canoe was
surely more difficult to maneuver. As I said, the water was pretty fast which
made fishing difficult because, unlike I’d hoped, the fish didn’t seem to be in
the riffles but in the long, slow pools which were not so slow and impossible
to wade. We found it difficult to keep our offerings in place for very long.
Jim caught four “smallies”, Dan caught three and I caught one; all of them
fairly small. The next picture is one of Dan fishing above a riffle and can
convey just how beautiful the Eleven Point really is; notice that Dan has a rod and reel in his
hand in the photo, something which was no longer possible in the next hour.
Shortly after leaving this spot we encounted a 90 degree turn around an
enormous root ball laying in the middle of a riffle; we made it fine around
that one but plowed into another root ball directly below it and just enough to
the right of it that we couldn’t see it until we were past the first. The
current between the two threw the back of the canoe around to our left with
enormous force; enough to slam us sideways into the snag and literally launch
me out the front!
The situation deteriorated rapidly from that
moment. I was no help to Dan or Jim at all and was swept downstream about a
10th of a mile before the current slacked enough to make shore. I found I could
swim in waders and boots but it “warn’t easy”. The canoe swept downriver behind
me while I was swimming across. Dan and Jim remained where the canoe had
swamped; Dan was first caught under the canoe and then by his wader suspenders
on the very snag that dumped us and had some anxious moments. Thankfully, Jim
was with him; had Jim not been something truly terrible might have happened.
Jim also had the presence of mind to hang on to a paddle, the only piece of
gear we found ourselves with other than pieces of broken rods!
Everything was gone, rods, reels, food,
lifejackets (which we were foolish enough to not have on!). We were, of course,
thoroughly soaked, but fortunately not only alive but uninjured other than
momentarily exhausted from struggling with the current. We could see the canoe
floating downriver about a half mile below us but were all too exhausted to try
for it.
We “wrung” ourselves out as best we could and
decided our best course was to strike out downriver for the takeout point at
Greer Spring and hope that the canoe would come to rest somewhere and we would
find it. The Eleven Point is very remote and there are no roads running
alongside anywhere near it. We decided to hug the river as best we could in
hope of finding the canoe. Our greatest concern was that we would miss the pick
up and have to spend the night in the woods; the daytime temp was only in the
50’s and predicted to dip to the 30’s that night. Hypothermia would be the real
danger!
The trek downriver was pretty rough; the cane
and undergrowth on the Eleven Point is really dense and made worse by the
recent flooding which filled the woods with debris at 90degrees to our path.
Again, Jim Bebb was the hero of the day!
Dan and I are genetically hampered by short legs and girth. Jim blazed
the trail and after a couple of hours of effort found the canoe around a bend
of the river against the shore.
Even in the darkest moments there always seems
to be some humor. Dan and I thought we heard voices downriver at one point and
sure enough, just around the next bend, we encountered two fellows on horseback
and thought surely that rescue was at hand!
They were utterly lost! We had
nothing but a paddle, but knew exactly where we were; they had transportation
and no clue where they were! When we gave them directions, did they care? They just rode off with not so much as a
“thank you, can we help”! However, our
good deed was rewarded, Jim found the canoe just 20 minutes later.
We dumped the water out, buttoned down and
really humped downriver to the Greer Spring access, arriving just a few minutes
ahead of Brian Sloss. Our fears about spending the night in the woods were
justified; the Sheriff’s department wouldn’t have started looking for us ‘til
next morning!
We did take in the beauty of the Eleven Point on
the last third of our downriver journey, the third photo is of a lovely spring
we encountered on the way. The last photo is of Jim and Dan laying out flies to
dry at the house that night.
Alton, MO is a really small town and when we
went that night to get dinner we were already the subject of conversation. We
got a lot of good advice from a family from Memphis who canoe the Eleven Point
regularly: assume that you’re going to
dump the canoe at some point and act accordingly; buy several coiled harnesses
of the type used to connect to kill switches on power boats or to “harness”
small children to their parents and “attach” key items of gear to yourself;
always have a dry bag for essential gear (tied to the canoe); tie everything
you can to the canoe, because it won’t sink; carry some survival items on your
person (Jim had a lighter and some other essential items but in his gear bag
which he wisely tied to the canoe – had
we not found the canoe, it would not have done us any good). Obvious safety
procedures that we violated would be to take our vests and chest packs off and
store them in a dry bag and wear lifejackets when “under way”; although three
in the canoe did not exceed weight limits, another canoe would have been a good
“buffer” – we saw no one else except the two men on horseback all day!; and, finally, in hindsight, whenever in doubt
about some fast water, pull over to shore, look it over and consider walking
the canoe through or portaging; when we
couldn’t see past the first snag we should have stopped and evaluated!
Jim and Dan were the greatest partners anyone
could have. Jim’s actions immediately
after the accident not only saved Dan but saved us in other ways; had he let go
of the paddle, finding the canoe would not have helped much (other than getting
what was in his gear bag)! Everyone
stayed calm and even took the event with good humor. That night I came down
with stomach flu and couldn’t keep anything down for three days! Dan and Jim took excellent care of me,
driving all the way home and being very patient when I had to stop (often).
Our accident should not keep anyone away from
the Eleven Point, even with the damage wrought by high water and the overcast
day we had, the River is simply beautiful!
The three of us fully intend to go back, although wiser on the next
trip. The house that Jim found for lodging is just perfect for a group outing,
including cooking!
In ending, the three of us are open to any
additional suggestions for good canoeing that our fellow members could pass on
to us; this opens the possibility of a series of articles for the newsletter!
2008 Officers
President
Darren
Watson
816-805-8761 dwatson@lawingfinancial.com
Past President
Mark
Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Secretary
Jim
Jorgenson
913-469-1950 jjorgensen@ci.lenexa.ks.us
Treasurer
Paul
Bennetts
913-338-3837 pbennetts1@comcast.net
Newsletter
Tom
James
816-718-0393 tom@blackdogsports.com
Newsletter Assistant
Mark
Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Programs
John
Bell
785-843-1782 j.bell@kcc.state.ks.us
Cliff
Cain
913-558-5069 cliffcain@hotmail.com
Education
Norm
Crisp
913-645-1994 streamsideff@yahoo.com
Outings
Ron
Carruthers
816-741-7251
rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com
Jim
Bebb
913-721-3397
jbebb@communitynationalbank.net
Membership
Frederick
Clark
913-831-0305 fclarks@planetkc.com
Dan Sulit
913-268-3848
kenaisu@aol.com
Conservation Team
Kevin
Carril
913-362-9379 rrac3@sbcglobal.net
John
Bell
785-843-1782 j.bell@kcc.state.ks.us
Library
Doug
McDonald
913-764-6678 mcdoug5148@sbcglobal.net
Web Master
Bill
Brant
816-941-9691 billandkathy@kc.rr.com
Raffle/Auction
Mark
Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Spring Programs
Dick
Martin
816-781-9557 rlm@mllfpc.com
Don
Grundy
816-781-9019 dgrundy@sbcglobal.net
Event Coordinator
Bill
Brant
816-941-9691 billandkathy@kc.rr.com
Southern Council Liaison
Hod
McIntosh
913-722-3684 singingreels@kc.rr.com
Supernumerary
David
Andrews
816-741-8314 davidgandrews@kc.rr.com
Annual HOAFF Auction
by Mark Borserine
We already have some great auction items: A
brand new Orvis 9’4pc, 8wt T3 rod donated by Darren Watson; an Old Town
Discovery Canoe and Bob Jacklin’s flies and gifts he gave us at the Seminar.
However, I’m going to need all of you to help this year!
With the soft economy, I fully expect some difficulty in getting
items; persistence and personal contact will be more important than ever!
I ask all of you to really think about who we
can approach for donations – think “outside the box”: Camping gear, hunting
gear and automotive services can be related to our enjoyment of the outdoors as
can grilling, barbecue equipment and others. I can supply you with materials to
approach businesses or can do so on your behalf if you’re “shy” about this sort
of thing. You may also have met a new guide or outfitting service that is not
on the list or a new business!
There are many of you that have relationships
with Vendors that already traditionally donate and I would greatly appreciate
your help in acting as a go-between. There will be mail-merge letters to do and
if any of you have skills in that area, I would also appreciate your help!
Remember that the HOAFF is a 501(c)3 and that
any donations are entirely tax deductible. As individual members anything you
donate is entirely tax deductible to you; this is how we acquired the Canoe and
the Orvis rod!
Based on recent experience, I can attest that
those things you may be thinking of putting on eBay may bring more reward as a
tax deduction: Bids on eBay are getting
pretty thin, probably based on the economy in general and eBay is getting
over-subscribed (in my opinion). Consider giving that unwanted item(s) to our
Auction instead!
Mark Borserine – Auction
Chair
(913) 915-1002 cell
MAJBORSER@aol.com
HOAFF Logo Lapel Pins
We now have enameled Lapel/Hat/Vest Pins with the HOAFF
logo. Every new member who joins in 2008 will receive a pin. The pins will be
available for sale for $5.00 each.
HOAFF Apparel is here
Hats $15 • T-Shirts $12
Now you can get a T-shirt or a fishing hat with the new
Heart of America Fly Fishers Logo.
Revenge of the
Trout Zombies
By Bruce Cochran
My new book is out. “Revenge Of The Trout
Zombies” published by Willow Creek Press. It’s a humorous look at trout
fishing. The dedication page says “This book is dedicated to the Heart Of
America Trout Fishers” who inadvertently
provided at least half the material for
it.”
It’s paperback, retails for $9.95, and is available
at book stores. If they don’t have it on
the shelf, which they may not, it’s in their computers and they can order it.
It’s also available on Amazon.com and of course personalized copies are
available from me.
One Fly ....or Two
Fly Outing
Lake
of the Forest
By
Ron Carruthers
For 17 HOAFF members Saturday June 7 started
warm enough but grey clouds and strong gusting winds kept it from being a
perfect day for the annual One Fly Outing.
Unlike last year Lake of the Forest was clear and bright and though it
was a little tough fighting the wind and a little weedy in some areas the
fishing for almost everyone was good to excellent compared to last year. Two of
our members rose to the top of the competition in the One Fly contest.
The big fish contest proved to be a runaway.
Well, actually it had to have an executive order changing the official rules
from a one fly to a two fly contest. Let me explain. Darren Watson, President
Watson, caught a 5 1/4 lb. 22” largemouth bass that can only be described
through pictures. Look for that near this article. Now Darren readily admitted
he used a second fly to catch the fish. Not one of us felt it was right to deny
the big fish award to the truly big fish of the outing. A $25 K&K
Flyfishers gift certificate was awarded to Darren Watson. Congratulations!
At noon only one member remained on the water.
As Wayne London approached the beach area we watched him catch several nice
bass. You could kind of tell he really didn’t want to quit fishing. When he got
within earshot I called out to him for his fish count. He responded... 34. No
reason to keep counting, he had runaway with the most fish contest. His one fly
was a bead head, black rubber legged, black and red flash bugger. Hopefully he
will show us all how to tie it at the next meeting. A $25 K&K Flyfishers
gift certificate was awarded to Wayne London. Congratulations!
Brats, beans, homemade coleslaw and chips
disappeared pretty handily. It is definitely hard work keeping a belly boat
positioned in the wind. Bill Brandt arrived just as lunch was winding down. He
had missed the fishing but brought his best buddy, Wags, with him anyway. Wags
is a good sized, well mannered black lab that turned out to be our noontime
entertainment. Bill lives on a dead-end street and Wags apparently has the run
of the neighborhood. To keep him safe Bill has taught him on the command, “Wags
get out of the road” to leave the pavement and sit on the grass. Well Bill
could not wait to let us all witness Wags performing this trick. Let’s just say
Wags has the sitting part down pat but unfortunately he needs a little more
work on the leaving the road part. Wags should be a nominee for HOAFF
entertainer of the year.
Good friends, good stories, good food and great
fishing. If you missed it we plan to have next years One Fly at the same
location. Hope we see you there.
Upcoming
Events & Programs
June 16 Fly Tying &
Fly Casting Clinic
July 21 Arkansas Fish
& Game Commission
Aug 18 Sam Potter -
Tight Lines Guide Service
Sept 15 Annual Picnic Shawnee
Mission Park
Oct Montauk/Current
River Fall Outing -
Oct 20 Annual Auction
& Raffle
Dec 5-7 Annual
Banquet Bennett Spring
Visit
our Advertisers:
Black
Dog Sports
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
Yager’s
Flies
2311 Wakarusa Drive, Suite B
Lawrence, KS 66047
(866) 359-7467
www.yagersflies.com
Wilkinson
Outdoor Adventures
Clint
Wilkinson
272
Wild Cat Shoals Road
Gassville,
AR 72635
870-404-2942
Saltery
Lake Lodge
1516
Larch Street
Kodiak,
AK 99615
1-800-770-5037
Fax
(907) 486-3188
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)
· Mountain River Fly Shop
·
1177 West Main
·
Cotter, AR
72626
·
870-435-6166
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
White
Sands Motel & Restaurant
Highway
62B - Next to Cotter's Rainbow Arch Bridge
870-435-2244
Rim Shoals Lodge & Fly Shop
River Front Lodging
Guided FIshing Trips
Boat/Motor Rental
Full Service Fly Shop
Gary & Paula Flippin
(870) 435-6144
Parkview
Lodge
1-888-727-5883
5477
Hwy 165
Branson,
MO
Reading’s Fly Shop
·
Fly Rods • Reels
·
Nets • Waders
·
Tying Materials
·
Over 1200 Book
Titles
·
11937 Highway
64A
·
Lebanon, MO
65536
·
417-588-4334
Tightline Guide
Service
Americanfishes.com
More
color illustrations of freshwater fish than anyplace on earth
White River Trout
Lodge
752
County Rd 703
Cotter,
AR 72626
877-84TROUT
Flats Lander Guide
Service
Spring
and Fall in Kansas,
Summer
in the Florida Keys
Capt.
Paul “Sodie” Sodamann
785-456-5654
Hunting Sports Plus
Private land access
for Hunting • Fishing • Camping
Wapsi
Smoke N’ Fire
8030 W. 151st
Street
Overland Park, KS
66223
913-685-1111