Across the Stream – May 2009
A Publication of Heart of America Fly Fishers
Monday, June 15 • 7pm
Fly tying / casting / social night
Monday, July 20 • 7pm
Dennis Whiteside Ozarks Smallmouth Guide
President’s Message
“Who are all those guys floating in tubes?”
by Darren Watson
it’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. Our last fishing trip before the heat of the summer is our annual One-Fly Tournament on June 6th. It’s our 3rd year at the same location. Thanks to club member Steve Nelson for the invitation to use his lake again. His neighbors always ask who were all those guys floating around on tubes all day… Check the outings schedule for directions and times.
We have many great people in our area that make their living from selling fly-fishing equipment. The economy hasn’t been that great the last few months and I’m sure it’s hurt the local fly shops. Please remember and help support our local shops. They are a great resource for equipment, fishing tips, and instruction. It’s great to have a place to go where you can meet other people who enjoy our hobby. Our local shops are important to our local fly fishing community.
I would like to welcome a new officer Steve Hegstrom. He has accepted the open position of Education. Please welcome Steve and we are glad he has accepted the position. We look forward to working with him.
A Glorious Spring Afternoon
by Bill Brant
What a perfect day! The weather was sunny, in the 60’s with a slight breeze. Jim Jorgensen, Jim Bevan, Gary Bader, and Mark Borsorine and I represented our club at a booth at the Earthfest.
We had live bugs – mayfly nymphs, damslefly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs and scuds. We had an assortment of flies on hand, for comparison. Folks who stopped to talk, now understand what we do. Some might join us.
At nearby tables, there were some familiar faces. The Blue River Watershed Association was located next to us. KCWildlands was located a few tables away. Our club has provided support to both of these groups over the years.
There was an assortment of entertaining acts down at the amphitheater. An organization that I never heard of, StoneLion Puppet Theatre, put on a wonderful program. It involved puppets and theater as their name suggests. The program demonstrated how each of us is connected with streams, rivers, and oceans. It was an epic adventure that involved a person, a rat, and an assortment of fish and other water loving creatures. Kids in the audience seemed fascinated. I was fascinated. It was very entertaining.
There were several musical acts. The Eco Troubadour sang about the benefits of clean water. Eco Elvis sang several classic tunes with a twist, such as one titled Viva Las Vegans.
The event concluded with a puppet parade.
Thanks to the previously mentioned club members who helped out. Mark your calendars, our next events will be the Lenexa Waterfest on August 1st and the Olathe Aquafest on September 19th.
One Fly Tournament
Lake of the Forest, Bonner Springs, KS
June 6, 2009 • 9am - 3pm
by Ron Carruthers
Knock the cob webs off your float tube or kick boat and make sure your flippers fit over that new pair of wading boots. As the tournament name implies we will have two prizes, one for the largest fish (length in inches) and one for the most fish caught using just one fly. Fly fisherman’s honor.
A shore lunch will be provided by the club. Please RSVP by email if you plan to attend: Peet Crissey: peet@peetcrissey.com or Ron Carruthers: rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com before June 5th.
Directions: Exit 435 going west on Kansas 32 (Bonner Springs exit). Go exactly 2.2 miles. Watch closely for the Lake of the Forest entrance on the right side of the road. The entrance is easy to miss so don’t go by too fast. We will plan to have the HOAFF sign out front.
For any member that is well connected we would appreciate a warm, dry day, with just a little overcast to keep the bright sunlight off the water. Your efforts in this area are sincerely appreciated.
Mike George wins Scandanavian Open Fly Tying Competition for 5th Time!
Mike’s winning entry from the 2010 Mustad Scandinavian Open fly tying competition. This makes 5 out of 6 wins and one second for Mike!
Mark Borserine
Hartell Conservation Area Outing
by Ron Carruthers
By noon Friday it was a monsoon. Flash flood warnings and tornado warnings flashed on every TV screen across the area. For an instant I thought maybe it was all brought on because HOAFF had planned an outing for the next day. The old phrase, come hell or high water, was going to be put to the test.
The weather Saturday was clear but a cold front sure left a lot of us short on clothes. The Hartell Conservation Area just east of Plattsburg Missouri had weathered the storm pretty well. Only one of the four fishing lakes was off color but for all the rain on Friday it was a welcome relief to see clear water. Did I mention the wind? It was relentlessly coming out of the north which made the positioning of a belly boat on a small lake a real exercise.
Several members decided to fish from shore. The rest of us launched all manner of belly boats, kick boats and a fishing kayak in search of bluegill and bass. Believe me getting in and out of a belly boat could be on America’s Funniest Home Videos. The bluegill and bass started to cooperate first on buggers and leaches and after it warmed up a little poppers provided a lot of fun. Anne Grundy caught the lunker bass of the day on of course Lunker Lake. Peet Crissey caught the only crappie for the day on Picnic Lake. There are pictures to document the above.
At lunchtime we all gathered above Picnic Lake. Everyone talked about the morning fishing and of course the ones that got away. I think we all agreed that the Hartell Conservation Area is a little jewel and it is close enough to Kansas City that it will get to see a few more HOAFF outings in the future.
This Year’s White River Trip
by Peet Crissey
On the weekend of April 18th, a loyal group of 17 HOAFF members made the annual outing to the White River Trout Lodge. Most everyone arrived on Friday afternoon the 17th, and it wasn’t long until the water was dotted with HOAFF fly fisherman. Although there were no big fish caught that afternoon, there were some whopper stories about the ones that got away.
That evening we enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings while dining on the deck. After dinner the gang enjoyed more good stories and some people stayed up late just to tell them!
Saturday morning arrived early, but our resident chef Jim Bebb had a hearty breakfast on the table by 7:30 a.m. for everyone to enjoy before we headed out for full day of fishing. The race was on as everyone rushed to claim their favorite spot. Some went up the river, some went down and some even went to Norfolk to fish.
Around 5:00 p.m. everyone gathered back at the lodge with yet more fish stories to tell from the day’s adventure.
Saturday evening we enjoyed a BBQ feast with brisket, chicken and ribs plus tasty side dishes and great brownies for dessert. Most everyone hung out on the deck again after dinner that evening, sharing a lot of good stories and tall tales about the ones that got away.
All in all it was another great trip to the White River, with lots of fun had by all. If you haven’t tried this trip before, be sure to mark it on your calendar for next year.
2008 Officers
President
Darren Watson
816-805-8761 dwatson@lawingfinancial.com
Vice-President
Jim Bebb
913-721-3397 jbebb@communitynationalbank.net
Past President
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Secretary
Jim Jorgensen
913-469-1950 jjorgensen@ci.lenexa.ks.us
Treasurer
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com
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
Harold Green
Outings
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com
Peet Crissey
Bruce Kessler
Membership
Dan Sulit
913-268-3848 kenaisu@aol.com
Frederick Clark
913-831-0305 fclarks@planetkc.com
Mark Rauth
Conservation Chair
Kevin Carril
913-362-9379 rrac3@sbcglobal.net
Missouri - Mark O'Hara
Arkansas - John Bell
Metro KC - Harold Green
Web Master
Bill Brant
816-941-9691 billandkathy@kc.rr.com
Raffle/Auction
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Michael Knight
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
Supernumerary
David Andrews
816-741-8314 davidgandrews@kc.rr.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.
Upcoming Events & Programs
June 6 One Fly Tournament - Lake of the Forest
June 15 Fly tying / casting / social
July 17-19 Little Red River - Heber Springs, AR
July 20 Dennis Whiteside Ozarks Smallmouth Guide
August 17 Paul Bennetts on Wyoming Trip
September 21 HOAFF Annual Picnic
October 2-4 Southern Council Conclave - Mountain Home, AR
October 19 JB, Cliff & Mark B – Michigan Steelhead
October 23-25 Montauk/Current River Outing
November 16 HOAFF Auction
December 4-6 Bennett Springs Outing and Annual Club Dinner
Visit our Advertisers:
Black Dog Sports
Angler's and Archery Outfitters, Inc.
136B Eden Way
Branson, MO 65616
417-335-4655
Back Country Outfitters
2863 South Campbell
Springfield, MO 65807
417-889-6548
Bass Pro Shop - Olathe KS
12051 Bass Pro Drive
Olathe, KS 66061
913-254-5200
Bennett Springs State Park Concession Shop
26248 Hwy 64A
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4307
Bob Jacklin's Fly Shop
105 Yellowstone Ave
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
(406)646-7336
Brass Door Motel
Highway 62 West
Gassville, AR 72635
870-435-2988
www.whiteriver.net/brassdoor/
Cabela's KCK
10300 Cabela Drive
Kansas City, KS 66111
913-328-0322 x8208
Chartered Waters
1326 Acacia Club Rd.
Hollister, MO 65672
417-334-1005
Dale Fulton's Blue Ribbon Flies
1343 Highway 5 South
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-425-0447
Diane Christopher-Fulks Wildlife Watercolors
45-N Street
Lake Lotawana, MO 64086
816-578-4615
Dicks Sporting Goods - Leawood KS
11801 Nall Avenue
Leawood, KS 66211
913-661-0200
Feather-Craft Fly Fishing
8307 Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63144
Fishing Pole Guiding, Inc.
27 Haddon Road SouthWest
Calgary, Alberta CANADA T2V2X8
403-259-6245
Flats Lander Guide Service
Paul "Sodie" Sodamann
6390 Rockenham Road
St. George, KS 66535
785-456-5654
Gaston's On the White River
11777 River Road
Lakeview, AR 72642
870-431-5202
Gaston's Tackle
11798 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-9449
Joe Tomelleri - Artist
8436 Meadow Lane
Leawood, KS 66206
913-383-9771
K&K Flyfishers
8643 Grant
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-341-8118
Lilley's Landing
367 River Lane
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-6380
Loon Outdoors
2728 S. Cole Rd. #110
Boise, ID 93709
208-362-4437
Mickey's Surplus
2601 Strong Ave
Kansas City, KS 66106
913-831-1493
Parkview Lodge
5477 State Highway 165
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-4041
Rainbow Fly Shop
4621 S. Shrank Drive
Independence, MO 64055
816-373-2283
Reading Fly Shop
11937 Highway 64A
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-588-4334
Rim Shoals Resort
153 Rims Shoals Camp
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-435-6144
Rio Products
5050 S. Yellowstone Hwy
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-524-7760
River of Life Farm
RT 1 Box 4535
Dora, MO 65637
417-261-7777
River Run Outfitters
2626 State Hwy 165
Branson, MO 65616
417-332-0460
Saltery Lake Lodge
1516 Larch St. #1
Kodiak, AK 99615
907-486-7083
Sand Springs Resort
1996 Hwy 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-5857
Spring View Motel
11726 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-588-2116
The Fishing Hole
3731 W. 95th St.
Overland Park, KS 66206
913-642-5554
Tightline Guide Service
13361 Christopher Dr.
Rolla, MO 65401
573-364-7633
Two Rivers Fly Shop
13718 AR Highway 5 South
Norfork, AR 72658
870-499-3060
Vogel's Homestead Resort
11451 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4097
Wapsi Fly, Inc.
27 CR 458
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-425-9500
White River Trout Lodge
752 County Rd 703
Cotter, AR 72626
870-430-5229
White Sands Motel
P.O. Box 340
Cotter, AR 72626
870-435-2244
Wilkinson Outdoor Adventures
Clint Wilkinson
336 Stephanie
Gassville, AR 72635
870-404-2942
Yager's Fly Shop
2311 Wakarusa Dr.
Lawrence, KS 66047
785-842-1239