Across the Stream – June/July 2009
A Publication of Heart of America Fly Fishers
Monday, July 20 • 7pm
Dennis Whiteside Ozarks Smallmouth Guide
Monday, August 17 • 7pm
Paul Bennetts on Wyoming Trip
One Fly Outing
June 6, 2009
by Ron Carruthers
The weatherman predicted a 30% chance of scattered thundershowers for Saturday morning. For the 20 HOAFF members attending the club’s One Fly Outing at Lake of the Forest this year the percentage was closer to 100%. Fortunately the showers were brief and thankfully pretty warm. By mid morning the lake was dotted with all kinds and colors of HOAFF float tubes, kick boats and fishing kayaks.
The fishing was great of course. The catching however varied from member to member but overall everyone caught some fish. The bass and bluegills were tearing up poppers and as the afternoon wore on wooly buggers and leeches provided some steady action. By lunchtime Norm Crisp had captured this year’s trophy for the most fish with a total of 33 and Jeremy Oliver earned the biggest fish trophy with a 15 inch bass. Both will have some fun spending their $25 gift certificates at the K&K Fly Shop.
Speaking of lunchtime, it appears nothing sharpens an appetite quite like kicking a float tube around a nice lake on a breezy Saturday morning. The cheeseburgers, beans, coleslaw and chips literally disappeared. We hardly had enough leftovers for Wags the Wonder Dog. Yes, Bill Brant’s faithful companion made it back to the One Fly Outing this year. Wags’ dedication and hard work was evident as his “dog in the middle of the road” trick went off without a hitch.
A special thanks to Peet Crissey for slaving over a hot grill. The cheeseburgers were absolutely the best. And another special thanks to Steve Nelson for allowing HOAFF once again to have this fun event at Lake of the Forest. Good fishing, good food and good friends, it doesn’t get much better than that.
HOAFF Treasurer’s Report
by Ron Carruthers
2008 Financials
Revenues $13,998.78
Expenses $12,203.50
Net Income $ 1,795.28
Ending Bank Balance $12,583.39
2008 Membership Dues totaled $2,850.00. The November Auction generated revenue of $5902.62, a 40% increase over 2007. The Spring Bob Jacklin Seminar netted at ($1,583.30). The cost of printing and mailing newsletters totaled $1,886.26. The club did not make any grants or donations in 2008.
2009 Year to date March 2009
Revenues $7,610.48
Expenses $3,012.99
Net Income $4,597.49
March Bank Balance $17,180.79
To date Membership Dues total $2,265.00. The Gervis Beiriger Memorial Fund currently stands at $2,960.00. A committee is being formed to evaluate appropriate education/conservation donation opportunities for 2009. Deposits totaling $1,400 have been collected for the White River Outing to be held April 17 - 19. The Chad Mason Spring Seminar net balance to date is ($544.21). A $500 donation was authorized and paid in January to KC Wildlands.
Auction 2009
by Mark Borserine
The Heart of America Fly Fishers Annual Auction is Monday, November 16th. I know it seems way too early to be talking about the Auction but one thing we need every year is new sponsors to approach for donations; as you travel about and fish this summer and go new places, use new guides, etc. be thinking about those that might donate to the Auction. If you feel comfortable with it, ask them; if you’re not comfortable, at least pass their contact information on to me!
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
White River Fly Fishing Outlook
Clint Wilkinson, Wilkinson Outdoor Adventures
We’re quickly approaching Summer on the White River and I’m excited about the outlook. Unlike last year, we’re not fearing for our lives over flood gates and high water. The lakes are both about twenty feet over power pool, which is relatively normal for this time of year, and the flows have been very manageable for anglers of all skill levels. Depending upon the amount of rainfall we receive over the next month this flow trend could continue. Flows on the White have been around 3000 cfs on average and the Norfork has been shut down and wadeable on many days.
The greatest thing about these flows is that they offer something for every fly fisher’s preferred technique. Nymphing is almost always the most productive method but streamers and dries are working quite well on most days also, at least during certain time periods or hatches. And for those that are die hard wade fishermen, there is plenty of wadeable water to be found.
The same is true for those that prefer to be in a boat, whether it be for mobility reasons or if you just want to relax, there is enough water to be very productive fly fishing from a boat. Flows can change at any time, therefore safety is the most important issue when fishing these tailwaters on your own. Don’t take risks like crossing to the opposite side of the river you walked in on, or running a boat if your unfamiliar with the area. A fish is not worth your life and there are plenty of knowledgeable guides that can ensure your safety on the water. Use common sense and enjoy the great fishing that the White River area has to offer!
Flies to try…
by Jon Cerda
Let me start by saying that even though I teach Fly Fishing merit badge for Scouts, I make no claim to be any type of authority on fly fishing, or even fly tying for that matter. I have, however, fished for the wily trout since I was old enough to drive by buddy and myself to Bennett Spring in my 62 Chevy Nova station wagon. That goes back a few years.
Many of the flies that I tie are similar to hundreds of other flies out there; I just try to tweak them to fit my style of fishing, and then add love. That’s right; every fly that I tie gets a kiss for luck… OK I made that part up.
In this article, I want to discuss a few newly tested flies, and the way that I fish them. One thing that I may do differently than a lot of people is the way that I use tippet. I usually just have a 12 to 18 inch piece of 6 lb test mono as a leader, and the rest is all 6 to 7X fluorocarbon tied on with a perfection loop. I have used extra long tippets for years with much success, and have just recently allowed Rio brand leaders to start packaging and marketing these long pre-tied leaders as “Indicator leaders”. OK I made that last part up too.
The first fly that I want to talk about is a variation of the now proven “Mary’s Midge”, which was a nymph that I altered slightly from the original, and started tying a few years ago. It has proven itself effective, with many other fisher people, even under very difficult fishing conditions. In fact I can not recall a single trip where conditions have been picture perfect in well over a year. Of course my definition of picture perfect may be different than others, since I am a die hard sight fisherman. For me, this means that I love crystal clear water, very low wind conditions, and a high sun. I love the challenge of the stalk or “hunt”, and watching a trout make the sometimes fatal mistake of inhaling one of my hand tied fish bullets. I carefully document places, air temperature, wind conditions, water conditions, my fellow fisherman’s success rate, etc. in my handy dandy Trout fisherman’s Journal. I can go back season by season, and compare notes on success or failure of my “prototypes”, as I call them. Generally the first part of any of my fishing trips are devoted to trying out new “secret weapons”. Some work, some don’t…so what? It still beats punching a clock on that particular day.
Now and then I stumble onto something that really works; regardless of the fishing conditions.
One such fly is one like the fly below. It has become known by my regulars as the “Hairy Mary”. It is modeled after the “Mary’s Midge” with the main difference being, instead of a basic Zebra midge pattern, tied as ”thinly” as possible, with this fly I did a 180 turn, and tied the fly “fat” and “hairy”. The other difference with this fly is that instead of using two layers only, of golden olive thread, (which takes a slight green tinge when wet), with this fly, I pinch dubbed blue winged olive dubbing material to the thread, and then wrapped it fat. The black (or olive) wire ribbing tends to squeeze the fat fly; and shows body segments better. The fly above has probably caught a dozen or more trout, and although a little ragged, it still looks fishable. I love the way the colors go from olive, to blue-ish, to tan. One of those colors should surly work.
Hook: TMC #18 2499 SP Barbless stock from the box or painted flat black.
Bead : Black tungsten 5/64th stock from the pack or painted flat black.
Thread : Olive, golden olive, or black.
Wire : Ultra wire small; black or olive.
Do not apply head cement; whether painted or unpainted. It changes the color and holds the fuzzies too flat.
With the confirmed success of the “Hairy Mary” it was only logical to test out a few other ideas that popped into my head, so since one of my all time favorites has always been the tan scud, it only seemed fitting to try the “Hairy Mary” pattern in a light tan color. If I had to give this fly a name, and I did, it would be called”the Little Jon”. Why? It’s because I like the name. After repeated testing and highly scientific research…I have decided that this fly will now be a permanent part of my fishing arsenal.
One other thing that I do, that others may not take the time to do, is to spray paint both the hook and tungsten bead head a flat black. Most of the tungsten heads that are billed as black are actually more of a gun metal grey-black. True black tungsten heads are getting hard to find, so I just take matters into my own hands. If you decide that you want to try to paint some of your own hooks or beads, remember not to apply head cement to the finished fly as some of the cements will take the paint right off.
Water conditions: clear and normal flow. Air temperature was in the lower 50’s, with partly cloudy skies. The wind was gusting at 15 to 20. My very first drift with this fly was down a moss line. It produced a heart pounding leap by a 16 to 17 inch Rainbow. Bow to your fish. On the second leap, I figured that this fish was a gonner. After a few seconds of listening to the reel drag sing, the fish just pulled free. That’s ok; it was still exciting for my first drift. The second drift, in the exact same line, produced a respectable 14 inch fish. The third drift, in the exact same line, started like the first, with a head shaking leap into the air. Fortunately for the fish, it was the catch and release season, otherwise this fish would have gone home with me. The fourth drift ended in a total clean off, resulting in a retie of my entire rig. It was a ride of about 3 or 4 seconds, but it was exciting just the same. I only brought 2 of the tan fly, so I would need to be careful if I was going to continue the test of this fly. Three drifts, three fish, I began to think I was on to something. I noticed the fisherman standing beside me trying to see what I was using; so I told him. I didn’t offer to share a fly this time, but I have been know to be generous with flies, especially if I want to know if it is just me, or is it the fly. Sometimes it is me, and my tunnel vision type of fishing, and sometimes other people have the same success that I am having, which means that it must be the fly.
Hook: TMC #18 2899 SP Barbless painted flat black.
Bead: Black tungsten 5/64th painted flat black.
Thread: Uni Thread 8/0 tan
Dubbing: Super fine #2 waterproof dry fly dubbing- tan
Wire: Ultra Wire black small
My newest variation on the “Hairy Mary”, for obvious reasons, is one that I call the “Side ribbed Hairy Mary”.
After studying many midges up close and personal, I noticed a pattern of a thin dark line going down the length of many of their abdomens. Since imitation is the most sincere form of flattery…or something like that, my newest fly has a black lateral line on each side, which is made of extra small black wire.
This fly is:
Hook: #18 TMC 2899 SP Barbless (painted flat black)
Bead head: Black tungsten 5/64 (painted flat black)
Thread: Uni Thread 8/0
Dubbing: Super fine #2 waterproof dry fly dubbing- tan or blue winged olive
Wire: Ultra Wire black small for ribbing and Ultra Wire X small for lateral lines.
The only tricky part to this fly is applying the x-small wire for lateral lines.
I tie the fly as normal by wrapping thread from behind the eye to a little past the bend of the hook, and then wrapping forward for 3 turns. I then tie in the small wire a little less than an 1/8th inch in front of the three turns. I then take a 2 inch piece of X-small black wire, and tie it on right in the middle. Once it is on, I bend it in half, backwards, and then tie a few wraps over the top. I leave the small wire in the material spring, and the x-small wire in a “v” shape on either side of the small wire. Once I have dubbed and wrapped the tan dubbing as normal, I carefully bring the small wire up both sides and tie it in. I then wrap the small wire, as normal, over the x-small wire, to the front of the fly and tie it in with a whip finish. Done, do not put head cement on this fly.
The next fly that I think you might like to try, if you like the little stuff on top, is a size 22 Turkey biot Primrose dry; or TPD. I love this fly and the way that it shows the body segments in a natural light to dark pattern. The primrose head and tail really contrast with the darker body, and the sparse grizzly hackle. Try this one during any hatch, and you won’t be sorry. This is a small fly, so if you don’t have the eyes of an eagle, or the light is getting dim, you may want to fish it a little closer so that you can see it better. If this fly lands in a little current swirl, I will just pick it up and recast. I try to get it to land on dead smooth water, and follow it down with the current. I will fish this right over a moss line, if you can see fish actively feeding, or down the away side of the moss line, where the fish has no chance of seeing you. Size 7X or smaller is the ticket with this fly, so be very careful on the hook set.
Hook: optional size 22
Thread: Primrose
Body: Turkey Biot
Hackle: #22 grizzly
Tie on one layer of thread to just past the bend of the hook.
Wrap forward 3 turns and tie in the biot skinny side first with the curl pointing down. Wrap evenly towards the front and stop about an eye and a half from the hook eye. Tie off the biot with a half hitch, and then tie in a size #22 grizzly hackle; dull side facing you. Take two or three turns and then whip finish. Make sure that the head is slightly larger than the abdomen.
Lastly, I think I catch a lot of fish on these flies because of the methods that I use.
When I get in the water, I don’t just start throwing my line out to see what is hitting. I generally will walk into the water and let things calm down a little. You can tell when things have calmed down, at least when you are fishing at Bennett, because you start to notice the “freeloaders” starting to swim down stream of where you are standing. They are just waiting for an easy meal in case you should happen to kick up a tasty morsel for them. I like to wait till the water is clear (you don’t want to be accused of shuffling) and then drop my fly in and let it drift right past the fish. I try to watch it very closely. If a fish swims up to it and acts interested, when the fly is just in reach, I am prepared to set the hook. If I make 3 or 4 drifts on these easy to catch fish, and they just look at it and swim off, I change flies. If I catch one or two right away, then at least I know they are hitting that color or size. I will then generally cast further out into the stream to see if the other fish like the same color. I will switch back and forth from shallow water directly downstream using the Leisenring lift, and then back to deep water. When I get bites out in the deep water, I am pretty sure it is the fly and not my quick hook set.
Now here is the most important part no matter whose fly you are using, and probably the reason that I have good luck fishing. As you know, you have about 3 milliseconds to set before the fish spits it out. If the water is swirling, and I can’t see all the way to the bottom, I just have to watch the indicator very closely. If it just vibrates or twitches, I set the hook. The best way to learn if it is current, bottom, or fish, is to watch in very clear water as your fly is taken, and then as the fly is inhaled, look at your indicator and see what kind of movement it just had. Don’t worry about catching every fish, just watch the indicator when the fish takes, and you will see movement that you may have seen hundreds of times before, and wondered if that was a fish. It probably was.
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
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
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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