2011 Southern Council
Conclave and Fly Fishing Fair
October 6 - 9, 2011
About Molly Semenik
While growing up in Michigan, I had plenty of water to practice my fly fishing skills. The Pere Marquette, Au Sable, and Jordan rivers were favorites. At the age of fourteen, my father gave me his Orvis Bamboo fly rod and that was the beginning of my venture into the world of fly fishing. In 1979, I moved west to Utah and spent the next twenty years fly fishing not only Utah's famous Green and Provo rivers but also as far south as Lee's Ferry in Arizona.
Now my family and I live in Livingston, Montana. I am surrounded by two mountain ranges with the longest of the free flowing rivers in the lower 48, the Yellowstone, cutting through the valley floor. In 2001, I became a Certified Casting Instructor through the Federation of Fly Fishers, obtained my guide license and started Tie The Knot Fly Fishing, and for the last 10 years I've conducted drift boat or wade trips on the Yellowstone River, Armstrong's, Depuy's and Nelson's spring creeks.
In the spring of 2006 Molly became a Master Certified Casting Instructor and partnered with Matt Wilhelm in a second business, The Yellowstone Fly Fishing School located in Livingston Montana.
In 2008, Molly became an outfitter in the state of Montana. In 2010, Molly Joined the Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Board of Governors. Molly is one of only 10 women in the world who are MCCI's.
Tie The Knot Fly Fishing provides fly fishing instruction in Montana and throughout the United States. Classes are for men, women, kids and families. For women, I provide instructional, guided fly fishing destination trips in Montana and Idaho.
Read more about Molly at www.tietheknotflyfishing.com/index.htm
Ken Richards — Just Fishin' Guides
With over 40 years of fly fishing experience and over 13 years guiding, Ken Richards, owner of Just Fishin' Guides, has the knowledge to guide your fishing excursion – whether it's wading or in a Hyde drift boat, fly or spinning rods. His love for the outdoors and passion for fly fishing are contagious. You and your party will enjoy some of the greatest waters in the four state area.
Experienced and novice fly fishers alike will enjoy their Just Fishin' Guides excursion. We tailor each trip to your experience and desires. If you are just starting your fly fishing experiences, Ken can teach you some of the basic elements of fly fishing. We even have equipment, so you don't have to invest in rods and reels to try your hand at fly fishing. Consider yourself an experienced fly fisher? You'll appreciate Ken's knowledge of area streams and rivers. And he's always willing to trade fishing secrets with you.
Like to fish, but without a fly rod? We're experienced with spin fishing and will do everything possible to make your fishing trip enjoyable. Regardless of your skill level, you'll have an experienced guide with your safety and success as his only concerns for your trip. We work hard so you can enjoy your day with us.
Just Fishin' Guides came about after a lifelong love of the outdoors. I happened to be lucky enough to be raised in a family that did all the outdoor stuff and instilled a respect for nature. I went to college to study fish and game management at Arkansas Tech. After a trip to Wyoming in 1995 with my son, it really hit me that I needed to be in the outdoors again. I then began building my guide business.
Member: Sage Fly Rods, Simms, Ross Reels, Airflow & Rio Fly Lines, Costa Del Mar Pro Guide, Hyde Drift Boats Pro Staff, Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Guide, Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited
Ken will be conducting his very popular program, Drift Boat Basics.
Ken will familiarize you with the fundamentals of operating a drift boat from preparing to go, to actually launching, rowing and positioning your boat. He also covers the safety aspects of being on the water. If you are thinking you would like to see if drift boat fishing is for you, this is a great place to start! Participants will be able to row and fish from the boat. Footwear will get wet, so dress accordingly.
http://www.justfishinguides.com
Lori Sloas — Berry Brothers Guide Service
LORI SLOAS — Lori is one of a handful of female fly-fishing guides in the United States. Lori has an extensive background in counseling and corporate training that gives her a unique perspective that she uses in leading her popular ladies fly-fishing classes. Lori is an intuitive instructor who quickly brings her students to ease. A natural caster, Lori brings intensity to the stream that produces fish for clients in the most adverse conditions. A lifelong angler she now devotes her efforts to fly-fishing, teaching as well as designing fly-fishing programs.
She is a popular instructor that has presented seminars for the Federation of Fly Fishers, the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival, the Sowbug Round Up, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Casting for Recovery, Fly Fishing Clubs and corporate groups throughout the region. Lori was Outreach Chair at the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council Conclave in 2005. She is a member of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, the Damsel Fly Fishers and is a life member of the Mid South Fly Fishers and the Federation of Fly Fishers. She was the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council's Woman of the Year in 2006.
She was featured on the television show, Adventure Guides, on the Versus network (previously known as OLN). Most recently she was the cover story in Living Well magazine.
Lori will be presenting 2 programs:
- Seven Simple Steps to Help You Catch Fish
This seminar is designed for beginner fly fishers to identify productive water, rig effectively, cast efficiently as well as land fish successfully. - Why is he catching fish and I'm not?
How many times have you watched the guy downstream of you pull in one fish after another, while it seemed all you were doing was practicing your cast. What's he doing that you aren't? Take an hour, go to Lori's class and learn how to catch fish! A class for novice to early intermediate skills.
John Berry — Berry Brothers Guide Service
Veteran guide John Berry will be offering a great program on how to safely operate and fly fish from a river boat.
How to Fly Fish From a Boat with John Berry
Our tailwaters are subject to constant fluctuation and are frequently best fished from a boat. In addition, we have many freestone streams that are most effectively fished from some type of watercraft. This seminar is designed to teach attendees how to fish for trout and other species from a boat whether you fish from a motorized White River Jon boat, drift boat canoe, kayak, personal pontoon or other watercraft. You will learn three basic techniques to fish nymphs, streamers and dry flies. You will learn simple basics that will allow you to effectively rig for varying water conditions. There will be an emphasis on water safety.
John Berry is a fly fishing guide on Arkansas' White, Norfork, Spring, and Little Red Rivers for trout and Crooked Creek for Smallmouth Bass. He has been a fly fishing guide in the Ozarks for the past fifteen years. He is the past president of the Mid South Fly Fishers (two terms). John served as the Conservation Director for the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He is a life member of the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Mid South Fly Fishers. He is also a member of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, Federation of Fly Fishers Guide Association, and the Arkansas Outfitters and Guides Association.
He has taught fly fishing and fly casting for Shelby State Community College, Mississippi County Community College, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Mid South Fly Fishers, Casting for Recovery, and Becoming an Outdoors Woman. He is a member of The Federation of Fly Fishers Speakers Bureau and has been a seminar presenter and fly tier at the Federation of Fly Fishers National Conclave, the Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Conclave, the Sow Bug Round Up, the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival, and the Home Waters Expo. John served as guide for Hooked On A Cure.
John is a fly fishing columnist for the Baxter Bulletin in Mountain Home, Arkansas and has written two chapters of the highly successful fishing guide, Home Waters. He writes for several sporting journals and is also a photographer whose work has been published in several periodicals.
John has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mid South Fly Fishers. In 1996, when he was president of the Mid South Fly Fishers, the club received the McKenzie Cup from the Federation of Fly Fishers as club of the year. In 2004 he received the prestigious Tall Tale Tellers Award form the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. Most recently John was awarded the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Lifetime Award by the Federation of Fly Fishers.
URL: http://www.berrybrothersguides.com/aboutus.html
The North Fork River in Missouri Can Save a Fishing Trip!
Have you ever planned a great fishing adventure to the White or North Fork River tailwaters only to be disappointed by high water levels that prevented wading? The North Fork River in Missouri can help you save your trip besides being a great freestone trout stream in it's own right.
Brian Wise is the 'go to' guide on this great stream. Brian will be coming to Conclave to present 2 programs on fishing the free flowing, spring fed North Fork of the White River just 40 minutes from Bull Shoals Dam.
In Brian's words, "Fly fishing is not a hobby for me, it is a way of life. I love every aspect of this wonderful sport, the river, the fish, and the feeling of peace. When I am not on the river, I am tying flies or reading everything I can to help my fishing and ultimately my guiding ... I spend around 150 days on the river yearly and I am as excited every time I hit the river as I was the first time."
Brian will be presenting 2 programs:
North Fork of the White River, MO....a beginners guide, with Brian Wise.
This freestone river to the north of the tailwaters is one of the true gems of the Ozarks. Boasting the largest population of wild rainbow trout in the Ozarks along with trophy brown trout it is getting a great reputation for western style fishing, all very close to the Arkansas tailwaters. Join guide North Fork of the White River guide Brian Wise as he walks you through access, fishing styles, rigs, fishing tips, and some general good video and photos to go along with the rest of his presentation.
Chasing the Big Boys on the North Fork of the White River, MO. Brian Wise
Join North Fork of the White River guide Brian Wise as he gives his secrets and tips on targeting big brown trout. With flies on display, video, and photos he will walk you through the where's, when's and why's of chasing big fish on the North Fork of the White River in Missouri.
Streamer Flyfishing
PLEASE NOTE: The first class is being re-opened for Thursday, October 6, 2011 due to recent cancellations. And there are still openings for a second class being offered again on Sunday, October 9, 2011. It will include the same features and cost listed below. Updated: 08.24.11
This will be the premier 'on the water' program of our Conclave.
On Thursday, Oct. 6th (3 spots available) or Sunday, October 9th (3 spots available) get in the drift boat and go fish with Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher's best guides. Steve Dally, Chad Johnson, Ben Levin and Marc Poulos will take you out and teach you every trick they know about catching BIG BROWN trout on streamers!
If you want to make the most of the White River and North Fork River trophy fisheries, then join Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher's guide team for a comprehensive drift boat streamer class. This team put 14 browns from 24" to 32" into the boat in 2.5 months earlier this year, each the fish of a lifetime, targeting our tailwaters' famed trophy browns on streamer gear. This class offers detailed information from our team of experts on the right gear to use, fly selection, presentation, casting plus four hours on the water putting the theory into practice.
You will spend the 2 hours in a classroom session led by Steve Dally and Chad Johnson, walking you through streamer theory: Brown trout habitat and feeding behavior, fly selection, rods and sinking fly line selection, river tactics and presentation.
The afternoon session will be conducted on the river with Steve Dally and Chad Johnson, joined by Ben Levin and Marc Poulos, for half day guided class, in drift boats, on the river. During the afternoon session you will get plenty of tutelage, with 2 pupils per guide, to maximize your learning experience. Primarily the afternoon class will focus on casting sinking lines and honing your presentation, and like every trip on the White River your next cast could produce a trophy. But our focus is to have you ready for prime time, for each pupil to be able to head to the water with the basic skills to go trophy hunting, whether it is by yourself or with a guide.
6 hours of secrets, 6 hours of instruction and you get to FISH !! How cool is that!! $200 per person, of which Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher will turn around and donate more than 50% to the Southern Council! What a great way to support the FFF Southern Council and go on a guided trip at the same time.
The guides will provide rods and sinking lines and flies suitable for the conditions if you do not have your own.
2011 Fly Fishing Festival and Conclave
Photo Contest
We are excited to announce this year's 2011 Southern Council FFF Fly Fishing Festival and Conclave Photo Contest. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to the winners in each category. Attendees of the Conclave will have an opportunity to vote on all photos submitted, so don't forget to vote for your favorite in the People's Choice Award.
ALL FISH MUST BE CAUGHT ON A FLY AND RELEASED UNHARMED.
The first six categories of this contest are open to amateurs only. Published professionals have a category of their own, see #7.
CATEGORIES:
- Fish of The Southern Council:
Any freshwater fish caught on a fly in their native waters. Examples include: Rainbow, Brown, Brooke or Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped, or White Bass, Bluegill, Gar, Carp, etc. Label the photo with the fish species and the water from which it was caught. - Naturals and Their Imitations:
Close up photography of insects, baitfish and their imitations, as in flies. - Fly Anglers in Their Element:
People of all ages enjoying fly fishing. That includes: casting, rowing, landing fish, etc. Mood shots and action shots are welcome. - International Fly Fishing Experiences - Freshwater:
The great waters outside the Southern Council: Trout, Atlantic salmon, grayling, peacock bass, etc. - International Fly Fishing Experiences - Saltwater:
Sailfish, tarpon, bonefish, etc in Belize, the Bahamas, Christmas Island, etc. - Chairman's Award - Digital Photography entries:
Open to all our regular categories 1-5. Include submission requirements and send as an attachment in JPEG format at 300 DPI if possible, no larger than 5MB, to Submit your photo(s) by September 1st, 2010. The photo committee will select the top three entries to be shown at the Conclave. - Professional Images:
Frequently published professionals may submit an entry of their choice.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: (for categories 1-5 & 7)
Photo prints are required. Photos taken in 2010 and 2011 only, will be judged. No smaller than 8x10 and no larger than 11x14. No slides. Film and digital photos can be used but altered photos are not allowed. Photos must be mounted or matted but not framed. Each entry must be permanently labeled on the back with the following:
- Category
- Name of Photographer
- Address and phone number
- Title of photo and location where shot
- Date when photo was taken.
Contestants must include a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage for the return of their photo(s). Those without mailers or sufficient postage will become the property of the SOCFFF. Contestants attending the show may drop off their entries in person; if you want your photo returned include sufficient postage, and if your photo is not a winning photo you may pick it up after the Fair. Utmost care is taken to return photos in perfect condition, but the SOCFFF is not responsible for damage or loss in shipment.
RIBBONS AND PRIZES:
All winning photos will be kept by the SOCFFF after the Conclave. Winners will be announced in the Fall/Winter issue of the Southern Council Communications newsletter. All 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will receive ribbons. The SOCFFF will submit the first place winning photos to the Long Casts to be published. Second and third place winning photos will be listed by name and category only. First place winners will also receive prizes. Winning photos, if return is requested will be returned by the end of October 2011.
TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO:
Mail your photo to the SOCFFF office or deliver in person to staff at the Conclave. Hand delivered entries must be received at the registration desk by 10:00 am Friday, October 1. Mailed photos must be received by September 1, 2010.
SOCFFF Photo Contest
c/o Riverside Retreat
205 River Valley Trail
Norfork, AR 72658-8530
Non-Fishing Activities
You don't have to be a fly fishing nut to enjoy Conclave. Tell your non-fishing partner that there are activities for them too!
Quilting Class with Carol & Bonnie
Carol Penrod and Bonnie Wynn have been quilting for 10 years. They have been teaching quilting classes for the past six years. Both belong to the St. Andrew's Quilting Guild in Panama City and they have a monthly quilting bee hosted by Carol in the Port St. Joe,FL, area. They enjoy traveling to various quilt shows including the Houston International Quilting show this past spring. They both have experience in retail crafts for a number of years. Bonnie is a long time tea pot and cup collector and Carol has a passion for pottery making as well as quilting.
Description of workshop: Table runner or wallet to be made. Time involved-4 hours. Item to be finished at the workshop in one setting. Materials will be supplied as a kit with pre-cut fabric in order to complete the project at the workshop. Colors will vary. One class will be offered in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Extra kits for later use will be available for purchase. If possible, bring your sewing machine.
Come make Homemade Christmas Cards with Scrapbook Addition
Come join us and get an early start on making Christmas cards. We will be creating 5 cards with different papers and techniques! We will be layering, embossing, stamping and much more! Whether a novice or experienced card maker/scrapbooker, you are sure to have fun and walk away with some beautiful cards!
Right Angle Weave Through the Ozark Mountains
"A bracelet class that will leave you wanting to do more!"
Learn the versatility of the basic single needle Right Angle Weave and make a bracelet. Examples will be shown of how it can be done in a single, double, or triple weave. Also, you will be shown how to use seed beads, pearls or crystals to create your own embellishments. Cost for the class will be $35 which will include a kit that will include choice of a variety of beads, colors, thread, needle and clasp.
Outreach Luncheon
Come enjoy a great lunch then bid on some great items and provide for a great charity effort.
Extreme Fly Fishing Games
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Location: Main Exhibition Hall
Cost: FREE
Last year you watched as the Executive Board took on a Vendors team handpicked by Frank Reid (Nebraska Fly Fishers). Even though the Executive Board team was uglier, older, and slower, they won. That's called "experience".
Plan your team now & begin training!
This is a 4 person team event to showcase the skills of the fly fishermen and women in a club. Each club should have a name and some "distinctive" outfit or apparel item. This is not your average somber fishing event. We expect cheering, laughing and hollering throughout this event. Cheering sections are encouraged. Multiple teams are allowed from each club, but there are NO "B" teams. Each team will represent its club. Teams combined from multiple clubs (such as a Southern Council Board or Guest Speakers Team) are allowed, but they have to fight it out over who gets the trophy. Dueling tungsten bead heads on an 8wt at 50 feet will be the decider.
The 3 skills represented are:
- Knowledge of knots
- Fly tying
- Casting
The event goes as follows:
There are 3 stations starting with Reel Assembly. The stations are separated but accumulative, i.e. when one person finishes the task at his or her station, that person must hand off all of their materials to the next person, and (this is important) give the next person a high 5. This is to ensure that there is contact between the team members. If someone is handicapped and cannot quickly move to the next station, a designated runner is allowed. If there is no high 5 within 5 seconds of completing hand-off, there is a twenty (20) second penalty given to the team.
Yes, this is a timed event. The team with the best overall time wins. However, it is envisioned that this will be a side-by-side race to the death finish. And, as mentioned above, there are time penalties for specific violations of the rules. However, the judges can be bribed by inviting a young person under 18 who has never fly fished on an all expenses paid guided trip on an Arkansas river. This will not get you any fewer points, but the judges will think it's cool.
Station One - Reel assembly
At this station a reel and line are put together. The Reel Assembler will attach 50 measured feet of 20 lb backing to the reel with an arbor knot. Next they will attach a WF5 line to the backing with a nail knot. Next, a nail knot is used again to attach a 7' 3X leader to the fly line. Finally, 3' of 4X tippet will be added with a surgeons knot. The total leader/tippet length must be at least 9' long when finished (i.e. add a little bit more than 3' of tippet). 5 seconds will be added to your time for each inch under 9' feet. You can put this all together in any order you want and reel the whole line up at any time, but you must go to the judges station where the judge will measure from the nail knot on the fly line to the end of the tippet for the required 9'. The Reel Assembler will then put this reel on the rod, thread the line through the guides and deliver this to the next station with a high-5 for the hand off. If any of your knots come undone after hand-off, then there is a 60 second penalty and the rod and line must be returned to the Reel Assembler to fix it.
Station Two – Fly Tying
At station two, the Fly Tyer will open an envelope. In that envelope is a recipe and the materials for a fly. Using his or her own vise and thread (black preferred, but Nebraska Cornhusker Red is pretty cool too), the Fly Tyer will tie the fly indicated on the recipe. When the first fly is finished, the Fly Tyer must tie the fly to the tippet using any knot he/she chooses. Whatever the knot just make sure it will hold. The Fly Tyer will then cut the hook at the bend. This will enable the caster to cast in the grass. The Fly Tyer or designated runner will then take the assembled rod, reel and fly to station 4. Again, there must be a high-5 at hand-off or the 20 second penalty applies.
It is not required to glue the fly, but if the fly comes undone or becomes lost before the end of the contest, the Fly Tyer must tie a new fly. This will start when the fly rod is returned to Station 2. There will also be a 60 second penalty. The judge will hand the Fly Tyer an envelope for fly #2 and this WILL NOT be an easy fly.
Station Three– Casting
At station 3, the Caster will cast to three targets.
The first cast is a bow-and-arrow cast to a target at 20' from your knees. The target will be a 2' circle. The fly must land in the circle. No drags are allowed.
The second cast is to a 1' target at 30'. Standard cast, no drags allowed. The fly and line must be airialized between each attempt. Problem is, this 1' circle is behind a 10" board. The line may touch the board, but the fly has to land in the circle without a drag.
The third cast is through a hula hoop at 40'. The bottom of the hula hoop stands at 5' above the ground. As soon as your fly goes through the final hoop, the caster must high-5 each member of his team (designated runners included or standing in) at his casting station. The team will then shout the team name. Time will stop then and penalties will be added.
Fastest time gets the prize.
Casting Games
More information will be provided shortly.
Wayne E and Catherine Moore Youth Conlcave
Open to children under the age of 16. If your child is under the age of 10, we require that you accompany him to this activity. Fly tying and casting instruction will be at the Fairgrounds in the morning. Lunch is provided at the fairgrounds. Each child must bring a hat, sun screen, and sunglasses.
Requirement: registration and permission slip signed by a parent or guardian prior to the outing. Permission slips available at the registration desk. Car-pooling is advised. For liability reasons, parents — please make arrangements for your child to get to and be returned from Dry Run Creek. We do not assume responsibility.
Class Limit: Open
Fee: FREE (Pre-registration required)
Time: 8:30 – 4:30. Tying and Casting Session at 9:00 AM
Lunch provided at Noon. 12:45 depart for Dry Run Creek 4:30 Youth Conclave concludes.
Banquet
More information will be provided shortly.
Auction
More information will be provided shortly.
