LONGCASTS
published quarterly by the Southern Council, Federation of Flyfishers
SPRING ISSUE, March, 1999
| The Prez Sez | by Brian Camp |
| About Long Casts | |
| Council Moves Daytime ‘99 Conclave Activities | by Dennis Slave, SC VP Development |
| Annual Award Nominations | by Hod McIntosh, SC VP Communications |
| Wayne and Catherine Moore: Their Youth Program | by Bob Cunningham and Steve Jensen |
| Council Speakers Bureau | by Hod McIntosh, SC VP Communications |
| Conservation Starts and Ends ‘At Home' | by FFF President Tom Jindra |
| The Southern Council Homepage: It's All Grown Up | by Bill Brant, Assistant to the VP Communications |
| More Bang for your Bucks! | By Paul "Sodie" Sodamann, VP Conservation |
| Membership Update | by Pat Smith, SC Managing Director |
| Mary's Story | by Mary Black |
| From the Editor | by Steve Fritz |
| The Fly Corner | by Terry Tanner, Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers |
| Casting Tips and Tricks | by Jason Borger |
| Fishing Tips: Reeling to Success | by Larry Notley |
| On the River in the Water | by Dave Adkins, North Arkansas Fly Fishers |
| Avoid the Serious Fly Fishers | by Dr. T, Flint Hills Fly Fishing Club |
| Book Review: Rivers of the Heart, a Fly Fishing Memoir | by Ken McKnight, Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club |
| Closing |
| THE PREZ SEZ |
For those of you that are new to our sport, you are discovering that fly fishing is much more than spending time on the water. In addition to fly tying, rod building and devouring tons of wonderful literature, you are learning that this is a social activity too. You make wonderful, life long friends and you spend many wonderful hours in their company, both on the stream and off.
Just the other day, my buddies and I finished a great day of fishing and then gathered in one of our favorite hangouts, Mama Mia's Bar-B-Q Seaweed Restaurant and Metric Conversion Center. As always, the talk soon shifted from fishing lies to more mundane subjects. In this case, it was famous, big budget fishing movies. Oh sure, Robert Redford's " A River Runs Through It" immediately sprang to mind. But you newcomers should know that Bob is not the only fly fishing producer/director. There were some great fishing flicks that came out long ago and are well worth searching for in your local video rental. Who could forget John Wayne's famous Fly Fishing Leathernecks and The Sand Bass of Iwo Jima. Only a legend like the Duke could pull off a fishing film set in WWII. "Reb" Johnson, the Civil War buff in our group, reminded us of The Red Snapper of Courage. If you can't find the movie, I'm sure you'll remember the story, as every 7th grade teacher in the country makes this great American classic mandatory reading. Of course, they cut all of the good fly fishing scenes out of the school book version. After all, school reading assignments aren't supposed to be fun.
So don't be shy all you new fly fishers. Jump in there with both feet and make friends with your fellow club members, so you, too, can eat bad food while enjoying the wit and wisdom of a bunch of drunken idiots that smell like old fish. You will be much richer for the effort. Trust me.
Speaking of fellow club members, rumor has it that quite a few of you folks reading this newsletter are members of FFF affiliated clubs, but are not members of the FFF. Why not? In all fairness to you, perhaps you haven't joined because you really don't know who we are or what we area all about. These questions are best answered by the Preamble to our bylaws. It states; "We, in conclave assembled, out of a firm and abiding conviction that fly fishing as a way of angling gives to its followers the finest form of outdoor recreation and natural understanding, do hereby join in common effort in order to maintain and further fly fishing as a sport, and, through it, to promote and conserve angling resources, inspire its angling literature, advance its fellowship and broaden the understanding of all anglers in the spirit of true sport." I know that you will agree that these are all very worthwhile goals. But the key is, "do hereby join in common effort". In other words, the more of us there are, the better we can accomplish these goals.
The FFF has, unfortunately, remained very low key over the years and has been reluctant to "toot its own horn". This is a shame because there have been hundreds of FFF projects undertaken all over the world that have made a very real difference in the way our fisheries are now managed and conserved. I'm willing to bet that everyone reading this has fished somewhere that has been improved through the efforts of some dedicated FFF members. The fact of the matter is, many of us fly fish in waters that wouldn't even exist if it weren't for the FFF. But to continue these efforts, we need your help.
So why don't you please fill out the FFF membership form printed in the back of this newsletter? It will only cost you 29 bucks, about the same cost as a jumbo pizza, a couple of drinks and an antacid. And what's more valuable to you, one mea,l or a years worth of knowing that you are helping to make a meaningful contribution to the world of fly fishing? - make that, your world of fly fishing. You'll be much richer for the effort. And so will the rest of us. Trust me. Thanks, and until next time, -Good Fly Fishing!
Brian Camp
| About Long Casts |
Long Casts is published four times per year by the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
The Southern Council's President is Brian Camp, 313 Paint Pony Trail N., Fort Worth, TX 76108
Please send all editorial comments and material to editor Steve Fritz, 2100 S. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO 65807
Changes of address should be mailed to the Southern Council's VP for Membership, John Stanford, 2610 Shagbark Circle, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Advertising inquiries and correspondence should be directed to the Southern Council's Treasurer, Shawn Taylor, HC1, Box1775, Tecumseh, MO 65109
Long Casts is printed and mailed by Ed Reed,
Reed Printing and Supply Company, Inc. PO Box 605, 619 S. Brindlee Mountain
Parkway, Arab, Al. 35016
| COUNCIL MOVES DAYTIME '99 CONCLAVE ACTIVITIES |
by Dennis Slane, SC VP-Development
During the business meeting, after the 1998 Southern Council Conclave, the decision was made to move the daytime activities of the 1999 Southern Council Conclave to the Baxter County Fairgrounds, while leaving the evening activities at the Ramada Inn Hotel.
The move will give us over 3 times the previous space , for our daytime activities. This will allow us to have, at least, twice as many commercial displays, in turn creating many more item donations for our raffles and auctions. The added space will allow for more of our great fly tyers to be tying at one time. The facilities will give us two nice program areas and an even better casting pool area. Another wonderful change will be the HUGE parking area. We will NOT have any problems in accommodating over 1,000 people. This will be a welcome relief.
There is a Cafe area, also, in the main building. Council Managing Director Pat Smith will be making arrangements to have the cafe in operation for us, during the conclave. More details and maps on how to get to the fairgrounds will appear in the next issue.
Please direct any questions or concerns to: Dennis Slane 4728
S. Kelly, Springfield, MO 65804, W-(417) 883-5057 H-(417) 866-7230 #29,
e-mail - <WDSlane@hotmail.com>
| ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS |
by Hod McIntosh, SC VP-Communication
Since Spring is a time of revitalization, wouldn't now be an excellent time to look around your club and Council for those people who deserve recognition for their work and contributions to our sport, our clubs and Council, so that you might renew and revitalize your club and Council by giving credit where credit is due? It is surprising how much more enthusiasm is present when credit is given for hard work! Could you spare a few minutes to give back just a little of the hours and hours given unselfishly by those who keep things going?
So far, we have received only one early nomination, for our annual Council awards, which, are given each year at the Southern Council Conclave, in October. Please do not wait! Start working on your nomination letter today. A list of the awards and requirements for nomination appears elsewhere in this newsletter. Remember to provide your club president with a copy of your nomination letters.
Please send your nomination letters to: Hod McIntosh, VP Communications,
6666 Woodson Drive, Mission, KS 66202, e-mail - SingingReels@worldnet.att.net
| WAYNE AND CATHERINE MOORE: THEIR YOUTH PROGRAM |
By Bob Cunningham, Green Country Flyfishers and Steve Jensen, Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers
What is a Wayne Moore Youth Day? Who were Wayne and Catherine Moore? These and other questions are often heard by us as we travel about the Southern Council, and we felt that it was again time to inform our members about the rich tradition that the Moores established.
Wayne and Catherine were both born and raised in southern United States. Following marriage, they moved to Wisconsin where Wayne worked for 40 years as a research chemist in wood and wood products. In the late 1970's they retired in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Wayne continued working with woods and Catherine, a charming lady with a drawl typical of her upbringing in Tupelo, Mississippi, graced any gathering of friends who came to view Wayne's work.
Wayne's interest in all aspects of flyfishing and tying included an inquisitive mind which resulted in the Wayne Moore bobbin, nail knot tool, needle knot tool, magnetic fly holder, and many other tools and procedures for handling materials. These were being incorporated into a book at the time of his death and his daughter Peggy Steward finished the work. Wayne was also a marvelous wood carver. After retirement Wayne extended his interest by becoming very active in the White River Fly Fishers at Mountain Home, including service as President of the club. He served as Chairman of the Midwest Council Conclave (now Southern Council) and Vice President of the Southern Council, Chairman of Fly Tying at an FFF Conclave at West Yellowstone and served on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Fly Fishers.
We became especially fond of the Moores, friendships that continued with Catherine after Wayne's unexpected death on April 17, 1984. Catherine remained in Mountain Home, keeping active including teaching a youth class in a local Sunday School. She wanted to extend more opportunity for the local youth to participate in quality activities and as we were discussing it Catherine told us she had done a little survey with the local merchants and believed she could, with our help, put together a Wayne Moore Youth Day for the kids. The Green Country Flyfishers who had considerable experience in youth programs volunteered their help.
Catherine made arrangements with the Rainbow Drive Trout Dock on the White River, Arkansas, to utilize their facilities one Saturday in October, 1987. Arrangements were also made to house the six volunteers from the Green Country and several volunteers from the Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers. Catherine also arranged with the Corps of Engineers to have a minimum water flow in front of the trout dock from noon until three in the afternoon. It became apparent that the number of youth would be larger than she had anticipated and that more help would be needed, so we invited the North Arkansas Fly Fishers to join in the operation. Their help was sorely needed because 36 kids showed up for the program.
At ten in the morning the kids were divided into two groups, one group received fly tying lessons while the other learned the rudiments of fly casting. Then they exchanged functions. At noon they were served hot dogs and hamburgers and all the trimmings. After lunch they were taken to the river and fished under close supervision. Some caught trout, and all were happy, tired and some were wet.
Catherine was even more eager to establish the event as annual, but decided that the preparation and execution of the event was more than she could handle. She decided it could be best handled by volunteer groups enticed by financial assistance from Catherine.
The Green Country Flyfishers and the Tulsa Fly Fishers have used the benefits of the program several times individually and jointly in Oklahoma, and the Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers have hosted several Wayne Moore Youth Days in Missouri. Funds are available for the asking through the Southern Council. The fund was established with the intent of supporting the purchase of hot dogs and soft drinks for the participants. In order to receive support, the following conditions must be met:
* A request must be sent to the Southern Council (President or Vice President for Education) specifying a date, time, place, expected number and ages of participants, and a budget for how the funds are to be spent.
* The event must be publicized as a Wayne Moore Youth Day and
at some point during the event, someone should give a brief talk about
who Wayne Moore was.
| COUNCIL SPEAKERS BUREAU |
by Hod McIntosh, SC VP-Communication
We have many talented people in the Southern Council who put on programs for their own club. These programs can be of interest to others within the Council, an those who can present area valuable resource to club program chairmen.
If you are one of these people whose gift of talent allows you to share your knowledge with others within your club, might you be interested in doing the same for other clubs in the Council? Good club programs help to build and maintain club interest and membership. Sound interesting?
A 'Speakers Bureau' could be a valuable tool for planning and scheduling a good variety of programs for your club. If there is enough interest we should consider creating and maintaining a Speakers Bureau for our Council
What do you think? Is this a worthy project for our Council?
We are interested in your thought on this idea. Please send your comments
to: Hod McIntosh, 6666 Woodson Drive, Mission, KS 66202, e-mail - SingingReels@worldnet.att.net.
| CONSERVATION STARTS AND ENDS 'AT HOME' |
by FFF President Tom Jindra (From FFF CLUBWIRE)
I got a phone call recently from an FFF member up in Wisconsin, who specializes in catching bass on a fly rod. He reported great success, including 20-30 bass days exclusively on the surface with dry muddlers and deer hair poppers. His obsession bears out recent surveys showing that for fly fishers in America, warmwater fish are almost as popular as trout.
But this warmwater zealot did not call just to tell me about fly fishing for bass. He was concerned about his favorite small lake where shore owners were turning their shorelines into city lots. Manicured lawns were being mowed right to the water's edge and every time there was a rain, the runoff went right into the lake. Some owners were even fertilizing their lawns, increasing the poison. Wasn't there a federal law prohibiting such practices, he wanted to know? Such non-point pollution -- runoff from ranches, fields, feedlots, streets and lawns -- is thought by many to be the most serious problem facing the streams, rivers and lakes of North America. And to a degree, my friend was right: These practices are discouraged by federal law -- the Clean Water Act.
But correcting this problem is almost exclusively a state, county or even township responsibility. You need to work locally, not through Washington. This is true of many if not most efforts in fisheries conservation. Catch-and-kill fishing regulations, hatchery displacement of wild fish, riparian destruction, agricultural pollution of ground water and so on mostly require action at the grass roots. The critical focus for effective fisheries action may not be Congress, but rather, less glamorous county boards, soil conservation committees, fish and game commissions, watershed associations, regional fish managers, and city councils.
Obviously, because local actions are critical, conserving fisheries
requires that you too focus at the state, city and county levels. This
is exactly the reason -- by charter and inclination -- why the 260
plus FFF clubs operate in a bottom-up fashion on the key grass-roots
issues. While FFF is a national organization, its principle goal
is supporting local efforts because that is where the action is. Without
exception, the estimated $400,000 or more raised locally by FFF
groups stays at that level to solve critical problems -- locally. Are
you concerned about your fisheries? If you don't belong to an FFF
club, join one. If you do belong to a club, put your bucks and you back
into supporting its efforts. And by the way, join FFF. That is
the glue which holds it all together.
| THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL HOMEPAGE: IT'S ALL GROWN UP |
by Bill Brant, Assistant to the VP Communications
The Southern Council Homepage has grown up, due to the continual expansion and fine-tuning that has occurred over the last several years. However, it can't tie a fly on your leader, - you will still have to do that yourself! The Internet address for the homepage is <http://www.sky.net/~flyfish/>
What does it have? It has a wealth of information on anything and everything relating to the Southern Council. Let's say your going on a trip to Dallas for a week. Go to the Southern Council page and you will find a link to the Dallas FFF club, the Fort Worth club, and several other clubs in Texas. Perhaps you could attend one of their meetings or you could find someone who might share some information on the local fishing scene. Even if you are not travelling, be sure and visit some of our Southern Council club homepages. They really kick tail!
For the clubs without their own homepages, we have included some basic information, such as a club e-mail contact and club meeting schedules. If you do not have someone representing your club as an e-mail contact, please send an e-mail to <flyfish@sky.net> to get one added. Also, if you have a chance, review your club's information to make sure it's current.
The homepage has lots of other things too. To quickly mention a few
items, it has:
The next time you look over the homepage, look at it with a critical
eye. Share your thoughts on what you like or dislike. Also, occasionally
it's been reported that the homepage takes entirely too long to download,
or worse yet does not download at all. If you encounter that problem, please
send an email to the previously mentioned address. Remember that it is
the Southern Council's homepage. Feel free to speak your mind. Once
again, the address is http://www.sky.net/~flyfish/
| More Bang For Your Buck! |
By Paul "Sodie" Sodamann, VP Conservation
I had mentioned in the last Long Cast, that I am new to this position as VP of Conservation. And I must say I was a little uneasy about taking the position, for fear that I would not live up to the task. After our board meeting on December 5th, I must say I am a little more comfortable. Who wouldn't be! I get to give away money! Actually, it is not that simple, but maybe now I have your attention.
Many people ask "Where does my dues money go?" Or, "why should I join FFF?" From my point of view, your money goes to good use. No, not to me! Our officer positions are not paid ones. I am, however, able to provide funding for conservation related projects around the Southern Council. Let me give you some examples. Capps Creek, located in South West Missouri is a beautiful little stream. However, access has been limited over the years due to the fact that the land has been under private ownership. Your SCFFF dollars, in conjunction with money from Trout Unlimited, Missouri Dept. of Conservation and others, are helping in purchasing a tract of land which will allow public access. This means you and I have easier access to another place to fish. That is worth something isn't it?
Around the country, there are many projects that go by such names as W.E.T., Stream Team, Texas Watch, to name a few. These projects are designed to provide water monitoring of local fisheries. Usually these programs are set up with the aid of a local school or other organization so that these people can become the working backbone of the project. There are several in existence within the Southern Council boundaries. As of December 5th, a new project in Texas is receiving funding from SCFFF, thanks to the request from Pineywoods Fly Fishers in Lufkin, Texas. This means you and I will be sure to have cleaner, healthier fisheries to enjoy. That is worth something isn't it?
We are working with several state fish and game departments which are looking at developing minimum flow rates for several fisheries. Minimum flow rates will increase oxygen in the water, expand fish habitat, improve food availability to the fish and expand spawning beds. All of which will mean larger numbers of fish and larger fish in overall size and weight. To be able to catch and release bigger fish, that is worth something isn't it?
You are reading this Long Casts aren't you? FFF members may not be aware of this, but those members of your local club who are not FFF members also receive a copy of the Long Casts. As you may be aware, my view of "conservation" is fairly wide sweeping. One definition of conserve in the dictionary in which I looked means "to keep in a safe and sound state". I believe we should conserve our membership as well as water and fish. Of the over 4000 individuals who belong to Southern Council clubs, approximately 3000 are not FFF members. So if you are not an FFF member and yet enjoy the Long Casts and support the activities of SCFFF, maybe you should consider joining FFF today. That would mean a larger national membership which would give us more political clout. A larger Council membership which could possibly make us the largest council in the nation. "Conservation" of our organization, if you will. That is worth something isn't it?
Back to the issue of giving away money. Yes, there are funds
available for your conservation projects. If your club has a conservation
project, or even just an idea for a conservation project, get in touch
with me. And remember, I have a fairly wide view as to what conservation
is! Not only is there support available at the Council level
but also at the National level. As VP of Conservation for SCFFF,
I am also a member of the National Conservation Committee. Our first
meeting was held on November 8th via a conference phone call. Believe it
or not, a lot can be accomplished in a little over an hour on the phone.
Three conservation projects were funded at the national level. We also
discussed the Endangered Fisheries List and I sent letters to each
club requesting input in regard to that list. The water quality monitoring
projects such as the W.E.T. program in Tennessee were discussed.
I also followed up with a letter to each club asking about your own involvement
in similar projects. You should be aware by now that FFF has joined
the Sierra Club lawsuit against the EPA. I will try to keep
you posted as to further developments. Local and national involvement in
improved fisheries from which we all can benefit, that is worth something
isn't it?
| MEMBERSHIP UPDATE |
by Pat Smith, SC-Managing Director
At this time of the year, the majority of the clubs within the Southern Council are installing new officers, collecting dues and compiling new membership lists for their records.
WE NEED THOSE RECORDS. The mailing list of Long Casts comes from the list of members that each of the clubs send in with their dues payment each year. Some of you have been negligent. We have quite a few people on our membership list with no addresses. We need not only the list of officers and assignments, we also need a complete list of all members as well as their preferred mailing address.
I'm asking each club president to find out if your club sent in a list with addresses when dues were submitted. If not, please see that a list is submitted as soon as possible. This is the only way your club members will receive the Long Casts. Send the list to me, Pat Smith, Managing Director, SOC-FFF, 2603 Buford Spur Road, Mountain Home, AR 72653-7670. If preferred, you may e-mail it to me at <cpsmh@centuryinter.net>
Please keep in mind that if you, as an individual member, move or in some way change your address during the year, you must, please, drop me a change of address card or let me know via e-mail.
If your club has a new member join during the year, send in their name and address so they may be added to the mailing list.
Your help will be greatly appreciated, and by providing this information, you will be helping your Council have a complete list of all members within the Council.
To advertise in Long Casts, Contact Southern Council Managing Director,
Pat Smith, 2603 Buford Spur Rd., Mountain Home, AR 72653; e-mail <cpsmh@centuryinter.net>
870-425-1755. Ad sizes and rates are available upon request.
| MARY'S STORY |
by Mary Black
Editor's note: The following story was submitted for use in Long Casts by Ron Black, Mary's husband. Mary is a good friend, who has worked tirelessly for the FFF and Southern Council, and we are all pulling for her. Here's something very wonderful, a small slice of life from the past, "Mary's Story", with a short introduction by husband Ron:
Mary has been a long time member of FFF, serving in local chapters, the Southern Council, and as an officer on the International Committee. This story was taken from the family history book that Mary published ten years ago. At the present, Mary is fighting for her life against cancer. The story shows how and why Mary inherited a love for fly fishing.
.......
I used to go hunting and fishing with Dad. I learned at an early age that fishing is good for you. When I was not very old, I would say to Dad, "I'll dig the worms of you will take us fishing." Where I grew up in the Ozark hills, turning over a few old boards and logs for big red earth worms sure beat hoeing and weeding the strawberry patch. Since Dad was a great fisherman and fishing was also a way of feeding the family, it usually wasn't long before we had the cane poles, a can of worms, and we were off to Sugar Creek to catch perch for dinner.
Dad always knew when and where to go fishing, because he never came home empty handed. For the most part, only the men went fishing, but once a year we would all load up and head off to the King's River or the White River for an overnight fishing trip. We were going for big ones, so along the way we would stop off at a small creek and catch minnows and crawdads (that's what all the old timers call them). Then a stop at the country store along the way to stock up with food; things like pork 'n beans, sliced bread and their store-sliced bacon. You see, Mom always kept the big green metal box packed and ready with Dad's fishing gear - by that I mean the important things like the 16-cup coffee pot to set on the open fire, the one that Dad will fill up with river water, and then dump in half a can of coffee, and boil it over the camp fire until you could smell it a mile down river. Other things in the big green box were odd pieces of silverware, tin plates and cups, lard, salt (plenty of salt because if the person cooking the fish didn't use enough salt he had to wash dishes for the entire trip), so there was always a big bag of salt. There was the big black skillet which was used, not only to fry the fish, but also the store-bought bacon, and the farm fresh eggs and potatoes which Mom always made sure we had plenty of. She sometimes put in a sugar cured ham to help feed us until the first catch of fish came in. There was also a big white bar of lye soap, and a tin dish pan, and dish towels made from white flour sacks that were trimmed with embroidery.It was always Mom's job to clean up the big green box after each fishing trip and make sure it was repacked and placed on the front porch, ready for the next trip. That way, when the weather was just right, and the fishing was supposed to be good, no time would be lost in getting to the Dollar Hole. That is where you stop at the farmer's gate, and place a dollar in a tin can nailed to the post, then drive across the cow pasture. That place was reserved mainly for the serious fishermen.
The family trip was a well planned trip, as it was always a celebration of Mom and Dad's and Aunt Bertha and Uncle Wes Galyen's anniversaries, as they were married on the same day of the month, September3rd. Aunt Bertha was Mom's rich sister who lived in a big two-story house in town, across the street from one of the cheese plants that Uncle Wes owned. Uncle Wes always drove a big, long, low car that sometimes had trouble making it over the rough back roads. This had to be considered when planning our trip. Also, Dad wanted camp set up along a gravel bar where we could play away from where the real fishing was taking place, since going for the big grandfather fish was very quiet and serious business.
We children could all take part in digging worms and catching grasshoppers. But, when we arrived at the creek to catch crawdads, Jim and I were old enough to wade over the cold water holding the oil (kerosene) lanterns and carbide lights while the men caught dozens of big crawdads to be used for bait.
We always started out as soon as the evening chores were finished and arrived at the camp site about midnight. first, we would build a big camp fire and start the coffee and supper. By this time, we were starved. At home I didn't like the slab bacon, but here this was store sliced in a package and I could hardly wait for it to come out of the skillet so I could place it on a nice soft white slice of store bread along with the fried eggs and potatoes. This was the first meal of the trip, but tomorrow and maybe even for breakfast there would be fish, for sure by supper time there would be plenty of bass or catfish, or both.
After the meal was over, Dad, Uncle Wes and Jim, who was now old enough to fish with the men, put on their waders and took their carbide lights along with their rods and reels, which had been ordered from the fishing catalog (only the children used cane poles). The lanterns were left hanging on a tree limb at camp for the women and children. Our fishing would start at sunup, but for now it was bed time.
Dad was a truck farmer, which means he raised a lot of produce and hauled it to the big city markets by truck. The truck was usually 1- 1/2 ton size flat bed with high side racks painted a pretty dark green. This truck bed was always quickly and easily converted into a nice comfortable bed, by lining it with bright colored patch quilts and feather pillows, where we little ones settled down for a good night's sleep.
I was a girl and old enough to hold the lantern for catching crawdads. I was not yet old enough to go night fishing with the men, so I went to bed along with my two younger sisters, Olene and Fern, and baby brother Max, our older brothers and sisters were married or away in the navy.
At daybreak, we would awaken to the smell of breakfast and the sound of voices and the stories of the really big one that got away, and the plan to insure the catch after breakfast. A minnow jar would also be set to catch more bait as the fishing would go on all day and night.
When I was 12, Dad took me fly fishing for trout. It was an exciting trip. I was going fishing with my Dad, and got to use a real fly rod and a fuzzy wooly worm fly. No one over 12 could fish as it was 1949 and a special day for children only at Roaring River State Park, in Missouri. We lined up along the river bank and began to fish. I don't remember all the rules of the competition, nor do I remember seeing other girls. There were lines of boys who all seemed to know what they were doing. Dave Whitlock may have even been in the group, since he also caught his first trout at Roaring River. I could enter the competition because I was 12 years old and my brothers were either too old or too young.
Dad could only coach me in how to use the fly rod and when to set the hook, but could not touch the rod or help me hook the trout. Roaring River is a beautiful trout stream, and well stocked, so I had plenty of chances. "Set the hook, you've got him, set the hook." this went on for most of the day and with one miss after another my Dad became impatient. No, he knew there was nothing wrong with his fly rod or the wooly worms he had tied for the event. If boys can catch trout with a fly, why can't girls? "Now look, he caught one, that's how you do it." "You've got him, set the hook." I really didn't want to compete with the boys, I just wanted to fish with Dad.
There was another trout derby for 12-year olds at Stella and the story was the same. However, the following year on October 31, the story changed. Since we didn't live far from the state park, it was a family tradition for Dad and my older brother to be at Roaring River very early on March 1st, for opening day, and also October 31st, for closing. Now Dad had his priorities straight, family and school was very important, but so was fishing. In 1950, October 31st was a school day and also the date of an important basketball game, so Jim didn't want to miss school to go fishin'. Since he was a star player on the Washburn basketball team, he would be practicing for the game. Since I wasn't a cheerleader and didn't need to practice for the game, I would gladly miss school and go fishing with Dad. After all, it would be okay, since Dad was the president of the school board.
Dad gave me the fly rod, then tied on the fly, and asked me to stand on the can next to the twin falls. That was where I spent most of the day, and caught my first two rainbow trout, and they were beauties! A tourist who said he was from Kansas City came by with a camera and took my picture. A kind man at the lodge desk helped me change flies when necessary. I didn't want to disturb Dad just to help me tie on a fly, because I was supposed to remember how, after all, the boys didn't need help. At the basketball game that night, I was so proud! I had a bright red sunburned nose and stories to tell. After all, I was the only girl in Washburn High School that spent the day trout fishing with her Dad.
One time a lady made a bad cast and caught Dad in the seat of his overalls. When she said, "Sir, my hook is stuck in the seat of your pants," He simply replied, "Well, ma'am, you know how it got there, so I reckon you know how to get it out," and he just kept on fishing.
After all, Dad took his fishing time seriously, and didn't want to waste
his time to remove a hook or tie on a fly. If I was going to fish with
him, I simply had to remember how thing were done.
| FROM THE EDITOR: |
Now that Long Casts has increased in size to twelve pages, there is a need to include pictures, drawings, more advertising, and such, to keep the newsletter fresh looking. Please consider submitting this type of material, as well as the stories you already send. Elsewhere within, you will find instructions concerning how to get information on advertising rates. Please encourage those you do business with to consider taking out an ad in Long Casts.
Please do not forget the Bill Lambing Southern Council Scholarship, and while you are deciding who to nominate this year, remember that nominees must live within the geographic boundaries of the Southern Council, be pursuing a degree consistent with the goals of the FFF, and must be, or be nominated by, a member of the FFF. For more information on this scholarship, contact Chuck Easterling, P.O. Box 1502, Jonesboro, AR 72403 870-578-5334.
While we are thinking about the future, the next Council Conclave will be here before you know it. It is not too early to begin asking those you buy fly fishing gear from, to consider contributing items for auction or raffle for this event.
Finally, in this issue, as will be in every issue this year,
there is information about how to nominate those you are proud of, for
an award for their hard work for the Council. Please take a moment to nominate
someone you know has given their time and talent to others. It takes such
a short time to write the letter of nomination, and those who deserve the
honor can then be recognized for their efforts. That's not why they do
it, I know, but let's let them know we care! It's a great way to show them
the respect they deserve.
| THE FLY CORNER |
by Terry Tanner Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers
The Whip Finished Dragon
Over the years, I've seen several styles of Dragon Fly imitations, but for one reason or another, I've never seen anyone tie one. I like the one Dave Whitlock makes, but came up with this pattern after being asked to tie a dozen or so for bass fishing Lake Fork in Texas. If this pattern is too much like the one Dave ties, then I give him all the credit for it; if not, he at lease inspired it, since it is based on his ideas of how to tie the dragon fly.
Material List:
Hook - 8089 Nickel TMC
Thread - 6/0 Uni-thread, blue or similar
Body - Bright clue bucktail
Wing - Pearl Krystal Flash, black permanent marker to make bars, and
Zap-a-Gap to hold it in place
Eyes - 3mm moveable doll eyes
Back - Glitter Writer, pearl w/copper
Tie in a clump of bright blue bucktail with tips facing forward as shown in figure #1. Wind thread rearward to the point in figure #2 where the head of the fly can be tied off. Pull the bucktail back, and wrap to segment the head. As in figure #2 & 3, continue to wrap rearward, forming 4 to 5 segments along the hook shank. There is a trick here. Hid the thread each time you finish a segment by working it into the bucktail and along the hook shank before you begin to tie down the segment.
When you get to the bend of the hook shank, you will no longer have the support of the shank, so you must continue to work the thread to the center of the bucktail slump, using a whip finish (by hand) to secure each segment in place.
To attach the wing, push a loop of copper or similar wire through the second segment, insert a clump of Krystal Flash into the wire loop, and pull it through the deer hair segment (figure (#4), with one extra step to lock the wing in place. Put a drop of Zap-a-Gap at the point where the wing will come into contact with the body, as you pull it through. Trim the wing to length, and mark bars, with a permanent black marker, on each side of the wing, as shown in figure #5.
Apply flexible cement (like Dave's Flex-a-Ment) to each side of the first segment to seal the head for eyes. Using marine Goop, attach the doll eyes on each side of the head.
As a final step, apply a line of Glitter Writer (available at craft stores) to the otp side of the body from head to tail.
Go out and catch monster bass!
| CASTING TIPS AND TRICKS |
by JASON BORGER (FFF CLUBWIRE)
TENSING AND RELAXING:
Regardless of whether you're gripping a single-handed rod or a double-handed
rod, there are two things you can do to help you control your casts
better: tensing and relaxing.
If you tense your grip slightly as you prepare to stop the rod, it helps to "lock" the muscles and tendons in your arm and wrist. That, in turn, allows you to more easily bring the rod to a halt. One caveat: don't clamp down so hard that you leave fingerprints in the cork. Just a slight squeeze will do the trick.
Relaxing is just what it sound like: relaxing the muscles in your hand and arm after the cast has been made. Relaxing not only takes tension away from your muscles, but also helps to dampen any aftershocks in the fly rod. Such a damping action will assist in creating smoother line flow through the air. The idea with relaxing isn't to get so loose that the rod falls to the ground. The idea is to just slightly open the fingers that are curled around the rod handle--just enough to remove a bit of tension and to allow the rod a frog's hair of lee-way.
Try a bit of tensing and relaxing the next time you cast, you may find it allows you to be more controlled more easily. And the more control you have, the more precisely you can get the fly to the fish.
(Excerpted from Jason Borger's latest book, The Nature of Fly
Casting, due out in 1999)
| FISHING TIPS: REELING TO SUCCESS |
by Larry Notley
I first tried reeling to retrieve my fly when I was fly fishing the Poudre River in northern Colorado in 1996. The fishing was extremely slow this particular day and I was becoming bored, frustrated and cold. At this point I would make that one last traditional cast. On the retrieve I decided to reel in about 45 feet of fly line when the streamer had finished its arc from across to down stream. I reeled the line in at a rapid pace so I could wrap up this outing and make my way back to the warm confines of the cabin. To my surprise a rainbow in the 16 inch range rose from a depth of about four feet to take the fly. Now with an adrenaline rush I was encouraged to try and repeat this success. After several cast and reeling the line at a moderate pace my retrieve method produced another fine rainbow. During the next hour or so I hooked and landed six additional rainbows of various size.
Over the past two years I experimented with this technique in various rivers, ponds, small and large lakes to prove what happened on the Poudre River was not a fluke. Reeling a bait fish type fly may not be of "a purest fly fisherman," but on a slow or difficult day it could make the difference in being skunked or having success.
So on those slow days try casting your fly out as normal then retrieve by winding in the fly at various speeds. My most productive flies have been that of the bait fish category such as Lefty Deceivers, Closures Minnows, white streamers and the likes. These types of flies are the most productive in all types of water. I do recommend using a loop knot to allow your fly more freedom of movement.
Good Luck and Happy fishing.
Editor's note: Larry Notley is author of Fly Leaders & Knots,
and owner of Pockit Sports Co., manufacture of fly tying stations
and Larry's Popper's.
| ON THE RIVER IN THE WATER |
by Dave Adkins, North Arkansas Fly Fishers
When I awoke this morning, a feeling of perfect peace overwhelmed my senses.. My dream had taken me far from the place I awoke to find myself. In my dream, all was quiet, tranquil, and light breezes wafted across prismatic fast riffles. Caddis flies were hatching and dimples of feeding trout began to break the surface tension of the top of the stream.
I knew if I made the perfect cast, with the perfect fly, into the calm water, I would be rewarded with the excitement of the top water strike. Believe me, there is nothing that compares to the anticipation of a strong trout ( or a bass for that matter) smashing a puny fly or the adrenaline rush you bet when it actually happens. The fury that is manifested in the determination of the fish smash, even to crush its dinner, and then to gulp it before it is stolen by a bigger fish, always takes my breath away.
Sometimes I just want to watch the play and not interfere with the mandate that the strong must survive. Occasionally, I just sit on the bank and watch the drama unfold. But, most times, I am compelled to join in the fracas. Casting carefully crafted, hopefully accurately aimed, tiny insect imitations to the rise. Mostly, our offerings are refused, or completely ignored. But always, always, there is this, the anticipation that the next cast will produce a brown that will weigh just one ounce over the world record.
Sure, everyone can fly fisher, but not everyone can be a fly fisher. To become a fly fisher you must first embrace the dedication it takes to be counted among the elite of fishers. Not to be a fishing snob, but a technician, carefully practicing his art, the backcast, reading the water, all the while trying to balance the artistry of fly fishing with the need to seek, even outsmart the ever elusive game fish. Much the same as you who hunt, and at one time or another in the season, choose to hunt a particular game animal: turkey, deet, etc. (they may call you goofy, too.)
A fly fisher does not use natural baits. He or she finds challenge in tying small tufts of hair and feathers to a hook without a bard. Delicately gathering those resources into a form of the natural insect, frog, or mouse. A man or woman, obliged to tie their own imitations of the natural foods fish eat, and present them with the perfect cast to a precise location. One who will endure a snow storm, standing in a freezing stream in December at 5 in the morning. Or in a pelting rain on a hot July afternoon. I am one such. One who in February, has had to dip his rod into the stream to remove the caked ice from the guides in order to cast, or has been slammed by a rain so dense that the outline of the opposite bank was impossible to see, only giving up my place in the river by beng chased from the water by thunder and lightening.
Oh, you too? Yes I see you nodding your head, you've been there haven't you. It is times likes these that you have a sense of completeness, like the ends of a circle joined at last. An illusion that we are masters of the stream. Then, with a hot cup of coffee, you warm up in the tent, or, wait out the lightning and rain shivering in the truck while the engine warms the heater enough to pull the chill from your bones, reflection comes, quietly, tentatively, almost unknowingly at first. We begin to examine exactly why we choose to be fly fishers. We backcast our memories eye over other days and other streams. The reflection reveals to our chagrin, that we were never in control of the situation, the river or the fish; that there is a bigger hand on the rod than ours, and that our protection comes from another source. You must know the creator made trout for the sole purpose of fly fishing, and the pursuit of these noble creations for the few hardy individuals that choose to take a different tact.
So, my friend, pour another cup, stir the coals in the camp fire, pull
on your waders, get in the stream, life is too short not to fish.
I've learned that if fly fishing did not exist then truly, all the days
of our lives would be poorer indeed. Tight lines, good fishing and
remember, if you're too busy to go fishing, you're too busy. See you on
the river, or in the water. (E-mail <fliesndolls@yahoo.com>
| AVOID THE SERIOUS FLY FISHER |
by Dr. T, Flint Hills Fly Fishing Club
As the designated monitor of mental health within the club, I am often compelled to pass on various observations that may contribute to the mental or emotional status of my fellow fly fishers. Now, after years of careful and sustained empirical study, I can, with confidence, suggest that you might want to steer clear of the serious fly fisher. Webster's, defines the adjective, serious, as,...thoughtful or subdued in appearance and manner, sober, requiring much thought or work, not joking or trifling, not easily answered or solved, and finally, having important or dangerous possible consequences.
Given that, why would anyone in their right mind (nonclinical reference) want to be anywhere within a hundred rod lengths of a serious fly fisher?
Myself, I'd rather hang with a funny fly fisher. I would much rather have a fly fishing partner sarcastically state, "nice near hookup" when I miss a strike, rather than, "perhaps if you would pay attention to the drift, anticipate the strike, and utilize the effective slip strike procedure you would be more efficient in filling your limit."
I want to fish with partners who will not only laugh with, but at me. Tends to keep the narcissism in check (one criteria that often defines the serious fly fisher). There is a construct in the behavioral sciences that proposes one tends to respond to the environment or situation in an adaptive manner so as to avoid undue stress or anxiety. Hence my admonition to avoid the serious fly fisher and seek out the funny ones. I have fished with both and can state from a purely scientific view that I experience greater pleasure when I hang around with funny fly fishers. Remember that I am a mental health professional. However, I would recommend that you do try this at home or in your favorite salmonid filled stream.
Finally, I would like to follow up on the article in the October,
1998 newsletter, referencing common and not so common fly fishing maladies.What
follows are some of the less seen, albeit quite serious, disorders:
| BOOK REVIEW |
By Ken McKnight, Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club
Rivers of the Heart, A Fly Fishing Memoir
By Steve Raymond
The Lyons Press, Copyright 1998
As the title suggests, this book is not about the where, what and how of fly fishing. Rather, it is about the values and mystique of fly fishing in the life of a thoughtful man who has done a lot of it in many places while making his living as writer and editor.
Those who mark their good days solely on the basis of the numbers of fish hooked may not be enthralled. The book is organized into four sections: "People," "Places," "Things" and "Reality and Fantasy." This provides an interesting variety of topics. I savored it chapter by chapter.
In the first part, "People," the four chapters deal with fishing partners in general, then Steve's in particular, then several individuals who stand out in the history of Western fly fishing that Steve knew well. Some names may be familiar to you... like Bill Nations of British Columbia and Enos Bradner of Washington. It helped me again appreciate my own fishing partners and some of the interesting characters that have enhanced the roster of our fly club.
The second part, "Places," takes the reader to far places for Atlantic Salmon, Bonefish and the like. Readers who have been to Christmas Island recently will find interest in contrasting now with the way it was in the early eighties when the guides only poled and drove.
The "Things" that are the subjects of part III include mayflies, Tonkin cane for rod building, the writings about fly fishing and fly patterns as an incredible array. The chapter on mayflies gave me new appreciation for the entomology and beauty of this wonderful insect.
In the final part, "Reality and Fantasy," the author removes some glamour from members of the professional fly fisher fraternity and questions the quality and value of much that is being written about our sport. He also offers a reminder that there is an element of risk in fly fishing. A careless moment can bring pain and regret or worse. In this piece he is hanging head down in the tangle of a log jam with a river sliding by just below him.
A description of a mystical river that is a composite of several
actual rivers makes a nice closing chapter. As long time editor of Flyfisher
magazine, book reviewer and author of eight books, Mr. Raymond is
qualified to comment. This book is well written, and I recommend
it as well worth the time and attention of any fly fisher who takes the
sport to heart.
| Closing |
Material for the '99 Summer Issue of Long Casts must be in the editors hand's by May 15th.
Southern Council Federation of Flyfisher
This page updated July 23, 1999