A quick glance at my watch confirmed what my body had been telling me for the last hour or so. It was late. In fact, it was 3:48 AM to be exact. The traffic around this old, municipal lake had long since quieted and the soft swish, swish of Cherrie's fly casting was the only foreign sound amongst the chorus of frogs and crickets. A thick mist had enveloped us and it was totally dark. There was no up, down or sideways for our eyes to coordinate with our tired, disoriented brains. Absolute zero depth perception. We could have been fly fishing in a flooded coal mine. We were after sunfish and the bites had been slow in coming since launching the boat at midnight. I was ready to pack it in.

Her small, black popper clicked off an invisible rock and soundlessly settled into the water. After a few seconds, she twitched the fly line and the popper softly gurgled once. The take was impressive.

"I've got one...a BIG one!", she shouted. The startling sounds of flapping, splashing wings and frantic quacking cut through the darkness like a foghorn. She had a big one all right. A big duck! The mature hen mallard put up an admirable fight on my wife's five weight and the duck was eventually steered to my end of the canoe. I unhooked the popper from the hen's beak...yes, it was a legal hookup! and I released her as unceremoniously as possible. She quickly disappeared into the dark and, along with several unseen buddies, cussed us in duck talk for about ten minutes.

Just a little downstream, it was my turn. Something took a Woolly Bugger I was fishing on a sink tip about ten feet down, so I was fairly certain we weren't torturing another duck. But by the way the fish turned and began to slowly tow the 18 foot freighter canoe, I was pretty sure we weren't messing with any sort of sunfish I ever wanted to see. The fight lasted over twenty minutes. We were towed from one bank to the other eventually circling to where it had all began. It ended with that unmistakable strumming, sawing feel of a fly line swinging under a submerged boulder. It didn't end with the dramatic CRACK of a leaping trout separating your leader. It was just throb, throb, throb and the line went limp. "Must have been a catfish", I told Cherrie, but the leader stub was conspicuously clear of the gooey body slime usually present after extended battles with big cats. I guess that fish has to go into the "unknown monster" category.

After our two unexpected battles, we weren't really tired anymore so we kept fishing and ended up landing over 50 nice sunfish before we left for breakfast. One duck, one "unknown monster" and a mess of sunfish. So it goes with night fishing.

Most fly fishermen seem to shy away from after hours angling. The reasons seem to vary from angler to angler but almost all involve some sort of fear. However, unless you live in the South where lake monsters (as in alligators) are a distinct possibility, then there really isn't anything to fear out there. And even alligators don't attack that many boats, so night fishing will undoubtedly remain popular down here. Not too many nocturnal float tubers around here though. Oh sure, there's "Pegleg" Johnson, "Stumpy" Richards and me, but we seem to be definite exceptions to the tubing in alligator infested waters phobia.

Of course, there's the snakes too. I've never considered snakes much of a danger though I have had some mighty interesting encounters. One night, I noticed a five foot watersnake (non-poisonous) following me around as I slowly tubed my way around a small cove. I lost track of him just about the time it started to rain only having the thing reappear inside the ring of my tube. It was quite literally in my lap! It's spooky enough fishing alone on a pitch black rainy night but add those feelings to those that hit you when you suddenly find yourself nose to nose with a big snake. The feeling is quite indescribable. Coincidentally, there were several unconfirmed sightings of a small, donut shaped, duck footed UFO over the area that night too.

I highly encourage you to give night fishing a try. But don't go alone the first time and definitely don't go somewhere that you are not intimately familiar with. And don't forget, this just isn't a warm water thing. I'll never forget taking a bunch of the Shreveport guys out to the Narrows on the White River after the Conclave Auction one night a couple of years ago. Joe Myers caught a nice brown trout on a black Woolly Bugger and it was his first trout ever landed on a fly rod. It was a wonderful experience to share. We all had a blast.

The heartbeat of the water after dark is slow and soft. Tune into this rhythm. Only then can you reap the rewards of night fishing. Sightings of rare, shy wildlife are common and you always seem to catch enough fish to satisfy, even if it's only one or two. But best of all, the marauding hoards are gone. The water is all yours to enjoy in peace and solitude. Of course, it will be a much fuller experience if you're a FFF member. Thought you'd get away without a plug, didn't you!

See you at Conclave!
Brian Camp
 
 

About Long Casts

return to ToC

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 Managing Director,  Pat Smith, 2603 Buford Spur Rd., Mountain Home, AR 72653

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
 
 
 

From the Editor...

return to ToC

Please note that new information on Conclave '99 activities is included in this issue. Youth activities and a tour local of Wapsi Inc., are announced herein.

Rhea Topping, the keynote speaker for the Conclave Women's Outreach, was just named the 1999 FFF Woman of the Year, in Gatlinburg, at the annual FFF Conclave. Also receiving awards at the Conclave, were Tracie Maler, Verne Lehmberg, David Barron, Debra Jindra, and Kyle Moppert, who received President's pins, from outgoing President Tom Jindra; Judy Boston, who received the Robert J. Marriot Scholarship Grant; Council Director Pat Smith, who received a Council award of Excellence; Sister Carol Ann Corley, who received the Virginia Buszek Perry Fly Tyer's Assistance Award; and Dennis Galyardt, who received the Dr. James A. Henshall Award.

Congratulations, y'all! You deserve the recognition!
 
 

NOTICE OF MEETING

return to ToC

There will be a meeting of the General Membership of the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers™, at the Ramada Inn, Mountain Home, AR, on Sunday, October 3rd, at 8:00 am

The purpose of the meeting will be to conduct such business as the General Membership may bring before the Board of Directors of the Council.

Immediately following the above meeting will be the Annual Conclave Directors Meeting. Council Officers, Council Director, and Club Presidents, who are members in good standing of the FFF, and who are not going to be available for the meeting are asked to use the proxy assignment in this issue to transfer their right to vote on the important issues sure to be discussed and voted on during the meeting. The deadline for returning the proxy to Managing Director Pat Smith is September 25, 1999.

Southern Council FFF Proxy
 
 

Conclave Tour Of 'Wapsi'

return to ToC

by Pat Smith, SC Managing Director

For those of you who may not know, Wapsi, Inc., the world's largest wholesaler of fly tying materials, is headquartered in Mountain Home, Arkansas, the site of our upcoming Conclave.

Tom and Ann Schmuecker, the owners of Wapsi, Inc., have graciously offered to conduct tours of Wapsi., for a nominal fee, which will go to the Southern Council. This is a phenomenal place. It is absolutely amazing to see the amount and variety of fly tying materials in one place. During the tour you will see how they create the many colors of dubbing materials, the different colors of deer hair, etc. It is a tour well worth the time and monetary investment.

The first tour is scheduled to start at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 2nd. There will be another tour at 1:00 PM. Each tour segment will be limited to 15. If demand exceeds the number of 30 which we have allotted time for, additional tours will be made available.

A sign up sheet for the tours will be at the registration desk. There is a $5.00 fee for the tour payable at the time you sign up. This will be one of the highlights of your trip to this Conclave. Don't miss it. The tour will provide a close look at a unique American Business.
 
 

Teeny to Speak Saturday Night

return to ToC

With ten IGFA Fly Rod World Records to his credit, fly tyer and fisher, author, speaker and television star Jim Teeny commands a respect few in the fly fishing industry can duplicate.

Teeny has appeared on "The Fishing Hole" with Jerry McKinnis, "Fly Fishing the West": with Larry Schoenborn, and his own television series "Fly Fishing with Jim Teeny" which ran for six years in Tacoma, Washington.

Jim began fly fishing as the age of 12 and originated the Teeny Nymph Fly Pattern in May of 1962. He currently lives in Gresham, OR, where he operates his business, the Teeny Nymph Company, which he started in 1972.

In 1983, Jim designed the T-Series sink tip flyline. This one piece shooting head/running line has changed the way many people fish for Steelhead, Salmon and many other big game fish. In 1988 Jim's Steelhead video titled "Catching More Steelhead", produced by Scientific Anglers, won the best "How to Fish Video" for the nation and received the "Teddy Roosevelt Award".

In 1992 Jim completed a video entitled "Fly Fishing Still Water." Bass, bluegill and trout are caught and released in this all instructional video, designed to introduce fisher men and women to lake fishing, both from shore and float tubes. Numerous articles have been written in the "Fly Fisherman Magazine", "Fly Fishing", "Outdoor Life", and "Field and Stream" about Jim and his contributions to the sport of fly fishing. Jim will conduct a casting clinic on Saturday afternoon and will be the keynote speaker at the Awards banquet on Saturday evening.
 
 

Big Named Speakers Present Programs

return to ToC

Many fine speakers will grace our conclave with their presence this year. Here are some of the presenters: Dave Whitlock, who is nationally known for his flyfishing writing, videos, artwork and tying; John Gulley, Orvis 1999 “Guide of the Year,” (out of over 750 guides), and picked, after 25+ years of guiding in Arkansas and Southern Missouri, as one of the best of the best by “Picked by You” service; Tom Nixon, inventor of countless flies, humorist, and all-round great guy; Duane Hada, master craftsman, guide, artist, tyer and one of the most knowledgeable fishermen around; Mark Van Patten, quickly developing a national reputation as the man behind the surfacing of the “stream team” concept; and many more.

A quick look to see what programs will be offered, will pay for itself. The speakers at the 1999 Southern Council Conclave are the best ever assembled for any conclave anywhere. These are programs that will educate and delight you, programs that it took forethought and planning to put together as a group for this event.

Please take a moment during the Conclave to thank you Conclave Staff for their hard for and planning.
 
 

Likakis to Speak Friday Night

return to ToC

John Likakis of Bennington Vermont, is the editor of "Warmwater Fly Fishing" magazine and an very proficient fly tyer.

Although he fishes for everything with fins, he's most passionate about largemouth and smallmouth bass; however, as he will tell you, catching a Carp on the fly is his greatest joy. John will be the keynote speaker on Friday evening. His topic will be "Frontiers in Warmwater Fly Fishing."

Throughout the Conclave, John will be tying, so stop by and say hello.
 
 

Youth Activities 'Bugs for Breakfast'

return to ToC

by Allen Crise, Conclave Youth Chair

This year, youth activities for children will begin on Saturday morning, starting at 8:30am, at the registration desk at the Conclave.

Beginning with a short talk on fly fishing and why we do it, by Allen, the morning will continue with "What fish eat. Bugs for Breakfast," by Nikole Witt, biologist from OK. A display showing edible stream and insect life in the water, will be set up at the fairgrounds.

Then: "Tying the Woolly Bugger," with help from adult conclave attendees. Children will actually tie and take home a "woolly". At the same time, there will be a stamping and coloring for smaller kids. Moms will help. Please volunteer.

Fly Casting, by FFF instructor Allen Crise "Pick up and lay down to roll casting"... at casting area, will come next 'Just for kids'. Council casting instructors will help with the class, which will be labeled "casting for teens and beginners."

Lunch: A sack lunch, to be picked up at the fairgrounds, will be provided for each attendee. It is part of the $5.00 registration fee, so there is no additional charge for lunch.

Attendees will take their lunch, to the parking lot, where transportation to Norfork Dam Park will be provided. After lunch, we will be fly fishing "Dry Run Creek", which the State has designated as '15 yr. and under, fishing'. This will be a time that we need help. Dads and Moms are requested to make themselves available to help as instructors for the fishing.

The fishermen will have to have sunglasses, (eye protection) hats, suitable shoes for the water, and a signed waiver). Parents are reminded that they are needed as helpers for this event, and that they shouldn't plan on "just dropping off the kids". Parents are asked to take part in the doings. Please note: You will be helping the future of fly fishing, by helping to train the next generation's participators for the next millennium's fishing opportunities.

"What's in the River?" The state of Ark. will have biologist Bill Posey at Dry Run Creek. Bill will present some getting your feet wet (boots or waders are required) on the streams' Macro-invertibrates (little bugs). This will be a time to learn what is in a stream. Then back to the Fair Grounds (dead tired).

If the weather does turn bad, we will have a room, where we will show a movie, and we will get the biologist to talk on stream things. I am still looking for help. Contact me: Allen Crise 2508 A CR 1011, Glen Rose, TX 76043. My home phone is 254-897-2045. E-mail <acrise1@txu.com>
 
 

It's a Worm... It's a Fly... It's Dynamite!

return to ToC

by Joel M. Vance
Courtesy of the Missouri Conservation Dept.

The woolly worm and its permutations' especially the woolly bugger, look like nothing . . . and look like everything. In fact, when you read through trout fishing literature, the experts seems a bit nonplused by the woolly worm and its offspring. They don't know what to call it-- nymph, attractor, streamer. Maybe that's another reason the fly can't get no respect. It defies easy classification. It won't hold still. It is all things to all people. It is a Big Mac oozing savory juices on a silver serving platter designed for coq au yin.

The woolly worm is so effective that some trout-anglers are reluctant to use one. It is treated by fly fishing purists as barely more acceptable than a nightcrawler as a lure. Why? It is a pattern that dates to Izaak Walton, 300 years ago. Yet English fly dressing books don't mention it, and there are no English flies in books I've seen that even remotely suggest the woolly worm. The woolly worm catches fish from pike to panfish, from tench to trout, and is so simple to use that even a mistake is correct.

Fishing a woolly worm requires no more finesse than mud wrestling. It takes no real skill, and I suppose that's why so many slick fly casters feel that fishing a woolly worm is like Michael Jordan going one-on-one with Mister Rogers. Where's the challenge? In my opinion, the perfect fly wallet for someone who wants to catch fish would contain nothing but woolly worms in various sizes and colors. Woolly buggers are woolly worms with chrome fenders. They also have tails, sometimes of a glitter material. You could catch dead fish out of a supermarket meat display with that thing. It is slanderous to carry in your fly wallet. Voracious bluegills will leap from the water and chew through your waders to get at it.

Western angling guru Bud Lilly says woolly worms and their kin are especially effective fished on the bottom in early spring. "I know this isn't a lot of people's idea of graceful fly fishing," he says in his Guide to Western Fly Fishing. "and- it does seem a lot like bait fishing with a fly. but it's deadly when the timing is right." There it is again-that apologetic, abashed, left-handed compliment, as if the angler is ashamed to be caught using a woolly worm.

Maybe it's the "worm" in the name-suggestive of the much-scorned (and deadly effective) garden hackle. Eric Leiser. in his book on stoneflies. classes the woolly worm among the stoneflies, but it imitates no given insect. Famed angler Lee Wulff classed the woolly worm along with the Royal Wolff and Mickey Finn as an attractor.

So, here we are with a fly that is so good that purists don't want to use it. The perfect fly for them is one that never catches a fish. It is the ultimate challenge. "If I can catch a fish with this No. 38 imitation of a Petri dish culture, I am the world's greatest angler!" they thunder.

Fine. but give me a chunk of woolly worm and a discount house fly rod. I’m gonna catch me some fish.
 
 
 

Just Suppose

return to ToC

By Steve Fritz, Long Casts Editor

Let's just suppose there are two huge, old oak trees in a small park across the street from your home. The oaks reside in an area owned and maintained by the city. You can remember the trees from back when you were a small boy, and, if you close your eyes, you can still see your father and grandfather, sitting under the trees with friends from the neighborhood, discussing everything from the weather to local fishing and hunting opportunities.

Suppose the trees, during the year now, were home to twenty-six squirrels, and fifty-four songbirds, and suppose you liked to sit out under the trees, in the hammock some nice neighbor had provided, listening to the birds, and watching the squirrels, shaded from the sun, at peace with the world.

Now suppose you went on vacation, for three weeks, and when you returned, tired and ready to sit under the oaks, they were gone, and only the stubs of the trunks remained, the trees having been cut off at ground level, and removed. There was the hammock, its metal frame sizzling in the summer sun, without the trees to keep it cool.

Suppose you got mad, and went to city hall to find out what happened. At the City Parks Department office, you were told that a permit had been issued for the removal of the trees, and that it was all perfectly legal, and over and done with.
Well, the trees are gone, and that part of your life is over. You can not bring the trees, birds, squirrels, shade, sounds, and such back for a very long time, possibly not in your lifetime. It bothers you, when you plant the two new little oaks that you bought the next day, next to the old trunk stubs, that it will take twenty years for the trees to even begin to provide what your oaks had been providing for so many years. You think...was the small amount of money received for the raw oaks worth the vacancy left after their removal? What kind of man would do such a thing, trade nature for profit? Did he not realize what he was doing when he cut down and removed the trees? True...you had taken the trees for granted...but you did not remove them, or profit from their removal. If you had any idea that it was going to happen, you would have done everything in your power to stop it.
 
 

Crooked Creek

return to ToC

In Arkansas, there is a creek, Crooked Creek, which has been classified as one of the five most endangered fisheries in the United States, by the Federation of Fly Fishers. It seems that the gravel in this creek is thought, by some, to be of such value that its removal is worth destroying a premier smallmouth bass fishery in the process.

The trees have not been cut down, yet. Crooked Creek could be saved, even though it is dangerously close to its demise as a smallmouth fishery.

Get mad...do it now...before the trees are gone and only the trunks are left...before the metal hammock frame is left sizzling in the sun, hot enough to fry an egg on.

To show your concern for Crooked Creek, write; Doug Szenher, Public Affairs Supervisor, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 8913, Little Rock, AR 72219-8913
 
 

The Fly Corner

return to ToC

By Terry Tanner
Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers

The New Guinea Bugger

A couple of years ago, I had a short day trip planned to a no name smallmouth bass stream, known only to me, God, and a few friends who catch-and-release smallmouth.

I wanted to fish a new pattern, and came up with the new guinea bugger, really just a modified woolly bugger. The fly takes it name from the guinea fowl feathers used a the hackle.

This is a wonderful smallmouth fly, which can be tied in several colors using silk, nylon, and other craft materials as a body, and matching colors of dyed guinea feathers (available from Wapsi, Inc. Ask your local dealer to get them for you.).

I’ve had much success fishing this fly on our local Ozark smallmouth stream, where the orange and yellow colors are particularly effective. The orange version caa be atrip saver when the water is discolored, and other crawfish imitations are not attracting fish.

Materials List
Lead wire: .20 amp
Hook:   TMC 200, size #4 or #6
Tail:  Black marabou
Hackle: Orange or yellow spotted guinea hackle
Body: Bright orange or yellow DMC embroidery thread
Thread: Black 6/0 or 8/0 Uni thread

Tying Instructions
As in figure #1, wrap the hook with lead wire, and tie in a marabou tail about the length of the shank of the hook, just like a normal woolly bugger.

Then tie in and wrap a guinea feather hackle at the bend of the hook, the alternate body wraps of embroidery thread with two more hackles of guinea, one about mid-hook shank, and the other behind the eye, as you build the fly body with embroidery thread wraps. Note that the body is tapered (figures #1 & #2).

As in figure #2, position the front hackle just behind the eye of the book and tie off the head.

As with all woollies, try a sink tip line when practical, and don’t forget to use a stiff tippet material, when available, to keep the tippet from twisting as the bugger is fished.

I’ll see you on the stream, if you can fine no name creek.

Editor’s note: Terry Tanner is shop lead at the White River Fly Shop, Bass Pro Shop’s Outdoor World fly shop in Springfield, Missouri.
 
 

THE LOSS OF ESSENCE

return to ToC

by Bob Burnham , President of the Western Rocky Mountain Council

An article in an FFF club newsletters really grabbed my attention. A portion of it read: "While the exponential growth of fly fishing continues, the increase in commercialization has changed the way knowledge is disseminated to the unknowing.

In the past, techniques were passed down from the sage to the neophyte. Along with this came the transfer of certain ethics and attitudes. This process allowed for a rewarding relationship for both the student and the mentor. However, now a basic knowledge of fly fishing can be obtained without the benefit of the "apprenticeships" of the past. While in some venues this is looked upon as being a favorable situation, a large portion of the essence of flyfishing is missed. "It is unfortunate that flyfishing education has grown commercially at the expense of the traditional teaching and learning, coaching and practicing, encouraging and observing. The loss of the apprenticeships of the past means sacrificing a large portion of the essence of fly fishing. Our newer folks will miss out on the traditional values of fly fishing -- that of being the "student", "coach", "teacher", "learner", "friend", "fishing buddy", "sportsman" and "companion," among many other roles too numerous to list here -- including a thing called "stream etiquette." One certainly cannot replace those, by sitting in front of a video, reading a book, paying someone for an hour of instruction, or surfing the Internet, even though doing so may enhance the technical skills.

Lee Wulff perhaps expressed it best with this statement, which is the preamble to the bylaws of our council and the Federation of Fly Fishers: "We in conclave assembled, out of a firm and abiding conviction that flyfishing 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 flyfishing 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. " A belief in that statement is why I became a Life Member of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and why I strongly encourage all who fly fish to become Federation members.
 
 

Casting Tips and Tricks

return to ToC

The Under-Powered Curve

The Under-Powered Curve cast can be used to produce both Positive and negative Curves. The general idea is really a basic one..., tip the rod 30-45 degrees from vertical, keep the casting energies lower than normal, and then rather than stopping cleanly just slow the rod down until it stops. By tipping the rod and toning down casting energies, the line (and loop) falls lazily sideways, with the loops never turning over completely By using a Cross-Body or Across-The-Head rod position, it’s quite easy to make a good Positive Under-Powered Curve.

The Under-Powered Curve can be of the most benefit when space is restricted and/or when you need to make an unexpected, mid-cast curve at closer ranges. In addition, big, bushy dry flies can be curved easily with this technique. The inherent air-resistance of such flies melds nicely with the reduced casting energies of the Under-Powered Curve. However, due to the accuracy and windage liabilities of t his technique, I tend to avoid it for other fishing situations.

The Overpowered Curve

The overpowered curve is an easily made, yet highly effective way to curve the end of the fly line and leader around obstacles and onto currents.

Begin by pantomiming a standard cast in a side-arm position. Immediately before you stop at the end of the forward cast, increase the acceleration of the rod, and then as you stop, "bounce" the rod. By "bounce" I am referring to stopping the rod, and in the next instant, pulling it back an inch or so, and then ceasing your arm and wrist movements. If it helps, think of your arm and wrist striking a rubber surface at the end of the forward cast and then re-bounding.

This overpowered, or bouncing, motion sends a propagation wave down the fly line (like shaking a garden hose). When the wave reaches the end of the line, it flips the line over, creating a curve. This method of creating a curve cast allows you to accurately tuck a fly around a rock or log, or place the end of the line or leader onto a current tongue to either decrease or increase drag. It is also the source for the modern version of the tuck cast (a curve done vertically).

Jason Borger, the shadow caster in the movie "A River Runs Through It," serves on the Board of Governors of the FFF's Casting Instructor Certification Program. http://www.jasonborger.com
 
 

What Great Websites Have You Located?

return to ToC

By Hod McIntosh, SC VP-Communication

Please send me those great websites you have located on fly fishing, stream information, stream restoration, tailwaters, as well as cold, warm and salt water fisheries. If we get enough material on interesting websites we will have an article for the Long Casts to spread the word.

Please send your website information to: Hod McIntosh, <SingingReels@worldnet.att.net> or
6666 Woodson Drive, Mission, KS 66202
 
 

Club Projects

return to ToC

By Hod McIntosh, SC VP-Communication

Many of our clubs are involved with worthy projects which follow the guidelines set forth by the FFF, "To Conserve, Restore and Educate Through Fly Fishing"

Our Council has clubs teaching fly fishing, fly casting and fly tying to young and old. Some have accepted the challenge to improve a local stream and prevent the loss of stream habitat. Others are committed to working with local, state and federal government to preserve and maintain our natural wilderness.

Please let us know what programs your club is working on, by sending Steve Fritz an article describing your club's projects, including any pictures which help tell your story. Articles like this will help spread the word of your club's activities and increase the interest of other clubs, to join in the challenge.

Also, if you are considering a project that later proves to be too big for your club's members, think about involving one of the other Council clubs, for a joint project.

Each member, each club, each council can make the difference in the struggle to maintain our environment.

Please send your articles to Steve Fritz, Long Casts Editor, 2100 S. Grant, Springfield, MO 65807. And don't forget the pictures.