In this Issue The El Prez Diaries, May 2008

Volume 1 Issue 5
e-Newsletter
May 2008
In this Issue
Conservation Corner, p. 2
Member profile, p. 3
Bug/Fly column, p. 4
OK Kids Day, p. 5
Fish photos, p. 6
Iwamasa photos, p. 7
Wiped Out!, p. 8
White River, p. 9
Looking ahead…, p. 10
Pre-spawn carp’n can
produce a few nice fish.
This 13 pounder was
hooked just ten feet from
shore.
The El Prez Diaries, May 2008
Fishing season has finally arrived in NE Kansas with a bang after one of the longest winters in recent
memory. The only problem is what to do with so many choices and time that is constrained with the
normal spring activities of yard chores, graduations, cookouts and bocce tournaments.
We are blessed in Kansas with a variety of waters and species of fish to pursue. From the big lakes to
the county and state lakes to the little farm ponds, fish are waking up and the action is on. I believe I
have seen every species in Clinton caught on a fly rod in the last 3 weeks. Wiper, white bass, black
bass, crappie, bluegill, carp, drum, catfish, sauger and even a walleye have been caught by club
members in recent days. Lone Star has been terrific as have the farm ponds. Reports have come in
from numerous other area spots that the fishing is good.
While most clubs tend to shut down for the summer, Free State Fly Fishers actually have more to do
in the best fishing months. May 24th will be our spring stream sampling on Deer Creek. Details can be
found on the message board under “Conservation”. If you ever wanted to get a good look at what
lives in our waters, this is the chance. This is also a terrific opportunity to bring out the kids and let
them get some hands on exposure to some fun stuff.
June 14th will bring our 3rd annual Spring Picnic. This is our only big fundraising effort of the year. This
year we are setting a goal to raise enough to purchase rods, reels and lines for teaching classes.
Unlike your typically banquet, we are out for a fun time. We will have casting games, bocce
challenge, some other fun stuff and of course the raffles and silent auctions. The raffles and auctions
totally consist of items that are donated. We get a few things from industry sources, but a lot of the
most popular stuff comes from our members and has nothing to do with fishing. Sports tickets,
jewelry, wine, oil changes, boat rides and the always popular garden center gift certificate have done
well in raising money.
Here’s where you come in. The list of what you need to do is simple. First, show up. This is our main
function of the year and your opportunity to participate in the health of the club. Besides, it’s a lot of
fun. Secondly, now that we’ve got you off the bench and in the game, bring something to eat. Side
dishes are cool. If you smoke BBQ, that’s great too. I know several folks that are freezing crappie so
we can have some fish fry as well. If you really don’t do food, let the picnic gurus know and bring
some plates, napkins or forks. This is a lot more like a family reunion than a Ducks Unlimited dinner.
Thirdly, we need raffle/auction items. This is where I challenge you to be creative. Pretty much
anything is OK if it’s in reasonably good taste and will get a bid. Have fun with it.
More details will be shared on the web site message board and calendar. Your picnic gurus for 2008
are Mike Zimmerman and Mike Hough. Please contact them with your thoughts and questions. As
always, you can contact me with anything as well.
Additionally summer plans include a beginner class, a kid’s clinic, a class for Women in the Outdoors
and talks are underway for a camping trip or two. Of course, there are the Wednesday night fish and
grill outings and, of course, the ever present possibility of the Flyatollah declaring a One Fly
tournament.
Get out and do some fishing. Go after a species you don’t normally fish for. Call a fellow member that
you’ve never fished with and invite them along. Take a kid fishing. Above all, have a fun time. Here’s
hoping your next fish is your favorite. –El Prez
Conservation Corner
Join us Saturday, May 24th at 9:00 am at Deer Creek, just south of Stull, Kansas, for our spring
stream team sampling effort. If we get a massive thunderstorm the Thursday or Friday before, it may
be postponed. Check in with the message board for further details and driving directions.
Mike Grose
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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Member Profile
Clinton Lake conditions
Date: 20 May 2008
Lake Elevation: 876.26
Outflow to Wakarusa: 500 CFS
Surface temperature: a wiper friendly, 62
degrees F
Wind: N at 3 mph, peak: 27 mph
Get daily updates here
Pomona Lake conditions
Name: Eric King
Handle on message board: Sarge
Date: 20 May 2008
Lake Elevation: 975.72
Outflow: 200 CFS
Surface temperature: 64 degrees F
Wind: NW at 7 mph, peak: 26 mph
Get daily updates here
Favorite fish: The last one caught.
Favorite fly: Sarge’s Crappie Fly
Other interests: Collecting fur and feathers
(hunting).
Family members: Wife, Barb; son
Zak/daughter-in-law Kerri; daughter Jenny/sonin-law Matt; and grandsons Logan, Chase,
Caden and Jackson
Most memorable fishing trip(s): Biennial trips
to the Blackfeet Nation of Montana.
Hidden talent: Does belching the alphabet
count?
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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Macroinvertebrate column
Fly of the Month
Mayfly (Order: Ephemeroptera)
Gold Ribbed Hares Ear
By R. Steve Dick
Pollution sensitive species
Identifying characteristics: Feathery or
platelike gills on abdomen, legs end in one
hook, usually three tails
Interesting fact: Anglers copy mayfly colors
and sizes when tying flies for fly-fishing.
Habitat: Larvae (nymphs) generally spend
their time under rocks.
Water quality rating: Pollution sensitive,
found in good-quality water.
Food source: Primarily scrapers and
collectors, feeding on small plants or algae. As
adults, mayflies do not have functioning
mouthparts and therefore do not eat during
their adult stage.
Materials List
Hook: TMC 3769, 2x long or equivalent, size
#10-#18.
Head: brass or tungsten bead
Thread: grey 8/0
Tail: guard hair from hares mask
Abdomen: mix of hares ear dubbing
Rib: small gold flat tinsel or wire
Wing case: turkey tail
Thorax: thicker dubbing from hares ear
Directions: Tie in tail. Tie in ribbing, then dub
a slim abdomen. Wrap ribbing forward and tie
down. Attach wingcase, the dub a thicker
thorax. Bring forward the wingcase and tie
down. Whip finish and trim. Pick out the
thorax to imitate legs.
Credit: used by permission, Conservation Commission of
the State of Missouri.
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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OK Kids Day
Saturday, May 3rd two FSFFers participated in a program from Shawnee County Parks and
Recreation called OK Kids Day on the trail. This was an outdoors appreciation morning (9 am to
noon) with various stations set up around the
aquatics center in northeastern Topeka. Stations
included making casts of animal prints and flying
kites among others. I met Kurt down by the creek to
seine up a few aquatic insects to show the kids. The
kid’s favorite was the crayfish, or lobster as a few
kids called it! This was a great opportunity to talk
briefly about the biology of the stream animals. The
parents were also interested and asked some great
questions. We collected a stonefly nymph,
swimming mayfly nymphs, clinger mayfly nymphs,
crane fly larva, damselfly larva, and the crawfish.
Kurt was holding court with casting instruction. All
told, we probably visited with 50 kids or so.
It was a great opportunity to promote flyfishing in NE Kansas, Yager’s Flies, and our club.
by Mike Grose
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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Fish Outing photos
Niki Christopher submitted this photo of a
nice sunset over Melvern Reservior.
Beatrix Brown, Dick Wedel’s 20 month
old granddaughter, catches a bluegill with
a size 16 bead head nymph. She is
pictured here perfecting her kiss and
release technique.
Carp and release, coming to a reservoir
near you, summer 2008…
Just goes to show, you can’t start them
fishing too young.
Flyfishing for carp over mud flats is very
challenging, but the payoff is worth it.
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Ken Iwamasa Photos
Photographs by R. Steve Dick
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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Wiped Out!
I’ve had a great time heading out to the lake to take in this year’s wiper season. I tend to fish as
much as possible during the run, in part to shake off the winter blues, but also to use a few of those
flies tied up over the winter tying season. Another great thing about getting outside is the chance to
observe nature in action. One Saturday morning, I dropped down on the north side of the intake
tower and met up with Gaylord. It was overcast and slightly cool morning. Fishing was slow at first.
When the fishing is slow, my mind starts to wander. In any case, this is a great chance to look
around and see what is happening around the lake. Swallows were nesting in full force under the
intake walkway. They occasionally were making aerial dives right in front of us, picking off something
from the surface of the lake. On closer inspection, we noticed a steady hatch of large brown mayflies
emerging.
It has to be tough being a mayfly. They spend the vast majority of their lives as nymphs, clinging to
the undersides of the fist size rocks right off the dam. Each time they molt to grow bigger, they
change to a lighter color that
makes them more prone to
predation from hungry crayfish.
Then, when the instinct calls,
they are forced to run the
gauntlet and swim to the
surface for emergence. Here
they are extremely vulnerable
to finned predators. Splashy
rises usually means a hungry
crappie or green sunfish has
just made a meal out of an
emerging mayfly. If they are
lucky enough to make it this
far, they then face a new set of
predators from above. The
newly emerged mayflies are
forced to spread out their new
wings and dry them for a few
moments to make them flight
ready. At this stage they are
sitting ducks for swallows, and when the water is flat, they swoop in to make an easy meal of them
right off the surface of the water. The lucky few that make it to the air have a good chance of being
picked off by the aerial predators as well. It’s amazing to think that the very few that make it past all
the predators are responsible for the next generation of mayflies.
It was fascinating watching this drama unfold right before our eyes. Then as is usually the case with
wiper fishing, the fish showed up and entertained us for a few hours. There were a few quality fish
landed. I was lucky to tie into a nice fish that ran me into my backing. Once it was brought to hand, it
tapped out at 20 inches. Later that morning, Tom Hay dropped down and did pretty well on-you
guessed it-the legendary chili pepper.
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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I have a new working theory on why the wipers
show up along the dam in the spring. Maybe its
not so much as they are chasing the shad close
to the rocks, but instead they are taking
advantage of the prolific mayfly hatch that comes
off the water this time of year. I’m pretty sure that
my three inch, size 6 pink and white clouser can’t
possibly resemble those mayfly nymphs though.
But whatever the reason, it’s a blast having your
backing stretched this time of the year…
By Mike Grose, photos by Gaylord Richardson
"Meanwhile, wear safety glasses and hang contact
paper on the walls to catch the hooks and keep on
tying because "wipers wait for no one."---Kurt Moomau
White River Update: Report for April
April 30th, 2008 by JimmyT
Unusual would be a good word to describe fishing on the White River in Arkansas. Unusual
in that twice this month flood gates were opened at Bull Shoals Dam. The first time on April
10 with a full 8 units on along with an extra
5,670 cfs which brought the water up to
the equivalent of 10 units and then again last
thursday the 24th with an extra 13,270 cfs
which was the equivalent of a little over 14 total
units. What this did however was to cover
some grassy banks and other areas that
normally do not see any water which flushed
out the cane worm. The fish we caught were
full of them and had them puking up worms.
These fish were so fat they looked as though
they had swallowed footballs. These fish will
grow rabidly. As of yesterday the 29th April at
2:30 pm the flood gates were shut off. Fishing
this extra water was not hard to figure out (SJ Worms) and was quite fun as we were fishing
areas that were normally never under the water. It will be nice though to get back to some
normal water (8 units) would be fine with me but I’m sure we’ll be seeing some lower water at
times to help with the flooding 100 plus miles down stream. May will bring some warmer
temps (no rain we hope) and perhaps later in the month a sulpher hatch with some surface
and dry action. The Norfork is also fishing well with the usual flies Scuds, sowbugs and san
juan worms on it’s normal 1 to two units. All is well with our rivers at this time so book your
trip for the months of may and june now. Weekends fill up fast (mine are all gone for may)
and during the weeks is a little slower with fewer boats on the rivers.
Jim Traylor
PO Box 751
Bull Shoals, Ar 72619
870-404-8906
http://flyfisharkansas.com
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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Looking Ahead…
May 21st, Wednesday, 6 pm social
Monthly meeting 7 pm, Conroy’s
May 24th, Saturday, 9-11 am
Stream sampling, Deer Creek, KS
June 14st, Saturday, Spring Picnic
Overlook Park, Clinton Lake
June 18nd, Wednesday, 6 pm social
Monthly meeting 7 pm, Conroy’s
Always keep those “experimental” flies. This unlikely creation landed several nice carp for me, but
didn’t see the light of day for several years. Key features of all good carp flies include eyes of some
sort, in this case bead-chain, rubber legs, and rabbit body fur for the tail. Tied and photographed by
Mike Grose.
Club Officers 2007-2008
Flyatolah
Greg McDonald
[email protected]
President
Jeff Frye
[email protected]
Treasurer
Craig Rogers
[email protected]
Scribe
Eric King
[email protected]
VP Conservation
Mike Grose
[email protected]
VP Education
Kurt Moomau
[email protected]
VP Membership
Rick Laughlin
[email protected]
VP Entertainment
Mike Hough
[email protected]
Mike Zimmerman
[email protected]
Free State Fly Fishers is a Lawrence, KS based
club dedicated to promoting the sport of fly fishing in
Northeast Kansas through education, conservation, and
community service. Formed in August 2005, Free State
Fly Fishers is an affiliate club of Federation of Fly Fishers
operating as a 501c-3 corporation under FFF's charter
club program. Our FFF club number is K99784
Internet Tyrant
Eric Shumaker
Rafflemeister
Leo Beier
Newsletter
Contributing editors
R. Steve Dick
Kurt Moomau
Mike Grose
FSFF IS A CHARTER CLUB OF THE SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION OF FLYFISHERS
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