Presidents Message - Heart of America Fly Fishers

www.hoaff.org
Presidents Message
July/August 2015
Hope your July 4th hoiday weekend and summertime fun are going well,
as well as any fly fishing destinations that's on your bucket list. Yes, we've
had a rainy season; thus far hampering fishing along with the heat and
humidity to deal with. But there have been some cooler days which I took
advantage of fly fishing at the nearby lakes. The weather has cooperated with
HOAFF's 2 annual summertime events. Our One Fly Fishing Tournament
was a huge success having 20 some members participating as well as invited
guests from Project Healing Waters. Ward Svavari won the most fish award
and Kevin Gabert from PHWFF won the biggest fish award both receiving
gift certificates to K&K Flyfishers. Again, a huge THANK YOU to Steve
Nelson who invites us annually to Lake of the Forest for our event. The other
event was the Casting Games set up by member Mark Borserine. This year’s
event had more artful and accuracy games to test your casting capabilities.
The 3 winners were Keith Sherman, first place; Paul Bowman, second place
and Ron Carruthers, third place. Thank you Mark and the volunteers who
assisted Mark. As you know, Mark is a Certified Fly Casting instructor and
he can give you a lesson (see his ad in the HOAFF newsletter). Mark helped
me! Another huge THANK YOU to Kevin Kurz who hosted our event at
K&K on their fly casting lot. Thank employees Kathy and Mike George for
staying late at K&K so we could complete our event. And be sure to thank
Kevin and stop by to support his shop. With the rest of July and August left,
relax at home reading fly fishing journals to increase your knowledge of fly
fishing (Visit HOAFF's Library where you can check out books, journals
and tapes DVD's/CD's): And, practice your fly casting to stay in shape for
the fall and winter months and keep exercising your body to stay in shape
as you trek to your favorite stream and lake. Lastly we have had some really
good articles and tips in our newsletter by Stephen Jenkins, Michael Knight,
Bill Brant and John Cerda. I want to personally thank these gentlemen for
their contribution. If I left anyone out, my sincere apologies. And if you
have a story to share, a favorite fly you tie, or any tip on fly fishing send it
to Mark Borserine. We are always in need of fly fishing information for the
newsletter. So, tight lines.
Steve Hegstrom
July/August 2015
1
July/August 2015
HOAFF MEETINGS
July 20 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
Christy Graham – Arkansas
Game & Fish
August 17 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing
September 21– Member Meeting
Franklin Park – Prairie Village
Annual Picnic
1326 Acacia Club Rd • Hollister, Mo 65672
417-334-1005 • 866-362-1928
www.charteredwaters.com
www.AmatoBooks.com
Across the Stream
Crooked Creek Canoes
James C & Becky Walker
1002 MC 4006
Yellville, AR 72687
870-404-6054
[email protected]
2015 OFFICERS
President
Steve Hegstrom
[email protected]
HOAFF Casting
Games – June 15th
Past President
Peet Crissey
913-706-7299 [email protected]
Secretary
Jim Jorgensen
913-481-1129 [email protected]
Treasurer
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 [email protected]
Newsletter
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 [email protected]
Programs
John Bell
913-484-9762 Cliff Cain
913-558-506 [email protected]
[email protected]
Outings
Chris Holman
913-244-0610 Peet Crissey
913-706-7299 [email protected]
[email protected]
Membership
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 [email protected]
Conservation Chair
Kevin Carril
913-362-9379 [email protected]
Arkansas- John Bell
Web Master
Bill Brant
816-941-9691 [email protected]
Raffle/Auction
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 [email protected]
Spring Programs
Dick Martin
[email protected]
Don Grundy
[email protected]
Event Coordinator
Thomas & Thomas
413-475-3840
[email protected]
www.thomasandthomas.com
Bill Brant
[email protected]
Library
Carol Falkner
[email protected]
The HOAFF gathered for the Annual
Casting Games this year at K&K Fly
Fishers to whom we are very grateful for
hosting us and staying late with us. A
few weeks earlier I had held these same
new games on a Saturday morning at
K&K and I knew that the field next to
Kevin’s store would be perfect.
Again, our fortune continued: when I
arrived at K&K about 530: Kathy said
“ there’s no way!”. I ate my McDonald’s
Burger and the rain stopped and the sky
cleared – on the way home afterward,
the rain began again. We were truly
blessed to get this event in between
storms, as we were the One Fly!
I used a system called the “Smart Casts
Casting Challenge” that I got from the
IFFF website, it was developed by a
Master from Florida, David Lambert;
any member who wants a copy of the
games and how to build the equipment
can request it and I’ll eMail it to you.
Especially the casting fence, which
is very easy to make and set up, is a
valuable practice tool!
Smart Casts was enjoyed by everyone
and it’s a great training experience: it
tests one’s ability to control loops, cast
accurately and, to pick the correct cast
to use for the situation. For instance,
when casting to the lower openings of
the casting fence, a side arm cast is the
best solution but the challenge is that
continued on page 3
July/August 2015
2
Across the Stream
MooseCreek Rods And Knives
Keith Gann
Classic Bamboo Flyrods Custom Sheaths
Bamboo Display Rods and Reels
Handcrafted Knives Custom Fly Tying Tools
Bamboo Rods Restored and Repaired
Vintage American Shotguns Cleaned
and Refurbished
Outdoor Books and Collectibles
[email protected] 913-299-960
www.moosecreekrodsandknives.com
“...it’s simply the best there is.”
Gaston’s White
River Resort
Casting Games Winners
many people lose their casting stroke
when they’re side arm casting so their
loop opens up dramatically – just one
example of how clever the design of
this challenge is.
Keith Sherman was the 1st place
winner, Paul Bowman 2nd place and
Ron Carruthers 3rd place. I want to
thank everyone that helped, especially
Chuck Schaefer who helped me set up,
the Club Officers that helped set up
rods, Carol Falkner, our scorekeeper
and those, including Chuck Schaefer
and Keith Sherman who assisted in
being judges – this system takes four
judges, one at each of the four tasks.
Again, anyone who wants a copy of
Smart Casts – send me an eMail and
I’ll send the pdf to you. Anyone who
is connected with another group or
club that wants me to put it on for
them, also let me know – I have all
the equipment you need – which
you can borrow.
Mark Borserine
HOAFF One Fly – June 13th
The HOAFF gathered once again at Lake of the Forest, Bonner Springs, KS for
our annual One Fly. This time Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing PHWFF
members were invited as well and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
It is an understatement to say that the fishing was simply Outrageous! Our host,
Steve Nelson, was telling us how the Homes Association has retained the services
of a professional lake management firm and Oh Boy! could you tell. Even I, who
continued on page 4
July/August 2015
3
1777 River Road
Lakeview, AR 72642
870-431-5202
www.gastons.com
Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop
627 Central Blvd
PO Box 751 Mailing
Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751
Shop # 870-445-3848
Cell # 870-404-8906 Fishing
http://theflyfishing-store.com
http://flyfisharkansas.com
Bennett Spring State Park
Concession Shop
Jim Rogers
School of Fly Fishing
Bluegill
26248 Hwy 64A · Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4307 · 1-800-334-6946
Fly Rods · Reels
Nets · Waders
Tying Materials
11937 Hwy 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-588-4334
Visit us for all your fishing needs
never catches very
many fish, caught 19
Bass, 18 Bluegill and 2
Green Sunfish – all on
the same fly! I know I
caught so many fish
that by lunchtime I
was worn out, as was
my fly! Peet Crissey
stayed the afternoon
and later told me he
could hardly move
on Sunday!
Ward Svavari
One Fly Winners
Everyone I talked to had simply amazing fishing and, the fish were big and
strong. I had several bluegill strong enough to turn my float tube round and
round (see the photo) and the bass were towing me around (just look at the
Bass Ward Svavari has, and, it wasn’t the biggest)!
Kevin Gabert from PHWFF caught the biggest fish with a 20 plus inch bass,
member Ward Svavari caught a total of 69 overall fish as I remember and Kevin
Carril 63 (see photo L-R Kevin Carril, Ward Svavari and Kevin Gabert).
We are very grateful to Steve Nelson and the people of Lake of the Forest
Community for letting us do this again this year. One member remarked “this
outing alone is worth the cost of membership!”. Also, any serious rain held off
during the event.
Mark Borserine
July/August 2015
4
Across the Stream
Rainbow Fly Shop
Complete selection of
Rods, Reels and Lines
Member Bill Lindley and
a huge Pike he caught
on a trip "up North"
- Congratulations, Bill!
4621 S. Shank Dr.
Independence, MO 64055
Phone: (816)373-2283
Full line fly fishing shop and expert guide service
2626 State Hwy. 165
Branson, MO 65616
417.332.0460
1.877.699.FISH (3474)
www.riverrunoutfitters.com
The Crane, the Current,
and a dog named Bear
By: R
od Hittley
It was a dark and stormy night. No,
really. And the next morning was
not much better. I had gone down to
Springfield, Missouri with family to
attend my nephew's wedding. That
night it was indeed a stormy night and
the next day looked good for catching
fish – overcast and altering between
drizzling rain and down pours. For
those of you who don't know, Crane
creek is a small spring fed stream
that flows through the small town
of Crane, Missouri. What is special
about this creek is that it has a strain
of wild trout from the California
McCloud River. The last time I was
there we were in an intense drought
and the stream was almost dried up.
I remember it as being very difficult
to make any kind of cast because
of all the trees and brush. This year
was very different. The water was
running about what Tomahawk creek
is now running. But it was nice and
clear despite the rain. I fished part
of Sunday and then again part
of Monday that for people was a
much nicer day. I am a poor trout
fisher but the casting was easy and
the stream was a beautiful as any
you will find in the state. No fish
for me. Just so you know once you
cross the bridge in Crane the dept.
of Conservation has a parking spot
immediately on the left as you cross
the bridge. I was traveling west.
On the other side of the bridge
is a city park and across the road
a baseball field. This is where to
start fishing. In town you will find
a good grocery store, a Subway,
modern gas station/convenience
store and downtown a diner. For
camping you might try Cape Fair
Public Use Area which is about 25
minutes South on the arm of Table
Rock Lake where the James River
comes in. Or you can go East about
20 minutes to Hootontown Canoe
Rental and Store.
continued on page 6
July/August 2015
5
Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch
PO Box 100
Rockbridge, MO 65741
417-679-3619
[email protected]
www.rockbridgemo.com
Jann’s Netcraft
3350 Briarfield Blvd
Maumee, OH 43537
419-868-8288
www.jannsnetcraft.com
Jim Teeny
PO Box 989
Gresham, OR 97030
503-667-6602
www.jimteeny.com
Everharts Outdoor Store
511 E. Hillcrest Drive
Clinton, MO 64736]
660-885-4436
July/August 2015
I went off to the Current River
Tuesday mid morning. The
Current River holds lots of trout
between the spring that starts it
and Cedargrove access and some
beyond. It is a National Scenic
River and so you have full access
to the river and the banks. My
goal was to canoe that river and
do some fishing along the way. I
caught a few trout that day in the
park and the next day stopped by
Jadwin Canoe Rental. Note that
they have a nice campground. The
next day Scott Blackwell was kind
enough to take me to the best trout
fishing stretch that I could canoe
on. That was from Baptist Access
to Cedargrove access. Note that
Cedargrove has a small primitive
National Parks campground. I
canoed that stretch and did a little
fishing. The best part was the first
half of that stretch. That night I
stayed at Pinecrest Campground.
It is on top of a hill but not right on
the river. The advantage is that it
is not filled with camp fire smoke
like Montauk can be. Ethan and
Marie Tuttle were great hosts. They
cater mostly to folks who bring in
their horses to ride the trails. The
rest room facility was very good.
Their campground is only about
15 minutes from Montauk.
The next day was to concentrate
on fishing outside the Park.
6
I started at Baptist Access and found
there seemed to be no end of being
able to walk down stream. There are
horse trails along much of the river
between Baptist Access and Cedargrove.
I had gone down less than a mile and
planned on fishing back up steam. I
never saw a fish but did manage to
fight one for a short bit. I was getting
discouraged. I was thinking that the
reason I was not meeting any other
fishers was that it was so much harder
to fish than the park. Then I met Bear.
Not a bear, but a dog named Bear and
his owner Frank Hume. Bear protects
Frank and Frank catches trout. In fact,
Frank has been fishing the Current for
over 50 years and is a guide. When he
heard my tail of woe he took pity on
me and showed me how to fish better.
With Frank's expert guidance I soon
saw fish and even started catching
some trout. Turns out the place is full
of them. If ever you plan on going
down to the Current drop an email to
Frank at [email protected] or
give him a call at 573-489-0042. I plan
on getting with Frank every time I go
down there. The next day we fished
the park and hoped to catch tons of
fish. But it was not to be. If I believed
in luck I would say I have horrid luck
catching trout and it even rubs off on
the guides. I did catch enough to keep
me going and spending time with Frank
and Bear was something I enjoyed and
look forward to doing so again this
coming July.
Across the Stream
The Flying Ant
By: S teve Hegstrom
Hook: Tiemco 100 size 12-24
Abdomen: Spirit River UV2 black dubbing
Wing: White Antron yarn or white CDC
Legs: Black rooster hackle
Thorax: Spirit River UV2 black dubbing
During the summer months, I've always had good luck
with ant patterns. In the last newsletter I mentioned
that Chris Holman and I went to Crane Creek and
I caught a 15 inch Brown Trout with the flying ant
pattern I tied. Ant pattens are easy to tie and a fun
pattern to fish. They're great searching patterns and
realistic enough to fool trout. Experimentation in
tying ants is useful in creating a more effective pattern.
Anymore, I'll use white antron yarn for the wing so it is easier to see in the water. Or for even better
flotation use white CDC for the wing. If you look close enough at the ants exoskeleton the light reflects off
an ant like light shines on volcanic glass (rock). So instead of using plain black dubbing I'll use Spirit Rivers
UV 2 Fine and Dry Black Dubbing. The tiny hairs on the ants abdomen also reflect light. So, when the ant
starts to drown these tiny hairs capture minute air bubbles which make the ant more visible to the trout.
Other tips when tying ant patterns are:
- Do not overhackle the ant, it can roll your ant over
- This swarm takes place between May to
making its thorax shoot up in the air instead of the
September peaking in June and July.
head of the ant where the ant is using its front legs to
- Most ants eaten by trout, especially in lakes, are
get out of the water. So wind your hackle for 1 and
the winged ants.
1/2 turns.
- If you're fishing in the Rocky Mountain States,
- When tying, keep the dubbing tight and not loose
the bicolor ant is in great abundance. So tie the
because after catching a few fish it can fuzz up, thus
abdomen with reddish brown dubbing and black
wiping out the characteristics of the bulges of the
dubbing for the thorax.
ant pattern.
-Lastly, the Chernobyl Ant is not an ant imitation.
- A swarm of flying ants takes place in the late
Just FYI.
morning on warm calm days peaking between
10am and noon.
July/August 2015
7
UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
July 20 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
Christy Graham – Arkansas Game & Fish
August 17 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing
September 21– Member Meeting
Franklin Park – Prairie Village
Annual Picnic
Heart of America Fly Fishers
P.O. Box 731
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201