OZARK TROUT DAREDEVILS

North Fork 2010

2010-09-24T19:32:00.001-07:00

Hank's New Rod

2010-06-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Henry and I went to the "country" this weekend with his new fly rod. We started at the park on Saturday morning and then went to Carol's pond after dinner. He managed to hook and fight a nice rainbow on a foam beetle. However after putting it on the reel he struggled with which direction to wind and did a long distance release. There was another guy there fishing a big sculpin pattern that we saw land at least three pigs including a big arse brown. So after dinner we went to the pond. We had done some scouting earlier and saw one of the big bass patrolling the shallows by the dock. We went back and he got into them right away, impressing grandpa with his casting skills. He ending up landing 5 sunfish. I got into one nice sunnie and one of the beasts made an appearance. We had a little discovery channel inches from shore. It was quite a show. No luck later with a big baitfish pattern but hope remains.

Missouri's 51st State Park

2009-10-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Please watch the video from "Living St. Louis" if you have 10 minutes or so. This one of the guys from Kim's Naturalist program. Pretty deece story.

North Fork Pics

2009-09-20T14:35:00.001-07:00

Hot New Fly Pattern

2009-08-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

I really think this is going to be the go to fly on the North Fork trip. I'm not sure if Hargrove will have all of the materials though.

2009-06-09T19:11:00.000-07:00

6/8/09 Save the Current River - Again!

There are times when we are called to stand for what, once lost, cannot be reclaimed. This is one of those times. You have an opportunity to be a important voice in a series of public meetings the National Park Service is hosting.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways (The Riverways) is Missouri's most important piece of public land. Over 40 years ago, the federal government designated the Current and Jack Fork Rivers as the first protected riverways, preserving for future generations 80,000 acres along 134 miles of the pristine rivers.

Because of its magnificent, clear, spring-fed waters, the Riverways' use as a recreational retreat has increased to a level that now threatens the health of the waters. The waters are not as clear as they once were and many are troubled by the area's deterioration.

The National Park Service is entrusted with the long-term care and protection of the Riverways, but has failed to implement appropriate measures to stem the tide of overuse. We want the Riverways to be clean, healthy, and safe for today's Americans, and for future generations. It is time to recommit to the vision.

The original management plan called for limited access points, but there are hundreds of trails and roads leading straight to the water's edge. Each additional access point means more people, more footprints.

Off-road vehicle and ATV use has the potential to completely devastate a natural area by compacting soil, destroying plants, and increasing runoff and pollution. Vehicles plowing through sandbars and shallows, along with motor boats, also impede use by those who seek a truly natural and safe environment for canoeing, fishing, swimming, and camping.

Many of those who love the Ozark wilderness enjoy it on horseback. But in excess, even this can cause damage. When as many as 3,000 horses and riders access the waters in a single weekend, their waste can overwhelm the capacity of natural systems making certain areas unsafe for swimming. This level of use can also impact banks, increase sediment, cause erosion, and harm wildlife habitats.

Conservation easements that are in place at taxpayer expense to preserve the historical and scenic landscape have been unenforced, leading to violations that have altered the landscape and threaten the beauty of the Riverways.

Other National Parks that safeguard natural resources, like the Buffalo National River and Yellowstone National Park, have management plans that balance recreational use and sustainable natural resource standards. At long last, the Parks Service is seeking public input for a new Ozark National Scenic Riverways General Management Plan.

This is a time when direct citizen participation is needed. Your first opportunity is a week-long series of public meetings:

Monday, June 22, 5-8PM
Van Buren Community Center, Intersection of D Hwy and Business 60, Van Buren, MO 63965

Tuesday, June 23, 5-8PM
Eminence High School New Gym, 1 Redwing Drive (College Drive), Eminence, MO 65466

Wednesday, June 24, 5-8PM
Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center, 202 S. Main Street (Hwy 19), Salem, MO 65560

Thursday, June 25, 3:30-7PM
Courtyard by Marriott, 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd, Columbia, MO 65201

Friday, June 26, 3:30-7PM
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105

If you cannot attend one of the National Park Service public meetings, please review the plan and submit your comments in support of better management practices including implementation of appropriate usage standards. Every comment counts, so please make yours. You may also submit comments in writing and, most recommended, electronically.

To learn more, you can view and share a new Missouri Parks Association and Friends of Ozark Riverways documentary entitled Why We Must Save the Current River, Again. For the first time ever, it tells the story of the Riverways from the conservationist point of view. It reminds us all of those who went before and why they saved the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, and why we must follow their example and save the rivers, again.

Please be a Friend to Ozark Riverways. You can make a difference if you speak up.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Logan Smith
Missouri Coalition for the Environment
email: klogansmith@moenviron.org
phone: 314-727-0600
web: http://www.moenviron.org

Licking Bass

2009-06-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning Paul and I went to Carole's pond solely intent on targeting this fish. Rumors had been swirling about it harassing the kids catching sunfish off the dock. So, with the expert guidance of the guys at T. Hargrove(aka the best flyshop in the midwest), I got some material and tied up a few sunfish patterns. When we arrived at the pond I spotted this fish and a few other large bass prowling the shallows. It turned out that the fly was much harder to cast than I anticipated but it looked great in the water and immediately got the attention of two of the bass. They pursued it into the shallows, almost to the bank on the first two casts. On the third cast the bigger of the two fish had enough. He turned on it and just completely hammered it. I set the hook and the line came tight immediately. I ran backwards about 8 feet to get rid of the slack line and get him on the reel. Immediately I realized the drag was going to need to be cranked down as it ran for the dock. After a decent fight it did a last minute jump and tail walk and quickly I thumbed that big lower lip. Paul took a few photos for me, we marked the length on the dock and returned it to the pond. The fish flipped its tail and disappeared. I was shaking and laughing, this being the biggest bass by far I ever caught on a fly rod and with a pattern I tied myself. It was great fun. We went back in the evening and measured to the mark on the dock and the fish was 19 3/4". Would have loved to get a girth or a weight but it wasn't in the cards. That evening I spotted another one in the back cove of the pond that was even larger but impossible to cast to for someone with my skills. I will be back next time to try again.

Future OTD Member

2009-05-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

Tommy Elliott gettin' into em' at the MDC "Go Fish" Basic Fishing II class. Nothing basic about this picture, that is about a 5 or 6 lb Channel Cat. Way to go Tommy. Now if we can just get your dad to bring you down to the stream and do a little fly fishing maybe some of that good luck or should I say skill will trickle down to the rest of us. By the way, not pictured is the 3 lb Channel Cat that he caught on the previous cast. Honorable mention to Audrey Hammer who caught mas Hybrid Bluegill and almost baited her own hook. One more thing, the secret educational lake we fished is open to kids in the winter for for Trout and apparently it is stocked heavily.

Hungover in the Hatch

2009-04-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Get your Crowd on

2009-04-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

MMMMM..... Delicious Hangover

2009-04-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

A bacon sandwich really does cure a hangover - by boosting the level of amines which clear the head, scientists have found.

Researchers claim food also speeds up the metabolism helping the body get rid of the booze more quickly.
Elin Roberts, of Newcastle University's Centre for Life said: "Food doesn't soak up the alcohol but it does increase your metabolism helping you deal with the after-effects of over indulgence. So food will often help you feel better.

"Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good."

Ms Roberts told The Mirror: "Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head."

Researchers also found a complex chemical interaction in the cooking of bacon produces the winning combination of taste and smell which is almost irresistible.

The reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat is what provides the sandwich with its appeal.
Ms Roberts said: "The smell of sizzling bacon in a pan is enough to tempt even the staunchest of vegetarians. There's something deeper going on inside. It's not just the idea of a tasty snack. There is some complex chemistry going on.
"Meat is made of mostly protein and water. Inside the protein, it's made up of building blocks we call amino acids. But also, you need some fat. Anyone who's been on a diet knows if you take all the fat from the meat, it just doesn't taste the same. We need some of the fat to give it the flavour."

She explained that the reaction released hundreds of smells and flavours but it is the smell which reels in the eater. "Smell and taste are really closely linked," she said. "If we couldn't smell then taste wouldn't be the same."

Diary of a Trout Murderer

2009-04-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did it. On Sunday April 5, 2009 I ended the lives of 4 rainbow trout for the selfish purpose of enjoying smoked Trout. Since you are interested I will describe the events as they played out. It all started on a Sunday morning after a wonderful Turkey Trout 2009 outing. You see it was a Turkey Trout like any other, there was beer, liquor, stories of yesteryear, a candy bar draft, and many other fun things that you would find on a Turkey Trout. I had it set in my mind that morning that I was ready to fuck some shit up, and the easiest target was trout. I stepped into the cold heartless waters of the rock hole with the purpose of destroying the helpless bastard fish that lie within. I started with the fly of choice for the weekend, the deadly "Pat's Rubber Leg's" however it's efforts to trick the hapless trout were thwarted. Fly after fly brought the same result and then it struck me that I would destroy them with the deadly size 12 Crackleback, Immediately it brought the first to it's doom, and 2 more soon thereafter. My limit seemed within reach, but I decided to spare the rest of the trout at the rock hole. I quickly moved up river changing flies frequently until I decided that it was time to put the Hammer down, and so I did. Hudson's Corner size 4 "Pat's Rubber Leg's" is where my last victim met his demise. The rest of the story can be described in the video below.

Song 6- OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-04-01T18:35:00.001-07:00

Song 5- OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-04-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Song 4- OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-03-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Song 3- OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-03-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone else?

Song 2- OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-03-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Join in on the fun.

Song 1 -OTD Official Soundtrack

2009-03-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

R.I.P. a remix manifesto

2009-02-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

Check out this trailer. It has nothing to do with fly fishing but it looks deece as hell. And if you've never checked out the DJ, Girl Talk you should.

In RiP: A remix manifesto, Web activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor explores issues of copyright in the information age, mashing up the media landscape of the 20th century and shattering the wall between users and producers.

The film’s central protagonist is Girl Talk, a mash-up musician topping the charts with his sample-based songs. But is Girl Talk a paragon of people power or the Pied Piper of piracy? Creative Commons founder, Lawrence Lessig, Brazil’s Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil and pop culture critic Cory Doctorow are also along for the ride.

A participatory media experiment, from day one, Brett shares his raw footage at opensourcecinema.org, for anyone to remix. This movie-as-mash-up method allows these remixes to become an integral part of the film. With RiP: A remix manifesto, Gaylor and Girl Talk sound an urgent alarm and draw the lines of battle.

Which side of the ideas war are you on?

R.I.P. Trailer

"One Feather" CDC Emerger

2009-01-31T05:13:00.000-08:00

This emerger pattern is tied simply with thread and one CDC feather. It can be a good match for anything from a caddis to a mayfly, or from a large Hexagenia to a tiny Blue Winged Olive. The CDC One Feather fishes well in sizes 10 to 20.

Step by step instructions & video

I also am realizing how good EBeth's new camera is.

Oh and Andy says "Hi."

Bacon Explosion: The BBQ Sausage Recipe of all Recipes

2009-01-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

This looks dangerously delicious and all you need is:

2 pounds thick cut bacon
2 pounds Italian sausage
1 jar of your favorite barbeque sauce
1 jar of your favorite barbeque rub

Bacon Explosion Recipe

Passed on to me compliments of the Brain

(pod)Casting Lessons

2009-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

If you use iTunes on your Mac or PC to listen to your music or watch video, check out podcasts section. There is a ton of fly-fishing audio and video. Anything from fly tying videos to fly-fishing radio.

And if are not using iTunes I can't imagine why not.

As always, Give my best to Andy.

Lefty Kheh is coming to an Ozark Fly Fishers Meeting

2009-01-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

Lefty Kheh is coming to an Ozark Fly Fishers Meeting

The all day meeting this year will feature Lefty Kreh, as most of you know Lefty is the foremost authority in our sport. When Lefty talks, people listen. Saturday, February 21st is the magical day. We will have the opportunity to see and hear the grandmaster enlighten us on casting and knot tying. He will be retelling some of his favorite stories and tales. Lefty is cutting back his speaking engagements so this may be the last time you get to see him in person. The meeting will be held at the Creve Coeur Government center on New Ballas Road. This is between Olive and HWY 40. We will start promptly at 8:30 AM and go as long as we need. Lefty will be available for autographs after the program is over. Bring your own books or gear for him to sign. I will have Lefty‟s book on casting at the meeting to auction off. The winner can get it autographed and have his picture taken with Lefty. He is expecting a full house as I have bragged on the number of members we have at each meeting, so let‟s spread the word and fill the room.

http://ozarkflyfishers.org/articles.html#lefty

For Chris.

2009-01-20T16:59:00.000-08:00

Here is the clip I kept telling you about. Watch till the end.

January 2009 Trip

2009-01-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the Pics Fellas. Jeff if you get a chance maybe you could use some of these to update our profile pics.

A Classic

2009-01-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Another South St. Louis Schnucks received a remodel in the spring of
2006. The Arsenal store said goodbye to the traditional prepared foods
department and implemented a new concept called "A Taste of Italy."
The new full-service food area includes a large variety of Italian
foods and recipe ingredients. This fits perfectly since the Arsenal
store created the Schnucks King of the Hill Italian sandwich which is
now sold in all Schnucks stores. The King of the Hill features a
flavorful combination of Italian bread, meats and cheeses.

Incredible take on the dry fly!

2009-01-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Mmmmmmmm.......Delicious update.

2009-01-04T09:46:00.001-08:00

2008-12-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings from your friends of OTD

Remember when this was about fishing.....

2008-12-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

Always Funny

2008-11-28T17:53:00.000-08:00

Stolen From the Chum

2008-11-27T04:48:00.000-08:00

Catch and Release it'll grow on you.

Nice Job.

2008-11-26T15:41:00.000-08:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

I found this old video of BL riding his motorcycle.

Catch and Release 2008

2008-11-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Kind of Lacking in the Fish Picture Department, Sorry Ben. It was to Freaking Cold.

Meow

2008-10-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

This mountain lion was hit between Labette Road (southwest side of Ottawa , KS ) and Highway I- 35, by a car. Check out the size of this cats freaking paws!

It Must Suck to be a Guide.

2008-10-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

You don't have to shave, you get sweet free gear, and you get the chance to catch pigs like this. I can't wait to go back to work Monday and sell soap. Yaaaaaaaaaaaah! Damn that's a big fish.

Sweaty Waders

OTD Shore Lunch Challenge

2008-10-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

I don't really think this would measure up to the traditional OTD Shore Lunch.

Canadian Guides Shore Lunch

New eeeshue!

2008-10-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.thisisfly.com/

GENIUS!

2008-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

I don't think my doctor would approve. Who's buying it first?

Bacon Salt

Landlocked!

2008-10-13T06:47:00.001-07:00

The fish you captured in Fall River was indeed a landlocked kokanee salmon (male in spawning condition). These fish are stocked approximately 20 miles upstream in Wickiup Reservoir for recreational angling purposes. The outlet of the reservoir is unscreened and occassionally fish in the reservoir emigrate into the Deschutes River. The kokanee probably resided in the Deschutes until they matured and were seeking a good spawning location. The cool water and available gravel in Fall River likely brought the kokanee up out of the Deschutes. We do not frequently get reports of this, but yours is the third report this month. Thanks for your interest in central Oregon fisheries. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Brett Hodgson
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Deschutes District Fisheries Biologist
541-388-6363
brett.l.hodgson@state.or.us

New OTD Member

2008-10-08T16:01:00.003-07:00

Huh, Huh. I said member. He has a helicopter and has agreed to guide our next trip. Penis housing included at no charge. Or maybe it a plane. I think he was lying now that I think about it.

Catch and Realease

2008-10-06T08:01:00.001-07:00

So do we need to start planning and getting things hammered out for the weekend of Nov 14th?

Jim Kelly in Alaska

2008-09-25T09:37:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from a buddy of mine, Jim Kelly, in Alaska recently. He works for perhaps the most well known endodontist in the world, Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan.

OTD Westward Expansion

2008-09-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

Playin' Free in Oregon

2008-09-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

Click on bottom right to go full screen. You can also click on the slideshow for the Photo Title.

First Fly for Audrey

2008-09-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to put a picture of this in the archives. Tied by Audrey Hammer unassisted (with the exception of some assistance with the hair stacker and the whip finish). Not sure what to call it but it's pretty sweet. It will definitely find it's way on to my line in Oregon.

Tube Time Frame

2008-09-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Catch Magazine

2008-09-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

Lots of sweet photography or is it photoshop? Anyway It looks pretty sweet, but I'm not sure if every issue is going to be on the web like this one.

Catch Magazine

Enjoy!

Looking for Investors

2008-08-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just watch the slide show and think about it. It's prolly cheaper than season tickets.

Super Cat Tunnel Hull Fishing Raft

Give It A Try

2008-08-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

The Tongariro Roll Cast

Video

HOLY CRAP!

2008-08-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

When Lightning Strikes

Is that covered by the warranty?

Bummer

2008-08-09T16:34:00.001-07:00

Ed Story of Feather Craft 1934-2008

Nice Little Read from Midcurrent

2008-08-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

Fly-casting not in the Olympics, but enjoyed in 29 nations
Thursday, August 7, 2008
MORGAN LYLE

I’m sorry to say that as the Olympic Games get under way in China this week, there won’t be a fly-casting competition.
Nor will there be lifesaving, surfing or powerboating — although all those activ ities have international federations that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Of course, casting has a federation too, and it’s been trying to break into the Olympics for decades, said Dale Lanser, exec utive secretary of the American Casting Association.
“The American Casting Association, starting 40 or 50 years ago, has put forth the effort to join the Olympic Committee, demonstrated the sport of casting as a new event, etc, etc, etc.,” he said. “The bottom line as I understand the Olympic effort for a new sport to be recognized and become an official event is the number of countries in the world that actually do participate in the event. The magic number of countries is unknown to me, but my guess is 50 to 75 countries are needed.”
If that’s the case, we’re short of the mark. The International Casting Sport Federation lists 29 countries as members. Twenty-two are in Europe; the others are the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore. Still, the list shows the global appeal of fly-casting; every continent is represented except South America and Antarctica. (South America’s an odd omission, since there’s plenty of fly-fishing there.)
The American Casting Federation and the International casting Sport Federation both run tournaments for spinning rod and fly rod casting. There are other clubs devoted to just one or the other, and some sanction competition with bait-casting and spinning rods.
When the modern-day Olympic Games began in 1896, competitive fly-casting was already well established. In 1906, an Irishman named John Enright set a world record by casting a salmon fly 152 feet at an Anglers Club of New York tournament in Central Park. The New York Times reports Enright used a 20-foot greenheart rod that weighed four pounds. That would probably be in the two-handed rod category in today’s events, and Enright’s toss would be about half of what today’s casters can cast.
By the way, the famous George M.L. LaBranche came in second in the accuracy competition in that 1906 event and eighth in the trout-fly distance event, presumably single-handed casting, at 77 feet.
According to the ACA, Steve Rajeff holds the current American record for men’s single-handed casting — an astonishing 236 feet — as well as the two-handed record of 290 feet. Pamela Peters of Ohio holds the women’s single-handed record of 125 feet and the two-handed record of 178.
I suppose the International Olympic Committee can’t allow every obscure sport in the world into the Games. They have to draw the line somewhere, and at the mom ent, fly-casting is on the other side of it.
I like the current list of Olympic sports well enough, and I’ll check in on the Beijing Games from time to time. But if fly-casting ever does manage to become an Olympic sport, you can bet I’ll be glued to the tube. If you can cast a fly 236 feet, you deserve a gold medal.

IFH MONDAYS

2008-07-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR WORK

Fish Where the Big Fish Hide!

2008-07-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

bullseyefisherman.com

Trout Bums -- Fuel vs. fishing: A reel problem

2008-05-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

By Randall Sumner, Yakima Herald

I was reading an online fly-fishing forum the other day. This is a great place to get the pulse of a fly fishing community; you find out how much time the cubicle people have on their hands at work.

Mostly it's the same old questions about waders, rods, reels, knots, boats, etc. "Should I buy the $700 waders or wear shorts?" or the classic, "How much should I tip the guide?" I always say, if you have to ask, you can't afford to hire a fishing god. But I digress.
The most interesting subject I found was about the price of gasoline as it affects your fishing travel plans. A lot of people apparently are upset at the price of gas and are angry at the Greedy Rotten Oil Companies (from here on referred to as the GROCs).

The cubicle people seem unhappy, restless and, I sense, horrified that their garages are full of gas guzzlers. What were you thinking when you bought that whopper one-ton truck with a tractor motor, especially if you're not using the thing for work. Now don't get me wrong. I am a free marketer -- I say if you want a big, smoking, rod-knocking beast of a rig, go for it, but then your whining later comes off a bit disingenuous.

Here is a gut check: The price of fuel may modulate some, but it will never come back down. How do I know that? Well, I asked my mom about it; she is wise beyond her years, and she says forget it, the cheap fuel is gone.

So where does that leave us and our fishing travel plans?

We Trout Bum types will probably just stay home and try and grow something to eat in our backyards and huddle for warmth around our BBQs, dreaming of all those good times we'll never have again because of the evil GROCs.
NOT.

No, I suspect we will adapt quite nicely with smaller vehicles and some carpooling to our favorite distant fishing venues. We will embrace the new fuel reality, because that's what fishing teaches us -- to constantly adjust to the conditions as we find them and, most of all, to stay optimistic about the future. My advice is to dump the behemoth monster rig soon while the dumping is good. Or get a second job.

As to the cubicle people and their rants about the GROCs, here are some other by-the-gallon prices that are likely to chap some hides.

Diet Snapple, 16 oz., $1.29: that's $10.32 per gallon.
Gatorade, 20 oz., $ 1.59: $10.17 per gallon
Evian water, 9 oz. $1.49: $21.19 per gallon
Printer ink for your PC's printer: $5,200 per gallon.

My favorite is a gallon of Vicks NyQuil, 6 oz., $8.35 or $178.13 per gallon; it would just be fun to see a gallon jug of NyQuil. Now I realize we don't need to use much of -- or any of -- these products, and that's my point: We don't need to use as much fuel either.
When you consider all the trouble and expense it takes to find, drill, produce, ship, refine, and deliver fuel, it makes you glad the cold medicine people are not in the oil business.

* Trout Bums At Large, written by Randal Sumner, appears six times a year on the last Thursday of every other month. Sumner, a fly fisherman since 1972, is owner of Blue Skies Guide Service on the Yakima River. Trout Bums can be reached at randal@blueskiesfishing.com or randalsumnerart.com

JUST LET IT SIT THERE!

2008-05-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

What do you guys think about fisshuing on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Let me know.

Hammer

Missouri Bluegill

Bluegill Fest?

2008-05-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

If I knew how to use photoshop I prolly could have drawn some boobs or a vagina on the bluegill pictured to keep with the trend on the OTD blog. Sorry guys, yes this is actually a post about fishing. Anyway I talked to BL on Saturday about hitting the lake by my house one night this week(maybe Thursday?), and I drove by the lake on Sunday to see what it looked like. It is still a bit murky and I didn't stop to talk to anybody about the fishin', but hey I'm down if you guys are. If anything its a chance to throw a few flies around. Give me shout and let me know the consensus.

Bee Tree Park

It's been too long...

2008-04-22T13:22:00.001-07:00

So it's been almost a month! The last post was on March 24th. In order to keep the site fresh and keep people interested I thought I better get this up on the site.

Enjoy a a little Kim Kardashian

Trout Fishing in the Midwest Acknowledged!

2008-03-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

Nice little blurb from an Arkansas paper from a seminar led by "Skip" Morris inventor of the skip nymph(Isn't that correct BL?). Anyway some good tips on nymphing for lunkers and a glimmer of recognition from a westerner that the Midwest does have big trout.

Ready to freakin fish!

Hammer

Nymphing for Trout

Montauk

2008-03-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Good luck Harry.
Looks a little rough!

click on link for crazy footage
Montauk State Park

Dream Job?

2008-03-07T11:00:00.002-08:00

If you are interested here is the link. Scientific Anglers is hiring people with manufacturing and Fly Fishing experience.

Midcurrent

Catch This

2008-03-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

In the past two years or so OTD have had the luxury to stay in the friendly confines of Denny B's Snake and Tick Ranch outside of Licking, MO. Conveniently located near Montauk State Park. While staying at the ranch we have electricity as well which makes it easy to throw something in the crock pot before heading out to fish all day and returning to hot meal. Below is one of our favorites:

Carole G's Italian Beef:
Boneless Beef Roast just the right size to fit in the crock pot
one can beef consume
one can of beer
one packet Italian Dressing (dry)
one jar of pepperocini (juice, stems and all)

combine all items and cook on low for about 8 hours.
use a fork to shred beef once cooked and serve on buns.

If you follow Paul's lead you can smother with rotel cheese dip as well.

Monies

2008-02-26T11:57:00.000-08:00

Next time you are taking that fly fishing trip to Patagonia or need to update that fly box or try to compete with Hammer's fishing supplies, you might need some extra money. Start saving today.

Strategic Financial Group

Quite a Collection

2008-02-20T17:26:00.000-08:00

The Link below will take you to Midcurrent's video index page. Just something else for the OTD archives I guess. I think there might be some videos of Mikey Weir in there too. Don't be haters.

www.midcurrent.com

Buggin Out...

2008-02-20T06:51:00.000-08:00

BL turned me on to this website. Purdy deece looking stuff. BL is that material also avalable for sale out of your fly tying box?

"New Generation X Wigglys --- You asked for them and here they are. Introducing our latest colors of Generation X Wigglys. In the past, we only had black but now we’re offering 6 great new colors. We use tons of these little guys to add even more action to our flies and you can use them to create your own custom dubbings. Colors: black, red, yellow, olive, brown, copper and white."

dougswisher.com

First Organized Tying Session of 2008

2008-02-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

It was a monumental event which was attended by the founding fathers of OTD, and I would have to say it was a success. I am going to have to put in my vote for the fly of the night a.k.a. "The Double Bunny". It was a huge hit and if it were not for one of our own, the pioneering collector of massive amounts of fly tying materials member known as BL we would still be talking about tying it. I only wish that G-man and Flavor Flav would have issued. Anyway there were many other deece patterns tied tonight, and I have to say that I am a little dissappointed that blaze orange yarn did not play more of a role. I am to blame I suppose, maybe next time. Well guys hopefully the next session is not to far off, and in turn maybe we can nail down some details on a White River trip.

The Double Bunny

Looking For a New Career?

2008-02-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

All you need is some property with a spring fed stream and a couple million $$$.

Trout Farming

Honarable Mention...

2008-02-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

OTD gets a shout out

Diary of Traitor

Holy Cow

2008-02-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

Check out this link. Sent to me by the world famous Angler, Mean Sean Sadler.

Jurassic Lake

More Clever Cartoons

2008-02-15T05:03:00.000-08:00

Virtual Fly Tying Smorgasboard

2008-02-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

I came across this link of videos on FlyFisherman.com and thought that it looked worthy to post. I am especially down with the 1st video tying the yarn spinner pattern. Anyway its just something else to get you geeked up about hittin the stream.

Hammer

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1388782531

For the little guy or gal to get started

2008-02-12T05:31:00.001-08:00

I came across an add for this book on Midcurrent.com. Thought it looked pretty kid friendly with little Henry BL in mind in particular. There are three books in the series so far.

Hammer

http://www.olivethewoollybugger.com/index.html

Hmmmmmmmm

2008-02-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

This set of 50 collectible fly tying pattern trading cards features clear color photos, recipes, tying and presentation tips, historical information, and information about the natural insects imitated by these fly patterns.

The cards are color coded based on the style of the fly (dry, wet, nymph, terrestrial, streamer).

Use the cards for reference when tying, or take them with you to the stream to help you "Match the Hatch". Used for reference when tying, these cards take up very little room on your tying bench - much less than a fly pattern book.

The cards are an excellent gift for both the novice and the expert fly tier or fisherman.

Cards Included In Set #1
Dry Flies: Adams, Blue Wing Olive, Brown Bivisible, Cream Midge, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, King's River Caddis, Light Cahill, Light Hendrickson, March Brown, Mosquito, Quill Gordon, Red Humpy, Renegade, Trico Spinner, White Wulff
Wet Flies:Blue Dun, Brown Hackle Peacock, Coachman, Dark Cahill, Gray Hackle Red, McGinty, Parmachene Belle, Professor
Nymphs: Brassie, Breadcrust, Gold Ribbed Hare's Hear, Freshwater Shrimp, Hellgrammite, Kayaderosseras Killer, March Brown, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Red Serendipity, Tellico, Zug Bug
Streamers:Black Ghost, Black Nose Dace, Golden Girl, Llama, Mickey Finn, Royal Coachman, Silver Darter, Woolly Bugger
Terrestrials:Caterpillar, Hard Body Ant, Inchworm, Jassid, Letort Hopper, San Juan Worm

-JG

If you don't like one tip there are 1,000 more

2008-02-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday, February 3, 2008

By Gary GarthSpecial to The Courier-Journal

Fly-fishermen who don't mind cold weather should think small, according to "1001 Fly Fishing Tips: Expert Advice, Hints and Shortcuts from the World's Leading Fly Fishers," a 224-page compilation of tips edited by Jay Nichols for Headwater Books.

Not small fish. Small flies.

"Cold-weather bugs are almost always small and mostly midges," according to the section about seasons on Page 169. "Fill your winter box with mostly small subsurface patterns, a few dry flies for those opportunities when they arise, and a few meat-and-potatoes flies such as stonefly nymphs and streams."

"1001 Fly Fishing Tips" is loaded with practical information, most of which is baseline. The text is simple and easy to understand.

The book is divided into four parts: Technique and Presentation; Equipment; Hatches and Seasons; and Travel Destinations and Species other than Trout. It's nicely illustrated with 200 line drawings.

Some of the information has a very strong dose of common sense. From the blurb on wading: "Unwadered legs are more sensitive to temperature changes. If the water feels like bathwater, don't fish for trout."

Need help in hitting the target? "Cast in an almost vertical plane for accuracy, but you can cast sidearm on your backcast and come forward straight over your rod tip on your forward cast. This elliptical motion helps avoid tangles -- especially with sinking-tip lines."

The book includes tips and advice from more than 30 contributors, including veteran fly anglers Lefty Kreh, John Randolph and Bob Clouser.

Kreh on keeping a tight loop: "Any movement with your hand is magnified at the rod tip, so a short movement with your wrist can move the rod tip too much and open your loop. At the first sign of wide loops, focus on keeping a stiff wrist and using only your forearm."

The book seldom gets more advanced that this. And some of the stuff -- such as two pages dedicated to building homemade braided loops -- is interesting but nearly useless. Still, there's enough practical stuff here to benefit any angler's library.

"1001 Fly Fishing Tips" is published in softcover with a list price of $19.95.

Any Questions for my boy Mikey Weir

2008-01-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

Look I know there has been alot of talk about the relationship between me and Mikey Weir, and I just wanted you guys to know that if you have any questions about anything you can go to this link and Mikey will clear everything up for you.

Hammer

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/speakers/mikey/index.cfm

Dissed By AEG Film Tour

2008-01-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

Maybe I was looking @ the site with my eyes closed, but the AEG film tour began today and the STL is not on the list of stops. I guess Missourians don't like fly fishing. Check out their site and maybe we can send them a thank you for giving us the high hat.

Hammer

http://www.flyfishingfilmtour.com/Schedule.asp

Knots with a Twist

2008-01-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

Knowing this little trick would have made my life easier last weekend.

-HB

Bobbers?

2008-01-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

So maybe I'm just dumb, but I always thought that yarn indicators and their foam twins looked like a pain in the ass to rig. Apparently it is not only easy to rig them but you can make your own on the cheap. I don't know about you guys but I get tired having to buy a dozen tootpick style or football indicators every trip and then losing them and also having them screw up my tippet which eventually results in loss of fish. Anyway check out this link on making your own yarn indicators. I assume you could use the same technique with high vis foam strips as well.

Hammer

Strike Indicator Scientology

Bio strike blows. Especially when its 0 degrees.

He's no Lefty

2008-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Never hurts to get more instruction on casting. Dig the nice little edit at the end.

The Creep and Jab

-EH

The Wiggle Nymph

2008-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Check out this deece fly. Hammer you might as well go ahead and start tying some of these bad boys.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Li-ruygxyJ8

Urban Hawker

2008-01-24T06:36:00.000-08:00

For the second time this winter and the third or maybe forth time in the last 7 months or so I have seen a hawk in my neighbor's backyard. An Urban Hawk if you will as this hawk has taken up residence in the City of St Louis. This morning was bitterly cold and as I walked about to check the temperature (7 degrees) I noticed feathers flying around on the ground. The feathers were from a pigeon that the hawk had decided looked tasty. The hawk was startled when it saw me and took refuge in a tree.

check it out...

Luring in the trout with a sucker pattern

2008-01-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

January 22, 2008

How many streams or rivers have you fished for trout that had a good population of sucker fish in them?

My guess is that most of the streams you fish, with the exception of the coldest, have some type of sucker fish in them.

Suckers will spawn in the spring, and that means a free meal for browns and rainbows alike. That's something you should capitalize on from early to late spring of the upcoming trout season.

I was originally introduced to the Sucker Spawn pattern when I started fishing for steelhead in the Oak Orchard River. Located in Albion, the Oak Orchard is a Lake Ontario tributary river that holds spectacular runs of winter-spring steelhead and huge fall salmon and browns.

It was on my first trip to Albion that local guide/outfitter Ron Bierstine, at www.orleansoutdoor.com, shared some of his favorite steelhead patterns, in particular, the Sucker Spawn.

Most fly-fishing purists would shun using a fly pattern that mimicked a sucker egg spawn sack on our fabled Catskill waters. Consider, however, that you just might be losing out on an early season pattern for trout that produces nice fish in sometimes unpredictable spring weather. The Sucker Spawn is my spring go-to fly pattern when the early season trout fishing is slow and traditional deepwater nymphs aren't doing the trick.

Here's what Bierstine has to say about this peculiar but effective fly pattern:

"It was created to imitate sucker spawn in the inland streams which trout feed upon," he said. "It's perhaps the ultimate egg pattern. A small, soft, silhouetted fly that looks snotty in the water, not hard and unnatural. Drifts well and traps small air bubbles.

"It can be tied in multiple different colors, the most successful being flesh tones like cream and light pink. It can be tied with various yarns, but angora rabbit is the best for the soft silhouette. Can be tied blood dot style, or with two or three colors of yarn in the same fly. It's hard for trout to reject upon striking since the yarn may get caught up in the trout's small teeth.

"The Sucker Spawn can also be tied with or without a tail, although it should be tied sparsely. For the tail, you can use some white rabbit ... or various crystal flash."

Here's how he describes tying the Sucker Spawn:

"Tie in yarn at the back of the hook beginning with a loop of the yarn pointing toward the rear. Move forward on top of the hook shank, forming loops of yarn by tying each loop down. You can then split the yarn into separate strands or tie loops of who yarn, laying each to the side of the shank.

"Tie off cleanly at the eye or cut the yarn loosely, leaving another tuft of yarn to simulate another egg at that position. Whip finish and use head cement along bottom of whole shank on for a durable fly."

I recommend any standard nymph hook in sizes 12-14. Fish them deep by placing enough split shot 12-18 inches above the fly to get the fly bouncing off the bottom. Set the hook anytime your fly hesitates or stops in the drift.

You might get some strange looks when you use one, but those will soon fade as you bring in the trout.

dirksoutdoors@hotmail.com

this page gives a little better description of how to tie it.

http://www.flyfishersparadise.com/articles/old/sucker.htm

G-Man's Ice Dubbed Nymph

2008-01-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

The link below takes you to the video that I used as the template for G-Man's Ice Dubbed Nymph. The clip shows the tiers version of a Hare's Ear. I simple used the same pattern and substituted Tan Ice Dub and Turkey Feathers as the wing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hDecUA8p0MY

...and it catches fish in sub freezing weather in the Ozarks.

Turkey Trout Photos for the Ages

2008-01-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

Aids to Fly Casting

2008-01-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

Aids to Fly Casting from http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/lkaids/

A 3:48 minute video segment (6.8 MB) with Lefty Kreh demonstrating three keys to successful fly casting.