Ozark Fly Fishers Inc.
We're just a fishing club?
Club Info
Some basic information
Fly Fishing & Casting
How and where
Fly Tying
Vices aren't all bad
Outreach/Education
Reaching out to others
Conservation
Our concerns
- Mill Creek
- Gravel mining
- Concentrated
- Didymo
- Steam Team 31 - WQM
- WQM Information
Links
Information on the web
- Fly tying
- Fly fishing
- Other websites
Corporate Sponsors
OZARK FLY FISHERS, INC. FOUNDED 1971
Who we are
Ozark Fly Fishers is a St. Louis Missouri based fly fishing club whose goal is to promote the sport of fly fishing, fly tying, and fly casting for trout and other species. Ozark Fly Fishers is affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
Objectives
To promote fly fishing as the most sportsmanlike and enjoyable way of fishing and the method most consistent with the preservation and wise use of our game fish.
To practice conservation of natural resources and to support efforts for environmental quality and pollution control.
To provide advice, education, and assistance to promote the art of fly fishing
To demonstrate applied techniques in fly fishing, tying, casting, and related subjects.
President's Message
“trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it.” Arnold Gingrich
I
am a “trout man.” I go fishing for the joy of fishing. There are a
great many parts to what makes up fishing for me. It starts in my man
cave, with the planning, tying and packing. I then get to spend time on
the road with another trout man (as I am married I do not fish with
trout women except in large groups). I love my wife, enough said. The
arrival at the water is a reawakening. The gear going on is like
putting on vestment for a sacred occasion. I watch the water, as a
child watches for gifts at Christmas. The gifts could be anywhere, and
I will wander for hours just looking for them. Some trips are a time of
many and some a time of few. All of these trips renew me. The end of a
day brings reflection and a peace, which I will not try to explain to
anyone, as words fail me. Driving home I am at rest and I have regained
a balanced view. The important things in my life are still important,
but the “baggage” is missing. It is still out there to deal with, but
it is not weighting on me. I sleep well at night, after a day on the
river.
That brings me to the point of all of this. I want people that do not have this peace and joy, to receive it. I do not know of hardly any people that are being helped by Casting for Recovery, Reel Recovery and Project Healing Waters. But I do know that they are suffering and are in pain. I believe with all that I am, that a day on the river heals parts of everyone that goes on the river. There in lies the reason for our “Supporting Members Program”. To help people we may never meet, know, or break bread with, to find that time of healing that so many of us take for granted. The Ozark Fly Fishers used to take the club’s money and just give it to these groups, when times were better and money not an issue. Now, the Board must be good stewards for the club’s resources. We thought that if each of our 300 members gave just $5, we would be able to reach out to those who need that peace. The program (Supporting Members Program) which we thought would work to do this good, has failed to produce the funds needed to carry on this good work. I accept that the program failed, but do not accept failure. We, who have so much, who find the funds to go on our wonderful fishing outings, must find a way to give back, some how, some way. What can this great club do, for those who are in need of the “River?” I am at a loss, because I know so many of you. You are great people. So I put it to the membership…what should Ozark Fly Fishers do for others? Should we do anything or nothing? Please help. An answer must be found and I implore you to speak up. Should Ozark Fly Fishers reach out to those who are hurting and need the river’s peace or not? How should this be accomplished if at all? We are not a club that does slipshod programs. The answer we come up with is important, and we must come up with an answer.
I will miss this month’s meeting, as I will be steelhead fishing, which is a good reason to miss a lot of things. River Run from Branson will be our guest speakers. These are wonderful people, who I have fished with for more than 8 years. Their knowledge of the Branson trout waters is tremendous. Being in one of their drift boats for a day on the water is one of the highlights of any fishing year. Until next month, see you on the river.