A St. Louis, Missouri based fly-fishing and conservation organization affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers whose primary objectives is to improve fisheries and promote the sport of fly fishing. Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc. was a 2005 winner of the coveted McKenzie Cup presented yearly by the Federation of Fly Fishers to the outstanding club in the nation.
Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc. meet at 7:00 PM. on the fourth
Thursday of each
month at the
Queeny Park Rec Center
(unless noted differently - see
Calendar
of OFF Events).
A 501(c)3 not-for profit corporation.
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Check the Flow Before You Go!
Federation of Fly Fishers
Conservation Federation
of Missouri
Missouri 2013 Fishing Regulations
This month marks the start of the 4th year of “casting tips”. The theme for the next few tips will be back to basics. We just completed teaching the casting portion of the St. Louis County sponsored class. The number one problem (at this class) seemed to be when the application of power should occur.
The more I learn about the Ozark Fly Fishers, the more I am amazed at its multifaceted makeup. Yes, we are a fishing club. Most, if not all of our members enjoy getting out and fly fishing. (There are probably a few of us, who for health, age or schedules, do not get to fish as much as we want, if at all) But our members have many more interests that revolve around the sport of fly fishing. Whether it is tying flies, building rods, bamboo or otherwise, teaching others about fly fishing, helping veterans or getting involved in conservation of our natural resources, you will find some OFF members eager to partake and contribute. OFF is a great place to get involved in those areas, if you want. I see this composition as the greatest strength of this club, bringing together people with one common interest - fly fishing - and giving them a place and the support to pursue these other interests, which in the end, benefit our fly fishing community and OFF. Not everyone has to or should participate in all areas, but if something grabs you, OFF provides a great way to check out these various activities. Whatever it is, ask around and there will be someone who shares your interest and is willing to help.
Be sure to check the
calendar for upcoming events. Our first Michigan outing for steelhead will
be happening by the time you read this, May will be our annual Montauk
outing, which is always fun. There will be a Water Quality Monitoring on
Blue Spring near the end of the month, a great way to see what the fish are
eating and learn about the stream. I just returned from a WQM on Mill Creek
this weekend, along with 3 other OFF members. As always, it was interesting.
Mill Creek was looking good with excellent water quality and flow, and, as
always, was hard to fish. We had success but each fish was worked for, to be
sure.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
The Mill Creek Watershed Collation is launching a MAJOR conservation effort in Mill Creek June 15th. This “BioBlitz” will involve well over 100 volunteers and cover 14 different functional disciplines from aquatic biology to invasive plants to reptiles. Major assistance is being provided by MDC, FS, DNR and the Missouri Master naturalist. This is a great opportunity for the Ozark Fly Fishers to show their support for the watershed and its fishery by stepping up to volunteer. Jim Morrison is the overall co-chair of this event along with Fisheries Biologist Nick Girondo. The Blitz will include T-shirts a celebration lunch and live music entertainment.
Through the Ozark Fly Fishers affiliation with FFF, the Mill Creek Watershed Coalition has been the recipient of two grants totaling $2,000. Thesecontributions will help fund survey work that is intended to result in major stream renovations for Mill Creek on Forest Service land. This projectwill specifically address the creek from the picnic area downstream for approximately one mile. Pilot work may begin as early as Q4 2013. Forest Service representatives from the regional and national offices including fisheries experts and hydrologists were present for a Mill Creek field trip and open house meeting in early February.
The Mill Creek Watershed Coalition was very pleased to receive $500 from the Ozark Fly Fishers conservation fund. This money will help sponsor a major conservation event June 15th in Mill Creek called the BioBlitz. The purpose of this event is to gather, or “inventory”, the diverse biological data required in the Forest Service plan for the watershed. Over 150 volunteers will engage with professional conservation leaders on 22 science teams (e.g. bats, reptiles, birds, plants, aquatic organisms, etc.). In addition, approximately 10 clean-up crews will focus on the creek itself and surrounding roads. Jim Morrison is the co-chair of this event. Jim has recruited four people from Ozark Fly Fishers to participate as volunteer leaders (who in turn are responsible for recruiting 2-3 addition people per team). A celebration lunch with live music will immediately follow the BioBlitz. More details will be forthcoming on the website www.MillCreekMo.org
All the best, Jim Marstiller