President's Message

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.
Bill Leslie
Mill Creek Update
By Jim Marstiller
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
DONATE A FLY FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING OUTING
AND PICNIC
Please donate a new/unused fly at our next membership meeting.
Your fly will be placed on our “Members” fly board which will be raffled at
the Annual Water Quality Monitoring Outing and Picnic (July 12 and 13).
You decide on the fly pattern. We want a fly from ALL members whether
you are green at fly tying or a seasoned feather-bender. If tying is
not your forte’, please purchase a fly to donate. This donation is
something that all of our members can be part of regardless if you are
attending or not.
Watch for details about the outing in upcoming
newsletters. If you have any questions regarding the fly donation or
the outing itself, contact Scott Darrough at 314-560-1335 or
swdarrough@yahoo.com