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Newsletter April 2000
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| OZARK FLY FISHERS P.O Box 19753, 63144 Drew Spanogle, Editor |
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Quint Drennan To Discuss WindRush, SpringRise in April
by Brian Flinchpaugh |
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| Who says you can't create a trout stream? That's what Quint and Cicely Drennan have done over the last decade on a secluded spring branch tributary of the Meramec River, about two hours west of St. Louis on Interstate 44. Those of you who have fished this stream at Wind Rush Farms near Cook Station know what a quality experience it is. This private, fee fishery offers great fishing for some really big rainbows and even some wild fish as well. The Drennans have embarked on another project nearby that's just as exciting. They are in the process of converting the old Fisherman's Dude Ranch property along Dry Creek near Steelville into a quality fishery and development. The old-timers in the club probably remember the Dude Ranch as a private trout hatchery that offered fee fishing. The Drennans have done extensive work on the property turning old raceways and swampy areas into new channels that utilize the tremendous amount of spring water that feed the creek here. The spring branch and Dry Creek on their property are now available for fishing. Yes, these are private waters but they available to fish on a reservation and fee basis. It's important that trout fishermen in this area learn about these areas, because they offer great fishing. The Drennans have done something unique here, actually adding new coldwater fishing to a state that has some but not and enormous amount of water for trout fishing. Quint's going to talk about his streams, what it's like to actually manage a trout fishery, and offer other insights at our meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 at the Creve Coeur American Legion Hall, just behind Bristol's Bar and Grill, on Olive Street, just east of the Interstate 270-Olive intersection. |
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Bluegill Search May 21 at Busch Wildlife
by Brian Flinchpaugh |
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| Got a few hours to throw some poppers for bluegill. Our annual quickie outing for bluegill is set for Sunday afternoon on May 21 at Lakes 31 and 32 at the Busch Wildlife area. The area is just off Highway 94 in St. Charles County. Watch out for the chiggers. Don't bring tents and boats, just throw in the car a fly rod or two, a lunch, some wet flies and poppers, and beat-up boots to deal with all the goose poop around the lakes and you're set. No buffets, raffles or door prizes, just some serious or semi-serious fishing for a few hours. Last year featured some decent fishing, a lot of sun, a few mosquitoes as the sun went down, and an outbreak of fiberglass rods, sported by various knowledgeable but decidedly off-kilter Ozark members. See the ancient Silaflexs, Wonderods and Fenwicks again doing battle this year with the hearty redear sunfish. Cast some of these wonders and learn what "broom handle" action meant in the 1950s through the early 1970s, long before the age of graphite. Several Ozark members will be at the site beginning about 11 a.m. so it's a good opportunity to pick up some pointers and information. The Busch Area features a number of lakes that offer crowded but sometimes good bass, crappie, and bluegill fishing. |
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Spring Outing 2000
by Michael V. Webb |
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| The Current River provided us with much sport and fun. We had about twenty five people who "tickled the trout," and enjoyed the benefit of having Jack McLauglin show up from Mountain View, Missouri. Jack is a past president of Ozark and an enjoyable person to be around. The social event on Saturday entailed John Walker playing wonderful music on his car stereo while we talked and told stories of past fishing trips while sipping on some quality "beverages." I hope that everyone enjoyed the outing and will plan to attend next years. (Probably to be held at Sunburst on the North Fork.) |
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New Members
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For Sale
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| 9.8 Merc outboard motor Low hours. 1975 Excellent condition. $450 Call Lou Deitz @ 314-638-0520 |
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Three New Videos
by Jerry Phelan |
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| Dave Whitlock was our club's guest speaker in February. He illustrated his unique flies and fly tying techniques using his presentation. The three new club videos also present these techniques. The titles are: Tying and Fishing the Dave Whitlock Originals, Volume 1 through 3. Each video is an hour and a half long. Each video is divided into three sections: the history or background of the fly, materials, tying sequence and techniques and fishing that particular fly. Volume 1 presents two flies: Dave's Hopper and the Whit Hopper. The history of Dave's Hopper begins with Bob's Hopper and how it changed to Dave's Hopper based on his fishing experience out West. The materials and tying sequence follow, up to and including the kicker legs and antennas. The Whit hopper with it's bullet head is next presented. Dave says this fly casts better and hits the water harder, just like a real hopper. Dave uses the Duncan loop to tie the hoppers to the tippet, believing the fly drifts and moves more naturally with this knot. He also discusses the rod and line he uses and why. He uses short casts of about 15 feet when fishing the hoppers in riffles and runs close to the bank. Volume 2 presents the Whitlock Matuka Sculpin. Dave suggest this is the fly to use when fishing for big, really big brown trout. He notes sculpins change color according to the color of the bottom of the stream and illustrates this well. His article in Fly Fisherman, July, 1994 details much of the information as is in the video. Dave uses a 9' 7 or 8 weight fast actioned rod with a short leader of four to six feed on a sink tip line. He also uses a full sinking fly line. He wants the fly 8-10 inches from the bottom or on the bottom of the stream. Sculpin fishing is more productive in high water, strong flows and low light levels or at night. Dave closes the sequence with this statement. "The sculpin is a big fish fly so stay with it. It takes a while to catch that big one." The third video illustrates the red fox squirrel hair nymph. It is actually a series of six different nymphs tied on different hook shapes and lengths but all tied with fox squirrel fur and a mix of antron. The standard or original nymph is tied on a 2X long hook in sizes of 2 to 18. Dave present this unique techniques for dubbing and whip finishing a fly. It's worth checking the tape just for these techniques. Also don't miss the section on nymph fishing. With his illustration of riffle, run, pool and where and how to fish it. It's one of the best I have seen. |
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Livingston Montana and the IFFC
by Michael V. Webb |
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| Many people from our club have enjoyed the past conclaves that the FFF has put together. Big names are always there and the location chosen presents anglers with a multitude of places to fish. The Yellowstone, Madison and Gallatin rivers are close by. The spring creeks and lot's of unknown water is also close by. Not to mention a drive of two hours or so to the upper Missouri, Henrys Fork, Beaverhead and Clarks - Fork. I have enjoyed the IFFC the past two years and learned quite a bit. Ralph Moon headed up a bamboo rod symposium which was fantastic in 1998. Mel Krieger taught me spey casting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Lefty Kreh showed me the elipitical cast and it's benefits too! Just think of the skills that you can improve upon or learn at this event! Give it some thought and I hope to see you in Livingston, MT. |
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For Beadheads
by Larry Carli |
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| I thought I would pass along some information to Ozark members who might be interested in tying flies which incorporate glass beads. Joe Warren has written a book entitled Tying Glass Bead Flies. It's available at Feather-Craft and, of course, online at many sites such as Amazon.com. There are many interesting patterns and recipes in Joe's book. I've spent some time checking out WalMart and other craft stores and it is difficult to find beads in the necessary sizes which are of consistently high quality. However, there was an ad in one of the flyfishing magazines which advertised glass beads for flies. I went to the site and ordered a set of beads which were of various sizes and colors specifically chosen for fly tying. I haven't been disappointed. |
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From the editor...
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| After Whitlock's presentation, I took the time to look at his new videos, "The Dave Whitlock Originals" (see above). Good work, Dave. Very nostalgic. Reminded me of "Fishin' With the Oldies" or "Oldies But Goodies" In fact, this weekend I am going to revisit those bygone years and have a Whitlock Weekend. Too early for hoppers, but Dave has a lot of great patterns out there. Crank up the antron machine, honey, I'm a-tyin' squirrel nymphs! First, you need a squirrel. Must have driven around for hours until I found a fresh one on Ballas Road. Road kill was never my strong point but heck, I'm reliving my youth. I'm buying the sculpins, just like I used to. Where is that sinking line? Don't think I have used it since the early 80's. And rod and reel to match? Gotta have 'em. Ah! There they are, in the darkest corner of the rod bin. A nice Fenwick HMG, 7 wt. Haven't used it in years. But this is a Whitlock Weekend and the mood is important. I almost feel like I am recycling, getting out the old gear. Seal Dri waders? Why not? They leak, but then they always leaked. It's good to see Dave recycling too. With the proliferation of patterns in recent years, it's too easy to forget the basics. Why reinvent the wheel when the wheel works so well? And, I might add, it's easier than writing new stuff. Now, if I could just find my Pontiac GTO and some ten cent cigars, I'd be ready to go. Drew |
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