A protégé of Lefty Kreh, Ed is a superb caster, as anyone can attest who saw him at the Conclave in Mountain Home or at an earlier Ozark meeting some years ago. He has been a casting instructor for Sage Rods for 20 years and has conducted hundreds of casting demonstrations, schools, seminars, and slide shows on all facets of fly fishing. Jaworowski even tried to teach Bryant Gumbel how to fly cast on NBC's Today Show. His magazine articles and photographs appear in Fly Fisherman, Fly Fishing in Salt Waters, American Angler, Fly Tyer, Salt Water Sport-sman, Lefty's World (Internet), and even in Fly Fisherman Japan if your inclined.

He has extensive experience in all types of tackle and type of fly fishing. That experience includes everything from albacore to walleye and a lot of species in between.

In his spare time, he is an assistant professor of classical studies at Villanova University.

We'll have more details soon on the seminar but it probably will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. with a break for lunch.

The Museum is open year-round and available to visitors Tuesday - Saturday, from 9 AM - 5PM, and on Sundays from noon - 5PM (Closed Mondays and holidays). Queeny Park, home of the Museum, is accessible from interstate 40/64 at the Mason Rd. exit or from I-270 by taking the Manchester exit west to Mason.

Ozark Flyfishers have moved their meeting location to the Museum of the Dog. Years ago, we met at Jarvile house and so are returning to our roots.

Corporate Memberships for the Ozark Fly Fishers: March 13, 2000

Membership requirements:

1. $250.00 annual fee
2. The corporation will endeavor to support Ozarks bylaws
3. The corporation will endeavor to work with the Ozark Fly Fishers and other area conservation departments to improve our fisheries.

Ozark may:

1. Maintain a list of corporate memberships to be recognized at our monthly meetings, annual events and in our monthly newsletter and our membership directory.
2. Work with corporate members on fly tying, casting, and other aspects of the sport to encourage fly fishing and the bylaws that we hold true.
3. Keep the corporate members informed by way of sending monthly newsletters to the corporation.
4. Evaluate the corporation to make sure that the entity is abiding by our bylaws.
5. Should a "commercial" member decide to advertise at the clubs meetings, general events and in our monthly newsletter, that commercial member will have to become a corporate member. This means that businesses in the line of fly fishing; e.g.: fly fishing's shops, guides, outfitter and tackle dealers, etc..., will need to purchase a corporate membership. However, should the corporation decide to just be listed in our membership directory, we will keep that corporations membership at the commercial level. The commercial membership is still available to the "fly fishing" businesses should they just want to be listed in the membership directory.
6. The advertisement will be a business card size.
7. Should the corporate member want a larger advertisement each individual case will be brought before the board.

• Brian Schwendemann
• William F. Henderson
• Jim Buckler
• Mary Catanzaro
• Andrew Engle

The cost will be $5.00 per night, per person with the RV stations costing $8.00 per night per person. This should be a great success! Please note that this is an informal get together. You will be responsible for your meals, guides and everything else. As a group, we will have great social times and discuss precise methods to fool our foe; brown and rainbow trouts. As a group or as an individual, you can go a angling. Let me know if you have any questions.

Michael V. Webb

ed note* fat chance

This month's topic is reels. In buying a fly fishing outfit, this is the one area where you can save money and not sacrifice performance. The basic function of a reel is to hold the fly line and balance the rod. In certain situations it also functions to tire a fish by using the reel's drag feature which causes the fish to swim against resistance.

In choosing a reel you want to match the reel with the line weight of the rod. Most reels come rated as a 3-4 wt., 5-6 wt., 7-8 wt and up. Make sure your reel has an anti-spooling feature. When I first learned to fish, you had to put your thumb on the line as you pulled it off the spool or else the spool would spin backwards and you'd wind up with a big birds nest. A few hours spent untangling that mess cured me of just pulling the line off of the reel. This is not a problem with most reels sold today, but if you are dusting off that old family heirloom found in the attic beware!!

This brings me to the topic of drag. If you are a beginner, look for a reel that has a simple click-pawl drag. This type of reel will take care of 95% of your fishing needs. Most of your fishing in Missouri for trout and bass does not require a drag or, at least, a sophisticated drag. You might want a good drag if you fish for the big ones down in the White River system or at Lake Taneycomo.

In buying your reel look for one that has an exposed rim where you can rest the rim on the palm of your hand. This is a type of drag that can be used where you haven't set your drag prior to fishing and you want that touch of drag for that suddenly rambunctious fish.

For those of you going after salmon, steelhead or saltwater species you'll definitely want to invest in a sophisticated drag system, or else it's adios to that fly line and backing. My suggestion is that you talk to a local fly shop about the various features available in bigger reels.

Is backing important? Absolutely. Backing serves two basic functions. First, it gives you additional line if that big one takes all of the fly line off the reel. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it increases the diameter of the arbor on your reel. This causes less coiling or at least prevents small, tight coils in your line. Increasing the diameter of your arbor also allows you to crank in more line with each turn of the reel. That's why large arbor reels are becoming popular in the bigger sized reel where you expect the fish to peel off a long run.

If you are on a budget, you may want to go with something like a Martin or Pflueger Medalist reel. There are many experienced members in the club who still use these reels. The next step up is going to cost you around $100-120. Try the Scientific Angler System 1 or 2, the Ross Colorado or Cimarron reels and the Galvan reel. After that it keeps going up. Do you need one that expensive? No, but I have a few. At this point we're talking small ball bearings and listening to the whizzzzz sound it makes while we spin it in the old fly shop. Does it improve your fishing? Probably not, but they sure are nice.

Well enough time spent on this subject. Next month we'll talk about fly lines, leaders and tippet.

You should be fishing, John

Our additional donators since last newsletter are as follows: Dan Burleigh donated for the second year, a tyers chest (which Drew managed to snatch) and "Trout Reflections" book; Dennis Bequette gave a fishing tie, Mountainsmith Backpack and the Mystery Box item. Yes, the rabbit stole raised it's ugly head again! Perhaps it will make an annual appearance. Should have cut it into fly tying material when I had it! Tom Hargrove donated a Sage RPLXi 9'6" 3 piece 9 weight. Over the years we had a lot of 4,5,6 weights. I asked Tom for that item and he came through. Feather-Craft donated a full Reddington Red Start Outfit. 9' 6/7 weight 2 piece rod, reel, line, backing, the whole schpiel! Outdoors, a River Systems Catch All Bag and Jack Sadler, another wonderful hand crafted Leather Rod Case. Always beautiful work! Jackie and Lou Dietz gave a nice denim fly embroidered shirt. Lou said he did "something" on the shirt. For the record, I think we should note JACKIE did a great job! Caesar Carnaghi once again gave a year subscription to Pennsylvania Angler and Bud Tilly, two sharp denim shirts. (I'm still trying to find the recipients of the shirts and the price paid for each)

Dave and Nancy Barron send their best regards and a full day guide with Dave (Jaquish Hollow Angler) and one night stay in their new log home to boot! That's in "Wizgonzin." Our Treasurer, Bob Bowers, gave a fly tyer caddy and George Roberts, Mr. T.V. Tyer himself, another $300 off Gift Certificate towards the purchase of a fine crafted piece of furniture! Mike Webb once again gave a guided wade or float trip, winners choice of one of MO or ARK choice waters. Go fish with Mike if you can, always an adventure (at least for me)! Russ Hill was very thoughtful and sent a check so I could make further purchases which were a Crystal River 16" Rattan Creel and raffle ticket rolls. Thanks Russ, you actually READ my last article! (It's available on our web page) John Walker came to our celebration with gifts in hand. Two matted and framed trout prints that I had eyeballed at Frontenac Outfitters and 2 Repertory Theater tickets plus perks! He also gave a 3 piece glass set to Bill Todd (our new Ways and Means chair) to be used next year. Our friends Jerry and Sue Clark gave comical sweatshirt and an interesting David Hughes Fish and Rod sculpted paperweight. Jerry also delivered some wonderful balsa poppers made by Doug Jefferies. They are dedicated to the memory of Jim Frere who taught him how to make a realistic scale effect. You'll see these at the 2002 Banquet. A new donor, Ryan Walker, a full day guide with food and flies supplied. But you have to row. Not Really! He offered the North Fork of White or Tanny. We welcome him. One local company that deserves great recognition is Dazor Manufacturing Corporation. They were my first donator as Ways and Means Chair and has continued their support. If you see them at the Home Show, stop and thank them please!

Then there's Bob Temper. Don't let it be said he doesn't do things in a big way. I've been bugging him to teach me how to matte, frame and construct shadow boxes. Had some Whitlock donations and wanted to "do something with them." Little did I know, I kind of became a catalyst for Bob. We worked on a couple of things that night, but shows up at the banquet with 6 ITEMS! (totaling $600 profit) I thought I was at "The Bob Temper Art Expo"! The Fly Tyer Room Diarama was awesome! He was still cutting and taping at post time. 4 different Whitlock Plates and one featuring our 3 Decades of So. Council Fly Tyer of the Year recipients (Doug Christian, Joe Aimonette and Jerry Jarosik). Jerry's flies were featured in one of the Whitlock displays and another was a freehand line drawing of one "Whits Most Nymphs" tied by him (made just for Ozark). Dave deserves credit for his many donations. He is truly a wonderful artist and teacher of the sport. Speaking of Dave, Larry Carli gave an autographed Whitlock video for next year. Watch for it!

I noted the Missouri River Trout Shop/Lodge and Tim Plaska/Missouri River Expeditions in the last newsletter, but I must thank all again for their generous donations. Brian and Diane Ellis will have a great time in that slice of heaven. Have I got Montana on my mind!

Last, but not least, Joseph Aimonette, Steve Antonic and Bob Bowers have helped me in many ways. Raffle, card games, 100:1 raffle, it didn't matter. My boys managed to wake a few moths out of your wallets and badger you into buying! Bless you guys! I am eternally grateful to everyone that has given in some small way to this wonderful club and hope I didn't miss anyone.

I'm sure our new board members will continue to bring great outings, guest speakers, raffles and represent our club to the best of their ability! But please remember YOU ARE OZARK! Get involved! Share YOUR knowledge. "The emptiest people are full of themselves." The greatest thing I have found is no matter what your age, background, job or upbringing, we are drawn together for the love and promotion of the sport. I have found the greatest friends in this club. I hope you feel the same way. I'm outta here!

Bill

1 March 2001: Deadline for new or renewing members to be included in the Ozark Fly Fishers 2001 Membership Roster. Send in yours today!

24 March 2001: All day Saturday meeting with Ed Jaworowski from 9am-4pm at the Queeny Park Dog Museum (1721 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131). Visitors are welcome! A $5 fee will be charged to visitors for this special all-day meeting however the fee is applicable towards membership if so desired.

30, 31 March 2001: Sow Bug hosted by the North Arkansas Fly Fishers at the Ramada Inn, Mountain Home Arkansas.

20-22 April 2001: Spring Outing at Sunburst Ranch on the North Fork of the White River (more information to follow).

19 May 2001: Kid's Fishing Fair 9 am - 2 pm (combines Kids Fishing Day and Family Fishing Fair) Bush Conservation Area Lakes 1, 2, & 15). Volunteers needed to demonstrate fly tying and casting, to provide fishing assistance

2-3 June 2001: Big River Festival, Washington State Park (more information to follow)

7-11 August 2001: Federation of Fly Fishers International Conclave in Livingston Montana (more information to follow).

5-6 October 2001: Southern Council Federation of Fly Fishers Regional Conclave in Mountain Home Arkansas (more information to follow).

Man, oh man, has this winter been getting me down. I have been trying to get out for two months it seems. Always something, usually the weather holding me back. I hear the White River calling me but can't answer. Frustrating.

When I was a kid, I was totally into the outdoor stuff. Camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting and the like. I read every Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and Sports Afield each month. Cover to cover, and then the ads. Oh, the ads. It was fantasy stuff for a kid but I knew when I got "big" I was going to have that nice rod or reel or shotgun or tent that I couldn't afford on my allowance of $5 a week. So I'm kind of stuck in a 50's time warp where a great cane rod was the ultimate possession. See, some guys like '57 Chevy's or 55 T Birds. They were older than I and could aspire to drive. Heck I was 10 years old and dangerous with a Schwin. But they are stuck in that same level of aspiration, just a different fixation. And I think it is thus with collectors, somehow trying to go back into their childhood satisfying the needs that were generated.

So I have ended up with a closet full of rods and a bag full of reels, more than I will ever need, most purchased used, and most reflecting the golden age of bamboo.

There has been a change in the buying and selling of used rods and reels from what it was ten or fifteen years ago. Back then, there were three or four "dealers" in used rods (soon to be called "classic") and each of them put out quarterly catalogs for their customers who would start looking for the mail delivery at the right time of the month and rush through it looking for their heart's desire.

"Did you see Corsetti"s catalog?" I would ask my friends? "How about that 8'T&T?"

Usually the rods were sold before I could muster up the conviction and cash to call the dealer. But what fun. More fantasy. And sometimes the dealer still had the rod!

Every once in a while I would find a cane rod at an estate sale or flea market, but in St. Louis, with it's short history as a fly fishing center, the picking was slim. Downright waste of time, to tell you the truth. Better off to pay the dealer his markup than spend fruitless hours.

But it has all changed, as I said. The Internet, with its's on-line auctions, both Ebay and VFS both have some of the finest cane money can buy. Even better, it changes every day. Worse, is you are now bidding in a Global Market and a lot of the players have lots of blue chips. The sellers are liberated from the dealers, who would buy their stock and mark it up 100% and even the consignment dealer would charge you 30%. What is lost here is the integrity of the rod dealers who stood behind their sales. They were proud of being able to accurately describe a rod and stand behind their merchandise.

I use and enjoy the Ebay auctions. I buy a little, sell a little, and bid a lot. Most of it far short of the final price. The fantasy lives on.