Jaworowski will do both slide shows and tying and casting demonstrations at the Dog Museum between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The seminar is free to Ozark members, with a $5 charge at the door for guests, which is applicable to an Ozark annual membership.

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 Sportsman, Lefty's World (Internet), and even in Fly Fisherman Japan if you're so 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.

As far as a state of the union address is concerned, the club is doing well. We had a successful banquet that raised more than $6,800 this year. Our St. Louis County fly fishing classes this winter are underway. We're at 228 members and counting. Our programs look good for the next few months (see Ed Jaworowski above). Ryan Walker and Phil Lilley did a nice program on Lake Taneycomo in February, which seems to staging a comeback. We've gone to the dogs, so to speak, with our new meeting place at the Dog Museum at Queeny Park. And our club members who recently traveled to the San Juan River apparently even caught a fish or two, although they're probably exaggerating their prowess. Life is good.

All I can say is that I'm open to suggestions, questions, criticisms, donations and someone else picking up the lunch tab. Don't hesitate to call. My first official action really is a cry for help. We've got really great people who have devoted a lot of time and expertise to making this a great club. But we also need others to get involved, to share the burden, and bring forward new ideas. So sign up on one of our committees. Hope to see you at the all-day meeting on March 24.

A personal note: Thank all of you for the kind words and cards with the death of my father recently. He loved the outdoors and to fish--a gift that he passed on to his children. Brian Flinchpaugh

First, you'll have to get out a map and figure out how to get there. That's the first lesson in finding where to fish. Sometimes you just have to strike out and do a little research on your own.

The second reason to go to the outing is that you will gain knowledge of river access points, campgrounds, canoe outfitters and persons who will shuttle your canoe. The club will be staying at the Sunburst Canoe Ranch. The campsites are very good (very few rocks) and there are shower facilities. Many members also like to stay at Riverside campground.

The third reason for going to the club outing is to gain knowledge on how to fish. In my experience club members are always glad to share knowledge. You need some help on your casting stroke? Some of our FFF instructors will be there to help. How about some practical tips and locating fish, fly selection or fishing techniques? There is always a member willing to share. Hey, at one time we were all in the same position, and it was the kindly tutelage of a fellow angler that kept us active in the sport. Make sure you return the kindness to someone you know.

The final, and perhaps most important reason for going is the camaraderie and friendships you develop. Lets face it, it's difficult to meet and develop friends at meetings. When I first joined the club in 1987, the spring outing on the North Fork was a big deal. We would usually get 30-35 people camping at Sunburst. These people became the movers and shakers in the club during the 80's and early 90's This is where I met most of my fishing friends. There's nothing like sharing a campfire or hot cup of coffee in the morning as far as meeting and getting to know people. Every camping trip I've come back with a new friend. While we may not always go fishing together, we still are able to chat at meetings and swap stories. This is truly the best way to learn how to fish and make friends to boot. Don't worry about cliques, they're more imagined than real. Just pull up a chair, sit by the campfire and join in the BS.

I will leave you now with two tips. First, bring a folding chair if you wish to participate at the campfire. Second, my fly recommendation: black and olive woolly buggers, crayfish pattern, prince nymphs, peeking caddis, red squirrel nymphs, tellico nymphs, yellow stone fly patterns, soft hackles (march brown spider or partridge and orange) cracklebacks and humpies. Make sure you look me up when you are down at Sunburst. Tight lines, John

Fly Lines. Remember the weight of the fly line is what causes the rod to flex and bend. Therefore, your line weight should match your rod weight. There are some rods out there that don't seem to flex as well with their matched line weight and you may have to go a line heavier to get the proper loading of the rod. The best thing to do when you purchase a new rod is to try different weight lines to see which one works best for you.

By now you've read a couple of books talking about floating lines and sinking lines. If you are new to the sport, don't worry about sinking lines or sinking tips. If you are fishing for trout or smallmouth bass, ninety-five percent of your fishing will be done with a floating line. I've been fyfishing for 14 years and don't own a sinking line. Sinking lines or sink tips may come into play when you are steelhead fishing or fishing deep in some lakes, but if you aren't into this type of fishing then stick with the floating line. If you are thinking about a sinking line then see your local fly shop for advice.

Floating lines generally come as level line, weight forward, or double taper. Forget about the level line. I know it only cost $7.00, but why not take advantage of technology to improve your casting distance and presentation. When looking at fly lines you will often see a designation on the box like WF5F or DT4F. The first line is a weight forward 5 wt. line that floats. The second line is a double taper 4 wt. floating line.

A fly line is generally composed of a tip, front taper, belly, rear taper and running line. The first four components are often referred to as the head. The tip connects the leader to the line and is about six inches long. The line gradually increases in diameter and forms the front taper. This section is 4-8 feet long. The taper affects how your casting energy is transferred and how delicately or how powerfully you present your fly. After the front taper, the line reaches its maximum diameter and forms the belly. Most of the line weight is in this section and this is the part that carries your cast. The belly at its back end forms a rear taper and the line gradually decreases in diameter. Again these first four components form the head. Behind the head is a running line, which is of small diameter and allows the line to shoot through the guides for long casts and allows for easier mending.

The weight forward line is the most commonly used line. It generally has a short belly and long running line. Hence the name weight forward. The weight forward allows you to cast short to long distances. The forward weight on the line and thin running line allows the line to shoot through the guides for longer distances. Some people believe the presentation with a weight forward is not as delicate as a double taper because there is a more powerful presentation of the fly.

The double taper really doesn't have a running line. It has a long gradual front and rear taper and a long belly. This line is good for short to medium casting distances. Because it doesn't shoot out line like a weight forward, many people believe that the double taper makes a more delicate presentation and is well suited for dry fly fishing. The double taper is also your most economical line in that you reverse it at years end on your reel and you have a fresh line. Remember the double taper is a mirror image so you just flip flop it for extended use.

In summary, my advice is to go with a weight forward or double taper floating line. The weight forward probably has more uses and is the better overall line. If your interest are dry fly fishing, then I'd get an extra spool with double taper it.

Leaders. This is a topic that is probably the subject of several columns but I'm going to keep it brief. The leader transfers the energy form the fly line to the fly. A properly constructed leader unfurls and delicately lays the fly on the water. This is done by stepping down the diameter of the leader. In years past this was done by knotting together differing lengths and diameters of leader material. Today, with advent of the miracle known as plastic, machines extrude the plastic to form a knotless leader. My recommendation is to buy the knotless leader unless you absolutely feel you have to struggle like your forefathers with the blood knot.

The next decision is determining the length of leader you want to use. Most leaders come in 7 1/2 and 9 foot lengths. Use the shorter leader when you are fishing wet flies or streamers. The 9 foot leader is the ticket for dry fly fishing and nymphing. You may have to lengthen or shorten the leader depending upon the particular fishing circumstances you face.

Tippet. The tippet forms the last 12 inches or so of the leader. The tippet is tied to the fly. When you buy a 4x or 6x leader it is referring to the tippet size. So your next question is probably, "What size tippet do I use?" The answer grasshopper is The Rule of Three. Take the size of your fly and divide by three. For example, a size 12 fly should be fished with a 4x tippet. A size 14 fly can be fished with a 4x or 5x tippet. Don't go to a smaller diameter tippet unless you absolutely believe the fish are leader shy. If your fly is too big for the diameter of the tippet, the leader won't turn over properly, giving a poor presentation. You should not be throwing #10-12 flies with 6x or 7x tippet. Stick with the Rule of Three.

Obviously as you are chopping off flies, or in my case breaking off the line in snags or overhanging trees, your tippet will shorten. What to do? First, before you start fishing, chop off the first 8-12 inches of the new leader. This is the tippet. Replace it with 12-18 inches of like diameter tippet material. Now you have put a knot in your leader, which will let you know how much of your tippet you have used up. If you break off and the knot is still there, then your leader length is probably okay. If the break is above the knot then you know you have to do a little leader repair to get it the right length and taper. Obviously, you can measure leader length off of your rod.

A few last points on tippet. Buy fresh tippet each season. Second, check your leader and tippet for nicks and abrasions. If you've just pulled that fly out of the trees check it for nicks and replace. You deserve losing that nice fish if you are too lazy to replace the dinged tippet.

Well once again its time to sign off. I have covered equipment on a very general level. From time to time I may get into more depth regarding certain aspects about equipment, but now it's time to turn our thoughts to fishing. See you at the club outing,

http://ozarkflyfishers.org/pages/newsletters/y01/m03/
nl_y01m03.html

Greg Vieth
Membership Chairman
Ozark Flyfishers
gotafish2@yahoo.com

• Keith Touzinsky
• Bill Learn
• Fred Kaul
• David B Cornue
• Nicholas P. Cassimatis
• Maryann Townsend
• Robert C Weber
• Teak L Phillips
• Darren Tharp
• Mark Martin
  

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).