That love and respect is deep. Tom's interest in fly fishing embraces its past as well as its present. His talents as a communicator and public relations expert allowed him to attempt something many of us dream about but never attempt--to start his own fly fishing magazine.

Fly Fishing Heritage, a quarterly magazine that began in 1987, paid tribute to that past and brought together a stable of writers who probed the history of fly fishing as no other publication had previously or has since. "Heritage is defined as something one receives or will receive from a predecessor and anything passed on to generations that succeed: a tradition," the first sentence of his editor's notes states. "We hope, in some way, to promote the concept of catch/release, and other responsible conservation methods. Not so much through pedantic arguments, as through enlarging our appreciation of our pastime and the quarry we pursue."

Even though the publication was short-lived, it brought to our attention artists and writers such as Dave Hughes, Robert Traver, Sylvester Nemes, and Bob Krumm just to name a few. It was a publication perhaps either ahead or behind the times but always full of a warmth of feeling and passion. He also had a love for English fly tackle, introducing many of us to those wonders as a distributor for Derbyshire Rodbuilders. But that wasn't the full story.

As president of the Ozark Fly Fishers, Tom established a framework for its board and activities that remain in place to this day. That framework included specific duties for directors and officers--we were expected to work rather than just play. And it continues to work--witness the more than 260 members on the club's roster. Tom's over-sight of the Southern Council Conclave was also extremely successful financially.

Tom realized that fishing was not the end all but a means to an experience that would enrich our lives. "Sometimes I have a great need to fish, and I know where to go when I have that need," he once wrote in the magazine. "Other times I feel a greater need to get out and wander around looking for a place to fish, and at those times the fishing becomes secondary. My primary enjoyment comes from the wandering." It's that exploration that's important, he suggests. For that lesson alone, he deserves our thanks.

Brian Flinchpaugh

Georgiana Baer is the managing partner of Stream Side Adventures, a fly fishing instructional, guiding and trip planning service. Georgie has been involved in fly fishing and big game hunting for over 30 years. During that period, she has been leading women into the Wyoming and Minnesota backcountry in search of trout, pike, antelope, deer and other game. She is also an accomplished photographer and professional artist and has exhibited her watercolors and sculptures throughout the Midwest and Western United States. When Georgie is not fishing or hunting she works with troubled and disturbed boys.

Norm Crisp known to many on the Missouri fly fish list as the "Wiz", is also a partner in Stream Side Adventures. Norm began his love of fly-fishing for trout as a youth in New Hampshire. Norm's professional training as both a fisheries biologist and water resources engineer along with his passion for trout fishing give him unique insights into the needs of trout and where to find them in streams. If you cannot find Norm at his job as a water scientist with the EPA, you might find him guiding clients in Wyoming or fly fishing in remote and unusual locations such as the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Arctic Russia, or Nepal .

Join us at the Museum of the Dog, 7:30 PM September 27. Casting at 6:30

Your entertainment committee has reserved a block of rooms for the weekend at Sand Spring Resort. We'll have a private get together Saturday evening in the party room for club members followed by a super dinner in the Sand Spring Restaurant.

The spring creek will be open for no-creel fishing, but limited to flies and artificials (no bait). Instead of the daily tag of summer, you need a TROUT PERMIT ($7.00), good until February 2002, which is good at all four trout parks. You can get one anywhere Missouri licenses are sold. (A Missouri license is also required.) No daily tag is required.

Again, we are offering package plans for accommodations plus tickets to the private Club social hour and traditional Ozark buffet (all you can eat) dinner. Types of accommodations and rates will be found in the Reservation Request elsewhere in this newsletter. As always, the social hour is BYOL with the club supplying ice, glasses, soft drinks and light snacks. Your coolers are welcome.

Remember this is a Club weekend, not just "the guys go fishing" at this one. Last year (which was a sellout) we had many couples. Plan to bring your special lady, even if she doesn't fish. There is fun to be had snooping in antique shops and outlet mall in Lebanon or the mall at Lake of the Ozarks.

While this is a party for all club members, we could have a problem again this year with latecomers. Last year we ran out of rooms and almost overloaded our seating capacity at the restaurant when we squeezed 80 OFFers into the room. To avoid disappointment, mark your calendar for November 9-11 and send your check in now.

We do understand how plans can change. If you have a problem, a full refund will be made is you cancel by October 30. After that date, refunds will be made only if we can resell your room. Dinner only reservations will be accepted until November 2 when we have to guarantee a count to the restaurant.

Rooms will be reserved only as prepaid reservations are received. Please let us know early if you would like two or more rooms together for a group. Reservations will be confirmed early in November, advising you of your room number (phones in rooms). All sleeping rooms have a percolator, coffee cups, and a small refrigerator. The housekeeping rooms have full size refrigerators, stove, utensils & plates, plus a dining table with 4 chairs. The restaurant will be open for all meals beginning Friday morning and close around noon on Sunday.

Containers have been placed in Feather-Craft, T. Hargrove, and McKenzie Creek Outfitters for contributions or you can pass them on to Jerry, Steve or Bob at the next meeting.

The Federation of Fly Fishers is a unique non-profit organization concerned with sport fishing and fisheries.

FIRST, FFF supports conservation of all fish in all waters.

SECONDLY, FFF has a long standing commitment to solving fisheries problems at the grass roots. By charter and inclination, we are organized from the bottom up; each of our 260+ clubs, all over North America and the world, is a unique and self-directed group. Our grass roots focus reflects the reality that most fisheries solutions must come at that local level. For these reasons, almost all of the estimated $400,000 raised by fly fishing clubs and at FFF Regional auctions, conclaves, raffles is used locally; our national office - in Bozeman, Montana, exists to serve clubs and members, with a minimum of administrative expense.

FINALLY, our members believe that fly fishing is the most fun way to fish because of its diversity (it works very well for all fish in all waters), the continuing need to learn more about all those species and their habitat and the challenge to always improve our fly fishing skills.

On a regional basis, Ozark members have heard much about the Southern Council Conclave each October in Mountain Home, AR. The Southern Council Federation of Flyfishers represents flyfishing clubs located in Arkansas, Kansas, western Louisiana, Missouri, southeastern Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. It also represents individuals, not affiliated with local clubs, in most of those locations. It is affiliated with the Federation of Flyfishers (FFF), based in Bozeman, Montana. Our motto is "conserving, restoring, educating through fly- fishing". We support all species of fish in all waters.

Our organization provides an opportunity to meet fellow flyfishers (some of the best people in the world), to teach others about our sport, to learn from others about our sport, and most importantly to channel our efforts into con-servation. Our strongest conservation focus is on clean water and fisheries habitat.

The FFF acts as a conduit for those who want to accomplish good deeds. If you have an education or conservation project, the FFF may help you accomplish it. Even if you don't have a personal goal along these lines, when you join the FFF and when you pay your dues, you help someone else achieve their goal. Someone else's goal may be to improve your home waters. Many rivers, streams, and lakes are in better shape because the FFF exists. Please help by joining. For new members Ozark has a special promotion to join at a reduced rate and a 1 in 12 chance to win a new rod or reel. Contact Bob Temper.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting the following web sites:

www.fedflyfishers.org or www.southerncouncilfff.org

There are 6987 acres of scenic beauty, wonderful lakes and ponds, strewn with wildlife. This area also hosts Field and Retriever trials, dog training, shotgun, skeet and archery ranges. The Missouri Department of Conservation purchased the area from the Federal Government in 1947. A donation of $70,000 from Mrs. August A. Busch Sr., as a memorial to her late husband, was made. Ammunition, which was kept there throughout WW II in bomb resistant bunkers that are still present, was cleaned out and fish/anglers moved in. I call the war era "The Bombastic Period" and present day "The Fish Fantastic Period"! This place does sometimes remind me of "Jurassic Park."

After my father passed away when I was five, my Uncle Harold Studt took me under his wing to show me the fine art of drowning worms and dunking bait in Pacific MO. Later in life, my brother-in-law Juan Hernandez introduced me to trout fishing and Busch Wildlife as well. It just made sense to go back to my roots this year. The place has always fascinated me.

I really can't recall how many people used the area back in the early 70's, but what are the odds it's used a lot now? This is what really threw me for a loop. Any lake, any time, may have 0-10 individuals that I have witnessed. Sounds like a lot, but the average is closer to 0-3 people. Many days I have the lakes to myself. It's flyfishing heaven!

People overemphasize the "Big Fish Factor" and over look the pure enjoyment of fishing and nature. An almost Xanadu euphoria can happen if one only lets it happen. I'm talkin' rainy cold or blistering hot days and all! My personal biggest fish hooked at Busch was a 2-4 lb. largemouth bass. Lost it twice in one day, 9 ft. away from me, 15 minutes apart. Fellow Ozark Fly Fisher Brian Ellis witnessed the second hooking and loss. I might add that bluegill; rock bass, crappie and even a channel cat were taken that same day on Lake 31, 3 years ago. Now I feel seeing a deer, Red Tailed Hawk or even a cruising carp is more "worth it" than anything else. Catching fish to me is a bonus! That's why they call it fishing, not catching.

The lakes of Busch are on an Adopt-A-Lake program with sponsors. I'm sorry to say this... but... BAIT BOYS ARE PIGS! I am appalled these folks abuse this great fishing opportunity this way. I can point out that 85% of the trash I pick up are worm containers, spinner bait packages and whole spools of spent monofiliment. These are not the remains of a fly fisher.

Armed with a fly rod, I have probably fished over half the lakes with ease from the bank. Usually, rip rap or mud/grass with weed growth surround each gem. Most paths around the lakes have been clear-cut and are maintained pretty well. The Conservation Department of Missouri also monitors the fish and lake conditions. I met Dick Turner, a fisheries technician who is also involved with stream education. While launching his boat, Dick explained his mission on Lake 34 that hot mid morning. The grass carp put in the lake were not sterile and are reproducing, slowly stripping the vegetation out of the lake. There are areas that have fencing surrounding lily pads to help regrow. He said their plan was to bait up the carp with dry cat food, get the fish on a regular feeding and something not so nice would happen to them. They have shocked some of the lakes to find many 4-5 pound bass and I have seen even larger catfish cruising and muddying in water a little over 1 foot deep.

Many of the lakes have 2-8 boats for rent. Once I get a battery for my trolling motor, I'll have to give some lakes another go. Having limited access to unreachable areas with just a fly rod is sometimes challenging. I have tried to use a stripping basket to simplify things, but have found my "technique" does not allow. I hold my rod too low when moving a fly, holding it higher gives the fly "unnatural" movement and is very uncomfortable to me. Thus, my line gets stuck on twigs, branches, grass and my own feet. All this aside, fishing is great!

Fly choice to me means fishing what you are comfortable with. Many fish with a dropper fly, but I find working one fly through a minefield of lily pads is enough for me. Spiders, poppers and sliders made from cork or foam are the choice of many fishers. I have fished mohair leeches, foam dragon fly nymphs (Skip Morris' "Predator"), woolly buggers and others. My fly of choice 9 out of 10 times is a crackleback dry woolly, many times weighted or variation there of in sizes 10-14. The fly works well weighted running just under the surface. Making it with 2x hook gap hackle makes the fly dance across the pad surface when thrown over the mass. Getting snagged is more of stem problem than a leaf problem. A quick snap of the wrist backcast and slight strip, in combination with overexagerated high rod lift will generally free the fly from the leaf part. Fishing with a 9 foot, 5wt. rod helps in the fly retrieval. Early in the spring I used 5x and sometimes 6x flourocarbon tippet. As summer and vegetation marches on, my tippet strength/ size has also increased. I'm currently throwing 4x and 3x in September. Then there are days I can't throw anything that remotely resembles a loop, find every standing blade of grass, snag every lily pad and find the bush that has more branches and thorns than the law allows. Still, I take a look around and see where I am and what I'm doing. Soaking in my surroundings while listening to the blend of nearby Highway 94 and the harmonies of the deafening cicada's, I take a deep breath and start my untangling process. Sometimes I actually win!

There are also many walk-in ponds, but only recently have they clear-cut the paths back to these gems. The first one I wondered into was in early summer of 2001. Totally unarmed, didn't even have a camera on hand. I picked up a walking/defending stick and started my new expedition through the tall standing foliage. After a careful 2-minute hike, I came to a most wonderful pond filled with lily pads in full bloom. Highly photogenic, but unfishable. I had all intentions of going back and shagging off a couple of pictures but the 'gills were calling me! I have since wondered into one that often has one or two vehicles parked. Figured it had to be pretty hot action. Walking in was much easier, but the cut grass also seems to draw litter. Didn't catch but one fish in 10 minutes, did take one overstuffed bag and handful of trash.

Meeting up with friends on lake 11 in the evening is sure a pleasure. I have also enjoyed the many days and evenings doing the solo gig. It often feels like I own these lakes and occasionally have friends come by. Some evenings I take a jaunt over to Lake 34 for the 8 PM. Hexagenia fall. It's a feeding frenzy for about 15 minutes. All beasts big and small come out to play! Watching the pursuing submarine-like wake follow my fly for 20 feet before feeling the tell-tail tug and ensuing battle in the pad stems.

These many things I have found and invite you to also enjoy.

• Dennis Hufford
• Tim Ernst
• Leroy J. Gerber
• John H. Meyer

Well, fall is upon us and I thought this month's column should spend a little of time discussing places to fish during the fall season. With the cooler days the water temperatures are dropping, which makes for some good fishing during the day. Any of our trout streams or trout parks are worth fishing.

Soon the fish will begin spawning, especially the browns. Throw some big streamers or nymphs as these guys try to put on weight before the spawn. When the spawning season comes in November, the browns will curtail their feeding. However, egg patterns can be effective, especially for rainbows who will be looking for eggs tumbling out of the nests. Again, streamers can be effective for fish on redds if they are chasing other fish out of the area. Of course one must make the philosophical choice of whether they want to fish to spawning fish.

Dry flies can still be effective during the fall. A few trico hatches will be going on during the mornings of September. Caddis hatches will be going on in the afternoon into the evening, so try a few elk hair caddis in size 14 or 16. Grasshoppers can still be effective in late September. I some times like to use a big orange stimulator. Although we don't have many locusts this year, it can be a very effective pattern in big locust years.

Bass are getting ready to hibernate this time of year, so don't overlook your favorite smallmouth stream. This is the time of year to catch the big one as they go on the feed to put fat on for the winter. Throw big streamer and crawdad patterns. Also fish poppers, especially in the tail of the pool. As the popper is swinging across the tail of the pool, give it a few twitches, drift and twitch again. This should bring the big fish up.

Finally, I would like to mention salmon and steelhead fishing. Although these fish do not reside in Missouri, there are several destinations in the Great Lakes that offer fine fishing this time of the year. Michigan is very popular. In more recent years there have been good reports coming out of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. Many of these destinations are within a day's drive or you can fly for less than $200. Hotels are inexpensive and there is always lots of food, especially if you go to a small town. I suggest you check it out.

Fall is a beautiful time of the year to fish. Days are pleasant with a crisp chill in the morning. Mugs of coffee warm our hands. Waterfowl are migrating and the leaves change into brilliant palettes of colors mimicked by spawning browns. This and spring are my favorite times to fish.

Tight lines, John

And I remember when he started Fly Fishing Heritage, all by himself with little other than his enthusiasm and self confidence. His office was close to mine in those days, and I would drop by, probably too frequently, to see what the latest issue would contain. But chances were good we wouldn't talk about fishing or the magazine, but just as likely to discuss the art of Bill Sieverson or Sandy Schultz. Tom was not a one dimensional guy and had many interests.

I was the editor of the newsletter when Tom became president of Ozark Fly Fishers. As an active observer of club procedure and activities, I consider Tom's contributions to our club as major and lasting. He reorganized the board of directors into it's present delegated authority. He made needed changes in the club by-laws. And he strengthened the club with his dedication to quality programs.

I was so glad that Tom could accompany the group of guys that traveled to New Mexico's San Juan River last spring. Tom and I were able to spend a day on the lower river where the walking was easy and he could relax and enjoy the beauty of the area. And even though weakened, he never lost that famous impish gleam in his eye which I considered his trademark. He truly appreciated the fellowship displayed on our journey with over a dozen Ozark members. Truly, it is this last feature, the fellowship, which is the major benefit of all our associations.

I will never forget Tom, who I consider a strong influence in my life. I admire his strength through adversity, his spirit, which never seemed to flag, his fascination with the world around him which took him to so many destinations. So long my friend, you will be missed.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation to the "All Fish All Waters Foundation" in Tom's memory. That was really nice of you and a wonderful tribute to Tom. Although he was more active in OFF in earlier years, it was a group he always loved and felt close to. Especially those of you in the "old" group- I'm sure you appreciate that- I'm just referring to the diehards that were there when Tom joined many years ago.

You were wonderful friends to Tom, then and now. And fly fishing was such a joy to him. One that he shared with his seven grandchildren whom he outfitted for his last great expedition to Bennett Spring in June.

Three weeks before Tom died we visited Spring Rush and when I saw it for the first time I thought, "This looks like at trout stream from Disney land!" After Tom passed away I decided "no, that's what trout streams look like in heaven." I can picture him there now. Thank you again for being such good friends.

Love, Bev Widmar

• 27 September 2001: General Meeting (visitors are welcome): Norm Crisp, a fly fishing guide from Kansas City will be our featured speaker at the Queeny Park Dog Museum, 1721 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131 starting at 7:30 PM. Casting instructors will be available to offer their assistance at 6:30
  
  
• 5-6 October 2001: Southern Council Federation of Fly Fishers Regional Conclave in Mountain Home Arkansas.
  
  
• 10 October 2001: Ozark Fly Fishers Board Meeting 7 PM at the home of Bob Temper. Board meetings are open to all Ozark members, however, please notify Bob Temper, phone him at 314-894-0319 if you attend.
  
  
• 20 October 2001: Family Picnic at Busch's Wildlife Area For more information, contact Greg Vieth via phone at 618-281-6461.
  
  
• 25 October 2001: General Meeting: John Martin will do a program on float fishing Ozark Streams.
  
  
• 9-11 November 2001: Annual "Catch and Release" Outing at Bennett Springs.
  
  
• 26 January 2002: Annual Banquet At Jo Hanon's Restaurant
  
  
• 09 March 2002: All day meeting with Jason Borger
  
  

1. Bighorn River south of Hardin Montana
2. Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah.
3. Upper Yellowstone River in Wyoming and Montana
4. San Juan River, New Mexico
5. Beaverkill River near Roscoe New York
6. Upper Delaware River in South Central New York
7. Au Sable in Lower Peninsula of Michigan
8. Deschutes River in Oregon
9. Madison River near Ennis Montana
10. White River, Arkansas
11. South Platte upstream of Deckers Colorado
12. Spruce Creek south of State College Pennsylvania
13. Upper Missouri below Holter Dam Montana
14. Silver Creek Ketchum Idaho
15. Henry?s Fork of the Snake River in SE Idaho
16. South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho
17. Upper Connecticut River above Blooomfield Vermont
18. Fall River near Redding CA
19. Hat Creek California
20. Brule River downstream from Solon Springs