At our October meeting John will share some of his vast wealth of canoeing and fishing experiences with us through an informative and entertaining slide program. Anyone who has ever paddled and glided down any stream will be amazed at the tips that John will share with us.

Thursday October 25, 2001 7:30 pm
Casting assistance @ 6:30
Museum of the Dog

Our Ozark members were well represented in awards that were handed out at the Saturday night banquet. Doug Christian was named Southern Council Fly Tyer of the Year. Our members also did well in the casting contest. Tom Ziegler won a first in distance casting, Tom Merker placed first in accuracy, and Diane Ellis won the women's accuracy title (her husband was not judging this one).

The conclave, needless the say, was a financial as well as an artistic success. Next year, Shawn Taylor, our friend on the Norfork River in Missouri, will be the conclave chairman. Ozark again will handle the casting games.

Think about coming to this event next year and joining the Federation of Fly Fishers. The conclave provides financial support for variety conservation and educational activities. It's a chance to see great fly tiers and hear from great fishermen, and fish the tailwaters nearby. It's a lot of fun and well worth the trip.

Kudos are in order for Bob Temper, Steve Antonic, Joe Aimonette, Bill Hale, Glen Bish, Jerry Clark and others who participated in putting on the casting games or just plain helped out at the Conclave. And kudos are in order for Carl Spudick, who again went beyond the call of duty with his generous donation of many flies that were used as prizes in the casting competition. And thanks to all of you who dropped off flies and things at area fly shops that were used as prizes. They were most appreciated.

Other random notes--the Bennett Spring catch and release trip on Nov. 9-11 appears to be drawing quite a crowd. Accommodations at Sand Spring Resort may or may not be limited. Check with Russ Hill at (314) 275-2673. Bring your cold weather clothing.

This may not arrive fast enough for the newsletter but I screwed up. The picnic we had planned at the Busch Wildlife Area on Saturday, Oct. 20 was canceled. But Bill Hale and other club members pointed out that I should tell people that an outing is still on for that day. This one, however, involves fishing not cooking hot dogs. They're going to be out there fishing lakes 31-32 (the catch and release warmwater lakes) that day, so come on out for a few hours of warmwater fishing. Bill and others will be able to show you the ropes of fishing for bluegill, bass and especially the new trophy fish in the area--redear sunfish. They won't be barbecuing.

We still want to have a potluck outing but hope to have it at Marlan Graham's clubhouse in Ballwin. Some of the older members remember have the day-long Saturday meetings where members cast rods, tied flies, looked at videos, had a raffle and ate food. The idea was a relaxed atmosphere where people could talk and get to know one another. We're going to try and do this again.

Brian Flinchpaugh

• Fred Nelson

Doug is a previous award winner with the Southern Council. He continues to tie flies at the Southern Council Conclave, other conclaves throughout the country and at the national Conclave. He's not only innovative in solving tying problems but his solutions are simple, direct and effective. He's also takes pain to acknowledge and credit other ideas and tyers for ideas he has used.

One of the best things one can say about a fly tyer is that his flies catch fish. And lots of them -- of all shape, size and variety. His recent crawfish pattern design using furry foam is deadly for smallmouth and trout and it's simple to tie. It was published in a recent edition of the FFF's Fly Fisher magazine. A gray nymph pattern he that he researched from another publication helped fishermen catch finicky trout during a winter catch release season in Missouri. He encouraged other anglers to obtain the same book and learn more about the author's patterns, taking no credit himself. His poppers, cut from foam from beach sneakers or layered together with modeling glue, are deadly for bass and bluegill. Simple observation allowed Doug come up with a streamer pattern effective for lady fish, sea trout and other saltwater species on the Gulf Coast.

Doug uses basic and easily obtainable materials. He grasps that the effectiveness of a fly doesn't depend on how complicated it is. His modesty and his willingness to share his knowledge, as well as his acknowledgement and enjoyment of other tyers. sets him apart. He deserves that recognition.

• 20 October 2001: Canceled Family Picnic at Busch's Wildlife Area
• 25 October 2001: General Meeting (visitors are welcome): John Martin will do a program on float fishing Ozark Streams at the Queeny Park Dog Museum, 1721 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131 starting at 7:30 PM.
  
• 9-11 November 2001: Annual "Catch and Release" Outing at Bennett Springs..
  
• 26 January 2002: Annual Banquet At Jo Hanon's Restaurant
  

ATTENTION ILLINOIS MEMBERS

It has come to our attention that all Members of Ozark who currently live in Illinois and are also FFF Members are currently being counted in the Great Lakes Council. Since our club Ozark Flyfishers is currently in the Southern Council this doesn't make a lot of sense. The only way we can get this corrected is to have all Illinois Members initial their names on this Renewal form stating they want to be counted in the Southern Council instead of the Great Lakes Council. Please check the renewal form and if you live in Illinois make sure you check and initial this part of the Renewal Form to insure your membership is counted toward the Southern Council.

Also again this year is a Membership called a Corporate Membership. The cost for this is $250 per year. These members will have all the benefits of the Commercial Membership plus these additional benefits:

• Your Business recognized on our Corporate Membership Plaque prominently displayed at each meeting
• A Business Card Size Advertisement in each newsletter
• The Privilege of Advertising in our newsletter for an additional fee. The current advertisement fee structure is $50 per half page per newsletter issue.

RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

Also on the renewal form will be an option to check if you would prefer to receive the Monthly Newsletter by e-mail instead of in a regular mailing. It was felt that this was a way the Club could save some money on our postage expenses.

Anyone having any question regarding any of this please contact me either by phone (618) 281-6461 or by e-mail at gotafish2@yahoo.com

I have heard the Current is fishing well. It should be, for the crowds of folks that now consider it the place to be. Haven't been to the Niangua this year so I can't comment on that stream. Most of my local fishing has been to Northern Arkansas but tailwater fishing is something I would prefer to avoid if I had my druthers. But I don't, so hello Ozark Oaks and Handicapped Access and of course, the Secret Access. It's getting that I see Dale Fulton more than Tom or Allan or Jerry.

It's just depressing. I was deluded this summer, thinking the fishing was pretty good on the Meremac, and it was. At Cardiac and Suicide hills. But the rest of the river is in terrible shape, and the fish were in the only decent water in 8 miles. At least in my opinion.

And not all problems can be laid at the door of MDC polices. What are they supposed to do, raise the water table? But maybe it is time they reassess some of their positions. Maybe they have and I just don't know what is going on.

Are they (MDC) still trying to keep the Eleven Point a wild stream, i.e., no stocking? It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as one who fished it a lot, I know the quality of the fishing suffered. And what is going on with the North Fork of the White? Every year it seems to have fewer fish. Shouldn't the spring creeks be protected from angling pressure under the circumstances? What about the otters? Anything going on there?

It seems our limited trout resources are going through a tough time with many factors out of the control of anyone. But are we doing the best we can under difficult circumstances? Is it time to reassess the situation and question some basic assumptions about our fisheries?

Admittedly, a bit cheesy but it's easy, not very far from home, and it can be a lot of fun. Some club members are going to give it a try if you would like to join us on Saturday, November 17 for a few hours at Lake 28. We'll be there from about 8 a.m. on for a few hours. The Busch area is just off Highway 40 at Highway 94.