When the weather is good and all the elements align themselves May can be a very good month--maybe the best month--when it comes to all kinds of fishing in the Midwest. There is usually some good fishing available this time of year. Locally, the bugs are hatching, partic-ularly the caddis, on trout streams like the Current, North Fork and Meramec and the canoe hatch doesn't start until Memorial Day and the kids are out of school. The bluegill and bass are spawning or close to shore in lakes and farm ponds. It's cooler, the leaves are green, and life is good if you can get away.

But, somehow, things never seem to quite work out that way. May is also the height of lawn work, gardening, school picnics and, remember, Mother's Day. May can also be a time of false promises when tornado season, sudden outbursts of rain, and lingering responsibilities take away from the pleasures of the time. So, if cutting grass, cotton candy, and panic at not finding the perfect gift for that special significant other have got you down, come on by on May 23 and find some solace. "Lefty" is going to be here.

The Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers is asking for FFF members who would be interested in serving on the Council's Board of Directors. Call Pat Smith at (877) 664-4401

Not much time to digest this but it appears there is a serious move to try to improve the rainbow fish-ery on the North Fork River in Arkansas. Slot limits are being proposed on the river that may limit bait fishing and change catch release regulations somewhat. More word about this later. The pro-posal was being consid-ered at press time. On the face of it, this is astound-ing--a move to eliminate bait fishing. The world comes to Arkansas. Let's hope something good comes out of this.
Brian Flinchpaugh

Lefty Ray Chapa from San Antonio, Texas is an outdoor writer-photographer covering the sport of fly fishing in Texas. Lefty Ray is one of the first in Texas to be certified by the FFF as a casting instructor. He is currently the Vice Pres-ident of the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited and is the past president of the Alamo Fly Fishers.

Chapa's adventures, stories and photos have appeared in Fly Rod & Reel, Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine and other publications. He has authored one book and co-authored another on fly fishing the Texas Hill Country. Lefty Ray is currently writing another book on fly fishing the Texas saltwater coast.

His May 23^rd slide show will be Fly Fishing the Texas Coast. Lefty Ray will cover the new ap-proach of jetty fishing as well as fishing from a flats boat, kayak and wading. Redfish and Speckled Trout are the two big pursuits of Texas coastal fly fishers, however other species surprisingly include Tarpon, Jack Crevalle and Spanish Mackerel.

Please join us May 23, 2002 at 7:30 PM at the Museum of the Dog in Queeney park for the this interesting and highly entertaining program. Casting on the lawn will be available prior to the meeting.

Larry Carli is planning on conduction another fly tying demonstration May Tenth at his former middle school in Illinois.

On May 18th, our club is once again participating in the Kids Fishing Fair at Busch's Wildlife.

Larry Carli is coordinating with the Trail West Coun-cil of the Boy Scouts on the Illinois side of the river regarding assistance with their merit badge program.

We have had Flyfish@ members from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, N.Carolina, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Idaho, Louisiana and Arkansas attend NoArk during the past six years. Well-known fly fishers Dave Whitlock and Dave Engerbretson have attended. Ozark members who have attended in the past besides myself include Terry Pierce, Dave Barron and Bill Todd. The FF@ Internet site is at http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/main.htm.

On Friday, June 7, we will have an informal get-together at campsites 75-77 to tell lies, tie flies, imbibe in your libation of choice and perhaps make some furled leaders. We have reserved the park pavilion on June 8 for the Saturday evening potluck and the traditional NoArk Flyswap.

Our NoArk website at http://members.empowering.com/ljcarli/NoArk.html can be accessed for additional information. Any Ozark member interested in attending should contact me at the general meeting, by phone or email if you have any questions.
Larry Carli 618-659-1579 or 659-1580 Ljcarli@aol.com

• Paul J. Munsch
• Chris & Lois Seep
• Mark Garner
• Linda Utter
• Jim Saraceno

Brian Ellis, Bob Temper, Roy Cleveland and I spent the morning at Babler State Park teaching an Introduction to Fly Fishing course from 8 am to noon. We had a nice group of students (13) and with the guys from Ozark helping we had a great time. The students seemed happy with the class and what they had learned. We heard several nice comments.

WOW provided a nice meal for us at lunch. Bob and Roy had to leave so Brian and I taught the Intermediate Casting class from 2 pm to 4 pm. Most of the students had over-estimated their ability and were not ready for the usual Intermediate casts so we worked on their foundation cast and tried to add a few things. It was another nice group of people to work with and they did improve their basic casting before the class was over.

Both groups of students were appreciative and we may have recruited some new Ozark members. As has been said so many times before, we couldn't function without the efforts of so many willing volunteers. My sincere thanks to Brian, Bob & Roy for coming out to help.

Tying instructions are indicated and illustrated in Ozarks web site.

I will be tying the spider before the May meeting starts.
Thanks
Joseph Aimonette

• Ozark logo hats: Unconstructed in olive or blue denim...$15.00
  Constructed (stiff crown) in forest green only...$12.00 (special price)
  
  
• Medium double nubby fly box...$10.00
  
  
• Medium ripple/flat fly box...$8.00
  
  
• Small double nubby fly box...$8.00
  
  
• Small ripple/flat fly box...$5.00
  
  
• Clear myran midge fly box 6 or 12 compartment...$5.00 (compartments snap together)
  
  
• Ozark club mug...$5.00
  
  
• Bumper sticker...$3.00 (limited supply)
  
  
• Ozark club pin...$5.00
  
  
• Ozark club patch...$ (to be discussed after we get materials straight)
  
  

Ozark Embroidery Service

If you or a special person in our club want to be in STYLE, come see me, Bill Hale.

The logo that is presently seen on our hats can be put on practically anything, except a hat front. It can although be enlarged to go on the back of a jacket.( A price has not been determined as yet for the enlargement)

Here's how it works:

1. You buy the item to be sewn.( shirt, jacket, underwear, ... yep, that's right, underwear)
   
   
2. Decide the color of thread for lettering (red, black or tan have been the choices so far)
   
   
3. Bring it to a meeting with a note saying which side you want it on and color, give it to me, Bill Hale. I will have it at the next meeting or will deliver if close to Affton area or any fly shop in St.Louis, MO. All this for a whop-ping $10.00. (Ozark receives $3.00 of this)
   
   
4. Adding your name will cost $3.00 extra, but will count for the new name tag program decided at the January 2002 board meet-ing. You may choose block or hand writing for your name. Have a color in mind.
   
   
5. A quick note from Jerry Jarosik. If you are a demonstrating fly tyer, consider a light colored shirt. No prints, especially if being filmed.

Nita Baughn and I have been working on a few "Ozark Ideas" but she has many things that can be embroidered. Her Christmas lace crosses and angels were beautiful. Give me a call at 314-353-5619 or e-mail at HaleBE@AOL.com if you have any questions.

23 May 2002: General Meeting (Visitors are welcome): Guide Ray Chapa is doing a saltwater program about fly fishing for redfish. The meeting will take place 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 prior to the meeting starting at 6:30 PM.

26 May 2002: Women's Outing at Springrise.

29 May 2002: 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 via email at rtemper@earthlink.net or phone him at 314-894-0319 if you plan to attend. Directions From I-270 go south on Highway 21 (Tesson Ferry Road) about 2 miles. Turn left on to Wells Road. Turn left onto Greenton Way. Pass thro-ugh 2 boulevard stops and over the hill. House is on the left at 5617 Greenton Way.

3-10 June 2002: NoArk VII on the White River at Bull Shoals State Park, AR

8-9 June 2002: Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Fishing Rodeo on the Gasconade.

It is that time of the year when you need to ignore lawn work, gardening, school picnics but remember Mother's Day. May is prime fishing time as far as I am concerned and so what if the dog gets lost in the high grass? Bugs are hatchin' and fish are risin'! Bluegill are in the shallows locally and the Salmon flies and green drakes are about to pop in the Cascades. Hendricksons are active in SW Wisconsin.

So ignore the lawn, delegate the school picnic and defer the gardening and head for the stream. Would Mom be content with a card?

Northern Georgia (pronounced Gawja locally) has some of the most unbelievable trout fishing on the planet. Not just this planet. Any planet. Bill Freidman and I took a quick trip there late last month and, well, a six weight isn't enough rod. The enormous fish were easy prey for our local crackleback. Our guide now carries them, so impressed was he. Avoid the boiled peanuts but everything else is first class.

I would welcome any stories, travelogues, or anecdotes about recent angling by (or about) club members. Tell us about the drift boat incident George! Or the Mill Creek incident, Bill! Or the surly guide, Armon...

In Defense of Arkansas: Yes, the world has come to Arkansas in their enlightened angling regulations and proposals. Congratulations neighbors! Maybe a little of that enlightenment might slip over the border, say northwards...