Our next meeting on Thursday, June 27 is a combination swap meet, tying demonstration, with a short program. If you have something old, odd or neglected in the closet (sorry, no significant others, munchkins or pets are allowed) or just want to get rid of some fishing or outdoor stuff, this is a good opportunity to sell or trade it. I probably won't be there--I'm not hurrying back--but those of you with a fiberglass rod or an old reel that you want to part with can call me later. Our casting night will be held in July at Tilles Park in St. Louis County.

Those of you in town and hankering to explore the Little Piney might want to contact Tom Ziegler or Roy Cleveland. They are planning a one-day outing on Friday, June 21. They will be meeting about 6 a.m. at the commuter parking lot at Interstate 44 and Highway 109. Call them for particulars. We are also planning other expeditions later in the summer include a possible jaunt to the Big River in August and a day at Springrise in September.

We're also planning to raffle a rod in the name of Jerry Clark, with proceeds going to the ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. I don't have to tell many of you what Jerry means to many of us personally and to the club as a whole. This is one of the organizations that Jerry and his wife, Sue, suggested deserve our support. Bill Todd with have the details in coming meetings and we hope that you participate and help fight this disease.

We encourage all members to go through their vast array of gear including reels, rods, waders, books, clothing, chest packs, GPS devices, pictures, flies, kick boats, whatever and bring those items you might be able to part with to the swap meet. I am sure someone will gladly pay you for them.

There will be a short video on the manufacturing of Orvis T-3 rods courtesy of McKenzie Creek Outfitters.

The swap meet start about 7:30 PM, and there will be casting on the lawn at 6:30.

On Friday, May 10th, Ozark Fly Fishers participated in the Coolidge Middle School High Interest Day. Coolidge is located in Granite City, IL. This marks the fifth year we have demonstrated and taught fly tying to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at the school. Ozark members who spent the day teaching the Woolly Worm and the Woolly Bugger were Joe Aimonette, Larry Carli, Jerry Jarosik, Chuck Ossenfort, Al Bourisaw and Lou Juranas. Our hope is that more young people become involved with the Ozark Fly Fishers through our efforts. I would encourage all Ozark members to become involved as a volunteer. Its a great way to pass on our sport and recruit new members for the club. Thanks to all the volunteers who participated.

Ozark Fly Fishers at Kid's Fishing Fair
by Larry Carli

On May 18th, Ozark Fly Fishers took part in the Kid's Fishing Fair sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation at Busch Wildlife Area. The fair was well organized by MDC although not as well-attended as last year. We demonstrated fly tying and taught some casting. Ozark members who volunteered their time were Bob Temper, Joseph Aimonette, Russ Hill, Bill Hale, Charlie Brockmeyer, Terry Pierce, Maureen Allen, Al Bourisaw and myself. Brian Flinchpaugh's son caught a very nice bass. Many other young people were out at Lakes 1, 2, and 15 with their parents catching fish and having fun at the many demonstrations and booths. Thanks to all who participated.

The solution to my problem was not epiphanous, but was rather simple; extend your fly fishing to other species who live in habitats different from trout. For example, I like to fish for trout in the fall, winter and spring months when fewer people are fishing the streams. Most people fish for trout in the late spring and summer months. However, this is not always the best time to fish for trout, especially on hot days. In July and August, trout are usually active only in the early morning hours or late in the evening when the water cools off. You, on the other hand, are out on the river from 9 to 5 when the fish are hunkered down.

I do fish for trout in the summer but only at select times. While you are being unproductive in fishing for trout, I am catching a lot of smallmouth in streams with warmer waters. We have many more streams holding smallmouth than trout. These streams are very similar to trout streams and hold the charm that enchants us when fishing for trout. Although smallmouth can become stressed by high stream temperatures, they are more tolerant than trout. They fight and jump just like trout. They will also slash or explode on a popper creating some great excitement. So get off those crowded trout streams and try fishing for smallies during the summer months.

In addition to smallmouth, panfish rule during the months of May and June. (For you Emeril fans out there, say "BAM"). Bluegill are my favourite panfish. Bluegills spawn during May and June, and the males aggressively protect their nests. Tossing a popper over a bed of spawning bluegills will bring a strike almost every cast. This is a great way to introduce a youngster to fly fishing. With constant action he or she will never get bored. And this is a fish that can readily be harvested without ruining the population. So if Johnny or Susie want to take a few fish home this is a great chance for photo ops.

While I encourage you to take a few bluegill home for the frypan, this is a good time to talk to your youngsters about conservation and limiting the harvest of fish. Bluegill can overpopulate a pond if natural predators, such as bass, are not present in sufficient numbers to keep the bluegill population in check. An overpopulated pond can result in stunted growth. Taking a few home will help keep the population in check. On the other hand, we want to encourage conservation with our children and that we should limit our harvest to that which we may reasonably eat. No purpose is served by taking home a stringer of 20 bluegill only to have them thrown away by mom because she can't cook them all or because of freezer burn. Teaching good habits about conservation at this age will ensure future pleasures in our sport for our children.

Well, I was going to talk about bluegill this month, but I got to rambling on, so I think I will save it for next month. Anyhow, I've given you several choices or alternatives for avoiding crowds on the trout streams. You can get as much excitement from trying these new species as fishing for trout. Check it out and I will be checking with you for some new ponds to go bluegilling.

1. Debarb hook.
   
   
2. 12 wraps of .020 lead (the lead is positioned towards the back of the hook allowing enough room for tying in the tail).
   
   
3. Attach thread at hook eye and wrap over the lead locking it in place paying attention to covering the lead on the belly of the fly. Move thread to above the barb.
   
   
4. Tye about 6 wood duck fibers about half the shank length for tail, followed by 4 strands of crystal flash (slightly shorter). Top this with 6 more wood duck.
   
   
5. Tye in hackle by butt end, dull side facing you. Move thread to the eye.
   
   
6. Tye in peacock keeping the herl on top of the hook. Wrap back, then forward again to eye.
   
   
7. Tye in the yarn in the same manner as the herl and move thread to the eye. Wrap yarn around hook shank in consecutive turns to the eye or dub from the back forward.
   
   
8. Pull peacock herl tight over the top of the fly. Tye off , half hitch and trim. (Fish have abrasive mouths, patches or just plain teeth. This gives them less to tear up when pulled tight)
   
   
9. Palmer hackle forward in 3-5 wraps. Tye off and trim. The first turn, which I don't count, is on the tye in point.
   
   
10. Form a small tapered head and whip finish. I put a touch of cement at the tye in point at the tail which seems to help keep the herl and hackle from coming apart. When adding cement to the head, I do the same procedure. If the fly is going to come apart (after catching so many fish), this is where it would likely happen.

When fished in open water, bass and bluegill usually "submarine" behind the fly before the take. Fished over lilly pads, the fly drops butt first. The larger size hackle towards the rear acts as a weed guard and will actually skitter across the pad if fished slowly.

I was asked by good friend Jerry Clark why one would tye on a dry fly hook only to weight it with lead? Kind of thought too that it sounded silly. After many exhausting days of research I came to my conclusion. The light wire is much easier to pull out of logs, lilly pads, fish and skin. The Dai-Riki 300 will also bend a little if it's really stuck. Usually I can retrieve my fly even with 6x fluorocarbon tippet. (Yes, I LOVE fluorocarbon!)

Fishing technique varies from person to person. The same goes for fish. A strip/pause variance generally works with the strike sometimes happening on the fall. It seems as summer grows longer, faster stripping works well with the fish cruising right under the surface.

Tight lines and flies!

It rained on and off all day, heavy at times so the normally docile PM was slowly but surely raising as we made our voyage. This river, as most know is shaped like an S-hook. The turns can be hairpin and very tricky for even the experienced boater. To be perfectly honest, we were into every brushpile, every corner, we hit boulders, stumps, whole trees, two other drift boats and sent numerous fishermen fleeing for safety.

Most everyone on the river understood. We heard comments like "been there, done that" and "you're doing fine." We also heard "you don"t belong on the river if you can't row that #$%&@@!!! thing." Then there were two guys who saved our bacon near the end of the day.

We took turns at the helm and were equally BAD! By the luck of the draw it was Joe's turn when , in an effort to avoid two fishermen, we got pinned in another burshpile on the deep bank side, got turned sideways and the upstream gunnel being forced down by the raging river well below the surface and we were taking on water! A lot of water! Dick in front and I in back were trying to pull us out and Joe waited with one oar stuck in the pile but the force of the water was too great. I jumped on the high gunnel and the boat leveled off. The water stopped coming in but we weren't going anywhere.

Then, almost out of nowhere, came a very big fisherman, from the opposite bank, wading into a strong current almost to the top of his waders to pull us out. I didn't know angels liked steelheading. I thought that was reserved for morons like me.

We immediately beached to count our blessing and contemplate or next move. Fortunately, we were only one brushpile away from Green Cottage take out. You don't want to miss the takeout point because it's on the deep bank with a swift current and between two corners. You would play heck getting back upstream if you did miss. My turn to row. Oh, good. Joe was to walk the steep rocky bank and catch the rope thrown by Dick. Sounded like a plan, so off we went.

To keep our record perfect, I rowed us into that last brushpile where another brave fisherman came and pushed free. With only yards to go, Joe missed the thrown rope on the first try but got it on the next one so we were home free.

The drift boat is now in safe hands. We sold it. The new 5 HP Mercury outboard never left the van and too is now for sale. Believe me, the guides are worth every penny we pay them and more. Plus, you get to fish.

The grass is always greener, ya know. Heck, let's drive seven hours to Wisconsin to find the rivers in flood. Or fly across the country to get in on the salmon fly hatch and find that 800 people have the same idea on the same day and, well, there's always the green drakes coming off on the next river but it's been a little cold. They always come off this week but....

In Bend Oregon you can hire a guide who uses a Hummer to take you to the stream. An on-board VCR will show you a tape of how to fish the stream if you get board of looking at the scenery. There are so many things missing from my life. Where did I go wrong?

Sometimes I miss Bennett Springs. Sometimes I wonder why I bought a one-weight outfit. Why does the grass grow faster in my yard when I have been on a two week fishing trip? And what is with the "bobble head" dolls? Do they have one of Lee Wulff? Or Lefty? Emeril ? Or Am I missing something?

Has anybody tried the "Frog Hair" leader material? For small dry flies I really like the 5 and 6 X. Of course I am talking about tough, super-sensitive fish, here. The ones that can detect micro drag at 30 feet. I know, I know, that high density TFE, GMAX is pretty neat stuff as well. Better have both next time I go out. Durn stuff is expensive, though.

The June Swap meet is always entertaining. Since I am too old to learn from programs, I might as well buy more equipment. I plan on bringing a near mint Orvis Battenkill rod (7 1/2') so bring your checkbook.

I have been the editor of this newsletter longer than I (and probably you) want to remember. In light of that, I must remark that the benefit raffle for ALS is the best thing this club has ever done. Put your money where your heart is. Let's sell this thing out on the 27th. Thanks to the Orvis folks for the donation. By the way, I understand the prize, a T3, top-of-the line rod is a first class piece of equipment.

NEXT WEEK: TYING HAIR BODY FLIES USING THE WHAL PERSONAL GROOMER!!