Tiles Park is in Ladue at the corner of Litzsinger and McKnight. This event offers members a good opportunity to refine casting skills, try out different rods and get to know other members. Please bring your own rod and reels to cast. We are starting one hour earlier than normal to take advantage of the daylight.

Mike Kruse in August

Mike Kruse a well known fisheries biologist for the state of Missouri will be the featured speaker at the August 22, 2002 meeting at the Dog Museum in Queeny Park. Mike has spearheaded and worked on many trout programs throughout the state. The exact topic of his program will be announced in the August newsletter.

Jack Gartside in November

We are finalizing the details right now, but it looks like we will have a special Saturday meeting on November 2, 2002. Jack Gartside will be the featured speaker. Jack lives in Boston, MA and has extensive experience in both freshwater and saltwater and is a renowned tyer. He is quite a character and free spirit and this is a program you will not want to miss. More details will follow.

There are others that deserve our thanks as well. Russ Hill did something quite magnanimous. The Orvis rod we had in the raffle was a state of the art piece of equipment that any of us would covet. But that's typical of Russ, who is also doing the leg work for our outing in November.

Another thank you goes out to the folks at the Orvis Company shop at 1507 South Brentwood in St. Louis County. They donated the rod to us, at no cost, saying go ahead and use it for what you need to do. One of the things we needed to do came up in June, and I think we all feel better for it.

Now for the sad news. As I write this, I was just informed that Don Oblander had suddenly passed away in Texas this July. By the time this sees print, we'll know more details but it's still a shock for many of us. Many of you may not know Don but he was been involved with this club and many of its members for a number of years. His duties as a Boy Scout of America executive moved him around the country but he kept in touch. Active in the Federation of Fly Fishers, it was always a joy to see him again and hear his laugh at the Southern Council Conclave in Mountain Home or on a Missouri trout stream. He will be deeply missed.

And there are other issues and particularly other people in the club we need to be concerned about. But its summer. There's still time to enjoy rising trout or a bass swirling for a bass bug on warm evenings or casting at Tilles Park on July 25 or conversation with our friends in the club. As a club, we've got outings planned for the Big River in August and to SpringRise in September. The Conclave is coming up in October and our fall outing is in November (we'll have details in next month's newsletter). Mike Kruse and Jack Gartside our tentative speakers in upcoming meetings. Life is still good. We need to enjoy it.

HOT	NOT
retro fiberglass	Graphite III
breathable waders	inflatable dolls
barbless hooks	creel
TFE Tippets	silk gut
New Orvis Rods	Old Orvis Rods
Antron	Enron
Phillipson	Powell
Waterworks	Waterworks
competitive casting	competitive eating
Accuracy casting	accuracy in corporate accounting
Drift Boat	Admiral River Boat
Silk	Nylon
Titanium	lead
Steelhead run	Doe Run
0799%	.081%
Uplocking grip	unlocking shareholder value
Bio Strike	Baseball strike
WF-5	WWF
DT6	DT's

If you can spare a few hours on either Friday or Saturday, I know that is hard to say right now not knowing what programs you will be attending, please let me know as soon as possible. I will then start working on the schedule.

We will again try to have the video camera and TV set up to show the audience what you are tying. I think that captured everyone's attention last year and brought more people in to ask questions.

Please pass this on to your club members that you think would help out.

You don't have to be an expert to show someone how to tie their first fly.

Tight Lines!
Dennis 'Wild Bear' Reed

Since 1924 I reckon thousands bonefish have been caught using the long rod. I myself can vouch for at least a dozen or so. I even have pictures -- although some of my friends claim those pictures are all the same fish, I just changed shirts to make it look like a different fish. Suffice to say that our knowledge about fly fishing for bonefish has taken quantum leaps since 1924. We've learned there are better flies than snapper flies anyway. Having just returned from a successful bonefishing trip to South Andros Island, Bill Armon and I thought it would be good to share some of our recent lessons purely in interest in furthering the sport. We suspect we aren't the first ones to experience these lessons and if some thoughtful bonefisher-person had shared their lessons with us we might have had an even better trip. But then again we might not have paid a bit of attention to them anyway because after all we are wise, savvy, flyfishermen with many years of experience between us. Let's begin.

Lesson #1: Pack light and pack smart. Expect your luggage to go somewhere far removed from your bonefishing destination. Airline luggage handlers have been trained to sniff out bonefisherpeople headed to the Bahamas or some other remote destination. They have a big belly laugh sitting on those luggage wagons under the terminals telling their mates how they just sent some bonefisher's luggage to Iceland and that bone-fisher will have to fish the entire week in a button down shirt and Dockers. Even better if he had on a pair of $400 python cowboy boots. To avoid this potential uncomfortableness, pack a carry on bag with everything you need to fish plus a change of clothes. On the plane, wear a fishing shirt and pair of those trousers that the legs zip off. You can rinse them out each night and let it dry the next day while you wear the pair from your carry on. Bring a reel, a fly box, tippet material, a rod, hat, Polaroid sunglasses, and sunscreen. These are the essentials for bonefishing. Break off that little file from your fingernail clippers and bring them (that way the airport security will let you through). Lord knows how many planes have been hijacked by a guy brandishing a pair of fingernail clippers. For the second trip in a row to the Bahamas my luggage went somewhere else. So did Josh's. But since we planned to overnight in Nassau we were fortunate that by 10pm that evening all our gear arrived. That's another good idea. Overnight at a larger destination with several arriving flights after yours so when your luggage goes walkabout you at least have a chance to get it before you head to that remote bonefish Shangri-la that has only one Bahamas Air flight a week.

Lesson #2: Training. To be a successful bonefisher-person takes training and dedication. You can't simply walk out on the flats and start catching bonefish. No, young grasshopper. That just isn't done. Here's a couple photos showing good training technique. Note the contemplative yet relaxed position. Note the jaunty way I'm holding my beer. And it's the local brew too. Don't be so crude as to drink mega-advertised, mass produced American brew in the Bahamas. Support the local economy. Here's another shot showing Josh wringing the last drops from his Kalik. Don't be wasteful. Besides, you may need all that sustenance before the day is over. And don't forget lunch. Like distance bicycle riders, it's a learned skill to be able to refuel in the middle of the contest. Don't wait to the last minute to practice these skills.

Lesson #3: Guide etiquette. When your guide says there's a bonefish at 1 o'clock, 30 feet, acknowledge that fish even if you can't see anything but turtle grass, sand, and a starfish. When the guide sees fish that are 15 feet from the boat and spooked, don't make snide comments about having a little more time to make the cast. Memorize a set of really good excuses for why a bonefish gets off. If you lose a fish and don't have a really good excuse the guide can get surly. If they point out fish and you say "Where, I don't see anything?" they think you aren't trying. If you make snide comments about their fish sighting or boat poling ability they can get downright pissy. When that happens they drop you off on flats that are knee deep in muck, point out a landmark several kilometers away and tell you they'll meet you there with the boat. Some may even threaten you with a barracuda. Or they'll take you back to the boat ramp 45 minutes early claiming they thought they heard you say you were bored and wanted to go in. Guides are fragile, delicate creatures. Treat them accordingly. And whatever you do, don't throw your guide overboard when they get pissy, that really makes them mad.

Lesson #4: Schmooze the cook. Besides your guide, the most important person you need to make nice with is the cook. The cook can make your trip an out of body experience or can make it so you wish you were out of your body. The cook controls what food you eat, the quality of the food, how much of it, and when you get to eat it. So even if the wind and rain are at hurricane level, you haven't seen a fish other than the pictures on the lodge wall, your guide is getting aggro, and you're wearing the same pair of tighty whiteys for the fourth day in a row, if you schmooze the cook at least you'll eat well.

Lesson #5: Consider hiring a charter plane if you have 3 or more people. Charters are available from Nassau to Andros for around $350. This pays for the entire plane and all the weight it can carry. Four people with an average amount of gear will pretty much fill up the plane. But split four ways the charter fee is nearly the same as the Bahamas Air fee. But for the few extra Samolies you get to pick the time to be picked up, don't have to hassle with luggage retrieval and losses, and you are more likely to get to your destination on time. In the Bahamas, it's worth it.

Lesson #6: Watch out for squids. But that's a story for another time.

Bluegill are members of the sunfish family. Unlike green sunfish, they have a small mouth in which they sip bugs off the surface. The sound of a KISS on the water lets me know I have a fight on my hands. The rod tip bends and the fish heads for the deep. The line zigs and then zags, and I can feel the rod throbbing with a fish on the end. After a short while, I bring the fish to the surface and wonder at the iridescent orange and pink breast of a hump-backed bull, only to see it fade to black in the flash of a few seconds. The moment is ephemeral but lasting.

Bluegills are abundant in the ponds and rivers of our state. While bluegill are active in the spring , summer and fall seasons, I generally fish for them during late spring-early summer and late summer -early fall. Bluegills are easiest to catch during the spawning season where they are found in shallow water and aggressively strike any fly near their nest.

Spawning begins in May and goes into July. Spawning generally occurs when the water warms to 67 degrees, so you can gauge bluegill activity accordingly. If a cold front moves through , the spawn can be delayed. A week of warm, sunny weather can bring them on.

As the fish move from the deeper waters to the shallow beds during pre-spawn, fishing can be difficult. During this period, the fish do not actively feed but may be enticed with a small woolly bugger. Generally, you must get the fly down several feet using split shot or a sinking tip line. The bigger fish are often found in deeper water.

Spawning occurs in shallow coves and bays. Often you can see spots where there is cratering in the shallows. These depressions are the nests and are actively guarded by the males(bulls). There is a size hierarchy in the selection of nesting sites. Small males make nests in shallower water, whereas the large bulls make their nests in deeper water of 3-5 feet. This is just a general rule of thumb. If you want bigger fish put your fly over deeper water.

The males aggressively protect their nests during the spawn and will hit almost anything near the nest. This is the time to bring out your popping bugs and sponge spiders. I like to use a 3 or 4wt rod and a floating line. I generally like to use chartreuse and orange Sneaky Petes in the size #8-10 range. Remember bluegill have small mouths. I also like to throw sponge spiders of the same size in black, yellow and char-treuse colors.

Whether fishing from the shore or from a belly boat, start out by casting several feet from shore and work your casts toward the shore to locate the fish. Unlike bass fishing, I find that actively working a popper draws fewer strikes from bluegills. Cast your popper out and let it sit for 10 seconds. Then give it the slightest twitch. This will usually bring a strike within 2-3 seconds. If not, let it rest again and give it another twitch after 10 seconds. If this doesn't elicit a strike, then pick up your fly and cast again.

The strike is often subtle and your fly may appear to sink below the surface without a splash. Set the hook when you see this happen. Usually there will be a bluegill at the end. However, you might get lucky and wind up with a bass on the other end. Often you will hear a kissing sound, and this is a sure indicator of a pending fight with Mr. Bluegill. Loud, splashy strikes indicate a green sunfish has taken your fly. They are mostly all show and no go. After the initial strike, they put up almost no fight. Mr. Bluegill on the other hand fights to the bitter end.

Make sure you bring along a pair of hemostats to extract the fly from the bluegill's mouth. Because bluegills open their mouths and suck the fly into their small mouths, the popper or fly will often be hooked entirely within the bluegills mouth. This is where the hemostats become handy in extracting the fly. Also be careful when handling the fish. When handled, the bluegill will raise the sharp spines of its dorsal fin as a protective measure. To prevent being finned, simply place your hand over the head of the fish and slide your hand backwards to push the fins down. If finned you should wash your hands with soap and water after fishing to lessen the chance of getting an infection.

After the spawn, the fish will often remain in the shallow areas for a while. Fish under tree branches or logs in the water. Rocky areas are also productive. One of the best spots to fish is next to a dock. All of these spots offer protection to the fish.

As the summer progresses, bluegill move to deeper water. Spawning will still occur but now it is in deeper water. To reach these fish you must get your fly down using split shot or a sinking tip. I use split shot and a count down system. The fish are often found at a certain depth and the count down system allows you to find that depth where the fish are lying in wait. Cast your line out and let it sink, counting off a 3-4 second interval. Slowly retrieve your fly using a short strip. Strikes are usually detected as tension on the line rather than a solid hit. If you don't get a strike then try 2 or 3 more times. Still no strikes? Cast again and count down 6-7 seconds. Keep counting down intervals until you find the level where the fish are hover-ing. You might also change your retrieve from slow to fast to see if that will elicit a strike. I like to give a slight jigging action during the retrieve by lifting my rod tip. The strike will usually come as the fly is rising.

During the hotter months of the summer the bluegills are generally hunkered down in the deeper water where it is cooler. However, as the sun goes down, and the waters in the shallow areas cool off, the fish will often come out of the deep to feed. Fishing for bluegill can be productive in the early morning hours and again in the late evening. Poppers on the surface are just the ticket for some late evening fun.

Bluegill may spawn more than once in a summer and therefore are plentiful in lakes. Generally, it will not harm the population if you want to take a few home. Remember though to limit your harvest to what you will eat in the near future. Throwing away fish because of freezer burn is wasteful. My favorite way to fix bluegill is to fillet them, dredge them in some flour and cornmeal, and then lightly sauté them in some butter. Fillets placed in a corn chowder is also a tasty treat.

Before ending, I should mention that bluegill fishing is probably the best way to introduce your youngster to fishing. I have fond memories of fishing for "gills" in a farm pond using a cane pole, a big ole bobber and worms. There is something about going out to the garden and digging up a can of worms. Simple things can provide a life time of memories. Don't forget to take a fly rod. Get them used to casting. If they get bored, switch over to worms or crickets. Once they hook a bluegill, they will be bitten for life.

Watchin' my bobber, John

Without the help and generosity of these members of Ozark Fly Fishers the Education Program could not exist. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to these members. We raised $1600 through the Gone Fishin? classes this year which supports all the other demonstrations and programs we do during the year. If I have left anyone off this list, it was an inadvertent omission.

Please consider being a volunteer next year. Contact me at a meeting, by email or give me a call.

Larry Carli, Education Director

Our July casting night has a long tradition. Years ago, it was held at the lake at the Museum of the Dog. More recently Tilles Park. Now that we meet at the Museum of the Dog, it is good to get away once in a while. I understand there will be no casting games this year. Probably just as well. They were getting kind of crazy there for a while. I plan to bring a few vintage cane rods this year, and maybe a nice old glass rod or two. Variety is the spice of life. We have some wonderful casting instructors in the club. If you need a tip or two, or just want to splash around, we meet on the dam at 6:30.

Jack Gartside! Wow! Everybody needs a hero. He's mine.

Hank Reifeiss is con-valescing at home. I'm sure he would enjoy a call. 314-846-1466