Presidents Message - Heart of America Fly Fishers

www.hoaff.org
Presidents Message
January/February 2015
For 2015, I would like to wish everone a Happy New Year and that
you may experience new ventures in fly fishing for the coming months
ahead. To start, we will kickoff the season with a trip to RockBridge,
Mo. for some Rainbow Trout fishing. In February, we have our annual
Spring Seminar, featuring well known entomologist, fly tyer and and
nymph fisherman Rick Haefele. Look for the flyer in this newsletter,
you won't want to miss this great speaker and fly fisherman. And it is
going to be held at Cabela's at the Legends. We've also been working
on day trip fishing. Finding areas near Clinton, Mo. like the Haysler
A. Poague Conservation Area, looking at Timber Hills Lake Ranch
near Mapleton, Ks. which stock both Rainbow & Golden Trout and
seeking strip pit fishing near Pittsburgh, Ks. So we've been hard at
work to make this an even more fun fishing club. And if you hadn't
already paid your 2015 HOAFF membership dues, we are giving out
a fly box with our logo for each paid membership.
In the meantime, to get in shape for fly fishing, I urge everyone
to start on an exercise program. Do brisk walking when the weather
lightens up and if you belong to a fitness center or gym facility start
also incorporating using weights to strengthen your casting arm and
strengthen your legs as you trek toward your favorite fishing spot.
During the rest of the time, if you are like me, it's a great time to tie
flies (to fill up your fly box), experimenting on new techniques and
challenging yourself on difficult flies to tie. I've come up with a couple
of new patterns during these winter months and continue to enjoy my
passion of fly tying. In January I will be fly tying at K&K Flyfishers
on their Saturday weekly fly fishing clinics. I will be tying 3 Caddisfly
patterns which I titled, "Stages of the Caddisfly". So tight lines and
will see you at the January HOAFF meeting, January 19th.
Steve Hegstrom
January/February 2015
1
January/February 2015
HOAFF MEETINGS
January 19 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
–Mike Kruse on Fishing New Zealand
February 16 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
-Kevin Kurz, K&K Fly Fishers on
Bonefishing
March 16 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
-Cameron Cipponeri from Frying Pan
Anglers-Colorado Fishing
1326 Acacia Club Rd • Hollister, Mo 65672
417-334-1005 • 866-362-1928
www.charteredwaters.com
www.AmatoBooks.com
Across the Stream
Crooked Creek Canoes
James C & Becky Walker
1002 MC 4006
Yellville, AR 72687
870-404-6054
HCwalkerjr@yahoo.com
2015 OFFICERS
President
Steve Hegstrom
913-677-4806shegstrom@att.net
Past President
Peet Crissey
913-706-7299 pcrissey@gmail.com
Secretary
Jim Jorgensen
913-481-1129 jhjflyfisher@everestkc.net
Treasurer
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com
Newsletter
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Programs
John Bell
913-484-9762 Cliff Cain
913-558-506 j.bell@kcc.ks.gov
cliffcain@hotmail.com
Outings
Chris Holman
913-244-0610 Peet Crissey
913-706-7299 holmancm@gmail.com
pcrissey@gmail.com
Membership
Ron Carruthers
816-741-7251 rcarruthers2@kc.rr.com
Conservation Chair
Kevin Carril
913-362-9379 Web Master
Bill Brant
816-941-9691 billandkathy@kc.rr.com
Raffle/Auction
Mark Borserine
913-381-0722 majborser@aol.com
Spring Programs
Dick Martin
816-781-9557rlm@mllfpc.com
Don Grundy
816-781-9019dgrundy@sbcglobal.net
Event Coordinator
Bill Brant
816-941-9691billandkathy@kc.rr.com
Thomas & Thomas
413-475-3840
info@thomasandthomas.com
www.thomasandthomas.com
January/February 2015
All Directors shall hold office until their
successors are elected. Directors are
elected for Three Year Terms. Members
will be voting for one Director at this
year’s meeting. The Directors elect
the Club Officers and watch over the
affairs of the club. The Officers run
the day-to-day affairs of the club, the
Officers include the positions you would
recognize, such as the President, the
Treasurer, and the numerous chairs.
The current Directors are:
Ron Carruthers, Peet Crissey,
Cliff Cain, Kevin Carril,
Jim Jorgensen
Cliff Cain’s term is expiring and the
Board nominates Chris Holman to
replace him.
rrac3@sbcglobal.net
Arkansas- John Bell
Tim’s Fly Shop
23387 State Hwy 112
Cassville, MO 65625
417-847-4956
timsfly@hotmail.com
http://www.missouritrout.com/
timsflyshop/
An Election of
Directors
will be held at
the club meeting
February 16, 2015
Library
Carol Falkner
816-453-8946C.S.Falkner@gmail.com
2
Following nominations, the members
will then have the opportunity to vote.
The Membership of the Club votes for
the Board of Directors and the Directors
then approve the Officers of the Club. If
you want to provide input on running
the club, feel free to contact any Director
before the February meeting or attend
the meeting and speak your mind.
Remember also that Monthly Officer
& Director Business meetings are held
on the First Monday of each month at
the Community of Christ Church, 79th
& Mission Rd beginning at 6:30pm
and are always open to the General
Membership.
Across the Stream
MooseCreek Rods And Knives
Keith Gann
Classic Bamboo Flyrods Custom Sheaths
Bamboo Display Rods and Reels
Handcrafted Knives Custom Fly Tying Tools
Bamboo Rods Restored and Repaired
Vintage American Shotguns Cleaned
and Refurbished
Outdoor Books and Collectibles
kmgann@swbell.net
913-299-960
www.moosecreekrodsandknives.com
Smoke gets in Your Eyes
Kevin Carril joins the Polar Bear Club
“...it’s simply the best there is.”
Gaston’s White
River Resort
Mark Borserine makes loops
Bill Brant feeling Prophetic
Jon Cerda works his nymph
1777 River Road
Lakeview, AR 72642
870-431-5202
www.gastons.com
Jim Mitchell lands one
Driftless Symposium
As many of you know, there are a large
number of trout streams in the Driftless
Region (northeast Iowa, southeast
Minnesota, and western Wisconsin). Many
of the streams have wild brown and brook
trout, and a few have hatchery trout.
What you may not know is that there are
a significant number of folks who care for
the streams along with the living things
in the streams. There are volunteers,
academics, landowners, along with
government agencies who all play a role.
Every winter a bunch of those individuals
get together in a symposium to share
what they know about the health of the
January/February 2015
Bill Brant
streams. This year the symposium will be held
in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the Radison hotel
on February 3rd & 4th.
Presentations include topics such as “Driftless
Area Fish Habitat Condition Assessment”,
“Driftless Streams, Fish and Flies”, and “Winter
diet and growth of brown trout in a groundwater
dominated stream”. For additional information
go to Trout Unlimited’s website for the Driftless
Area Restoration Effort: www.darestoration.com
If you want extra credit bonus points, there
is another event a week later. The Upper
Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium
will be held February 8-11 in Dubuque, Iowa.
Go to www.prrsum.org for more information.
3
Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop
627 Central Blvd
PO Box 751
Mailing
Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751
Shop # 870-445-3848
Cell # 870-404-8906 Fishing
RICK
HAFELE
http://theflyfishing-store.com
http://flyfisharkansas.com
AUTHOR/LECTURER/BUG MAN
Travel Clean Car Wash, Inc.
890 N.E. Mulberry
Lee's Summit MO 64086
https://www.travelcleanexpress.com
In-Person Presentation
Saturday, Feb. 21
at Cabela’s
Heart of America Fly Fishers are bringing author, lecturer and world-renowned bug man,
Rick Hafele, to Kansas City. Rick got his start in fly fishing at Bennett Springs over 50
years ago and has since gone on to be a leading expert and respected authority in
aquatic insects and the anatomy of the waters that trout call home.
An aquatic biologist, Rick has authored and co-authored, with
a who’s who of fly fishing experts, a number of must-have titles:
The Complete Book of Western Hatches. Mayfly Hatches:
An Angler’s Guide to Aquatic Insects and Their Imitations.
And his latest - Nymph Fishing Rivers and Streams.
Rick will present some of his expert advice on fishing western
streams and lakes at Heart of America Fly Fishers’ Spring
Seminar, this year being presented at Cabela’s on
Saturday, February 21, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Continental breakfast and a catered lunch is included. Rick will also demonstrate tying
some of his favorite flies and have some of his latest books for sale and autograph.
Presented by:
Seminar registration is
$45 at the door
WWW.BRASSDOORMOTEL.COM
Bennett Spring State Park
Concession Shop
Jim Rogers
School of Fly Fishing
contact@hoaff.org
26248 Hwy 64A · Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-4307 · 1-800-334-6946
HOAFF 2015 Programs
JAN 19 Mike Kruse - fishing
New Zealand
FEB 16 Kevin Kurz bonefish
MAR 16 Cameron Cipponeri Colorado fishing - Frying Pan Anglers
setterdog@gmail.com
APR 20 Bob Mattucks MDC
January/February 2015
4
MAY 18 Chris Carpenter - bamboo fly rods
JUN 15 Casting Games - Mark Borserine
JUL 20 Christy Graham AG&FC
AUG 17 Bob Barnett PHW
SEP 21 Picnic
OCT 19 Auction
NOV 16 Fly Tying Social Night
Across the Stream
2014 HOAFF Treasurer’s Report By: Ron Carruthers Treasurer
The following is a condensed HOAFF 2014 Financial Statement. A complete Financial Statement
of revenues and expenses by month is available to all members on request.
Brothers Flies
Ted Warren
412 PR 5982
Yantis, TX 75497
903-850-7084
tedwarren@peoplescom.net
Bank Balance 12/31/2014
$12,813.93
Fly Rods · Reels
Revenue
Nets · Waders
Tying Materials
Membership Dues
$ 3,120.00
Auction$ 3,991.90
11937 Hwy 64
Spring Seminar
$ 2,183.76
Lebanon, MO 65536
Interest
$
2.97
417-588-4334
Fly of the Month
$
38.00
Visit us for all your fishing needs
Annual Banquet
$ 420.00
Raffles
$ 215.00
Shirts / Hats
$
12.00
Total Revenue$9,983.63
Expenses
Newsletter
Postage
Monthly Meeting Programs
Outings
Liability Insurance
Meeting Facilities
$
Spring Seminar
PO Box Fee
Office Supplies
KS Sec. of State Fee
Donations
MO Stream Team
MOAFS Donation
$
OPFI
Auction
Bank Fees
Annual Banquet $
Fly Boxes
FFF Annual Dues
$
(2014 + 2015)
$
$
$
$
$
350.00
$
$
$
$
816.29
146.06
1,303.28
275.36
314.00
$
100.00
$
$
$
401.20
$
479.00
500.00
136B Edan Way
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 335-4655
anglersandarchery.com
3,506.96
92.00
518.65
40.00
500.00
700.00
66.66
Rainbow Fly Shop
550.00
Complete selection of
Rods, Reels and Lines
Total Expenses
Net Income / (Loss)
$ 10,659.46
$ (675.83)
A Memory Becomes A Tradition
I can honestly say that many facts pointed to
this idea. I considered how my son, Gabe, was
born on March 1st; I knew the reason why
so many people wanted to crowd together on
Opening Day, that fishing is the Perfect Release
from Cabin Fever! It didn’t hurt at all that
the region is familiar to me, that Grandma’s
house in Pierce City and Dad’s hometown of
Rocky Comfort, Missouri were so close by!
By: M
ichael Knight
Roaring River, with its clear waters restored
by Mother Nature after the flooding receded,
its sycamores, oaks and hickories still in their
wintery, leafless mode, lay before myself and
others like The Words from The Famous Movie.
Some of those fish there have been educated,
I thought, as I knew that many of them have
been spawning throughout “the long, cold,
lonely winter.” The words from “Here Comes
continued on page 6
January/February 2015
5
4621 S. Shank Dr.
Independence, MO 64055
Phone: (816)373-2283
Full line fly fishing shop and expert guide service
2626 State Hwy. 165
Branson, MO 65616
417.332.0460
1.877.699.FISH (3474)
www.riverrunoutfitters.com
Prairie Highlands Golf Course
14695 S. Inverness St.
Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 856-7235 www.prairiehighlands.com
Norlander Company
Norm Norlander
PO Box 926
Kelso, WA 98626
360-636-2525
norm@nor-vise.com
www.norvise.com
The Sun” echo through my soul; I had
tied so many flies at my flytying desk that
were now in my fly boxes, BWO’s, Woolly
Buggers, Micro Mayfly Nymphs, among
many others.
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be part of The
Tradition, it’ll change with many more
people near the water, in my case, even in
it! That exposed rock on the right of the
photo meant that the water was down, that
Dry Hollow didn’t have enough water to
feed into The River; that meant that Roaring
River was calmer and wadeable.
The Memory
Being here is more than pleasure, more than
business; it’s Holy Ground to me, and that
terra firma, the red clay, the clear water, the
familiar names at the cemetery, all part of
a Spiritual Experience. Seeing my sweet,
tough-as-the-mountains-she-lived-in Aunt,
we forgot about all else except whatever we
thought to talk about. I had no desire to
leave, unless she wanted to nap. She had no
desire to do anything else, and we talked
for an hour-and-a-half; she is a shut-in now,
and wanted to know all the news about our
loved ones. She was positively glowing, it
was a Blast just to be around her.
Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch
PO Box 100
Rockbridge, MO 65741
417-679-3619
info@rockbridgemo.com
www.rockbridgemo.com
January/February 2015
My Lucky Day
Stringing my line through the guides, my
Lucky TFO 5-weight is, so reassuringly,
reminding me of Opening Day, March 1st,
1998; Lord, WHAT A DAY! I started that
day off by catching, after a 10-minute Battle,
my Largest Rainbow to date. 18-3/4” long, I
wanted that fish in my net something fierce,
and one of my fellow fishermen graciously
helped. Like so many people of the region,
his helpfulness is Extraordinary!
I took my fish to one of the tents, hoping
to find the one where I could weigh-and-
6
register it. But the first tent I came to was
promoting an organization, Save Our State Parks,
and was raising funds to fight a development
nearby that would wind up ruining Roaring
River. After listening to a man for a few moments,
I proposed a deal to him.
“Sir, if you will take my picture with my
camera while I hold my fish, I’ll contribute to
your Raffle,” and he was very happy to oblige.
Later that day, in my motel, I received a
phone call from that very same man. He asked
me my name, and after telling him, “Yes,” he
told me that out of the thousands of raff le
tickets chosen, one of mine had been chosen to
receive My Lucky (my name for it, of course)
TFO/White River f ly-rod-and-reel. I calmed
down about 3 minutes later, after learning that
my predictable reaction would not make the
f loor give way underneath my feet, jumping
up-and-down for joy. Unfortunately, my luck
didn’t extend so far as to allow my soon-bought
lottery ticket to win…
The Tradition
Doing a little streamside surveying, I
soon found what I considered a shortage of
inspiration. Before the survey, I expected, at
noon, to possibly find some Baetis nymphs, the
little-bitty creatures that eventually become the
regal Blue-Wing Olive mayfly; not a single one
was present in my little net, and not a single
Caddis, either!
One thing I did find, though, was a generous
amount of scuds, and I quickly looked in one
of my fly boxes for an imitation; about a size
20, gray. All I could find was size 16, orange.
My countenance fell, and I muttered to myself,
“Knight, will you ever have the correct one
when you need it?” All I could do was tie on a
size 16, orange scud…
Twenty minutes later, my skepticism was
shattered, my mind was blown with a stick of
dynamite! That size 16 Orange scud had enticed
2 rainbows to my net, neither one of them more
than 14 inches but with all kinds of fight in
them! I could not believe my luck was entirely
due to the Lucky Rod and Reel.
Later that day, I drove up the hill from the
River, and full of excitement about stopping
at Tim’s Fly Shop, relating my story to the
proprietor, and getting his advice about tying
scuds of different colors, different materials. My
thought was, I know orange works well, but I
want to know if there is a better pattern! After
getting the necessary information, I looked to
make a purchase of size 18 and/or 20 Scud hooks!
All of the Dai-riki Model 135, sizes 18 and
20 Scud hooks were sold out! Needless to say, I
know now that scud patterns (and their hooks!)
are Very Popular on this River!
Across the Stream
The Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear
By: S teve Hegstrom
The Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph is a very versatile fly, is a true classic in my book
and also easy to tie. I use it as a dropper at times from a caddis or stimulator dry fly.
But, if you only fly fish solely with the nymph use split shot to get the nymph down
quickly and near the bottom where the trout congregate.
Hook: Tiemco 5262, 5263 or 3761 in sizes 6 thru 22
Thread: Tan, Brown or Black 6/0 for sizes #6-16 and
8/0 for #18 and smaller
Jann’s Netcraft
3350 Briarfield Blvd
Maumee, OH 43537
419-868-8288
www.jannsnetcraft.com
Tail: Hare's mask guard hairs or brown hen hackle barbs
Rib: Oval gold extra small tinsel for sizes #6-12 and
size small gold wire for #14 and smaller
Abdomen: Hare's ear dubbing (lighter color)
Wing Case: Mottled (cinnamon) turkey feather tail
Thorax: Darker color hare's ear dubbing
Step 1. Clip a pinch of fur from the cheek of a hare's mask. Pinch the tips in the left
fingers, and pull out the soft underfur, leaving only the guard hairs.
Step 2. Position the thread at the tailing point. Mount the hair as a bundled-fiber
tail. The length of the tail should be one hook-gap. Bind the excess, and return the
thread to the rearmost mounting wrap.
Jim Teeny
PO Box 989
Gresham, OR 97030
503-667-6602
www.jimteeny.com
Step 3. Mount the ribbing (the gold tinsel or gold wire) material over the rearmost
tailing wrap, and bind down the excess. Position the thread just ahead of the tail.
Step 4. Dub a slightly tapered abodomen to the midpoint of the shank. Position the
thread in front of the abodomen.
Step 5. Spiral the wire forward to rib the abodmen. I usually wrap 5-6 turns and tie the
wire off at the front of the abdomen.
Step 6. Cut a slip section from a turkey tail feather that has a tip end about as wide as the
hook gap. This is the wing case. Tie down at the front of the abodomen.
Step 7. Now dub the darker hare's ear dubbing, which is now the thorax, and dub to the base of the wing case, building an
elongated ball shape being slightly thicker than the abdomen. And end with bare thread behind the hook eye.
Step 8. Now fold the wing case and bind down and secure. Clip the excess wing case, whip finish, building a nice head, clip the
thread and add a drop of cement to the head.
Step 9. To create legs, take a dubbing brush to pick out some of the dubbing along the sides of the thorax to mimic legs.
Step 10. Lastly, I like to dab a drop of expoxy on the wing case to make it more sturdier and a bit glossy.
Tips: To reinforce the wing case, prior to tying, place a
drop of Fleaxament on one side, spreading a thin film
with a dubbing needle. Then turn the strip over and coat
the the other side. Let the feather dry prior to cutting
and applying it to your nymph. The Flexament not
only reinforces the wing case but also prevents the strip
from splitting during the tying stages of the wing case.
January/February 2015
You can also weight your fly by using a few wraps of non-lead
wire prior to tying and you can also use a gold, copper or black
bead, (sized to hook) to make a Beadhead Hare's Ear Nymph. If
any questions please contact me or talk with me at our HOAFF
meetings.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
January 19 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
–Mike Kruse on Fishing New Zealand
January 17,18,19 – Club Outing
Rockbridge MO
Rainbow Trout & Game Ranch
February 16 – Member Meeting
Community of Christ Church
-Kevin Kurz, K&K Fly Fishers on Bonefishing
February 21 – Spring Seminar
Cabela’s – Kansas City, KS
-Rick Hafele, Aquatic Biologist & Author on Nymphing
Heart of America Fly Fishers
P.O. Box 731
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201