Dragon Tails & The Midwest Drift

My good buddy Luke from The Midwest Drift is back with another outstanding fly tying.  As always, its creative, informative, and extremely interesting.

Looking to purchase some Dragon Tails?  Then just head over to the link below and visit our good friends at Feather-Craft.  This is a Missouri-based business that would be grateful for your patronage.

Link: http://www.feather-craft.com/item/td152/mangum-s-dragon-tails/1.html

“Mako” (Trailer) - Official Selection, IF4™ 2018

When talking to folks unfamiliar or new to our sport, it often surprises them that fish other than trout can be caught on a fly rod.  When I tell them that bass and bluegill can be caught on a fly, their eyebrows raise.  When I tell them that carp, gar, and wipers can be caught on a fly, their jaws drop.  However, when I tell them that sharks can be caught on a fly, I either start to lose credibility or spark an interest in them that is pretty remarkable.  This video is equally remarkable and I REALLY want to see the full length film.

Fly Tying- A Christmas Tree

I'm sorry that I'm a little late on this post.  This would be a great Christmas gift for folks next year or maybe you still have one more family Christmas that you need a present for.  Regardless, this looks like a fun project to work on.  Yesterday's video as well as this one can be found on the Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube page.  Feel free to like and subscribe.

Fly Tying - Deer Hair Snowman

I love seeing flies like these! They are a nice reminder of the creativity that resides in our fine sport.

Yvon Chouinard- You are a BEAST!!!

I'm not one for politics, but I AM however for public lands.  It makes me sad to see public land being sold off, and I feel like those of us that have a passion for the outdoors probably feel the same way.  With that being said, I hope I'm not ruffling anyone's feathers here.  I promise I will keep the politics at a minimum on this site but I had to share this.  Yvon Chouinard (its alright if you don't recognize the name because I didn't either), the founder of Patagonia had an AMAZING response to a request to testify in front of a House Committee to share his thoughts on shrinking monuments and public land.  His response was priceless to say the least!  Yvon Chouinard, you are the SMFG mic dropping man of the week.  Your trophy is in the mail along with a complimentary t-shirt.  Feel free to send some of that sweet Patagonia gear my way as a show of good faith.

Link: https://gearjunkie.com/yvon-chouinard-response-to-congress

Alaska Fishing & Adventure Web Series - Magnetic North - Episode 1

The other day I posted a trailer for the F3T called "100 Miles".  After watching the trailer again, I started to get sucked down the rabbit hole that is YouTube and ran across some more stuff from a company called Fly Out Media.  They have some interesting looking videos that look like they have potential so suck even more time out of my already busy day.  Hey, if I'm losing productivity and valuable work time, I'm taking YOU with me!

100 Miiles- an F3T Trailer

Can you imagine floating 100 miles in Alaska?  No, seriously, can you imagine it?  I know I sure can.  Spending that much time in God's Country might actually get me to reach my limit in terms of spending time on a river, fishing, and all things outdoors related.  This is a great trailer with some guys that don't take themselves too seriously and don't liken fly fishing to something to a religious experience.  Don't get me wrong, it kind of is, but it is refreshing sometimes to see a video that is lighthearted in nature and finds the joy and pleasure in our fine sport rather than making it look so dramatic.

Russ Maddin

I was checking out my Instagram feed the other day and ran across a fly pattern that was called "Krakken" and it really caught my attention.  The materials really caught my eye for a few reasons.  I LOVE to tie with schlappen, rabbit strips, and marabou.  I also like weighted articulated flies as well especially ones that call for a TMC 8089 hook.  I really like the wide gap on this hook and it seems to get some really good hook-ups when it comes to white bass, hybrid stripers, and largemouth bass.   I'm really excited to tie this fly and hope you find some time on the vice as well.  Feel free to send me pictures of your very own Krakken and I will be sure to do the same when I get around to turning some of these monsters out.

More information about this fly.
Link: https://ozarkflyfisherjournal.wordpress.com/2014/07/16/maddins-blended-krakken-tied-by-alex-lafkas/

More patterns from Russ Maddin.
Link: http://www.pacificfly.com/products_subcat.aspx?cat=Flies&subcat=Flies+designed+by+Russ+Maddin

New F3T Trailer

This place looks as beautiful as it does mysterious.  I really want to see the full version and see the entire story after this trailer so I guess mission accomplished Cold Collaborative.  Feel free to check out there page on Vimeo for more.

Link: https://vimeo.com/245204906

Seasons on the Fly Episode- The Amazon

Wanna see some dudes catch peacock bass on the Amazon River using fly fishing tackle?  You darn right you do!  Click on the link below for your 20 minutes of Zen and have a great weekend!

Link: https://vimeo.com/217858230

Funny Fly Fishing Sticker

This is not an exaggeration when I state that this is THE funniest fly fishing sticker I have ever seen.  I had to share it with you and hopefully you get as big of a kick out of it as I did when I saw it for the first time.

Update on Film Tours

So I did a little research and found out that the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) and the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) are both coming to St. Louis after the first of the year.  I fully expect one of them to come to Overland Park, Kansas, (Kansas City suburb) as well since the MoKan chapter of Trout Unlimited has sponsored one of these for the past two years.  I'll keep my ear to the floor and let you know if I hear anything coming.

Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) St. Louis- https://flyfilmtour.com/buy-tickets/

International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) St. Louis- http://www.flyfilmfest.com/schedule/us-dates/

A New Trailer From the International Fly Fishing Film Festival

Well it looks like we have our first trailer from the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, or IF4 if you like acronyms.  This looks like an amazing film and I am excited to hear whether the IF4 or F3T (Fly Fishing Film Tour) is coming to Missouri locations this year.  Heck, maybe we'll get lucky and they'll both show up.  I will be sure to post any information that I run across when I can answer that very question.

Link: https://vimeo.com/246866141

Christmas Tree Ornaments- Repost

I work with a group of eighth graders once a week that are interested in learning how to fly fish and tie flies.  They are an amazing group of young adults and I am so glad that I have a chance to work with such enthusiastic people that are incredibly interested to learn about a sport that I love with all of my heart.  After a lot of debate and brainstorming, I finally found a Christmas present I could give them that would not break the bank (there are about 20 of them) and would be a meaningful and lasting gift.  While I cannot remember where I originally saw this idea a few years ago, I certainly cannot claim it as my own creative idea.  I am simply taking an idea and showing how I executed it...and quite possibly in am imperfect way.  As always, if you have any ideas, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to share in the comment section shown below.  Here's the step-by-step process that I used to put a size six wooly bugger in a Christmas tree ornament.

Step 1- tie up a mess of flies that you intend to suspend from the inside of the ornament.

Step 2- you will need some fishing line, a wire hook or fishing hook, a clear ornament, and a fly to go in the ornament.

 Step 3- disassemble the ornament and attach the fishing hook or wire hook through the wire tension piece.

Step 4- here's the tricky part.  Thread some fishing line (I chose 2 pound line because I wanted it to be nearly invisible) and thread it up through the inside of the housing unit.  Come back down through the outside of the unit with your tag.  From here, I used an improved clinch knot to cinch the line tight against itself.

Step 5- I found placing the fly in the vice again gave me an extra set of hands.  I took the fishing line, threaded it though the eye of the hook and secured it by using two overhand knots.  This allowed me to adjust the length of the line first, and secure it tightly second.

Step 6- reassemble the wire tension piece, hook, and housing.

I made about 20 of these over the course of about 2 hours and I definitely got better and faster the more I made.

If you decide to give this project a shot, I would love to see your final product.  These were pretty small flies and ornaments but if I run across some larger ones, I think some bigger flies would look cool as well.  Also, my wife keeps telling me that I should try and sell these, so if you or anyone you know is interested in ordering some of these ornaments, shoot me an email at showmeflyguy@gmail.com.  We can talk sizes, flies, colors, prices, shipping, etc.

Memorable Fish #2- My First Wiper/Hybrid on the Fly

Before I even start to tell this story, I want to make it abundantly clear that I never would have even had a chance to catch this fish or subsequent wipers/hybrids on a fly without the help and guidance of Luke Langton of The Midwest Drift.  He has essentially taught me everything I know about catching wipers/hybrids on a fly and I consider him to be the foremost authority on this matter in the Kansas City area.  Luke, if you're reading this, thank you for all of the wisdom that you have imparted upon me and for helping me create some memories that will last me a lifetime.  Alright, now that I have paid homage and given tribute, let's get right to it!

It was early April of 2015 and it was time of year where you REALLY want to go fishing because its been a long winter and you have been off the water for too long.  There have been a few warm days here and there thus producing a false sense of hope that local waters are warming up and that fish might start biting.  This however is far from the case and the water is still just too darn cold...or so I thought.  To bide my time and keep my anxiety at bay, I decided to attend an Iron Fly.  Now if you've never attended an Iron Fly, let me tell you that it is a heck of a time.  They are usually held at a watering hole and you will meet folks from all walks of life.  There are tying challenges, prizes, efforts to get new folks involved in fly tying, and a boat-load of fun.  I decided to attend this event because of an advertisement that I saw when reading the blog at The Midwest Drift.  I was a little apprehensive to attend because I don't like to compare my tying skills to those of others.  My confidence is fragile to say the least and while I have admiration for others abilities, I usually find some sort of frustration in the sense that I think "Now why the heck can't I tie like that."  However, my desire to meet other folks that were like-minded was stronger than my self-consciousness issues and in particular, I wanted to meet Luke.

As I had suspected, Luke was a heck of a nice guy and  so was everybody else.  Everyone was having a good time, crazy flies were getting tied, and I was learning A LOT about local waters from other anglers.  Out of all the information that I received that night though, Luke's advice was what hit home with me the most.  He asked me where I lived and I said it was not too far from Blue Springs Lake.  He asked me if I had ever fished for wipers/hybrids there and I said that I didn't have a big enough boat to chase fish around a lake that big.  He informed me that I didn't need a boat and that my chances at catching some wipers/hybrids were pretty good by just fishing off of the dam on the lake.  He suggested that I throw shad/baitfish flies on an 8 weight and to cast as far as I could into the main lake.  He told me that the wipers/hybrids were pushing shad into the dam to feed on them at this time of year and that they could be caught from the bank.  He also told me that they were tremendous fighters and could get into the 8-12 pound range.  To say that this was enough information and detail to get my blood pumping would be a gross understatement.  The next morning found me and my buddy Pat headed to the dam to investigate this phenomenon. 

There was a light drizzle and it was a little chilly that morning.  However, that wasn't a bit of wind and that's good for me with a fly rod.  When we pulled up to the parking lot, it didn't take long to see our first hybrids/wipers.  They were 50-75 yards off the bank and were doing something that I haven't seem them do since.  They seemed to be rolling on bait like tarpon.  They weren't blowing up the surface with aggression like I have seen them do since and they seemed content to slowly feed on bait that apparently couldn't move very fast.  While this made us optimistic in terms of hooking up with one of these critters, they were also A LONG way off the bank.

Pat started off throwing some jerk baits and swimbaits while I started with shad-like streamer.  We slowly worked our way down the dam and tried not to break our ankles or necks on the slick rocks.  It had been almost an hour and while we saw fish moving, we just weren't getting any bites.  Truth be told, my arm was getting a little tired from throwing my 8 weight and it looked like things just weren't going to happen for us even though it was just nice to be on the water and having a CHANCE to catch fish. 

I had switched to a fly that I was using for the first time and to me at least, it looked pretty good moving through the water.  It is a fly I call The Brave.  It earned this moniker because about a week before it hooked a 7 pound channel cat in a farm pond.  I just happened to be wearing an Atlanta Braves hat at the time and it seemed like an appropriate name.  I also thought that this fly was going to have to be pretty brave since it was going to hopefully be placed in front of some pretty big and angry fish.  It has since become my favorite streamer that has landed some nice-sized fish for me in the last few years.  We were just about to call it a day and I was on my seventeenth last cast.  I was almost done with my retrieve and getting pretty close to submerged rocks that I could see.  I felt a "thump" and was pretty sure that I had bumped a rock...but at the same time, I was fishing close enough to the surface that I hadn't hit a rock all day.  My mind quickly reverted to a lesson that one of my dad's buddies taught me a long time ago.  He said whether you think you have a bite or you think you might be snagged, set the hook because what do you have to lose...so that's what I did.

I can only liken what happened next to hooking into the back of a Ford F-150 that is driving away from you.  To my shock, I had a fish on the line.  To an even greater surprise, it was into my backing before I could even let Pat know that I had one on.  I have only felt this type of experience 7 total times in my life and I can replay them each in my mind with perfect clarity.  The fight lasted about 10 minutes and two things ran through my head.  Once was that I was on the verge of praying not to lose this fish.  Two, was what had I gotten myself into?  I felt like I was incredibly out-gunned and that I didn't have the equipment to land this monster.  I was throwing straight 8 pound fluorocarbon on my 8 weight and there were rocks everywhere.  If a knot didn't hold, if the line hit a rock, or if the line was just too weak, it was over.  I felt like I had brought a knife to a gun fight.

The fight was incredible to say the least.  There were 3 long runs that got in and out of my backing and the power of this fish felt like pure electricity surging up the line and into the rod.  I had my drag set really low because I didn't want a drag system to be the reason that I lost this fish.  I instead palmed the real on many occasions and applied the pressure myself, as I saw fit.  When the energy reached my hand, the connection was real and it really felt like we were locked in mortal combat.  Someone had to win, and someone had to lose.  Either I would lose an amazing fish and memory or it would potentially lose its life.  However, after a grueling fight, a sore right forearm, and some great advice from Pat, I finally got the beast into some shallow water.  To say I put a death grip on this fish's lower lip would be an understatement.  The tale of the tape was 8 pounds, and 24 inches long.  I had a hold of this trophy and it wasn't going anywhere but up on my wall.  That's when it dawned on me.  I needed a taxidermist!

Now let me clarify that statement really quick.  I don't eat fish.  I know, its weird, but I don't like the taste.  Thus, I don't like to kill fish; however, I was going to make an exception for this dude and here's why.  Hybrids/Wipers are sterile and cannot reproduce so it wasn't like I was going to be wiping out an entire generation by killing this one fish.  Also, the Missouri Department of Conservation stocks them on a yearly basis.  Finally, this was a legal fish to keep and I decided that I was going to use a little slush fund from Christmas/birthday money that I had received to pay for my first skin mount.  While I had a little guilt, my taxidermy man that had been in business for over 30 years said that this was the first hybird/wiper that he had mounted that had been landed on a fly. 

Since this day, I have loved to fish for hybrids/wipers.  I firmly believe that they would pull any other species of fish in Missouri (except maybe flathead catfsih) around by the tail.  I still have a lot to learn about catching these fish on a fly, and I know it sounds cliche, but I'm still totally hooked to this day.  It was an experience unlike any I had had up to that point in my life.  It wouldn't have been possible without my buddies Luke and Pat and they will forever be connected to this memory.  I could not be more grateful for the experience, friends, and fish!

Tying the Ditch Pickle

This fly isn't a new release but I've been sitting on it for a while and had to share it.  What a cool looking fly that could really tempt a big bass or brown trout this spring!

Gift Guide

Field & Stream recently published an article that you might find interesting with the holiday season upon us.  Whether you are a light tackle spin fisherman or a fly angler with a big budget, there is something here for everyone and maybe something you can tell your family that you would like to see under the tree.  I'm hoping for the Helios 3...but I'll probably have to settle for the Dirty Worm Fly Box.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/trout-bums-holiday-gift-guide

Fishing for Stocked Rainbows

Some folks don't get too wound up about fishing for trout that get stocked into lakes in the winter.  I get that.  The weather can be lousy, most of the fish are just stocker rainbows, and they can be hard to find on big bodies of water.  I get it, I really do.  However, I would retort with the fact that when you live where I live (over 100 miles from a trout stream), you gotta take what you can get.

Over the weekend, I was able to hit one of these lakes that was recently stocked with rainbows by the Missouri Department of Conservation.  This particular lake fishes a little different than most because it is catch and release only until Feb. 1.  This means that all the fish stocked there a few weeks ago are, in theory, still in there.  Now at this point, I would love to tell you the name of the lake but I'm pretty sure that a good buddy of mine would arrange for me to have an untimely accident if I were to put its name on the internet.  He's the one that introduced it to me and I feel obliged to not ruin his spot.  I'm sorry, but to keep this place still someone of a hidden treasure means I can't reveal its name.  However, if you really want to figure out where it is, I've given you enough info that you could probably figure it out.

Anyway, I was able to fish "Pond X" on Saturday and had a pretty nice day.  I caught 15-16 rainbows and had great weather all day long.  I caught a couple of fish that went 15-16 inches and fought like champions.  One of them even tested out the drag system on my reel.  They were pretty, they were feisty, and they were just plain fun to catch.  So if you're looking to get on the water and catch some fish, I highly suggest you give a rainbow-stocked lake/pond a try.  It's a little challenging, and most of the fish look the same, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

New State Record

Did you hear the story about the guy that went fishing for walleye and sauger, and ended up catching a state record...that wasn't a walleye or sauger?  This is a pretty cool story and yet another reason why we are so lucky to have the fishing opportunities that we do here in the great state of Missouri!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/kansas-city-angler-hooks-state-record-skipjack-herring

Fly Tying: Mike Schmidt's Ripple Ice Deceiver

Are you looking for a weekend project?  Sure you are!  Who isn't?  Don't you need a break from the grind that is work, family, friends, and all the stresses of life.  You have earned some time for yourself and what better way to do it than in front of the vice tying a new pattern that you can use next spring.  you earned it cowboy/cowgirl!

More Double Fly Rigs

I guess double fly rigs are the flavor of the week here at the site.  This article was written by the man, the myth, the legend that is Joe Cermele and covers some interesting strategies I have never seen before.  The ideas are creative and the graphics are extremely helpful.  I'm not sure how useful these techniques might be for stocked rainbows in lakes, but I bet with a little brainstorming, you could develop your own rig that just might become your best fly fishing idea you've ever conceived.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/double-fly-rigs-for-winter-trout

Live Hank Patterson Event

While I don't think I'll be able to make it to the Egyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho, on December 9, I know I will be watching this at some point!  Enjoy the Q and A at the end because its vintage Hank!

2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour: Dubai on the Fly Trailer

Well it looks like we have our first trailer from the 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour.  As always, it looks like an interesting story from an interesting location.  Where else would you expect to see fly fishing film footage from Dubai?  That's one of the things that makes the F3T so amazing!

One Fly or Two? What Should You Do?

This is an interesting dilemma that I often wrestle with on the water.  I have had a little success with 2 fly rigs, but I usually fall back on the simplicity of a 1 fly set-up.  However, this article is pretty helpful in solving some of the issues that arise in tandem fly fishing.

Link: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/one-fly-or-two/7714499

Happy Thanksgiving

With this being Thanksgiving, and with a moment to reflect on what I am thankful for, I decided to create a top ten list.  Now this list isn't going to be one of those sappy ramblings about family, freedom, and friends (although I'm very grateful for all of those things, don't get me wrong).  Instead, this going to have a fishing theme and will be a little more lighthearted.  Life is WAY too serious sometimes and I prefer to take a break from the high priority mumbo jumbo every once in awhile.  So let's get started.  Feel free to leave a comment below with your own items or agreements/disagreements.

The Fly Guy's Top Ten Fishing Related Thingees that He is Most Thankful For!

10.  Fly Fishing Stickers/Shirts
I'm not going to lie, I love to show off that I'm a fly fishermen.  Let's be honest, we're a bit of a subculture in the fishing community.  We're quirky, rare, and purposefully make something that can be difficult even more difficult.  I love running into other people of similar mentalities and personalities.  We're a pretty cool bunch...a little odd at times...but a fun group nonetheless.

9.  A Perfect Cast...Which is Rare For Me
Every once in awhile, I pop off a cast that feels like what Lefty Kreh must feel all the time he tosses line.  When this happens, I have no idea what I did and can't replicate it for the rest of the day but keep trying.  It probably feels like a 300 yard drive, dunking a basketball, or hitting an over-the-fence homerun.  I've only done one of those and here's a hint- I hate golf and I stink at baseball.

8.  The Rip
Aside from a baby's laugh, there are few sounds I like in this world as much as the sound of fly line ripping off the water when setting the hook on a fish.  If you've never taken the time to appreciate this sound, I highly suggest you try it.

7.  BIG Mounted Fish
Fish mounts get my attention.  New ones, old ones, unique ones...it doesn't matter.  There is always something to be appreciated from mounts.  Whether it is the artistry, size, or uniqueness of the mount, I dig it!

6.  Farm Ponds
I never take for granted the fact that some very kind people have allowed me to fish their private ponds over the course of my lifetime.  I grew up on farm ponds and will hopefully spend the rest of my days enjoying their bounty.  Many of my funnest days and most memorable catches have come from farm ponds.  I don't know where I would be today without them!

5.  Striper Hybrids/Wipers on the Fly
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT an expert on catching these critters but I sure love catching them when I can.  I honestly believe that they are the hardest fighting fish that we have in Missouri that you can target on the fly.  If I knew how to target flathead catfish I might sing a different tune but I have no idea how to do that.  No offense to the trout and smallmouth fishermen, but I think a 4 pound wiper would pull a 4 pound rainbow or smallie around by the tail all day long!

4.  4 Weight Fly Rods
I have often written about my evolution from being a strict 6 weight guy to a more sensitive fella that prefers a 4 weight.  I just love feeling more connected to the fish and feeling their every move during a fight.

3.  Bennett Spring State Park/The Niangua River
When I want to catch some trout, I go to these places.  When I want lots of dumb pellet heads, Bennett is the place.  When I want to feel like I really accomplished something and want to appreciate every single fish I catch, I go to the Niangua.

2.  The Missouri Department of Conservation
I gotta pay homage right here to MDC.  Without them, most of this list isn't possible.  Thanks MDC for all you do for us and for giving us places to fish and so many species to chase.

1 B.  The Thrill of the Unknown
This is the point right?  When you go fishing, you have no idea what species you might catch or how big the fish might be.  You might catch 20 fish or you might catch 2.  You might catch a bunch of dinks or the fish of a lifetime.  You never know what is going to happen which, to me at least, makes our fine sport the most interesting in the world!

1 A.  YOU!!!
I know, I know.  I said I wasn't going to get sappy but I can't help it.  I love managing and writing for this blog but I wouldn't do it anymore without the views and readers.  Thank you so much for reading and visiting my small site.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you from the bottom of my heart of taking the time to visit this site.  It means a lot to me!

Once in a Blue Moon

To my utter shock and amazement, I realized this morning that I have never shared one of my favorite fly fishing videos.  This sucker gives me goosebumps every time I watch it and I hope it evokes similar feelings with you.  If you like big trout, mouse flies, and aggressive takes, well then buddy, you've come to the right place.

The Wade From Postfly

Let me preface this with the fact that I am NOT a subscriber to Postfly and I am NOT getting reimbursed for this post in any way, shape, or form.  With that in mind, I had to pass along a few really interesting posts that the company has up on their blog.  There's some interesting stuff, some funny stuff, and some free stuff.  So if you like stuff...and I bet you do...you should check out some of the links below.  Besides, it's the week of Thanksgiving!  What better way to give thanks for the blessings in your life than to read about one of your favorite things in life?

Big Giveaway
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/11/13/our-2nd-annual-ultimate-giveaway/

5 Weight Chronicles
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/25/estrada-5wt-chronicles-georgia-brown/

Tying a Clouser
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/12/how-to-tie-the-clouser-minnow/

The Fight
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/25/thank-you-internet-the-fight/

Huck Your Meat
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/18/thank-you-internet-huck-your-meat/

Streamer Chronicles- Chris Willen

This is pretty amazing interview with an extremely interesting guy.  Chris Willen seems like a down-to-earth kind of guy that you could spend all day in a boat with and at the end of the day you would think to yourself "Where did the last 12 hours go?"  I don't know if I will ever personally get to chase musky with a fly rod, but if I do, I will definitely take some of this guy's advice.  It's kind of a long video (15 minutes) but once I started it, I couldn't stop watching!  Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Missouri Flies

Now this is my kind of guy!  I didn't see any of his fly fishing videos that included trout, but this guy can catch some fish.  He's a testament to the fact that you can fly fish for a wide range of species here in Missouri and that there are a wide range of tactics you can use.  We live in an amazing state and this guy is making the most of the water he has available to him even thought it doesn't have any Salmo trutta or crystal clear streams.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfyC7eVxPbpKFWn8rLdT2g

Hooks and Knots and a Trail of Dots

I like to play a game I call “Connect the Dots.” I usually do it with news articles that appear unrelated at first, but which do have a connection when viewed from a different perspective. Here’s a string of dots that stretches around the world, from Vietnam to Baghdad to the United States, and twice to south-central Pennsylvania.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has announced the five finalists in its National Fly Tying Competition. These finalists will be invited to the International Fly Tying Symposium Nov. 11-12 in Lancaster, PA.

While attending the two-day symposium, the finalists will demonstrate their fly tying skills at the PHWFF booth. They will also have the opportunity to attend the many fly fishing programs and fly tying demonstrations offered during the event. At the close of the symposium, the overall winners will be announced at an awards ceremony.

While a member of ground forces support at Camp Victory in Iraq, Joel Stewart, then a Navy Lieutenant Commander, started the Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing, giving troops an opportunity to fish in the compound’s many man-made lakes during their downtime. Stewart, now a Captain, is a great friend and supporter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

The finalists are: Jeremy Bristol, Syracuse Program, Northern New York Region; Trent Myer, Ft. Drum Program, Northern New York Region; Robert Fletcher, Denver Program, Rocky Mountain South Region; Joe Jackson, Indianapolis Program, Midwest Region; and Son Tao, Indianapolis Program, Midwest Region. The list of finalists does not include any participants in our Greater Kansas City Program, but we congratulate all five and wish them the best at the symposium.

I didn’t even realize that there were dots to connect, until I saw the name Son Tao in the list of finalists. The name looked familiar and, as I scratched my head, I tried to remember why (when you reach my age, you’ll understand). After a while the connection came to me. But let’s start at the beginning.

From his book “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag,” Joel Stewart poses with his catch from a Camp Victory lake in Baghdad.

Several years ago – this would have been in 2005 (remember that year, because it adds a couple of dots to this story) – I read an article in Field & Stream about a fishing club formed among ground forces at Camp Victory in Baghdad, in the occupied palace of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The site included many man-made lakes that were stocked with carp and other native and exotic warm water species. One of the officers, a Navy Lieutenant Commander named Joel Stewart, had the good fortune of having packed a fly rod with him, and he spent his free time trying to attract these fish to his collection of flies.

As interest in Stewart’s pastime grew, the Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing was formed, and the Field & Stream article requested donations of fly fishing tackle for the group. At the time, I was working part-time at the Bass Pro Shop in Independence, and I and my co-workers in the Fly Shop were more than happy to use our employee discount to purchase equipment and send it to our troops in Iraq.

The BAC-SFF continued for the next five or six years. It even had a web site. As troops were moved out of Camp Victory, Stewart was reassigned although the club continued until Camp Victory was transitioned to the Iraqi government near the end of 2011.

An example of Son Tao’s fly tying ability. He is also a master photographer.

1^st Sgt. Son Tao of the Indianapolis Program is one of the five finalists in this year’s Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing National Fly Tying Competition. The finalists will attend the International Fly Tying Symposium in Lancaster, PA, this month, where the overall winners will be announced.

Fast forward a few years. Stewart is now a captain. The BAC-SFF lives on in a book he wrote about his experiences, titled “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag,” published by Wordpress in 2012 (I gave my copy to one of our participants, and it’s making its way through our group), and in shirts, coffee cups and other items available from Cafepress. There are links to both Wordpress and Cafepress on Stewart’s blogspot, https://krazygoof.wordpress.com/ and a portion of the proceeds from all sales goes to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization founded by Capt. Ed Nicholson, USN-Ret., in – do you remember the year? – that’s right, it was 2005, the same year Stewart began the BAC-SFF.

Now, about Son Tao, one of the five finalists in this year’s PHWFF National Fly Tying Competition. He was born in the war-torn Vietnam, and his family fled to Malaysia when the Republic of Vietnam fell to the Communists. They settled in the United States where Son learned to fish, went to high school, joined the Army Reserves upon graduation and earned his electrical engineering degree from Lehigh University. After six years in the Army Reserves, he transitioned out of the military and into the private sector.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, however, Son rejoined the Army. Five combat deployments and two Purple Hearts later, he found out about fly tying, and then about Project Healing Waters. Ever the perfectionist, his very first fly looked like it was tied by a professional. Son, already an accomplished engineer, a decorated soldier and a master photographer, is now a world-class fly tyer.

All of this information I learned from an article I read online about 1^st Sgt. Son Tao. (http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/announcements/a-soldiers-way-by-joel-stewart/) The profile was written by Capt. Joel Stewart.

I recommend reading “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag.” It’s a great story by a great American who had a job to do and made it better by helping the people around him. I also recommend reading “A Soldier’s Way.” It’s a great story about a great American, too, one who has benefitted from – and is now helping others benefit from – Project Healing Waters.

Oh, and one more dot in the link – when Son travels to the International Fly Tying Symposium in Lancaster, PA, this month, he’ll be returning home. Because when his family arrived in the United States, they were sponsored by a Mennonite family and settled in Lancaster County, PA.

Now you know what John Muir was talking about when he said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” In this case, it’s all tied together with fly line.

Elk Shot in Missouri

If you haven't heard the strange news yet, an elk was shot in Missouri last weekend during the opening of firearms season for whitetail deer.  I know this has nothing to do with fishing, but it is such a strange and interesting event for Missouri that I just had to share it.  Click on the link for the entire story.

Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/13/missouri-girl-14-thought-she-shooting-deer/860605001/

Life of Fly

Yesterday, Moldy Chum featured a video on its site and I had to pass it along.  I don't know about you, but there are definitely a few flies that I have that are special to me and have reached retirement.  If you have a soft spot or a sentimental part, this video is going to hit home.  On another note, I am going to be sharing this video with my middle school fly fishing club.  Prior to them tying their second fly (ever), I hope this video sends a couple of messages to them.  For one, I hope they will understand how our sport is based on science but has so much art and creativity to it.  Finally, I hope they see that they don't have to be one of those anglers that keeps flies and spots to him/herself  but instead tries to spread the love and wealth of our sport through thoughtfulness and generosity.  If you watch the video, I think you'll see what I mean!

Link: https://vimeo.com/242459892

Warm Water Discharge Lakes

While this video doesn't address fly fishing related information, it is still useful for those of us that might be planning on fishing lakes with warm water discharges.  I've heard stories about fishing some of these places and no doubt they can be productive spots all winter long. 

Thomas Hill Reservoir is probably the most popular and widely known warm water discharge lake in the state.  I have never personally fished it but would love to this winter if I can work it out.  Here's a link for more information on Thomas Hill.

Link:  https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/thomas-hill-reservoir-ca

The Rainbows are Here...for Some of Us.

For those of us that live in the Kansas City, Missouri, area it is on much like the popular 80's arcade game Donkey Kong.  A couple of days ago the Missouri Department of conservation announced that it has recently stocked some lakes in the Kansas City area with rainbow trout.  So if you're not headed into the deer woods for opening weekend of rifle season, I hope you're able to get out and catch a few of our yearly visitors.  If you ARE headed into the timber and fields, I wish you the best of luck and hope that you stay safe.  Enjoy your weekend and get outdoors!  The weather is only going to get worse from this point on so enjoy what we have left!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-stocks-rainbow-trout-winter-fishing

Fly Tying: Double Deceiver....Reimagined

This is an AMAZING articulated fly that should be a challenge for the novice or the experienced.  Good luck and happy tying!

Tagging Millions of Salmon and Steelhead with Automated Fish Marking Sys...

Holy macaroni!  I think it is pretty safe to say that the state of Idaho loves their steelhead and salmon.  This is a heck of an operation and worth taking 5 minutes to watch!

20 Inches Stone

If you are anything like me, it's about that time of year to dust off the fly tying vice and materials.  Personally, my fly boxes are starting to look a little empty and need to be filled.  I prefer to spend my winter months tying, and the rest of year fishing.  I'm not sure if I am in the majority or minority here, but that's my method.  This is the time of year that I spend refilling boxes with my staple flies and experimental ones for the coming year.  This fly looks like a good one to include for next season!

Link: http://www.flyfishfood.com/2017/11/20-incher-stone.html?mc_cid=dcfb0e18f9&mc_eid=6b3831ef40&m=1

Vlog 6 -- Behind the Scenes, Streamer Chronicles

I'll be honest, there's not a whole lot of fishing going on in this video but there is something about this guy that I love and he makes me laugh.

Fly Rod Reviews- You Know You Need a New Trout Rod!

Recently, Field and Stream published an article that reviewed fly rod models with three different budgets in mind.  The criteria that was used for the reviews was really well worded and thought out.  I thought since Christmas is on the horizon, you might want to add one of these puppies to your wish list.  Personally, I think I am going to be asking for (in the immortal words of Randy Moss) "straight cash homey" so I can purchase the best all-around rod!  Here's a hint, it's the same one that Hank Patterson wants.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/how-to-buy-new-trout-fly-rod-on-any-budget#page-7

Project Healing Waters Fundraiser- November 4

I just wanted to take one last opportunity to remind everyone about the Project Healing Waters Benefit at K & K Fly Fishers in Overland Park, Kansas, this Saturday from 10:00-3:00.  There will also be a casting contest at 11:00.  I am going to try and make it out there for some of the fun and festivities and I hope to see you there!  It is a great event that benefits a great cause so if you feel moved to donate in some capacity, I have no doubt that it would be appreciated and useful!

The Rainbows are Coming! The Rainbows are Coming!

While the air and water temperatures are getting lower and most of the warm water fish species here in Missouri are becoming more lethargic, some bodies of water are about to heat up in terms of the fishing.  The Missouri Department of Conservation recently announced that their Winter Trout Stocking Program will be kicking off soon and many lakes around the state are about to be stocked with Rainbow Trout.  So even though the weather is starting to change for the worse (in my humble opinion), the fishing on some lakes is about to get a whole lot better.  For more info about the program, visit the first link below.  Admittedly, I have had some days of getting skunked while chasing these stockers, but then there have been some good days and a rare excellent day.  You never know what type of day you're going to have (which is one reason that I love fishing so much) so get out there and try to catch these seasonal visitors!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/winter-trout-fishing-kicks-november

Here's a list of lakes that trout will be socked in this winter.

Link: https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/trout-where-fish/winter-trout-fishing-areas

Scary Fish Stories- A Salute to Halloween

Seeing as how it is Halloween, I wanted to have a post that was befitting the occasion.  I settled on a Top 10 post with the theme of "The Scariest Things I Have Seen on the Water".  Granted, some of them aren't that scary but just as with any top 10 list, there is going to be a little "filler".

10. Big Brown
Late one night a few years back, my buddy Busch and I were fishing off a dock at Lilley's Landing on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri.  We were about to call it quits around midnight when something swam between the boat slips that separated Busch and I.  It was so big it made me jump and I thought at first it was a muskrat or beaver.  Come to find out it was the biggest brown trout I had ever seen in the wild.  Busch and I threw everything we had at this dude as he swam upstream but he seemed to be more interested in heading to his nightly hunting ground and swam off into the darkness.

9. Snake in a Tree
My dad and I were fishing an old rock quarry one day near Richmond, Missouri.  We were picking fish up here and there but what had our attention was the number of snakes we saw on the water.  Now granted, I guess it could have been one really active snake, but it seemed like we found a nest of the little critters.  I kept watching them out of fear and curiosity when I saw one headed towards a tree branch that was lazily lapping against the water.  To my surprise, the snake slithered up the branch and up into the tree.  I decided that I didn't want to fish near that particular tree for the rest of the day.  My fears were confirmed when my dad and I heard a splash near said tree and saw a snake struggling to stay on the surface of the water.  Oh heck no!

8. The Unknown Creature of the Niangua
After a long day of fishing at Bennett, I decided that I had a little more energy left in me to fish the Niangua, so I drove to Barclay Conservation Area.  With the sun setting behind me and shining against the cliff on the opposite side of the river, I heard some creature come walking down the hillside.  It made it all the way to the water's edge and then walked along the bank away from me.  It was snapping branches and breaking limbs like crazy and didn't seem to care about the commotion it was was making. To this day, I have no idea what species of animal was making all of the noise.  Sometimes I wonder, could it have been a black bear?  A deer?  Momo?

7. A Kettle of Vultures
One time my buddy Busch and I were fishing the trophy area on Lake Taneycomo.  As the sun was coming up, we noticed that the dead tree behind us on the bank was increasingly becoming filled with vultures.  I think Busch made the comment that he was surprised that one of the branches of the tree didn't break due to all of the vultures.  The words barely left his mouth before we heard a crack and a snap.  We both spun around to see a branch falling to the ground and vultures flying off in a panic.

6. Getting lost on the Niangua River
One time my buddy Busch and I got stuck on the Niangua River after dark.  We were conducting our own float trip and it got so dark that we couldn't see the boat ramp at the take out point.  Aside from that, our trolling motor battery died, we had one oar, the river was low, we had to push through rapids, and my waders got a hole in them.  We eventually pushed the boat to the bank and flagged down a car that was passing by.  They informed us that we missed our boat ramp by about 100 yards and had reached our destination.

5. Falling Out of a Boat
No, I didn't fall out of a boat.  It was worse than that.  My three year old son on our second fishing trip fell out of my two-man boat.  Luckily he was wearing a life jacket and lived to tell the tale.

4. Falling Off the Bank
Yep, same kid here.  One time when my oldest son was four, he leaned forward too far to grab something on the edge of a pond and fell in the water.  This was in November and we were trout fishing at a stocked lake in Kansas City.  Thankfully, the little guy didn't get hypothermia but I'm pretty sure I had a panic attack.

3. Electrical Fire
One time my buddy Busch and I were fishing a farm pond in my two-man boat.  Yep, same boat that has been mentioned.  Anyhow, I guess I got the wires switched on the battery and the wires caught fire when we were in the middle of the pond.  I knew I shouldn't use water to put the fire out but I couldn't detach the connection either.  We sat there in awe and just waited for the wire and plastic to melt and disconnect.

2. Getting Skunked
One of my biggest fears in life is getting skunked on a fishing trip.  I mean, that an nuclear war!  I have nightmares about that kind of thing.

1. Fire in the Hole
About 13 years ago, I was on a fishing trip with my buddy Kyle.  We were fishing for walleye and pike on Lake Thompson in South Dakota and the fishing was pretty slow.  To make things worse, the borrowed boat we were using was having some mechanical issues.  It wouldn't always start and it never seemed to be the same solution every time.  While Kyle was trying to fix it for the umpteenth time, he accidentally left the ignition on...I think.  I'm not mechanically inclined but I'm pretty sure that's what happened.  Anyway, he had disconnected the battery to clean the terminals as well as disconnected and reconnected the fuel line from the fuel cell.  Let me paint a little picture for you at this point.  There is a fuel cell with some gasoline on the surface of it and a battery beside it about to be reconnected to the cords.  When Kyle tried to reconnect the cords they sparked and life proceeded in slow motion as a couple sparks landed on top of the fuel cell.  I was fully prepared to jump off the boat at that point due to the future fire/explosion.  To this day I cannot believe that absolutely nothing happened as a result, but that was the scariest moment I have had on the water.  Thanks for the memory Kyle.  I hope you're still alive.