Photo Contest- Why The Heck Not?

Are you an amazing photographer that takes super sweet fishing pictures?  Then you might consider entering this photography competition.  Now I'm not going to lie to you (mainly because lying is wrong), there is A LOT of technical photography stuff included in this competition that doesn't make any sense to me.  However, if you fancy yourself behind something better than a Kodak Instamatic, then you can probably figure it out.  If you enter, please leave a comment or even better, share some pictures with me that can go up in a future post.  You will of course get all the credit and a little exposure...get it!  That was pretty punny!  Ha, I did it again!

Link: http://flylife.com.au/flylife-photo-competition-2017

Pallid Sturgeon in the Missouri River

This is an interesting story about the pallid sturgeon population in the Missouri River.  This is amazing, prehistoric species of fish that have endured a lot of changes that Mother Nature has thrown at it.  However, it looks like the obstacles that WE are challenging it with, might be too much for this fish to handle.  I am glad that there are researchers and biologists that are trying to save this species from extinction and by educating ourselves, maybe we can help provide a brighter future for this leviathan.

Link:  http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article121204483.html

Fly Tying 101 From Loon Oudoors

This is a pretty cool program that Loon Outdoors will be operating during January of 2016.  Every Tuesday from 8-11 PM (Central Time), Loon will be live-streaming some fly tying demonstrations.  It will be interactive in nature and they will field questions that are submitted in real-time.  There will be 5 flies tied each week and they will all be pretty simple in nature, hence the name "Fly Tying 101".  There is a downloadable list of materials that you will need for each session as well as a list of tools.  You can even enter a contest to win free fly tying tools and accessories during the event as well.  Finally, if you can't catch the live event, that's alright because the episodes will be saved and posted for viewing at a later time.  I am guessing that a few folks that visit this site received a fly tying kit for Christmas, so here is a great way to get started with a hobby that just might start to consume you...I mean bring joy to your life.

Link: https://loonoutdoors.com/fly-tying-101/

If you already have a little experience behind the vice and need some patterns to tinker with, then here is a link to the entire Loon fly tying catalog of videos.  This is the perfect cure for cabin fever.  I take that back.  Going outside is the perfect cure for cabin fever but when the weather stinks, fly tying helps too.

Link: https://loonoutdoors.com/fly-tying-videos/

More News From The Missouri Department of Conservation

Eagle Days at Smithville Lake on Jan. 7 and 8
I have posted about Eagle Days before but thought I would put up another reminder because it is just such a cool event.  If you live in the Kansas City area, especially the northern portion, then you might want to consider attending the Eagle Days event at Smithville Lake on Jan. 7 and/or 8.  I believe they will have a chance for you to get EXTREMELY close to some bald eagles and maybe even some other impressive raptors.

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-and-partners-host-smithville-lake-eagle-days-jan-7-8

Christmas Tree Recycling Helps Fish Habitat in St. Louis
If you are cool enough to actually put up a real Christmas tree in your house, then you can do something equally cool when the tree comes down.  Folks in the St. Louis area can donate old trees to improve fishing habitat and increase fish populations.  Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!  Am I right?  Self high five on that one!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-seeks-recycled-christmas-trees-benefit-fish-and-anglers-0

Lake Jacomo Fishing Dock Moved
No, the lake didn't flood and take a dock downstream...thankfully,  The Department of Conservation has moved the fishing dock located near the Lake Jacomo Marina.  It is now located near the dam on Liggett Road and in deeper water with less boat traffic.  I plan on going to check it out in the next couple of days and will try to post some pictures to give you an idea of its new location.  Also, a thought just occurred to me and either I am a genius or the last to get the memo on this and it is probably the latter.  Is the word Jacomo a mashup of Jackson County Missouri just like Taneycomo is derived from Taney County Missouri?

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-crew-moves-fishing-dock-lake-jacomo

Finally, if you want even more outdoors information from around our great state, you can always check out the Missouri Department of Conservation Newsroom.  I do, and just look at me!  It makes me smarter, better informed, and a little more handsome if I am being completely honest.

Missouri Department of Conservation Newsroom
Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom

Instructional Video- Tying the Griffith's Gnat

This is my first attempt at making an instructional fly tying video but I hope you find it to be both useful and helpful.  I picked a Griffith's Gnat as my first fly to tie because it is by far my favorite dry fly to fish when I am targeting trout here in Missouri.  It is an easy fly to tie in the sense that there are few materials as well as the fact that there are only a few steps to follow.  However, my favorite thing about this fly is that it rides high on the water and you can see it from a mile away.  If this is a new fly to you or you are new to fly fishing, I hope this video helps.  Also, I'm sorry if I sound like Kermit the Frog.  Finally, this fly will be cataloged on the "Show Me Flies" page in case you ever need to find it in the future.

Hook: Tiemco 100, Size 14
Thread: Red 140 Ultra Thread
Body: Peacock Herl
Hackle: Girzzly Hackle

New Streamer Pattern

I sat down at the vice the other day with an idea for a streamer pattern and this was the final product.  Not sure if I like it yet because it didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted, but I am going to reserve judgement until I see how it looks and moves in the water.  In case it is successful, does anyone have a good name for it?  If so, please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.  I think I have changed some settings and made it to where anyone can leave comments and you don't have a log in to anything.  Also, in case you were wondering about the materials, I am including them as well.  Finally, I am including this picture and information on the "Show Me Flies" page as well should you want to find it again in the future.

Hook: Mustad 80400 BLN size 4 but any size of streamer hook with a long shank will work.  This might be a big trout fly since the gap is so narrow and I am thinking about using a Tiemco 8089 (wide gap hook) to make this thing a bass fly.

Conehead: Large

Tail/Body: One rabbit strip

Collar: White mallard flank, then yellow mallard flank, and finally some black schlappen

Streamer Chronicles

Another outstanding episode of Streamer Chronicles from Fly Fishing the Ozarks.  I had never heard of Alex Lafkas until this video, but he seems like a really cool guy with some interesting thoughts and ideas.

IF4...Coming Soon!

For now, the IF4 (International Fly Fishing Film Festival) is not scheduled to come anywhere in Missouri, but that could change.  I attended the even last year in Overland Park, Kansas, and that was in March so hopefully some more dates will be added to a location near you!  Here's a trailer to get you excited about the possibility though.

IF4™ 2017 - Tickets On Sale Now! from IF4™ on Vimeo.

Bad Flies

I'm not a very good fly tier, I will readily admit that.  I like to have about as many materials in a fly pattern as I do in the main course of something for dinner.  If there are more than 4 items, I start to get a little skeptical of their importance and necessity.  As a result, my fly patterns are simple, serviceable, and sometimes even productive.  I tie and fish patterns like John Deere's, White Floss, Griffith's gnats, Braves, Goblins, and Wooly Buggers.  I can crank a lot of them out in a short time and they all look pretty uniform as a result of simplicity.  Like I have stated before, I like my fly fishing like I like my life- simple and free of frustration.   I guess that is why I don't use tapered leader and tippet, but that's a topic for another time.

At times, the hectic and domestic lifestyle I am in tune with currently seems to grant me a respite.  It is almost a microcosm of  life in Missouri itself.  Just when you think that you are about to pull your hair out at the roots because of stress and being busy, the clouds part and give you a little shelter and break from the elements.  Originally, last Saturday and Sunday were supposed to be dedicated to traveling to different parts of Missouri, spending time with family, and exchanging gifts.  Don't get me wrong, family time is important and I love my kin, but when you put in a 50 hour week and you are staring down a 24 hour weekend, well that can make a guy that appreciates simplicity and tranquility a little..edgy.  That's when Mother Nature decided to change our traveling plans in a way that didn't infuriate me for once.

With a skating rink on the ground, snow falling, and dropping temperatures on the way, our travel plans got cancelled.  After phone calls were made and schedules were rearranged, Saturday afternoon found me at my fly tying desk.  It felt strange, in a familiar way.  I don't tie year round, and at best, I go through phases of fly tying.  I will tie for a few weeks and then I don't want to see a vice for weeks, but the winter months are a little different.  I tie on and off throughout the winter and sometimes it is out of boredom while other times it is out of necessity and I am trying to fill fly boxes.  So when I got a chance to wrap some thread around a hook, I finally got to exorcise some wooly bugger color patterns out of my cerebral cortex that had been haunting me for about three weeks.  After that, I decided to get creative...that's when things went as sideways as a two-wheel drive pickup on a muddy road.

I had this idea about a rabbit strip pattern with mallard flank collar that was supposed to look like baitfish that was twitching with its hair on fire.  I even borrowed some aspects from and Orvis pattern.  AN ORVIS PATTERN!  Needless to say, my pattern didn't turn out very Orvis-like.

The final product that I had envisioned did not match what was whip finished on my vice.  It was alright, just not something I was happy with, so a question resonated through my head, "What should I do with this thing now?"  A question that has taken many forms in my lifetime, but never quite answered.  Ultimately, most mediocre patterns end up in one of two places: 1. a bluegill box because bluegill will eat ugly flies. 2. a box titled "Misc. Streamer" box where bad patterns go to spend time in purgatory.  Notice, I stated most of those patterns.  much like those t-shirts of the losing Super Bowl football team, one has to wonder, "What happens to...".  That's where the question arises, "What am I supposed to do with an ugly fly pattern?"

Option 1- Give it away
Make no mistake about it, this is not a gesture of kindness.  You are passing along your garbage to someone else.  You might even be doing this under some sort of false pretense which makes it even more underhanded.  Maybe, for example, you are fishing a spot and knocking them out.  Things are going really well until some dude keeps inching your way every time you hook a fish.  After he is about 10 feet away and casting to the same spot as you, he has the audacity to ask you what they are biting on.  And maybe, just maybe, you pull out Mr. Ugly Fly and hand it to him with a smile.  Sure you're a jerk but that guy started it...right?

Option 2- strip it back down
My ugliest efforts have often met a purging and sometimes aggressive demise.  While the set of razor blades at my fly tying bench are typically used for trimming spun deer hair flies, sometimes they can restore a matted mess of a fly back to its former bare-hook glory.  It is strangely therapeutic to completely dismember and destroy something that didn't turn out the way you wanted.  Think about is as a justifiable temper tantrum.

Option 3- into the trash can
This is rare, but some patterns were so frustrating and turned out so bad, I don't ever want to even see the hook again.  I'm kind of cheap so this rarely happens because I can't justify throwing away a perfectly good fly hook.  However, when a particularly frustrating pattern gets the better of me, I have been known to just toss the dog gone thing.  My hope is that a gust of wind carries it from the landfill it ends up in and blows it into a tree near a landfill.  Besides, that's where most of my other flies I lose end up.

Lots of News From the Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Department of Conservation has put out a lot of news lately on a variety of topics.  They are shown below and I hope you find something to be relevant and useful.  Also, I apologize to the readers from Northeast Missouri for my lack of information from that region, so this post if for you.  If you are from that area, you might find the fly tying classes and Fox Valley Lake information pertinent.

Fly Tying Classes Being Offered (Northeast Missouri)

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-hosts-basic-fly-tying-clinic-kirksville-jan-7

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-invites-youth-fly-tying-workshop-edina-jan-15

Update to Frost Flowers That Were Featured in a Previous Post (Statewide)

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-says-frost-flowers-can-be-part-landscaping

Changes to Rock Bass and Smallmouth Regulations (Statewide)

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/conservation-commission-approves-changes-smallmouth-and-rock-bass-regulations

An Interesting Approach to Helping Largemouth Bass at Fox Valley Lake (Northeast Missouri)

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-drop-water-levels-fox-valley-lake-near-kahoka

Introducing Woodard Rod Company

Woodard Rod Company is trying to firmly stomp its wading boot into the fly rod building landscape and their vision as well as ideals might end up leaving a big impression!

I first found out about Woodard Rod Company from a heck-of-a-nice guy that just happens to be on the Pro Staff for the company.  I had never heard of the company but my curiosity was peaked because I don't know anyone else that is considered a "pro staffer".  I thought that was pretty cool so I decided to check out the company.  What I found was a group of young men that have some big ideas and the passion to see them through to fruition.  The biggest of the ideas is that they want to build fly rods that are 100% American Made from beginning to end.

This is a tall order to say the least.  From the statistics that I have seen, somewhere around 90% of fly rod companies have at least some part of their rods imported and most imports come from Asia.  These guys don't only want to break the mold of the fly rod industry, they want to do it with a twenty pound sledgehammer!  To make a fly rod that is literally, all-American, from the real seat to the tip top, is a daunting task enough but the fact that they want to couple this with a desire to keep rods at $400 and less is equally admirable.  Let's be honest for a minute here.  Why do we buy foreign things?  Usually because they are cheaper.  I do it, you can hardly avoid it, and it has become a way of life.  Sure we sacrifice quality in the process, but sometimes it is a justifiable decision.  However, when it comes to buying something for a sport, a hobby, a passion that we choose to be a part of, then why not make some decisions that couple quality, American made craftsmanship, and an affordable fly rod?

So this Arkansas-based company with the big ideas is in its infancy and needs a little help getting off the ground.  With vision comes expenses and this is no different but this is where we can help make a dream become a reality.  Besides, it is the giving season and what better gift could you give than helping someone achieve their dreams.  I highly encourage you to go to the company's website to look at their products, mission, and blog.  If you like what you have read or you like what you see, then maybe you should consider making a donation to help get this company started.  The links for both are located below should you feel inclined to action or just to learn more.

Link to homepage: http://www.woodardrodco.com/

Link to fundraising page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/woodard-rod-company-usa-made#/

And For Those Advanced Fly Tiers, Have Fun With This One!

If you haven't ever seen or tied a Kelly Galloup pattern, then you are in for a mind-blowing treat.  He is as creative as he is innovative and the man is the king of streamer fishing.  If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Galloup's work, then buckle up and prepare to have your fly fishing world turned upside down.

Missouri Record Fish Stories - Striped Bass

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.

Why I Love Fly Fishing

After a recent and successful trip to Sedalia to catch Rainbow Trout with the fly fishing club I sponsor, I found myself appreciative of all things fly fishing since I hadn't touched a fly rod since early November.  The things I love about fly fishing came to the forefront of my mind.  I liken it to seeing a really good friend that you haven't seen in months.  With other friends, it might be strange or awkward trying to get caught up, but with truly close friends, it takes no time at all.  That's what happened with me and I thought I would share what I appreciate about our fine sport.  I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.  Also, I think I have changed some settings and made it possible for anyone to comment and hopefully without signing in.  Anyway, these are some of my musings.

One thing I love about fly fishing is the...

...feel of a perfect cast...which rarely happens.

...site of an indicator vanishing from the surface of a lake or river.

...site of a dry fly being taken by a rainbow.

...sound of the line ripping off the surface of water that fly line makes when a hook is being set on a fish.

...strange feeling of water compressing waders tight to your body when you step into waist-deep water.  I also love the dry feeling that hopefully accommodates the compression feeling.

...feeling of catching a fish on a fly that you tied which started off as a bare hook but has been transformed into a fish catching machine.

...site of a perfectly tied nail not when I connect leader to fly line.

...feeling of a fish slipping out of my hand as I return it to the water as well as the site of watching said fish swim away.

...feeling like a little kid when I feel a fish pulling on the end of my line.

...feeling like I spent all day doing something that I love at the end of a long day of fishing, but also not feeling like I really accomplished anything important during my time

...sound of laughter coming from my friends when they land a small fish or when I do something stupid.  Falling and having my waders fill with water would be the exception.

...feeling of being able to talk to total strangers while on the water and knowing that we are linked because of a passion that we share.  I also love how most folks are easy to talk to on the water because they are enjoying a hobby that they love and thus, their defenses are down and more accessible.

...feeling of being able to look at clouds, trees, water, and everything else that isn't manufactured and is just the way God intended it to be.

...smell of my fly vest and the look all the tools and the sentimental stuff I keep in it (grandpa's old red handkerchief for example).

...feeling of working hard for a fish and NOT catching it.

...the feeling of catching so many fish in a day that I lost count.

...smile of a kid after catching his/her first fish on a fly rod or first fish ever for that matter.

...excitement and wonder when you first hook a fish and try to quickly figure out what you have caught and how big it is.

How To: Set The Hook

Here's another great video in the "How To" series from Rio.  In this video, the host (who is wearing an AMAZING corduroy ball cap by the way) describes how to set the hook while dry fly, nymph, and streamer fishing.  While I feel like I employ the dry fly and nymph hook sets, I admittedly didn't have a reason or understanding of why I was doing what I was doing.  However, when it comes to setting the hook with a streamer, I feel like I learned A LOT from this video and I honestly think I will catch more fish on streamers as a result.  Now if I can only remember the information until this spring when I start throwing big streamers for wipers/hybrids!

Missouri Record Fish Stories - Largemouth Bass

I have fished in Missouri since I was about five years old and I had never heard this story until I watched this video.  What an amazing story about an incredible man and a fish that has lived on a legend for decades.  The video is only about three minutes long, but it is a story that all fishermen in Missouri should hear at least one time.  

Would you like to buy a fly rod that came from a prison? I sure as heck do!

So a few months ago, a guy told me about a way that I could get my hands on some pretty nice fly rods for a fraction of the cost.  Let's just say that got my attention more than 89 cent pancakes at Burger King.  If you think I am lying, here's a link:  http://time.com/money/4574866/burger-king-pancakes-89-cheap-fast-food-deals/  I wouldn't even care how they taste because the sweet flavor of savings is all I need.  But I digress.

So this guy said he can get me discounted fly rods and that they are of almost the same quality as what you could get at a fly shop.  Did you catch that too?  Yeah, the word "almost" engaged that cynical part of my brain that triggers the response "Yep, I knew it had to be too good to be true."  What came next was a twist straight out of an M. Night Shamalamadingdong movie.  The rods start off as blanks and are then assembled by workers that have a little time on their hands.  I bet the facility where the rods are wrapped is nicknamed The Big House.  And while these guys might have got a bad rap, I bet the rods get wrapped just fine.  That's right, these rods are assembled by prison inmates and THAT IS AWESOME!

While I am not in the market for a new rod (oh who am I kidding, I am always in the market for a new rod) I am seriously considering purchasing one of these rods.  Just think about the conversations you could start on the stream.  However, on a serious note, this actually seems like a very cool program.  Inmates get to learn a valuable skill that would benefit them upon their release.  I hope that it aids them in their rehabilitation process and maybe gives them a way to break up the monotany of daily prison life.

In other news, inmates are also cranking out other products as well that might be worth checking out as well.  If nothing else, I hope you find this as interesting as I did and at the very least it will give you something to bring up around your buddies next time you are on the water or at your local fly shop.

Article Link; http://www.aspentimes.com/news/colorado-inmates-learn-craft-of-rod-making-and-fly-tying/

Article Link: http://www.drakemag.com/back-issues/2016/summer/1620-rod-builders-behind-bars.html

Link to actual site: https://www.coloradoci.com/manufacturers/rodshop/index.html?intro

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

While I do not have any direct experience or personal ties to Project Healing Waters, I have friends that work with the organization.  One day I would like to get involved in some capacity after my kids get a little older and I have a little more time to dedicate.  I have A LOT of respect for what members of the organization do.  I also believe in the overall mission of helping connect members of the armed forces that have suffered visible and unseen injuries with nature as a part of the healing process.  If you feel inspired to donate time, money, or gently used equipment to this cause, then there is some contact information below.  If you want to get involved on a local level and you live in the Kansas City area, then I would highly suggest that you get in touch with Matt Sutton, the owner of Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence, Missouri.  He is involved with the local chapter and the shop hosts annual meetings.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Homepage: http://www.projecthealingwaters.org

Project Healing Waters: How you can help:
http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/Donate/Howyoucanhelp.aspx 

Gear Drive For Healing Waters: http://wingedreel.com/2nd-annual-phwff-gear-drive/

Rainbow Fly Shop: http://kcflyshop.com/

Dear Redington, You're The COOLEST!

A while back I wrote about a promotional event that Redington had on the Niangua River just downstream from where Bennett Spring and the river meet.  Prior to the event, I emailed the contact person and told him that I would be attending the event and that I was looking forward to making some new friends that share a similar passion.  I also informed him that if he had any donations for the middle school fly fishing club I sponsor that I would gladly take them back to the kids and distribute the materials to the newbies.  Almost ninety-five percent of the club members had never touched a fly rod prior to joining the club and were quickly becoming big fans of fishing.  However, none of them had any gear to call their own and would gladly welcome anything fly fishing related into their lives.  Jay, the fella that replied to my email, said that he would see what he could do.  First off, I was shocked that I even got a reply from anyone at the company because I didn't think a company as large as Redington would see a need to get back to one individual about a donation request.  This was the first time that Redington and Jay would surprise me, but it would not be the last.

Fast forward to the day of the event and low and behold there was Jay and he actually remembered our email exchanges.  Surprise number two!  Jay was very welcoming and cordial offering us some hot dogs, drinks, and a chance to cast a two-handed fly rod on the Niangua.  Austin, a former student of mine and former fly fishing club member, and I were extremely excited to hit the water and Jay was an excellent instructor that had the patience of a saint.  Surprise number three because I have no doubt that it is hard to spend your life promoting a company, traveling around the country, dealing with donations, and teaching folks to do something that they have never done before.  I think I have mentioned before that I am a teacher, and that job alone is enough but Jay is obviously multi talented.  

After learning how to do some basic spey casting, our little crew started to get an itch to get back to Bennett Spring State Park where the fish had been biting earlier in the day.  Prior to leaving, I asked Jay if he had anything for me to pass along to my club members and he did.  Surprise number four.  Jay followed through on his promise and sent me home with some very cool promotional items to pass along to the club members.  It is difficult for me to find the words to express my gratitude and thanks to both Jay and Redington for taking the time and energy to help out one individual with a donation request.  The fact that my email didn't fall on deaf ears, that they made a promise, that they followed through on said promise, and that they were so generous with their resources and time is something that seems rare in the day and age that we live in.  It is refreshing and speaks to the type of company Redington is and the type of person Jay is that they are so willing to go out of their way to help others and genuinely care about their customers and potentially future customers.  Both Jay and Redington are genuine, good-hearted, and thoughtful and I could not be a bigger fan of both.  Redington employees, if you are reading this, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all that you did for my students as well as myself.  And if my words aren't enough to get my point across, here are the words of some of the club members:

"Thank you for supporting the only fly fishing club in the state."

"When I was at Roaring River State Park on year, my grandfather asked me if I would like to learn how to fly fish.  Since the, I've gotten closer to my grandfather."

"If you ever come back to Missouri, you should stop by and maybe go fishing with us to see how much your donations helped us out."

"I'm so happy that you donated and showed your appreciation for our club."

"I have been fly fishing for about 2 years now and I absolutely love it.  Redington is one of my favorite companies and when I'm older I would like to work for Redinton."

"I mainly joined fly fishing because my whole family loves it and of course I didn't want to be left out of a family tradition.  Now I don't need as much help anymore and can catch a decent amount of fish.  I really appreciate what you did for our fly fishing club."

"We are very appreciative to the company and we will be customers for a long time."

Well said kids.  I even decided to christen my somewhat new truck with it's first sticker out of appreciation.  I really don't think I can show my appreciation any more than that. 

Two Interesting Reads

Winter Project- Learn To Cast With Your Nondominant Hand

Link: https://www.deneki.com/2016/11/learning-to-cast-with-your-opposite-hand-3-drills/

Troopers Honored For Efforts on the Niangua River

Link: http://missourinetwork.tv/troopers-honored-by-dps-for-heroics-in-saving-lives-on-niangua-river/

Eagle Days

So maybe the only way that this post applies to fishing in any way, shape, or form is the fact that eagles are technically fishers because they eat fish but I had to share this.  If you have never been to Eagle Days at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Missouri, then you might want to consider going.  Aside from being able to see an incredible migrations of waterfowl, you can spot the raptors that are following their migration to pick off the sick and the old.  I went to this event a few years ago and it is really well done by those that manage the refuge as well as the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Also, if you go to Eagle Days, I would highly reccomend gonig to the program that is put on at different times throughout the day.  The year I went, I was able to get extremely close to a captive immature bald eagle, mature bald eagle, and golden eagle.  If you like bald eagles, you are going to really like golden eagles.  I was shocked at how a golden eagle dwarfs a bald eagle.  Anyway, this is a great event that I cannot recoomend highly enough and it's free.

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-and-partners-host-38th-squaw-creek-eagle-days

720 Flies

Every once in a while, I run across a website that sells fly fishing accessories and clothing.  I decided to share this site because it looks like it is in it infancy but has some pretty cool ideas.  The prices seem very reasonable and some of the ideas are pretty cool.  I am partial to the mayfly t-shirt.  Also, I do not get anything out of promoting this site and I just wanted to be straightforward and honest about that.  Finally, the site also has a blog but surely it can't be as good as that one.  That's sarcasm in case you are new to the site.  If you are old to the site, I am sarcastic all the time and if you didn't know that, maybe you should reread some recent posts and they won't offend you as much.

Link: https://www.720fly.com/

Winter Stocked Trout Pictures & The "Show Me Fish" Page Update

If you haven't noticed, and shame on you if you haven't, the "Show Me Fish" page has been updated.  There's a nice grass carp and a lunker Rainbow Trout that will also be featured in the post below.  

Speaking of which, I am starting to get some pictures sent to me of trout being caught at lakes that are stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation during the winter months.  While these lakes can be found all over the state, the pictures I am receiving are coming from James A. Reed Conservation Area in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Liberty Park Pond in Sedalia, Missouri.  I know that I recently mentioned in a post that the fishing in northern Missouri has slowed almost to a standstill, the chance to catch stocked trout at a lake near you offer a little respite while our native fish slow their activity and metabolism.

Steve
Liberty Park Pond- Sedalia, MO

Cameron
Liberty Park Pond- Sedalia, MO

Cameron
Liberty Park Pond- Sedalia, MO

Cameron
Liberty Park Pond- Sedalia, MO

Austin
James A. Reed Conservation Area- Lee's Summit, MO

Austin
James A. Reed Conservation Area- Lee's Summit, MO

Austin
James A. Reed Conservation Area- Lee's Summit, MO

Austin
James A. Reed Conservation Area- Lee's Summit, MO

Austin
James A. Reed Conservation Area- Lee's Summit, MO

I Guess It Is Time To Start Tying

Well, it is about that time of year where there is little fishing to be done in the northern part of Missouri (where I live) and it is time to start filling those fly boxes and replacing the ones you donated to trees and big fish that broke you off.  This is about the time of year that I get the itch to start tying because there is little else to do outside and it keeps my cabin fever at bay.  This is a good introduction from the Missouri Department of Conservation.  While you can still expect to see fishing stories and pictures, there will be a shift on this site towards more fly tying related information, videos, and pictures.  I will try and keep a fairly even distribution of videos, fly recipes, and information for those that are new to tying and those of us that have already tied a few thousand.

Giving Thanks

I wanted to post this yesterday but just didn't have time so I apologize that this is a day late.  

I think that there is some unwritten rule about writing a "Giving Thanks" post if you are a blogger, so here it is.  However, I reserve the right to stray from conventional, sappy posts and make this a little more fun.  Light and breezy- that's how we keep things around here and with a small side of sincerity and metaphorical language.  So let's eat and give thanks.

Side Dish #1- Stuffing

Let's start with a staple that is both traditional and necessary, just like stuffing.  I'm grateful for my family, friends, house, job, and great country that we live in.  I'm a lucky guy and sometimes I forget that.  I'm not rich by any means, but I sure do appreciate what I have, just admittedly not as much as I should.

Side Dish #2- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Now this is what puts rears in the seats.  My mom makes these mashed potatoes with sour cream, butter, bacon, ranch dressing, and I think she incorporates lard somehow.  They have become a necessity at family dinners and much like her taters, fly fishing has become a staple in my life.  Without it, I would probably go crazy and be the most unpleasant person in the world to be around.  It gives me a competitive outlet, it helps me appreciate nature, and connects me with friends.  It reminds me that learning is a life-long process and that just like there is always another body of water to fish, there is always something new to learn.  And maybe most importantly, YOU get to decide how you fly fish, and how YOU get to appreciate our fine sport.

Side Dish #3- Cranberry Sauce

Like this traditional dish, fly tying is bitter sweet to me.  I tie in spurts and mostly in winter.  I go through phases of tying like crazy and then don't want to touch a bobbin for weeks.  Like my cast, I am serviceable at tying and am just good enough to get the job done and be moderately successful on the water.  I can feel the upswing starting to occur with my tying habits because I actually cleaned my fly tying desk yesterday.  Look out fly boxes, you are about to be filled with semi-successful flies that work from time to time.

The Main Dish- Prime Rib

I'm not a fan of turkey.  Most of the time it is dry, full of chemicals that may or may not make you sleepy, and I only eat it out of obligation to tradition.  Well since this is my thanksgiving dinner, we're eating red meat by golly.  And like steak, I appreciate you.  (You might want to go get a hanky or tissue because this is going to be a tear jerker).  If you are reading this, it means that out of the countless other things we could be doing, you are choosing to visit this site and read some of my incoherent ramblings.  Whether we have met or not, you need to know how much I appreciate you being a patron of this site.  I constantly monitor the traffic on this site and it never ceases to amaze me that there are actual human beings that visit this site on a daily basis.  It makes me happier than I can describe so thank you for being a bright spot in my day and in my life.  I hope that you are able to find some information, watch some videos, and read some posts that return the favor and bring you a fraction of the joy that you give to me.  Thanks again for all that you do for me!

Honorable Mentions That Didn't Make It To Dinner But I Am Still Thankful For:

9 foot, 5 weight fly rods

Trout that I catch

A River Runs Through It- both the book and the movie

Waders that don't leak

Field & Stream

Star Wars

Trout that I can't catch

The Midwest Drift

Hybrid Striped Bass

Farm ponds

My fly fishing club

Trout that sip bugs off the top of the water

Largemouth that crush streamer patterns

A baby's smile and giggle

Rainbow Fly Shop- Independence, Missouri

Lake Taneycomo

Jaws- you knew I was going to work that in somehow didn't you

The Missouri Department of Conservation

Busch, Austin, Pat, and all my other buddies that contribute to this site

Missouri Trout Parks

The Fiberglass Manifesto

The Brave & John Deere

Four-wheel drive trucks

6 Anglers You Will Meet On The Water

This is a pretty funny post from the bloggers over at postflybox.com.  I'm not sure where I fall, but I do take a lot of pictures on the water so that doesn't bode well for my classification.  This Ben Duchesney guy is pretty legit.

http://postflybox.com/blog/2016/05/04/the-6-fly-anglers-youll-meet-on-the-water/

Missouri Record Fish Stories: State Record Brown Trout

Small Lake Profile- Prairie Hollow Lake

This small lake is very unique and unlike any other I have fished before in my life.  While it is technically a part of the James A. Reed Conservation Area in Lee's Summit, Missouri, it is not accessible to the public.  Now you might be wondering if I trespassed in order to fish this lake.  Alas, the answer is no.  This lake is available to nonprofit or educational groups.  I have taken my fly fishing club there as well as attended church outings and kids fishing derbies.  It is a catch and release lake that holds populations of crappie, redear sunfish, bluegill, bass, catfish, and carp.  If you would like to reserve this lake for a group, just call the Regional Office for the Missouri Department of Conservation at the James A. Reed Conservation Area at 816-622-0900.  Just tell them that you would like to reserve Prairie Hollow Lake and they will check the availability of the lake and ask you a few questions.  That's it.  After that, just go to the office the day before or the day of your event and they will give you some paperwork to fill out at the end of the event as well as the combination to the locked gate.  You can also request to use some push-button rods and tackle but try and tell the person that is taking the reservation when you call.  Oh yeah, it's free too!

If this all sounds too good to be true, it isn't.  Believe me, I am a bit of a pragmatist and I cannot find a flaw in this system other than the date you want might not always be available when you want it.  There are lots of fish, there is a variety of fish to fish for, and they are usually hungry.  It is a great lake for kids that need to catch a bunch of bluegill to keep them interested.  It is also a good lake for adults as it offers some good bass fishing that isn't so easy that it is boring.  There are some nice sized fish in the lake since all the big ones have (or should have) been released.  I have caught a 4 pound bass on a spook and a friend of mine caught a 20 inch largemouth on a Lucky #13 (bullfrog pattern) so they are in there and what more can you ask for?

Name
Prairie Hollow Lake

Link: http://mdc7.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=5501

Location
James A. Reed Conservation Area in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Species to Target
Bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, and hybrid bluegill

Spots to Try
To be honest, I have seen fish caught at almost every point you can cast to on this lake.  Now don't take that to mean that there are literally fish "everywhere".  There are usually fish holding around the concrete pier as well as the concrete platform.  You can usually pick up a few fish around the dam and around the island and the peninsula.  If the water is warming or cooling, you can find fish in the sloughs around the island and peninsula but the conditions have to be just right for fish to be there. Bluegill usually hang out around the sidewalk and if you are feeling adventurous, you can fish along the east bank.  This bank is a little overgrown and contains A LOT of poison ivy.  Needless to say, I don't fish that part, but I have seen guys catch quite a few bass along that bank.

Flies to Use
Well, you can never go wrong with a John Deere or other mini jig under a float, but the usual suspects work as well.  Woolies, zonkers, poppers, and nymphs will catch just about everything.  Chase the bass with baitfish patterns and the bluegill family members with nymphs and small minnow imitations.  If you have casting tackle, spinnerbaits, worms, square bill crankbaits, and chuggers can produce some bites as well.