Fly Tying: Rich Strolis's Masked Avenger

Brian Wise of Fly Fishing the Ozarks  is back  and as usual, this is another GREAT video.  He seems to always have a trick up his sleeve that I have never seen before and this video features something unique.  This time it is including an articulated shank between two hooks on a large articulated streamer.  Genius!  I am running to the vice to try this baby out and make a few of my own modifications.  I'm thinking rabbit hair to replace one or two materials.

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/flyfishingtheozarks

Woodard Pinnacle Series 4 Weight Fly Rod- The Maiden Voyage & Product Review

If you didn't see Monday's post and the unboxing of the Woodard Pinnacle Series 4 weight fly rod, you really should.  It's amazing work staring yours truly.  I jest, but if you want to have a reference point for what in the world I am talking about in THIS post, you might want to scroll down and check it out...or don't.  I'm not your boss and this is a free world homes.  Now, on to the point.

After getting the rod out of the box, packaging, and assembled, I was ready to do some grass casting.  I had fulling intended on setting up a camera to shoot some video of casting the rod but found it completely unnecessary.  For one, I don't want to show the world how bad of a caster I am.  (Sort of not kidding).  For two, it only took about 5 casts in my backyard to know that this rod was something special and ready to see some action on the water.  I hurried to put load my boat and get to the body of water closest to my house.  Upon my arrival, I was not disappointed.

I made some notes using my GoPro (which you might see in the video below) while I was fishing because I was really impressed by the rod and didn't want to stop casting/fishing to write things down.  The first thing I noticed about the rod is that it is EXTREMELY responsive.  I never really knew what that meant until I cast this rod.  I have heard the term used to refer sports cars and high end technology, but since I don't have much experience with either, I was lacking an understanding of what it meant.  I think I know now.  To me, it means something that does what it is supposed to do both accurately, powerfully, and efficiently.  This should be the motto of this rod in my opinion.

"The Woodard Rod Co Pinnacle Series 4 wt handles like a dream.  The casting is smooth and fluid, has an easy hook set, and has tons of play with small to large trout.  I generally do not care what my rods look like, but this one is just beautiful.  The blue color combined with the silver reel seat make for a gorgeous rod.  I have fished with nothing butmy Woodard 6 wt for the past year, but it looks like the 6 wt has serious competition for attention now!"-Robert Hopkins, Director of Marketing, Woodard Rod Co.

Accurate
To elaborate more on what I mean, let me give you some examples.  When you do everything you are supposed to fundamentally do when casting this rod (staying between the 10 and 2 positions, accelerate to a dead stop, pause in your backcast, etc.), then the rod is going to be accurate.  Some would say that all fly rods are supposed to do this and I would agree but at the same time, they don't.  Some are a little temperamental and take a while to get the feel for all of their nuances.  This rod you can pick up, sting up, and hit the water because not only does it perform the way a fly rod SHOULD, it is also forgiving.  I made a few mistakes in my casting (big surprise) and to my shock, the rod compensated for my shortfalls beautifully.  If my rod angle was off, or if I applied too much force, or there was a wind gust, my casting accuracy didn't suffer as much as it would have with my other, lower quality rods.

Powerful
Admittedly, this is the first four weight I have ever owned.  I have a couple 8's, have had quite a few 6's, and about a year ago got into 5's.  I had so much fun feeling evenly matched with trout on a 5 weight that I decided to give them a little more of an advantage by picking up a four weight.  I was a little apprehensive at first however because I didn't think my casting style would mesh very well with such a light weight rod.  Since I was raised on six weights, I am used to being able to muscle up a little bit when necessary.  My concern was that I would constantly feel the need to overpower a four weight and would get frustrated with the feel and my casting would suffer as a result.  I could not have been more wrong.

This four weight allows you to muscle up a cast when needed and won't penalize you as a result.  You don't NEED to use much force, but it's okay if you do!  Speaking of muscle, it doesn't take much to haul line with this bad boy.  While I didn't max out its (or should I say "my") casting abilities on the first outing, just a little tug on the line on a forward cast was enough to get a nice haul and shoot some line.  Speaking of shooting line, it seems like the line wants to just shoot out of the end of this rod and I don't know about you, but boy do I like that!  In fact, that is one of the highest compliments I could pay a rod.

Efficient- the ratio of the useful work performed by a machine or in a process to the total energy expended or heat taken in.

One of my favorite rods that I have is an eight weight.  I throw big streamers for big bass and wipers/hybrid stripers and you have to muscle up on that set up.  That rig wears me out if I try to throw it all day so usually I just fish it in the morning and/or evening.  This rod is the exact opposite in terms of efficiency.

This rod is like playing around on a trampoline.  What I mean is that it seems like you are getting A LOT more force out of casting than you are putting into your casting.  You can almost feel the rod jumping forward as you deliver a cast and doubling the energy much like if you were trying to jump as high as you could on a trampoline.  It feels like a loaded spring that is begging to send line flying but not in a mechanical way.  It is very smooth and maybe most importantly, won't wear you out over the course of a day.

Playing Fish!
As you can probably tell, I have fallen in love with how this fly rod casts.  However, prior to taking it out on the water, I wasn't ready to give it a full endorsement.  To me (and this is a personal thing), how a rod feels when it plays a fish is just as important (if not more important) than how it casts.  My dad taught me growing up that most of the fun in fishing comes from the experience of feeling the fish on the end of your line and the corresponding fight.  The entire reason that I wanted a four weight in the first place was to feel more connected to the fish that I catch.  I want to feel twists, changes in direction, head shakes, and every little detail.  My only experience with a four weight was with a Redington Classic Trout and I LOVED the feel of stocker trout on that rod.  The rod flexed all the way into the handle on stockers and I actually felt under matched on larger fish.  I really liked that feeling!  Every fish felt big and I felt more connected to each fish I caught.  My hope with this rod was that I would feel the same thing.  Little did I know what I was about to get into.

I put my small boat on a local lake and decided to try to get into some big bluegill, redear, and bass to see how the rod played fish.  I was throwing a small jig under a float and slowly retrieving it which go the bluegill fired up.  Unfortunately, I didn't hook anything that I would consider to be comparable to a stocker rainbow.  I guess I will have to write another review after my next trip to Bennett, Roaring River, or Taneycomo that addresses how trout feel on this rod.  With that being said, I did hook into something that DID put a bend in my rod and let me know how a big fish would feel...it just didn't FIGHT like a trout.  It felt great though when that rod was goosenecked!

Sun Protection

I hate sunblock.  I REALLY hate sunblock!  It is actually difficult for me to find the words to describe how much I hate block.  I hate the smell for one.  For another, I hate how it makes my skin feel greasy.  Maybe more than anything, I hate the fact that after I apply sunblock while fishing, I am of the belief that any lure I touch for the rest of the day will subsequently smell like sunblockand thus deter any potential bites.

Along the same lines, I hate sunburns.  The thought of skin cancer is a fear of mine and not something I want to experience or put others through.  Also, I don't care for how my wife nags me about  my sunblock application procedures.  Even more, I hate getting a lecture after acquiring a sunburn due to my sunblock application procedures.  Finally, I hate how sunblock is a necessary evil and something that I have to participate in.  Apparently, other people in Missouri feel the same way as referenced by the Moldy Chum article that I posted last week (paragraph 1 to be specific).

I decided early this year that things were going to be different for me.  With advances in technology and lightweight clothing with a high SPF.  A post by Mr. Bill Heavy of  Field and Stream really cemented my belief that I could protect myself from harmful radiation without the need for sunblock and all the unpleasantries the follow.  His post is pretty compelling if you are in need of some swaying or convincing.  He also includes a discount code for skin protecting face masks as well.  Here's a link:

Link: http://www.fieldandstream.com/coming-out-dark-ages-skin-protection

I really didn't know where to start with my clothing acquisitions so started where I usually start when I take on an unfamiliar project; with inexpensive stuff to help me get my feet wet.  It just so happened that I had some store credit at Rainbow Fly Shop and a nice fishing/sunscreen shirt was on sale.  I got lucky that a high quality Redington shirt was my first acquisition.  On Father's Day, I was gifted a light blue fishing shirt and lightweight khaki pants that convert to shorts via zipper.  Both were from Bass Pro.  I also picked up a nice green face mask with some cool R.L. Winston graphics and some cheaper masks that I picked up at Walmart.  In a short amount of time, I had enough clothes to protect me during a weekend of fishing for about $100 dollars.

After a few outings with my new digs, I found that the clothes I picked up had a few other unforeseen advantages.  Both of the shirts have buttons and flaps to make the long sleeve shirts into short sleeve.  They also contain small, sewn-in openings that spools of tippet can be fed through.  Both shirts also have velcro flaps that can secure your fly rod while changing flies.  The pants/shorts also contain more storage than some fishing vests and are incredibly comfortable.  So are the shirts for that matter with the more expensive Redington shirt being A LOT more comfortable.  Apparently you get what you pay for when it comes to skin protection clothing.

Finally, I would be remiss to not mention why I like the face masks.  I have seen folks wearing them for a few years now and always thought they looked a little silly.  I thought it was just a trendy way of folks to say "Hey, look at me!  I'm cool too."  However, that all changed when I went fishing with a guy on a farm pond, in the middle of nowhere.  When he wore his mask all day and didn't get burned, it got my attention.  And while I was busy lathering myself up 2-3 times over the course of the day, he was able to simply pull or drop his mask as he wanted.  He also looked kind of cool; like a fishing ninja.  I like ninjas!  I've always wanted to be a ninja.  So I finally picked up a mask (on sale of course) and I'll be darned if I didn't feel cool.  I felt like a silent, fishing assassin when I had it up around my face and like a cowboy when it was around my neck.  I've always wanted to be a cowboy too!  These things are comfortable, lightweight, and versatile.  What else could a fisherman need?

The aforementioned "fancy pants".

So in closing, I have made the transition to looking like a cowboy, fishing ninja that wears button up shirts to fish in and literally wearing "fancy pants".  I am NOT trendy, I am health conscious and sunblock free.  Sure I miss my cutoff t-shirts and mesh athletic shorts, but hey, I haven't looked like a tomato in a long time and the lectures from my wife have decreased by nearly 90%.  They say that if you love something, you should set it free.  If that is true, then what do I do with all of this unused sunblock because I hate that stuff and I am done with it!

I started off with just a mask but quickly advanced to the full outfit.

I've even got my kid on board with the idea...even if he does look like  Audrey Hepburn.

See the resemblance?

A Potential Frog Fly for Bass

I'm thinking that if a guy could beef this up a little bit, this would be a largemouth catching machine!

In the News

There are a lot of stories, products, and strategies that I have run across on the internet lately and I thought I would pass them along.  

New Lures from ICAST
Link: http://www.fieldandstream.com/new-fishing-lures-for-2018#page-16

New State Record Quillback
Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/ozark-angler-hooks-state-record-quillback

Using Crankbaits for Summer Trout
Link: http://www.examiner.net/sports/20170701/kenneth-kieser-crankbaits-work-for-summer-trout

New State Record Green Sunfish
Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/greentop-angler-catches-state-record-green-sunfish

New Products on Display at IFTC (International Fly Tackle Dealer) Show
Link:  http://www.fieldandstream.com/22-great-pieces-gear-from-iftd-2017

A Free Float Trip for Women on the James River
Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-invites-women-learn-canoe-and-fish-james-river-aug-1

Woodard Pinnacle Series 4 Weight Fly Rod- Unboxing

This is a short video about the arrival of the new Pinnacle Series 4 weight fly rod from Woodard Rod Company.  A second video and product review will be released later this week, but for now, here's an introduction to the rod.  To learn more about Woodard Rod Company, please feel free to visit the link below.

Link: http://www.woodardrodco.com/

Lake Taneycomo Video

Hopefully you haven't gotten tired of all the Lake Taneycomo posts this week.  If you have, I swear this is the last one for a while.  If not, I really hope that you like this video.  It is one of my favorite videos that I have put together for a few reasons.  1. My dad makes an appearance and catches the biggest trout of his life.  2. The next day, I catch a fish about the same size.  3. There is some cool early morning footage.  4. There are some pretty funny outtakes and I hope you can relate to.  Have a great weekend, hopefully you can get out on the water in the mornings or evenings, and thanks for stopping by and visiting the site!

Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery at Table Rock Dam- Branson, Missouri

This place is a diamond in the rough and something that Branson tourists routinely overlook or forget about.  It doesn't matter what age you are, you will probably see something that will surprise or impress you.  From the spiders to the snakes and the brown trout to the rainbow trout, there is something for everyone at the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery near Table Rock Dam at fabulous Branson, Missouri.  Here's what you can expect to see:

Well "Missoura" Made an Appearance on a Blog Recently

I don't know if I should be mad at the author for making us look like hicks or thank him for driving folks away from coming to "Missoura".  I also found this article humorous because this almost happened to me and a few of my buddies about a year ago.  I would like to know your opinion in the comments section below though!

Link: http://www.moldychum.com/a-memorable-disaster/

Fly Fishing the Ozarks- Back With Another One!

You can never go wrong with a Brian Wise fly tying video.  Feel free to swing by his YouTube channel for more videos and to subscribe...if you want.  Did it sound like I was pressuring you into something?  Hey man, that's not my deal.  I'm not going to go all "What do I need to do get you to subscribe to this channel and get you into this used car?"  You do whatever you want buddy.  Its a free world.

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/user/flyfishingtheozarks

Brandon's BIG Brown Trout

A centerpin rod and reel.

Last week when I was fishing Lake Taneycomo in the trophy area (near Table Rock Dam) it was hard to miss a guy walking around with a two handed, 13 foot long fly rod type looking thing.  Admittedly, I pulled a jerk move and laughed at first, but quickly started to wonder if he might be on to something.  My jerkiness went away and my curiosity sparked.  I wasn't sure if it was a two handed fly rod, some sort of trolling rod, or something I had never heard about.  When our paths finally crossed, I noticed that he didn't have fly line on it, so that started to eliminate some possibilities.  We started talking and he was gracious enough to tell me about his set up.  He told me that he had caught about 6 fish so his credibility instantly went up.  It was called a centerpin rod and reel set up and was 13 and 1/2 feet long.  It also had had a custom, handmade John Milner center pin reel.  The set up was something that he used to catch steelhead in Ohio (where he was from) but he was down here with his family on vacation.  He was trying to catch some fish and was using small jigs (mainly a mega worm jig) under a pretty good sized bobber.  He could make a cast and then seemingly put the reel in free spool to over HUGE amounts of water .  I'm still not sure how he engaged a drag system when he hooked a fish, but I plan on learning more about this technique.  He was making LONG drifts and getting his jig in front of a lot of fish.  I started to think (and still think) that this guy might be on to something and that this technique has the possibility for kicking off some sort of trend.

No, this was not caught on Taneycomo.

Brandon and I parted ways and both got back to catching a few fish but soon ran into one another again.  I was fishing with my dad near the first outlet just downstream from the cable.  For those of you that don't know, this is one of the furthest upstream points that you can fish on Lake Taneycomo.  Brandon wasn't far away and was just upstream from us.  My dad had found a pretty good honey hole and was pulling in fish, after fish.  We then helped a 12 year old boy get on his first trout of the day and had just finished taking a few pictures of his prize when we noticed Brandon netting a fish.  I believe it was my dad that first said, "That's a nice fish."  As Brandon got closer, the fish got bigger and bigger.  To everyone's amazement, Brandon had caught a 22 inch and approximately 5 pound plus brown trout.  It was the biggest brown that I have ever seen landed on Lake Taneycomo.  He was incredibly excited with his catch and was concerned about helping his fish recover and released unharmed  It did indeed swim off and Brandon was going to head back to Ohio with a heck of a story.   I wonder if we are going to be seeing more centerpin set ups on Taneycomo?!

A Visit to The Hollywood of the Midwest- Branson, Missouri

Last week I visited quite possibly my favorite fishing spot on this fine planet.  Since the first day that I fished the "Trophy Area" on Lake Taneycomo, I have been mesmerized at the quality and quantity of fish that this section of the lake/river holds.  If you have fished this area before, you know that it is only wadable when they aren't running too much water through Table Rock Dam and only by boat if they are.  As luck would have it, the generation schedule worked in my favor last week and I got to spend two glorious mornings on this incredible piece of water.  It was wadable, the fishing was great, and the weather cooperated.  What more can you ask for?  I have some stories and video to share this week but thought I would stick to a few pictures today.  There is A LOT more to come and I hope you come back for more fun!

Taken at Cooper Creek public fishing dock.

This was my dad's personal best trout.  It was over 18 inches and probably pushed 3 pounds.

This was a rare (for my dad that is) brown trout that my dad caught.

This was my biggest fish of the trip- a beautiful 18 inch rainbow.

Me and my boys huddled around a rainbow trout.

What is a trip to Branson without mini golf, go carts, and bumper boats.

I found this school in a hatchery outlet that, alas, didn't allow fishing.  Thankfully there wasn't a photography ordinance.

Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery Nature Center.

The one time world record brown trout that came out of Lake Taneycomo.

My oldest son feeding some of the fish at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery.