The Full Mousing Video

Now I know what you are probably thinking; how long does it take to edit a three minute and thirty second video?  Hours.  The answer is hours!  Regardless, it was a ton of fun catching, filming, and editing.  I hope the child-like enthusiasm isn't too overwhelming but in case it is, please know it is at the very least genuine!  Anyway, thanks for the views, likes, subscriptions, and time!  You guys are the best and you have no idea how happy you make me watching and reading my nonsensical musings.

Feel free to subscribe to the channel as well: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIE8TFKdv5ivGRG8IwS6IDA

Redington Home Waters

For weeks now I have been waiting on this info to become more public!  There is a really cool event going on at Hidden Valley Outfitters just outside of Bennett Spring on October 6.  The Fly Fishing Film Tour will be there as well as demos, vendors, and giveaways.  Redington is helping sponosor the even so you know it is going to be a good time.Here's some more info if you are interested.

The following information was taken from the F3T page.  The link is at the bottom.

• 3 Creeks Outdoor Group is proud to bring you the 2018 premiere of the Fly Fishing Film Tour in Lebanon, MO at Hidden Valley Outfitters.
• The event will be part of the Redington Home Waters Event.
• Doors open at 6pm, Show starts at 7:30pm - Tickets for this event will be FREE.
• TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE LOCALLY IN ADVANCE AT HIDDEN VALLEY OUTFITTERS ANDREADINGS FLY SHOP.
• We have a great raffle with some amazing prizes.
• For more information please contact Jeff Trigg at jeff@3creeksgroup.com or 573/353-9609.

Link: https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Lebanon-Mo-27458

Henry Winkler

How can you not like kind-hearted, genuine people?  You know the type.  The folks that mean what they say, always have a kind word, and would give you the shirt off their backs if you asked.  After reading this article, it is plain to see that Henry Winkler is a genuine person.  What makes him even more likable and relatable is the fact that he is a heck of a fly fisherman.  Hopefully you enjoy this read as much as I did and maybe find a new appreciation for "The Fonz".

Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2018/09/19/fly-fishing-with-henry-winkler-in-montana-the-emmy-winning-actor-on-his-love-for-the-sport/amp/

Tying the DL3

This is kind of a long video for suck a small, simple fly but you can fast forward through some of the wordy parts if you want.  It looks like a really cool pattern!

Link to the 239 Flies YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/239flies

National Hunting & Fishing Day

Last Saturday, my sons, Wendy, and her son were able to attend the National Hunting and Fishing Day Day at James A. Reed Conservation in Lee's Summit, Missouri.  There were some great exhibits including furs, skulls, archery, atlatls, free food, pellet guns, and fishing.  It was an amazing event that was put on my some of the great employees of the Missouri Department of Conservation as well as volunteers from different conservation groups.  We are extremely fortunate to live in a state that values the outdoors, our heritage, and passing both along to the next generation.  If anyone is reading this that volunteered or worked the event, thank you for your service and time as well as helping young people discover the value of the outdoors.

Farm Pond Bass Mousing Video- TEASER

I'm going to be really honest with you, I didn't like how the video turned out.  I am going to work on it this weekend but for now, here is a little teaser of what is to come.  Have a great weekend!

Mousing for Bass

This last weekend I had a chance to hit a farm pond and throw some flies at some bass.  There wasn't a spit of wind, the temps were comfortable, and the water was surprisingly cool.  Wendy and I each caught bass on streamers early in the day.  The fish were in a feeding mode and extremely aggressive.  After seeing them hit streamers, I wondered if they would hit some mouse flies.  I figured that there had to be at least a few field mice that would wonder into the water from time to time and the calm water looked perfect for a little mouse fly to throw up a little wake on a retrieve.  What happened next was unlike anything I have ever experienced while fly fishing.

Bass weren't just hitting mouse flies, they were absolutely destroying them.  On a few occasions, they were breaching like great whites on seals like you see on Shark Week.  I bet we caught 20 bass on mouse flies and should have landed a few more to be honest.  I will be putting out a video tomorrow because aside from some good pictures, I got some amazing video footage of bass blowing up mice.  Also, I am going to be offering some of these mouse flies at the online store soon.  Currently, I only have a smaller mouse fly that I would work for trout, but I'm going to also offer a bigger one for bass as well.  I'll let you know when that happens but for now, here are some pictures today and video tomorrow!

Online store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy?ref=search_shop_redirect

Upgrades to Roaring River Hatchery

Well it looks like Roaring River State Park is putting on their fancy pants.  In the coming months, Roaring River State Park will be updating some hardware that will keep it operational for years to come.  They will also be getting some equipment that will ensure that fish won't be lost in case of a flood conditions but don't expect to see drones feeding fish or an Amazon Echos telling you the most recent stocking numbers.  Read the link below for more details.

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-plans-state-art-renovations-roaring-river-hatchery

Streamer Fishing- A Gink and Gasoline Retrospect

The good ol' boys over at Gink and Gasoline have some thoughts to share fishing streamers.  The information is short, to the point, and simplistic in its approach.  This is perfect for those little breaks that you can benefit from during a long work day.

Link: https://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-tips-technique/sunday-classic-fly-fishing-3-great-times-to-fish-streamers/

Link: https://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-tips-technique/streamers-fish-em-deep-enough/

Fly Fusion- Season 3

It's nice to see the pros get a case of the yips too. It makes them easier to relate to.  All joking aside, if you aren't familiar with the Fly Fusion site, television series, and/or magazine it might be worth looking into.  The photography, video, and narrative is well thought out and offers a good ratio of old school to new school in terms of fishing approaches.  Check it out if you can, especially the short film that helps usher in season three of the television series.

Link: https://flyfusionstreaming.com/video/53

More Flies for Sale at the Online Store

The inventory at the online store has grown a little bit over the last week or so.  There are three new flies for sale as well as a long sleeve t-shirt.  One of the flies is a small mouse fly.  I tied this to target small to mid-size trout but then again, you never know what this thing might catch like laremouth or smallmouth bass.  The second fly, the gurgler, has its origins in saltwater fly fishing but has produced plenty of largemouth bass for me, personally.  I think it would also be a good fly for schooling white bass and hybrid striped bass as well.  The final fly is an oldie but a goodie; the clouser minnow.  This fly could catch just about anything because most fish would jump at the chance to take down a small, injured minnow.  The shirts (of which there are two left) are both extra larges and leftovers from ones that I handed out to friends and family.  It is really comfortable and I am really proud of the Missouri-based design.  As always, thank you for the views, consideration, and patronage.  You guys are the best!

Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy?ref=search_shop_redirect

Niangua River Video from Sage

I found this video on Moldy Chum yesterday and it evoked some pretty strong feelings and emotions.  First off, it is about the Missouri Ozarks and more specifically the lower Niangua River.  It also resonates with me because of the family theme and deep history that I appreciate and appreciate more as I get older.  It also doesn't hurt that it has a few familiar faces in it as well such as Jeff Trigg of Ozarks Sweetwater and Charlie Reading of Reading's Fly Shop just outside of Bennett Spring State Park.  I hope this video strikes a chord with you as well and makes you want to grab some tackle and hit the water as soon as possible.

Link: https://vimeo.com/288637024

First found at: http://www.moldychum.com/the-second-season-of-smallmouth-sage/

How to Catch Difficult Trout

If you've ever spent time on a trout stream and felt unsure about how to approach tough fishing conditions or just couldn't get a fish to bite, this video offers some suggestions.  It is a step-by-step process that doesn't require very many tackle changes.  It sure gave me a few ideas on how to get a tricky fish to bite and I hope it does the same for you.

Family Day

If you live in the Kansas City area and are looking for an family-friendly event that introduces kids to outdoor skills, this is an event you might want to consider attending.  The Missouri Department of Conservation is holding a free Family Outdoors Day at James A. Reed Conservation Area on September 22 from 10-3.  Attendees will be able to participate in shooting in b.b. guns, throwing atl atl's, shooting at archery targets, and fishing.  Ducks Unlimited will be partnering with MDC to host this event and will be teaching kids how to use a duck call as well as offering free kids' memberships.  This even coincides with National Hunting and Fishing Day and looks to be a lot of fun!  I plan on taking my boys so I hope to see you there.  We will be the guys there wearing shirts that say Show Me Fly Guy so don't be a stranger and we would like to see you there.  I'm always happy to talk to readers so feel free to introduce yourself!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-hosts-free-family-outdoors-day-sept-22

20 Days in September

I apologize for being a little tardy posting this, but there is still time to enter the "20 Days in September" contest.  It is sponsored by Orvis and even if you don't enter, you might want to check out some of the pictures on Instagram by checking out the hashtags #orvisflyfishing and #20sepdays. Check out rules and information at the link below.  Maybe you went fishing over the weekend.  Maybe you already have some pictures to enter.  Maybe you win a Helios 3.  Maybe you become a happy person and a better caster!  Hey, somebody has to win...why not you?!?!

Link: https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/get-ready-2018-20-days-september-contest

Missouri River Fishing Video

Todd Moen, I am not! However, I was able to get some footage from running bank lines last weekend on the Missouri River.  These are some of the biggest fish I have ever been around and I could not be more grateful for the experience.  I would like to give a huge thanks to my buddy Miles and his grandpa for sharing this amazing experience and so much knowledge with me.  Now all I want to do is catch one of these monsters on a rod and reel!  I wonder how many folks fish big streamers on the Missouri river for flathead catfish?

PS- If you don't know who Todd Moen is, just watch one of his videos on YouTube and you'll quickly get the joke after you watch this video!

Missouri River

Last weekend, a former student of mine (Miles) and his grandpa invited me to run bank lines on the Missouri River.  I jumped at the chance and the result was nothing short of spectacular but that's not where this story really starts.

About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to accompany these gentlemen on the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri.  I was educated on how the river works, how to bait bank lines, and how to check bank lines.  On that particular trip, we boated two flatheads that went about 5 pounds each.  I had never caught a flathead before nor been on the Missouri River but relished the moment.  You can view the post about this trip here.  

Fast forward to present day.  My enthusiasm wasn't any less and I had a little experience under my belt.  It felt good to at least have an idea of how things would operate and my hopes for bigger fish were pretty high.  As you can see in the pictures, those expectations were exceeded greatly.  We ended up boating one flathead around 47 pounds and the other one topped 50 pounds.  The scale in the boat only went to 50 and the needle went past that mark.  It was an experience that I will never forget and I will never be able to express my gratitude and appreciation to Miles and his grandpa for sharing this memory with me.

However, the generosity of the Mighty Mo didn't stop there. 

Over the next two days, Miles and his grandpa boated another 40 pound flathead, a 72 pound blue cat, and a 96 pound blue catfish as well.  I'll be releasing a video from the experience tomorrow so please come back for that!  I'm going to stop typing at this point and let the pictures speak for themselves.