Conservation Federation of Missouri

Last week, I mentioned that I was fortunate enough to attend a media camp at Lilley's Landing on Lake Taneycomo.  The event was hosted by the Conservation Federation of Missouri.  It was an amazing time and I am working on some stories to share with you.  It is taking me some time because I want to correctly give justice to each event and not shortchange any of the experiences.  With that being said, none of these experiences would have been possible without the Conservation Federation.  For that matter, many of my experiences in the outdoors might not have been possible.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri was formed prior to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  It was because of their efforts and other Missourians that MDC was even formed.  They also pushed for a sales tax in 1976 to better fund the Department of Conservation.  Nowadays, they continue to advocate for conservation and everything outdoors.  It is the largest and most represented conservation group in the state of Missouri.  That includes hunting, fishing, and every other pastime that we love here in Missouri.

Now think about what that means.  Without the Conservation Federation, there might not be a Department of Conservation.  Without the Department being funded, we would not have all of the programs and framework that other states are jealous of.  Fewer hunting opportunities, more wasted resources, and over fished areas could have been the norm but thank God this isn't the case!  We have amazing fisheries, many different hunting seasons, and a conservation areas all of the state!

If you want to support the outdoors and conservation, choosing to support the Conservation Federation of Missouri is a good way to do it.  You can do it via monetary donation, finding ways to donate, and/or making others aware of their existence.  I can personally say that I have put my money where my mouth is and made my donation as an individual supporter for $35.  If nothing else, please visit their website and educate yourself about this group.  By the way, it is not a public agency but instead a private one that is ran by Missourians for Missourians!  On a personal note, I want to personally thank Tyler, Elizabeth, Colton, Micaela, Michelle, and Joan for all of their efforts.  They are the staff members at the Federation and they work hard every day to make sure we have the outdoor opportunities that we do and work to get us even more!

Link: https://www.confedmo.org/

Ways to support: https://www.confedmo.org/join/

Fly Fishing Film Tour- Overland Park, Kansas- TONIGHT!

In case it snuck up on you, the Fly Fishing Film Tout makes it stop in Overland Park, Kansas, tonight at the Glenwood Arts Theater.  Doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00.  Tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door.  If you've never been, you should go at least once in your life.  If you've been before, you know how much fun this event is.  This event is being hosted by the MoKan Chapter of Trout Unlimited and they do a great job making sure everyone has fun!  This is also a big fundraiser for them so you can promote conservation on top of seeing some amazing stories!

Link to purchase tickets to the Fly Fishing Film Tour: https://flyfilmtour.myeventscenter.com/event/Overland-Park-Ks-36877


Link to the Fly Fishing Film Tour Homepage: https://flyfilmtour.com/

Fly Tying - Gunnar Brammer's Death Grip

Two things I dig about this articulated streamer.  1. It looks easy to tie.  2. It will swim point up!  I like that as it at least appears that it will get snagged less on the bottom!  Anyway, if you can tie a wooly bugger, you can tie this baby.  So if you are a noob at articulated streamers, this would be a great place to start!

Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Ra827nueyjCl3h7aLwvA

Alaska Fly Fishing with a Mouse Fly - Aniak by Todd Moen

Going to Alaska to catch rainbow trout on a fly is a dream of mine that I have had for years now.  Maybe it's the beautiful and pristine scenery or maybe it is seeing a graceful fish turn into an enraged carnivore.  Either way, it seems to be an amazing experience and one that I hopefully get to see have first-hand one day!

Catch Magazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUXPkQosjVxl8rt8hzbTNw

MeatEater Article

I ran across an interesting article the other day that I wanted to share.  While it may make you laugh or possibly anger you, it WILL make you think and reflect! 

Link: https://www.themeateater.com/fish/fly/how-fly-fishing-made-me-a-worse-fisherman

Shed Hunting

I love shed antler hunting!  I rarely find antlers but commonly find other "treasures".  I have been out a few times so far this year and thought I would share some of the pictures from my hunts.  I'll let you know if I actually find any antlers if/when it happens!

Duane Doty, Lake Taneycomo Fishing Guide and Artist!

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend a media camp that was hosted by the Conservation Federation of Missouri.  You'll be hearing more about this camp but I don't want to post day after day about the experience.  I could, but I don't want to put you through the same experience you had as a child being forced to look at relatives' vacation pictures.  Instead, I'll spread it out a little in order to maintain variety on this page.

One amazing experience that I had was meeting Duane Doty.  He is a fishing guide (among other things) on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri.  He is an amazing person and guide that catches lots of fish, big fish, and lots of big fish.  He can also build pretty much anything with his own two hands.  He is also able to blend these two talents together in an impressive way!

As he was telling me about his life, he started to tell me about the jerk baits that he paints.  He puts a lot of time into crafting these lures and it is a tedious, multi-step process.  He has three different sizes that he paints and each one is concluded with his very own signature and year it was made.  I don't think it is by accident that he calls these lures his "Signature Series".  Now if you would like to fish these lures with Duane himself, you can contact him through his website: http://www.ozarktroutrunners.com/.  You can also follow him on Instagram at @duanedoty and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OzarkTroutRunners/ .

During the time I spent with Duane, he generously gave me one of his lures.  It is a genuine piece of art and I am incredibly grateful to this day.  One reason is because it is beautiful and the second is because he doesn't sell them.  He either ties one on for you when you're fishing or he gifts you one.  After thinking about it for a while, I decided that I was too scared to lose a piece of craftsmanship such as this so I decided to frame it.  I will never forget this experience so if you are reading this, thank you again Duane!  You will not meet a nicer guy or better guide on Lake Taneycomo and I highly suggest you try spend some time on the water with him or follow him on social media!

@Nomad_flyfishing_guy on Instagram

If you are on Instagram, please consider following @nomad_flyfishing_guy. He has some great content and some outstanding stickers.  He’s a Missouri guy too so that makes him even cooler!

I Can’t Make This Stuff Up

First of all, happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  I hope you are able to spend some time with loved ones whether that be romantically involved ones or just friends and family.  I will be spending the evening throwing axes with my girlfriend which should be a lot of fun.  However, yesterday was a lot of fun as well because I got my Valentine's Day present a day early.  

If you read yesterday's post, you read about me practically drooling over Peak Rotary Vises as well as Brian Wise showing off his Peak vises.  Well not only does my girlfriend Wendy read my blog but she picks up on things really well and has a good memory because I got my Peak yesterday.  I am still in shock at such a generous and well-timed gift.  I have assembled it and love it!  It's strong, sturdy, and simple.  If you're thinking about getting one, I highly recommend them!  The only thing I don't like, and I'm being nitpicky here, is the PLASTIC bolt that attaches to the brass housing.  Plastic?  Really Peak?  Seems kind of low-end for such a high-end vise but other than that, the vise is as good as advertised!  Thanks again babe for the most memorable Valentine's Day gift I have ever received! 

Fly Tying Tips - My Cool Vise!!

Wow!  This is a really informative and funny video from Brian Wise.  If you have ever wondered about what type of vise Brian ties with, this video will answer a bunch of your questions.  It's kind of funny that he did this video because I am in the market for a new vise.  I have been looking at some different models and I actually landed on a Peak vise.  They seem strong, simple, and durable.  I need all those things because I am notoriously hard on my stuff and don't need something that is pretty or over engineered.  However, now I have the dilemma of whether I should buy a Peak rotary vise or a Peak LIRS vise.  Finally, while you're watching the video, you might notice a small, yellow knob at the rear of the vise.  You might also notice that it looks like it has a Loon logo on it.  Curiosity got the best of me and I had to find out what it is because Brian doesn't mention it.  Click on the link below to have your veil of ignorance lifted just as I have.  Looks like a pretty handy little tool.  I'll be sure to follow up with another post when I finally decide which vise I will purchase...if that ever happens because I am insanely indecisive when it comes to stuff like this.

Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Ra827nueyjCl3h7aLwvA

Peak Rotary Vise: https://peakfishing.com/products/fly-tying-vises/prv-g2/

Peak LIRS Vises: https://peakfishing.com/products/lirs-product-family/

Loon Vise Pawn: https://loonoutdoors.com/products/vise-pawn

Wyoming Trout | North Platte River

If you're dreaming about spring, warmer and longer days, and doing some fly fishing on moving water, then this is your reminder that better days are right around the corner!

The New Fly Fisher YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk2DJldSE7hhQTU8rjNHeYw

State Record Yellow Perch

Would you jump into near-freezing water to grab a fish that you reeled in to make sure it didn't get away?  Well that's what Tyler Halley of Maryvill, Missouri, did!  This is a beautiful fish and a pretty neat story.  And if you were wondering if I would do the same as Tyler, YOU'RE DOG GONE RIGHT I WOULD!!!!!!!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-congratulates-maryville-angler-state-record-yellow-perch

Lilley’s Online Store

If you have fished Lake Taneycomo in fabulous Branson, Missouri, then you are at least aware of Lilley's Landing.  And while Lilley's is knows for it's resort and marina, they also have an outstanding fly shop.  They are now selling their own line of jigs, apparel, and tackle online.  Their jigs are 100% American made and have a lifetime warranty.  I have personally used them to catch trout on Taneycomo and they flat out work!  You'll be hearing more about these jigs in upcoming posts but if you want to go ahead and get your hands on a few, just click the link below!

Link: http://lilleyslanding.com/store/

Blue-Ribbon Trout Slam

Would you consider yourself to be a competitive person?  Do you appreciate a challenge and the reward of completing a task that seems difficult?  If you answered yes to these questions and you enjoy trout fishing in Missouri, then you might be interested in a new program that the Missouri Department of Conservation and Trout Unlimited have partnered to create.

It is called the Blue-Ribbon Trout Slam and challenges anglers to catch trout at different Blue Ribbon trout streams around the state.  Click on the links below for more information.  On a personal note, I am extremely competitive by nature.  That's just the way I am.  Growing up, basketball was my competitive outlet.  In college and specifically in a fraternity, literally everything was a competition.  Following college, fishing has been my way of competing and while I don't fish tournaments, I am always competing.  Competing against poor conditions or the other person in the boat or simply using a fly when a soft plastic would work better.  For these reasons, I am excited to start participating in this program.  I've already got a few streams crossed off the list but I have a lot of work left to do.  Good luck if you choose to pursue this and I would love to hear from folks that do!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/test-your-fishing-skills-through-mdc%E2%80%99s-first-blue-ribbon-trout-slam

Additional Information: https://mdc.mo.gov/troutslam

New Etsy Listing- The Mega Worm

After some trial and error with this fly, I am finally decided to put it up for sale at the online shop.  It is called a Mega Worm and is a great trout fly at Missouri trout parks as well as Lake Taneycomo.  It catches a lot of trout and I personally watched a young man land a five pound brown trout on this fly at Lake Taneycomo!  I only have a half dozen right now so get them while you can!

Link to the Mega Worm: https://www.etsy.com/listing/776589823/mega-worm

Link to Online Fly Shop- https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy

The Mega Worm

Karma Literally Paid Me Back!

About two weeks ago I decided to do some shed antler hunting.  A friend of mine had found an antler in early January and while it seemed early, it was also evidence that antlers were starting to drop here in northwest Missouri.  I found a spot that was open to the public and I had seen a lot of deer there before.  It was close to my house and wouldn't take long to walk so I headed out.  While I was hunting, I noticed a consistent amount of trash along the timber line.  My first thought was "Somebody should do something about this and pick this junk up."  My second thought was "Hey you big dummy, you're someone and you can do it!"  It was at that point that I wished that I had a bag to start picking up the trash.  Not more than three steps later, I found a pristine plastic grocery bag caught on the limb of a tree about seven feet high.  I easily pulled the bag out of the tree and started picking up trash while I looked for antlers.  I picked up a paper cup.  Then I grabbed a Doritos bag.  Then a piece of paper caught my eye.  When I knelt down to pick it up, I realized it was a dollar bill that was frozen to the ground!  

Now I will readily admit that I try to pick up trash when I am shed hunting for a few reasons.  It is the right thing to do and it cleans up the environment, but I'm also trying to get on karma's good side.  I figure if I am doing something good, then maybe something good might happen to me.  I guess you could say I'm trying to build up some good faith and maybe get paid back for my efforts.  Well in this case, that is exactly what happened...literally!

*TRAILER* Kendjam - Heart of the Amazon by Todd Moen

It looks like almost all of Missouri has some lousy weather today so if you're in need of a tropical respite, here you go! 

Catch Magazine YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CatchMagazine

Pike Fly

Look at this big sucker! I often see a pike fly and think, that would work for largemouth. However, this one might be overkill unless you only fishing for six pounders and bigger! Cool fly regardless!

Fernando Silva YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJxSPKKOgs1AEaR1H90PUzQ