And Here…We…Go!

It is not easy for me to wait for some of my favorite lakes and ponds to warm up.  I have to constantly remind myself that most of the places that I like to fish in the ways I like to fish them, don't tend to warm up until late March or early April.  I have spent a lot of cold days with water temps that were not conducive to fishing streamers for largemouth bass.  I've learned my lesson.  I've learned to wait and be patient.  Last weekend, my waiting paid off.

My youngest son, Cody, and I headed to some farm ponds in northwest Missouri with the hopes of catching some largemouth bass.  It was a chilly morning and to say that the air temps (and thus, the water temps) had been up and down.  The first pond that we hit seemed void of vegetation and fish activity.  It didn't take long for us to figure out, this pond was not ready to cooperate with us.  

We decided to let the sun get a little higher in the sky and maybe warm the ponds a little bit.  While we waited, we went shed hunting.  We didn't find any sheds but found a snapping turtle skull which Cody thought was pretty cool.  I forgot to mention that we brought Waylon, my German Shorthair Pointer with us.  He got some running and chasing in during this time as well, which he was happy about.

Before heading home, we decided to hit one more pond.  I've been fishing ponds in the area for long enough to know that fish activity can vary greatly from pond to pond.  Sometimes it is due to water temperatures, time of day, time of year, or other factors that I don't understand.  Regardless, if one pond seems to be dead, another one might be on fire.  

While the second pond we visited wasn't as active as I have seen it at its best, we did catch some fish.  Oddly enough, we found them right out in the middle of the pond and located near the surface.  They were all too happy to smash a Brave streamer.  The takes were NOT subtle and the fights were solid.  We caught 5-6 fish with all of them being in the 15-16 inch range as well as one healthy bluegill that was probably between 8-9 inches.

On top of everything else, I got the chance to land my first few fish on one of my new Maxxon Double XX fly rods.  I loved how it seemed to cast as far as my 8 weight rods I own but didn't wear me out like my 8 weights do.  The casting was smooth and the fish I hooked put a deep bend in the rod which made us feel evenly matched.  I was concerned about how the mid flex would deliver solid hook sets outside of strip sets or combined with strip sets, I didn't miss a single fish because of the rod.  I missed one because I was too slow on a hook set but that was my fault, not the rod's.  

Overall, it was a nice start to the season.  With that being stated, I am certain that better days lie ahead.  Water temps will continue to climb and fish metabolism as well as aggression will increase.  While it is always nice to kick off the season with a few fish in my hand, the best is yet to come!

 

Step 4- Find Some Work

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

If you're going to try to earn money in the fly fishing industry, your options are few.  You can apply for a job at a company that sells fly fishing equipment.  A person can make and sell flies.  Someone could become a guide and take people on fishing trips as well.  For me, I'm not qualified to do much other than teach and I already sell flies online.  That has left only one option for me if I want to try to turn my passion into something more.

If you haven't figure it out yet, I have started working on becoming a part-time fly fishing guide.  Becoming a guide has been a dream of mine for over a decade.  I see guiding as a way to teach others, enjoy my passion even more, and make a little money in the process.  It is my hope that I can help people enjoy the outdoors, expose them to beautiful scenery, and help them catch fish.  I have a passion for teaching and I want to teach fellow anglers new techniques and improve strategies that relate to fly fishing.  What I'm trying to say is that I want to be a fly fishing guide for a lot of reasons with all of them bein positive.

I also want to start setting myself up for a career after my public school teaching career comes to an end in the next few years.  At the latest, I will retire from teaching at 54 years old.  At the earliest, I could retire in May of 2027.  While I'm not sure when I will retire, I know that I want to guide during the spring, summer, and fall months while I am retired.  I also know that I want to spend some time guiding on Lake Taneycomo for trout and Ozarks rivers for smallmouth.  I also know that I don't jump into things headfirst.  I am cautions and like to progress towards goals in a slow, calculated way.  

If someone that aspires to be a guide and plans to take people on fishing trips in a boat that has a motor, that person needs to have a captain's license from the U.S. Coast Guard.  It is difficult, time consuming, and a little expensive to acquire.  What I have chosen to do is guide out of a raft for now.  This will allow me to guide but not require the captains license.  I can navigate Ozark streams and float Lake Taneycomo as a result.  While it will only be a one way trip down Lake Taneycomo, I think I can make it work.

For now, I want to focus on targeting smallmouth bass on Ozark rivers.  Due to having a full time job and living almost 3 hours away from the Ozarks, my open dates are limited.  However, my good friend Ryan Walker of Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance has agreed to help get me some trips through his guide service.  For now, I will be available on multiple boat trips.  Ryan's raft can handle two anglers, like mine, so for now, I get the spillover.  This allows me to work a few dates and receive important mentoring from Ryan.  While I have 20+ years of fly fishing experience, I know I still have a few things to learn about smallmouth, Ozark streams, and rowing a raft.  Ryan has already taught me a lot and I'm excited to learn a lot more!

So it looks like I am getting pretty close to becoming a part-time guide.  While I have guided some friends and family on smaller trips, this next step is a big one for me.  Guiding strangers, learning rivers, and preparing shoreline meals are going to be big changes.  It's also something that I am excited about.  I'm not ready to book my own trips just yet so if you're interested in hitting the water with me, it's going to take me just a little more time to become independent.  For the time being though, I'm close to hosting my first guided fly fishing trips!

Step 3- Buy a Set of Fly Rods

Recently, I posted about a seven weight rod that I got from Maxxon Outfitters. I waited until this post to be a little more forthcoming with some information. I didn’t want this rod because I wanted to add a 7 weight to my collection. I wanted this rod because I was hoping to approve of it and potentially buy a few more just like it. The rod exceeded all of my expectations so I bought 3 more just like it. I wanted to have a set of four rods for a very specific reason. If you follow this blog carefully, you might see where this is going. If you don’t follow this blog routinely, you’ll just have to wait for the big announcement that is coming soon!

Veterans Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park

If you are a United States military veteran, or if you know someone that is, it would be a pleasure to invite you to Veterans Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park.  On Saturday, April 18, 2026, veterans can fish for free in any zone of the park without the need for a fishing license of daily tag.  While veterans deserve WAY more than just this event, hopefully when this event is combined with many other events that recognize and reward veterans, it adds up to something meaningful for those that served the country we live in and love!  Thank you to all veterans for all that you have done for this country!

How to Fish Streamers for Trout

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/fly-fishing/how-to-fly-fish-with-streamers

I don't throw streamers for trout a lot.  If I'm being honest, I just don't get to fish for trout a lot in general.  I live over 100 miles away from the trout stream/lakes closest to me so it is a rare treat for me when I get to fish for them.  With that being said, I have fly fished for trout for over 2 decades and have caught them in a variety of ways.  Nymphing is productive and dry fly fishing is thrilling but streamer fishing is unique.  When an otherwise docile fish chases down what it thinks is a smaller fish and hits your fly so hard that it almost rips the rod out of your hands, that is a thrill unlike any other.

When I ran across this article by Joe Cermele on FieldandStream.com,  I knew it was a must-read for me.  First of all, Joe is an outstanding writer.  He does an excellent job of blending applicable information with humor.  Second, after catching some brown and rainbow trout on small streamers on Lake Taneycomo with KC Flats Co., I was still in the mood to absorb more streamer info.  This is a great primer for newbies or a good reminder for veteran streamer chuckers.  I hope you get a few useful pieces of information from that article like I did!

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/fly-fishing/how-to-fly-fish-with-streamers

Maxxon Double XX 7 Weight Fly Rod- Chucking Flies and Thoughts

Link to Maxxon Outfitters: just click here

Disclaimer: please don't think that I used the pictures in this post to make folks think I am some sort of fly casting virtuoso.  I am an average caster at best.  I know that and I'm alright with that.  Instead, I just wanted to included the pictures to give you an idea of the flexibility of the rod and to give visual credence to what I am attempting to describe.

After enjoying some grass casting with my new Maxxon Double XX 7 weight fly rod, I grabbed some larger flies and headed to a pond near my house.  I didn't go there to actually try to catch fish.  Instead, I wanted to see how the rod would perform with actual water tension and flies attached to the leader.  I took some of the largest flies I could find because I wanted to see if the rod would get overwhelmed by heavier flies.

To my delight, the rod performed exactly how I was hoping it would perform.  The rod loaded properly and was able to send large flies (6 inch game changers and 6 inch articulated flies) further than I would need to throw them.  The rod performed well with single hauls, double hauls, and shooting line.  I have no doubt the brand new, slick fly line from the Cheeky reel helped.  However, the rod showed me that it can perform under the conditions that I tested in and that was good enough for me!

After I was done throwing some flies, I wanted to get a little input from someone I trust deeply.  I called my good friend Ryan Walker of Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance to tell him about how the rod had performed.  I explained that it is a midflex rod that you can feel load in a backcast.  Ryan told me that this was exactly what was necessary when teaching someone new to casting a fly rod.  

Ryan stated that feeling the rod load and feeling the rod "catch" in a backcast, according to Ryan, is exactly what a fly casting newbie needs.  In Ryan's words, he said, "If someone new (to casting a fly rod) doesn't feel that sensation, how can that person know when it is time to forward cast?"  As usual, my friend was right.  When I coupled his insightfulness with decades of experience, I realized that I needed to put a lot of stock in what he said.

Typically, I would say that I need to see how this rod performs with a fish on the end of the line.  However, I do not have any concerns about how this rod will behave after hooking a fish.  I expect the rod to have a deep bend with a smallmouth, largemouth, or white bass on the the line.  I expect it to be sensitive enough to feel headshakes but have enough backbone to play and wear out a fish.  And while it isn't the rod's job to hook and land a fish, I feel like this rod has shown me that it has the ability to put a fly in front of fish and to do it in a comfortable way.  The rest is up to me now!

Link to Maxxon Outfitters: just click here

Maxxon Double XX 7 Weight Fly Rod- Unboxing, Assembly, and Grass Casting

Link to Maxxon Outfitters: just click here

It is with a great deal of excitement that I am able to announce that I have purchased a new fly rod.  I don't buy a lot of fly rods simply because I already have quite a few rods.  Some are older and sentimental while some are newer and nicer.  I've got rods that range from 3 weights to 8 weights but I didn't own a 7 weight...until now.  The reason that I chose to purchase a 7 weight was due to the fact that it just seems to be a perfect smallmouth bass rod.  I have had the pleasure to go on 3 guided trips for smallmouth bass with my good friend Ryan Walker of Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance and on each occasion, I have used a variety of 7 weight rods that Ryan has provided.  They can handle casting larger flies unlike a 6 weight but won't wear your casting arm out like an 8 weight.

Prior to settling on a brand to purchase, I put out a few feelers on social media to get some feedback on the Maxxon Outfitter's line of fly rods.  I had seen a lot of advertising for Maxxon Outfitters on my social media and was curious about the brand.  When I started to hear from folks about Maxxon's warranty program and the quality of their rods, I started to lean towards purchasing one.  What sealed the deal for me was when I heard from some folks that Maxxon rods perform better than more expensive rods.  I see a lot of value in a purchase like that so I went ahead and bought a Maxxon rod.

The first thing that I noticed when I got the rod out of the tube is that this rod is absolutely beautiful!  The reel seat has a unique, almost double helix design.  Now that I think about it, the design of the reel seat might have been to display a series of X's to match the model name, Double XX.  Whether it was on purpose or accident, it's pretty.  The rod itself is a close to being a gunmetal gray and the thread wraps for the guides are a deep purple or dark blue depending on the type of light that hits them.  They also have a silver trim which adds a touch of elegance in my opinion.  

In terms of casting, this rod is really smooth.  It is a mid flex but picks up line pretty quickly and tends to lean more towards being a fast as opposed to slow action rod.  You can feel it load in a backcast at medium distances.  However, even when casting long distances, this graphite rod loads properly and will launch fly line!  I don't foresee this rod wearing you out over the course of a day like a fast action 8 weight so I dig that as well.  I paired this rod with a Cheeky PreLoad 2.0 375 that came with floating line.  The line makes the road load and cast perfectly however I was excited to see how it will handle sink tip lines and bigger flies.  And that is exactly where we will pick up in the next post! 

Link to Maxxon Outfitters: just click here

Upcoming Frontline Fly Fishing Event: The Fly Tying Gala

If you enjoy fly fishing, fly tying, or both, then you might want to attend the Frontline Fly Fishing Fly Tying Gala this Saturday.  The event is being held at The Elks Lodge in Blue Springs, Missouri, from 11-4.  This is the second year for the event and it includes fly tying presentations, a silent auction, and a rummage sale for fly fishing gear.  I  picked up an 8 weight fly rod for about $30 which served me well when I fished in Gulf Shores, Alabama, last year. I also picked up some Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon for about $2 per spool so there are bargains to be found.  

As far as the fly tying demonstration goes, you can see the schedule below.  Aside from myself, Rooster Gibson (Hoot's Custom Flies and Guides), Ryan Walker (Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance) and Jarrod Mathena (The Fly Armory) will all be tying as well.  There will also be vendors (myself included) selling a wide variety of fly fishing and fly tying equipment.  New for this year is the fact that there will be an Iron Fly competition that pits competitors against one another in fly tying challenges.  There will also be items and experiences auctioned off which include a fly tying combo, and a half day guided trip with me!

It would be a pleasure to see you at this event.  Frontline Fly Fishing is an organization that promotes our beloved sport, participates in community service projects, and uses fly fishing/fly tying as a form of therapy for those that need it.  This is the largest fundraiser that Frontline holds and all support goes a long way.  Aside from all of that, it is going to be a fun time.  When you get a bunch of fly fishers in the same room, there will be an abundance of stories, learning experiences, and laughter.  If there is one thing that fly fishers like to talk about...it is fly fishing.  I hope to see you there so we can revel about the sport that we love so much!

Throwing Streamers on Upper Lake Taneycomo with Dave Pitt of KC Flats Co.

Link: https://www.kcflatsco.com/

About 3 weeks ago, while attending the Conservation Federation of Missouri Media Camp at Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri, I had the pleasure of sharing a boat with David Pitt. While I have only had the chance to fish with David on one other occasion, it was a memorable time! David showed me how to strip small streamers for trout. I remember two things from that day. One, it was as much fun as I have ever had fishing for trout. Second, David’s energy and fishing IQ are off the charts! Fast forward to a couple of years later, and I was excited to try and replicate our prior experience.

To my absolute joy, it was almost a carbon copy of what happened previously! David brought the same enthusiasm and 7 weight that was rigged with a sink tip which included a Taneycomo Tiger Tail streamer. David knew where the fish were holding, secured our fishing locations with spot lock on his trolling motor, and I caught 3 fish on the first four casts! The fish hit the fly so hard that I couldn’t help but land each fish that ate the streamer. 

The bites kept coming and fish kept getting boated. While I did not catch anything that most would consider "trophy size," I was thrilled to catch more brown trout than I had the entire trip combined. When actioned slowed down, David moved us to another spot and the bites started up again. I could have fished with David all day but our time together ended way too fast. However, I left with another outstanding memory of Lake Taneycomo and it wouldn’t have been possible without David. 

Not only does David have Taneycomo trout dialed in, he also guides for whites and hybrid stripers at a few lakes in Kansas. David guides for KC Flats Co. and if you want to learn more about what he does, just click here or in the link at the top/bottom of this post. While I have wanted to chase some temperate bass with David in the past, things have just seemed to pop up when I try to book a trip with him. This summer though, is going to be different! We are going to hook up this summer and chase some of those fish that have the horizontal stripes.

Link: https://www.kcflatsco.com/