Trail Cam Pictures From Our Farm

Last Saturday was the opening of gun season for deer in Missouri.  I had the pleasure of hunting with my oldest son Mason and it was an amazing morning.  I haven't had the chance to sit down and type up the entire story but I will hopefully get to that tomorrow.  

After our hunt last Saturday morning, we pulled SD cards from our two trail cameras that we have on the property.  We got some pretty cool pictures and thought I would share some of the better ones.  We caught a little bit of everything on camera.  It is fascinating to see wild creatures doing what they normally do and oblivious to being watched.  Chances are that you are going to see at least one image that will make you wonder or smile.  I hope you find them as interesting as everyone in the family did!  

Good Luck and Be Safe!

Once a year, between Halloween and Thanksgiving, a transformation takes place.  Maybe happens because the temperatures start to drop and seasons are in a state of flux.  Maybe something in my prehistoric DNA awakens something in my brain.  Maybe something on a deeper level drives me to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature.  Or maybe I have deer hunted at this time of year for almost the last 20 years.  Whatever the reason, The Fly Guy changes gears for a couple of weekends and becomes The Deer Guy.

I'll be honest though, I'm not a great hunter.  I've missed as many deer (5) as I have killed (yep, 5) and I lack the patience as well as shooting skills to be a good hunter.  That doesn't stop me from enjoying it and participating in a tradition that started for me after college.  I have been lucky enough to hunt with a lot of friends and family and even bagged a few bucks in the process.  In my younger days, I used to be out for blood and wanted to shoot any deer that came along.  Nowadays, I'm content to just enjoy the experience and the scenery.  I'll try and shoot a big buck if it comes along, but if it doesn't that's alright.  As much as anything, I enjoy sharing the experience with someone else.  Sometimes it Wendy, sometimes it is her son Collin, at other times it if Mason, and this year, it might even be my youngest son Cody.  

Regardless, it is time spent outdoors and participating in a tradition that goes back way before I was born.  I feel lucky and blessed to live in a country and state that allows its citizens to still hunt and benefit from the bounties of nature.  I was introduced to deer hunting by my dad's brother and I have enjoyed passing the experience along to Collin and Mason.  I've also tried to convey the importance of life and the circle of life to them as well.  I want them both to understand that when an animal is harvested, it is giving it's life so that mine can be sustained as a result.  The last thing I want is for either of them to perceive that hunting is a blood-thirsty sport that is only enjoyable if blood is shed.  

So if you too are headed to the woods and fields this weekend, please be safe and good luck.  Enjoy the time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Take a moment to appreciate the beauties, complexities, and oddities of nature.  Have a great weekend no matter what you do, and try to take some time to do what makes you happy. 

J. Stockard Came Through, Now I Have to as Well

About a week ago, I placed a large order of fly tying materials with J. Stockard fly fishing.  I have used this company to purchase things when I need to buy a lot of materials and I want them all at once.  All of my experiences have been great with J. Stockard and I don't have a negative them to say about the company.  If you're looking for a source that will probably have any material that you need and a wide variety of things that you might want, check out the website by clicking here.

Now I have a confession to make.  I did indeed receive compensation for this post.  When I place my order, I offered to promote J. Stockard if they sent me some free stickers.  Since they did indeed include some stickers, I felt had to hold up my end of the bargain.  However, everything that I wrote it 100% true.  It really is a great website that has always had any material that I have ever needed.  I placed this big order because I have A LOT of tying to do this winter and these materials are hopefully going to help me crank out a few hundred flies.  If you are also in a position where you need to get loaded up for months behind a vice, you might want to buy your materials in bulk and have them delivered to your door.  I purchased enough that I got the free shipping which made the experience even better.

Link: https://www.jsflyfishing.com/

 

Fishing Trip Traditions

Sometimes a fishing trip is about the destination.  Sometimes I want to take liberties with the speed limit, blow through stop lights, and just get to the lake.  I don't care about the scenery.  I don't want to stop for gas.  I might be hungry but I sometimes don't stop to eat.  I just want to be on the water, chasing fish.  Then there are times that are the exact opposite.

Sometimes, the fishing trip is about the journey.  Sometimes I am equally excited to just get out of town as I am to reach the water.  Sometimes I look forward to a familiar gas station or landmark.  Sometimes I slow down to look at a tree growing out of a silo or a camel farm.  And yes, sometimes a stop at Osceola Cheese is necessary for nothing more than it is a fun tradition.  These traditions are sometimes the high point of a fishing trip (which means the fishing was bad) or sometimes it just prolongs the trip itself because you really don't want to go home to responsibilities.  Traditions, in my opinion, are important.  They help create memories as well as stories...and can break up a 3 hour drive with a little food, humor, and relaxation.  

So what fishing trip traditions do you have?  Feel free to post in the comment section below!

An Embarrassment of Riches

My fly fishing club's tattered and worn flies we have been using.

If you are a member of Frontline Fly Fishing and you had anything to do with the amazing gift that I received on Saturday morning, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  We will circle back to this is a moment, but I wanted to start this post off with a sincere thank you!

I try not to post about my job very much.  I see my professional and personal life as two separate entities but sometimes the two paths cross.  For those of you that don't know, I am a middle school science teacher.  I also sponsor an after-school fly fishing club.  We meet once a week after school and go on 6 small fishing trips per year.  Over the years, we have received many donations that has made the club self sufficient and requires almost no funding from the school district.  However, we had recently start to run short on flies and the ones we did have were not in very good shape.  

Club members primarily fish 1/80 ounce jigs under strike indicators on trips.  I have them use this technique because it is simple and effective.  With the club's first trout fishing trip coming up soon, I knew I had to address our inventory of flies.  I had hunch that a good bunch of folks with big hearts might just be able to help us out.

Frontline Fly Fishing is full of some of the nicest and most generous folks you will ever meet!  Club facilitators freely give of their time and skills.  Club members are either former members of our military, police, EMS, firefighters, or other frontline workers.  These folks have dedicated their lives to helping others so it's in their nature to land a hand when asked.  When I asked Greg Davison, the Frontline Fly Fishing Committee Chair, if the group might be able to tie up some 1/80 ounce jigs for the club, I had a feeling he would send out the call.  

Our new fly selection, compliments of Frontline Fly Fishing!

To say that the group members and facilitators met the call and helped my students and I out would be a gross understatement.  These thoughtful individuals have provided us with some amazing jigs that I know are going to help some young people catch more fish.  In my wildest dreams I never expected a gift of such quantity and quality.  If you are reading this and had anything to do with the tying of these flies or the donations of the materials, thank you very much!  You have helped me as well as my students and we are firmly indebted to you!  

Healing Saturday at K & K Fly Fishers in Overland Park, Kansas

Frontline Fly Fishing will be holding it's annual fundraiser tomorrow, November 6, at K & K Fly Fisher in Overland Park, Kansas.  It will be from 9 AM until 3 PM and will feature food, a silent auction, and a raffle.  While I have not attended this annual fundraiser in the past, I will be there tomorrow (please say hello if we run into one another) because I believe wholeheartedly in the service that this organization provides.  The mission of Frontline Fly Fishing is to improve the quality of life for first responders and military veterans.  In other words, it is a chance to help those that have helped so many other people.  If you ever wanted to give back to these individuals, please consider stopping by.  You don't have to donate any money and your presence alone would show your support of these courageous people that have served their countries and communities.  Please contact Bob Barnett at barnbo@msn.com if you have any questions.

K & K Fly Fisher Address: 8643 Grant, Overland Park KS

Link: https://www.frontlineflyfishing.org/upcoming-events

Link to K & K Fly Fisher: http://kkflyfisher.com/

Working on Some Assortments for the Etsy Shop

I have been slowly working on getting the inventory in the Etsy store back to where it needs to be as well as working on some assortments that I have never offered as well.  Currently, I am working on a wooly bugger assortment and an assortment of Braves.  They will be available soon but here is the prototype.  The assortment will come with half of a dozen Braves and the bugger assortment will be a dozen.  I love to tie both patterns and they have all worked well for me!  I wouldn't put them in the store if I didn't have faith in them and if they hadn't proven themselves on the water.  So if you're looking to start some early Christmas shopping, especially for us picking fly fishers that are hard to buy for, I will try to have these assortments available soon.  I can also complete custom orders as well so feel free to contact me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com.

Link to Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy

Winter Trout Stocking has Started in Missouri

In many parts of Missouri, native fish activity is starting to slow.  The water is getting colder and the metabolism of fish is trending in the wrong direction for anglers.  Thankfully for us, we have the Missouri Department of Conservation to give us an opportunity to keep wetting lines!  Around the state, MDC is in the process of stocking lakes with rainbow trout.  So while the catfish, bass, and bluegill bite might be slowing, there will be trout to catch!  

Now I know what some of you are thinking.  To some, catching 12 inch rainbow trout that were raised in a hatchery might not seem very exciting or fun.  I get it.  On the other hand though, it is an opportunity to catch a fish that can otherwise be hard to access by Missourians that don't live in southern Missouri.  In recent years, I have absolutely fallen in love with catching trout in and around the Kansas City area because I don't get to visit trout streams, trout parks, and Lake Taneycomo as much as I would like.  So for that reason, I greatly appreciate the fact the MDC is giving us an opportunity that I don't get to do as much as I would like.  For information about trout being stocked in St. Louis, just click on the link below.  For information on the rest of the state, there is a link for that too!

Link to St. Louis Trout Stocking Article: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-now-stocking-rainbow-trout-st-louis-area-lakes

Link to Statewide Trout Stocking Information: https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/winter-trout-fishing-areas

License Plate Fish Silhouette Conclusion

The license plate fish silhouette is done!  It turned out almost exactly the way I wanted and that is rare for me to be able to say at the end of a project.  While this project was not labor intensive, it required a lot of planning and forethought.  To summarize what I did, I followed the following steps.

1. I projected the image I wanted onto a piece of plywood by using a digital projector.

2. I cut out the shape with a jigsaw.

3. I spray painted the shape black.

4. I screwed the license plates to the shape.

5. I placed dots approximately 1/2 inch off the wood on the license plates and around the shape.

6. I connected the dots.

7. Using a pair of tin snips, I cut along the line.

8. I attached a tooth hanger to the back where I felt like the shape was balanced.

That's it!  I looked around for a tutorial to follow but couldn't find anything I liked.  I decided to document the project as I went in case anyone else wanted to create something similar.  If you have any questions, please feel free to DM me on social media or send an email to showmeflyguy@gmail.com.

PS- Donovan, if you are reading this, I have plans for the plates you sent me, I promise!  I think you will dig my idea.

Would You Rent a Pond?

A good friend of mine sent me this link the other day.  When I first looked at it, I had no idea what I was about to view.  After viewing the site, it quickly dawned on me that I was looking at a private lake reservation system like Airbnb or Vrbo.  The idea is an interesting one and seems to be taking on the untapped market of fishable, private water.  If you have ever had the pleasure of fishing private water, like private lakes or farm ponds, you know that the fishing can be pretty darn good.  I have access to some farm ponds where catching 20 bass and 8 inch bluegill during a single day is a possibility and common at some times of the year.  These locations just don't get overfished typically and fish don't get pressured like they do on public water.  This is an interesting idea and business but it is up to you what YOU think of it.  Would you pay to fish private water?  On another note, it appears that this company Missouri-based and in its infancy.  It will be interesting to see where this company goes in the future.

Link: https://pondday.com/