I Want NOTHING for Christmas!

Alright, that might be a little misleading.  Please allow me the opportunity to explain. 

About a month ago during the firearms portion of deer season here in Missouri, I ended up hunting on opening morning of deer season by myself.  It had been a long time since I hunted by myself at least in the sense that I wouldn't be meeting up with anyone later in the day.  No hunting buddies, no kids, and no girlfriend.  I've hunted many times without the company of others, but it had been years since I truly hunted solo.  So there I was, sitting in a little pop up blind and waiting for the sun to come up.  I heard owls hooting, coyotes howling, and various critters scurrying around in the woods behind me.  Eventually, the sun started to slowly rise and there was that brief moment where the nocturnal critters and daytime varmints were all in their homes.  As my mind wandered between hoping for a big buck to walk by and how nice it would be to fall back asleep, I noticed something truly remarkable.  Nothing!

I didn't hear any animals.  There wasn't a sound of motorized vehicles.  I couldn't hear the sound of wind which is really rare where I hunt.  There wasn't the sound of a cell phone.  I couldn't even hear the sound of other people's voices.  I heard nothing...and it was a sound that I had heard in a long, long time.  At some point in the next week to ten days, that's what I would like to have as a Christmas present.  And if that's what you want as well, I hope that you are able to find nothing too.

Please don't get me wrong, I love this time of year and I am happy with my life.  I couldn't be more grateful for friends, family, a warm home, job security, and a host of other things that I could go on about but that's not the point of this post.  It's just a disclaimer.  What I mean is that the great outdoors (and I guess the indoors sometimes if that's what you're into) can offer you a time to clear your mind and a void for distractions.  This particular time of year is busy in a fun way and a certain hustle and bustle is everywhere you go.  But don't forget or neglect the chance to keep your mind straight.  Time on the water, or in the woods, or doing yoga can help you put things in perspective and find an inner peace that sometimes gets lost during this time of year.  This is the season of giving, but don't forget to give yourself a chance to meditate, take a break or whatever you want to call it.  As Robert Traver said in The Testament of a Fisherman, "Because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness."  And that's really saying something about nothing.

Free Fly Tying Class

Time is running out if you live in the Kansas City area and want to sign up for a free fly tying class.  The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering the free class on Monday and Thursday nights from 6-8 pm on January 3-24.  Go to the link below to read more information and sign up for the class.  The deadline to sign up is December 28!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-offers-free-fly-tying-classes-january-parma-woods-shooting-range-parkville

Tying with Kelly Galloup

Kelly Galloup is a fly fishing and fly tying legend and that is not an understatement!  I ran across this fly other other day and I love how it is tied as well as the potential it has.  By no means would I call myself a "great" tier, but I'm pretty sure even a novice could pull this off.  There's nothing better than a simple and effective fly and this fly checks both of those boxes!

Link to Kelly Galloup's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSlideinn

Tightline nymphing for beginners

Here's an interesting and thoughtful way to nymph those deep pools that have fast water as well.  There have been many occasions that I fished similar areas and thought, "If I could just get my fly down to the bottom where the fish are, I know I could catch a few."  My only gripe is that I wish they would have described some of the knots that were used to tie the nymphs to the tippet...but I bet there's an answer out there on the interwebs.  Probably worth a google.

"Searching"

These videos from Jensen Fly Fishing that show all of the detail and events that lead up to an amazing fish getting caught really get my heart racing.  Pretty cool to see a full story rather than seeing 10 fishing getting hooked and landed in less that 5 seconds.  It's a nice change of pace.  Keep up the good work Jensens.

Wild Waters- Fishing for Ozarks Smallmouth

I finally got the chance last night to sit down and watch this episode that I saw posted on the Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance Facebook page.  It is about 20 minutes long so make sure you are able to commit the time to view the entire video.  With that being said, it is a really good video with some great footage and amazing production quality.  Ryan Davis (founder of the Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance) also makes an appearance and does a great job presenting himself as an ambassador for the Missouri Smallmouth Bass.

Double Barrel Damsel

Short, simple, and to the point!  Well done Luke!  Luke runs The Midwest Drift site as well as YouTube Channel.

The Art of Manliness

Tis the season to introduce new folks to our sport and give the gift of fly rods.  I don't know about you, but I received my first fly rod as a Christmas present and instantly wanted to get started understanding how to use it.  So whether you are giving the gift of fly fishing or know someone that is receiving such a gift, these links might help someone dip their toes in the water of our fine sport that could fill oceans with the amount of information that is required to become a "master".

How to Get Started with Fly Fishing
Link: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/fly-fishing/

How to Cast a Fly Rod
Link: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-cast-a-fly-rod/

Fly Tying: Clark "Cheech" Pierce's High Carb Minnow

Brian Wise keeps making videos and I keep posting them.  Another gem from Fly Fishing the Ozarks.

Jaws Gifts

If anyone is wondering what is on the Show Me Fly Guy's Christmas list, any of these items would do.  I am particularly fond of the bumper sticker, patch, and wooden model. 

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/10-killer-gifts-for-jaws-fanatic#page-10