The Flybrary Project

This is such a genius idea!  Love it, looking into it, going to do it!  Will post updates as they become available.  I think we need these at all the Missouri trout parks and near boat ramps at different trout streams!  Wouldn't this be so cool?!?!

Huge Fly Fisherman YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5H2TAWddhGYYcCR5dc3sQ

Fish It Well - Simms Fishing Products

This is one of those videos that gets your blood pumping and makes you want to get on the water as quick as possible.  Hopefully you get to do just that!

Link to Manic Tackle Project YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOPZE-4NQZjyGj8ggjSpU8w

A New State Record Hybrid Striped Bass in the Pole and Line Category

Well, it took 32 years for an angler to break this record, but it finally went down!  I kind of expected this record to be broken on Truman Lake but it went down on the Lake of the Ozarks.  Check out the story in the link below!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/jasper-county-angler-breaks-32-year-hybrid-bass-record

A Whole Bunch of Bluegill Flies!

Catching bluegill (and green sunfish, redear sunfish, small bass, hybrid bluegill, longear sunfish, etc.) is a LOT of fun.  When it comes to fly selection, you have many choices and they range greatly.  You can fish under a strike indicator, on the surface, or stripping a fly.  You can also create you flies in a quick and simple way or you can make it as complicated as you want.  Below are some recent videos from Fly Fish Food to aid you in your panfish fly tying and viva variety is the theme!

Link to Fly Fish Food YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWxBa8MprBJr1vuv3uw8ghA

Fly Tying Tutorial: Fish-Skull Sparkle Craw

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of fly fishing with crawfish patterns.  You have to wait for them to sink, you fish them slow, and in the lakes I fish (mostly mud bottoms) they constantly bring in algae and vegetation.  With that being said, I DO know that crawfish live where I fish and bass do indeed eat them.  I consistently see crawfish antennae sticking out of bass throats so I know they are a large food source for ditch pickles.  I also haven't found a pattern that really like or that is pretty simple to tie.  After watching this video, I think I might have found a solution to both of those.  I am excited to see how this thing looks in the water and if it has some good action to it, I might have found a go-to crawfish pattern.

Link to the Flymen Fishing Company YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaIeIyLD1-KP2wBn1EPeGdg

Blue Ridge Optimist Fishing Derby & Pictures from the Weekend

My sons and I had the fortune of getting outdoors quite a bit last weekend (first time we have all been healthy in awhile) and we made some pretty special memories.  My youngest son, Cody, managed to win a contest in his age division at the Blue Ridge Optimist Fishing Derby at James A. Reed Conservation Area in Lee's Summit.  He followed in the footsteps of his brother...sort of.  His older brother Mason managed to catch the most fish in his age division a couple of years ago and won a fishing rod as a result.  Cody won a rod too but it was because he caught the SMALLEST fish in his age group.  Hey, a win is a win and nobody complained.  In fact, his fist pumping and chanting of "I won!  I won!  I won!" got a log of laughs from the attendees.  Both of the boys also won prizes from the raffle that was held.  In fact, every child walked away with a prize...and a smile!  Thank you to the Blue Ridge Optimist Club and for all the volunteers that made this event possible.  My boys and I have some amazing memories and it wouldn't have been possible without all of you!

We also got to enjoy some other amenities that the Jackson County Parks & Rec. offers.  We fed the carp at Blue Springs Lake Marina as well as the elk and buffalo near Lake Jacomo.  We have been doing this for years and are constantly in awe of the size of these animals every time we visit!

How To: The Curve Cast

You mean to tell me that my lowsy casts that don't land nice and straight could actually be used to curve around things?!?!  All joking aside, these are some pretty amazing casts that have a lot of different applications and just good tricks to have in your bag when you need them.

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

The Kingfisher...Maybe the Best Angler in Missouri.

The Kingfisher is one amazing bird.  If you have ever seen one, you have probably been amazed.  If you don't know what one is, just watch the video and you'll probably be inspired to learn more about the bird we share the water with!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/discover-nature-notes/bird-fishes-0

Raising the Cost for Trout Fishing in Missouri...But Not By Much!

The Missouri Department of Conservation is proposing a price increase for both trout fishing permits as well as daily trout tags at the four trout parks.  The cost for the permit would go from seven dollars to ten dollars and the daily trout tag would raise from three to four dollars.  These prices have not been raised in twenty years in case you were wondering.  This will undoubtedly be a debatable topic for many I assume.  Some folks will see this as the state government just trying to take more of your money.  Others will see it as a needed adjustment to inflation and the cost of doing business (or conservation).  No matter which side you are on, it is worth reading more of the details and justification for the proposed increases.  See the link below for more information.  No matter which side you are on, knowledge is power!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-proposes-raising-trout-permits-and-daily-tags-starting-2020

Casting for Distance

Who doesn't want to be a better caster?  Most folks I know would like to throw a fly further, or more delicately, or even in a way that just looks cooler!  Don't ever discount the idea that we as fly fisherman like using a fly rod at a bare minimum because it just looks cool.  Let's face it; casting a fly rod is a little science and a little art.  The art is the touch and feel that you get better at with time.  The science is understanding the what's, when's, why's and how's.  Scientific Anglers does a great job in its videos giving you the instruction to improve your casting mechanics.  The video below is a great entry into their video catalog.

Scientific Anglers YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmQEmLQIOYL4YwTdB_lZXHw