Tale Waters The Voice of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers

June 9, 2020 North Arkansas Fly Fishers Tale Waters

AGFC Report Bass Flys North Arkansas Fly Fishers meetings Tiger Trout and are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each Drag Chains month. Meetings are held at the Van Matre Senior Center located at 1101 Spring St Mountain Home, AR 72653. Membership meeting starts at 7:00 pm. All members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. NAFF Board of Directors’ meetings Bass (largemouth and small- are held on the first Tuesday of the mouth) are the most sought af- Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is month at 1:00 pm 1st Security Bank ter gamefish species in North on 9th St. All members are welcome doing well and finding time to en- and encouraged to attend. joy outdoor activities, while still America. While conventional “social distancing”. The Arkansas fisherpersons clearly make up Visit North Arkansas Fly Fishers Online at Game and Fish Commission the majority of the anglers pur- (AGFC) continues to be operating suing them, the number of fly www.northarkansasflyfisher.org in “remote mode”, meaning offic- fisherpersons seems to be grow- es throughout the state are still ing, as many have discovered closed to the public and most of Officers us are still working from home. how exciting it is to catch these President — Dave Boyer (972) 670-2425 hard fighting and for the most Vice President — Susan Parsons (618) 791-3638 Despite that, we have continued to Secretary — Patty Lueken ((501) 681-0198 provide anglers with multiple op- part readily available fish on fly Treasurer — Pat Smith (870) 425-3968 portunities and have stocked ac- gear! An added bonus to their Directors cording to plan. Within the last strength and numbers is the Conservation — Tommy Hagan (870) 430-2091 few weeks, we have also stocked large variety of flies that can be Property — Kevin Boddy (870) - 421-7804 additional Rainbow Trout in the Education — Ceil Gasiecki (219) 776-9620 used to catch them. I’m not say- Membership — Paul Ashton (870) 425-9230 White, Little Red, and Spring Riv- Past President — Mike Tipton (870) 404-8845 ers that were purchased with FE- ing that they are necessarily easy Appd. by Pres. — Danny Barker (870) 424-4110 MA money allocated to AGFC to catch, but a bass’s diet can be after the 2017 flood of the Spring fairly broad. Fish, frogs, cray- River Hatchery. Those stockings fish, insects and even small Tale Waters is published 2nd Tues- included the ever popular, Golden birds are on the menu. If you’ve Rainbow Trout. We are also hap- day of each month. Article deadline is ever walked thru the fishing de- 1st Tuesday of the month. py to announce that this week, for Staff: Mike Tipton & Rita Billbe the first time ever, we will be con- partment in a large outdoor Contact: ducting an experimental stocking store, you’ll see the sheer num- [email protected] Cont. Pg. 14 ber and variety of lures de- signed and used to catch bass Page 2

(yes and fisherman too!). Simi- larly, but certainly not on such a grand scale, fly fisherman have a variety of flies to choose from as well. Timeless Patterns designed by legends like , Bob Clouser and Dave Whitlock (and many others) have caught countless numbers of different bass species over the years and continue to do so Bull Shoals Dam Flood Gates today. In addition, there seems to be a whole new generation June President’s With the lakes at high water, several of angler/tyers that are coming Message boat ramps are closed, or if open, up with their own designs using minimal parking for trailers and cars. Hope you are dry as we have had a both traditional and newer to The shoreline is now high enough heck of a wet year so far. The lakes the world of tying, synthetics, that a lot of trees/shrubs are sub- are full with high flows expected merged under 30 plus feet of water. in their own produc- from the dams that will probably Cont. Pg. 16 The fish will not be where you would tive designs. make wade fishing on the White normally find them. I went out on and Norfork difficult most of the Lake Fork a few days ago and at the summer. If the rain will stay away, edge of the tree line, it was more other areas will become easier to than twenty feet to the bottom with wade, like Crooked Creek and the little indication of fish on the finder. Spring River. If you do decide to What fish there were are deep! wade, stay safe and please do not Tough to fly fish, even with full sink- wade beyond your ability. Way too ing line. Takes some techniques most easy to get too deep. Also be sure to of us trout fisherman are not used to. use a wading staff. As with the rivers, there is a lot of The shops are starting to see an in- debris and one of the worst is float- crease in business; so hopefully as ing submerged lumber. I hit one that the area opens, we can stay healthy was about 1 foot below the surface with more visitors. It is great to see and it almost threw me out of my Weather Cancellation more boats on the rivers with guides boat. As we get back into fishing the Policy finally getting some clients back. If local waters, we need to think safety, NAFF Activities or Meet- you go out on a boat during these so please take care and be safe as you ing will be cancelled or high flows, be careful and please head out onto the water. postponed when the wear a PFD. It does us little good if

Mountain Home Public it sits in a locker when you have Schools Cancel Classes. problems and end up overboard. David M Boyer Check KTLO radio web- Also, take care as debris with the site for school closing high flows is fairly heavy. President, NAFF info. Tale Waters Page 3

Fly of the Month terns like the Wooly Bugger, Clouser Minnow Zonkers and marabou leeches. Then in 1987 these lead eyes were added to Bob’s favorite deer-tail flies and the old pattern took on a new look. According to Bob, “the most important component of the new fly was now in place. The eyes provided the weight that made the Recipe fly dip and dart in the currents Hook – Mustad Big Game size 6 like a natural baitfish escaping a Predator.” Eyes – Wapsi Pocket-Eyes Small Nickel with 5/32 Mirage Holo- Lefty Kreh once told Bob that, “he gram Dome Eyes had caught 86 different species on the Clouser Deep Minnow.” He Body – White and Shad Gray also wrote about Bob’s fly in an Bucktail Silver Flashabou Accent issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine or Krystal Flash in 1989. That article helped Thread – UTC 140 White spread the word about this now widely used and extremely effec- Glue – GULFF “Grand Daddy” tive fly pattern. UV Resin Michael Schraeder.

Fly tied by Michael Schraeder Jr. I once read an article where the author said that if he had one fly to choose for saltwater it would be an olive and white Clouser Min- now. Personally I would agree, ex- cept my choice would be gray and white and would also be my first choice for freshwater as well. This versatile pattern can be tied in sev- eral color combinations in order to imitate several different species of fish. According to Bob Clouser, his first Clouser Deep Minnow prototypes began in the late 70s when he first crimped Water Gremlin split shot to the hook shank of his deer-tail streamers. Then in 1985, Tom Schmuecker (Wapsi) sent Bob an assortment of lead barbell shaped eyes which added to some popular bass pat- Dawn Schraeder with a Clouser caught Bass Page 4

Book Review Fish, but with a much more posi- to California). From Northern California to tive spin. I think that anyone who the Ozarks of Missouri How In the early days, the railways car- is interested in the history of our Rainbow Trout Came to the ried the milk cans of trout and sport will enjoy the book. From Show-Me State trout eggs for free or at a very re- Northern California to the Ozarks duced rate. The fishing commis- of Missouri How Rainbow Trout Most of us have caught rainbow sion employees rode with the trout Came to the Show-Me State can trout somewhere in Missouri, wild for free or at reduced rate also, be purchased from Amazon. rainbows in the North Fork of the “sleeping” in whatever available White or Crane Creek or stocked corner they could find. Soon spe- Mike Tipton rainbows at Montauk Trout Park cially designed fish cars were de- or Bennet Springs. There are a signed and built which included multitude of places to catch rain- tanks for the fish, storage for large bow trout in the Ozarks of Mis- quantities of ice, and bunks for souri. But, have you thought about the employees. But, as it still is how trout from the western US today, managing the stocking of ended up in the Midwest? I think trout was a very physical and that many of us have heard stories hands-on job. of young trout being stocked into rivers from milk cans carried by The salmon scheme never worked rail. But that is just a small part of out and was discontinued after 10 the bigger, almost an epic, story. years. The introduction of Rain- bow Trout was very successful. From Northern California to the Many federal and state hatcheries Ozarks of Missouri How Rainbow were established. Dissemination of Trout Came to the Show-Me State trout was accelerated by the policy by Rik W. Hafer tells the whole of most federal and state fish story. It is an interesting, well re- hatcheries to send trout to almost searched, story told in a very reada- any who asked for them, as long ble manner. It starts after the Civil the requestor was near a rail line. War with the waters of the East Missouri was a little late in getting Coast showing the detrimental into the game but at the behest of effects of the industrialization and the local politicians and citizens overfishing. The Transcontinental groups a state fish hatchery was Railway has been completed. built in St. Joseph and soon there- Some far seeing individuals came after a federal hatchery was built up with the idea (scheme?) to solve in Neosho. The Frisco Line (The the fishing problems of the east by St. Louis and San Francisco Rail- introducing trout and salmon (yes, way) became the railway by which salmon) into the rivers of the East trout were disseminated through- and the Midwest. Along the way out the Ozarks. the first trout hatchery in Califor- nia was built (on Indian land) and Personally, I was most interested the first specially designed rail cars in the background story of how to carry fish and fish eggs were rainbow trout came to Missouri. I built (the first was lost due to a quite enjoyed the book. The book downed bridge before it ever got supplements An Entirely Synthetic Page 5

Drag Chain Next Generation

Many of us who fish the White River from a river boat use a drag chain. In its simplest form, a drag chain is a 3-4’ steel chain attached to the bow ring of a boat with a long rope. The chain is tossed over the bow at the beginning of a drift, and is pulled along the bot- tom by the drifting boat. Its pur- pose is to keep the boat drifting straight and in-line with the river so that fly fishermen can cast to likely looking spots on either side of the boat without interference Paul Schoeffler from the boat itself. Without a drag chain, the bow tends to swing right or left until the boat begins ous outcome would have occurred chased a large diameter bicycle to helicopter down the river in the if someone had been thrown over- inner tube, and a length of blue 3” current, effectively ending the drift board. Another very dangerous flexible discharge hose. He en- from a fishing standpoint. situation can arise if the boat is on cased the chain in rubber from the the small side with a shallow draft. bicycle tube, then slid the chain A stuck drag chain can jerk the into the discharge hose, folding There are a few disadvantages to bow of such a boat under water. the larger discharge tube over up- the drag chain described above. The incoming rush of the river on itself. He then wrapped the First, it is noisy. The bare chain water can quickly fill up the boat entire length with duct tape, leav- clinks and scrapes along the bot- and sink it to the bottom of the ing the end of the blue hose open tom and could move fish away river along with all the equipment. so that the chain could drain from the reach of fly fisher- Occupants are left adrift to swim when pulled out of the water. He men. A second disadvantage has for the bank. tied 10’ of 3/8” braided rope from to do with safety. The links of the the boat side of the chain to a chain can hang up in rocks and bright yellow 7” diameter boat roots as it moves along the river My first experience fishing the riv- fender with eyelets on each end. bottom. I have a friend who uses er from a boat was with White Riv- To the other end of the boat fend- a basic drag chain from an alumi- er guide Danny Barker. Those of er, he attached a 3’ section of 3/8” num jon boat. One day, he hung you who know Danny appreciate braided rope. His connections to up his drag chain on the bottom. his innovative spirit for both fish- the boat fender used a fisherman’s The boat jerked to a sudden halt, ing and boating. I was impressed loop knot to provide maximum and all the fishermen were thrown with what he had done to improve freedom of movement. The other to the deck in a tangle of arms, his drag chain system. First of all, end of the 3’ section of rope at- legs, and fishing rods. In this case, he had encapsulated his drag taches to the boat bow eye. no one was hurt but a more seri- chain. For materials, he pur- Page 6

environmentally friendly. With the chain being encapsulated, And now for the next generation there is no damage done to the improvement. Paul Schoeffler is a river bottom or substrates. An- new NAFF member and the third glers wading with studded wading member of our fishing fellowship. boots will likely do more damage Shrink Wrap Tubing Paul is a consummate handyman than an encapsulated drag chain. and can repair or improve almost Now here is a key safety provision. Third, the encapsulated drag chain anything. Paul’s latest contribu- Danny created another loop knot is user friendly. Just toss it over- tion is with shrink wrap. Now we on the 3’ rope and used a 175 lb. board at the beginning of your all are familiar with shrink wrap, breaking strength zip tie to con- fishing excursion and forget it. using it to insulate spliced wires nect the front side of the rope to When traveling up river, the sys- for new trailer lights or other elec- the bow eye. This zip tie is an ef- tem lays flat against the underside trical repairs. But did you know fective break-away system. Even of the boat and does not scratch it that shrink wrap is available in 2” though the encapsulated chain is because everything is much softer diameter sizes? Paul knew this and not likely to hang up on the river than the gel coat of the boat. Af- saw the opportunity to improve bottom, it still does so occasional- ter positioning the boat for the our drag chains. Our drag chains ly. When this happens, the zip tie beginning of the drift, we put the fit easily into the shrink wrap. In snaps and the boat is free of the engine in reverse briefly to pull the fact, I retained my old bicycle drag chain assembly. Danny’s cli- chain assembly from underneath tube, blue discharge hose and duct ents avoid piling up on the floor the boat. The system does require tape, and slid the whole thing into of the boat which is a good thing some maintenance. The river bot- the shrink wrap. Paul applied his for customer relations. He has tom will slowly erode the duct tape heat gun and before I knew it, my never lost a drag chain either. The and even the blue discharge hose. drag chain was encased in a tough boat fender is easily visible either We simply have to take time to and slick feeling shrink wrap. We floating on the surface or just be- replace it periodically. We do could easily have added a second neath it. Danny motors over to it have to remember to pull the drag shrink wrap layer, but we decided and uses a modified gaff hook to chain assembly back into the boat to keep the single layer for the ini- snare the boat fender and free the before loading out onto the trailer. tial trial. We have now modified drag chain. Add a new zip tie, and It’s kind of like remembering to chains on both my boat and he is ready to resume fishing. insert the plug into the boat be- Danny’s. Early returns show this fore launching.

The encapsulated chain has three distinct advantages. First the plas- tic of the surrounding discharge hose and duct tape deadens the sound of the chain as it moves along the river bottom. We have determined that fish do move away from it, but are not alarmed, are still in casting range, and will readily take our flies. Secondly, Finished Drag Chain the encapsulated drag chain is very Page 7 new version slithers along the bot- the terminal end follows: (3 feet) Membership Report tom smoothly, keeps the boat posi- 5/16-inch galvanized steel chain tioned correctly, and is very wear >>> (10 feet) 3/8” braided rope. A special thank you to Beth Hol- resistant. We hope that many of Shrink wrap on the chain and part loway for your inclusion of a club you will also benefit from this lat- of the rope. >>> 19 – 22” boat donation with your membership est improvement in drag chain fender with eyelets each end>>> (3 renewal. technology. feet) 3/8” braided rope prepared

with fisherman’s loop >>> 175 lb. zip tie >>> boat bow eye. We have 100 memberships that Currently, drag chains are not al- are still overdue from Jan-May, lowed to be used on the Norfork with both email and hard copy Tailwaters. This ruling came Dave Schisler renewals sent. June/July reminders about many years ago and is a rule will be sent later this month. The Paul Schoeffler that needs to be changed, especial- electronic payment system on the ly for people who are willing to Danny Barker club web site is no longer func- encapsulate their drag chains. The tional, so If members have their benefits of using a drag chain far own PayPal accounts, they may out-weigh the negatives of not be- process renewals electronically by ing able to use one. Drag chains sending their payment to the fol- make life much easier when fish- lowing PayPal account: nafftreasur- ing from a river boat. [email protected] Please do not send payments to The Arkansas Game and Fish [email protected]. This Commission has proposed to re- PayPal account is not linked to the move the drag chain restriction on club's finances and will be re- the Norfork Tailwater. AGFC is turned to the member after 30 currently soliciting input on that days. regulation (and others) through a Please join me in welcoming our public comment survey. The pub- latest member: lic survey will be available until July 10th and can be accessed by Russ Hannah of Jonesboro, AR clicking the following link. https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/ Paul Ashton—NAFF Membership e/1FAIpQLSev06o44AxIDHL29Y dnWEaKLWEuGl - p g A - DcWVszyUZUSnwBg/viewform? usp=sf_link We hope NAFF members will participate and let their voices be heard.

A summary of the Next Genera- tion Drag Chain rigging starting at Page 8

River Fishing Report the river which includes some are- The Guides Speak as in the middle of the river. Is- Update lands or even submerged islands are a great spot to look for. The Work is continuing apace on catching can get tough if the water the White and Nor- bumps up a bit which causes the fork Rivers – The Guides river to get mossy so I make a run Speak. Keith is collecting pho- downstream to get in front of it. tos of the guides, Dave has con- Then I make a run back upstream tacted AGFC for maps of the when the water stabilizes. We are rivers, Mike is photographing catching some good fish (both flys. The book will include pic- bows and brown trout) but not tures and recipes for the favor- Looks like we beat last year’s rec- like in years past when the flood ite fly of each guide. It will also ord for rain which was the second gate water was at 10 or 12 units of include pictures and recipes of rainiest year on record. With that water and covered even more the flys most recommended by being said, our two lakes are at the ground. Unfortunately, that kind the guides. This book will be a top of the flood pool with flood of water starts to get really close to great addition to the library of gates currently open on the White homes and buildings. The C.O.E. anyone who fly fishes the White at Bull Shoals. The C.F.S. has has done a great job this go River tailwaters. roughly been about 9 units of wa- around of containing property damage. The book will be ready to sell to ter. Two of the generators are also the public at the 2021 Sowbug down which means some pretty Be careful on the river in these Roundup. You can preorder a warm water is mixed in with the flows as your drifts are moving copy or copies now from Mike colder water. That of course fast. Be aware of what is below Tipton for $20.00 each. The makes catching on the spillway you. There are also lots of trees book is a fund raiser to support side of the dam a little tougher. that have fallen into the river as youth fishing in Baxter and The water seems to start mixing up well. Trees can get one into trou- Marion Counties. A donation in the state park. After that, catch- ble in a hurry. towards defraying the cost of ing on the right side of the river Jimmy T. the book will be very welcome. (looking down) gets much easier. Keith has pledged $500, NAFF I’ve been fishing with two 3/0 Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop is supporting to the tune of split shot using Cortland’s Top 627 Central Blvd $500, and we have already got- Secret 4X tippet with an egg and PO Box 751 Mailing ten a donation and preorder various colors of SJ Worms on Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751 check from Steve Antonic. roughly 10-11 foot leaders from Shop # 870-445-3848 Don’t miss your opportunity to indicator to first fly. The extra Cell # 870-404-8906 Fishing get in early! unit of water is covering some are- http://theflyfishing-store.com/ as of the river that normally do not see any water, but it does force up cane worms from the ground which of course trout love to eat. I’m looking for shallow areas of Page 9

Musings of a Fly Fishing Guide “Teaching Kids How To Catch Fish”

For parents, family members, or even just individuals that want to invest in younger genera- tions, teaching a child to fish can be one of the most reward- ing experiences you could ever participate in. Seeing the smile on their face when you snap a picture of them holding up their first fish is a moment in ing up without the enticement ally start them off using some time that will be treasured and of all those electronic gadgets. type of bait with a bobber, fish- remembered by all for many All is not lost, though, because ing for bluegills or some other years to come. Teaching kids we can still introduce young type of . That has about the outdoors and the en- people to the world of fishing been the traditional way of vironment we live in is a very and experience many outdoor teaching kids for many years exciting thing for all of us. activities in the natural world. and still is as far as I know. I When I was a young child, I re- As a society, we must strive to have a different philosophy or member spending many hours do that. We owe that much to viewpoint in teaching kids on going on hiking, fishing and our grandkids and all other kids how to fish that is much differ- hunting trips with my family in growing up in a world of tech- ent than the traditional way of the Appalachian Mountains of nology. We can make a differ- using “bobber and bait”. I be- West Virginia and Virginia. ence in their young lives. lieve in starting kids off using Eventually we moved to the east At what age do you start teach- artificial lures and artificial flies coast of Virginia, where I was ing a kid to fish? According to right off the bat. Don’t laugh, introduced to the salt marshes the so-called child experts, you because I am serious about and tributaries of the Chesa- should start them around the teaching kids to use lures and peake Bay. Our lives centered age of three. Personally, I think flies at the beginning of their around the outdoors. Outside a good age to start a kid fishing young fishing careers! of my parents’ forty-hour work is around four to five years old; Growing up under the guidance week, fishing was a number one however, a lot depends on the of my parents in the early ‘50s, priority for my family. We now maturity level of the child. it was a mandatory requirement live in a world of electronics Some children mature a little that you learn to use artificial where many kids have no idea faster than others. Some kids lures to catch your fish. If you what the outside world is like. I will show some interest while didn’t, you were not allowed to think I lived in the best of times others don’t. Most people fish, so I learned to use artificial during the ‘50s and ‘60s, grow- teaching a child to fish will usu- lures, which was better than sit- Page 10 ting on a creek bank watching with artificial lures or flies will and mind engaged in fishing for my brothers fish with mom and keep kids focused for a much a longer period of time. Kids dad. In fact, I learned real quick longer period of time before making something happen with under their leadership! No non- they are ready to go on to some- a rod and reel is much better sense parents, I call them! No thing else. than waiting on something to bobber fishing with bait in my happen with a rod and reel. Many adults underestimate the family, only artificial lures to Give it a try the next time you learning capabilities of young catch our fish. are fishing! Parents, you will be kids. One of the best places to pleasantly surprised by what As most of you know, children, teach a kid to fish is Dry Run kids are capable of doing—and it and even teenagers, have a very Creek down by the Norfork ain’t with “bobber and bait!” short attention span. They like trout hatchery. Start them off to go from one activity to an- using flies on a fly rod or Ten- other in short order. That is kara rod. If you know someone Danny Barker normal behavior for most kids. who has access to a small lake If you start them bobber fishing or pond, catching bluegills on Fly Fishing Guide with bait and they aren’t catch- flies or small lures is a lot of ing fish, they become disen- fun. My guide trips involving gaged very quickly—and I mean kids have proven to me that quickly! Sometimes when they they are smart and very capable are catching fish, they will be- of learning at a very quick rate. come disengaged and want to I have taken seven and eight- go on to something else. They year-old kids on their first fish- will lie down, throw down their ing trip and taught them how to rod, and start throwing rocks in hold, cast and put action or the water, or make mud pies movement in an artificial lure along the bank, or pick up or fly, and many catch fish with- sticks to play with. They may in thirty minutes to an hour. even chase a few ducks around Unbelievable what a seven year the lake. If you want to keep a old can do in just thirty child entertained while fishing, minutes of time! The best part teach them how to cast and of it all is that they are engaged work a lure back to them. in the activity and having fun. I When your hands are busy and do suggest to parents and grand- your mind is thinking about parents to keep the fishing trip working that artificial lure back to just a half-day. With a few to you, fishing becomes exciting snack breaks and something to and they will stay involved and drink most kids and teenagers engaged in that activity for a do very well on half-day fishing much longer period of time trips. Kids thoroughly enjoy than fishing with bobber and casting and working a lure back bait. Fishing and catching fish to them and that keeps body Page 11

Davy Wotton The DW Dun

Sad to say we just do not see longer periods of minimum flow these days. It seems that every year rainfalls increase that largely preclude longer periods of good wading water. Some of you will remember the days before mini- mum flow when for weeks we saw no generation above 50cfs of So how do we categorize a dry escaped water at the dam. Those there is truth to that argu- fly? As far as l’m concerned, it is days we saw spectacular midge ment. That said, l know fly fish- a fly that is visible to you. It can fishing at the dam. Further ers personally that will fish only be a fly in stages of transition downstream dry fly and midge a dry fly. Numbers are of no con- from the pupa or nymph. Both fishing were often the order of cern; that’s what they choose to male and female will die on the the day. I know there are some do and it’s fine with me. There is water. Same also applies for cad- who dislike minimum, but seri- no reason to call them as having dis and chironomids albeit there ously it was the best thing that a purist attitude. That is wrong. is, in this case, no dun. has happened for the benefit for You don’t call nymph fisherman our rivers. I remember times Either way, it amounts to the fact a purist or a guy stripping a wool- when water temps rose so high that flies seen by fish in the me- ly bugger, right? Frankly, l ad- that fish died. We have now bet- niscus are a food source. mire those who wish only to pur- ter emergences of caddis and that sue trout by that means. Back in my homelands, the UK, was not the case when we had no there was at one time and still is Dry fly patterns have evolved in minimum. We also see increases for some of the beats on the Eng- many ways, but in most cases, in some of the mayfly species and lish chalk streams. the rule that they sport a hackle in order for crane flies. What l do find you could only present a dry fly them to float. Today, with use of strange is it appears the large upstream to a seen rising fish. modern materials, or by the con- numbers of sow bugs and scuds, That is known as a purist atti- struction of the material used, which were at one time very evi- tude, we can produce flies that need dent, seem not to be these days. no hackle to float. They repre- There was a time at Bull shoals However, there is some sense to sent emergers, duns, and spin- dam when you could fish all day this rule which was related to the ners. And or larger terrestrial with a sowbug or scud, but not fact that back then wet flies were species such as hoppers, cicada, so now. That said imitations will often used. That blindly fishing and flies of that nature. still catch fish. the water would put fish down and make them more wary and Dry flies. Page 12

My article this month is related centrated by movement of water. need a little more attention to to the tying of my DW dun pat- Often as not also fish feeding on detail than say a beadhead soft tern. It is a fly that goes back to small bugs will be found in flat- hackle or a . Why? the 80s for me. A fly that is, if ter slower water seams. That be- Because you are normally fishing you like, a good general purpose ing so they have a greater view of them dead drift and the trout has fly when fish are seen feeding on what’s going on. And your ap- more time to see what it’s look- small species such as chirono- proach has to be that much bet- ing at before it makes a commit- mids (midge) baetis such as ter: right fly is one require- ment to take. BWO, and or any other insects ment; controlled drag free drifts That being so, more attention to water born or terrestrial that the is another; and that is the main detail is required so far as the fish have interest to take. That reason why many fail at such proportionate values of construc- said, even if you see no fish sur- times. tion of that fly based largely on face feeding and you know of the The DW dun came about due to the hook profile you are using location of fish, such as riffle wa- the fact that l used to fish a river and more so when small flies are ter or slow back eddy seams, of- where there were daily hatches of being tied. You need a good ten as not a dry fly cast into those small baetis and midges which looking profile of what a fly looks zones will promote interest. were the daily diet of those wild like and not a blob, so to speak. There has always been historical- browns. Flies that averaged size Do not use nylon yarn for the ly the view that 3 things matter 16 and smaller. wing as it is not hydrophobic as in a dry fly which are size, shape Of course, l caught fish, but l was Poly yarn is. and color, and l would agree also of the mind that l could pro- most of the time. That said, l also This pattern is a formula I use duce a fly that needed only a know that fish found in rivers for many of my smaller dry flies. change of hook size and color of where they see daily hatches of And one you can vary by choice materials used to represent those flys can be difficult to catch, ( if of color used for the body and species. This river was slow mov- you have fished the Henrys Fork wing. ing but had some faster zones you will know what l mean) that would concentrate the Materials. chuck and chance is not going to emerging bugs. work. You have to use flies that Tail Coq de Leon. There is no are generally close to what the Also, it needed to be a simple fly finer feather than this for tails. If fish see, and you have to present to tie. No fancy work needed, you do not have it, then the next them in a natural manner. just tail, body and wings and at best alternative is micro fibbets. Granted you can get away with a times a small hackle, which l gen- Dally’s fly shop has CDL. skating caddis for at this time erally only use for the larger Body Wapsi. Super fine. Col- fish will chase the naturals and hook sizes, 16s and sometimes or chosen to suit your choice of your fly. Not so when small spe- 18s. pattern. cies are what the fish are feeding Tying the DW Dun. on as often as not they are sta- Rib Strand of tying thread. tioned in feeding zones where Dry fly patterns and certainly Color of choice or ultra-fine wire those small items are being con- those fished in the surface do Page 13

Spring River Report Wing Wapsi Poly floating yarn. this crossways on top of the hook Color to suit your choice of fly shank with a figure 8 wrap of Spring River fishing report thread. Now hold the wing up Plenty of heavy rain over the Thorax Super fine or hare’s ear, a and wrap two turns around the last few months has kept wa- darker shade than the body col- base of the wing with your thread or. to the right side of the wing base. ter levels up. Water levels at the spring have been 560 cfs, Hackle If used, color to suit spe- Hackle, if you are going to use 350 avg, and clarity has been cies. one, will be tied in at this posi- poor. Thread Any neutral color. tion. Hackle size, when wound, should not exceed the gape of In between the rains the river the hook. This fly should sit at a clears up at times and the We will tie a BWO as example. low profile to the water surface. trout have been hitting If you use a hackle too long in strong. Y2ks and woolly bug- Start thread behind the hook eye fiber, it will cause the fly to sit gers with a little extra weight to about midway the hook shank, high. to get down have been pro- leave a long tag of thread as this ducing well. A dry spell could Form now the dubbed thorax will serve as your ribbing. be very helpful. making sure you also bring the You will need about 4 or 6 fibers dubbing figure 8 between the Public areas have been busy. of the CDL hackle fiber, if using wing which will maintain its posi- All of the campgrounds are micro fibbets 4. The tail fibers tion outward. open and can offer easier need to be at least close to twice wading access. Jim Hinkle the hook shank Now take one turn of hackle left fish hatchery has continued length. Continue with thread to side of the wing and one turn in weekly stocking with some the hook bend and maintain tail front. Secure the hackle and cut fiber above the hook shank, off excess. Finish the fly head. really nice sized rainbows. while maintaining the thread tag. Saturdays have become busy Davy Wotton with canoe hatches. Thru the At this point raise the tail fibers week is the best time to fish and take a thread wrap under the the Spring during summer- tail and back over 2 turns the time. hook shank. Tight lines and good luck, Dub now the fly body, about 3/5th the shank length. Now, Mark Crawford using the thread tag, rib the fly springriverfliesandguides.com body. Time to set the wings. You may have to reduce the bulk of the yarn to suit the wing size need- ed. Cut a length of 1 inch. Set Page 14 of Tiger Trout in the Bull Shoals the most important aspects of fish- Catch-and-Release area below Bull eries management, so I’d appreci- Shoals Dam. Tiger Trout are a hy- ate it if each of you took the time brid cross between a Brown Trout to check out the survey and pro- and Brook Trout. We are really vide your input. excited to be able to provide this Until next time, Happy Fishing! opportunity to anglers and we will evaluate the stocking to see if it is Christy Graham something we want to pursue in [email protected] future years. For access to our re- cent article about the Tiger Trout Virus stocking, please visit: https:// www.agfc.com/en/ news/2020/05/27/agfc-to-try-tiger- Cont. Pg.3 tr ou t -hybr id - in-bu l l -s hoals - tailwater/ . Our agency is also in the process of requesting public input and comments on proposed Fisheries Regulation changes. The public input survey will be available until July 10th and can be accessed at the following link: https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSev06o44AxIDHL29Y dnWEaKLWEuGl - p g A - DcWVszyUZUSnwBg/viewform? usp=sf_link. All regulation chang- es, if approved, would go into ef- fect January 1, 2021. The input form includes the opportunity to comment on each of the 48 Fisher- ies Management proposed changes and the 24 proposed changes to Commercial Fishing regulations. While we welcome input on any or all of the proposed changes for the state, there are some that apply specifically to trout fisheries be- cause they fall within the “General Fishing Regulation Changes” or because they are “Trout and Tailwater Specific Regulations”. Stakeholder involvement is one of Page 15

Fly Tying Tip Alternate Tools Continued

Another issue I ran into is when grabbing hooks stored in a mag- netic case or in a pack that has a magnetic pad it is easier to grab a hook with a tweezer rather than your fingers, especially if you have a small space and large fingers. BUT, if you use a standard tweez- er, they can become magnetized and you may get more than a sin- gle hook (photo #1, bottom). Photo 1 There is an alternate style tweezer that has non-metallic ends. This way you can pick up a single hook at a time (photo #1, top). Makes grabbing as single hook a whole lot easier. Another cool item is a pair of lead sheers. These are small wire cutters but have a retention system (photo #2) while the jaws are closed. When you cut small clumps of hair, or other items that may be difficult to hold onto, the shears will hold them until you can grab Photo 2 them with your fingers. Works great not only on standard long hair, but best on short hair like moose hock or similar. (Photo #3) As for last month, items can be found at electric supply stores like Orvac (California) or Altex (Texas) or through the internet. Search for >Authentic InnoVaper Precision Ceramic Tweezers= or >Lead Shears=

Dave Boyer Photo 3 Page 16

Last year, while preparing to want to stay in, because if you fish in the World Champion- don’t, you get to come home ship Bass on the Fly Tourna- early!” After being informed ment held each year on Lake that we could add the SD card Fork in Texas, Jr. and I watched to our tab “handy”, we decided several Lake Fork fishing videos to check out the very large prior to sitting down at the vise “this is what works on Lake to tie what would hopefully be Fork” lure selection. Now I’ve our “tournament winning flies”! seen big swim baits before, but Now, having lived in Texas, I apparently I’ve just not been was well aware of Lake Fork’s around enough 13 lb bass to reputation for giving up some realize just what they are capa- seriously BIG bass. Since 1986 ble of fitting in their mouth! Fork has provided 261 8lb and Oh, and Lake Fork bass have larger bass to the Texas Parks apparently over time developed and Wildlife Sharelunker pro- a fairly sophisticated diet that gram! So, the ol’ standard sz 6 includes bats! Yes, a life-size, clouser just wasn’t going to cut treble hook equipped “bat it! No sir!, it was going to be lure” hanging right there on BIG baitfish patterns, RIO Big the peg board! And I’m not Nasty fly lines and frogs tied talking your run of the mill with enough foam to keep a free-tailed variety from down in house cat afloat! Austin. No, the only thing missing from this thing was an When we pulled up to Lake imitation mango attached to its Fork Marina we were feeling foot! Needless to say Jr. and I fairly confident and maybe a were starting to feel a little little concerned. When we “under gunned”! However, as drove in, we really weren’t ex- it turned out, we had a great pecting to see standing timber time, met lots of other “bass on in the middle of the lake! This the fly” fisherpersons and is typically where you can safely found out that you really did- drive your boat! No problem, n’t have to use a bat fly or a we soon found out that all we 14” streamer to catch bass on needed to do was purchase a Fork, which is a good thing $50.00 SD card for our graph! because I don’t think Renzetti This would show the “boat makes a fruit bat extension! lanes” on the lake. Yes, these are the “lanes” that you “really Michael Schraeder Page 17

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