Tale Waters The Voice of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers

July 14, 2020 North Arkansas Fly Fishers Tale Waters

The Guides Speak: Travelling During the North Arkansas Fly Fishers meetings Davy Wotton Pandemic are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each 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 are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm 1st Security Bank on 9th St. All members are welcome A Driftless Brookie and encouraged to attend. Visit North Arkansas Fly Fishers The earliest cases of COVID 19 in Online at In May we treated you to a chapter the US appear to have occurred of Keith Campbell’s upcoming www.northarkansasflyfisher.org north of Seattle WA, sometime in book “Fly the White and December 2019, based on anti- Norfork Rivers – The Guides body studies. By March 11, the Speak”. This month we treat you Officers World Health Organization de- to another chapter, the interview President — Dave Boyer (972) 670-2425 clared a pandemic. Today we are Vice President — Susan Parsons (618) 791-3638 with Davy Wotton. In September Secretary — Patty Lueken ((501) 681-0198 we will present the interview with in the midst of a world-wide pan- Treasurer — Pat Smith (870) 425-3968 Dave Whitlock. We hope these demic with the US faring much Directors chapters will whet your appetite to worse than many other developed Conservation — Tommy Hagan (870) 430-2091 encourage you to buy a copy of the countries. The United States rep- Property — Kevin Boddy (870) - 421-7804 Education — Ceil Gasiecki (219) 776-9620 book! The book is to be published resents 4.2 percent of the world Membership — Paul Ashton (870) 425-9230 during the run-up to Sowbug 2021 population; yet to date we have Past President — Mike Tipton (870) 404-8845 Appd. by Pres. — Danny Barker (870) 424-4110 (keep your fingers crossed!). had 24.4 percent of documented cases and 24.2 percent of deaths in Keith has an ulterior motive for the world. Based on antibody writing this book. He wants to studies the CDC estimates that Tale Waters is published 2nd Tues- raise money to support youth pro- there are ten times more cases in day of each month. Article deadline is grams in Marion and Baxter the US than have been document- 1st Tuesday of the month. Counties. The content of the book ed. No question, this disease is Staff: Mike Tipton & Rita Billbe is the result of discussions that endemic in our country. Contact: Keith had with Dale [email protected] Cont. Pg. 14 Page 2

Because this is a new virus, hence the name “novel corona virus”; scientists and medical experts have had to study, determine how best to prevent spread, and take care of those who have suc- cumbed as the pandemic evolved. We learned that the virus is spread by droplets expelled from people’s mouths and noses as they speak, cough or sneeze. As these droplets “aerosolize” (into nearly microscopic droplets) they be- at Dally’s (pre COVID-19) come more likely to spread. That July President’s is the reason masks and social dis- dition to information on the White Message tancing are so important to mini- from his vast experience. A good mize the spread. We also know As I write this it is July 4th, with time is had by all. If you are free on that the virus survives on surfaces little change in the Covid-19 is- a Friday afternoon, come in the for some period of time and can sues. We are fortunate here in shop and tie or just visit. We are be spread by touching a contami- Baxter and Marion Counties that always looking for good company nated surface and then touching our infection rate is low. With and would love to have new tiers your mouth, nose or eyes. Hence, that, I hope you are getting out join us. Beginner tiers please come the reason hand hygiene and dis- enough to do some fishing. The on by. If you are having difficulty infecting frequently touched sur- lakes are still high and by all with a particular fly or technique, faces are recommended by our measures, decent wading on the we are glad to help and steer you in health experts. We White and Norfork River may not the right direction. If you want to Cont. Pg. 12 occur until October or later! learn a new fly, we will also be glad Spring River is a wade option for to help out. It is a blast to catch a ; or if you have a boat, you fish on a fly you have tied! are in luck on the rivers. Another Speaking of tying, if you have not option is our warm water species, seen our Facebook post, the 2020 in the creeks, rivers and still wa- Fly Tying Contest Winner Plate will ters. We are fortunate to have op- be hung at Dally’s for viewing until tions if you want to fish. we decide when to hold an auction. Weather Cancellation Policy We have been in a collaboration Jerry Jester did a fantastic job on it. Thanks. NAFF Activities or Meet- with Dally’s for the Friday after- ing will be cancelled or noon fly tying held about 1:00pm postponed when the until you are tired of tying. Mountain Home Public Thanks to Jim Dugan who he has Tight Lines, Schools Cancel Classes. provided some Nima’s Pizza. Davy Dave Boyer Check KTLO radio web- Wotton has given us some sage site for school closing advice on tying and rigging in ad- info. Tale Waters Page 3

Fly of the Month fly is tied. There’s nothing wrong Hares ear dubbing. Pulsa Bugger with that other than you have a Ribbing tinsel. fixed weight factor. Granted in the case of fishing the fly you have op- Rooster hackle. tions for different lines from dry Grizzled Chickabou hackle. to degrees of sink rate.

So, a method l have written about many times is this. Tie your fly Place hook in vice, run a thread without a bead. Carry with you an wrap to bend of hook and back to assortment of beads in different about midway 2/3 shank toward sizes and colors. Add the bead to the hook eye. you leader before you tie the fly on Marabou. I use the select plumes I doubt there is a trout fly angler and it will cause the fly to act the as l prefer the choice of length and who has not fished a wooly bugger same as if you had a bead on the do not have to tie in a stem as you and, in most cases, tied one as it is hook. The difference is this--it will would for the shorter strung mara- one of the flies most commonly change the animated action of the bou. It also produces a more mo- used for the beginner fly tyers. No fly. You can choose to fish in shal- bile tail. doubt for many use it is as a “go to low water with no bead; or in fly” when all else fails or simply a deeper zones, add a bead of choice Start to build up laminations of fly they have confidence to use. by weight and color, which can the marabou tail working as you make difference at times. Believe do with the thread toward the More or less the wooly bugger is a me, it does! hook bend. This also gives you the woolly worm, which was at one choice to use different shades of time a very popular fly here for the This practice can also be applied marabou for the tail. Once you White River, with an added mara- to your nymph and worm pat- have secured the tail, cut off the bou tail, that most certainly im- terns, add a choice of bead to the excess material. I will have that proves its attraction to the fish. leader before you tie on the fly. measured and done before l tie the There are many variations of bug- Even further if you are prepared to material in. gers by way of colors used but, in tie the Pulsa bugger as explained. At the tail end, now add your most cases, it amounts to a mara- The materials required are as strands of Flashabou and the rib- bou tail, may be some tinsel flash listed and color related to your bing material, which may be wire added, a chenille body, possibly a choice of fly. My example is the or French oval tinsel. rib, a wound palmered hackle and tan version, which is good to imi- a beadhead. Body. I use Hare fur dubbing ei- tate sculpins and crawdads. ther natural shade or dyed depend- Does color matter? In my opinion ing on the colors of the fly chosen. yes, albeit most are tied in shades The body is formed by a loop of olive, which is overall a good Hook sizes - 10, 8, 6 and 4 but twist, which is simple to do. general color to use. White at generally size 6 or 8 is best. First select your material and at- times for our rivers when shad are Bead – Your option with or with- present. tach it to the thread as you would out. for a single thread dubbed method The versions l prefer are a little Marabou. but not too tightly. Just form a different to that mentioned above nice roll around the thread. Hold as l will explain. Typically, a bead Flashabou tinsel. the thread below the now dubbed is attached to the hook before the Page 4

Fame & Fortune! Membership Report fur and take the thread up and over the hook shank and lock it by You too can earn “Fame and For- A special thank you to Rusty Rus- taking the thread around the now tune” by contributing an article to sell for your inclusion of a club two strands of thread. This will the world famous NAFF newslet- donation with his membership form a dubbing loop. Now use ter, “Tale Waters”. Simply send renewal. your twister to spin the thread your article, as a Word document, Thank you to the June/July/ locking in the fur. Once done, to Mike Tipton August renewals that were sent in start to form the fly body. If you ([email protected]). this month. Hard copy reminders do not have enough to complete Fame and Fortune will follow. were just sent out to the remaining the body, repeat the process. Articles should be about fly fish- members coming due. Also thank When done, select the hackle for ing, fly tying, travel, or anything you to the expired members that the body. Ideally you want a hack- that you think might be of interest have renewed their membership le that has an arrow like taper, to NAFF members. A certain this month. Lastly, it is a sad good- wide at the hook eye and tapering amount of literacy is expected, but bye to the other eighty-six mem- down to its tip end. we clean up grammar and spelling bers that have not renewed this Before you wind the hackle fluff errors! year bringing the club totals to 305 out the body dubbing. Now wind memberships and 438 members. the hackle to the tail end and Paul Ashton when there, reverse the ribbing tinsel through the hackle to the fly Membership head. The faster you do this the less you will trap hackle fibers. Re- move surplus hackle tail and rib- bing wire. You may also at this time further pick out more of the dubbing with a dubbing needle. Final stage is to select a grizzled chickabou hackle. This will be tied in by its tip end and wound to form a forward hackle. Finally, go check out how your fly animates in the water. Add a 3mm bead to the leader near the fly and watch how it pulsates and moves, very unlike the more traditional bugger pattern. Tight lines all! Davy Wotton Page 5

Hope’s Heartbeat point I felt a pang of regret for my phone numbers.” I gave them one negative thoughts about the man number, suggested some easily re- On a stellar Monday afternoon in who failed to see such wonder and membered guide websites; and June, I drove to Wildcat Access magic in this setting. then told them to use my name and parked my SUV in the last when they called. available slot. As I opened my The next day I returned and did hatch and grabbed and catch a small brown but nothing “Will he take us to catch big fish?” boots, I vaguely referenced a tall else. His size belied his strong fight One of the men asked. and I was happy with his efforts. burly man sitting at a picnic table “You need to tell him when you My trip was cut short, however, by removing his gear. I sat down at call, I responded. But it will de- a snarled tippet that made an ea- the other table and began to pull pend on water levels, weather and gle’s nest look tidy. Deciding to on mine. As he walked by, he said a lot of things for him to do that.” with a snarl, “You’re wasting yer quit, I still enjoyed the time I had time. I’ve tried every fly in my box along the riverbank. On the way Much happier, they left to go to and haven’t caught a thang. My back to the car, I was in the pro- their car to make the contacts. wife’s down there fishing too and cess of returning a phone call, Maybe I’m just a sucker for people she’s hasn’t caught anything ei- when 2 men approached looking who need help; but we’ve all “been ther.” woebegone. Cancelling my call, I there” anxious to try out a new asked, “Can I help you?” place without the proper info. Somewhat taken aback by his tone, I replied kindly, “Yes, I saw One said, “You look like someone As I returned to my car, I decided you taking off your waders.” I’ll in the know,” to which I giggled. that maybe it was no accident that just show you, I thought. But try “We’re here from Michigan stay- I had to make an early departure. as I might, I couldn’t catch a ing at a resort up the road and I’d done a good deed for some “thang” either. I waded up and need to know how to fish this folks who needed some advice; down the shoreline, tried multiple place.” and maybe after receiving that small act of kindness, they will de- flies and met with no success. As I began by telling them about the cide to return to our little slice of the evening turned into dusk, various entry points that I utilized heaven. however, the smell of bacon waft- and what flies to try. Then I said, ed across the river from a nearby “We used to own a resort and this That night I reviewed the predic- resort. Visions of BLTs on fat Tex- is what we told our customers: we tion for Wednesday’s generation as toast created a mouth-watering don’t want to get in your pocket; and was jazzed by the thoughts of picture. I marveled at several her- but you might want to try a …” minimum flow. Promising myself ons that appeared, from a dis- an early start, I packed my car and One of the men interrupted, “We tance, taller than I am … their sig- set my alarm extra early. nature long-legged strut always a know … a guide. But we’ve Wednesday I quickly drove to the strange sight. Just as the sun slid checked with the local fly shop access and discovered, to my de- down the horizon, six squawking plus our resort people and all light, the prediction was true. I Canadian geese flew over my head theirs are booked.” The two gents could hardly wait to hit the water. … so close I felt like I could reach shook their heads in disgust. “I As I sat down to slip on waders, them with my rod tip. And even knew we should have called a two teenage boys walked by and I though my gratitude didn’t en- week ago and made arrange- said a hearty good morning. They compass any trout takes, neverthe- ments.” responded with a polite greeting. less, I was blessed by this day away I felt sorry for them and replied, They carried 2 kayaks, set them from worries about Covid 19 and “Let me give you the names of the fears of the Pandemic. By that some guides we used to book and Page 6 down along the shoreline and re- young fisher’s suggestion. I tied on On the short drive home, I pon- turned to their pickup for life jack- a black woolly with sparkle in the dered my 3 days on the river. Even ets. One stopped to talk as I strung body and flash in the tail. I found though I was unsuccessful the first my rod. “I envy you what you’re a place where a large dark rock was 2 days, I’d fellowshipped, helped doing,” he said. visible in deeper water and two flat others and given what I’d hoped white rocks were embedded in the was good advice. I was out of the “How’s that?” I said. gravel. As soon as my fly drifted by house away from frightening statis- “Well you’re going and the rock and into shallow water, a tics about the Pandemic. I’d en- I can’t fly fish from a kayak, he ferocious take rewarded me and I joyed sparkling water, glorious said. I’m gonna have to fish with soon had a hefty thick rainbow in sunshine and perfect weather. I regular lures today.” my net. The funny thing was, I’d reflected about the man from the done one of my “normal” opera- first day, who thought it was all I giggled and retorted, “I can’t fish tions and tied on an extra-long about catching fish. Instead the out of a kayak either. I have to use tippet. I would almost get the fish sights and sounds of the river are a it as transportation to get to a grav- in and then he’d dart away with gift God’s given us to uplift our el bar or a spot I can get out and too much line to scoop him into spirits and bring us hope. And wade.” We both commiserated my net. Finally I maneuvered him cherishing those endowments is about our shortcomings for a mo- into lower water and made a dip never a waste of time. ment. and had him captured. I briefly Rita Billbe Then he said, “But I caught a 26” admired and released him. Within brown last night at Cotter Access a couple of more casts, I’d gar- on a black woolly!” nered his older brother, another stout fellow, with a passion for I put my hand over my heart and strong tugs and a brave heart. said, “Oh man I’m so jealous.” He continued to tell me details and By now, I was excited and stood in how long it fought; then turned to that same spot catching 5 more, follow his buddy down to their some of the small stocker variety. kayaks. In my zest, I missed another 7. Fi- nally my aching back reminded me As they reached their boats, I it was time to leave. So I took off yelled in my best hillbilly accent, “I for my car, thinking what a fine ain’t yore Momma, but wear those time I’d had and that I’d managed life jackets instead of sittin’ on to last about an hour longer than I ‘em.” They laughed; but as they usually did. My husband pulled up paddled away, I was pleased to see in his truck to check on me. “I was the vests on their backs. getting worried,” he said. By this time, I was ready to go “I caught 7 fish and missed that somewhat buoyed by an enjoyable many more, I said catching my conversation with two fine young breath. I’d have stayed longer but men. I began to fish vowing to try some different flies and achieve my back was hollering.” more success than my other 2 “Just as long as you’re okay,” he days. I tried soft hackles and vari- said and pulled away in his ous other creations with no re- pickup. sults. Then I remembered the Page 7

Warm Water Fishing Spring River Report “Trash to Treasure”

We’ve all heard the old saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Well I guess that would hold true to what some would con- sider “trash fish” or as well. Fish that fall under this head- ing are typically less desirable to the majority of sport anglers. Carp stealthiness while wading/boating are a typical example of what many and is important. Fluoro- carbon tippet, longer leaders and a anglers in the US would consider Water levels are at 490 cfs and wa- a “trash fish”. This is certainly not soft(er) fly presentation can make ter clarity has been lightly stained. the case in Europe however where a difference especially when chas- No rain in a few weeks has the riv- they are a highly sought after game ing carp that get a lot of stuff er levels down. Still above average fish and also in Asia where they’re thrown at them! flow but it is very nice to see it fi- an important food fish. When it comes to flies, most fly nally start to get back down to nor- already have a few pat- While carp will most likely never mal levels. terns in their boxes that would be very popular among conven- work just fine to fool a carp. Larg- Hot flies the last few weeks have tional anglers, their popularity er mayfly nymphs, eggs, San Juan been olive woolies and minnow continues to grow among fly an- worms and crayfish imitations can patterns like the Guppie. During glers. Hard fighting, challenging all work well. But let me tell you, the heat of the day the bite will and widely distributed, these fish it wasn’t until we opened our shop slow down. We have been doing make an ideal quarry for the fly only half days on guide trips with fisherman. They typically feed on a few months ago and the fly cata- the heat. After lunch, when that slow moving prey, such as nymphs logs started to arrive, that I real- sun starts bearing down, the trout and crayfish, which can be imitat- ized how serious and creative go straight to the bottom. The bite ed with flies and very effectively many tyers have become. When it comes to tying effective, carp spe- early up to lunch has been great. delivered with a fly rod! cific patterns for catching the Saturdays have been busy with Locally common carp can be “Golden Bonefish” “Bug-eyed”, floaters. Through the week is the found in good numbers in Crook- “leggy” flies like the Carp Tease, time to fish and Sunday is usually ed Creek, the Buffalo River, Bull Carp Carrot and Ball Peen Craw quiet. The river is very cold so get Shoals and Norfork Lake. Target- are time proven flies that are will- out and have a great time. And be ing actively feeding fish in shallow ing and ready to get vacuumed up safe! water with “buggy” looking bot- by “Ol’ Mr. Rubber lips”. So if the tom crawling flies will be most ef- thought of getting acquainted with Tight lines and good luck, fective. Occasionally, however, your backing while standing in a Mark Crawford carp will feed on or near the sur- beautiful Ozark Creek sounds ap- face when there is cottonwood pealing, then strap on those wad- springriverfliesandguides.com seed or mulberries. So having flies ing shoes and test your skills on hand that imitate these surface against one of the hardest fighting snacks can occasionally be useful fish that swims in freshwater! as well! Michael Schraeder Carp can be very spooky, so Page 8

River Fishing Report Wapsi worm brown color are hard to beat. As the weather heats up, the girdle bug works well also. In fact my fisherman caught fish on it yesterday morning. This fly has become quite popular over the past few years and has Spanflex (Wapsi SX4-047) incorporated on- to a 10 or 8 hook. This is a heavy fly generally tied with lead wrapped around it along with ei- In the month of June we saw some ther a brass or tungsten bead fairly major fluctuation along with 1/8th copper bead depending on some more rain. We came close to how heavy one wants it to be. It is seeing some major flood gate ac- fished close to the bank and if tion with threats of 40k to 60K you’re not losing one every now CFS of flows. Fortunately, that and then then you’re not close did not happen as it would have enough to the bank. Fish it with caused severe property damage on heavier tippet than you think you the river. The most we have ever need because if the brown trout seen is 50K CFS. So the lake lev- are on it, you will have a blast with els are slowly dropping with the this fly. It is also a pain in the you Bull at 691.39 and the Fork at know what to tie; but it is now a 575.63. The Fork is generating 5k must have fly for your box on big- plus almost around the clock and ger water. The depth of this fly Bull is 12k to 16K. The C.O.E. can range from 3 or 4 feet to 4 to and SWPA are gonna make some 8 feet. A dropper can even be big bucks this summer. used but expect to lose some flies. The Sulphur hatch also started in June. However, the bigger flows Jimmy T. have a tendency to knock this hatch down. I. along with a few Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop other guides, have had some great 627 Central Blvd luck with John Schepps’ wired PT. PO Box 751 Mailing This is a fly he won a Sowbug ty- Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751 ing contest with and it is a great fly Shop # 870-445-3848 for this time of year. Other PTs Cell # 870-404-8906 Fishing are also working. Of course, after a http://theflyfishing-store.com/ rain storm, the ubiquitous and highly productive San Juan worm in various colors such as brown, brown, and brown, along with the Page 9

Musings of a Fly Fishing Guide “The Belgian Cast”

How many of you have used the Belgian Cast to deliver a tan- dem fly rig with added split shot when fishing high water? Or when swinging large articulated streamers with sinking line? Or even when fishing windy condi- tions along the salt-water coastal flats of the Atlantic Ocean? The Belgian Cast can make casting much easier in certain situa- tions than the traditional back demonstrations. Unfortunately, of using the traditional back and forward style of casting; the cast was not widely accepted and forward style of casting. however, many anglers have or used by the American fly an- The European fly fishing com- never used the Belgian Cast, gling community. As the cast munity embraced the cast and and some are unaware of its ex- was introduced to the United found that it had many other istence. If you haven’t already States by a Belgian, it is often uses besides drying silk lines. added this casting technique to called the Belgian Cast, but Hans taught the cast to Albert your casting repertoire, then there are many names associat- Godart, the Belgian who you should. ed with this cast, including the brought the cast to the Ameri- oval, elliptical or continuous- can fly community. The Belgian cast was first intro- motion cast. duced to anglers in the United The Belgian or Austrian cast is States by Albert Godart, a world Our European angling friends a great cast to use when nymph -renowned Belgian fly caster actually call it the Austrian cast fishing heavy flies, articulated who used the cast to win a silver because it was an Austrian who streamers with sinking line, or medal in the 1958 World actually invented the cast back fly fishing in windy conditions. Championships for long dis- in the 1930s. The Austrian who You start your back cast by mov- tance casting. Albert was on a invented the cast, Hans ing your rod tip out and to the promotional tour to the United Gebetsroither, was a shoemak- side of your body, then contin- States when he introduced the er, river keeper and guide who ue by swinging your flies out cast to notable fly anglers Lee would grease and dry his cli- and around behind you in a Wulff and Lefty Kreh. Lee and ents’ silk lines every night to Lefty liked the cast so well, they prepare them for fishing the started using it on many of their next day. Hans found it easier fly fishing trips. They promoted and faster to dry the line by the cast as they traveled around casting and moving the line in the country giving casting an oval or elliptical path instead Page 10 loop that is parallel to the water out fishing on a windy day, surface. Next, you move the then the Belgian cast is the one flies upward in an oval or ellip- cast you need to learn and put tical path. You’ll finish the cast to use. If you have never used with a traditional overhead for- the Belgian cast, give it a try! I ward cast. Your fly line and flies think you will be pleasantly sur- are always moving away from prised by how well it works. you in a continuous motion, never stopping like they do with a traditional back cast. Keeping Danny Barker your flies constantly moving around you throughout the back cast, then making a for- ward cast is what makes this Don’t Forget! cast so successful. If you are Fly Tying right handed, you will start the Every Friday cast with a sidearm motion to the right, or if there is a person At Dally’s to the right of you, move the 1:00 to 5:00 rod across your chest to swing the loop to the left and behind Fly Tying at Dally’s (pre COVID-19) you. This casting style elimi- nates the need to wait on your fly line, leader, and flies to un- fold and come to a stop before you start your forward cast which can cause a tangled mess of fly line, leader, and flies. There is no stop and start or delay when using the Belgian cast, only a continuous motion of moving fly line, leader, and flies through the air, which re- sults in a much smoother cast. The Belgian cast has become my go-to cast when fishing high water conditions. I use it to de- liver heavy fly patterns on long leaders with a lot of split shot. If you are one of those big streamer gurus, or just someone Page 11

Fly Tying Tip spool up the extra thread back Split Thread Dubbing on your bobbin holder and wind A your rope onto the hook shank. while back, Dally’s featured Davy You can see Davy do this on the Wotton in a video doing his SLF linked video tying his SLF Trans Trans Caddis. I was mesmerized Caddis. The technique also with a slick little technique on shows up best at the end of the split thread dubbing. After split- clip as he demonstrates it again: ting your thread to form a dub- https://www.youtube.com/ bing loop, you then have to spin w a t c h ? the thread/bobbin holder to cre- v=7IuIbH‑TEtQ&feature=youtu. ate the dubbing rope. Davy does be it one step better for a buggy rope for those small nymphs. Davy has been coming to our Friday afternoon tying sessions at If you do not know, Davy Wot- Dally’s passing on sage advice. I Photo 2 ton is a man of many talents. He have learned a lot. So come on has tied commercially, developed by and visit. You never know may of the dubbings we use what you might pick up. through Wapsi, developed the ADavy and Double Davy Knots Dave Boyer used as terminal knots and is an accomplished guide on our local rivers. He has several short cuts and other techniques while tying. One of those is to split your thread as you normally would (photo #1) and insert your dub- bing material. Second is to pull out about 12 inches of thread from the bobbin (photo #2). Then take your thumb on top of the thread at the tip of the bob- Photo 3 bin holder and push on the thread while moving your thumb toward the dubbing (photo#3) … Photo 1 MAGIC. The thread twists the dubbing into your rope. While holding the thread with your thumb (and finger if needed), Page 12 also know that people can be in- you can control. Below are some Even if you have washed your fected but asymptomatic, thus un- tips we used to return home hands during a stop you should knowingly spreading the virus. healthy. still disinfect your hands in case you touched a door handle or oth- My husband Steve and I had previ- People: In general, the best mind- er item after you washed them. ously planned a trip to fly fish in set is to assume everyone is infect- You can also use the sanitizer on the driftless area of Minnesota and ed. In any facility keep at least six the door handle, steering wheel Wisconsin this Spring, but that feet away from others as much as and gear shift of your vehicle. You trip was cancelled because of the possible. Though not my usual could also consider keeping a jug pandemic. In fact, we were specifi- practice, I no longer hold the of water, soap and paper towels in cally asked NOT to visit Wiscon- door for people as they exit or your vehicle for washing your sin by the owner of the fly shop in enter a building or restroom. I hands. Viroqua, WI where we had let them pass thru and then do so planned to stay. myself when the way is clear. If Gas pumps: The pump, having there is not room to social dis- been touched by many hands is a While we are all suffering from tance in a restroom I wait outside great place to be exposed to Covid. “Covid fatigue” and want to get the door and inform others that I We put our masks on first, then out, socialize and travel, health am waiting in line. I found some- touched the pump to fill our tank. experts warn against it. The virus times people stood too close to Do not make the mistake of is prevalent in our environment, me while waiting, so I kindly pumping the gas, then handling more so than may be obvious, so asked them to social distance. I your mask with your now dirty traveling brings inherent risks. But sometimes would tell people that hands. After filling our tank, we for various reasons we may need to they may want to do so because I went directly into the restroom to travel, and, in that instance, there had traveled outside the US (a wash our hands. are measures one can employ to true statement, I just did not diminish the risks. I had to travel Door handles: Another dirty share with them that is has been for health reasons twice to Minne- item. Avoid touching them if you years). It was entertaining to see sota over the last two months and can. Use your body to push doors how they would take a big step was able to take steps to avoid con- open when possible and wash your back, and with my mask on they tracting Covid 19. I made the first hands if you touch the door or could not see that I was smiling trip alone and Steve accompanied handle. Luckily many facilities (laughing) at their response. me on the second. have a door you can push to open, These days it may be more effec- particularly to exit, so you often The important thing to keep in tive to say that you have been in do not need to touch a door to mind while traveling is to identify Florida or Houston, sadly. Un- exit a facility where you have just specifically where the risk is higher fortunately, this is only effective if washed your hands. and how to diminish it. Places people are up on COVID-19 cur- like gas stations, convenience rent events. Disinfectant: We carried sanitiz- stores and rest stops have a high ing wipes with us and disinfected Hand Sanitizer: Though not as volume of traffic, so are good plac- the surface of items we purchased effective as soap and water, this is es to pick up the virus. How proac- while on the road, as we do at an essential travel item. We keep tive you are at diminishing your home. This includes items pur- a bottle in our vehicles and use it risk is up to you; it is one thing chased at convenience and grocery when we get back into the car. Page 13

stores. A spray bottle filled with notable. But the small meander- then throw away the containers, 0.4% hydrogen peroxide and pa- ing streams through rolling hills disinfect the surface the containers per towels also does the trick. To and bluffs offer peace, solitude touched then wash our hands be- make the 0.4% solution use one- and fresh air. If you are lucky fore eating. While on the road is part standard hydrogen peroxide enough to get into, and match, a useful to bring your own dishes (3%) to seven parts water. hatch of midges, may flies or cad- and utensils. Disposable ones dis, fun times where you can do Hotels/ Accommodations: For make it easy. no wrong can be had. Terrestrials overnight stops on the road we can be great fun in the summer choose stops in towns with a low and early fall. Browns and incidence of Covid 19; smaller Brookes are the most common towns or suburbs, typically. species, but there are also some Though hotels are deep cleaning stocked rainbows in a few streams rooms, I still feel more comforta- as well as splakes. ble wiping down frequently touched and hard surfaces myself. It is simply best to avoid travel Doorknobs, TV remotes, light during COVID-19. However, you switches, bathroom fixtures, coffee can take a variety of actions that pots, microwaves and tops of fur- will greatly reduce your probability niture. We stayed in hotels with The silver lining in all this was of being exposed. Moreover, un- fully stocked kitchenettes, so I put that Steve was able to fish in the like going to an indoor concert or all the dishes, utensils and glasses driftless area of Minnesota when college party, fishing by its very in the dishwasher when we ar- he accompanied me, and the fish- nature is much lower risk, and rived. ing experience was not really any easy to socially distance. Stay at different from years past. Using home or stay safe as you travel. On our second trip to MN, we funds generated from the trout were there for over a week, so we stamp program, the MN DNR has Susan Parsons rented a vacation rental home. purchased easements through pri- Though it was a bit of work, once vate lands for anglers to access we had the place disinfected, we streams. There are many small felt safe. In that instance we used streams with easy access and little 0.4 % hydrogen peroxide spray to pressure. Most people who arrive avoid depleting our supply of dis- at an access point, if they find an- infectant wipes. Many vacation other angler is already present, will rental sites now require the loca- just go down the road to the next tion to be vacant for three days access or to another stream all to- between rentals, which is another gether. The vast majority of fish advantage of them. are wild, small and wary, so stealth Food: We did not eat in restau- and good technique are required rants, but did order food to take to succeed at catching them. out, as we do at home. We trans- Don’t expect to catch a lot of fish fer the food to our clean dishes, or monsters; most fish are six to ten inches while a twelve incher is Page 14

8845 or michaeltip- Fulton before Dale’s passing. Ste- thousands of trout. They are fish- [email protected] ve Wright’s book was often men- ing for essentially wild brown tioned during the discussions. trout, and they are not going to go Last summer Keith presented his Davy Wotton out and catch 20, 30, 50 fish a idea and an early sample of the day. That’s unheard of. On a really book to the NAFF Board of Di- good day, they might catch half a rectors. Keith was looking for fi- MY GUIDING dozen fish. So, to catch these fish, nancial and moral support from the skill has to be that much bet- NAFF. We estimate that printing I guide about 80% of the time on ter. In comparison, in waters here 500 copies of the book will cost the White River, about 15% on in the United States where they between $2000 and $3000. Keith the Norfork River, and then occa- are heavily stocked, the fish are has pledged $500 of his own sionally on other rivers. And pretty easy to catch. money to support the cost of there’s a reason for that. We have printing. NAFF agreed to provide much more resource on the White some support for the cost of River than we do on the others. I learned these traditional tech- printing and no particular So, we can pick a section of the niques back in the 1950s. I was amount was committed. We 100 miles of the White River to fortunate to learn from some old- would wait to see how the book focus on for any particular day. timers who fished in the tradition- developed and review our com- I was raised in Wales and Eng- al manner. At that time, where I mitment this year. The cancella- land. Obviously, coming from was raised, the traditional ap- tion of Sowbug seriously dented where fly fishing has its roots go- proach to fly fishing was how peo- our capability to provide financial ing back hundreds of years, there ple fly fished. So, I learned this support for much beyond our are a lot of techniques of fly fish- approach when I was young. This current commitments for scholar- ing not known here, which to traditional approach forces you to ships. We, Keith and NAFF, are some extent I was indoctrinated develop higher levels of skill. looking for others willing to help with years ago. I like to teach peo- sponsor the printing of the book. ple techniques of fishing that are We would like to have the book A TYPICAL DAY ON what fly fishing is all about but printed and ready to put into peo- T H E W A T E R that are not very common here. ple’s hands by Sowbug 2021. We The European style of fishing tra- expect that the book will retail for I work with some people who have ditionally would be the wet fly $20.00. All proceeds from the zero skill, who have never fly style of fishing. This is a very effec- sale of the book (excluding setting fished in their life. I also work tive way of catching fish once you back money for the second print- with people who have some fly understand how to do it. The ing) will go towards youth pro- fishing experience, and I also work problem for the majority of an- grams in Marion and Baxter with people who have a high skill glers, if the truth be known, is that Counties, with a preference for level. Within five minutes, I can they don’t have the fundamental programs that involve fly fishing. tell what their skill level is going to skills to be able to do it. The main Neither Keith, the guides inter- be. Their overall skill level almost difference between Europe and viewed, nor NAFF will get any always relates to their casting skill. here is that fly fishermen are gen- money from the sales. If you It’s very simple. If you don’t have erally much more skilled in Eu- would like to make a pledge to good casting skills, then everything rope. One of the reasons is that sponsor the first printing of the else you do is not going to work as they don’t have rivers and streams book or pre-order a copy ($20), well as it should. So, a typical day that are stocked with hundreds of contact Mike Tipton 870-404- Page 15 on the water with me depends on the techniques. So, that’s how I you to do. If I have low flows that the skill level of my clients. I build got started in guiding. My first allow wade fishing, the day may be the fishing day around them. guiding was in the 1970s, in a lot spent 50-50. I find the section of of different places over there in river that allows us options if the If you take an average year, proba- the UK. water is low enough. But some bly 75% of my guiding would be people don’t want to wade fish. out of a boat. I would like to see I first visited the U.S. in about They prefer to stay in the boat. more wadable water. But for peo- 1974. The reason I came over here ple with limited fly fishing skills, is that I used to buy some fly tying THE MOVEMENT OF TROUT it’s a little bit easier for them fish- materials from some companies Big brown trout may move miles ing from a boat compared to wade over here. Over here, I was able to in their daily wanderings, but not fishing. Fishing with a nymph us- buy genetic capes, which were not rainbows. Brown trout still retain ing a strike indicator is a lot easier sold in the UK. So, when I was a lot of their natural instincts, from a boat because you can have here on business, I had the oppor- partly because they haven’t been a 100-yard drift from a boat. But tunity to fish some of the rivers over-cultured in hatcheries. Brown other techniques have better appli- that I had been reading about, trout, by their very nature, will cation when you are wade fishing. such as the Madison. forage for food. They have an in- For example, traditional wet fly I didn’t start guiding over here credible sense of smell. They can fishing, European nymph style until about 1994. At that time, I smell food items way, way up- fishing, , those have lived in Illinois. I was going back stream, such as crawdads when better application to wade fishing and forth between the U.S. and they’re in a stage of molting from rather than drifting from a boat. the U.K. I owned a factory over the hard to the soft shell. I have That’s not to say they don’t work there that developed and manufac- watched brown trout root around from a boat, they do. But wade tured SLF dubbing. It was the larg- in the weed beds for the crawdads fishing works better. est dubbing factory in the world. and sculpins. Rainbows won’t do HOW I GOT STARTED So, when I was living in Illinois, I that. Rainbows, even wild rain- I N G U I D I N G would fly fish and guide in Wis- bows, prefer to have their food consin. At that time, I would also brought to them by the current. I started a mail order business in visit and fish with Dave Whitlock So, the rainbows will be found in the late 1960s selling flies and fly here in the Mountain Home area. those areas where the current forc- tying materials in the United King- es the food source into a seam in Most of the guides who are here dom. I was also asked to write a t h e r i v e r . today weren’t around when I start- regular column in a national fly ed guiding. The fly fishing guides fishing publication which got me When a brown trout has an urge who were here when I started were nationally known in the UK. After to feed, he is willing to go a long John Gulley, Steve Nelson, Dale which I was often asked to give way to find food. He has an acute Fulton, Fox Statler, Jim Lipscomb, programs to fly fishing clubs and sense of smell and sight. Brown and a couple others whose names I give on-stream demonstrations of trout eyes are much better condi- d o n ’ t r e m e m b e r . fly in the UK. tioned to diminished light, in con-

One reason I became a guide is trast to a rainbow trout. Rainbow WADE FISHING VS BOAT that I got to be known as a damn trout normally don’t feed signifi- FISHING good fisherman on the rivers I cantly in diminished light condi- fished. So, people would want to Wade fishing or boat fishing, the tions, but brown trout do. That’s know how I used what flies, and answer to that is very easy. It all why, at times, you’ll catch better they would hire me to take them depends on what the water allows quality browns in the hours of out on the river and show them Page 16

darkness compared to the daytime. because of high water tempera- Another factor is that inverte- tures downstream. I have checked that takes a lot of experience to be brates are more active in the hours water temperature below Rim able to do that right. The more of diminished light, and if the Shoals that was nearly 80°. I am a you can maintain an acceptable small bugs are active, then so are strong supporter of minimum drift, the more likely that fish will the sculpins. flow. The increased water is bene- be caught. ficial for the . Some people

The main things that cause rain- complain about minimum flow bows to move are the conditions because they can’t wade fish from Another problem is lack of of water temperature and changes the same spots that they used to knowledge for how to build a sys- in the water flow. If the water flow fish from. It seems that all they tem to fish. Not only can some changes from high water with sev- care about is their own self-interest customers not put together a eral generators running to mini- and their access to wade fishing nymph rig, but some can’t even tie mum flow, then the rainbows have spots. a knot. A lot of guiding is doing for people what they can’t do for to move. On high water, they tend to get moved downstream more themselves. Whatever the skill lev- than upstream. Whereas brown MISTAKES I SEE MY CLIENTS el of the client is, whether low or trout, although subjected to the MAKE high, I try to enhance that skill level through their time with me. same change in water, are differ- The absolute number one issue is Their ability determines what I ent. The way they choose to find inability to cast. Many people have can do on any given day with themselves in a resting lie is a little never had good instruction in the them. different from rainbows. A brown first place, and they’ve developed trout may be comfortable in a rest- the most hideous faults in their SUGGESTIONS FOR PEOPLE ing lie in 6 inches of water. A lot casting, which have become in- WHO HAVEN’T FISHED HERE of times those browns will sit in grained. When something be- only six inches of water as long as comes subconscious in your It’s very simple. I would tell them they have shade. They don’t like memory, you don’t think much that if they want to maximize their bright light. On the White River, about what you’re doing. And it’s ability to catch fish in the river, you’ll see them where you have very difficult to change that. So, they better hire a guide for a few grass overhanging a gravel bar. guides have a limitation with what hours at least. If they want to Those browns will be tucked right they can do with anglers based on come here blind, fine. They may up against the bank in just 6 inch- their ability. Very quickly, as a catch a few fish. But if they don’t es of water because they have guide, you have to make an assess- really have knowledge of the places shade from the grass. Whereas ment of the client’s ability because to go, the best techniques to use, rainbows will tend to look for are- that tells us what we can do for the the best flies to use in those situa- as of water movement. The mov- rest of the day with that client. tions, how to rig everything up, ing water contains more oxygen, And if they have issues with cast- then a guide could be very helpful. and also more food that is being ing, I can guarantee you that they I’ve had people come here, fish for channeled toward them. will have issues with controlling two days, and not catch a fish. their fly line as they try to main- And then they call me and ask if I tain drifts. Having the line on the could take them out for a few Before minimum flow there was water is one thing, but how you hours. And I say sure, but I tell sometimes no generation for control that drift is another. And weeks and weeks. That was a disas- them that they should have ter for that river. Fish were dying Page 17 hooked up with me at the begin- ity. In addition to more food being W O R K S H E R E ning of their trip. This idea applies dislodged, the increase in oxygen to any river, not just this river. from the increased water flow in- What boat will work or not work creases fish activity. But fish gener- in this river partly depends on ally don’t like falling water. If it is THE DANGER OF GENERA- what water flow we have. For ex- a slow decrease in water flow, the T O R F L O W ample, with minimum flow, you fish don’t mind that nearly as need a boat that is capable of run- much as a quick decrease in water ning over some pretty skinny wa- The one thing people have to un- flow. When that water drops, the ter. You also have to have some derstand on this river system is comfort zone for the fish is no sense about how to navigate that awareness. It’s as simple as that. longer there. They are less likely to boat. It’s actually more difficult to You need to know what the Corp feed in these situations. There is navigate your boat when you’re of Engineers intends to do or has also a problem with quickly rising going downstream compared with done. If they turn big water on at water because that water kicks up when you’re going upstream be- 12:00 midnight, it obviously takes so much debris that on the edge of cause when you go upstream you a certain amount of time for the that rising water, it may be unfish- can better see what’s in front of water to move downstream. So, a able. you. When you’re going down- fisherman calls the dam and is MY PREFERRED GENERATOR stream, it is more difficult to see told that they are running mini- FLOW WHEN FISHING FROM submerged rocks because it’s more mum flow. So, although there may A BOAT difficult to see the surface disturb- be no flow at the dam, there may ance. be big water downstream. So, you Anywhere between 4000 and 8000 have to understand that wherever CFS. Because it provides more You really can’t beat the type of you fish on this river system, you resources for fish habitat, it keeps boats that we use which have a have to consider the possibility of the fish more active, and they are shallow draft. The flat bottom changing water levels and speed. looking for food. The optimum boats are the best. The key answer to your question is temperature for the river is be- In high water, I’ve seen people out that you have to have knowledge tween 55 and 65 degrees. But that there on the White River in their and awareness of changing water temperature varies depending on $80,000 bass boat. Do I think they levels. More people get into trou- several factors. One is the tempera- make any sense on the river? Abso- ble on the Norfork River these ture of the water coming out of lutely not, because they had to days than on the White River. The the lake, and another factor is how pound up that river with their 200 water on the Norfork comes up so much heat from the sun the water horse motor, and the wake wash q u i c k l y . in the river is absorbing. During coming across to other people in long periods of low water, the river their boats is very, very unsettling, is absorbing a lot of heat. That USING GENERATOR FLOW and the wake wash to the shore said, a guide has to adapt to gener- TO CATCH MORE FISH creates erosion. ation levels that can increase flows

to as much as 25,000 CFS and That’s one of the reasons I don’t The rising water increases food accordingly adjust to effective tech- like jet motors. I will never use sources being disturbed off the niques such as deep water nymph one. Because they create so much bottom of the river and washes wake wash when they pound up rigs or streamers. them downstream. Sowbugs and the river, and disturb resting lies scuds are examples. The rise of and feeding fish, not to mention water generally increases fish activ- THE TYPE OF BOAT THAT the disturbance to other anglers Page 18 whether they are wading or boat back in the U.K. It has a white IF YOU WANT TO CATCH BIG drifting. Also, you have less con- marabou tail that represents the FISH AND DON’T CARE trol with a jet motor than you do chordal fin of the naturals, which ABOUT NUMBERS with a prop motor. If you have a they use to swim. A lot of flies that jet motor, you have to also use are available in fly shops, I devel- All you can do is fish methods that oars for drifting while the client oped those patterns, the same as would normally catch the big fish. fishes. With the prop motor, I can Dave Whitlock did. They are com- But there is no guarantee on any control the boat and keep it at the mercially produced by other com- particular day that big fish will be correct angle for my client to fish panies, and they pay us a royalty. caught. If they are running big wa- as the boat is drifting. But you ter, which is forcing fish close to can’t do that with a jet motor. the shores, maybe fishing stream- You need only 10 flies to catch ers thrown to the bank would be 90% of the fish on this river. M Y B O A T S the best option, or hoppers and

big drys. If they are running low Here is my general choice for 10 water, the odds of that working When I first came here, I had a flies for the White River l would are less likely. When the water is couple of the old original Shaw- not be without. Bear in mind flies lower, the flow rate is slower. The nees. They are great boats. You would be in different sizes. fish are much more wary. In slow can beat the heck out of those water, the fish have all the time in damned things and they’ll stand the world to look at what they’re up to it. I still have one. Right 1. White Tail Midges, various about to eat. Not only that, but now, I have a fairly new Shawnee colors they have more ability to be aware that was custom-built to my speci- of their surroundings such as shad- fications. 2. San Juan Worms, various col- ows and boats. Don’t forget that ors the trout are going to be down- stream from you, and so some- On low water, I prefer a 15 hp, 3. Hare’s Ear Nymph, gold bead times they are simply gone before but I am comfortable using the head you get there. Generally, low water new 20 hp 4 stroke motor. The is not a good time to catch big revolutions of the prop are slower, 4. Eggs, orange fish. If you go out early in the and you can idle that motor like a morning and late in the evening snail. On the big water, I use a 25 5. Partridge and Hare’s Ear soft when there is less light, you put hp. The motor I use is based on hackle the odds a little more in your fa- water flow. To position the boat vor. parallel to the shore for a good 6. Silver Invicta drift, I generally use the motor to control the drift, but sometimes I 7. Muddler Daddy To answer your question, if people use the oars. want to target big fish, you might

8. DW Caddis Emergers sling big streamers all day for one MY FAVORITE FLIES fish, and you might not catch any- 9. Olive/gold Wooly Bugger thing. Most people would like to

catch something as they are fishing The White Tail Midge pattern is 10. Zoo Cougar. for big browns. To catch big trout, one that I developed years ago you need to be on the water when Page 19

the conditions are right. you’re fishing lower flow water, for example dry fly fishing, or nymph Winter: It depends on the water. fishing, or traditional wet fly fish- That’s a big part of it. If there were One interesting point is that the ing, you cannot beat a double ta- higher flows of water, I would use majority of big trout that I have p e r l i n e . a size 14 red San Juan Worm. If it seen caught, or that I have caught was low flow, I would use a size 14 myself, have been on small flies. black and silver White Tail Midge. IMPROVING THE FUNCTION So one good approach to trying to OF OUR FLY LINE catch big trout is to use small flies, which also allows other fish to be MY PREFEREED KNOT FOR caught. I have seen many big TYING MY FLY TO THE TIP- By the way, another mistake I see browns caught on that White PET from people who fly fish is that Tailed Midge. If there is a shad kill they use a floating line that is float- coming through the generators, A Davy Knot. It’s very easy. I de- ing “in” the water rather than “on then a shad pattern is an excellent veloped that knot when I was a kid top of” the water. If your line is fly to catch big browns. back in the 1950s. That was the not on top of the water, then it is only way I could figure out how to impossible to make an effective tie a fly onto a tippet. mend in the line. I have had IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A brand new fly lines that don’t float LOT OF FISH AND DON’T WEIGHT-FORWARD VS DOU- the way they should float. We CARE ABOUT SIZE BLE TAPERED LINES should be treating our floating fly lines. And the only product I use Weight-forward lines do one thing Nymphs would be what to use. for this is Mucilin in the green for a person who can’t cast. They The White Tailed Midge, in com- container. make the cast easier because there bination with a Hare’s Ear Nymph is a physical weight at the end of or a San Juan Worm would be a the line. A double taper line usual- good choice. Or you may choose There are some important things ly takes more technique and skill. to fish soft hackles and wet flies, you should do with your line. However, the difference between or small streamers. If you have low First, stretch your line. They actu- the two lines in their practical use water, the fish are very wary, and ally start to shrink. People don’t is significant. There is far more you’re not going to get away with believe that, but it’s true. You ei- control of the line with a double fishing big flies. You will need to ther use a friend or a vehicle. You taper than there is with a weight- fish smaller flies on lighter tippet, get your friend to hold one end of forward line. The reason is that on 5X or 6X tippet, and size 14, 16, the line, and you walk back 40 or a weight-forward line, you are una- or 18 hooks, maybe sometimes 50 feet and pull. I’ll guarantee that ble to move the heavier tipped line even as small as 20 and 22. you walk another three or four when it is on the water as easily as yards back as the line stretches. you can the light tip on a double You should do this every time be- IF I HAD ONLY ONE FLY taper line. fore you fish. The line can con-

With the exception of throwing tract overnight. After you do this, Summer: If the water is low, a size streamers or heavyweight flies, or your line will cast infinitely better. 16 black White Tail Midge. If the deep-water nymphing, pretty much Unstretched line is rougher, and it water is high, a tan San Juan all other fishing is done better goes through the eyes of the rod Worm. with the double taper line. When with more friction. In addition, it Page 20 is more difficult to mend that line white lines spook fish. Well, bull- use. But commercially produced because it won’t lay straight if it is shit. Any line will create a shadow tapered leaders can also be a disad- not stretched. The stretching re- when on the water. If that shadow vantage sometimes, particularly duces the coiling, which makes it is seen by a fish coming toward the with deeper water nymph fishing easier for us to control the line. line, they will spook. The argu- techniques like we use on this riv- ment that the color of the line is er. You need a continuous section

what spooks fish is bullshit. What that is a fine diameter from a short Second, the line should be treated spooks fish is what you do with butt section. To get the leader periodically while you are fishing. the line. down quickly, as for nymph fish- You should use green Mucilin. ing, you want the entire leader

Right before you start fishing, if that will be under water to be of you are using floating line, you Sometimes my client will be fish- the same small diameter. A fine should pull at least the first 10 or ing with a dark line. I will tell my leader will require less weight to 15 feet off of your reel and apply client to mend his line, and he get the fly down, whereas a thicker the Mucilin to your line. Then tells me that he can’t see his line. leader will require more weight. also treat the line periodically Well if he was using a white line, while you are fishing. The only I’ll guarantee that he would be downside to Mucilin is that when able to see it. With a long leader, When I tie my leaders, I average it gets hot, it leaks out of the con- say 15 feet, fishing a white line will between 3 to 5 feet of decreasing tainer. So, you have to keep it cause no problem. diameter for the butt section from cool. the fly line, in other words 3 foot, 2 foot, 1 foot (20 lb., 15 lb., 10 LEADERS lb.), and then add continuous fine

I might mention that I am against line onto the end of that for loop-to-loop connections. Every When I first started fishing as a nymph fishing. time you connect a junction in the kid, I had no knowledge of com- line, you create a hinge in it. With mercially produced tapered lead- a loop-to-loop connection, you ers. So, what I got was some nylon By the way, fly fishermen pay up don’t get a consistent flow through or sometimes it was gut. People the ass for things they don’t need. of line. Knots are not a problem, would build their own tapered If you go to a fly shop, you can pay but loops are. The best knots to leaders. They would sometimes $5 for a tapered leader, and if you make the connection of fly line to use up to 10 sections of decreasing go to Walmart, you can buy a leader are those that have a small diameter gut to build their leaders. Cortland tapered leader for a size knot connection, which are a When monofilament became $1.50. And the leader you buy at snood knot, a needle knot, and a available, you didn’t have to mess Walmart is excellent quality. You Whitlock No Knot. with that gut. can pay $130 for a fly line at a fly fishing shop, but you can spend only about $20 at Walmart for a THE COLOR OF A FLY LINE Today, I rarely use commercially very good fly line. It is nonsense to

produced tapered leaders because pay the higher prices. Spools of Another interesting thing is that I build my leader systems the way I tippet is another racket in the fly my preference is to use white lines. want them. I’m not saying com- fishing business. You’re paying for The reason is that you can always mercially produced tapered leaders convenience to have a small spool. see a white line. Some people say have no use because they do have $35 for a 30-meter spool of tippet, Page 21

that’s ridiculous. I use bulk spools directly overhead or to the side. well established in the British Isles of line that I buy from mainline What does matter is that your fly a few hundred years ago, which stores. 200 meters for $20. There line tracks in a straight line. Your included the countries of England, is expensive tippet that is very cast can be at an angle, but the Ireland, Scotland and Wales. good, having great knot strength. forward and backward movement Many variations of wet fly patterns But is it necessary to buy that ex- of the rod must all be in one evolved largely related to the pensive tippet? Absolutely not, plane. uniqueness of the fishable waters, unless I require ultrafine tippet in the food sources found in those

6X or less. systems, the availability of natural One of the problems with com- fur and feather sources, and the Also, I might mention that for the mercially produced tapered leaders ability of the fly tyers at that time. leaders that I tie, I use the brand is that they coil and it’s very diffi- Those flies all evolved for the of clear monofilament called Am- cult to keep them straight. If you catching of wild browns, sea run nesia for the butt section. This work them with your hands, you browns and Atlantic salmon. monofilament has an oval profile, can get them straightened out, but not a round profile. Since it is it’s a pain in the ass. You can’t fa- oval, it will not twist as much. I go cilitate a straight-line cast if the The traditional method of fishing from 20 pound to 15 pound to 10 leader has coils in it. winged wet flies is very different pound, and then I attach my lead- from the way most people fish wet er and tippet. The length of the flies on the White River. When I butt section depends on what type If a person rotates the rod on eve- arrived here, l knew of no one of fishing I do. The butt section ry cast, which creates twist in the who had any idea about how to might be three, four, five, or six line and the leader, then the only fish wet flies in the traditional feet long. way to get that twist out is to un- British manner, and that is still twist the line. If this doesn’t hap- largely true today. Although some pen, then when a fish is caught, fly fishers here fish soft hackles The only time I use a commercial- tangles in the line can occur that using an across and downstream ly produced tapered leader is when interfere with the line going swing, the skills of traditional wet I am fishing micro dry flies, and I through the eyes of the rod. When fly fishing involve much more use this with a double tapered a customer of mine has a cast that than that. line. That continuous taper gives a is not in one plane, we need to better turnover. occasionally remove the twist from

the line. One approach is to ex- When l first came here to fish the HOW OUR CAST INFLU- tend the line behind the boat. An- White River system, I was astound- ENCES OUR FLY LINE AND other way is to cast the line in the ed to see how anglers nymph LEADER air but rotate the rod in the direc- fished with indicators. That was tion opposite of the rotation that not how we fished in the UK. We caused the twist. nymph fish with a suspended fly. One of the things that causes lead- The use of floats, as they are er systems to twist is when the per- known in the EU, were and largely son casting rotates the rod as a TRADITIONAL WET FLY FISH- still are restricted to fishing for part of the cast instead of tracking ING coarse fish. in a straight line. The cast can ac- tually create twist in the fly line. It The evolution of the wet fly was doesn’t matter if you are casting Historically, wet fly anglers in the Page 22

UK would use spliced wooden How the team of flies is presented the quality of the water discharged rods as long as 20 feet. Attached to and animated is based on the pre- into the river? You’re damned the rod tip would be a line used to vailing conditions at the time, right. But that’s not their responsi- fish a single fly or a combination which is also related to how the bility. of up to six flies spaced apart on boat is controlled during the detached droppers. The flies were presentation. There are times presented at all angles to the when the flies are best presented The other issue relates to Game stream or lake, using by and large in a dead drift mode. and Fish management. Could they a switch cast to change direction. do more to enhance the quality of the fishery? You’re damn right

Traditional wet fly fishing is an they could. The hatchery at Nor- I knew based on my lifetime of fly acquired skill, which involves a fork is mandated to produce fishing for trout in the UK and combination of knowledge of fish 500,000 pounds of fish per year. other waters around the world behavior, knowledge of the river, That is over 1 million trout per that traditional wet fly fishing, us- and choice of flies to use. It also year. And that costs the state of ing a combination of two to four requires skills of knowing how to Arkansas almost nothing because flies, would catch White River control the movement of the the hatchery is funded by federal trout. I do not remember the exact flies by use of the rod hand and money. Not all of those trout go to flies l used the first day l used the various methods of line control the White River. If it was Arkansas traditional wet fly method in the and recovery with the other hand. money that was being used for the White River, but l know l would hatchery, I know they would have have used a Wickhams, a Hare’s a very different management poli- Ear, probably a Silver Invicta, and At the end of the day, the tradi- cy as related to the fishery. likely my Muddler Daddy. “Game tional wet fly approach is a meth- could be insti- on” as they say. od of fly fishing that gives you a tuted in more locations, but that is direct contact to your flies like no difficult because of businesses on other approach. This will often the river who object to that idea. Of course, I needed to adapt my produce some very large White Out of 100 miles of river there are procedure to suit the White River River trophy browns, as many of less than 5 miles of catch and re- when drifting from a boat. In the my customers can verify. lease trophy zone water. And it UK, there is no such thing as float does tend to get a lot of illegal fish- fishing on rivers. Long rods are ing activity. mandatory, and l use rods of 10 to OUR WATERS ARE NOT ADE- 11.6 feet generally suited to 4 and QUATELY PROTECTED 5 wt lines. Lines I use may be a I understand both sides of the ar- double taper dry, different lines of There are two issues. One involves gument on catch and release. A sinking density, and at times short the Corp of Engineers. Do they trout is a fish, period. It is no dif- section sink tips. Flies used are give a damn about the manage- ferent from any other species of based on conditions, such as water ment of the fishery? Absolutely fish. The fact that you use a fly rod depth and speed, time of the year, not. It is not their responsibility. to fish for it, that’s a personal whether there is a hatch that Their responsibility is flood con- choice. But don’t think you’re one brings fish to feed on or near the trol, and also Southwest Power above the other because you’re surface, and so on. making money from the genera- not. You simply choose to fish tion. Could they do more to help with a fly rod. You should not be Page 23

disparaging to anyone else who offered to pay a cient food base in that river to sup- chooses to fish by any other fair amount of the money that port the hundreds of thousands of means. If you want to go bait fish, would be needed to employ more trout. So, I have no concern what- that’s fine with me. If you want to people for full-time work on this soever about people wanting to go spin fish, that’s fine with me. river to enforce regulations. But keep five stocked rainbows. We The only thing is you need to re- Game and Fish would not accept don’t keep browns, and we don’t spect the quarry that you pursue. it. That was maybe seven or eight keep cutthroats. I tell my clients One unfortunate aspect of fishing years ago. A lot of the enforce- that. But it’s very few of my clients is that some types of fishing tend ment officers are friends of mine, who want to keep any fish, maybe to attract some anglers who don’t and I understand the situation. 2%. think that way. If the bait guides They can only do what their time would fish with barbless hooks, on the river allows them to do. If I HOW TO GROW TROPHY mortality would be reduced signifi- see people on the river who are up RAINBOWS cantly. But they won’t do it be- to no good, I will call the enforce- cause the barbless hooks are more ment officer, and if he is nearby, expensive. he will show up. And he will bust You have to get the right zone of their ass. water. A lot of the sections of the river have no good structure for Could the Game and Fish en- trout, and basically, some sections hance regulations? Sure. Would We used to have a 15 inch mini- just have hundreds of yards of they do it? Probably not. They tell mum for brown trout, but now it’s gravel. And that is almost worth- us they can’t effectively enforce it, 24 inches. That has definitely in- less. But if you would take a good which I do not agree with. Unfor- creased the number of large section of water, and protect the tunately, the situation is one browns in the river. That species fish in that area, then some posi- where we do have trout manage- has a natural ability to survive any- tive impact could occur. Then the ment program discussions that the way. But it’s harder than hell to next step would be regulations public is invited to attend. The catch big rainbows in the White that increase the survival of the appointed biologists then submit River. Upriver, I have caught them rainbows. Barbless hooks would be the consensus of general opinions up to 8 pounds in the past. With required. Bait fishing would not and proposals to the commission- extended periods of low flow, now be allowed in these protected ers of the Game and Fish Com- those big fish starve to death or zones. There is plenty of river for mission. It is them who ultimately move downstream and get caught people to fish however they want determine what proposed regula- by the anglers who keep them. to. Give us a little bit more river to tions will or will not come into protect rainbows to allow them to effect. We have certainly seen grow bigger. For each of these pro- KEEPING FISH some improvements for minimum tected areas, we need at least 1 size limits for all species in the sys- mile of river. Unless you have a tem. However, the majority of us I view stocked rainbow trout as a significant section of water that would like to see more water allo- resource. It’s as simple as that. comes under those regulations, cated for catch and release where This river has to have harvest you’re wasting your time. And there would be no bait and the use based on the number of fish they then enforcement is the other is- of barbless hooks only. stock in this river. If there was no sue. There has to be strict enforce- harvest in these rivers, fish would ment.

starve to death. There is not suffi- Page 24

The answer to your question is that there could be a lot more done to protect the resource, espe- cially rainbows. The browns are doing pretty well right now, but the rainbows need more protec- tion to allow them to grow bigger. The larger fish are mainly in this upper section of the river because there’s more food for them.

IF YOU WANT TO HIRE DAVY WOTTON AS A GUIDE

They can go to my website, which is . Or they can call me at 870-404-5223.

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