Tale Waters The Voice of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers

November 12, 2019 North Arkansas Fly Fishers Tale Waters

Birds of Arkansas Sowbug Update North Arkansas Fly Fishers meetings We Need Your Stuff! 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 and encouraged to attend. Visit North Arkansas Fly Fishers Zach Fisher, interpreter at Bull I will belabor what I think is the Online at Shoals – White Water State Park, obvious. The Sowbug Roundup is a fund raiser. It is the sole fund www.northarkansasflyfisher.org will speak at our November meet- ing. Zach will talk about the bird raising activity of the North Ar- species commonly seen in Arkan- kansas Fly Fishers. (the raffle held Officers sas, how to identify birds, at club meetings is more for fun than funds) Funds raised by Sow- President — Mike Tipton (870) 404 8845 nighttime birds, how to select and Vice President — Susan Parsons (618) 791-3638 properly use field guides and bin- bug come from entry fees, vendor Secretary — Pat Smith (870) 404-0747 fees, club table sales, “Hooks and Treasurer — Cindy Louis (870) 425-3968 oculars. He will discuss Eagle Books” table sales, live auction, Directors Awareness 2020 and future park events. This should be an interest- silent auctions and bucket raffles. Conservation — Tommy Hagan (870) 430-2091 More than half of the Sowbug rev- Property — Kevin Boddy (870) - 421-7804 ing presentation. Most of us who Education — Ceil Gasiecki (219) 776-9620 spend a lot of time out of doors enue is obtained from the sale of Membership — Paul Ashton (870) 425-9230 “Hooks and Books”, auction, and Past President — Ken Sickels (870) 321-2661 have an interest in the birds that Appd. by Pres. — Danny Barker (870) 424-4110 we see or hear. raffle items. Zachary Fisher is an Interpreter at So, what is the source of these Bull Shoals-White River State Park items? Some of the items come from donations by local merchants Tale Waters is published 2nd Tues- and has been with Arkansas State and national fly fishing related day of each month. Article deadline is Parks for 2 seasons. Originally 1st Tuesday of the month. from New York, he is slowly learn- companies. Some of the items are Staff: Mike Tipton & Rita Billbe ing his way around the Ozark re- purchased at great discount by Contact: gion’s trails and waterways, deep- people (Dennis Galyardt) who [email protected] ening his love of the outdoors. keep an eye out for good deals. Cont. page 2 Cont. Pg.2 Page 2

Birds When he’s not pad- dling down the White River on a guided trip, leading an interpre- tive nature hike, captaining the park boat on lake cruises, or pre- paring a Dutch Oven dish, you can find him exploring new spots with his wife and 8-month old daughter

Sowbug And some of the items are donated Best Party in Town by club members. November President’s and fly tying class for the Home And we have closets (garages?) full Report School organization. One boy, who of stuff that we have not seen but The Christmas Party is only a few is obviously brighter than average, not touched, in years. It is time to asked if he could use his Tenkara dig out that closet (garage) and do weeks away. Now is the time to sign up! The price is only $20/ Rod. “Yes!!” Without the organiz- some sorting. If you have sons or ing efforts of Ceil Gasiecki and our daughters with an interest, pass person and it is held at the Big Creek Golf and Country Club. I many volunteers this class would some of it on to them--so that you not have been possible. can still enjoy them enjoying it. have heard it called the “best party Perhaps some of it you can sell on in town”! There is an ad and a We will have our election at the eBay. But a lot of the stuff you sign-up sheet in this newsletter. coming meeting: Dave Boyer – Pres- could contribute to the Sowbug NAFF picks up roughly half of the ident, Susan Parsons – Vice Presi- cost of the party. This is part of Roundup. Get this stuff into circu- dent, Pat Smith – Treasurer, Patty the payback to club members for lation. Move it from your closet Lueken – Secretary. (garage) to someone else’s closet or all of their help which makes Sow- garage. Make room for the new bug so successful. stuff that you will buy at Sowbug. Just this last weekend author, fly Help provide inexpensive equip- tyer, and guide, Pat Dorsey spoke ment to beginners who are just and tied flys for two days at the getting into fly fishing! Donate Gaston’s Visitor Center. We had that fishing stuff to the Sowbug one of the biggest crowds ever for Roundup! the November program. NAFF has Weather Cancellation If you have stuff to donate contact been putting on this program for Policy 10 years and has not charged a Mike Tipton (870-404-8845) or NAFF Activities or Meet- (after the Jan 1) Dennis Galyardt cent for it--one of the advantages ing will be cancelled or ((970) 237-2727) of having a successful Sowbug postponed when the Roundup! Incoming president Mountain Home Public Dave Boyer is trying to arrange for Schools Cancel Classes. Lance Egan for next year. We will Check KTLO radio web- keep you posted. site for school closing Last Saturday, at Dry Run Creek, info. we wound up another fly fishing Tale Waters Page 3

Musings of a Fly Fishing One time I showed a lady fly fisher Sun Glasses a fish with my sunglasses and she refused to give my sunglasses back Through years of guiding, I to me, saying, “These are the best have found that many people sunglasses I have ever looked don’t wear or even bring a pair of through. I didn’t know they made sunglasses with them when they sunglasses this good—I thought all embark on guided fishing trips. In sunglasses were made the same.” fact, many people I see out on the Finally, she said, “I will give yours river aren’t wearing sunglasses ei- back to you at the end of our fly ther. I have a hard time under- fishing trip”. She handed me her standing why this happens, but it sunglasses and said, “Here, you in my boat with inexpensive sun- does. When people drive their au- can wear these”. glasses or no sunglasses at all. I tomobile, they usually have a pair have to keep asking myself why. of sunglasses handy for those sun- I finally convinced her I needed ny days; however, when you go my sunglasses back so I could watch out for those big rocks in fishing, you are exposed to more I am a firm believer in wearing a the river. I didn’t want us (and I sunlight reflecting back off the good pair of polarized sunglasses did reiterate “us”) hitting any water than you are when you are while fishing. Regardless of weath- rocks and turning the boat over driving. If they do bring a pair of er conditions—clouds, snow, sleet, and getting dumped in that cold sunglasses, they are usually a very rain, or time of day—if you see me water. She handed my sunglasses inexpensive pair—a pair they prob- out on the water, wading or fish- right back over to me. I now store ably picked up at a local gas sta- ing from a boat, you will see me an extra pair of Costa Del Mar tion for a few bucks. I have had with my sunglasses on my face. In polarized sunglasses in my boat, several guide trips where I tried to my opinion, you need them for all just in case some fly fisher client show someone a trout near the weather and fishing conditions. won’t give mine back to me! river bottom and they couldn’t see Not only do they allow you to see the fish with their sunglasses. I below the surface of the water would ask if their sunglasses were more clearly, they also offer eye I have learned through guiding to polarized, and they would reply, protection from those flies moving expect the unexpected. If people I “Well, I don’t think so. I didn’t rapidly through the air. Those lit- take fishing could not afford a pay much for them.” tle flies hurt when they hit you. good pair of sunglasses, that would Can you imagine being hit in the When I handed them my polar- be understandable. But most of head or face with one of those ized sunglasses and asked if they these people have money. Many large articulated streamers? Sun- could see the fish, they would say, are decked out in clothing worn by glasses offer great protection from “Yes I can!” They couldn’t believe fly fisherman, and, being a fly fish- yourself and someone else who’s the difference between their inex- erman yourself, you know what casting close to you. You certainly pensive pair of sunglasses and my that costs. Sometimes, they meet don’t want to lose your eyesight Costa Del Mar sunglasses. My sun- me at the boat landing driving because you failed to wear eye pro- glasses opened up a beautiful un- their new Cadillac SUV or a new tection. In addition, sunglasses derwater world to them. truck. They give me a nice tip at protect your eyes from long time the end of the day. Still, they get Page 4 exposure to sunlight. UV radia- guide fishing business. They are tion can contribute to cataracts just as important as my fly rod, and muscular and macular degen- leader setup, flies, presentation eration. My own sunglasses have and other equipment. A lot of readers in the bottom for tying on people just don’t realize how im- flies and any other close up work portant sunglasses are in the world that I need to do while out on the of fly fishing. I’m never without water. I know some fisherman mine, and I hope you won’t be who use magnifiers that can flip without yours. I would be lost out up or down from their hat. I there on the water without my would rather have them built into Costa Del Mar sunglasses. Invest my sunglasses so that I don’t have in a good pair; you won’t regret it. to flip anything up or down. Keep This fishing guide knows how im- it simple! portant they are. There are a num- ber of good brands of polarized A good pair of polarized sunglasses sunglasses on the market that are will help you catch more fish. designed with the fisherman in Some people don’t realize that, mind. Costa Del Mar is well recog- but it’s true. If you can see down nized and has a great track record through the water column, you as being one of the best. You can can sight fish for an individual expect to spend anywhere from trout. You can see rocks and other $100-$300 for a quality pair, or obstructions for a better presenta- more if you need prescription tion of your flies during a drift. lenses. Also, consider a cloth or You can see the changes in water leather band that attaches to the depth, from shallow to deeper arms of the frames and loops pools. Knowing where those tran- around your neck. This will keep sition areas are along the bottom you from losing your glasses if they is important to know as you fish. slip off your face when you look Having sunglasses on when fishing down to net that big trout. large streamers is a must: you can see where your streamer is in rela- Danny Barker tion to the river bottom and any Fly Fishing Guide other structure you are fishing around or over as you strip the streamer back to you. You can usu- ally see the take when a big trout Don’t Forget! attacks your streamer—that will be a moment in time you will always Fly Tying remember! Every Friday I consider my Costa Del Mar sun- At Dally’s glasses a critical component in my 1:00 to 5:00 Page 5

ed to all mentors asking who Beginning Fly Tying NAFF Mentoring would be willing to help out. Then Class at ASU Program you call the applicant and sched- ule sessions at your mutual con- venience. We really could use a few more folks to agree to be a part of this program. Anyone interested in lending a hand, please contact Ceil Gasiecki at ceciliagas- [email protected]. Ceil Gasiecki NAFF is again presenting a begin- ner’s flying tying class in January. Tom Emerick will lead the class Bob Schossow’s First Ever and mentors will be available to Fly Fishing Trout help each student tie two of each fly that is taught. As many of you are aware, about You’ll learn about fly tying tools, 18 months ago NAFF instituted a materials, and patterns, practice mentor program to help folks tying your own flies, and receive wanting to get started in fly fishing written instructions for each fly and tying. Applications for this you learn to tie. You’ll also receive service are listed on our website lots of fly tying tips from the ex- and it is open to both members perts! All tools and materials are and non-members. provided by North Arkansas Fly We do have folks interested in this Fishers. and Danny Barker is working with The $25 fee includes a one-year two ladies at this time. Right now membership to NAFF. we only have three mentors willing to work with people interested in You must register through ASU our help and we could use a few Mountain Home Community Ed- more folks willing to help with ucation web page. this. The class is limited to 10 students This is how the process works: Pe- and meets for four weeks: riodically I will receive an email Mondays in January 2020: 6, 13, notice that someone is interested. 20, and 27, 6-8 p.m. in the Ozark The application will tell us what Regional Arts Council Conference kind of help is needed: fly tying, Room on the second floor at The fly fishing and experience level. Sheid. Some folks are beginners; some are hoping to hone specific skills. Their application is then forward- Page 6

Fly Tying Tip ing small flies, your tie will come Whip Finishing out cleaner and be more durable. On larger flies with thicker thread the exposed section is easier to pull on and break. When you pull the thread to tight- en, make sure you have taken the twist out of your thread by flatten- Photo #1 ing it, otherwise the thread may furl on you and break as you try to When finishing off a fly, most of tighten the whip finish. Finally, us use a Whip Finish, whether by always pull your thread to tighten hand or with a tool. The question parallel, in line with the hook continually comes up do you do shank, otherwise if you pull the your whip finishing from hook thread away from the shank, you back toward the eye or from the are forcing slack into the wraps eye toward the back of the hook? near the tag end giving it another reason to come unraveled. Done If you think about a whip finish as properly, head cement can be elim- opposed to a half hitch, it is multi- inated. ple layers of thread wrapped over the tag end so the multiple layers Dave Boyer hold the tag from raveling out from under the wraps. If you wrap from back to front and tighten, you get a clean finish (Photo #1). If you wrap front to back, you create an ungainly head with a long loop of thread exposed (the green portion) that can catch on a fish’s teeth (Photo #2). In the photos I am using cord to give you

Photo #2 a better visual. Compare the two methods and note going front to back puts more of a bump on your finished head. Now this may not seem like much, but if you are do- Page 7

White River Fishing the water down. Drop offs and Bull Shoals, Ar 72619-0751 Report other terrains that hold fish, such as ledge rock that can be found in Shop # 870-445-3848 A wet October and early Novem- Wildcat Shoals, are good areas Cell # 870-404-8906 Fishing ber have kept the lake levels up. too! Behind islands are also good Both rivers have been generating spots but slow your boat down so for most of the year. As I write your flies can stay in the strike http://theflyfishing-store.com this more rain has brought the zone. Set the hook if your indica- http://flyfisharkansas.com lake levels up another foot and tor even bounces a little. Also re- three quarters. I’m sure most of member to mend! mend! and you reading this were hoping for mend! Mending is the fishing and some wadeable water. So more big downstream bellies in your fly high water fishing from a boat is lines will pull your flies off the bot- in our future; and if it turns out to tom and over the fishes’ heads. be a wet winter, expect a high wa- Also use as few casts as possible to ter spring as well. That begs the achieve your 30 or 40 foot cast. I question. Should I get a boat? teach two and at most 3 casts to The month has been unusually get 40 feet of line away from the good for fishing except for a few boat. Double taper lines are thin- days of low D.O. in the middle of ner in diameter at the head and Save The Date the month. Some really good rain- therefore catch less of the current bows have been caught up to the allowing for longer drifts without NAFF Christmas 24 inch range. It has been a dec- mending. Better yet if you can do ade or more since I’ve seen rain- a reach cast and have the line Party bows this good being caught on a mended before it hits the water regular basis. It is a nice sight, and you will be better off and be more Thursday, Dec 5 most seem to be going back into efficient. Keep all the slack out of the river. I’d say all of the guides your line so you can get a better Country Club are doing a great job at getting hook set. This is really important their fisherman to release these if the strikes are subtle. I use 10 good fish back into the river, on and 10 1/2 foot rods for fishing the White River that is. The Nor- out of the boat as it provides more fork is a different story for sure. leverage in hook setting and takes The attitude over there still seems the slack out a bit faster than a 9 to be stuck in earlier decades. footer does. But above all have a good time catching. So, rig up with long leaders 10 ft or so in 3 units or more with ap- propriate split shot to get it down Jimmy T. to the fish and use an indicator that will float a 3/0 shot. I mostly use size B and BB and look for Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop shallow water on big flows. Grassy and gravel areas along with areas 627 Central Blvd that have velocity breaks that slow PO Box 751 Mailing Page 8

Spring River Report Sowbug Tyers

Water levels are at 270 cfs and clarity is very clear. The First notices go out this low clear water conditions month to over 400 invitees. have the trout hiding in deep- Tiers are loving this event. I er pools. Euro nymphing has have already had a couple of been working great with a tiers send me times they small egg, nymph dropper. would like to tie and the for- Caddis and blue wing olives mal invite is yet to go out! have been hatching daily. Remember, once notices are Midges may not be the best sent, be sure to return yours choice due to the large popu- with your preferred times to lation of shad and minnows tie. We are planning to hon- in the river. Some days the or Dave and Emily Whitlock trout will focus on the min- this year with the theme of nows and the Guppy and Warm Water Fishing and white lightning can be hot. Flys. Consider tying any of Stocking over the last month his flies as he has developed has the trout running small a number of great ones over in the public areas. Low water the years. If you would like does make for easier wading. to teach a tying class at Sow- Layer up, be safe and use a bug, please contact me with wading stick. The river bot- particulars and we will see tom is very slick. what we can do. Tight lines and good luck, Mark Crawford Dave Boyer springriverfliesandguides.com Page 9

Dry Run Creek Major Creek and Handicap Walkway Maintenance

In 2018 North Arkansas Fly Fish- DRC and the Norfork tailwaters. ers board member Tom Emerick Tim Burnley and Eli Powers with and volunteers with Arkansas AGFC managed the project which Trout Unlimited White River stabilized about 80 feet of the Chapter 698, Friends of the North bank where most of the erosion Fork and White Rivers, Friends of occurs using approximately 100 the Norfork National Fish Hatch- tons of rock. ery, US Fish and Wildlife Norfork National Fish Hatchery and Ar- kansas Game and Fish began plan- ning for major maintenance pro- jects on Dry Run Creek which in- cluded: Bank stabilization above where hatchery water enters the creek Stabilizing large steprocks on the Roger Cannady (R) volunteer with upper creek path US Fish and Wildlife Service and Brush clearing and tree cutting Tom Emerick did significant car- along the west bank of the creek pentry work replacing rotten and near highway 177 boards and installing Trex compo- Replacing rotten wood, power site railing on the upper walkway washing and painting the handi- railing. Power washing all of the cap walkway deck and railings and painting was Placing Trex composite decking done with volunteers that includ- material on top rail, power wash- (Tim Burnley, in the cab and Eli ed Tom Emerick, Mike Jirka, Gary ing and painting the railing next Powers with Arkansas Game and Flippin, Danny Sabo, Mike Enger, to the hatchery sidewalk above the Fish) Ron Hulstein and Steve Blum- creek reich. A special thanks to Ron The brush cutting and clearing Hulstein for coordinating help was done by inmates from the from the Care Center Ministries North Central Unit of Arkansas men to complete a significant Department of Correction and amount of the painting. large tree cutting was handled by a local tree service with oversight by These improvements were funded (guards in uniform and from L to by a total of $5,000 in donations R) Tom Emerick, Steve Blumreich from NAFF, Arkansas Trout Un- and Jon Casey Norfork National limited White River Chapter 698, Fish Hatchery Manager. Friends of the North Fork and The bank stabilization will reduce White Rivers and Friends of the the sediment runoff from heavy Norfork National Fish Hatchery rains which have created turbidity and in-kind contributions by and reduced dissolved oxygen in Page 10

AGFC for the bank stabilization and help from US Fish and Wild- life Hatchery employees and vol- unteers.

Please visit Dry Run Creek to see the wonderful work and thank the volunteers and organizations that contributed money, in-kind ser- vices and the physical work need- ed to complete the project.

Dry Run Creek is a world class fishery for youth and mobility im- paired adults and we are all thank- ful and proud to have contributed to these improvements.

Steve Blumreich NAFF Life Member President Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers

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Fly of the Month - Four Flys by Pat Dorsey Tied by Pat Dorsey, Photographed by Mike Tipton

Mercury Blood Midge Churchill’s Sparkle Wing RS2 Hook: Tiemco 200R #18 – 20 or Dai- Hook: Tiemco 101 #18-24 Riki 270 #24 Thread: Gray 8/0 Uni-Thread Bead: Clear, silver-lined glass bead Tail: Gray elk hair or hackle (extra small) Abdomen: Adams gray Superfine Thread: Red 8/0 Uni-Thread Wing: Pearl Braid Abdomen: Red 8/0 Uni-Thread Thorax: Adams gray Superfine Rib: Fine (#18-20) or extra find

Puterbaugh Caddis Hi-Vis Griffith’s Gnat Hook: Tiemco 100 #14- 18 Hook: Tiemco 101 #14 – 26 Thread: Black 8/0 Uni-Thread Thread: Black 8/0 Uni-Thread Abdomen: 1.5 or 2 mm closed-cell Abdomen: Peacock herl (eye) foam Post: Fluorescent -Pink McFlylon Wing: Natural elk Hackle: Grizzly rooster

Detailed tying instructions can be found in “Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies” or on YouTube. Page 12

Dry Run Creek with the Home School Kids Page 13 Tale Waters Page 14

Events of Interest to NAFF Members

October 10/15/2019 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM NAFF Membership Meeting, Van Matre Senior Center November 11/12/2019 1:00 PM—3:00 PM Sowbug Roundup Meeting, Baxter County Library 11/13/2019 9:00 AM— 3:00 PM Fishing Outing to Country Oaks B&B, Mountain View 11/19/2019 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM NAFF Membership Meeting, Van Matre Senior Center December 12/03/2019 1:00 PM—2:00 PM NAFF Board Meeting, First Security Bank 12/05/2019 6:00 PM—9:00 PM NAFF Christmas Party, Big Creek Country Club 12/10/2019 1:00 PM—3:00 PM Sowbug Roundup Meeting, Baxter County Library January 2020 01/06/2020 6:00 PM—8:00 PM First sessions of Beginners’ Fly Tying Class at ASU Mountain Home 01/07/2020 1:00 PM—2:00 PM NAFF Board Meeting, First Security Bank 01/14/2020 1:00 PM—3:00 PM Sowbug Roundup Meeting, Baxter County Library 11/19/2019 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM NAFF Membership Meeting, Van Matre Senior Center March 03/26/2020—03/28/2020 Sowbug Roundup Baxter County Fairgrounds