Volume 13 • Issue 6 • June 2008

High and Dry, Low on Fuel

Right now we fly-fishers are going out on a wing and a prayer as we venture outings doing the thing we love so much–our favorite sport and pastime. Ain't it a shame? Seems like everything but rain is throwing a damper on a lot of our plans. Even fishing at our closest locations to save on gas leads to changes in the rivers and ponds carrying shallower waters with a different demeanor. Places we waded not so long ago and knew as friendly challenges now require more cautious wading and a revision of the mental maps that once led to the best fishing spots. We have had droughts and floods before; we have hopes that this is just one of those times that occasionally crop up, and that change is just around the corner. The irony is that we aren't quite sure what the nature of that change will be. Our feelings are justified because it seems almost everything shaping our lives and circumstances are headed in directions of mammoth proportions and uncharted directions.

Here's an example. Dr. Guy Harrison and ye olde editor attended the recent Gulf Coast Conclave held in Lake Charles, Louisiana, held last month. It, too, felt the wave of transformation, most evident with about a third fewer in attendance than last year paired with a significant shortfall in persons lined up to conduct lessons or exhibitions. Doc Harrison is on the conclave board of directors, who met following the closing banquet. The general consensus of this group was that it was the rocketing price of gasoline that was the villain behind the drop in attendance. Before the impression that this year's conclave was a failure sets in, note must be expressed that those who made it to the gathering of this newly formed FFF conference appeared to be truly enjoying themselves. New friendships resulted and fresh ideas blossomed regarding such topics as the prospect of holding a future conclave in one of the larger cities in Texas. The seed for having different locations for the yearly conclave reflected a creative and fascinating development emerging from this year's board meeting. Possible cities in Texas mentioned were Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. That's not to say that Lake Charles fell short. The facilities there are almost custom made for conclave meetings, especially with the large lakefront area bordering the Convention Center and some fine salt water fishing close at hand. The consideration of council location was coupled with the idea of holding it at several different locations from time to time with the concept of bringing all areas of the Gulf Coast Conference into being part of the action. Unless the cost of traveling lessens, such a rotation would also spread such things as travel expenses more fairly over time among the various locations within the conference. Also, the host locations bring a shot of variety and new ideas into the aims and projects into the fold. Since the council is so new, there is a bit of exhilaration as to what new ideas will emerge. Time will tell how all of this and more will end up down the road of what seems a new era.

What do strange new twists of nature and the uncertain future in national and world affairs hold for our local club members? Feel free to use your imagination. Anyone's guess is about as good as another's, but there may be some trends fairly predictable. We may be restrained in traveling to our fishing preferences until a practical solution is found to ease the fuel situation. Who knows how long it will take? In the meantime, we will probably be hampered in going to faraway places. On the other hand, such restraint may lead us to finding places nearby that we had overlooked in the past. We may have to be more creative in the selection of flies we use if our weather continues to be unruly. We will have to be more conscious of weather conditions, being aware of overextending ourselves during long periods of high temperatures. We will probably use a keener eye in looking over weather reports not only for super hot days but also of impending storms with threats of lightning, hail, floods, or even tornadoes. All of the above may sound a bit dramatic, but have you been watching the news revealing a departure from predictions more dependable into a new make-up of gigantic changes taking place with nature over the last few years?

While grasping for ideas regarding all of the above, your editor paged through some ancient issues of The Back Cast looking for items that might relate to the current theme of this article. It may be a stretch, but I found an article I wrote in the May issue of 2001, before we had a trout stocking program and we were trying to find some useful projects that might be worth some concerted effort. I had a bright idea at that time and, indeed, wrote about it in that issue. It may offer some impetus for not only expanding our fishing options, but also providing a chance to keep our river(s) cleaner and healthier for both the landowners, ourselves, and our friends, the fish. Below is the article, word for word. I hope readers will forgive me for repeating the article from so long ago, but many now in our club were far afield at that time and these words from the past, may be worth taking a repeat appearance. Thus I present the following:

Partnership, Action, Conservation

Here we are, confronting another hot summer, that time when fishing is most pleasant in the cool of the morning or that of late afternoon. Most of us have a few nearby fishing locations that are convenient for wetting a line, and we may be able to fish often enough to keep our casting skills and fishing savvy maintained. A few of us may even be fortunate enough to head for more distant locations that offer excitement and new adventures. But for those who have to stick close to home, a desire begins to nudge the mind toward a search for new territory, and one of the nagging problems associated with local fishing is access. There is a lot of good water in these hills, but getting to it for fishing without a hassle is almost prohibitive unless a kayak, kick boat, or canoe allows one to float and fish without running into trespass problems, and even then, there is no guarantee that someone won't be standing on the bank with a shotgun. Could we call it river rage?

I would like to tickle your imagination a bit in suggesting a possible project to allow more safe access to serve as a model for a successful relationship between fly fishers and land owners. I actually wrote some notes on this idea a few years ago but forgot about them until I was going through a desk drawer and rediscovered what I had put on paper. At the time, I labeled the idea as the PAC Program for partnership, action, and conservation. Following are the ideas I had listed as to how the plan would work:

1. The PAC Program would be an agreement between members of our club and any river frontage or lake property land owners interested in formalizing a goodwill arrangement combining fly- fishing with conservation.

2. Any participating land owner would agree to allow members of the Hill Country Fly Fishers to gain access and to fish in water that is agreed upon without unpleasant confrontations.

3. Members of the Hill Country Fly Fishers will display a colorful membership card or badge upon their attire so that it may be readily be seen from a distance.

4. While fishing, any Hill Country Fly Fisher will carry a trash bag to pick up litter that can reasonably be reached in the water and along the immediate bank.

5. Upon request, the club will furnish volunteers for a river or lake cleanup day along the owner's property and under his or her direction or guidelines.

6. All fish caught will be promptly released.

7. No alcoholic beverages, boisterous behavior, or destruction of property will be tolerated.

8. All fishing participants in this program will be members of the Hill Country Fly Fishers.

That's the basic idea. Of course, modifications found necessary or enhancing the agreement could be addressed as they arise. Okay, you say, but how do we go about getting the message out and trying to locate any land owners who might be interested? Several approaches come to mind. Word of mouth is the most obvious. There may be contacts within our club that materialize into an arrangement. Another way would be for one or more of our members to volunteer to ask if we could present the idea at meetings of local civic clubs or groups that might hold possibilities for connections with land owners. The Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and others would be such examples. Even church contacts could be told of our project. The Chamber of Commerce and Business and Convention Bureau could be informed of the plan. All of th e local summer camps could be approached. Ads in the local newspapers might bring results. Additional opportunities might open up. Who knows if th PAT Program would open new local fishing waters to us or not? It might be worth talking about at one of our monthly meetings. Be thinking about it.

This idea presented about a decade and a half ago in the newsletter might be more meaningful now than it did at that time. It would cut down on travel as we become more limited on the miles we now rack up on gas mileage if we could fish in more localities close to home. At the same time, it would help preserve cleaner waters and provide a closer relationship and understanding with land owners wishing to monitor their waterfront properties. We might even be willing to pay a few bucks under these rules in order to seal the deal.

–M.A.

June Activities

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From FFF Clubwire. . .

DVD/Book Reviews–Reviewed by Bruce E. Harang

HENRY'S FORK with MIKE LAWSON
By Mike Lawson
Cascade Mediaworks, LLC, Portland, OR, 2007
DVD, 120 minutes, color, suggested price $ 24.95

One of Montana's fly fishing legends teaches you how to fish the fabled Henry's Fork. Mike takes you along on a fishing trip from the headwaters of the Henry's Fork to its confluence with the Snake River. Mike explains where to access the river, how to float it, how to wade it, and the techniques that will bring you success in the various sections of the river. Mike explains that this river has four distinct personalities, and you need to knot where they are and what they bode for the fisherman. Included are selections of flies and fishing techniques that will work in each section of the river.

The real joy of this DVD is the chance to spend time on the water with a real gentleman. Mike's easygoing personality, wit, humor, knowledge, and love of the river makes him someone whose company on the water you will cherish. For those who have fished the Henry's Fork, here is an opportunity to compare notes and learn a few tips. For those who have not yet fished this fabulous trout fishery, here is a great jump-start to success. The cinematography, sound, and editing are superb. The commentary by Mike is a joy and makes you feel like you and he are having a chat while fishing the river. This is an excellent value.

WHITE RIVER with DAVY WOTTON
By Davy Wotton
Cascade Mediaworks, LLC, Portland, OR, 2007
DVD, 120 minutes, color, suggested price $ 24.95

This DVD is a bit strange to watch initially. The viewer is guided down the White River in Arkansas by a Brit in a silly taco shell cowboy hat. However, Davy does a nice job of describing the various portions of the river and how to fish them. He also explains how the river and its fishing is controlled by the Bull Shoals Dam and how to work with the water release schedules to find productive water. He explains that the shoals or riffles are the prime fishing areas, where they are located, and how to fish them at different water levels. In all, 92 miles of the river are covered in sections, Because there is such a long piece of river to discuss, the dialogue does get a bit tedious after awhile.

This DVD is best viewed in segmented detailing the area or area you want to fish so as not to become monotonous. Davy also discusses fishing techniques and types and patterns of flies that will bring you success with each technique. For anyone wanting to get a jump start on a visit to the White River, this DVD will do that very well. The cinematography, wound, and editing are excellent. This is definitely a DVD to own if you plan on fishing the White River or wish to fish sections new to you.

A WISP in the WIND
By Jerry Kustich
West River Publishing, Grand Island, NY, 2005
240 pages, hardcover, illustrated V&W drawings,
Suggested price $ 24.95

The author takes the reader on a journey that involves fly fishing, bamboo rod building, bull trout, and rivers. The journey is not about fly fishing, or rods, or trout. Instead, it is about how a love of nature through fly fishing can bring joy and peace to each of us. These are stories you will enjoy reading and want to finish before you put the book down. You will not find how to make bamboo rods, design rod tapers, or fish for bull trout or any other trout for that matter. There are no secret rivers or silver bullet fly patterns. What you will find is a wonderful book of stories about how rivers can run through your life if you let them and how fishing can connect family and friends through a lifetime, and, finally, that keeping these aqueous treasures and their inhabitants, in the end, is critical to our own salvation. The writing is excellent as is the editing. The illustrations by Al Hassall are lovely and make the book even better. For those who realize that fly fishing is not about the fish, you will want to laugh, cry, smile, and chuckle along with Jerry. The rest of you really do need to read this book.

Random Thoughts from the Tying Bench
By C.W. "Don" Coleman
Taken from the Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Club Newsletter

The Importance of Structure– All fish, in freshwater or salt, orient themselves with structure. I have seen research photographs showing a large bowl containing a pod of 3 lb. Smallmouth bass. The inside of the bowl was painted white. With no structure in the bowl, the fish were scattered all over. When a board was placed across the bowl, the fish congregated under the board. When the board was removed, and a pile of rocks were place in the bowl, the fish all hovered over the rock pile. With both the rocks and the board removed, a black line was painted up the wall of the bowl and the fish all collected around the black line. Look for structure, preferably in a good current flow, to find fish.

Smallmouth Bass– Southern fly fishers going north during the summer make a mistake of thinking only of freshwater trout fishing with ultra-light rods and tiny flies. Size for size a smallmouth bass will make a trout look like a weak sister. And any freestone river or stream in the North–where there are "two stones for every dirt"–will be home to smallmouth bass. And you can wade for them using the same 8 wt. fly rod and flies that you use on the saltwater flats. Think smallmouth and avoid the crowded trout steams and put-and-take fishing which is only at its best during the spring. Smallmouth fishing is at its best during the summer and fall. You will, however, need felt soles on your wading boots to avoid slipping on slippery rocks.

Season in and season out, bait fish are the primary source of food for adult bass (thoseover9inches long). Smallmouths are not usually selective unless specific species are unusually abundant and available. Studies have shown that given a chance, smallmouth bass prefer to eat bait fish that are 3 1/4 inches long. Think Clousers, Sea Ducers (red and white are Lefty's favorites), and Woolly Buggers. Many smallmouth guides in the Susquehanna River system prefer all-white Woolly Buggers instead of the commonly recommended black.

During mid-summer, when only young-of-the-year baitfish are readily, smallmouths may become selective and feed on crayfish–particularly "soft shells" averaging 1 1/4 inches long. They tend to ignore larger and more beleaguered crayfish. Crayfish of this size molt frequently, so soft shells are usually plentiful. Check the shallow tributary streams and watch them scurry under rocks. Smallmouths are reluctant to eat whole crayfish. They like them best with claws and legs removed, leaving a simple cylinder like a plastic grub. Will Ryan's White or Chartreuse Sparkle Grub is a perfect imitation, as is an all-white Woolly Bugger of appropriate size. Evenings, when the shadows lengthen, is usually the best time for fly fishing. Popping bugs fished early in the morning are also effective.

You must learn to read the water, mend your line, and drift your flies along the current seams and edges over structure, and do a wet fly swing. A strip retrieve is used most often in quiet, flat water. Fishing deep in quiet pools is not very effective. Bass are ambush feeders. An excellent video showing how to fish for smallmouths is Bass Lessons with Bob Clouser and Lefty Kreh.

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