Crippled Caddis

<I always come down for 3-4 days over Thanksgiving and I am thinking about heading to the Norfork for one of my days of fishing....> Other than that mentioned by RiverRunner there is not. But, consider this-----the dissolved oxygen in the water issuing from the Norfork Dam is so low that the fish are already critically stressed. Why add to their woes in a fashion that might well prove fatal? Better for the resource to fish the White far enough downstream that it has time to re-oxygenate because it too is well within the critical zone insofar as DO is concerned when it comes out of Bull Shaols. By the time it gets to Cotter it has had plenty of time to re-oxygenate and now would be an excellent time to explore the lower river. In point of fact the lower river is far less used and trafficked than closer to the dams and, quite frankly, holds the better, less sophisticated fish. If you're tired of waiting half a day to get your turn on a favorite stretch go find another on the lower river where you can often have all the river as far as you can see all to yourself. It's a win/win deal in my eyes. You learn new territory, gain privacy and have a good chance at some big, unsophisticared fish. You may suffer a few dry runs before you become expert on the lower river but when you do then your world expands. CC

JJ, You can get the wetfly DVD direct from Davy by going to his website posted at the bottom of his post. CC

After Labor Day!

Al wrote: <I agree that the greatest, and most abundant fishing literature is on flyfishing for trout...in fact, I WISH that there was the same quality and quantity of writing for bass, especially stream smallmouth...I've often thought of trying that kind of writing for smallies myself.> And many of us on this board hope you will do just that! But get busy! I'm not getting any younger you know.;o) CC

It has been said by seasoned anglers with a lot of experience under their belt and uncounted seasons behind them that an angler passes through a few distinct stages in his fishing life if he pursues it diligently and long enough. Initially he just wants to catch fish-----lots of fish. Many never progress beyond this point. From there he enters the stage where he wants to catch BIG fish. Still fewer stray from this stage. After that urge is satisfied if he's still in the game he then seeks the challenge of catching the difficult fish. The fish that no one else is able to tempt. But frankly I think there's yet a 4th stage---some then want to fish only with the tackle and tactics he finds most satisfying to his sensibilities in order to revive the excitement of new challenges. Often that is flyfishing. Some start with the long rod and find the pursuit so endlessly fascinating and enduringly challenging that they never have need of looking further. Some become so enamored of the enormous body of great literature on the subject that it almost supplants the fishing itself. Many start tying flies 'to save money' and find it an artistic endeavor that is fascinating and satisfying to some inner urge that they never even suspected they possessed. Some build a rod or two and discover that they enjoy doing that nearly as much as the fishing. Some become so immersed in the study of the aquatic species that form the bulk of the diet of the Salmonid family that they become quite knowlegdeable invertibrate biologists regarding aquatic insects. In short flyfishing is so much more than mere fishing that it represents a lifetime challenge. You can't learn it all---there's just too many aspects to it. And therein, I think, lies the explanation for the endless fascination of the sport that you wonder about---there's always more to learn. I too started out with a cane pole---many years ago. I next took up baitcasting for bass and when my years were yet numbered in single digits an uncle gave me an old flyfishing rig. I learned to cast it----after a fashion, and then spinning came along and took the fishing world by storm, me along with the rest. But I never quite quit flyfishing. I always kept a flyfishing outfit on hand and took it out on occasion to recapture a bit of my youth along with a few bream and bass. And one day I realized that I was simply enjoying fishing more with the long rod. I was having more child-like, innocent fun----and I haven't looked back. Oh I'll still break out an ultralight spinning rig on occasion and wade a creek, but the last few times I did I found that I'd rather be doing it with a flyrod. So keep on fishing what you enjoy most at the time. Just be aware that you too may someday find yourself trying to recapture some of the excitement that's gone missing somewhere as age and maturity knock some of the rough edges off of youthful competitiveness. And when you do break out that long rod, stick a handful of little poppers and rubber spiders in your pocket and find a little creek or pond ignored by others and go see if the bream are willing to come out to play.

Canoe Dave wrote: <Your pattern looks like one that even I could tie correctly> It dawned on me that the pattern as found at several sites on the 'net isn't tied the way it has been successful for me. I still tie it in the original configuration before Dave 'simplified' it. Which is basically exactly like a Hare's Ear except using copper wire as the rib on the abdomen only, red fox squirrel belly for the abdomen and red fox squirrel back for tail and thorax. Mottled turkey for the wingcase. The belly hair is just spun on the thread to apply after tying in your ribbing wire and a generous 'bush' of back hair for the tail but the thorax is done with a dubbing loop to get the bushiness needed. After spinning the abdoman, winding the wire and tying in the wingcase I form a dubbing loop several inches long at the base of the wingcase so it's easy to manipulate it in the next step. I wax the loop heavily and then do the step that some just can't seem to deal with easily. I pluck out between thumb and forefinger a 'wad' of hair off of the squirrel back and put it in the loop. I then pull the loop closed to hold it in place and distribute the hair in the loop for about 1 1/4" to 1 3/4". That seems to be the 'fiddly' part that some find difficult for some reason. Then I insert my dubbing spinner in the end of the loop and spin it until I have an ugly, fat 'chenille' of hair. I then transfer the thread from the spinner to my hackle pliers so I don't lose it off of the hook of the dubbing spinner and turn the air blue with profanity.) I then wind my chenille on, stroking the hair back at each turn to keep from wrapping it down. I tie it off @ an eye width behind the eye. I then part it in the middle, just like parting your own hair, pull the wingcase over it to hold the part down and tie it off. At that point I have a REALLY ugly, bushy Hare's Ear tied with Fox Squirrel. The fun part for me comes next----I take my tweezers and pluck out the longer guard hair on the belly leaving most of the fuzzy underfur and long guard hair sticking out to the sides to represent legs. Properly done you wind up with a big, shaggy, meaty looking 'bug' that works great in larger sizes than most people fish. I like it best in a #10. but tie it from a #8 down to 14. FWIW, the Whitlock Fox Squirrel pattern as now found recommended reminds me very much of another pattern that is very effective in larger sizes as well---the Casual Dress. So I would suggest learning the Whitlock Squirrel in both iterations and fish them to see if one works better for YOU. And tie up some Casual Dress----they can be 'day savers'! As an afterthought---I make my own dubbing twister by cutting off the wire loop through the center of a 1/2 oz. teardrop lead sinker and removing the wire leaving the hole open. I then use a diamond cut-off wheel in my Dremel to round off and polish one end of a piece of .047" music wire from a model airplane supply shop. (I have used a large paper clip but like the music wire much better tho it's harder to bend) Then I bend a 'shephard's crook' into the end of the wire, cut it with the wheel to @ 4" OAL and JB Weld it into the hole in the sinker leaving about an inch sticking out the bottom to provide a 'handle' to spin it with. I far prefer it to any commercial version I've ever used.

Don't ignore the effectiveness of the Red Fox Squirrel nymph in the larger sizes! The 10s & 12s are a great general purpose nymph and a specific for the Golden Stones endemic to the Ozark streams. They are my 'go-to' pattern when the fishing gets tough and have saved the day too many times to attempt to enumerate. CC

retro-man wrote: <Fished last weekend and the blue duns were working great. I also had luck with red/silver migdes.> Red thread midges with silver bead and wire in a # 16 were the preferred choice today on the Spring river in N. central Ark. While taking off my gear at the van @ 2 PM I noted that the BWOs in @ a #22 were starting to show up in the parking lot also. It's 'just that time of year'! And I DO so love it! The only down side is that next week I'm scheduled for cataract surgery, kids are coming for Thanksgiving and the river will be crowded with holiday flyfishers, but the following week should be all mine!;o) CC

ecce38 wrote: < I'm not a rod bulider but I'll pass this info on to my friend who is.> While you're at it direct his attention to Brunsels' theories concerning guides at: <http://www.grtu.org/newsletters/april1997/GUIDROD.APR.htm> I've long used oversized double strippers on my rods. I started out @ 30 years ago using the double loop wire spinning rod guides that gather and direct the line and they still work fine but are getting harder to find. I have a couple of experimental rods underway at present, one, a 5 1/2' fiberglass using the Brunsel guides theories, and another a 6'8" fiberglass using ceramic lined stripper and single-foot ceramics the rest of the way to see how well the different concepts work. It will be interesting. In both cases they will use the very minimum of thread to secure the guides and minimal coats of spar varnish in lieu of high-build epoxy finish in order to 'take up the slack' of the added weight of the guides. Dano failed to mention that he has recently acquired a couple of the original Brunsel rods so he can now be considered our 'resident' Brunsel expert. CC

Dano wrote: <I would have to agree with siusaluki, a heavily weighted wooley bugger in brown, black and or olive or even combinations.> With a few mere hints of orange!

Some inspiring pics Chub! You have me wanting to make a road trip despite gas prices! Maybe when the new smallstream fiberglass rods are ready to have their virginity altered. CC

Most flyfisherman (and I am certainly guilty on all counts) are 'Salmo-centric' and cavelierly ignore the diverse bounty of specie diversity in our Ozark streams to the detriment of our own fishing pleasure. Just why I fail to pay deserved attention to the virtually inconcievable options available other than trout I have no adequate, satisfactory or even reasonable explanation. My 'home river', the Spring River of North central Arkansas, and its' South Fork tributary that I live on with almost 1,000' of frontage offer so much more than trout! In point of fact the viable trout waters on the Spring span only about 15 miles of the river yet the remaining, far greater length, holds such diverse species as all three major branches of the Black Bass family as well as almost every major specie of the panfish family native to the Southern USA along with a few species unique to the region. World-class Walleye are in the river from springhead to where it joins the Black. (with possible world record size fish according to members of the electro survey teams) Hybridized 'Tiger Musky' of epic proportions swim it's waters along with a vast assemblage of catfish and 'roughfish'. Anyone who has ever hooked a big Yellow Sucker while fishing for trout can attest to the fact that they were thrilled beyond belief by the fight that led them to hope that they had a record trout on the end of their line until they were inexplicably let down when they could actually identify what was on the end of their leader. Disappointed? By a strong, determined fish that simply doesn't understand the meaning of quit? For goodness sake---he even resembles a Bonefish! Carp reminiscent of Atomic attack subs swim the river and if you hang one on trout tackle you can usually kiss your terminal tackle goodbye. Yet nothing that swims our waters commands less respect in the lexicon of our fishing culture. We are blessed almost beyond belief when the totality of our fishing opportunities are considered in their full panorama yet how many of us avail ourselves of all the possibilities there for the taking? CC

Drew wrote: < I guess I will have to post pictures after I get a really really short glass rod and enough courage to fish it.> Just come down to N. central Arkansas and I can loan you rods starting at 5' and put you on a half dozen streams with Longears near the house starting with the river at the foot of the hill I live on. There's no shortage of colorful panfish in our streams including the Shadow Bass, a member of the Rock Bass family unique to the Ozarks.

Phil, May I suggest that you contact Dennis Galyardt in Tecumseh. MO? As a semi-retired guide on the Missouri North Fork and Bryant Creek as well as a FFF award winner for his work with warmwater fish Dennis is a highly qualified person to address both issues you specified. If you need contact info contact me or Dano off-board. CC

Kingfisher wrote: <Went fishing a couple days ago and managed to get a few green sunfish but then the nice man I met down there (at Bella Vista Lake)caught something I thought I would never see..look at these beauties!> Nice! That's what I was talking about on your opening thread when you introduced yourself! You'll find them in every stream you cross in NW Ark. from tiny rills that you can step across without straining the crotch of your pants up to----well---lakes. They are so pugnacious that their arrogant courage is either admirable or amusingly ridiculous depending on YOUR perspective. Just why one would keep large exotics when we have such gorgeous fish is quite beyond my understanding! Let me make a suggestion. Either Google up the forum for the Guadalupe chapter of Trout Unlimited or go to the Fiberglass flyrod board and ask 'bulldog 1935', Ron McAlpin. how to get to the GRTU board because there you will find a LOT of pics of some of the myriad local strains of the Longear which Ron, a Longear admirer living in the hills of central Texas in 'Greater Metropolitan Bulverde' (joke;o)), has collected over the years. The unique aquifer system of the Texas Hill Country produces some of the most beautiful and colorful native fish in North America including our only natice Cichlid and Ron, as both a flyfisher and afficianado of the unique beauty of the fish, is one of the leading connosuers and photographers of the specie whose work he regularly posts on various fora. The wide range of color and marking variations of the Longears that Ron has posted will both surprise and delight you. HTH, CC

Drew wrote: <I would rather spend a little more money on an older one and get one designed for a #6 line.> A wise choice in light of what I have learned. After writing the above I had an opportunity to fish the older rod. Without getting buried in the details I can tell that it was a delight to ME. Your mileage, of course, may vary. I fished it with a WF5F line----simply because I picked up the wrong reel. Although I commonly overline a rod the FL accepted the 5 wt. with good grace and I did't feel deprived by the experience, so I think it's probably fair to characterize it as a 5/6 wt. rod depending on individual preferences. At this point I suspect that it shared a blank with higher grade rods in the W&M line-up---possibly with the Sweetheart. But that's pure speculation at this stage. I suspect I'll be fishing it a lot more in the future as it truly matched what I had hoped the modern version would be. FWIW I caught some good trout the day I fished it and it handled them with efficiency and aplomb. I expect it's going to take me fishing tomorrow. ;o) CC

Daddy Carp pretty much nailed it! All boats, unless very, very old, should have the power and weight limitations on a tag that is most often found in the transom area. If it is missing then an enquiry to the manufacturer with model # and/or a description of the physical dimensions of the boat should produce the needed data. I've seen some very wide short jons but they are very much the exception. Without more data on the boat I'd hesitate to suggest a motor bigger than a 3 horse and one of the little Johnnyrude 1 1/2 or 2s might be safer. None would be safe unless the (conservative!) load is properly distributed. You should also be aware that 10'er is a one-man boat anywhere except a small, protected pond. It is NOT safe for a tailwater.

Dano wrote: <Dang, CC, I didn't know you were athletic> Well it's been said by some that I'm an athletic supporter so that oughta be close enough?;o)

Greg wrote <I've always been impressed with guys that can tie a whip finish without the tool. I've tried a few times but just can't quite pick up the knack.> You just need to get someone to show you how. It looks complicated when you see it done by someone who is used to it and fast, but demonstrated slowly a few times it's soon obvious that it's very simple. <But oh well the matarelli tool just costs a few bucks and works very well.> And I'm impressed by anyone who can use that blankety-blank tool.) <The next time I'm in radio shack I'll have to look to look at the wire clips you spoke of. I've got several pairs of hackle pliers (they are all cheap) but all of them have some failing at times - slip, cut the hackle, etc.> I often have to dress sharp edges on the RS clips to prevent cutting the feather. But they're so cheap you can afford to throw away a few to find a good'un. The throw-aways are useful clipped to your vest to hold tiny fies while tying them on to prevent dropping and losing them. <But they still work better for me than my fingers - mine are just too big especially if I'm tying something small.> Same here--haven't tried it in years but I could 'palm' a basketball at one time so I too suffer from the 'Gorilla-hands' syndrome. CC

Greg wrote: <I think I like the sow scud a little better.---Colors? I probably go with tan the most, then brown, then green.> Agree all the way down the line. Haven't yet tried the ice-dub Dano uses but it's on my 'to-do' list when I get the flat fixed on my 'round-to-it'. CC

Greg wrote: <You really just need a good bobbin (ceramic or flared ends), bodkin, scissors, whip finisher, and hackle pliers.> I'll echo Greg----except I'm much more a cheapskate. ;o) Good bobbin---YES! Tho I've watched Lee Wulff tie with just a length of thread between thumb and finger even I am not that much a minimalist. Bodkin----er, a needle in a stick is an accurate description---and easily rendered at home. Scissors--- the very best you can find! Whip finisher----not on your life! Learn to do it manually rather than use a crutch! Hackle pliers----Radio Shack wire clips work better than all the various hackle pliers that have passed across my tying desk in the past 30 something years. Fingers preceded them and are the best of all with practice. JMHO. CC

JJ wrote: <I live close enough that If ya know the right people ya get free beer from the AB line workers once a month.> Do they have free shipping? )

Al pretty much nailed my own experiences---and added a lot of good info as well. I find natives a lot more interesting than exotics and learn a lot from watching them that is readily adaptable to fishing. Frankly some of our natives are so colorful that I can't understand why more people don't keep them in lieu of imported exotics. At one time @ 20 years ago when I had a flytying group in on Weds. nites I devoted a small aquarium to nymphs so we could have real models to try to duplicate. That was very popular with the flytyers, especially when we had a 'hatch' to watch unfold, but you really need a very understanding spouse for it to be good idea. I am abnormally fortunate in that respect. CC

JJ wrote: <Read what people with simaler values like mine say and hope to keep these head aches suppressed with cold AB products.> Aim low Jon---them thar revenooers are a'ridin' Shetlands! ) PBR is a'workin' fine down here in the hollers. You're way higher on the hog than us country folks! CC

OPH wrote: < He focuses on environmental groups who spout all of the global warming garbage and their motivations> flyman wrote: <there are some people----that jump on the bandwagon.> The overriding historical perspective in this instance (and one which few recall!) is that @ 20 years ago there was a 'war' within the academic and scientific communities concerning whether the activities of Man and civilization was about to bring on a new Ice Age or a Global Warming Period. The bloodletting associated with the heated debates was akin to the Roman circuses of 'Lions vs. the Christians'. The 'Global Warmers' 'won' and the crawfishing within academia and scientific circles was wonderful to behold as the 'losers' scrambled to get on the 'right' bandwagon. So IMO the only proper course for the uncommitted independent mind is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Maintaining an open mind and a modicum of conservative distrust of fixed positions and closed argument might well put one ahead of the game. Er----Cardiac? Pass the beer.;o) CC