Rolan Duffield

The Missouri Trout Fishermans Association, Kansas City Chapter will be offering the following Fly Tying classes in early 2008. A 5 session class at Bass Pro Shops in Olathe starting approximately 10:00am on January 19, 2008. The first class will meet at the Fly Shop at BPS. After that their will be a seminar room available for the classes. Bass Pro is charging $20.00 for materials that they will be supplying for the class. Or a student may purchase a fly tying kit from Bass Pro that includes all tools and materials they will need. I believe the kit normally sells for $49.99 but will be sold to students for $40.00. The kit will include a fly tying vise,tools and materials (hooks, thread,feathers,etc.) that will be needed for the class. The MTFA is not charging anything for this class but if students want to join, we will be there with applications. The joining fee is $10.00 Here is the basic outline of what we plan to tie at the classes. 1. Wooly worm / Wooly bugger 2. Furbug - Glo ball - John Deere (jig). 3. Pheasant Tail / Scud 4. Soft Hackle / Crackleback 5. Ant / Renegade The MTFA still plans on having their traditional beginning and advanced fly tying classes at Flemming Hall (near Lake Jacomo) starting Monday night, January 14th, 2008. We plan on 6 sessions for these classes. A couple of years ago we changed the cost to be the same as the annual dues, $10.00 We will be promoting both classes at the KC Sports Show, Jan. 9-13 and will limit each class to about 20 people. For additional information, contact: David Cook at 816-272-5194 or email at: cookd@umsystem.edu

Steve: It's quite common for the average chrome guides to wear. The fly line will gradually wear the chrome away and cut grooves in the guide which then hastens the wear of the fly line. Most of the fly rods purchased today have the standard chrome guides. You can purchase "Titanium Carbide" double foot guides that should last several years. I'm not certain if any of the rod manufacturers put these high quality guides on their rods. If you use your rods a lot, you should inspect the guides very closely for any grooves. Those worn guides need to be replaced else you will wear out that expensive fly line a lot quicker. There was times in the distant past years that I replaced the guides on my fly rod twice yearly because of this type wear.Those were the days that i fly fished literaly every weekend. My personal favorite is the Fuji "Hardloy" single foot guides. Have used them for many years and never have needed to replace them because of wear. Rolan

I wish we had an automatic post note that would display where they are from anytime a post is made. This would help understand some of the comments and where they are located. Do you have a better idea? Rolan

Great report Chuck. Thanks for posting it. Many good ideas for you photo bugs. Rolan

Cortland Fly lines were my favorites until a few years ago. I was not happy with those new lines at that time as they were easily damaged and had inconsistencies in thickness of the line in some areas. Cortland did replace them though the replacements were not any better. Perhaps their new lines will show an improvement though i'm not spending my dollars to find out. I 'm now using the Rio lines and have been reasonably satisfied with them though I wish the Tip would float better after some use. Here's what I feel is important for a good floating Fly Line. 1. Smooth and consistent thickness in the coating. 2. Tip of a floating line rides high in the water. 3. The fly line doesn't abrade easily. 4. I prefer a light colored line. Rolan

No I haven't. I'm not familiar with them. Rolan

These comments and opinions about "Scuds" are like fishing -- no two people ever think the same way or tie the same way. Isn't that what makes this sport so challenging and interresting. Scuds: Yes, you must keep a scud on or near the bottom. I believe in weighing my scuds which aids keeping the fly near the bottom. I also prefer the scud to be fairly slim with some stiff fibers. I'll primarily stick with gray and mink brown colors. "Peppy" is a gray scud. made from our past Cockapoo gray dog and blended to achieve my preferred darkness of gray. I blend with gray antron. Question for you scud fishermen -- How do you fish them? Rolan

Terry: I've missed your comments on this web site, however, you seem to have a good handle on your future. Keep up the good positive attitude and you will succeed. Regards, Rolan

Congratulations Leonard. I'm sure that both of you are very happy for the new arrival. Wishing all of you a very joyfull Halloween. Rolan

Jerod: Time to learn how to tie your own flies. You won't save money because you'll be continually buying supplies and hooks. The good side is that you will enjoy catching them on flies you've tied and you can customize to your own liking. There may be some fly classes near you or just try to locate a fly tier close to you. You'll enjoy this part of our sport. Rolan

Phil: I highly recommend Custom Color in Kansas City. They are a quality custom photo finishing plant. www.customcolor.com Phone:816-474-3200 Best regards, Rolan

Bill: Thanks for the report and keeping us informed. Seems as though there should be a lot of discarded christmas trees that could be used for the project after Christmas. Those would be free structure for many areas. Rolan

Wish my wife would fish. Soon after we were married 37 years ago, she fished alongside and caught a very nice trout at Roaring River. We had that trout mounted. She's never fished since, though is a lot of great support for my hobbies, trout fishing and golf.She's afraid of water though enjoys going with me. Her interests are shopping. Works for me. You folks are very lucky for the companionship. My two brothers and I enjoy a week togather on Taney every fall. We have been making this outing together for over 20 years. Thats a plus also. Rolan

Phil: Have a great trip. Catch a bunch for us to see. Keep the waders dry and don't let those little ones swipe your flies. Hope you will post on how the season and fishing conditions changes there. See you in Oct. Rolan

Zack: Here is an old technique we used to fish nymphs without using an indicator. Make your normal cast and as soon as the fly sinks, raise the rod tip to about 2:00 O'clock. This will result in forming a "belly" in the fly line. Keep the rod tip high and let the rod follow the direction of the current downstream while watching the curvature of the "belly" in the line. Any change to curvature of the belly in the fly line is likely a strike. Watch for a slight jump in the line, the line stopping,or any change in motion of the line. This technique is very effective in running water though can also be used when slowly hand stripping the line towards you. It has advantages over using floats as the fly will travel in a natural drift along the bottom. The key to this is to keep the rod tip high and carefully watch the line for any changes to the belly in the fly line. Rolan

Mr.Ducky: I would be glad to teach you how to make a "Whip finish" to finish the fly. It's the first thing we taught flytiers in fly tying classes. You can finish off a fly faster, using this method, than the time it takes most fly tiers to pick up their whip finishers. Once you learn this method, you'll never pick up that tool again. I will be at Lilleys starting Oct.5th through the 12th. Rolan

Chuck: These are very pleasing pictures. Thanks for posting them and including your analysis. We need more pictures of wildlife and good scenics for this site. Keep up the good work. Rolan

I have fished with Leonard one time at night and he made a beliver out of me. He does know this water very well. Thats what it takes to catch Trout on a regular basis regardless of the type of flies you use and the presentation methods. You learn those things by experience. Many years ago I often fished with a friend who had the knack of catching selected trout in the stream and he was very good at it. He used a #14 flo. green scud with a short tail of the same material. He had the patience and ability to pick out a trout and drift the scud into the fishes mouth. He did not cast long distances. Just fished the water near to him. His name was Charley Schultz. A very outstanding sportsman and a true friend to many of us oldtimers. Rolan

That first picture resembles my Grandad from Eagle, Nebraska. I appreciate you sharing this history of the Branson area with us. Happy Birthday, Phil. Rolan

Many thanks for the update Mrs. duckey. We've missed your reports. Rolan

Many thanks to Phil for posting this "Caddis" fly swap. I know he has been very buisy this summer and we owe him a big thanks for all he does for us fly tiers and fisherpersons. I really enjoy the fly swaps and again say that I will be glad to photograph the fly swaps for posting provided Phil approves and someone sends me the flies. Rolan

Welcome back, Phil. We missed your reports here. Rolan

Phil: Did anyone check the timing belt? These should be replaced around 90,000 miles and can cause major problems if it breaks. New motor -- ouch. Rolan

Great reports, Phil. Thanks for sharing them with and we're waiting to see more pictures. Best regards, Rolan

Hi Mr and Mrs Ducky.. So glad your back. We missed you. Rolan