Sowbug Roundup Wrapup

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

WOW! What a great event. Sue (my wife) and I arrived in Mountain Home on Thursday morning about 9:30; located our motel and then found the Sowbug. We walked among the many tyer's and booths for the better part of the morning. The first day we spent just taking it all in. About 2:00 we headed off in search of the mysterious White River.

With the help of some locals we were sent toward Cotter and the Cotter Access. The wife wants to buy a map, Me? I'm a guy . . . we don't need no stink'in map! Besides, one of the handout's given at the roundup has a crude, little, devil spawn drawn, 2" x 3" map on it. We can make this work. Cotter wasn't hard to find, nor was the access. But as luck has it they are generating at the dam and the water is up. We admire the scenery for awhile and decide to drive the river up to the dam and see what there is to see. Maybe they will have stopped by the time we get there and the day can be saved. We spend the next hour trying to find a specific highway that goes along the river. Mind you this road IS in Cotter! Several "bad" words later and as many "looks" from the wife we find it! The key to locating this hidden road was a "bathroom" break at a local gas station and a quick question to the attendant when the wife wasn't looking! See honey I CAN navigate without a map!

Okay, we're on our way now! The river is beautiful and several interesting access points are noted. Most you must have a full set of climbing gear with ropes and harness mandatory! We stop at one spot, to check out the easy walk-in access. Again, very beautiful and fishable; if the water wasn't running! I spot a guy getting ready to launch his boat. He's wearing a Sowbug hat so a conversation is struck up. I also note that the water level is dropping and the gentleman makes a call to the generation line. No generation! He gives me a TIP to the local hot spot with massive lunkers near the dam. Forgot to ask how to get there from here Off on the road again. It can't be that hard, it's north of here. The black top soon turns to rock, which soon turns to 80 degree mountains with rock roads. The poor 4-cylinder Nissian works hard and is a champ. After much spinning of the tires, gnawing of the teeth and some more choice words we make it to the top. And, we are soon back on blacktop!

The remainder of the trip is pretty un-eventful since we find that we are back at Mountain Home! Highway 5 back to the junction and we are at Bull Shoals dam! The water is down, the fish appear to be midging and thoughts turn to those big lunkers waiting for me! The rod is put together and the waders are about to be put on . . . the horn sounds Some directions from a local and we are off to the Northfork. We found this one easy enough (we had already driven most of the dirt and rock roads in Northern Arkansas so it wasn't hard). It was late by the time we got there, so we watched some anglers throw the line for a bit and then called it a night and headed back toward Mountain Home for some much deserved food. John - 0, White River - 1

DAY 2

Back to the Sowbug early and ready to learn about tying flies! A great day! Watched some amazing tyers and learned some neat tips! Found some great buys on supplies. The wife even got into the buying frenzy. Does anyone have a pattern that uses Black Bear hair? I know have Beaver, Caribou, Grey Fox, Badger, Woodchuck, Bear, Skunk, and Aust. Opossum hair if anyone knows a pattern using these. Hey, they were only a $1 a pack! It's now 4:00 and time to hit the river. Today, we go to the Northfork. We made our way back without a hitch and was soon in the water. About a dozen or so cast later . . . AND THE HORN BLOWS (boy does it really blow). John - 0, White River - 2

DAY 3

Another fine day at the bug. Watched Mike George tie up one of his baby bluegill patterns. This guy is amazing! Junior Crow demonstrated his spider, and John Berry tied up a "double your money back guaranteed to catch fish" soft hackle. Leonard gave up the secret to his Pine Squirrel pattern and I "think" I saw the big fish whistle. Won a couple of items on the raffle, and one at the silent auction. We stayed from 9:30 to 3:30 and had a blast. Now, it's back to the river and time to seek some revenge!

Made some calls to the generation line and decided to go back to the "honey hole" we were at the first day. We made it to the dam at Bull Shoals about 4:30 and was geared up and headed to the water. Terry and friend (I'm sorry I forgot your name - oldtimer's kicking in again) were walking out. A quick report from Terry; about 200 pheesh in about 2 hours . . . EACH! (that's right isn't it Terry? ) The conditions were right for some fish today! It was cold, overcast, and windy. The wife forgot her heavier coat at home so, being the gentleman I am, I gave up mine. I'm now standing in hip deep water with a STRONG breeze blowing across the face, cold water on the hands, and a light-weight fishing shirt on! I am man - hear me roar! Two fish to hand in an hour! I am victorious - I have conquered the White! Now, I'm VERY cold and it's time to head to the truck. As we walk - climb - up the bank it starts to rain. See honey, I told you it was going to rain and THAT's why I decided to leave, it has NOTHING to do with my skin turning blue and an uncontrollable shivering.

WRAP-UP

A must attend for anyone that has never been. You go once and you'll be back. I'm already looking forward to next year. The tyer's were amazing and very friendly and ready to show you their tricks. I learned so much in those few short days; I can't wait to put them to practice. Meet Ward Bean from Warmwater Fly Tyer. He tied up one of his wobblers for me. Looks to be a smallmouth killer. I'll have to try it at the Smallmouth Rendezvous in May. Talked with a nice guy from near Tahlequah that said he'd put us on some good fishing if we come down. Now if I can just remember his name . . . Chuck; I think.

John Berry is one of the nicest guys you'll find anywhere, bar none! Next trip down I'm going to go early or stay late and book a trip with him. He has forgotten more than I'll ever know. Mike George is a true artist when it comes to flies. If you ever get a chance to watch him tie up a fly you have to go.

Nice to see Leonard and Jeremy showing off their skills. Always good to see them. Nice to finally get to meet you Terry, I hope we can fish together some day. I'm sorry about forgetting names, blame it on my age, But I meet a nice fella (I think he said his name was Don?) at the Northfork the second day. He was wearing a yellow OAF hat. Wish the river wasn't flowing so we could have fished a bit.

I've got pictures - but they're still on the camera. I'll try to get them downloaded today and post them a bit later.

Be safe . . .

John

[Terry Beeson]

Nice to meet you, too, John... And yeah... it was 200 a piece in two hours for me and David Bolin...

By the way... you only have to wait 6 months. The Conclave is in October and you'll enjoy it as much as Sowbug...

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

SWEEEEEET - October it is!

[Danoinark]

SWEEEEEET - October it is!

You boys have to stick it in don't you

First one I have missed I think.

Oh, John and Terry, you guys do have parttimers don't cha.

Heck I introduced you at the OAF gathering on 1 January right have you showed up John...

Dano

[Don]

Well written John,

It was my first time there as well. My friends and I stopped and had breakfast in Gainsville Friday morning with Brian Wise. I bought that Parker compound bow he was selling. What a great guy. I look forward to go fishing with him.

I saw most all the same tyers you mentioned. I did not meet John Berry though, maybe next time. Lots of good tyers. I sat in on Fox Statler's seminar, Fish and What They See, very interesting. Was Mike George the deer hair artist? He was amazing.

It was tough being around world class waters without fishing. Other committments and obligations brought us all back home the same day. We all agreed we will go again next year.

Don

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Oh, John and Terry, you guys do have parttimers don't cha.

Heck I introduced you at the OAF gathering on 1 January right have you showed up John.

Yup - sure do! Now, what was it I was doing . . . oh yeah! I was sleep deprived from the late night work load and honestly don't remember much about the first few hours.

John

[Terry Beeson]

I knew that, Dano... but I figured John had that "Old Timers" disease so I was playing along...

Don... Sorry I missed you. I went to JB's seminar but missed Fox's. I'd like to do that one even though I've read a lot and talked a bit with Fox on the subject.

[outdoorarki]

It was my first also. I made it on Thurs and had a ball. Made it to Norfork on Fri with a buddy for some fishin and caught a few. I will be at the conclave for sure and at the bug next year. Had a real good time.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Speakin of Fox - did you guys see his sculpin pattern? He was demoing his CD while I was talking with him. This guy KNOWS his sculpins. I learned alot from him and I'm going to tie up some of those sculpins.

John

[Don]

I saw Fox's sculpin and it looks really good. I've read about them on his website several times and have been tempted to buy his sculpin kit.

Don