Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited

February 2006

President’s Message

- Curt Morgret

February is the month that we answer your letters, emails, late-night phone messages and anonymous threats attached to rocks thrown through our window.  It’s a mixed bag this time and, although we would like to, we can’t possibly answer all of our correspondence because we just can’t miss the newest episode of  Lost. So let’s get to it:

Q:  I fish with a friend and we usually take my car and I drive because my car is newer, gets better gas mileage and is safer and more reliable.  Would it still be proper to insist on alternating cars even with the safety and environmental concerns?

A:  Ahh, this is an interesting situation and I think you need to investigate a little further.  First, drop in unexpectedly on your friend late one evening, preferably during the middle of the week.  Second, find a way to sneak a look into your friend’s garage.  I think you should not be surprised to see a very nice car that is more than suitable for fishing trips.  I believe you are the victim of a “decoy” car.  Usually, it’s a car that sits in the driveway, leaking oil with maybe a busted window covered by duct tape.  This is not the car your friend ever drives.  The only purpose of this car is to sit there and look bad – bad enough to divert requests to share in driving on trips for fishing, hunting and taking kids to soccer tournaments.  Once busted, we wouldn’t be surprised if your friend either developed sudden case of “driving narcolepsy” or suddenly finds a new fishing partner.  I suggest you buy your own “decoy” car and find a new “friend.”  

Q:  When I vacation with my family, how can I bargain for more time to fish?

A:  First, do they see much of you anyway?  Are you normally a cheerful and friendly person?  Will the kids take a bribe?  Hey, vacation is a slice of your normal life and if you’re gone all the time anyway, why change?  If you’re cheerful and friendly we suggest you adopt a grumpy, surly attitude a couple of weeks before vacation.  Who wants to be around that?  Got money?  We’ve never seen a kid turn it down.  They don’t really love you, anyway; they’re just trying to get your money.  Oblige them.

Q:  My husband is an idiot.  Can I shoot him or do you believe in catch and release only?

A:  Ha, ha.  Very funny, sweetheart.  Now leave me alone; I’m working here.

Q:  What kind of conservation projects will Mid Mo TU take on this year? 

A:  We’re working on aquatic insect sampling in the Little Piney and we would like to help in the habitat enhancement programs the Conservation Department has taken on.  The sampling project is in partnership with Dr. Bob Sites, professor of entomology at the University of Missouri.  This project will give us an understanding of the diversity and health of the stream.  And after seeing Dave Mayers wonderful habitat project on Barren Fork he presented at the November program, we have asked to help him in future projects and consider ways to expand the program with TU funds.

Q:  My friend wants to learn how to fly fish.  How do I get rid of him so he doesn’t bother me anymore?

A:  Does he have a good car to drive on trips?  Give him my name.

Next month:  How to use theoretical physics in determining the proper placement of a strike indicator.

The 2006 Conservation Banquet will be held at the Holiday Inn Select on Thursday, February 23.  The Holiday Inn Select is just south of I-70 at the Stadium Boulevard exit.  Tickets are $30 per person, or a table of eight can be reserved in advance for $200.  Tickets are available from members of the TU Board, at Clearwater Outfitters, or at the door.  Please come to the banquet and bring your friends.  The banquet is lots of fun – many raffle and auction items will be available including graphite and bamboo fly rods, fly reels, other equipment, trips, art, and much, much more.  For us to raise the money needed for the Little Piney Research Project, habitat improvement on the Barren Fork, teaching kids to fish, and our donation to Casting for Recovery (retreat scholarships for women recovering from breast cancer), we need people at the banquet.  Please come, please help us sell tickets.  If you can volunteer to help with the banquet, call Jon Deal 573-442-0931. A fly for the chapter fly plate, and flies for raffle and auction prizes can be dropped off at Clearwater Outfitters.

February Meeting - Fly Tying

Bring your tools and materials to tie your favorite patterns for yourself or to donate to the TU Banquet.  If you are a beginner, we will have extra tools and materials and can provide instruction. The meeting will be Tuesday, February 7, at 7 pm. Note the change in time for this and future meetings.  The meeting will be held at the Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science Center, Columbia.  The Resource Science Center is on the east side of College Avenue, just north of Stadium Blvd.

February Outing

On Saturday, February 4, (ice conditions permitting) please join us at Bethel Park for a club outing.  We are planning a catch, cook and eat event beginning with fishing at 11 am.  Come see if these guys can put some trout where their mouths are!

January Meeting

Lynn Kleopfer described a September fishing trip in Alaska. Lynn Kleopfer presented a talk about a trip to SW Alaska, the Bristol
Bay region, September 10-17, 2005.  He stayed at Bristol Bay Lodge on Lake Aleknagic. He flew to and fished six different rivers in six days including the Togiak, the Goodnews, and the Agulukpak.

He caught and released 49 Coho salmon, a 25 inch and 20 inch rainbow, many smaller rainbows, lots of char and a few Dolly Varden.  He saw abundant wildlife including a grizzly which got a little to close for 
comfort.  The fishing took place on the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and The Wood-Tikchik State Park.  He had a great time.  As you can see from the photo below, there was rain and cool temperature, as would be expected in Alaska in September.  On the plus side, there were no problems with mosquitoes or blackflies.

Lynn with a beautiful coho

Real World Fly Fishing

How many of you received the virtual fly fishing program, Real World Fly Fishing, for Christmas?  My brother in Ohio and I have been vying for largest fish.  If you have not seen the program, it is a fly fishing simulation.  It offers a choice of a number of fishing situations, both for trout and warm-water species.  You can select equipment, leader, fly, indicator, floatant, etc.  You also can net insects to “check the hatch”.  A photo of an insect, scud, sculpin or other item is shown so that you can match it with the appropriate fly.  Casting involves moving the mouse at an appropriate rhythm.  You can shoot line, mend and even throw tailing loops.  Slap the fly down and you will spook the fish, fail to recondition your dry fly after catching a fish and it will sink, put too much pressure on while fighting a fish and you will break it off.  If you so choose, a “guide” can offer advise and encouragement.  The program is done pretty well.  It provides information that could be useful to a beginner.  Real World Fly Fishing is $25 and is advertised in Fly Fisherman.