Fly Fishing the Ozarks

Scuds are a great fly to use in the Ozarks! I suspect they would work almost anywhere in the world. They look like a tiny lobster or crayfish. Scuds are sometimes called freshwater shrimp, and are a primary food source for trout thoughout streams in southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. They grow quickly and can survive in a variety of habitats, but they are most prolific and important to trout in slow, weedy spring creeks. Unlike most aquatic insects, they never "hatch" into a dry form. They also pretty much look the same in all stages of life. Simple evolution at it's best. Personally, the trout could care less!

They are cold-water scavengers of dead plant and animal life. As a result, you can find a ton of them in weedy sections of our streams. Their imitations make outstanding searching patterns. I also like to tie them on with another fly of some time.

I have found the best way to fish them is at a slow drift, so I look for a place to do that. I don't care to use them in water moving too fast. Line drag also effects the presentation of this fly a lot! Get rid of as much as possible. Trout just seem to know when the natural float through the water is off!

Olive and greens are my favorite color. I also like to use the scuds that are a kind of burnt orange. These tend to look a lot like the crawfish of our waters.

slainte,

Ray Province

November can be a kind of fickle month in the Ozarks. As I am putting this article together, it in the low 60's in Branson, Missouri. By Sunday, we have a chance for snow! That's why we have the old saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!"

Needless to say, the trout enjoy a variety also. I have fished, in November, with everything from woolies to dry flies! So, I thought I would share my 5 favorite flies for this late fall fly fishing:

1. The Wooly Bugger
My personal favorite. Probably because I have always been able to catch with one almost anywhere. It falls well, and can be "jigged" through the water. You can also imitate a lot of small "swimming' creatures. It looks very natural in the water. Here is my information on tying it. As you can see, I tie a very traditional wooly. The recipe below can be used for any color combo.

Hook: 3x-long streamer sizes 4-12
Thread: Color optional 6/0-8/0
Body: Chenille - black, olive, brown
Tail: Marabou - color optional, usually match the body
Hackle: Saddle hackle - color to match body, tied in by tip at the back of fly and palmered through body
Rib: Gold wire, optional

2. The Crackle back Nymph

A great floating nymph that works well at my two favorite State Parks (Bennett Springs and Roaring Rive) I like to tie an egg imitation on with it. A great floating nymph pattern. I also like them to be small. Size 12 to 14. I learned about this little gem from Feather-Craft Fly Fishing in St. Louis, Missouri. Can't beat a home state favorite

Hook - #12-#14

Thread - Olive 8/0

Hackle - Furnace

Back - Peacock herl, 2 strands

Body - Pale yellow dubbing, pale yellow turkey rounds, or other materials

3. The Beaded Pheasant Tail Nymph

The beaded pheasant tail nymph is probably my favorite of all nymphs. It is just a great, traditional pattern. I first learned to tie this from a recipe in an Ed Engle book on tying small flies, prior to my first trip to Cheeseman Canyon. It has been a favorite every since.

Hook: Standard nymph 12-22
Head: Gold bead to fit size of the hook.
Thread: Brown 8/0
Body: Pheasant tail
Tail: Pheasant tail
Rib: Fine gold wire
Back: Wing case - pheasant tail
Thorax: Peacock herl or pheasant tail

4. The Adam's Parachute

When I decide I want to go top water, I go to a parachute. I like this old traditional pattern in the late fall, because I think the brown color looks more natural. The slight touch of white in the parachute seems to do the trick. On a warm day in the late fall, you can get a bunch of "junk" hitting the top of the water, so the fish seem to respond well. This old staple is still a "Top Fly" pick on Orvis.com! It is a great pattern to imitate everything from ants to caddis flies!

Hook: Sizes 8-18
Thread: 8/0 Black
Tail: Moose mane
Gray: Fine and dry dubbing
Hackle: Whiting dry fly hackle, one grizzly one brown
Post: White fibers

5. The Blue Wing Dun Parachute

When the trout seem to want something smaller up top, I go to this Eleven Mile Canyon, CO favorite!!! In fact, I use the 20's or 22's on the Missouri trout well. There is nothing like anticipating the strike of something on such a small target in the water! The combination of size and color makes it my number 5. These are so small I often do not tie them! Too easy to buy! However, here is a traditional recipe:

Hook: #14 -22
Hook Type Extra-fine dry fly
Thread Olive 6/0
Tail Dark dun hackle fibers
Body Olive brown dubbing
Wing Dark dun turkey body feather clump
Hackle Dark dun, parachute style

I would love to hear from other Ozark fly fishers on your top five for late fall fly fishing! I'll be happy to share your five with others!.

Slainte,

Ray Province