Call For Action

I want you to look at the pictures above. The top picture is the upper end of Seventeen down in Area 1 at Blue River. You see those protruding rocks? Well...you're not suppose to see them. Normally there is water over those rocks sufficient enough to cover a fellow's ankle or higher while wading.

Now...take a look at the second picture...that's Horseshoe Falls. Notice anything strange about that "falls"? Yeah, you got it...there's no friggin' water comng over it.

In the last two weeks I have noticed some disturbing differences in our beloved little Blue, so once again I'm goin' to climb back on the soap box, dress in my drama queen fashion, piss a bunch of you off and if I do I don't really give a hoot, because I will fight for this river until my dying breath.

Blue, along with many of our natural streams, are in trouble.

Before I posted this blog, I checked the streamflow of Blue and currently she is running at 22 cubic feet per second. Over seventy-two years of record the normal streamflow is 59 cubic feet per second. If you check the mean the "mean" shows a factor of 302 but you can't check the record of the "mean", which I assure you has lowered over the years.

We're slowly losing our river and I will argue that fact with anyone, anyday, anytime. And why are we losing our river? Is it drought...yes. Is it demand...oh hell yeah? Do the two interact or have some relation in all of this. Well no shit Sherlock. And that is a big part of the problem.

Oklahoma is currently trying to come up with a statewide water plan for the next fifty years. Will they factor in the relationship between drought and demand, the needs of our natural environment to stay intact and healthy, or will we just sell out?

I'm not waiting on the water plan. I want something done now and this is why I call for action from our community of outdoorspeople. It's our to lose guys and gals! Let's don't lose it, let us all take the time to send a short concern via this electronic medium we have come to rely on. And let our message, although blended, come together as one great recipe that will solidify our resolve to save our natural areas.

Here are some contacts and I hope each of you will send a short concern for Blue River and the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer.

Oklahoma Water Resources Board
http://www.owrb.ok.gov/util/comments.php

State Representative Paul Roan
paulroan@okhouse.gov

State Senator J. Paul Gumm
gumm@oksenate.gov

State Representative Wes Hillard
weshillard@okhouse.gov

Oklahoma Department Of Wildlife
info@odwc.state.ok.us

Citizens For The Protection Of The Arbuckle Simpson
cpasa@cpasa.net

Thanks,

Barry

Lights, Camera, Action!

Ralph James, Chris Adams, and yours truly met on the river Blue today to try our hands at pulling off a video performance tying flies and sharing our fondness for Blue River.

This project is a test project to see how things would go and if there is a potential in video production about fly-fishing Blue River that could prove as a way to raise money for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

Videographer Gary Walker of Durant, Oklahoma was enlisted and met us at Scotty's at noon. Soon my daughter Mercy would arrive and Mercy's assignment was to take stills that we can use for the dvd jewel case.

Ralph started things off tying two of his favorite flies the red midge larva, and a fly he calls silverside. Soon after Ralph heard "we're rolling", it became obivious to all of us making the video it's not as easy as it looks. Lighting was a major concern as noise control and with the traffic on Blue River this weekend and the wind blowing at 10-15 mph the noise factor became a major obstacle. However, Ralph being the trooper he is got through his two flies in natural fashion. Ralph is a natural.

Then Chris was up and by the time it was Chris's time to tie the sun had changed and we had to move everything to do his shoot. Now Chris is a very technical and methodical tyer and he chose two nymph patterns to tie and he does a very good job on these patterns. And if we didn't have enough noise to deal with it seems Ralph scared up an armadillo from under his chair and the dillo started rustling through the leaves headed toward Chris and the tying table right in the middle of Chris's second pattern. It was a hoot to watch and Chris never realized what was going on.

Then it came my turn to tie and I planned ahead by selecting two simple and quick ties. One was the skinny bodied bugger that has blue lateral lines and the other being a simple size 20 black midge pattern. It was one, two, three, and I was pretty well done.

Next up was the up close and personal clips of the three of us telling about our fly fishing on Blue and sharing our love and concerns for this river.

Now with that done we simply needed some footage of the river itself so we could run opening and closing credits and you would think this would be a simple task wouldn't you. Well it wasn't because you can't have any other person in your video production without their consent and there was people all over the crossing but anyhow we figured it out.

Honestly I thought this whole project would take less than two hours but we ended up spending four hours plus trying to pull this thing off.

If it looks good on dvd there will be future projects.

This DVD will have the title of "On The River Blue" subtitle "Six Great Trout Flies".

We'll see how it goes.

Barry

Slinging Streamers In Solitude

It was thirty-eight degrees when I stepped out of the prairie schooner this morning to line my rod. At 7:15 this morning I arrived at the cow pen or horse corral or whatever it is on my way to the delayed harvest catch and release area on the upper end of Blue River. Today's trip would be only my third since this area's inception and only my second chance to actually fish it.

As I tied on the barb-less bugger I suddenly realized that I had dressed quite lightly for the early morning chill but figured the walk would warm me up a bit. I struck out.

Along the trail I begin noticing the planting fields that Matt and his crew have established. They are plowed areas that look to be planted in a winter grass....quite green actually. I passed one, then the second one, and as I strolled past the third something big and black caught the corner of my eye. My first thought was, "What's a cow doing up here?" However, it wasn't a cow...it was one big ass black wild hog. Now, when I say big ass hog I'm not exaggerating. This hog had to go three hundred pounds! I was about one hundred yards up trail from hog so I grabbed my camera wanting a "close-up" but I was as close as I dared to get. I snapped the picture and as I was looking at hog, hog was looking at me so I decided it was best to head up the trail. As I walked up trail, often turning to see where hog was, I kept watching for trees I could scale and I guarantee you there wasn't a single tree I couldn't scale in short order if ole hog had came my way. And...I would have scaled yon tree in world record time.

I've never been a hunter but if I ever start I'll hunt wild hogs. There are a load of them around this country and they absolutely tear up jack wherever they decide too.

As I continued to walk my hands started to sting some so I kept changing rod carrying hands and sticking my free hand inside my waders next to the ole beer paunch which I have come by quite honestly by purpose.

Another ten minutes or so I arrive at the Catch & Release Area proper. I am looking for a particular spot...one that Donny Carter had sent me a picture of a couple of days prior. After fumbling and stumbling around for thirty minutes or so I find that sweet spot and cast a line. I missed the first three, four, or five strikes but then land a fat and fiesty bow. I have to tell ya guys, these bows have shoulders. The highlight of my day would come with my third bow and this fellar was a golden. She was a beautiful little fish and as I tried to ease my camera out of the waders while holding the golden at the edge of the falls she slipped off that barb-less hook. Adieu pretty golden girl.

I would end up staying in the Catch & Release area about an hour and a half and manage a dozen or so healthy bows. The wind was as still as a mill pond early but as the forecasters predicted the Gods of blow raised their voices and the leaves started falling into the mirror of reflection they had dangled for so long. It was time for me to go.

I decided to go see Scotty and how he was motivating and then visit sweet Seventeen in the campground area. Upon arriving at Seventeen I was somewhat taken back because this is as poorly as I have ever seen this little pool. I saw outcrops of rocks that I had never seen before and took some pictures just so I could remember this particular experience. Shortly after wading into Seventeen it became apparent she was void of trout. With my sunglasses I could see every single pocket and pool and there simply wasn't any trout holding. It was almost noon and I decided to return home to await a better day to court Seventeen. Today was the first time visiting her since I lost my pal Smokey and he was heavy on my mind.

It was a good day. I was able to sling streamers in solitude at the Catch & Release and my entire time there I was the sole fisherman. I did meet three gentlemen from Texas on the way out and they asked, "How's the water upstream?" I simply replied, "You'll have fun."

I hope they did.

Get-Together and Brethen Of The Big Ass Campfire Bullshiters

The Blue River Fly-Fishers gathered on November 1st, 2008 for a most delightful get-together along the banks of Lady Blue.

Actually, this meeting had been in plans for a couple of months and came to gain some reality last Tuesday when Ralph Fullenwider pulled the Ruff Diamond into the parking lot of Blue River. Ralph had come early to secure the group a spot and ole Ralph did just that by getting the beautiful camping area known as Area 2. Yours truly got to the river proper on Thursday pitching the tent and making a second run for more camping stuff. Chris Adams arrived soon afterwards but found himself having to return to Denison to take care of some business matters. Ralph F. held his post while everyone else was busy trying to get to the river.

On Friday, Chris returned to the river as I, and by that time Ralph James and Larry Simpson had arrived. At 2 p.m. on the dot, as he said he would, Vernon Forrester arrived with his vast array of Dutch Ovens. Later that afternoon David Dillow and his furry friend Bree sailed into the river with a pickup load of firewood that certainly proved to be the fodder for the forming of the Circle of Big Ass Campfire Bullshiters Conclave.

Now, this Circle of Brethen Bullshiters came about sometime in the Friday p.m. and if I remember correctly there was David Dillow, Larry Simpson, Chris Adams, Vernon Forrester, Ralph Fullenwider, Harold Beck, Carol Radford, myself, Bree, Blue, and then there was Ralph James who decided to hold high court in this Circle of stories from years past and unbelievable events. As the bullshit got thicker I kept watching for incoming vehicles because we were expecting Jeff Joseph to arrive from Prosper, Texas at 8 p.m. Turns out Jeff was running a little late and arrived at 9 p.m. with son Ben in tow. Hey...if you haven't met these two guys you are in for a treat. Jeff and Ben are two of the most delightful guys you'll ever meet on Blue River. And, with the arrival of Jeff and Ben the "Circle" grew and the bullshit got deeper. Soon thereafter, Laura Adams would arrive to join Chris and Laura was somewhat tired after putting in one of those long days at Mom's Bakery in Dension. Miss Carol was delighted to see Laura since she had been the only girl subject to the bullshiter's onslaught and being "just one of the guys". But, on a personal note Miss Carol sends a message to all the hairy leg guys of the conclave and Miss Carol loves spending time with all of you.

It must have been around midnight when the bullshit just got too deep and some of us found ourselves troubled in the wading so we started phasing the cirlce out and retiring to our campsites for the night. Now, I really know how it came about but somehow I seemed to be appointed "keeper" of the flame of the conclave of bullshiters and I tried to step up to that task dutifully by burning half that rick of wood David had delivered.

After about four hours of sleep I awoke to see the familar flickering of our Circle fire and my immediate thought was that David Dillow had arose early and had the fire continuing. It was four a.m. Saturday morning and I rolled my ole butt off the air mattress and donned by campfire perfumed jeans and shirt to join David. Well, David was still sound asleep...the campfire had continue to burn all night on it's own which seem to send some kind of almost divine message to me that said..."Keep the Circle of Bullshiter's Fire Going". So, I did...burning about another quarter of a rick of wood.

Daylight comes. With the announcement of opening day I am in my waders, rod in tow, headed for the crossing at Area 1. I am so rusty, not having made a cast in four months, I forget all kinds of essesntial things like tippet, but I am called by the flats below the island. I arrive at the stepping off point just above the island and find another angler in wait. I politely ask him if he prefers to fish the ledge and he quickly answers yes and I respond by telling him I will go downstream from him. He seems to indicate okay but doesn't move out of my way so I step around him and take one step into Lady Blue. Now, it's been several months since I've been to visit the Lady and she has reason to be mad at me...and I guess she was. With that first step, she trips me and I fall face first into her pleasures. I break my precious TFO. Pretty much that does my weekend as far as fly-fishing seriously and looking back at it now I think it was a good thing. Sometimes I think I put too much on fly-fishing itself and not enough on the overall fly-fishing experience such as friendship with my brethen and sisterhood of the angle. Well, I got a good good measure of that experience this weekend and it was fantastic.

Back at the meeting place it was time to break out the Dutch Ovens. I had planned on cooking along with several others. Vernon Forrester come prepared to really cook and Vernon had four or five Dutch Ovens going on at once which is a task for two people. But, Ralph Fullenwider came to the aid of Vernon and Ralph proved to be one heck of a campfire cook's helper. Speaking of Ralph, and you have yet to meet him, uh...one of the first things he'll tell you is that he's hard to get along with. I think this is one prime example of why he fit in so well in the Circle Of Big Ass Campfire Bullshiters Conclave. Ralph F....is a sweetheart of a guy.

Soon, other cooks started filing in like Donny and Linda Carter, Kent Wohler (wow...this guy's an artist with the Dutch), Kevin Harris, Harold Beck's lady friends, and on and on and on. Chris Adams had his smoker going all weekend and offered up pork loin on Friday night and brisket Saturday. Jeff Joseph brought chili, I fixed chili, and I think Kent made a chili dish...lots of dang chili. Harold Beck made appetizers with stuffed Jalapeno's, Vernon made some very special biscuits, cornbread was offered up and the rage I kept on hearing about was the oatmeal pie which I did not get to partake in...dog-gone it!

During lunch, we held the raffle and silent auctions and what a hoot that turned out to be. Our group is so giving it should speak volumes for the individuality that can exist as self but step up to a part of an overall greater effort. For offering we had Larry Horton's carving, Lane Kregel's handmade knife, Robert Murphy's pontoon boat, and Ralph James ole grey flies.

Folks, in less than two hours we raised $450.00 for the Wildlife Department and Blue River. After lunch, Matt Gambel was on stage in the woods and he ansered questions from a good number of the group. Matt also praised the group for being so active in the future of Blue River which should make us all feel pretty darn good.

Fishing for the most part started off slow but the ole seasoned veteran's got into their niche's later in the day. Donn "The Donn" Riss found his niche down at the ledge above the crossing catching untold numbers of bows. Chris Adams and Robert Murphy also found some honey-holes and had a ton of fun playing with the bows. And, then there was Cody.

Cody is the young fly-fisher on Blue River that everyone and their dogs, cats, and parakeet knows. He's a dandy shining example of a young man and evidently he is quite focused. Cody caught 118 bows on Saturday. Now...that should make a grown man cry...and it did. Haven't cried like that in years.

And in closing I'll say thank goodness for the Blue River Fly-Fishers. I know very well, without the wonderful friendships I have gained through this group, my life would be lacking. Lacking and wanting for what I have now...some delightful friendships with very good and caring people.

And besides that...I wouldn't be a part of the Circle Of The Brethen Of The Big Ass Campfire Bullshiters Conclave. I mean...that will look damn good on a resume'.

The Motley Crew

A Chance For A Wonderful Artwork

Texas Fly-fisher Larry Horton is a wonderful wildlife artist specializing in hand carved wooden artworks about one of our favored species - trout. Pictured above is one of Larry's latest creations the Cutbow.

Larry is offering this beautiful piece to be raffled to raise money for the Blue River Fly Fishers so they can donate all the proceeds to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. The funds will be used in support of the Delayed Harvest Trout Area at Blue River, Oklahoma. One hundred percent of the funds raised by this raffle will go directly to the Wildlife Department.

The raffle is open until 1 p.m. on November 1st, 2008. The drawing will be held on Blue River at the gathering of the Blue River Fly Fishers. You do not have to be present to win. If you would like to enter this raffle by mail then mail your $10.00 check or money order payable to Barry Shrader to the following address.

Barry Shrader
700 E. Wynnewood
Sulphur, OK 73086

Barry will be responsible for keeping a log of all entries alongside double numbered raffle tickets. All funds collected through November 1st will be kept by Barry until the drawing and then turned over to the Wildlife Department. As soon as possible after November 1st, Barry will make a public posting of all entrants and funds received.

This is a chance to win a wonderful work of art and help Blue River along with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife.

Hard Goodbye To A Good Friend

I lost my best friend today and yes he was a dog.

It's a funny thing about dogs. They tend to be better friends than most people...at least that has been my experience in life. Dogs are not judgemental, critical or hurtful, and they never try to screw you around. I honestly don't know if I can say that about all the people I've known in life that said they were my friend. Dogs are always forgiving and the one thing they want to do along your side is simply to love you.

Probably the worst thing a dog can do is crap in the floor and that's probably our fault to begin with due to our busy schedule and not being in tune with the animals needs.

My trout scout Smokey died today from cancer, mutiple tumors in his lungs. It seemed to happen rather sudden beginning this past Friday. His doctor told me this past Monday that it was either a heart valve or a tumor. He suggested we treat the heart valve and remove the fluid from around Smokey's heart and lungs and therefore that is what took place. But, Smokey only grew worse struggling more and more the ensuing two days of Tuesday and today. I took Smokey back to the doctor and another x-ray revealed the tumors, that were more easily seen since the fluid had been removed from his lungs.

Being God-like is a job only for God but I couldn't wait for that divine wisdom, which none of us truly understand, so I let Smokey go.

My decision today was one of the hardest I've ever made.

I'm no stranger to the face of cancer. I lost Susie to cancer and Smokey was one of my last connections of Susie's and my life together. Smokey and I had a wonderful loving life with my Ann. I guess you could say that Smokey and I were very lucky to experience some wonderful loves in our lives but now I have lost him.

I could tell you that I don't know which, the loss of my friend, the fact he had cancer, or me making a God-like decision, is bringing the most tears to my eyes. But if told you I don't know which it is, I would be telling you a lie.

It's the loss of my friend. My very good friend.

True Blue

As part of my annual trout season ritual, I traveled to Lady Blue the day before official trout season ended. I went not so much to battle and capture the bows but rather to say so-long to their tribe. I knew that their numbers along with their days of life were diminshing.

So I plopped a fly into a seam and a connection with a beautiful little bow was mine to be. I brought the fish to hand, removed the hook and gave a message that he could take to the brethen and sisterhood.

I came today not just to say so-long to the bows but to see if the bronzebacks had become active and I didn't prove that to any extent. However, shortly after arriving I did capture one fat little smallie. Now, less than an hour with Blue I had one bow and one bronzeback and somehow I felt totally satisfied...so I quit fishing.

I went downstream to Seventeen because not only is it my favorite place to caress this beautiful little lady, it is the place I alway judge her health and today she looked quite vibrant. Both the flow and level of Blue was up. The level of the river at Seventeen was half way up on Sam's Rock which is something I haven't seen in quite awhile. Although she looked quite healthy today she is still not the river she was in 1981 or even 2000. But, she was more lovely than in the recent past when drought has caused her to look distressed.

While at Seventeen I gave myself time to reflect and ponder a question that has been on my mind. The question is simply whether I am more of a fly-fisher or just a man that loves a special little river, or perhaps a mixture of a little of both. That question still remains unanswered for me, however there is one thing I know that may answer it for anyone else.

If someone approached me and made me an offer of fly-fishing anywhere in the world at anytime but I couldn't ever fly-fish Blue again...I would have to simply say "No thank you sir, I'll stay with Blue." Maybe the answer I look for is in that thought itself.

I guess it could be argued that I am true Blue. On the trout bum tourney in 2005 I fished some very wonderful water in other parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. But not once in the eleven day outing did I feel comfortable...you know...at home. I wasn't. We all have water we call our home waters and Blue is mine. It truly is the only place I care to fly-fish for trout and will always be such.

I hope that last bow I caught, the one with the message, will be my last bow this season. And I hope the bow will take my message to his kinship for the message simply was "Live at peace".

I think I will take another couple of weeks off from fly-fishing and reorganize my flies for the search for Smallies at Blue. I know that they are there and they await us who practice this science of love we call fly-fishing.

Barry