This past weekend I travelled to the Mid Missouri TU meeting in Columbia, MO, to present a day-long seminar on fly fishing. It was a first-time event for them, and I trust that it will continue as an annual event, featuring other speakers in the same format. The event was held on Saturday, and ran from 8:30 until 5, focusing on a series of discussions including, Nymphing, Reading the Water, Casting, Really Matching the Hatch, and Presentation. Because there was an hour and a half for each topic, there was plenty of time to explore them and for questions. This format is very relaxed and easy on both speaker and audience members. The burger/slaw/and beans lunch gave the event a nice informal, picnic-like atmosphere that further helped everyone stay relaxed and on target. Y’all done good! Scott Gerlt, his wife Claycie, and their European Brittany (Jack) hosted me at their home. Thanks guys–that’s woof, woof to you Jack.

Sunday was a Master Certified Casting Instructor Prep day. Gary Eaton (himself a MCCI) had everything organized, and in the morning–a very hot morning with high humidity, I might add–we put the three CCIs through their casting paces. Gary E. had brought tape, casting cones. hoops, and even some chartreuse softballs for targets. He also remembered the water. Boy are you organized, Gary! After each casting event, we retreated to the shade and discussed the cast and what the certifying examiners would expect of the candidates. We retreated from the heat to eat and then spent the afternoon discussing other topics of the MCCI exam, such as teaching, fishing, gear, and so on. All in all, the three potential candidates got a rather large pile of information to take home and begin digesting.

Left to right--Jeff Trigg from Columbia, me with my back to the camera, Bill Armon from Columbia, and Jim Phillips from Colorado. They're sweating out the casting events of the MCCI prep day. I'm just sweating.

Monday saw us on the waters of the North Fork of the White with Jeff Trigg and Chris Gates graciously acting as our guides.

The fishing crew, from left to right: Scott Gerlt, my contact and host at the Mid MO TU chapter, Jeff Trigg who captained the boat I fished from, Gary Eaton--Mr. Organization and my fishing companion for the day, Chris Gates who captained Scott and Jim's boat, and Jim Phillips--a retired Air Force Col. who has a true zest for fly fishing and skiing (not a bad combo, there Jim).

For those who have never fished the North Fork, let me note that it is a most lovely river. Because of the heat, we waded wet and stayed cool. The day was filled with plenty of casting, but the high, very bright sun and lack of any hatches had the fish deep with their mouths zipped shut. That’s not to say that we didn’t manage to catch a few—both trout and bass. The trout were mainly rainbows, but there were some browns on the end of the line on occasion, too.

The North Fork of the White is a lovely stream, and I fished it hard with the Czech Nymphing tactic as well as with my own nymphing style.

Scott caught the fish of the day–a very nice 18 1/4 inch brown that had a robust body and used it well in his tug-of-war with Scott. Jim, besides loving fly fishing, also guides in CO, and he coached Scott during the fight–great team work guys.

Scott with the very fine hog brown that he wrestled from the North Fork to will the victor's garland for the day.

In the very last piece of water for the day, Jeff stated that they always caught a brown or two from this area, and sure enough, on the next cast, I hooked a nice brown that fought very strongly–but not strongly enough to keep from getting its picture taken

A nice 15-inch brown that couldn't resist my copper bead head Peacock Nymph. See, the picture didn't steal your soul, you're still swimming and growing bigger for my return trip.

Tuesday morning, Gary, Jim, and I hit the upper Current a couple of miles below the trout park. It’s a fly fisher’s delight, and we caught both rainbows and browns, all of which fought with about as much determination as any I’ve ever caught. There’s a story that came out of the morning that will be in our forthcoming book, Nymphs and Wets, entitled “The Prophet.”

It was the kind of trip that is fulfilling on many fronts, and I take my hat off to the Mid MO TU chapter for hosting me for the event and the fishing days. Thanks to Gary, Scott, and Jeff for photos.