Pictures from the Southern Council Conclave, Mountain Home

[Harold Ray]

Now, its picture time:

These are pictures from the Federation of Fly Fishers' Southern Council Conclave in Mountain Home, Arkansas about three weeks ago. I thought I'd post because some may be interested in seeing what goes on up there at one of these big tying and fishing events.

John Maddux and I always get to the tyings before they set up, and often we help. Last year he and I along with 3 other men began at 8:00 am and finished around 3:30 pm that afternoon.

This year, some of the local club come in to do the work. It was a real pleasure not to have to do it again, but who knows what will happen next year.

John and I live in Waco, Texas. Mountain Home is about a 10 hour drive north into Arkansas, nearly to the Missouri state line. I go twice yearly for big tying events, the Conclave usually the first weekend in October, and the Sowbug Round-Up, http://www.northarkansasflyfisher.org/s ... undup.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;", a big flytying get together for three days in March. Mountain Home, with the White and Norfork Rivers, is a premier trout destination in the United States; the largest brown caught in this area ran around 40 pounds.

Here are pictures from the beginning of the set-up on through the meeting:




And, this is where I just brought most of my materials, etc. in and have begun setting up. Below you will see a few of my poppers:

[Harold Ray]

Below is John Maddux, a very good flytyer and fisherman from Waco, Texas:




Dave and Emily Whitlock, http://www.davewhitlock.com/, usually set up just across the isle from us, so here are a few images of their's. Dave is a real gentleman and Emily is a true Southern lady; both are wonderful to be with and a pleasure to talk with and observe while drawing, painting, and tying.






Here are a couple of Duane Hada's works, http://www.duanehada.com/. He is a great guide for anything that swims in the waters around Mountain Home, and he is a widely recognized artist. http://www.rivertowngallery.com/. We waded the White one day several years ago when it was on the rise. Duane is at least twice as large as I am, at 160 pounds, and he is tall. I hit a place where my feet didn't touch bottom, told Duane, and he grabbed me so I could hold on, and he waded on. Several people have washed away there and drowned in rising waters. They come up fast, and there is little to no warning, depending on where you are.



I love these little dudes! I bought several and started putting them on my cap, and I'm getting some for my grandchildren. All us kids enjoy things like this!!


I like these DiabloPaddleSports kayaks, http://www.diablopaddlesports.com/, neat, and something different. They are made in Austin, Texas:




The Golden Rule On-Line Fly Shop. This is a shop where you get good service, the products you want and need, and fair, honest treatment. Not a bricks-and-mortar store, sales are done at shows like the Conclave or Sowbug, or on-line at http://www.goldenruleflyshop.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Shop with confidence.



A good picture of Dave Whitlock:

[Harold Ray]

The show is getting in gear:


That's Diane Blair in the yellow shirt, but she's got her back to us. She is a wonderful lady who gives her time and knowledge to anyone who needs it, teaching, coaching, tying, casting, and fishing. She and her husband, Richard, live and work in Dallas.


The Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, http://www.norforkhatcheryfriends.org/, is a nonprofit citizens group chartered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support and promote the hatchery. As a citizens group, the Friends is able to promote the hatchery in a manner that the hatchery, as an agency of the federal government, cannot do for itself. If you agree that the Norfork National Fish Hatchery is important to the economic and recreational well being of the Baxter and Marion Counties please join us, http://www.norforkhatcheryfriends.org/Membership.html.


Ben Levin, 870-688-1604, on the right is a super guide and good young man who works with Duane Hada and fishes for everything, including BIG brown trout.


The TFO guru, Jeff Jackson, is a great guy and really helpful. Temple Fork Outfitters, http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/, with TFO rods, reels, and accessories, headquartered in Dallas, is a heavily used and very well respected company.



The folks from Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher, http://www.theozarkflyfisher.com/:




I have not met the owners of BERRY BROTHERS GUIDE SERVICE, Fly Fishing For Trout, http://www.berrybrothersguides.com/aboutus.html, but I know their reputation, and it is good. They support the Conclave every year, and I see John Berry discussing topics and giving advice on John Wilson's Fly Fishing Arkansas and Missouri informative and friendly website, http://flyfishingarkansasandmissouri.yuku.com/forums/1.

JOHN BERRY, seen pictured below I believe, is a fly fishing guide on Arkansas’ White, Norfork, Spring, and Little Red Rivers for trout and Crooked Creek for Smallmouth Bass. He has been a fly fishing guide in the Ozarks for the past fifteen years. He is the past president of the Mid South Fly Fishers (two terms).

John served as the Conservation Director for the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He is a life member of the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Mid South Fly Fishers. He is also a member of the North Arkansas Fly Fishers, Federation of Fly Fishers Guide Association, and the Arkansas Outfitters and Guides Association.


Larry Nunley, master woodworker


Keith Gann, Moose Creek Rods and Knives, http://wwww.moosecreekrodsandknives.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Keith also sells hatchets and hand axes; I bought two beautiful, refurbished, vintage Boy Scout hatchets from him and a seven-foot (hard to find), square (never saw one before), beautiful, fiberglass flyrod, too, and will probably buy more when I see him next.



I don't know the folks at Blue Ribbon Fly Shop, http://www.blueribbonflyfish.com/, in Mountain Home, but I do know they are always at the Conclave supporting it. They are some of the first to set up and the last to leave.

[Harold Ray]

WAPSI tying station with some of the team members, many of whom are family: this is Joe Schmuecker, son of long time WAPSI owner Tom Schmuecker.


Bill Heugel, East Texas friend and great tyer. Ed Kessie is sitting to his left in the tan cap and olive shirt.


An intent Bill Heugel



Slim Mitchell, a longtime tyer and Conclave dependable from Texas, ties another one!


Sherry Steele; Sherry is Slim Mitchell's sister. She and her husband, Boyd, live in Tennessee I believe; they attend all of the Mountain Home shows.


Randy Sublett


A stroll down an isle between rows of flytyers; you enter a world here of water, fish, and ways to entice them to your hook. In the three day run of the Federation of Fly Fishers' Southern Council Conclave at the fairgrounds in Mountain Home, Arkansas, hundreds of of happy souls learn more about their hobby or vocation, and the flies, rods, reels, boats and kayaks, along with all the other assorted gear needed to chase and land the fish of their dreams.



Johnny Chamness, a friend and flyfisherman from Alabama, was the auctioneer for the Southern Conclave's annual auction for 26 years. In that time, he managed sales that brought in millions of dollars for the support and function of the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers.


Kim Schultz


Steve Jensen. Steve frames and ties. He does exquisite framing work and all of the frames for all of the big Conclave plates. Plates framed by him have sold for around a quarter-million dollars at Conclave auctions.



Terry Tanner, a Missouri gentleman, ties more of his big fish enticers and beautiful works of art.


Kyle Moppert from Louisiana


Joe Amonetti of Ozark Fly Fishers

[Harold Ray]

Al Bourisaw Ozark Fly Fishers


Mile George. Mike has won his division of the MUSTAD SCANDINAVIAN OPEN (MSO), http://www.mustad.no/mso/, seven times with one second place a couple of years ago. Mike ties deer hair flies, http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/corner.asp?page=6, and is world class in his work obviously.


Skip Schorb and Tony Spezio, two of the Ozark trout and White and Norfork River intelligentsia; their knowledge and abilities could fill volumes!


More of a good thing; you never know who or what you may see in a quick glance across the tying floor!


Sister Carol Ann Corley: this lady ties great flies! Ken Bohannon is to her right in the dark blue cap and white shirt; he is a deer hair man. You see the in the picture below, too.



Norm Crisp, of Stream Side Adventures, http://streamsideadventures.com/index.html, and friends discuss trout, fishing the Missouri Ozarks, Wyoming, and “Chile on the Cheap”. What a beautiful way of life!

Norm Crisp of Prairie Village, Kansas is Owner and Head Guide. Norm is an internationally known fly fisherman, author, teacher/lecturer and water resources scientist. Norm began fly fishing over thirty years ago as a boy growing up in New Hampshire. Since leaving there he has continued fly fishing throughout North America and many parts of the world including Russia, Nepal, Scotland, England, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, the former Yugoslavia and even the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in North Africa. Norm has written several articles about fly fishing for trout and his travels in search of trout.



The man who owns Golden Rule Fly Shop, an online business, out of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.


Mike George at work again explaining and demonstrating. He never stops. If you've got a question, Mike will answer it. He is a deer hair tying instructor and teacher who does near perfect work and expects the same from you or anyone who ties with him. There are two or three other images farther down.



Peter Allen, our resident Englishman, and Sherry and Boyd Steele, faithful Conclave and Sowbug attendees, and Slim Mitchell's sister and brother-in-law. Good folks!!



An incubating deer hair fly in the skillful hands of an ever gracious and modest Mike George; he is the man who can make lifeless deer hair live again.



Mike instructing.

[Harold Ray]

Skip Shorb discussing flies. One day several years ago, I walked in and Skip was tying 32s. I told him all I could see was a red dot where the fly was supposed to be and asked why he was tying flies so small. With a grin, Skip said, "Ray, just to show you I can!" And that is Skip. He is a mechanical genius who has invented and built many innovations and products.



Dennis "Wild Bear (an', folks, that name ain't far off) Reed", no offense, Dennis, but you've got to admit you are a character! :rolleyes:


Bill Willmert from Arkansas


And, that's Wilford Brimley from Hollywood, California in the hat and John Petrie from Dallas beside him. Wilford is a famous actor and former Hollywood stuntman.


I'm sorry about the identification of the moustached man in the photo above. He just thinks he's Wilford Brimley. Actually, that's John Walther from Missouri. That is still John Petrie beside him and Bill Willmert is across the table tying. Wilford......errrr... John does have identity problems, but he is a good cook and friendly fellow, even if he does have problems figuring out who he is and where he lives.

Okay, okay, John, I'm just kiddin'!! Take care of yourself! Ray


G. S. "Stack" Scoville, Tennessee, http://www.danica.com/flytier/sscoville/sscoville.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Joe Ilig, New Orleans, in glaases, watching G. S. "Stack" Scoville, Tennessee, http://www.danica.com/flytier/sscoville/sscoville.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Fred DuPre' is from Dallas and is another friend. he fishes the White and Norfork Rivers a lot, travelling up from home and camping right on the river banks. And, he catches many trout.



Richard Blair from Dallas, a friend and tyer of great poppers and many other types flies.


Kyle Moppert: Kyle, John, and a group of us get together the first weekend in November on Toledo Bend for The Rendezvous, a fishing, flytying, friendship, and good food time of fun and relaxation.


Bill Huegel tying again!!

[Harold Ray]

Ted Crona: He's from Alabama and he ties beautiful flies.






Kim Schultz




Mark Romaro, a former member of FTF who lives in Mountain Home, ties there for both the Conclave and Sowbug Round-Up.




Dirk Burton


Randy Sublett


Don Lawler


John Petrie is from Plano, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. He has tied for years and is a friend.


Pat Hummert Ozark Fly Fishers

[Harold Ray]

Tony Spezio, White River Legend


Terry Tanner, a well known tyer of beautiful flies. I bought one of his framed sculpins in the Southern Council Conclave which will hang in my main exam room at the clinic. Terry is a true gentleman.


If you ever wondered who owns and runs WAPSI, the company many of your flytying tools and materials come from, this is the man, Tom Schmuecker of Wapsi Fly Company.




Richard Blair from Dallas. He and his wife, Diana, tie in many meets in Texas and louisiana, and they are always ready to help others learn more about flytying, flycasting, flyfishing.



Michael Ames, the man who made this year's Conclave happen. He did a great job!

[larry long shadows]

Wow I can see you enjoyed your self ..great post looks like a good time for all

[Harold Ray]

Larry,

It was. I go up every year for this and the Sowbug in the spring, in middle March. It is actually larger than the Conclave, and its all tying and fishing, too.

Ray

[Roofish]

Simply Amazing, looks like a Great time had by all. Love those poppers

[Aggroman]

Simply Amazing, looks like a Great time had by all. Love those poppers

x2 Thanks for sharing.

[skypilot]

Thank you for your time and efforts to inspire and inform us. Simply amazing. How did you get that many picture to post. I thought there was a limit to the number of photos per post. Also, thanks for all the links and contact information. This will continue to be a resource for months to come. Let's go fishing.

[Harold Ray]

Sky,

I have posted many pictures before on different sites; I never know when I start how many images will upload at one time. When I put these up, they are divided into about 8 separate uploads; they were no problem at all. I didn't check the kilobyte load on the individual posts, but most websites today will take failry large loads since the capabilities of computers and internet provider systems have grown so greatly over the last 10 years.

The links I like best are Mike George's flies, http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/corner.asp?page=6, and this is just a portion of his of course. He can pack more deer hair on a hook tighter than anyone I have ever seen, and if its not perfect, he takes it off the vise and starts again. He is a perfectionist.

And if you want broad, pure flytying knowledge, its nearly impossible to beat Davie McPhail, http://www.youtube.com/user/DavieMcPhail. You can see several flies he's got loaded that you can watch him tie to the right of the screen, but if you click "All" at the top of the screen between the words "Subscribed" and "Uploads", you will see Davie has uploaded over 200 ties of all kinds you can watch and learn to tie from another true master. His site is unbelievable!!

Ray

[rzrbak]

Amazing Post..... Thank you sir.





Bobby

[Jerry Hamon]

Harold,
Thanks for the pics. My only concern is they are all fly tying. The Conclave had numerous presenters on various fly fishing topics, fly casting contests and instruction, and the fishing around Mountain Home was just awesome. We fished two Blue Ribbon waterways (the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek) and caught lots of smallies and several varieties of sunfish. We also fished the White and the Norfolk Rivers and caught a number of nice trout.
Thursday night the Fort Worth Fly Fishers and one poor ole Red River Fly Fisher prepared the welcome dinner for over 200 folks and Saturday night the Ozark Fly Fishers served all of us at the banquet.

LOTS of fun activities took place at the 2011 Conclave.

I'll post some fishing pics ASAP.

[Harold Ray]

Your right; I spent 3 days tying and none fishing this trip, so post those pictures of the other activities. I have one friend who had great success below Bull Shoals Dam. I plan going back in the winter to fish for big brown trout.

Ray

[On the Guad]

Harold, enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for sharing