Streamline

October is the month ushering in the change of season. The air cools, and the leaves become worthy of magical images. It's time to look under the surface of the waters we cherish and understand what it takes to keep it clean and flowing.

This month I'd like to ask three things. First, get on the water and take someone with you. Fall affords us the best classroom setting. A new angler doesn't need a perfect cast, rather a patient friend, a simple rig, and a scenic stretch of river to enjoy. Second, come to our October meeting to engage with our group. We have a strong calendar with interesting speakers, fun outings, youth programs with volunteer opportunities, and continued conservation efforts. Third, remember why this chapter exists: to care for and recover rivers and streams so the next generation can know the beauty and complexity of our natural resources.

Lastly, we have a wonderful group of volunteers, but like most groups, many of the responsibilities fall on a few. October is also the month of nominations for the Board of Directors. If you have the time and have considered volunteering even at the BOD level, please reach out to me or any other board member. There are several chair positions we need to fill, including Membership Chair and Speaker Chair. If you have a special set of skills, we need you.

All the best,
Russell Vaughn, President
420 Dave Whitlock Chapter / Tulsa Fly Fishers · Rvaughn33@cox.net

TIC tanks across the Arkansas River watershed are filled with water, filters are filtering, and chillers are chilling, which means another Trout in the Classroom year is nearly here. Trout eggs are set to arrive on October 27th.

A special thank you to the volunteers who help throughout the year, on egg-delivery day, through the season, and on release day: Ed Wampler, Bret Little, Brian Smith, Bruce Burton, Mitch Gardner, Mark Earnest, Kelly Bostian, Jim Mathewson, Randy Gradwohl, Russell Vaughn, and Mark Bellew. Without their help on key days, this program could not happen.

Once the eggs reach the schools, teachers and students raise trout from eggs while learning about water quality, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and the Arkansas River watershed, through a living ecosystem right in their classroom. In late February, students travel to the Lower Illinois River to release their trout fingerlings. As for the ups and downs: Felix Menendez International School is out this year, and we're happy to welcome back The Tulsa Boys Home.

None of this happens without member support. Private donations can be made to The Dave Whitlock Chapter of Trout Unlimited and mailed to P.O. Box 471859, Tulsa, OK 74147.

Scott Hood, Youth and Adult Education Coordinator · tu420edu@gmail.com

October's outing is on the Upper Illinois River on Saturday, October 10th. This stretch runs from the public access at Chewey Bridge to the public access at Round Hollow, roughly 4 river miles.

TU420 volunteers will be at the launch site from 9 AM to 10 AM for shuttles. Drop your watercraft at the launch before 10 AM and a volunteer will help get your vehicle to the takeout. We'll have snacks and drinks at the launch, but will not coordinate a group lunch for this event.

No boat? There are many great public access points on the river. Chewey Bridge and Round Hollow are just 2 of the 8 public access points on the west side of the river off Highway 10. Shuttle available 9 AM to 10 AM. Additional details at tu420.com.

Twice each year your Dave Whitlock Chapter offers a hands-on, one-day fly fishing clinic through Jenks Community Education. It's a one-of-a-kind indoor and on-the-water program. Learning to cast on water is a critical part of learning the mechanics of the cast. Participants also learn how to read water to locate fish, tie the main fly-fishing knots, see how flies are tied, and learn the vocabulary of fly fishing.

Held at the Jenks High School Aquatic Center, Saturday, October 17th from 9 AM to 2 PM. The cost is $60, for ages 15 and up (younger is fine if 12 or older and accompanied by a participating adult). All proceeds go to the DWTU chapter.

To sign up, call Jenks Community Education weekdays 9 AM to 5 PM at 918-298-0340.

Scott Hood, Youth and Adult Education Coordinator · tu420edu@gmail.com

There's an elk bugling outside the cabin. I smile to myself and count myself lucky to be stirred awake by the rut instead of city sounds. Dutch John sits about four hours east of Salt Lake City, crammed into the top corner of Utah. The 2020 census suggests 141 residents call it home; if that's true, 137 of them are fly fishing guides.

The Green River is a 730-mile tributary of the Colorado. The Utah section has carved some of the finest canyons in the West and boasts a wild 8,000 to 15,000 trout per mile in its A section. Every morning at 7 AM a parade of Toyotas strapped to drift boats begins the descent into the canyon, clients from all over the country chasing the unmatched dry fly fishing.

Our guide, Colby Crossland, asks to peek into my fly box. My streamer box reveals 25 to 30 flies, all 5 to 7 inches, built on the hollow deceiver and game-changer platform. He laughs and says, "This is going to be fun." We shove off at 8 AM and I begin prospecting the current near the left shore. A flash of gold flares on the fly, I strip-set, headshakes vibrate up the carbon fiber, and I bring a 17-inch brown trout to the net. We aren't even a quarter mile into the float.

By lunch, an unknown number of trout have been landed and an equally unknown number missed. The canyon walls reverberate our stories and laughter while we eat. I watch a trout sip in the shade of a cottonwood, admire the fiery red of the poison ivy lining the banks, and sit with the comfort that this will be my home for the next three days.

Our readers are a dedicated bunch of anglers, and they want a story that starts with a bang, so cut right to the chase. If you have a fishing tale to tell, send your completed work in Word format, and don't forget your pictures in JPEG, to Bruce Brewer at rbbrewer1@live.com.

And a note on your address: a home email (Gmail or Yahoo) is preferred. Company servers and some Microsoft addresses (msn.com, outlook.com, hotmail.com) are notorious for blocking Streamline. If you don't see your issue, check your junk mail first.

November 12 · General meeting at Scheels — Chapter Elections and Annual Prize awarded
December 10 · Holiday Party at McNellie's Pub, South Tulsa (save the date)
January 14 · Davy Wotton, speaker extraordinaire
January · Outing to Roaring River
February 11 · Ryan Walker, "Ozark Smallmouth" (you don't want to miss this one)

Streamline is published on the first of the month, about a week before the next general meeting. Content ideas, comments, or suggestions? Contact the editor, Bruce Brewer, at rbbrewer1@live.com.