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On Wednesday evening Curt and I flew in to West Plains muni airport from
Central Illinois. After a restful night at the local Ramada, we drove to the
River of Life Farm for a couple of days of R & R on the North Fork River.
Our ever helpful hosts Myron and Ann McKee greeted us as we rolled into camp.
Within a short time we were on the water starting at Kelly Ford. A combination of rusty flyfishing skills and clear water, and hot air temps
really did us in the first morning. So far we had a "skunk in the box".
A nice noon time lunch followed by a siesta back at the farm improved our
outlook, significantly. We were back on the water by 3:00 p.m. to fish from
The Falls down to Blair Bridge. The fast highly oxygenated water at The
Falls made for active, hungry "bows and we kicked the "skunk" out and replaced him with several smallish but fun fish. I'd like to say we solved
the mystery of the river that afternoon. But, sad to say we continued our
struggles until rescue came in the form of Myron at Blair Bridge right before
a monster cumulonimbus dumped on us.
After a great steak dinner, and visiting with four drenched campers under our
deck, and some weird antics by Myron trying to track down a strange phone
gremlin, we turned in determined to change our fortunes the next day. After an all night rain, the river was slightly higher (It continued to rise
though out the day) and murkier. We also benefited from some good advice
from our host, a nice cloud cover and a better attitude. After starting at
The Falls with about ten fished including a 16 inch brownie our spirits
were definitely on a major upswing. The fishing continued to be good the rest of
the day until our 2:00 p.m. takeout.
What a difference a day makes. One day I'm checking my watch, hoping the
pick up time comes soon, while the next day again finds me checking my watch
hoping for one more cast before leaving this beautiful river.
Curt and I are already plotting our next visit to the North Fork and our
efforts to outwit some of those jumbo fish we floated over. Thanks again
Myron and Ann for your hospitality, advice, and charcoal for the grill.
We'll be back!
Bill Groesch
Springfield, Illinois
P.S. The secret fly(s) were a black rubber legs with a bead head prince
dropper."
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