Shelby Nold

Shelby was raised in central Missouri, South of Sedalia, Missouri. He is a graduate from Missouri Western State College. Throughout his education he was active in many sports, wood working classes, and outdoors activities: such as hunting and fishing.

Shelby first started hunting at the age of 6 as a beginner quail and pheasant hunter along with his father. As he grew up his interest led into deer and turkey hunting with a longbow and a black powder rifle, while still bird hunting. He has appreciation for traditional hunting in its fullness. Since Shelby is an experienced craftsman, he also enjoys building hand-crafted longbows, dip nets, and other rustic furniture. Shelby says, “as a longbow is to hunting, so the flyrod is to fishing.”

Fishing History

At the age of 13 Shelby started teaching himself the basics of fly fishing in ponds. As his appreciation grew for fly fishing he began fishing for trout in local streams and rivers. His passion for wild trout increased his knowledge and skills in fly fishing; and has made him more aware of the need for the conservation of all trout species. Shelby’s desire for trout conservation took him to streams, rivers, and lakes in Colorado, Montana, Tennessee, and Missouri. The North Fork of the White River is Missouri’s finest wild trout fishery and is Shelby’s favorite.

Fishing the North Fork

Tactics

The trout on the North Fork have an overabundant food source, consisting of stoneflies, mayflies, caddis flies, scullions, hellgrammites, minnows, freshwater shrimp, crayfish, midges, and other trout. The trout are extremely selective, due to the variety of food choices. A perfect presentation is a necessity.

Favorite Flies

Woolly Buggers                                          Prince Nymphs

Leeches                                                      Pheasant Tails

Hares Ears                                                 Sculpin Patterns

Muddlers                                                     Stoneflies Nymphs

Cracklebacks                                             Adams

Griffith Gnats                                               Terrestrials

Soft Hackle

Fly Tactics

Here is a list of tactics for the following types of flies:

Nymphs- Make sure to get the fly down deep and you want a good dead drift. Focus on working the seams.

Dry Flies- Used during the early morning and late evenings they are most productive. Focus on working below the riffles and in the flats.

Streamers- These will produce all day. Focus on the same areas as both Nymphs and Dry Flies. (Great for night fishing!)

Wet Flies- These work best fishing down and across stream. Let them swing below you, then strip them back. (Work well as a dropper.)

Season
“Foul weather, fishing can be great; fair weather, better not speculate”
My favorite times to fish are in the early spring, fall, and winter. 

Call today to make your Reservations!

River of Life Farm
RR. 1 Box 4535
Dora, MO 65637
417-261-7777
Myron@RiverofLifeFarm.com