The Fishing Club Journal - Issue #31
A reader-supported community and publication.
Welcome to Issue #31 of the Fishing Club Journal.
JD Miller here, and I’m stoked to be your guest curator for this issue, which will focus on an area near and dear to my heart, the Ozarks. A cultural identity as much as a geographical region, the Ozarks is a place that combines postcard beauty with salt-of-the-earth people and world-class fishing. From the enigma of the massive brown trout swimming in the famous White River, to the thin blue lines hiding native bass found nowhere else on the planet, it’s a place that’s worth conserving and protecting for future generations to experience. It’s a region filled with a variety of waterways, diverse species, and talented creators that have taken full advantage of the opportunities present here. This issue highlights a few of these Ozarkians – their passions and pursuits, their art and craftsmanship – along with the culture that embodies the essence of this unique place in the heart of America. It was an honor for me to put together this issue. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into “The Ozarks.”
— JD Miller, Guest Curator
A Place — The Ozarks, also called the Ozarks Mountains, Ozark Plateau or Ozark Highlands, is a physiographic region in the south-central U.S. comprised of more than 45,000 square miles across portions of the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. From its ancient mountain ranges to its unique caverns and karsts, the Ozarks are an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with seemingly endless opportunities to hunt, hike, camp, explore, relax, and of course, fish. The area boasts tens of thousands of miles of lake shoreline and countless rivers, streams, and creeks home to a wide range of species from smallmouth bass to spoonbill. You simply can’t get bored in the Ozarks – particularly if you have an affinity for chasing things that swim.
A Follow — Whether on the sticks in his “Clacka” hunting big bronzebacks, or gripping his Belgian Auto5 in the duck blind, seeing the Ozarks through the lens of Chance Maxville is a true outdoorsman’s vibe. Drift boats, fly fishing, duck dogs, and smallmouth rivers – come for the bass, stay for the badass POV.
Follow Chance on Instagram.
Conservation — “Free the Fighter” is the mantra and modus operandi lived and breathed by Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance, a grassroots organization founded by Missouri-based guide and fly-tyer Ryan Walker. It’s a fitting slogan and standard operating procedure, giving a nod to the fish that many consider to be the hardest fighting species – pound for pound – found in freshwater. It’s also an important one, as the time it takes to grow these bronze brutes to trophy size is longer than you’d expect – 10 plus years in many cases to reach the coveted length of 17+ inches. Spreading awareness around that fact is exactly what Ryan is working to do with Ozarks Smallmouth Alliance (OSA) through social media efforts, speaking engagements and merchandise sales. The goal of OSA is to preserve, protect, and promote the Ozark smallmouth bass and the environments they live in. In the words of Ryan himself: “These fish are a gift, passed along from one angler to another.” Let’s treat them as such.
Learn more about OSA in the short film by Called Collective Media: “Ozark’s Smallmouth Alliance: Free The Fighter.”
A Photo — We have all heard the saying “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Matthew Price started Riverbend Media in 2019 with the hope of doing just that. He follows his passions of fly fishing and coffee brewing through the lens of a camera, and that passion shines through in his images. He excels at highlighting the diverse and amazing species to chase on the fly in Ozark waters, and the content he produces around his outdoor pursuits showcase the Ozarks in a stunning and authentic fashion.
Check out Matthew’s work on Instagram.
A Video — In Episodes 1 and 6 of his Fly Fish America series, Andrew McNeece of Bluff Line Media focuses on the places, people, pursuits, and the honest stories that surround the culture and community of fly fishing in Missouri and Arkansas. Residing in Northwest Arkansas himself, McNeece beautifully paints a picture of his home through his talented cinematography and keen storytelling. These two short films, which primarily feature the Ozarks in MO and AR, give glimpses into the people, their passions, and the places that are woven into the fabric of those fishing communities. If you pay close attention, you’ll recognize a face or two from some of your recent reading. Check out Bluff Line Media’s “Fly Fish America Episode 1: Missouri” and “Fly Fish America Episode 6: Arkansas”.
Call for Curators and Writers
We’re looking to expand our editorial staff and what better place to start than with the community we’ve built. If you have a passion for fly fishing and storytelling, and are interested in curating future issues of the Fishing Club Journal, we’d love to hear from you.
A Read — Undoubtedly the most notable Ozarkian is the late, great Dave Whitlock. A Mount Rushmore figure in fly fishing, Dave was an exceptional artist, talented writer, generous teacher, innovative fly-tyer, a stalwart steward and conservationist, and an industry pioneer who made his home in the western reaches of the Ozarks. Dave was a major proponent of the warm-water species of the region, evident in the art and writings he created throughout his career. The “L.L. Bean Fly Fishing for Bass Handbook,” written and illustrated by Dave, was first published in 1988 and has guided “fly rodders” to bass ever since. Covering a vast array of topics – bass biology to the necessary gear, fly fishing safety to preferred watercraft, casting techniques to target locations, and everything else in between – the information Dave packages and presents has held up well in the nearly 40 years since its release. It has earned cult status among fly anglers as not only a valuable source of information but also as an important piece of fly fishing history.
Check out used bookstores, eBay, or Amazon to snag a copy of this all-time classic. We miss ya Dave.
A Listen — Hailing from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, singer-songwriter JD Clayton has made a splash of late, not only in the realm of country music, but also in the multiverse of fly fishing as his life and career were the subjects of the recent Wild Fly Productions film, “Feathers & Strings.” JD’s sound is country rock infused with a hint of the blues and a healthy helping of a Stones/CCR combo platter. “Arkansas Kid” is a track on his latest release “Blue Sky Sundays.” Take a listen and enjoy.
A Podcast — Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett are the creators and hosts of The Ozark Podcast, a fantastic source for stories, tactics and culture for Ozark outdoorsmen. The podcast, which began in early 2022, covers everything Ozarkian, particularly in relation to the outdoors and outdoor pursuits. This specific recommendation is for a 5-part mini-series around the Neosho Bass called “Neosho: Symbol of the Ozarks.” The Neosho Bass is the newest genetically distinct member of the black bass family, achieving that designation very recently after originally being thought a sub-species of the smallmouth bass. This mini-series takes a deep dive into Neoshos, speaking to the biologists who discovered the genetic distinction, talking with,local guides about the waters they call home, and discussing the biggest threats to their existence and conservation. Take a listen and discover a fish found nowhere else in the world but the Ozarks, the Neosho bass. Available wherever you listen to your podcasts, “Part 1: Living in the Shadows” is linked here.
Two Artists — We’ve got a two for one on artists this issue with Duane Hada and Drew Wilson.
Duane Hada is an artist, fish replica creator, fly-tyer, and gallery owner whose name is synonymous with Arkansas fly fishing and the Ozarks. Working mainly in watercolors and acrylics, Duane has mastered conveying the depth, beauty, and essence of the natural Ozarks and an outdoorsman’s powerful connection to it. Mr. Hada is also an accomplished fly-tyer (google Hada’s Creek Crawler) and fish replica craftsman, promoting catch and release through his incredibly realistic re-creations, designed and produced from measurements and photos of a trophy catch.
Check out Duane on Instagram or check out his website.
Laying down a different vibe is Drew Wilson, a multi-medium artist (tattoos among them) out of Russellville, Arkansas. With art self-described as “silly,” Drew covers the gamut from tattoos to home décor to skateboards to socks. His style is clever, comical, rebellious, and full of character. Check out his art and products on Instagram or on his website or maybe stop in for some ink at Mighty River Tattoo, if you ever find yourself in Russellville.
A Craftsman — Cris Jackson is the creator and craftsman behind Lone Bison Fly Tables, an artisan company out of Oklahoma making high-quality fly-tying tables, tool and thread holders, and rod tube displays. With the goal of providing a unique and intimate fly-tying experience, Cris hand-selects hardwoods, usually commercially worthless, then upcycles them into a stunning one-of-a-kind pieces of functional art. Just how an angler’s experience can change on the water with a certain rod or reel, it’s the mission of Lone Bison Fly Tying Tables to create the most adaptable, bold, and holistic fly tying desks on the market in order to elevate your time spent locked in at your own creation station.
Learn more about Lone Bison at lonebisonflytables.com or follow Cris on Instagram.
An Outfitter — This wouldn’t be a true Ozarks issue without paying homage to the White River. The White is undoubtedly the place that comes to mind for every fly fisher when thinking about the Ozarks and for good reason. The river, simply put, is a legendary location that should be on every angler’s bucket list – that is if you like 30 inch+ brown trout that sip hoppers in the summer and freight-train streamers the rest of the year. You come here, and you truly have the opportunity to catch a world record fish, let alone your own personal best. Easier said than done of course, which is why if you come hunting for giants (or even just looking for an Ozark getaway to unplug, relax, and catch a fish or two) you should check out the services offered at the White River Trout Club in Flippin, Arkansas. From comfy lodging to guided fishing to quality cuisine and cocktails, WRTC allows you to do the White River in style.
Check out the White River Trout Club on Instagram for great White River content or head to their website for more details on amenities and booking.
A Fly — Guide/Owner of Beaver Lake Fly Fishing, long-time Simms Rep, and Umpqua signature fly-tyer Daniel Roberts knows a thing or two about fly fishing for bass in his home region of Northwest Arkansas. One of his favorite species to target is the massive landlocked striped bass that patrol his local waters. The Pop’s Shad HD is the updated version of his original Pop’s Shad, which was designed by Daniel to mimic a threadfin shad, a preferred forage fish of the Ozark striper. It is not, however, exclusively a striper fly, as it will work for all species that consider threadfin shad to be on the menu. Learn how to tie Daniel Robert’s Pop’s Shad HD in this video published in Southern Culture on the Fly Magazine Issue #52 “Ascofalypse Now.”
Check out Pop’s Shad HD by Daniel Roberts.
A Recipe — Squirrel Egg Rolls (inspired by Clay Newcomb, but the included recipe is from Elevated Wild)
Squirrel is not common table fare for most Americans; however, squirrel and other small game is deeply rooted in the culture and cuisine of the Ozarks. So much so that every September the “World Champion Squirrel Cookoff” is held in Springdale, Arkansas. I took inspiration from MeatEater team member and Ozarkian Clay Newcomb, who frequently shares his love for Ozark traditions and customs with his following, including the different ways he prepares the wild game he harvests i.e. squirrel eggrolls. This particular recipe, however, comes from Wade Truong and Rachel Owen of Elevated Wild, who you’ll remember as the wizards behind the crab hush puppies from Issue #30. Their culinary blog and website focusing on and producing content around wild game and the field-to-table experience is second to none for those who enjoy sitting, or have an interest in taking a seat, at the untamed table. Check it out here.
SQUIRREL EGG ROLL RECIPE
Servings: ~4
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb squirrel meat, deboned (~3-4 squirrels)
2 cups napa cabbage, sliced ¼” thick
1 cup carrots, cut into matchsticks
½ cup green onions, diced
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce
~12 spring roll or egg roll wrappers
1 egg, lightly whipped with a splash of water
METHOD:
Debone and grind the squirrel meat through a fine plate. Season with 1 tbsp of soy and some black pepper. Cook seasoned squirrel meat over medium high heat until cooked through and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Drain liquids and set aside. Cook remaining ingredients over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. You want to wilt the cabbage and green onions, but the carrots and the thick parts of the cabbage should remain crispy. Drain liquid and set aside. Mix cooked meat and vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Place ~3-4 tablespoons of the filling on a corner of the wrapper and roll it towards the center. Fold in the sides, then brush edges of wrapper with egg wash and complete the roll. Repeat until all filling is used up. Preheat frying oil to 350-375F. Fry for 1-2 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the exterior is golden brown. The interior is already cooked, so you’re just looking for that perfect crispy exterior. Allow to drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined pan. Serve hot with your favorite takeout condiments.
That’s a wrap! Thank you for reading and we hope to see you on the next issue or on Instagram. If you don’t already, you can follow the Fishing Club Journal on Instagram and feel free to reach out with tips, feedback or just to say hello.
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