April 25-28 2023 FATC Cast and Blast at Crane Creek 

A group of FATC “vintage”members, Will Black, John Muckerman, AL Harper, Mike Oldani, Don McCain and Dan Staggenborg 

along with new member, Jim Turner gathered together at Walnut Bend Lodge just outside Crane, Mo. for a fishing and hunting expedition. Walnut Bend Lodge is privately owned with exclusive access to Crane Creek. For those who are unaware, Crane Creek is home to the descendants of the famous McCloud strain of trout.  

Will Black is an experienced creek fishing and was kind enough to shares tips and strategies to improve our game. As a result several of the fishermen were able to catch the small (most 6-8”) but colorful fish. 

But a few fish of decent size (8-12”) were also taken in the narrow creek. 

15” trout were netted (by both John and Will) and almost everyone caught at least one in the 10-12” range.

John Muckerman and Jim Turner were adventurous and got out before dawn the second day with the intention of bagging a turkey. While both John and Jim are experienced turkey hunters but it is a difficult task in an unfamiliar area. The hunters gave it their best, they were only rewarded with hearing some gobbling (no turkeys shot). The only “Wild Turkey” observed was on the kitchen counter during happy hour. 

The fishing was more technical than most of us trout park fishermen were used to. 

The creek is narrow in spots with lots of overhanging trees to intercept your flies on an errant cast or hook set in tight spots. The fish are extra spooky and must be targeted quietly & slowly.

However, the payoff comes when you hook and play a gorgeous trout with a fair bit of fight for their size. 

Creek fishing takes a special approach.

Flies that worked: Red or cherise Perdigon, Egg pattern, P&P midge, wine/brown San Juan worm, Bennett Spring Killer & Crackleback all produced fish. 

The bonfire was delightful. Extra excitement was added when someone poured moonshine in the fire. 

John and Jim Turner shared numerous experiences hunting big game in Africa.

The group savored Gourmet Fellowship meals (both dinner AND breakfast) where everyone ended up stuffed (and contented). 

A potentially scary moment occurred when it was thought that one of the fishermen had been bitten by a cherise worm. It turned out to only have been a harmless crane fly larva (aka mopfly).  

Regarding the incident someone remarked “it may seem like all fun and games until somebody gets bitten by a cherise worm…” 

Mike Oldani made a new lifelong friend (the neighbor’s dog) who ended up running off with one of Mike’s sandwiches. 

Even though innumerable casts ended up in the trees, and no turkeys were blasted, the three day “Cast and Blast” trip WAS a Total Blast !!! to be remembered and relished by all of us.