Fly Fishers That Chase Anything That Swims
We are a group of fly fishers that enjoy fly fishing for just about anything that swims and will eat a fly. Most of our fishing time is spent pursuing trout or smallmouth bass. We are proud to say that the Roubidouix Fly Fishers Association is Missouri Stream Team #1. Our founding fathers began the adopt a stream concept in Missouri, now known as Missouri Stream Team and has evolved into over 5000 teams statewide.
The Missouri Stream Team program has been used by a number of other states as a prototype for adopt a stream program in their states. We are known locally as the Roubidouix Fly Fishers and sometimes as the RFFA Fly Fishers.
RFFA History
Mark Van Patten
Mark Van Patten was the host, writer and co-producer of the nationally syndicated weekly PBS show “The Tying Bench”. Mark is nationally known as a master fly tier and fly fisherman. He has a lengthy list of recognition and awards. The Following is a partial listing:
2023 Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
2010 Outdoor Life 25 most influential individuals in Hunting Fishing and Conservation, 209 Water Conservationist of the year Conservation Federation of Missouri, 2008 teacher of the year Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council, 2001 Significant Contribution Award Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Division, 1998 December Honored Life Profile Field & Stream magazine, 1996 Educator of the Year Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council, 1992 Southern Council Award of Excellence Federation of Fly Fishers International, 1990 & 1992 Conservationist of the
Awards
Chuck Tryon
Chuck Tryon was a nationally recognized outdoor author of several fly fishing books. Chuck received numerous recognition for his contributions to conservation efforts and the world of fly fishing. Chuck wrote: “Fly Fishing for Trout in Missouri” 4 editions, “Figuring Out Flies”, “All About Flies” and “200 Smallmouth Adventures in Missouri”. Some of his recognition included: Inducted into the LEGENDS Of Southern Council Federation of Fly Fishers 2013, Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited chapter Trout Conservationist of the Year 1993, Federation of Fly Fishers Southern Council Man Of The Year 1990, Federation of Fly Fishers Arnold Gingrich Memorial Life Membership Award 1989, American Motors Conservationist Award 1974 and Missouri Jaycees Outstanding Young Man 1972.
What We Do
Fly Tying Presentations & Projects
Club Outings
We get together as often as we can to fish in a local water.
Trout, bluegill, bass, goggle eye, sunfish, catfish, gar, carp, crappie, tuna, shark, redfish, tarpon, bonefish, snook, salmon, pike, grayling and many other species have all been chased by at least one of us over the years. Some of us specialize in bluegill fishing, some in bass and some others in trout. Most of us fish for what ever species is biting good at the time.
Fly Tying
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month to ty flies.
We even have a world famous tier in the club. Everyone in the club finds great joy in sharing their knowledge of fly fishing with others and meetings often turn into learning sessions.
Presentations and Workshops
We give fly fishing presentations or stream aquatics presentations to community groups. We are also involved with local conservation projects.
We teach fly fishing, fly tying and fly rod casting lessons for youth groups and service organizations with rod kits that we built as a club. The kits were donated by Batson Enterprises
The Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association has been involved with stream improvement projects over the years with the Missouri Department of Conservation. We might be planting trees to help improve stream banks or monitoring water quality or helping to build sky hooks for improved stream habitat or helping the MDC with fish surveys or fish plantings.