NoLuck

Hey Jon, I was going to go but, I've been halfway under the weather. I figured it was going to be a little warmer than it is. I don't need to miss any work so I just figured I'd stay home and sip some nice hot cocoa instead. Cya around, Rich

Hey Guys, I was just wondering if it's OK for fly-rod fishing at Maramec. I haven't been there since I was about 10 years old.(33 years ago SHHHH!!). I was thinking of heading down Wednesday the 9th to try it out. Thanks, Rich

Hey Guys, I'm still looking over my schedule for the New Years eve. I may just try to make it down to meet some of you folks and see some of the ones I already know. But, if I do...you guys have to promise not to make fun of my fly-fishing abilities. I've never fished Taney so you may have to bring along a fine looking woman to hold my hand. I really hope to get down there and see what its like. Take care, Rich

I would like to wish to you, and all of yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!!!!

Hey Dennis, I talked to a buddy that was down a week ago and he did pretty well on midges and small buggers. Olive seemed to be the color of choice. He said he was running a dropper under a #14 or #12 EHC. Use a dropper in size 18 or 20. I hope to get down to Bennett or Montauk as soon as deer season is over. I been hunting for that big buck and I haven't had much luck at it this year. I passed on a few smaller bucks and many does but, I still have sausage and jerky from last year. Take care and good luck. OK back under my rock!! Rich

Jerry, The clinic costs nothing. You can check out the details of the fish-in on FOAL. I'll PM you my home phone number. Rich

Hello Guys and Gals, I was just getting ready to bump this to the top but, it looks like someone already did. I say noon at the lodge would be just fine for lunch. I will be there for the whistle or close to it if anyone wants to meet up earlier. I will park on the small road that goes to the bluff hole on the arched bridge. I drive a white Ford Ranger EDGE pick-up. Hard to miss, it has a Sage sticker and a couple other stickers on the back window. Look me up in the shallow water between the bridge and the bluffs. For the people not able to make lunch maybe afterwards we can meet at the parking lot at the pool. Say...2 O'Clock. Let me know how everyone else feels on this please. Thanks, Rich

Here try this, http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?07064440 It helps me look and figure out what happened when I want to decide where to fish sometimes. Rich

Yeah it looks like I left at the right time. Where did you end up at Jon? If you went to Montauk how was it? Duh!! Never mind. The first post from you I read and didn't pay attention to your others. I guess I'll read more next time.

Yes Tim, that is terrible.I was hoping that was not the case. I really noticed the success that they had with the size of the fish this year. This will really put a dent in the supply. Also Tim, Do you sell a primrose and pearl bead head midge at your shop? I would be interested in purchasing a dozen or so from you. Thanks Rich

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I just got home from work and saw you question. Phil pretty much answered it though. The one I used had a copper colored bead with copper ribbing. Good luck Rich

I hear ya fw, I have been catching a lot of really nice clean fish at Bennett this year that I know weren't released a short time ago. The noses and gill plates were in too good of shape to be newly released fish. I relate this to the types of flies I fish. I use mostly natural flies with the occasional mini-jig to catch fish when they just aren't biting normal stuff. I'm sure they (MDC) can pool all their resources together and supply enough fish. It may not be the quality of fish we have been seeing though. Rich

Yeah, I guess its possible that a sudden change may affect them. I hope that the hatcheries weren't affected. If they were, I would think that would put a big strain on fish supplies the rest of the season. Rich

I don't think the temperature of the water affected the fish as much as the fish being blown out of their normal channel. To me I would think they were probably pushed out on land after the water receded. I doubt that the fish would die that quick during a flood situation. The water temps should get back to a normal temp quickly after the water came back down to normal levels. JMO but, I may be wrong. Rich

Hey folks, I was at Bennett over the weekend. Fishing seemed a little tougher than usual. I fished in Zone1 and Zone 2. I resorted to using trout park lures. A 1/180 oz. white thread mini-jig seemed to be best through the day up till evening hours. Then it seemed they wanted a midge pattern.I found bouncing on the bottom or near the bottom worked best.Zebra #18 and Rusty #18 worked pretty well. A friend of mine gave me a Primrose and pearl #18 last time there. Well I decided to try it and boy was I amazed. I caught a fish on nearly every drift. It worked in shallow water and deeper pools as well. I bummed 1 more from him and I broke it off and that was the last of my Primrose and pearls. I tried other midges but, nothing came close to the production of that midge color pattern. I had a great weekend even though the fishing was a little tougher than usual along with a pretty good size crowd. I hate using trout park lures but, sometimes its the only thing working. I'm glad that I finally found a real pattern of fly that worked well. Now I need to learn how to tie flies so I can make the Primrose and pearl cause I have never seen them for sale anywhere. I think I can probably tie them. They look pretty simple to tie.Besides,I need something else to do in the cold winter months. Well thats a rap, Take care ya'all Rich

Hey Gang, Just a shameless bump to the top to remind you all. Its starting to get close to that day. September 19th. Hope to see and meet all of you. Take care, Rich

Hey guys, If I reported every single violator I see I wouldn't get much fishin done.I often wonder if the people really know what is right for where they are fishing. Other times its obvious that they know but are going to do what they want without anyone telling them different. Game wardens have a tuff job and one I don't even want. I would rather be a city cop. That being said, I'm glad they are out there trying to protect our resources.

Actually 3wt, I didn't even go. I just couldn't get my can out of bed.I just got back from Bennett tonite and did pretty well there. I would rather of been at Montauk but a friend just bought a new flyrod and just started fly fishing so, I went down to see how he did there. I think he's hooked so to say. Take care, Rich

Hey guys, I'll be at Montauk on Tuesday the 31st. If anyone else is going, I'll be there all day. I usually start the day parked at the spring. I'll be driving my white Ranger Edge. If you are there, look me up and say hey. Hopefully the weather cooperates and the crowd is light. Take care, Rich

Kyle, I was there Sunday all day and fishing was tough. I stumbled across the ticket about 3:45pm to catching fish. Rusty copper headed zebra midge size 18. I just was going thru my box trying to get something to work and when I found the rusty midge it was like someone turning on the switch. I had only caught 12 fish up till then and I finished at the whistle with about 45-50 fish. I fished in the shallow rocky water below the bridge. I caught some really nice dark colored fish including one brown close to 2lbs. Its amazing how just one fly can make all the difference in the world. Take care, Rich

Ok John, That sounds good. Hopefully the weather cooperates and is a somewhat cool at night.If we can get more people to camp out it will make it even better. I used to hate sleeping in a tent until I bought a Thermarest mat.That is some of the best money I have ever spent on outdoor gear. I have been staying at the super 8 when I stay there but, camping will save us some cash. I'll probably get down to Bennett this weekend too if you are in the neighborhood. Cya later, Rich

HFD, I plan on being there Wednesday and Thursday. I really hadn't put much thought into where I was going to stay. I may just get a motel or I have a little 3 man dome tent I use. I may be able to squeeze in on somebody's camp site if they are on a grassy site. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing a few others I haven't seen this year yet. Take er easy, Rich

Just a reminder to everyone. I thought I'd put this back on top!! Rich

Hey Guys, I'll be at Bennett Sunday with a friend of mine. I'll bring along the rods I have for sale if anyone is interested. I'll be driving a white Ranger EDGE pickup with tinted windows. Look me up if you are there. Take care, Rich

Most of the caddis hatches I've seen are 14,16,18 sized.