brittsnbirds

mcp633- Who sponsored the tournament? Was it the DOC? If so I don't appreciate them using my tax dollars to sponsor it. I also am apposed to fishing tournaments (all). I think it takes away the sanctity of the sport. I wouldn't be against sending them my thoughts. Maybe next time there will be a kopper around!

I wish I had a craft to fall back onto. My family were Union Carpenters and farmers. I chose to go the LE way after sampling both professions as a kid. My Dad insisted I go to college and get my BS. It's paid off, but the problem in LE is I would have to start all over on the pay scale if I relocated. I've been topped out for 8 years and can't afford to go anywhere else. Can you say "Golden Handcuffs"?

Vic- If I have my way in the future, I would love to retire down there somewhere. My first step was to move my family to the country and get in the sticks. Not too many sticks up here that I could afford but I have tons of trees and have wonderful neighbors on a dead end road Out of curiosity what business are you in? Fly fishing equipment? Thanks for your back! We need to stick together on our quest to keep things "right". Pat

Good job! while I was at BSP on the opener I spoke with some agents that were working under cover. I thanked them for being there and asked them if they did this type of thing often. They gave me the opinion that there isn't enough of them and they have to go all over the state. I also asked them if it did any good telling the guys that worked at the hatchery. They both again gave me the impression that those guys "don't get too excited" about violators when reported. It looks like you spoke with the right person. As it has been discussed in another post, obviously the penalties are not severe enough for that guy to think twice. I say arrest him, take all of his tackle, his ride, wife, first born etc. Fine him and make him do stream clean up for the next 50 years. Again good job!

Vic- You've got my vote and I suspect mcp633 is there too! The sad part about the "process" is there isn't enough LE out there to make their own case so they have to rely on witnesses/complainants. And that's if they can get in the area quick enough to at least make an on-view violation. The majority of people don't have the luxury to come back to 10 buck 2 during the week to go to court. I'm sure you will agree one of the biggest problems is getting people to either sign the complaint and/or be a witness to the offense. There has been a time or two when I had to drop the badge thing and let some fool know he should move on with no problem's. I mostly avoid the idiots because of the day to day (night to night) contact we have with them. The last thing I want to do is deal with a knucklehead and adjust his attitude. All it takes is one liberal nut job find out a off-duty copper tuned someones attitude. After 20 years of this job my wife understands why I don't like to hang around crowds. The majority of the idiots don't realize that "we" have the biggest gang in the world and there are a lot of us out there trying to enjoy the tranquility of mother nature with our family's. We work hard to have our peace and quite, so don't infringe on our rights! Off the soapbox, I didn't get home until 0300 last night from work!

Terry- I don't know if it was you that recommended a net that a guy down at the LOZ builds. He has several styles but also offers a couple that you finish yourself (kit). I tried to find the site but couldn't. Do you have the site? I carry a old one that I bought several years ago. I've been carrying mine on a magnet for years, handle down. I had to put some polyurethane on it this year to keep it from falling apart. The net is in desperate need of replacement. The other nice part about the magnet is you can shove your net down in the water if you drop your hemo's. Granted your not too deep.

Thanks bikehikefish- Just order a used copy from Amazon.

Let's see if my memory serves me correct? My Professor in my Law class explained the reason we have Laws; "to protect us from ourselves and from others!" If people made good decisions and didn't draw attention to themselves when they were drinking the laws wouldn't have to be changed. As far as drugs are concerned, zero tolerance! More severe punishment is needed. Where you at on this one MCP623? My thoughts.

I am a SRO (School Resource Officer) in a public school. My High school is having a little bit of a turnover as a result of retirement. One gentleman is fed up with the "rat race" of the educational system. He is in my office frequently complaining about the Admin or the kids and/or parents. Personally I wouldn't be teacher for any amount of money. But their retirement is much better than the Police side. It truly takes a special person to get into that environment. I know my school is changing due to the mass exodus from KCMO. Good Luck!!

mcp633- You never said you were a wanna be Irishman. You would think since I am Irish I wouldn't have to work a fricking Sobriety checkpoint on the 17th. Otherwise I would come down and show y'all how a trout rod tote'en Irishman get's it done. Our Spring break is 4/9 thru 4/13. I'm thinking I may hit the Montauk sometime during the week. Maybe jump up to BSP on the way home. You down that way by chance? Still haven't talked with the war dept. yet.

Ok, now that you spoke of it what's the recipe for the Deepdiver75? Possibly a picture?

I would also add that the pay isn't too whooopie! I watched a couple of MDC plainclothes agents on Saturday. They weren't too obvious, Ford Taurus, several packs of cigarettes on dash, bino's in seat with a portable radio. What drew my attention was when they backed in they just set there. Then up came the bino's. Neither one were very friendly. I told them that I really appreciated them being there, thought it would be nice if they were there more often. One remarked "we've got a lot of territory to cover". OK, your welcome.

I wondered if I would get a rise out of you? I've done that a few times.

I was a little annoyed to the PR's attitude. I actually had to stop him. He acted a little peeved. I asked him what was going on. He said "find hard shelter". I looked up and saw the beautiful full moon, it was 65ish out, my response was "why?". He says there's a tornado coming, then started to drive off. I hollered at him "hey, where's the shelter?". He stopped and tells me to go down to the hotel. I didn't know they had one. So me and the dog jumped into the truck and head down the hill where we met several other people parking on the big hill. Needless to say it was a mess. We were there maybe 15 minutes. Overall I think the people down there do a great job. But this moron apparently was caught up in the moment of getting to run his lightbar and sireeen. Someone might let him know (before next time) that the object is not only get their (public) attention but also to communicate what you want them to do!

Did you by chance get rousted out of slumber like I did Thursday morning? I thought they had a car chase in the park. Driving around with their light bars and sirens going. I had to stop one of them to tell me where to go for safety! The crazy part was it was 65 degrees out. Later when the Sun came up it went to crap.

I use the swords and a rotating vice and palmer it forward. Makes a nice even fluffy body. But that's just one way. You can also palmer the marabou forward also. Makes a really ratty looking body. That's my preference.

When I was down just after Christmas I stayed in campground 5. There was wood everywhere. I'm sure there is still small stuff you can cabbage onto. They were clearing the big stuff and cutting it up then. Once spring hits the place will be back to normal.

I've been using the Ostrich plumes for the body. Hurl it up to the eye. Makes a real nice fluffy body.

I decided to go this weekend also. I've never been on the opener, I doubt I will be fishing at the horn. I think me and the dog will stand up by the bridge and take some photo's for awhile. Let it thin out then hit it. I'll be down there on Wed afternoon, #449 with the Jayco Popup, '03 Chevy (silver) with cover. I've got the spot till Sunday. I think my cousin is coming down on Sat morning. Be just me and my little Britt till then!

crackel- I don't know if my method is correct but sometimes it will draw a strike. By skipping I use floating line and leader, cast across stream, mend my line and allow it to swing downstream. Once it starts to straighten out it will pull the fly. I let it go until all of the line is taught then I strip it back. Usually that will caused the fly to skip on the surface or just below. You can do it several ways, you can make your presentation then strip it back rather than waiting. Sometimes during the swing they will strike and miss. If they do I will start skipping it then. Mix it up, play with them and see what triggers a reaction.

There should be a rule that you can't torcher me like that. I would give my right one for a cabin on the upper end of the Current. Let me get this straight in my mind. Little place up the side of the hill just above the flood plain. Nestled in the woods, log cabin attitude with a nice walk out back porch to sip coffee etc. No one around for miles. When I die and come back in life (if that's the way it is) I want to be a hermit in a little place like that. No contact with the real world. Sounds like you have you a little bit of heaven!!

If there is any weight it is from my full sink line. The crackle like many others (renegade, griffiths etc.) have a variety of presentations that can be made. Sometimes I use them on floating line and drift like a dry. Other times I'm interested in skipping them either on or just below the film. Most of the times in the summer I use my full sink. I make my presentation straight across the stream. I track it as if it is a dry, then I just let it swing downstream. As the line tightens it will go under. I shove my rod down in the water and allow it to sink with the line. Then I just let it settle down. I get strikes at any phase. No I don't weight mine specifically because I use full sink line. My patterns vary. The pattern I use depends on the amount of sun light and if I'm going deep. Here are some of my patterns; Hurl; Olive, black, yellow, chartreuse, white, brown grizzly. Body; copper, yellow, halographic, blue, green. I usually use a #10 2x long hook. I have used 8 but usually a 10. My favorite is the olive and copper. I recommend using the same recipes as the regular crackles. I would be willing to show you how I tie them since your close. You can e-mail me if you need to.

For fishing No! If I could afford a hunt club, such as Mid-America Game bird, Yes. My problem is the initial cost. The guy I got 2 of my Britts from is in M.A. He hunt's roosters alot. But he got into it back when it was starting and it was a little cheaper. He knows the good places and uses it frequently. Part of the biggest problem right now about going to Iowa, Nebraska or Kansas without a place is, the farmers are getting contracts with the clubs. This keeps us (poor fellers) from getting permission as we did in the old days. I've been turned away because it was on a lease. Thank god our lakes and streams are still ours!

Mrs. Ducky, That's why I married a Librian! Wooooo! Thank god she doesn't fish!

jman- I live south of Belton and North of Peculiar on the west side of 71. My Super Crackle is tied the same as the standard only I use anywhere from a 12-2x hook to a 8-2x hook. The extra shank length gives it more body and hackle. I do get some riser's, and some on the swing, but most of my hook ups are down deep. I use full sink line and shove my rod as deep into the water as I can get it. Then I just stand there and visit with people. Sometimes they will hammer it while it lays there. Other times they hammer it as I strip it back. They get really excited when I pull it through a moss clump. I stall for a second while it's in there. Then I rip it out and they jump on it. I've caught 50 plus fish at BSP out of one hole with it. It doesn't work every time but it is definitely my go to fly. As a matter of fact I was down there last Sunday and didn't turn a fish with one!