brittsnbirds

I informally camped there last summer. My fuel pump went out on my truck one evening. I was there fishing and the pump decided not to work. I ended up walking all the way out to the blacktop. There is definitely a place to tent camp. There is room on the sandbar, unless the water is up. There is also room in the timber. Looks like the 4 wheelers have been in there a lot. I doubt you can get a popup in there unless it is one for off road.

drew- Hate to hear you missed it. I ran down on Sunday morning. It was chilly, mainly the hands. I had one of those days that I couldn't even tie my boots right. I broke off at knots too many times. I think I caught around 30 fish all together. None of the ones I landed were any size. I hooked up with a couple that had a good pull but broke off. I used my trusty little green leech thing I tie. There was a couple of hatches, one in the morning and one just after noon. I only had 2 rise to my pmd. I think it was too big (16 needed an 18 or 20). I spoke with a guy that lives there that was drifting an emerger pattern doing ok. I've got the pattern and trying to replicate it. He was using a size 18. Best part was the temp got up to 48 or 50 with partial sun. Beautiful day for middle of February. Next trip will be sometime (?) middle of March.

drew- I'm anxious to hear how you did on the river?

I finally got out from under the weekend thing. Definately would like to find some honey holes. The first time down last year I ended up at Parker (where my fuel pump went out). That hole is huge, caught some smally's and trout. Didn't really have time to work it the way I would like!

polock- I'm south of KCMO. Still haven't decided. May just make it a day trip to BSP.

drew- I have gone in at the access just across the bridge at the west entrance to BSP. You can go all the way up to the North, there's a boat ramp there. I've fished downstream from there wading. With the runoff I don't know if you can get very far wading. I fished the riffles with my spinning rod and 2# Vanish. I used black and yellow jigs, rebel wee craws (several colors) and rooster tails. I found if I would get above the riffles and cast as far down past the hole below the riffle. Crank the baits through the holes up into the riffles. I caught several browns a couple of bows some rock and small mouth. There is also an access way up but I don't remember where it is. If you check up at Weavers they can tell you.

I'm trying real hard to make it down. The biggest problem is getting people scheduled to cover for me on the off-duty stuff. I'm thinking pretty serious about draggint the popup down and roughing it out.

drew- After pulling up the website that Greg suggested I noticed that is the unit that I have started tying. I didn't know I was tying a Mohair Leech. I will attest that it is a killer at BSP, especially when it is dead drifted. Here is the recipe that I came up with; #10 or #12 2x hook .015 weight Olive 6/0 thread Olive marabou. I tie my weight from the hook bend all the way to w/in an eye width of the eye. I tie in a few swords of the marabou. I make them short just a little longer the gap of the hook. I then tie in remainder of the marabou sword and palmer it too the front. This makes a real ratty looking body. I tie it off at the front and pick out some of the longs pieces from the body. I've also used Flashabou in the tail to give it a little extra kick. I think I am going to tie some with gold rib to try and hold it together a little better.

What about he rooms?

Sounds good, especially after this weekend. The wife is leaving town on Friday for a week. Wonder if mom would watch the hounds? What do they charge per night down at Montauk?

They are talking as if we don't have to take the ride, just watch the effects. I've been called a lot worse things than a wimp before. I remember getting Maced when I was trained with that stuff. One thing Mace taught me was know which way the wind is blowing!! Where abouts in SE Kansas? My brother in law has a farm up by Blue Mound just West of LaCygne.

Russ, Russ, Russ- I've read that before, but the fact that you personalized it, I'm still laughing to myself. The truth of the matter is, they work! I've seen em! My Department want's all of us to get Tazer certified. Guess what this ole man hasn't and probably will not. I hate electricity. They are trying to get a new classification of Master Patrol Officer established. One of the criteria is you have to be Tazer and Bean Bag gun certified. Well until they take the tazing you part out of it, Mac Daddy isn't going for the extra little 5 percent raise. And as far as the bean bag thing goes, I've seen them shot also and guess what I'm not catching no bean bag either, no way! Leave that to the rookies with all that testotarone and stuff! "That there was funny I don't care who you are!"

I'm asking this question with tongue in cheek. What techniques do you guys use when you fish your Copper Johns, BH hares Ear and other flies of this sort? I've drifted them under indicators and tightlined but feel I need to work on my technique as I'm not that productive with these. I know they catch fish but think it's my presentation. Any suggestions?

I've watched several of them. There are some good suggestions and techniques that I have started using. They sure make it look easy. I especially like the videos about using the rotary vise and the techniques they use. I wish they would continue to update the site!

If your family is bone shy, you might score your fillets approx. 1/8 of an inch. It allows the hot grease to get in there and fry those little fellers up. If it's just myself and my cousin I usually don't score the entire fillet, just the little rib bone area!

I personally choose the ole butter, garlic, salt and pepper wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill. I'm sorry but I like the KISS method. Oh yea, a glass of Chardonnay.

Jon- Thought I recognized your picture. If your at Herzog's next year for the Ozanam trials I will bring you some. If you have time I would even show you how I tie them. I didn't make it this year, I usually work for Paul planting or whatever!

I've been using Vanish 2# for the last 2 years on my full sink stripping rod. I mainly fish BIG crackles and woolies with it. Like Dave Cook said; sometimes they hit it so hard they snap it off. If I see that they are rising and refusing on the drift before they sink, then I will change but for the most part it's Vanish all the way!

I saw a video the other day but cannot remember the web site for balloon indicators. A lot simpler and cheaper, plus you never have to treat them to stay afloat! I will see if I can find it! Found it: www.ItinerantAngler.com with Zach Matthews.

I know at Bennett and Montauk, as long as you are not in the park and on the river(s) and you have a trout stamp you can keep fish. You have to be aware of the stream limitations, if there are any. But other than that you can.

Vanven, Does it have any storage in the back? Does it have a D ring back there also? I am 6 foot 2 and weigh 200. What size do think I need?

Snow, started around 1400 here (S. KCMO). Looks like we got around 4". Very beutiful out here in the woods.

Ok, since we kicked around the fly box issue. I am struggling with who has the best vest and/or Tech Pac. I use a Loon Tech Pac that folds 2 flaps out holding 2 clear boxes. It's ok but am thinking I need a different setup. I was using a Columbia vest but got tired of pulling boxes out, holding onto the box, rod, trying to get a fly out, etc. Basically a lot of multi-tasking going on. I have found with my tech vest all I have to do is flip it open, pop the box open and the velcro holds the box in place. I work off of the box and don't worry about dropping my fly in the water. Works good for me but I would like to hear others thoughts and suggestions.

That's got to hurt. Hopefully he's doing ok, so what's stopping you now. Your not that far away and you can get cell service!! I thought about running down also but can't get anyone to go with me to off-set the gas. Oh well, snow is coming this afternoon. I need to service the tractor and get it ready to take care of all the old ladies!

I have 1 C&F that I use on my small stuff because of the threaders. If I had my choice, mainly due to price I wouldn't go with C&F. I want something that stays dry when I wade a little too deep. That would save me a lot of time to dry things out. I have been looking at Sceintific Anglers waterproof. Any thoughts?