Gavin

The key word is Gore-Tex, definitely the way to go if you like to stay dry. Cheers.

I use braid most of the time...except when its well below freezing...I've been using hi-vis yellow suffix braid in 6lb on my spinning rigs for awhile know and I like it alot. It doesnt have much abrasion resistance, so I always add 6-7ft of 8lb mono or flouro leader. I used to use a uni-to-uni to connect the leader, but friend of mine got me to try a triple surgeons knot last year..Its been working great, and its a super quick tie. Cheers.

Id' agree...There are no absolutes when it comes to fishing. You've got to fish with your brain, and let the fish tell you what they want. Cheers.

Its not that strong, but it adds a nutty flavor...Guess I use a tablespoon or two for a 12" skillet full of fresh green beans...You dont want them too oily, and you want the beens and shallots to carmelize a bit. Toasted walnuts make a good garnish. Cheers.

Depends on the bug and type of water... Slow current & flat water-I fish slow bugs... Usually a size 2 Sneaky Pete, or a 1/0 blockhead dressed in Sneaky Pete fashion. Sent a bunch of my blockheads in for the warmwater swap recently. They seem to like those big bugs dead drift, sometimes with an occassional tiny twitch. Cast it out from the canoe, mend and let it sit...They can see it, the rubber legs are doing there stuff. If they want it they will come and get it...if no take in a minute or so, pick a good looking spot 25' down river and try again. You want it to look like a big easy meal. Check the rubber legs often..If they get fouled on the hook you will not get a strike. Fast Current or broken water is a different story...I usually go with a big streamlined popper in the 3-5" long range......Pencil popper, Crease fly, Dalhberg diver, Coffey Grinder, or blockhead with a long marabou tail ripped across the top often works well in those areas.... Doesnt seem to work very well on smooth water though. Cheers

Sounds like yall ate well..She got a new dishwasher, & I cooked pan fried chicken, green beens sauteed in walnut oil, with shallots & black pepper, and roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

Cane for bass...depends on what your tossing...I gravite toward graphite for big bass bugs and large streamers at distances of 50' or more, but cane works fine for smaller flies and short casts. Cheers.

Slow works, especially with a bass bug. I just toss it out there and let it dead drift or sit. Maybe wiggle it a tiny bit after its been sitting for 30 seconds or more or not at all. Sometimes you need to pop it to draw attention to the bug, but its the exception not the rule...Dont know why we call em bass poppers, cuz they seem to work best when you do as little as possible. Gear fishing IS a different discipline though. Fly fishing is an inherently slow method unless your casting at rising fish with a dry fly. Gear allows you to fish fast, and sometimes fast is the way to go. I really enjoy fishing a buzzbait or a walk the dog plug while float fishing in the summer time. You cant deny the effectiveness of those baits, but you cant do anything that resembles those presentations with a fly rod. Cheers.

I'd agree with above....Rainbows are suckers for egg flies, worms, and mohair leaches..but you gotta make your first cast count. Cheers.

Dunno, you think you could slide a framed raft under McKee or Patrick at high water? Might have to pop the leg braces out to do it, but that that setup might be ideal in certain situations. Mabye offer a class for folks who want to learn how to row and fish the NFoW with minimal downside. You, Conant, Creepy, Gates, & Wise should be able to show folks the how too. Cheers.

Braid can make for some nasty backlashes on casting tackle...might want to peel off a long cast worth of line and tape your spool to minimize your potential problems till you get used to it. Cheers.

When were you released from Prison? Welcome Back.

Nice catch... Kinda funny to watch folks fish through holes in the ice, but their having fun and catching dinner. Nothing wrong with that.

Disco 169's are hard to beat..bit slower, and a bit harder to turn than my Wenonah Spirit II but the Disco 169 is solid canoe through and through. What were your complaints with the paddle jon? Might paddle it occassionally or oar it down, but the main plan is to run it around with with a small outboard.

Braid just rocks....when you can use it...gotta be above freezing, and I usually use a 6' leader of mono or floro...

The ones at Troutt are 18' with a 36" bottom...a bit longer & wider than the Lowes. But they could probably weld one up. Blazer Info http://www.trouttandsons.com/Boats/Blazer_boats.html Lowe Paddlejon http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/articles/whiteriver/index.htm Wooden Paddlejon Plans http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/riverrunner/index.htm

Troutt & Sons has a couple Blazer Paddle Jon's in stock.. http://www.trouttandsons.com/ No financial interest, yada, yada...look at specials and search for Blazer. Cheers.

Most go with a jet boat....but I've been thinking about a Blazer Paddle Jon. Narrow Jon with a rake at both ends and a motor mount.

Thanks for the report. The brown fishery on the NFoW seems to be improving. Rainbow fishery too..Hope to spend more time down there this year.

Think the Great Lakes Fishery would be hard to top for big fish, and numbers of big fish. A fly angler might have a shot in Terra del Fuego, but the numbers arent there.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/camping/ Its not listed, but I've seen trailers at Turner South & Whitten before

Red Old Town Disco, wrapped about a mile or two above Parker. Still there... Another one...16"6" Wenonah Solo Plus, recovered...probably on craigslist soon.

Really? I thought their vocals were pathetic.

Water had a little bit of cloud to it...probably 3-4' of visability...Fishing was kinda slow this weekend..Caught 3 while floating in the snow on Friday afternoon...maybe 7-8 on Saturday and I fished most of the day, 4 on Sunday AM. Rolled a few nice fish, but didnt connect. Mostly fish in the 14-15" Range and a couple of 16-17" fish. Would post some pics, but my camera battery shot craps this weekend.

Fine between Baptist & Parker this weekend...check the gauge for a benchmark.