Gavin

Sounds like fun...I think the Conservation land extends for about a half mile above the Hwy N bridge and its about a mile up to Camp Mihaska...You can pull a map for Blue Spring Conservation Area off the MDC website...or view it in Google Earth with the MDC Google Earth patch. The trout run small for the most part...4-8" maybe...but there are bigger ones in hard to reach places.Cheers.

Thanks for the tip on the nuts....though I never soak wood or anything else that gets burned in my smoker.. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=904607&l=7c8d473bf2&id=1647470288 I made a charcoal basket out of some expanded steel, and burn logs over lump charcoal for the most part. I've found that not soaking makes for a cleaner smoke flavor(less creosote). Cheers.

Yep...I picked a really cold day...kept the fire small, added a deflector plate between the fire box & chamber, plus a several bags of ice in the bottom of the chamber. Worked pretty well...kept it between 80-100 most of the time.

I stay there all the time. Fishing is good in front of Sunburst. I like the far side and bottom of the Island and the riffle in front of Justin's place. They also have a couple pontoon boats for rent if your buddy wants to float. Ask Justin for tips when you get there. Cheers.

Looks like a nice day trip boat but I wouldnt want to camp out of it. I'm sure your T140 has plenty of room for 2 cases of canned beverages, but where are you gonna put the cooler & the ice ;>)!

Thanks..may do the nitrates next time, but I'm thoroghly enjoying this batch.

Dunno...$12-15 a pop...Think I'd have to decide between a new unproven Clackin bait, two proven low end baits, or one proven high end bait for a few dollars more. Good luck and let us know how they do. Cheers.

I swore of Shimano spinning reels years ago...and I've tried allot of reels since then...All of them suck at one time or another...Have a couple Exceller's and there pretty good. The only issue was week bail springs...Think I still have em in the basement if anyone wants em (probably 1500 or 2000 series)...My current reels are ABU Soron STX's....I like em, and they worked flawlessly this winter. I hope they last. Cheers.

Westport is loaded with em.

You have quite a list there...but you dont really need all of that to get started.. Figure out a pattern that you want to learn to tie first...Then go buy some hooks & materials for that pattern and add a tool occassionally...You will have a good collection of hooks, materials, & tools soon enough. Absolute Neccessities... Vice A place to tie-old desk in the basement, or similar Waste Basket that attaches to your vice. A comfy chair Good Lighting A bobbin or 3 A couple good pairs of scissors-Anvil, Dr. Slick, etc..whatever fits your hand best. A good tying reference book..Skip Morris's Fly Tying Made Clear & Simple is a good place to get started. A good set of reading glasses Stuff to add as needed... Matarelli Whip Finisher-I dont use it often, but its handy for small flies. Bodkin-Or use a big sewing needle-Use this allot Hair Stacker-Use this allot Hackle Pliers-Fingers work most of the time...but youll want a couple different kinds eventually. Specialty Tools-Dubbing Twisters, Foam Cutters, etc. Good Luck

Not sold on the lacing either. Its a good idea if your tying in float bags for WW canoeing...but thats not a WW boat...a couple a bunges seems to get it done..

Think you might be onto something

Finally got started last weekend..Popper heads have been shaped, glued to the hooks, and eyeballed...still need to dress the tails and leg them...Should have em done just in time. Cheers.

Glass minnow trap & some saltines might do the trick...though they strike fly rod nymphs with abandon at times.

Looks like you had a great year! Thanks for the pictures.

You might get it ticket but thats the least of your worries...15 gallons is only 160 12oz beers...That might last 4 guys for 3-4 days but not much longer.

The NC....when was that term coined? Must have been in the 2002-2005 range..A Friday day float from Vida to the goat farm with Roy Cleveland. Miss that guy..he was a good one... Anyway, Roy road with me, so he got his turn in the barrel while we ran shuttle and I think we were both a little worried about his safety. Nobody there when we dropped the car in the AM..but there must have been 50-60 NC dug in for the weekend by the time we paddled in around 3pm on a Friday. It was a bad scene; lots of people, lots of beer, no toilet facilities, lifted 4x4's driving through the creek, and not a cute woman in the bunch. Funniest one was the dude Roy chatted up when we were loaded & ready to go...The "Dude" needed a bath and he was sporting an undersized goodwill brown polyester suit and some new white tennis shoes...Roy just had to ask him why he was all dressed up like an Ozark Pee Wee Herman (He didnt phrase it that way)..........There to meet a girl is what he said..Roy & I both wished him luck, hopped in the car and chuckled are arses off for a good long while. Good Times!

Thanks! Nice ties both of you.

Thanks for the clarification.

The ban only applies to the Current & Jack's fork...And Eric is right...the Park Super wanted to crack down a couple years ago so he wrote a regulation banning kegs, beer bongs, jello shots, mardi gras beads, etc...Nobody's died of thirst down there yet...but I dont miss the litter that came with the beads & jello shots. Cheers.

Guess there fine if your fishing in the summer time, but I'd imagine they would ice up allot quicker than bigger guides.

Kegs arent allowed on the river...but the topic has come up before !

Looks nice...but it doesnt store much and the top is kind of dark...I'd probably put some white laminate over the tying area for better visabiltiy, and finish the rest with tung so it doesnt have that cypress wood table from the 1970's look. Plus you can always re-laminate it after the surface gets glue, paint, etc. on it. Cheers.

Sometimes it takes awhile find a line that really sings on a particular rod. If your assortment of lines is small, take your rod over to a reputable fly shop and cast some of their demo lines till you find what works for you. Cheers.

If your handy with a table saw, you could build a packable folding model....The legs are galvanized pipe attached with some pipe fittings, that and a couple door hinges and your in business. Here they are when assemled, and there folded & packed in the silver canoe.