jOrOb

the G-Bug is kind of an untouchable since the originator has never published the pattern, so noone seems willing to publish it either. But it isn't hard to duplicate. The ribbing is Ostrich, and you should have no difficulty with the rest. Have a look at it here: http://www.charteredwaters.com/hotflies.html

I talked to a man in a hard hat wearing a BPS shirt that said June 8, 2006 was the official BPS Opening Date. Conservation Dinner is scheduled for June 7, 2006.

If you ever ran to Branson to pick up a swingset for your kids birthday and just fished "a little" since you were there anyway... Eh Dano??

Mike and I fished on Monday and did OK. We started up just below #1 and worked down to Rebar. Picked up a few on a red zebra midge and a couple on the Green Meanie (thanks Leonard). Mike caught a couple on a scud. Then we moved down to Rocking Chair for the afternoon. We did Ok there as well. Some midging, some scuds, and I caught a couple on a crackleback. All in all it was kinda slow but steady all day. We didn't catch any good fish though. The big fish for the day was a 15" brown just below #1 on a red zebra. Also, just for fun I used a yellow foam hopper as an indicator today and caught two fish (little browns) on that. They really attack a fat hopper!!

I started my 7 year old out on a 8ft 5 and regretted it. Finally switched to a 7'6" 4wt. He could cast it without fighting it or becoming fatigued. He is 11 now and has graduated to a 8'6" 5 wt TFO and is building A 9' 3WT. It is possible to go too long. Think how you would feel with a 12 footer. Also, Ryne has landed a couple fish over 7 lbs on a 4. The softer action is more forgiving to light tippets. I say go with Ohil on the 8' but stick with the 4wt.

I do have a MyFi XM receiver. It is a feature filled unit, and works pretty well for me, but has some limits. First, the original units had battery issues. Check yours out if you get one. Second, the MyFi built in antenna is not exceptionally effective. In the open, sitting still, it works, but it isn't strong. They do make a headphone with built in antenna which is supposed to make it useable while jogging and such. I don't have the headphones so I cannot say how they work. Third, mine doesn't broadcast the FM signal very far. I cannot leave it in the truck and listen in the house like many of the old Roady's would do. The bonus is that it comes with a home cradle and antenna so you can just carry it into the house and drop in the cradle. Also, it is supposed to record up to 5 hrs of signal, which would allow you to record the previous night and listen to it later. I haven't really figured that out yet, so I don't know how well it works. I have been pleased with my MYFI. I don't really utilize the features, but the car and home kits alone make it worth the additional expense. jOrOb

Lately, I have had pretty good success using one called rusty zebra. It is tied with rusty brown thread, black bead, and black wire.

Welcome newest generation of Spammer. BBS Spammers suck!!! If anyone has problems with spyware or concerns, please feel free to email me. I have some legitemate solutions that will work. Ignore this spammer, his "spyware solution" is to infect your PC with his spyware.

Wouldn't it have been better to let that water run for say 3 hours, then stop until tomorrow? Has SWP "shot theirs" now and will not be able to release later in the week? I am glad they are running water. But it seems that a little water every day would be better than a lot of water then no water. Am I right?

You might be onto something. Izzy has not performed at the same level as in the past. It will be interesting to see if they try to trade for a closer or build one from within. Midseason may show a different Cardinal organization altogether. Neither Edmonds or Rolen have been much of a factor, this year or the previous year in the playoffs. I would say Edmonds needs to get his game back real soon or he will find himself batting in that 7 spot. He is still valuable defensively, so I don't see a trade. Rolen just needs to get healthy! It will be an interesting year either way.

Someone posted a streamer pattern "little rainbow trout" on the pattern forum, and said they caught some browns on it last weekend. Is this because we are getting some fry for a change? Also, will this mean that the big browns will be hanging out in shallower water this year??

Isringhausen giving up a HR to Pitt to blow a save, that's just crazy talk!! To me, that is a concern, since Izzy is a mainstay. But then he is known to start slow, so I am sure he will work it out. Pujols is a talent no doubt, but some production from the outfield would be nice. Where is Edmonds???

There is a fantastic fishery over at the base of Norfork Dam that is perfect for her. It is called Dry Run Creek, and it is the outflow from the hatchery. It is all controlled access, only kids under 16 and handicapped persons are allowed to fish. Also, it is all catch and release, single barbless, and no bait. There are a ton of trout in there, and some HUGE ones. This past winter a kid caught one that probably would have been a state record if he could have weighed and measured it. Fortunately he put it back. Not knowing where you are, I don't know if you would even be interested, but it is a great opportunity. The fishing is always good and it is easy wading and easily fished with spinning gear or novice fly fisherwoman.

Hello all and thanks for all of your prayers and wishes. I truly do appreciate it. Zane is doing well and is starting to feed finally!! We should be home this weekend sometime. If you are interested in seeing a future fly flinger, click on the link below: www.picturetrails.com Then do a search for jOrOb Unfortunately I cannot access the actual pic URL's from this hospital PC (blasted security). Thanks again and looking forward to seeing you on the water! jOrOb

To some extent I can see Brian Sloss' perspective on not shooting. But then again, if I get an opportunity to shoot one, then it is probably a pretty close and prolonged encounter, indicating that this cat is a danger. Of course that is my opinion. I would not actively a cat unless I knew that a certain one was (or had proven to be) a danger to humans. Several years ago there was an article in Field and Stream about a big cat that took a young boy off his horse. The boy's mom managed to free the child and save his life, but she died in the process. Her husband was able to kill the cat but too late for her. California obliged the man by writing him a ticket for killing the animal. They said the same thing, Mountain Lions rarely attack humans. Think abut this... If a bear was seen near your house repeatedly, got into your trash, perhaps even killed some of your animals, you would call Fish and Game and have them trap the animal. They would then relocate it to "remote wilderness". You cannot do that with a big cat because they don't acknowledge their existence. That leaves only one recourse...Kill the beast.

How about those Cubbies taking two straight and heading for a season opener sweep? St Louis looks pretty good this year, but the cream always rises to the top.

A couple of years ago, we had two big cats, I think lionesses, escape from a refuge that noone in a very small town knew existed. This place took in animals from people who no longer wanted them (like a pet that got too big, or an animal that was too old to be of use to the circus). These two big cats simply dug out under a fence and escaped. It was pretty worrisome for about a week. Eventually one was shot. The guy that shot it might have just been panicking, but he swears that the cat was stalking a house where children played in the yard. This caused a big stink and eventually the refuge was closed.

AR Game and Fish insists that there are no Cougars in AR. I have personally seen 3. Each was in a different area with significant distance between, so I doubt that they are even related, let alone the same cat. There are numbers of Black Panther sightings told around too, but I have never seen one. I don't understand why they don't want to acknowledge their existence, but they spend a lot of time denying it.

I have an older South Bend fly rod that was given to me a couple years ago. It is a 8 1/2 6/7 and is pretty slow for a graphite blank. I really like the rod, and use it from time to time. However, it has a crappy real seat, and only 8 guides, including a small stripper. I am thinking about removing the reel seat (it is loose) and guides and starting over. So that brings me to my question... How much can I change the performance of the blank. Also, I would welcome recommendations or suggestions. Thanks

The G-Bug is a scud imitation as far as I know. I personally use it like a scud.

I have been tying G bugs for a while now, but I have always hesitated to post the pattern since it isn't mine. But then, noone showed me how to tie it, so I guess my pattern is mine. I tie them on nymph hooks, not curved hooks. I tried it both ways, and I think the straight hook works better. Might be just me. I like some lead in mine, but I like to under weight them so that I still need some shot to get it where I want it. Better control that way. Add a tuft of marabou, tie in a ostrich herl, dub a thin body (just cover the lead wraps), then palmer the herl about 5-6 turns is usually enough. My two favorites are a light tan and a medium gray with black body dubbing. Also, I tie one with gray marabou and grey dubbing, and I palmer furnace hackle (like a little wooley). Great pattern for me with some water on. I don't tie them small enough to fish on the dead low water. I rarely tie them below 16, but I know others that tie them down to 20-22 and use them year round. I would say Dano has a good start on a fly box, but I would have some of those scuds in tan as well. I recommend the trout crack or herl scud. You can find both patterns here. Taneycomo trout see scuds and midges year round, so they will always feed on those things. jOrOb

I read a post somewhere on another board about using rubber bands as backing. I experimented with it some, and it works, but doesn't give the profile or color variation that I was looking for. Perhaps it was the type of rubber band that I was using. I usually prefer a fat scud with lots of fluf for high water, so I never really thought about a TC for high water. Maybe if we ever get high water we can give it a try.

I have had some success on Norfork with a grey UV and dark vrib. jOrOb

I definitely say shape. I have a working theory that silouhette is the key to an effective fly, and that most of the things we add are useless as far as the trout are concerned. Size would definitely be second, but only because it is misused. Has anyone every had great success with a really big fly during a small hatch? I think it is called hatch busting. Size is a big factor, but if your shape is wrong, they aint gonna eat any size of it. Color does play a factor, but it is probably more of a dark/light thing. Like Brian pointed out, conditions make the difference. Presentation to me is a separate issue. There are too many variables to factor presentation into fly selection. I usually do it this way: Select the fly Select the rig Select a presentation Catch (hopefully) fish Then I adjust backwards Presentation Rig Fly At least that is how my son has taught me to do it. He is the real fisherman, I am just the chaeuffer.

OK, time for the dissenter. There are like thousands of guys tying every day on a basic AA vise that cost like $20. They tie good flies. Many of those guys are also using simple tools (half of their tools are hand made), and have little invested in the whole thing. So, here is my take: If you have the disposable income, pick up the $125 + vise (or maybe +++) and $25 bobbins and all that jazz. It will definitely be good stuff and you won't regret it. But if you want to start simple: basic vise = $20 basic bobbin = $5 Box of toothpicks = $1 Box of paper Clips =$1.49 (you can make whip finisher, dubbing tool, ect) Now, get a good pair of scissors. No other option Then get a good hackle plier. It is worth the money Now pick up those materials to tie some wollies and some midges. Buy a LOT of hooks. You cannot tie flies without hooks! Now you are ready to tie a bunch of trout catching flies. I agree that in a little while you will want to replace that $20 vise, but now you will know what features you want, and which ones you don't really need to spring for. Also, you have an idea how tools work, and can decide on those high dollar ones that you really will want. I know several tyers who still use toothpicks as bodkins. They work great. I myself use a dubbing tool made from a paper clip, as well as a whip finisher made the same way. Fly tying does not have to be a high dollar hobby. In fact, you could probably start in a class that will provide you with that same cheap vise to learn on, so you can tie your first flies without buying a thing. Heck, I still have my old AA and it works fine. If you like, I will loan it to you. I will even show you how to use it! jOrOb