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Thanks again. I'm going to be on it big time. Doug

Thanks Jerod, That was exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I actually got up there yesterday afternoon. Did not stay long due to the 35mph winds. Can't wait to get back up there on a calmer day. Redear and Picnic lakes still look very fishable. Would love to play with the gill's in Redear. Maybe I'll see you up there sometime. Thanks again, Doug Kiefer

Was just wondering if anyone has fished the Hartell conservation area just outside of Plattsburg, Mo. I was thinking since it is catch and release and since it is a little ways out from Kansas City that maybe it does not get pounded like the other conservation areas around KC do. Very interested in any thoughts or comments. Thanks, Doug Kiefer

Just a suggestion on the custom mold thing. If you have a blank mold you could contact your area high school vo tech or community college that offers machine shop. If you can provide a design of some type a lot of these schools and students are just looking for projects and if it is for personal use and not for a business they will do the project for little or no charge. I am the shop supervisor of a tool and die shop and I know that at least it works that way in this area. Good luck! I hope this helps! Doug Kiefer

Thank you so much for the local insights you will probably be hearing from me. Doug Kiefer

Thanks for the help guys. It sounds like I am in for a great time and I will definitely check out that fly shop. Doug Kiefer

I am making plans to go to Gatlinburg, Tn for our 30th wedding anniversery in mid September. Was on the net last night and saw that the city of Gatlinburg stocks trout streams right in the town. Does anyone know if these are worth looking into or should I be looking up in the Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park. After a week I will be coming back to Taney for a week. Trying to make the wife happy but get some fishing in to. Thanks, Doug Kiefer

I was on another website this morning and came across SOS trout fishing line. Has anyone used this line? What did you think? I was thinking this might be a possibility for my spinning equipment. Right now I am using Vanish Transition. Did not know if this would be a better product or cheaper. Thanks, Doug Kiefer

I received my new flyrod from Mark at RDP Flyrods yesterday. It looks and feels great. I can't wait to get out and fish it. Mark asked a lot of questions along the way to make sure he built what I wanted. He definitely achieved this goal. If there is anyone out there considering having a rod built I would highly suggest they talk to Mark. This whole process was very enjoyable. Doug Kiefer

It is early Saturday morning here at Lilley's. Water is still off, 14 degrees and the wind is starting to blow. Doug Kiefer

The wife and I will be there. Staying at Lilley's. Not sure what we will bring yet. Doug Kiefer

Still here. Doug Kiefer

Zach if you are within five minutes of the Independence Bass Pro you are also close to Rainbow Fly Shop(40 highway across the street from Tim's Pizza). Go in and see Matt and he will help you. He will take you outside and let you cast whatever rod you like. Also a great way to get introduced to a fly rod. I know he handles Ross combo's but he has a lot of other rods as well. Good luck, Doug Kiefer

I agree that if you have never been to the original Bryants it is worth at least one trip. My experience with the original sauce is that you either love it or hate it. I am in the love it camp. As far as the rest of the places mentioned I also agree that they are all good, however I have never tried the KC Masterpiece restraunt. I have not found any bad barbeque in KC just some a little better than others. Gates is kind of a must see stop in KC. Oklahoma Joe's is also very good. You could eat barbeque every day in KC and not hit all of the barbeque places in probably two months. Enjoy, Doug Kiefer

Looks great Phil! Much easier to use. Doug Kiefer

Thanks Tim I really liked them. KCRIVERRAT I graduated from Concordia high school and my wife graduated from Truman. You may have run across me on a ball field though as I was a pitching coach for around 20 years up until several years ago. Doug Kiefer

Have been staying at Lilley's all week. Was in Tim's fly shop yesterday and he said to use two pound Maxima leader or tippet. Took a day trip today and fished Roaring River for about three hours. Tim was right! The smallest line I had was 6X. Had lots of looks but only one taker. Showed them san juan worms, copper johns, mini y2k's, zebra midges, sowbugs, scuds, and a fly from Tim's that I will call a mini bugger (Tim if you see this would you please tell us what this fly is, it is black and yellow and lives behind the John Deere's in your shop). Anyway like I said lots of looks but they all turned away at the last second. I am convinced that they saw my line and were spooked. On the brighter side I was able to play with some new toys. My new nonprescrition Costa Del Mar bifocals in amber worked above my wildest dreams and the 3wt TFO that I picked up from Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence off of the pre owned rack felt really good. Tough day but I learned a lot and it feels so good to be out of the caves and actually see daylight. Doug Kiefer

I'm in. Hope the KC area waters have a lot of activity on that forum. Doug Kiefer

Just my two cents worth on the Feathercarft and T Hargroves issue. I had to go to St Peter's late yesterday on business so I stayed the night and went to Feathercraft this morning. I was waiting for Bob at the door when he arrived and he was nothing but gracious and accomodating to me. Now having said that when I left Feathercraft I went west on Manchester and tried to get into Hargroves and there was literally no place to park at Hargroves. Well staring a four hour drive in the face and not needing anything in particular I chose the get out of dodge option. Feathercraft treated me really well and the crowd at Hargroves probably speaks for itself. In my humble opinion a person could probably do very well in either one of these shops. Doug Kiefer

Have been getting ready for the spring bluegill season tying some simple foam spiders. I have been using UTC 140 denier thread and in the tying process the thread is just coming apart. Am I doing something wrong or has anyone else experienced this? Went to my local fly shop tonight and he had me switch to UNI-thread 6/0. Thanks for your help! Doug Kiefer

Went to Leonards night fishing seminar at Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence yesterday. Thank you Leonard for all of the time and effort you put into this. I especially enjoyed your tying demo's of some of your favorite flies. Your ideas on how to approach the different areas of upper Taney were also much appreciated. Also thanks to Dave Cook for setting this up and to Matt Sutton of Rainbow Fly Shop for hosting this event. Doug Kiefer

Thanks guys. I'm on it. Doug

Anyone know of any good books on tying bass and bluegill flies? I'm wanting to hit some ponds and small lakes here in the KC area this year since I can't get to trout water that often. Thanks in advance! Doug Kiefer

I got to meet Leonard at the new years day bash. One heck of a guy. Since I only live about five minutes from Rainbow Fly Shop I am all over this. Doug

Have a great birthday and opening day!! Doug