Greg

I say to each his own. No big deal. My wife has the 8 ft 5 wt flygirl. I really like the way it casts. I've used hers occasionally but the grip is far too small for my hand for me to use it all the time. Greg

I've just got a question for John Berry or anyone else knowledgeable about past generation patterns. My wife and I are planning on coming to the White/Norfork river area the 1st weekend in Aug. I know there are no guarantees - but is there generally wadable water on one river or the other in Aug? I live in Spfld, MO and consider Taneycomo my home waters and generally through the summer they leave the water off in the mornings and generate in the afternoon and/or evening. Is the White/Norfork similar? We came down last year and there was not much generation but that was in the spring. We had a wonderful time. I just don't want to make a wasted trip if it can be helped. Also are there any decent places to wade and fish when they are generating? I know a couple on Taney but I'm just not that familiar with the White and Norfork. Thank you, Greg

Just my .02 worth: I've got both a 6 and 7 wt rod but my 5 wt is more than good enough for me for night fishing. In fact I prefer it since it's what I'm used to and when you cast at night - I think it needs to be something you are familiar with since you are casting by feel and memory. That being said I don't think it could be just any 5 wt that can handle both daytime and nighttime fishing at Taney. The rod can't be too stiff - or it can't protect the 6 and 7X tippets sometimes used in the daytime. But it has to have plenty of backbone to handle bigger fish and large flies. A couple of 5 wts I have and that work well for both day and night are a St. Croix Avid (older model custom built). And a Sage Fli. I like the Avid a little better and use it 90% of the time. I just like the versatility of these rods. You can go from casting a #20 dry to slinging a weighted #8 streamer with no difficulty. I've caught a pretty fair # of 20" plus fish on both of these rods with no problem at all. But I have to admit I'm a relative newbie to night fishing. So I'm certainly no expert in this regard - but so far I do prefer my old 5 wt to something heavier. Greg

JS that was a great report. Thanks for sharing. Checked out your website too. You are a really talented guy. Greg

Nice site Leonard. Good luck with it. Greg

I was wondering that same thing - if anyone night fishes on the White or Norfork. It's sure picked up in popularity at Taneycomo. Greg

Here's another vote for Simms. I've never really tried Orvis products much so can't comment there. I have Simms lightweight waders and they are great. For years I bought cheaper waders and they would only last about a year. Michael at BCO talked me into Simms and I've never looked back. Mine are going on 2 years now with no leaks. I also used to cheap out on wading boots. I went through about a pair a year for 3 years in a row. A year ago I bought Simms rivertek wading boots in Michaels shop. They are very comfortable. And seem like they will last a long time. My wife has the Chota boots and they have worked well for her. I've slowly switched most of my gear over to Simms. Everything they make seems to be top quality. It pays for itself in the long run over the cheaper stuff. Greg

John my wife and I would like to come down in the next few weeks. But we are wade fisherman. Do you think the heavy generation will stop sometime soon on the White (or the Norfork)? thanks, Greg

Sounds like a great day. I was out this morning and the fishing was good today as well. Greg

DT - I guess I should clarify. I walked down and fished in front of and just past the old KOA area and could see the Point Royale area downstream. It was only one channel and looked wadeable as far as I could see. The fishing was good in the KOA area. It was only the 2nd time I've been down that far. Regarding the Point Royal road. If its a public road then Point Royale does not own the land on either side do they? Then how can they stop you from parking alongside it? I don't know if I would argue with them about it either though. Probably not worth it. Maybe someone else will chime in that's a little more knowledgeable about both the road and the wading in front of Point Royal. Greg

Zach - you should look at the Peak vise too. It's right in your price range. Over the years I've tried just about every brand of vise. A couple of years ago Michael at BCO let me try a Peak in his shop. I bought one and it's the finest vise I've tried (IMHO) at any price. Smooth rotation and holds any hook I've tried rock solid. Here's the website: http://www.peakfishing.com/RotaryVise.htm Check out this review too: http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/hwvise/index24.html Greg

I've never tried it - but I've been told that Point Royale road is a public road and that they can't legally stop you from parking at the side of it to fish. I don't know if that's true or not? But I have heard it from a couple of different sources. Yes when there is no generation you can park and walk down that far. I actually did it today. Greg

It was a really good seminar and the hands on at the end was fantastic. I now have a much better understanding of night fishing at Taney even if my wife does think I'm crazy. My only complaint? Like Brian - I was exhausted by the end. Up almost 24 hours and sloshing around Taney at night just seems much more tiring than in the daytime. I was really, really sore on Sat. But in my defense I am pushing 50!! But definitely up for part II. Thanks to Jeremy for giving me some pointers on my casting stroke and to Michael for being the hands on guide and for putting the whole thing together. It was also a pleasure to put some names (Brian K, Terry, Vanven, etc)to some faces. too. All in all just a good night. Greg

Michael do we need to bring anything? Drinks, snacks??? thanks, Greg

I didn't know browns were more easily stressed than other fish. That's good to know. Actually now that I think about it - they do seem to be slower to recuperate after being released than bows do. Greg

Thanks. I'm sending you a PM. I wish I had known you were at BCO. I would have stopped by. Greg

Very nice fish. Beautiful colors. That is puzzling about why it didn't revive. I was out on the upper lake today and caught a bow of similar size. He swam off very strongly after a somewhat lengthy fight. I'm sure I didn't do anything different than your friend did. You never know. Greg

How many fish have you caught with that thing Terry?? Greg

Troutchaser that's hilarious!!! Greg

Michael please sign me up for both. I'll be by the store soon with the $$ thanks, Greg

In my opinion the TFO professional is a very good rod. But I've got a friend that's got the same rod as you - a BPS classic. Although his is a 5 wt. Whenever I cast his rod I'm always impressed that it is a relatively inexpensive rod but it casts really well and is a good looking rod to boot. I guess what I'm saying is I'm not sure the TFO Pro is that much better? Although that's subjective and just an opinion. The TFO does have a much superior warranty - lifetime. Definitely cast before you buy. Just my .02 Greg

I thought Taney was pretty much already a world class brown trout fishery? It sure doesn't seem to have hurt the bows much. Rainbows and browns coexist so well in so many different world class trout rivers I just can't imagine it being much of a problem for either species. They occupy different niches although I know the niches do overlap. Greg

I'd vote for the 5 lb brown. Like em both and wouldn't turn either down. But I like the coloration and the fight of brown trout better. Not saying rainbows don't fight hard - they do and they certainly jump more - but browns seem to have more staying power. Gavin my experience has been the opposite. I've caught a fair # of rainbows 5 lbs or over but only one or 2 brown trout that approached that size. Greg

Sounds great I look forward to hearing more. Greg

CC - If it were up to me I wouldn't be going to Denver and CO springs BUT it is a family vacation. My family doesn't share my obsession. So I'm lucky to be getting a couple of days in Durango. So I'm looking to maximize those couple of days. I appreciate your advice. MO troutbum - Regarding the weather that's good news. But you don't know my wife and I'm worried she might think it is too hot. She enjoys fly fishing with me but only when it's not too hot, too cold, and not raining. Greg