Greg

Troutfearme Just a few other thoughts on the subject: I think the question of whether or not you could actually turn some $$'s on a project like this would depend on how much it would cost to actually get the book in print. I don't pretend to be an expert but I've heard that with the advent of modern computers and publishing programs it's nowhere near as expensive as it was say 20 years ago. If you could get it up and going for a reasonable startup fee - then why not see if you could get some of the fly shops around MO to carry a few copies and just see how it goes. I'll bet you would sell a fair # of them especially those shops in or close to the parks. In doing a little research on the aforementioned book - it is 10 years old (1997) and out of print even though there may still be a few copies floating around. The time may be right for a new book on the subject. I remember when I started fly fishing again about 5 years ago - I tried to find that book and could not. I couldn't even find it from any of the used internet book stores or amazon.com I just looked and it's still not available. Greg

Where can you buy it? Greg

Don't laugh - but for the last few years I've used a $30 breathable jacket that I bought at Wal-mart. Stearns was the brand name. I know they still carry them because I recently bought one for my wife too. This el cheapo has kept me dry through all sorts of downpours. I also wear it in the winter over a fleece jacket for added warmth. It's really held up well. Greg

Is a $600 rod worth the price? It's a good question. But one that only each individual person can answer. Personally I've cast several rods in that price range and owned one (that I later sold). For me they are not significantly better than the "mid range" rods costing $100 to 300. But that's just me. I may not be a good enough caster to appreciate the subtle differences between a $200 and $600 stick. Greg

I disagree with the other posters. I think a book on fishing the trout parks might do pretty well. It's true that it's kind of a limited subject about a small area of MO's waterways but think of the huge # of fisherman at the parks. I also don't agree that fishing the parks is "fish in a barrel" fishing at all (sorry Terry). Except for the first hour or two in the morning - the fishing at any of the trout parks can be at least as challenging as Taneycomo IMHO. I fish alongside plenty of fisherman at Montauk and Bennett that simply catch no or very few fish. I don't have trouble catching (and releasing) Good numbers of fish at the parks on most days - But it's just been in the last few years that I can finally say that. Meaning I finally kind of know what I'm doing. Even at that - if a book was out there that presented some new ideas on fishing the parks - I'd certainly buy it. I think you are right in that there would probably be a niche for such a book. Just my opinions. Good luck, Greg

I picked some up at BCO last week - but they may have been Michaels last batch. He had to hunt around for them. I'm not sure what I think of them? At first I thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread - but then I got a bad tangle that I'm not sure I would have gotten otherwise. I'm going to keep using them for awhile and see. Greg

I agree with the other posters. Nice attempt and it will/would probably catch fish. But the hackle is a little long and needs to sweep towards the back in my opinion. Soft hackles are simple and look easy to tie but I've found them to be deceptively hard to tie. Michael at BCO helped me. Mine finally look passable. Greg

Sounds like you had a nice day. I almost drove up to Bennett yesterday but decided against it. Thanks for the report. Greg

Did anyone else pick up on the fact that one of the rods Joe Humphreys was using was sporting a pflueger medalist reel? I thought that was kind of interesting. Greg

I caught that show too. It was interesting and informative. It made me want to make a trip to the little red - I've never been there. It looks like a beautiful tailwater. That show/channel was dropped from my satellite provider (the Dish) for a while and just came back. I'm really glad as there are not many shows on fly fishing and that one is really well done in my opinion. I caught the one today as well. It was on the San Juan. Made me want to go there as well. Greg

Nice report. Pheasant tail woolly bugger? Sounds interesting. Any chance of sharing the recipe there? Greg

Armyflyfisher - you might try the kits/blanks from hook and hackle. I think they are less $$ than cabela's. I've found them good to deal with too. http://www.mailordercentral.com/hookhack/ Greg

Very nice work. Those forecast blanks are really nice in my opinion. I've made a couple of rods on those blanks. One was a 7 1/2 4 wt that I still really like. I was never talented or brave enough to try turning my own grips though. I bought the pre formed ones. Greg

I think it's just flat out good right now. I talked to Carolyn at river run outfitters earlier today and she said it's been great for waders as well - if you can catch a time when the water is off. I got out for the first time in weeks this afternoon. It was just fantastic fishing for me as well. Started out just below the cable at about 3 PM. They had been running one generator but they shut it off shortly after I got there. For the next few hours the action was pretty much non stop for me. I was using a mohair leech part of the time and a zebra midge the rest but it didn't seem to matter - they were hitting just about anything. I was counting for a while but lost count after 20 or so. Caught 40 - maybe even 50 fish in the 4 hours I was there. Some small stockers but a lot of fish in the slot. Nothing huge but quite a few in the 14 to 16" range. All I caught were rainbows today - no browns. Like Bill said they were extremely healthy and full of fight. I fished until they started cranking up the generator again at about 7 PM. It felt great to be out. This was my first time out in 07 due to the ice storm and some family illnesses. I hope this is a sign of a good year to come! I think most would agree that 2006 was a bit of a down year. Greg

If this officer acted as you say (and I have no reason to doubt you)then I think he is just asking for trouble further down the line. I have a couple of friends in law enforcement and they say the way to approach someone you don't know is to be polite and humble at the start. That if you approach people that way they are much less likely to get "go postal" later on. They say that you cannot back down but you don't have to be a jackass either - that can just make the situation worse. My experience has been different though. The 2 times (in 40 years) I have met conservation officers in MO they were both courteous and polite. The last time was when I observed an an agent writing a ticket to a guy with illegal fish (on Taney). The agent was polite to this guy even though he had obviously broken the law. And he took the time to offer the illegal fish to my son and I and chat with us about fishing in general. I do have a question though: Is it illegal to position yourself below the wire and cast above it? I think I may have been guilty of this a few times myself! Greg

I don't happen to think there is anything wrong with asking for others subjective opinions on fly rods. Yes the best thing is to cast them or fish with them yourself but personally I still enjoy reading reviews and others opinions on all things fly fishing. I own both a Sage Fli and a pre-IPC St. Croix Avid. But not in 6 wt. Both of mine are 5 wts. But still..... I'll give you my 2 cents. Both are very fine rods. But my 5 wt St. Croix Avid (which was custom built on the Avid blank) is my favorite of all my rods. It seems to strike the right balance regarding stiffness and feel for me. It just seemed to suit me right from the start. It is an older (pre IPC) model and I'm not sure how much they changed the newer model? I like the Fli as well - it's just a little faster than I prefer. But I don't think you could go wrong with either. Good luck, Greg

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Greg

I've had trouble with glo ball patterns too. They look easy but they are really not. I still can't tie a decent one. Greg

I called and ordered one today. Thanks. Greg

I think maybe the problem is that I'm pretty sure I've read that eagles are NOT on the endangered list anymore. I think their #'s have been on the rise for quite some time now. It's still a shame though if that individual bird didn't receive any aid. They are magnificent. Greg

I agree with both SM and Terry that MO trout fishing is mostly put and take. But I do think that is slowly changing. I've been trout fishing in MO for almost 30 years and it does seem to me that many more trout fisherman release their catch than in the past. I fish upper taneycomo quite a bit and it's fairly rare that I see someone harvesting trout. The same goes for the upper Current trophy area. That's partly because of the regulations in those areas of course but that's not entirely the reason. I believe I've even noted an increase in catch and release at the trout parks. I've always been curious about muskie fishing. But I don't think I would have the patience. What are they called - the fish of 10,000 casts? Greg

Woolly buggers are great. One of the most versatile flys out there. I generally strip them but I've had some luck dead drifting them as well. One tip: There is a variation on the bugger that I really like. The mohair leech. I've had great success with this fly. I've done much better with it than the buggers. Green, black, and tan are my best colors. I've had many days where swinging and stripping them was just deadly. You might pick up a couple and give them a try. If you tie then the leech is even easier to tie than a bugger. I actually started tying my own flies 4 or 5 years ago because I could not find mohair leeches anywhere. But lately I've seen them at many fly shops. Here's the link to some info about the leech and how to tie it. It was created by Mike Cruse of MO: http://www.missouritrout.com/mikesmohairleech.htm Good luck, Greg

Steve I'm a decent enough caster. BUT sometimes at the end of a long day I have some wrist and hand pain. I think that's because I tend to use my wrist too much as I cast. As a casting instructor - do you see that often? Any advice? Do those wrist splint devices that I've seen for fly casting that hold the wrist flat and straight actually work? I think it's called the Wulff wristlok? thanks, Greg

Steve - I know what you mean. It does put a smile on your face when you have a new rod in hand. I have about 15 rods now and I really only need 3 or 4. My problem is that I have an old favorite that always wins out over the new ones. So I tend to only use my new ones once or twice and then they start gathering dust. Kind of wasteful but I suppose there are worse things/vices out there. Sorry didn't mean to hijack this thread on the featherlight rods. I have a 7 footer that I like a lot. It's one of the ones I've actually kept using. I like a 5 wt line on mine though - even though it's rated for a 6 wt. Greg

Steve that is some of the best no-nonsense commentary on fly rod design and the fly rod industry that I have ever read. I particularly agree with you on the subject of "lightness". To me a super light fly rod just doesn't feel right. That's why I seem to gravitate towards mid priced fly rods. Like the St. Croix Avid, TFO professional, etc. They seem to be at the midway point in lightness and stiffness (moderate fast) and just suit my casting and fishing style. Obviously since the XP is your favorite rod you prefer a faster rod than I do. But of course not everyone casts or fishes alike. Greg