Greg

Not one I cared for at all. Greg

Thanks Greg

Which pavillion is #2? I'm going to try to be there. Greg

RRV - I've built a couple. I built an 8ft 5 wt forecast for my son. It's a pretty good rod. The forecast is a good blank. I built it from the Hook and hackle forecast kit. Everything was top quality except the reel seat. It's a little cheesy although it does work fine. It would be great for a first build though. I also built a pac bay traditional (blank) 8.5ft 5 wt for myself. I used a better quality reel seat on it (struble) and it turned out pretty good as well. Personally I can assemble the rod just fine but I'm never happy with my wraps. They look OK but not like a professionals would. I think I'm not patient enough. Rod building is like fly tying but much more time consuming and meticulous. If I were you I would start out with a forecast kit or blank from hook and hackle. You just can't beat the price. They cast and fish well too. Good luck! Greg

Brian - barring something happening at work or home - I would be more than willing to help with a clean up on Taney. Could you post a reminder a few days before? I would also be willing to take part in an organization (either FFF or TU) that would be based in Branson. Both are great ideas. Greg

Thanks for the info. Greg

I'm a fan of Bass Pro but I'm not really looking forward to their opening this store at all. I didn't feel that we needed more development on Taneycomo and I'm afraid it may hurt the fishing. But it was my understanding that if Bass Pro did not put a store there - that Cabela's was going to. Greg

My lovely wife Tina would probably be interested in a ladies forum/topic. She started fly fishing last year and really enjoys it. Greg

My last few times out at Taneycomo I have caught quite a few rainbows that have missing or deformed pectoral fins. Does anyone know the reason for this? Some of these fish have been bigger 15/16" fish that are obviously not straight from the hatchery. Just wondering if it is a genetic thing or maybe it happens from the hatchery before stocking. It doesn't seem to bother them (the fish). They were all fat and healthy. And I've never seen a brown with this phenomenon. Greg

I've had some sucess wading during high water by dead drifting nymphs - but I put on a much bigger strike indicator and quite a bit of weight 6 or 8" above the nymph. Not much fun to cast with a fly rod. But it is really sporadic. Sometimes I'll do pretty well and other times I'll strike out. Greg

I've said it on this forum before but I think Bass Pro's classic fly rods are a great buy especially for the money - about $100. I have an 8 ft 5 wt that is really my favorite trout rod even though I have several much more expensive rods (Sage, etc). They are fairly light and have a nice medium fast action. Plus they have good looking hardware - real wood reelseat, machined hardware, etc. The BP manager here in Spfld also says they are really durable - they get very few back due to breakage. Just my opinion. I also agree with Steve who said that if you spend at least $100 you are going to get a good rod. There used to be a lot of junk out there but that isn't the case anymore. Greg

Can anyone come to the class? Do you need to RSVP? Greg

Thanks for the info on the gravel guards. Hopefully my Simms waders will last as well as yours. To me waders are the most frustrating thing about fly fishing. All the rest of the gear - rods, reels, vests, etc is pretty trouble free (particularly if you buy good stuff). But waders just don't seem to last. At least none that I have ever bought have lasted. Hopefully the Simms are the answer though. Greg

It's kind of hard to go wrong if you buy a quality vise from a company like Regal, dyna king, HMH, Renzetti, etc. If you plan to continue to tie I would stay away from the cheapies. They work but they don't last very well. I've got an HMH and love it. I have the spartan. But I think the silhouette is about the best value out there. Under $100 with a lifetime warranty. Greg

Wow! Don't know if it was the generation yesterday or what but today's fishing was wonderful. Started just below #2 outlet and worked my way down to rebar and back. Maybe 35 or 40 fish in 4 hours. Only 2 browns the rest rainbows. Just about everything worked. Started out with a zebra midge. Later went to a small brown scud. Then the last hour I was stripping wooleys. The best part is that almost all the fish were decent sized. Most were 12 - 14". But several were in the 16 to 18" range. To top it off at dusk I took a 22" male rainbow. Not that many people out despite the nice weather. Just a great day. And much needed as the last few times out I had caught almost all "dink" stockers. Greg

My wife bought me a pair of Simms waders for christmas. I've used them a couple of times and they work well. They are really not any more comfortable than the Bass Pro waders but hopefully they last a lot longer. Simms warranty seems impressive. One disappointing thing is that there are no attached gravel guards on the model I have (lightweight gore-tex). That kind of seems like a no brainer. The separate gravel guards work fine but that is just one more thing to do to get ready and to remember to pack........ I still plan to take my Bass Pro waders back and see what they will do. Just haven't had time yet. Greg

Hoover - Is it possible to fly fish for the snook around there? I've caught a few snook off the beach at our family condo in Clearwater FL - I've fooled around with a fly rod off the beach but never caught anything. The few snook I've caught were on a spinning outfit with a big silver spoon. Greg

Man am I jealous. My family and I do an annual trip to Florida - and I've never caught anything like that! Greg

Quote: "we're all fly-fishing snobs here" Hey now JS I think I resemble that remark! Seriously though this has been an entertaining thread. Everyone kept their cool for the most part and everyone has their own opinion of what would be best for good old Taney. But it is just that: "opinions". The MDC is in charge and will do what they think is best. Greg

"How many fish over 20" are kept"? loo10 - it's a good question: You may be right it may not be that many. But I fish Taney fairly often (3x/month avg) and it seems like I see one kept every other trip or so. More when the brown trout are spawning in the fall. Personally I don't have a problem with someone keeping an over 20" fish for a mount. It just seems sad when they end up as table fare when there are so many smaller fish for the taking that probably taste better. Also I certainly did not mean "spinfisher" as a derogatory term. Just being descriptive. Again MHO only Greg

Hayduke - the "buddy" that you mentioned the guy asking whether his fish was a rainbow or brown was me. And I was not his buddy. Merely someone downstream. I tend to be in my own little world when I'm fishing and I actually thought he had released the fish. I also didn't know he was fishing with bait. I did notice the stringer and jar of eggs or whatever when you started talking to him. Good job on doing it in a non-confrontational manner. I walked by him later and he spoke to me and was very embarrassed. He seemed like a good enough guy. On this subject - I haven't kept a fish in years. But that has a lot to do with the fact that I just don't like to eat fish of any kind. It really doesn't bother me when someone keeps the "stockers" under 12". It is probably even good for the fishery. But I have to admit that when I see someone keep a fish over 20" it bothers me a little. I think of all that that particular fish had to go through to reach that size. I saw a spinfisher catch and keep a big (maybe 25") brown yesterday. Personally I like the slot but I'd like to see the upper end increased to 24 or 25". Just MHO Greg

Just my opinion: Large arbor reels are nice but not necessary for trout/bass/panfish. A good reel with a quality disk drag is all you would ever need in MO. I think the large arbor comes more into play with salt water FF. The large arbor reels in some styles and brands are heavier than the standard arbor. In others they are not. If you want a great reel that will last forever look at the Ross Cimmaron and CLA(large arbor). They are both in the $150 to $200 range. But as stated earlier the White River (bass pro) classic reel is a good one as well and it is only $80 to $100. Greg

I agree with both Brian's choices. The Bass Pro Hobbs Creek and the TFO stuff are both nice. But I would add one other for you to look at. The Bass Pro White River classic rod and reel are top quality and you can buy the whole setup with line and leader for under $200. If it is important to you the aesthetics of this rod and reel are really good. The rod is reasonably light with a nicely finished wood reelseat. The reel is machined aluminum (not cast) and has a great disc drag. This setup is one step up from the Hobbs Creek. I have a Bass Pro classic 8' 5 weight that I fish just as often as my much more expensive rods. Good luck Greg

It's going good Brian. I hope you're having a good winter and getting in some fishing. You're right about Bass Pro. For that large of a store their selection of fly tying materials is kind of weak. Greg

Can you tell me if the river is easily wadable? Or do you need a canoe to fish it? thanks, Greg