grizzly

If you still have those cargo pants, then I would measure the difference between those two buttons on the pocket of your thigh, then do some estimations Nice fish one way or the other.

Are you kidding? It's definitely worth the 3.5 hours to get there. Just do it. . .

Nice slabs!

I agree with Chris, an 8 wt is just about a necessity for big flies. I have a 9'0 8wt Redington Red Vapen and absolutely love it

Makes you wonder, huh?

I second Rim Shoals taxi service, first class people there. Copper Johns resort will also accommodate this request if you call ahead and talk to Ryan or Libby. Fishing should get hot here in the next month or so, I personally can't wait to get back down there. Zebra midges, soft hackles, wooly buggers and scuds make up my staple box. Nonetheless, caddis fishing can be the absolute best fishing one can enjoy. Bring larvae, pupae and emerger patterns along with some icy hot for those sore elbows this season will bring

I was down two weekends ago. Didn't see caddis, but bad luck on a red or dark brown midge about 16' below a palsa indicator by the dam

The White can be waded, it just depends on the generation level. I would bring down some eggs, prince nymphs, pheasant tails and midges. If it's generating too much then look to the Spring Rive and Norfork. Have fun

Well, and the actual diameter. Most 7x tippet is .004" in diameter. Berkley XL 2lb test is .005". Probably not enough to make a difference in this situation, but watch the overall diameter, not just the lb test.

Three tips: 1) Use Gel Spun Thread, there will be no more breakage, 2) Get a hair packer. I don't know what your budget is, but this is the best one I have seen and I love it to death(had one for over a year now) http://rusuperfly.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=93 It is worth the cost. 3), Use double edge razor blades. That was a good fly you posted, but I bet these three things will make it a lot easier to have a really good fly.

The second one looks great too!, just a little more filling that the first Just fish 'em, see what works best with your style. I used to tie "beer flies" in that they were flies that I tied when I was (cough) less than sober and those flies knocked the trout dead. I actually modified some of them and still keep them close to my vest. See what works in your waters. Just like us ugly guys catch some women at the bars, ugly flies catch fish in the water. Tight lines.

Can someone give me a number to this Ross guy, or any of the other Reps that are attempting the same? I would love to talk with them in a non-contfrontational manner, but explain to him that the seeds they are attempting to sow will burn the forest. Not trying to be lazy as I will look this up on my own, but I know this forum is a great resource and that someone may have some contact info.

Danimal, is it on the inside of the reel? There is a clicker on these. What shape is it in(L shaped perhaps?). Post a pic please

Gotta love Joe, hops on the fly tying forum to preach about jerk baits. Joe, you can fish similar patterns known as articulated streamers, but I get it, jerk baits are way you fish and you do well with them. Articulated streamers are a way to catch big fish on the fly rod, but they have their own limitations(small creeks and advance casting skills, etc.) Why don't you play around with some new materials? Different dubbings, rubber legs, uv products. I'm really into using CDC as collars in replace of hen hackle for soft hackles and nymphs. JD, check out some one of these websites: www.flyfishfood.com and http://theonefly.com

Thanks for the update. It has been way to long since I've been down there(roughly 5 years now). I'm sure much has changed, but one that will remain is the beautiful trout.

This is one of the reasons that I have not fished Hickory or Capps in over four years. Shame too as these are both beautiful fisheries but the enforcement just doesn't seem to be there. Additionally, I don't think you can keep these two waters productive while allowing anglers to keep four trout per day as the streams are just too small. I might have to make it down to Capps again sometime as it is a beautiful stream, but I will definitely make it a mere stop over trip as opposed to a destination given the hit and miss nature of the fishery. If we could just put a slot limit on the rainbows and convince the locals how much better this stream could be, and if we could limit the bait fishing section to the second bridge, then we might see a real gem of a fishery emerge. But again, that was a lot of ifs in one sentence, and I am not convinced that we will ever see the true potential of this fishery.

Nathan, congrats on your catch. PM sent.

The Little Red is one my list of fisheries to hit this season. Tiger trout are cool looking, however I think I have a better chance of hitting the lotto than landing one around here. Nonetheless, cool fish and a great share.

Joe, I am copying and pasting your last reply to me on my topic of simplicity: "I know I'm a crab, but I just can't leave this simplicity thing alone. I go to the White every year in January or February, so, I just like being prepared for any water condition. Too much time and effort go into these trips, so I'd rather not limit myself for simplicity's sake. I don't think this approach makes me a better or worse fisherman. But, obviously, I should get over MY fishing ideals, such as they are. I am a deluxe wanker." And now you are here posting about becoming a more simplistic fisherman? I find that funny, but I'll amuse your humor. I think that at all of our lives as anglers we become aware that we catch 90 percent of our fish on 10 percent of our flies/lures. Once you get over that, we then wonder why we carry the excess of "ammunition" when we are obviously doing something right. Why carry 10 types of crank baits whet 2 really work? Marketing? Who knows, but the real thing is coming back to fishing and getting away from catching. You can go to the best streams, rivers and lakes, but what are you fishing for? Catching fish, or tranquility? There are very few of us who pay the mortgage from the proceeds of fishing. Most of us find fishing as a way from escaping the corporate world and the stresses thereof. It seems that, for most, work is becoming more complicated, thus why should we make our 48 hour vacation into a complicated vocation? Find yourself and you may find the attraction of simplicity.

That is a cool looking brown with the spot pattern like that. No orange dots either. . .

So, if you have not seen it yet, the link is below. I'm posting this because it is humorous. Hope you find it funny as well. . .

Huge sucker and gongrats! We should call these "Ozark Whitefish" as they look like whitefish to me. My biggest was 15 inches on Capps, but I deem yours the "eclipse" in honor of its size.

Ham, Spending time with your father is a great goal. Sometimes it takes a near death situation to realize this. I'm 29 and almost lost my dad 3 times in the last 5 years. He survived a battle with Sepsis in 2010, survived the Joplin tornado in 2011 and this Christmas he was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. He's currently on dialysis and on the list for a kidney transplant so we all have our fingers crossed. I see in your post that distance is a factor. Maybe instead of just fishing, you could Skype with him etc. Wish you the best. Tight lines

Al, I overlooked the part of dry fly fishing and I'm glad you brought this up. Dry fly fishing is a different animal. You know, out of all the flies I have, I bet less than 1/10th of them are dry flies.

I think you really missed the point to my post. I wasn't really asking for advice, I was more or less commenting on my observations on the current fishing community. Look at all the different rods, reels, lines and lures out there. It seems that the newest is the best. Anyways just for your knowledge base, I have a spinning rod, large jerk baits and my friend is a guide on the White, so it seems that I have that down pat. . . Not to brag, but we have a pattern on that river, this year we used three different flies and have really no need for something different unless we are trying something out for the kicks of it. Personally, I think that spin fishing can carry you away more so than fly fishing. Ned Rig, Alabama rig, depth finders, price of crankbaits/lures in general, sprays etc. I see your point that the White gives up large Browns to jerk baits, but I think catching fish on the fly is a safer option than trophy hunter. Besides, if I was trophy hunting, I would use these flies http://slideinn.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=81over a jerk bait any day as I can control them better. And see the forest for the trees my friend, the idea of one fly box is the idea of simplicity, not that I need only one box ever.