WebFreeman

I was gonna say, $50 is not cheap to me, but I am a member of the tight arse fraternity. I have a Pleuger Medalist that I think I spent about $30 on back in '93. After line leader and backing, I think it was close to 60. But maybe $50 is good for a reel that would hold 9wt. Either way, there have been a lot fish caught on cheaper gear than that, and if it works for you, use the crap out of it. My advice on everything in life, from fishing reels to lunch to women and children, though, is not to drop it in a parking lot.

That is a very cool looking boat. How does it compare speed wise to the canoe? Seems like it might be faster. Maybe it's just the looks of it.

I got buzzed on the deck last night, too. Could be interesting. I've had a lot of hoppers, too. And some really big ones.

Any hopper action? I bought some foam last night and have been trying to tie some up.

Amen, Brother Terry.

Very good report. Thanks. I'll keep the white bass thing a secret.

I think it's called butterflying. Never done it, but would like to. Of course, you need to actually go fishing to do it. Here is one link: http://www.fivemilelake.com/cooktrout.htm Here is another. It's a pdf w/ links to videos inside it. Pretty detailed. http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/aquaculture/troutproc.pdf

I use Firefox. Works just like the PC version, but I think it's better. The new Mac OS is based on Unix, so I think Firefox works better on Mac than the PC. Apple makes one called Safari. I think netscape may be up to date. I've lost track. Microsoft used to make an Explorer, but they stopped a couple years ago when Apple came out w/ Safari. Still works, just no more updates. For email, I use Microsoft Entourage, which is like Outlook Express, but a little fancier looking. It also supports Microsoft's Exchange server for those in an office setting. The firefox people have Thunderbird for Mac and they come shipped w/ Apple's Mail. I think Microsoft still makes Outlook Express as well. And there are several more shareware options available as well.

John, how long is the tag end. Do you tie extra long to have enough room?

It's kind of outdated to say Macs are good for desktop publishing and nothing else. The famous Intel flying Pentium chip commercial was accidently outsourced to a company that made the animation on Macs. They come loaded w/ Apache web server software out of the box so you could host a web site in minutes. You can get Microsoft Office and work seamlessly w/ Windows office. It is true and there aren't as many video games written for Macs, but I don't think that's very high on Phil's list of things to do. You can get Point of Sale software to keep inventory for the fly shop, Quick books for finanicals, web design/hosting, the chip architecture is superior, comes w/ video editing and DVD authoring out of the box, photo editing out of the box and much more. Plus, the new ones can run Windows. Plus, Apple is cutting edge. They started the whole Wifi phenomenon for home use and revolutionized mp3 players w/ the ipod. I like that in a company. Also true that there is less support, but there are people and companies in the Spfd/Branson area. You can get the all-in-one iMac for about $1200, includes 20 inch flat screen and dual processors. Or you can get a Mini for 500 and use it w/ existing monitors. I don't work for apple or sell them, just wanted to present the apple side. I've owned one since 93 and won't ever switch back. I have 3 right now, all of which are at least 4 years old, and I can still design web sites, dvds, whatever.

i used them at work and home. love it. you're right about video and graphic. also very few viruses. let me know if you have questions. be glad to help.

Not to pry, Michael, but what's the ailment. Between the lot of us, we've probably had just about everything.

I don't think my wife could catch fish during that week.

Aww, man. I might actually have to come down there....

They're up 8-1 right now. They way the Brewers are playing and a good showing in Chicago next will certainly make it interesting. It's surprising how competitive they've been considering Carpenter and Kinney having Tommy John surgery and Mulder w/ rotator cuff. Plus, Rolen has never recovered from his shoulder injury and all the other nagging injuries to Edmonds, Pujols, Molina, Kennedy, Encarnacion, etc. and the death of Josh Hancock. I hate to sound like a cliche spewing sports talk guy, but the playoffs are a new season. If they can get there, they have a chance. The last five World Series (2002-2006) have had at least one Wild Card team and a Wild Card team won it from 02-04. It's rarely the "best" team that wins it all in any sport. ::climbing off soapbox::

Leonard, are you ever going to show/describe the pms?

Michael, why do you cut your first hook? Just easier are preventing tangles, etc?

I guess it's kind of like a wooly bugger in that there are infinite color combos and sizes that would work. Is it the hearl that makes it a crackle back instead of a wooly worm?

Your list is helpful, too, Leonard. Esp. since after about 20 minutes of fly casting in the dark would ruin all my gear. So, do you work those stick baits on top? Fast, slow? I tried some a few summers about off the dock at Cooper Creek in the middle of the night and got nothing.

Seems very thorough, Dan. One thing you could add is the zebra midge in black, red, and what else? I guess just about any combo you could think of.

Al, I think we've discussed this before. Do you use a leader or anything? I have some green spider wire braid (in fact, I just found it in the garage) and it looked like goat rope in the water and I had a hard time tying knots. I think I used it twice and gave up on it.

I just noticed that you, Don, and Bill have been posting around 4 and 5 a.m. Do you guys get any sleep in the summer?

That's buggie looking. Thanks for the pic, Tim.

Bill, I found some rainbow trout color flukes at the BP outlet. Do you think that might entice one of those browns when the boat goes by? I think they're about 6 inches long.

Mine is 30 inches I think. We kind of let it go for about 10 days. It's amazing what's swimming around in there now, and it's just on our deck. Everything but fish. We're not far from the Chesapeake hatchery. If they water wasn't 85 degrees, i'd go swipe a couple trout and keep them in the pool.