Oldschoolcane

OMG, you guys were all a heckuva lot nicer than I would have been!

Brian, hows the water lately? Tim

I am curious about the smallies, later in the year - October does the fishing get tougher? I am trying to plan a trip with my son who loves to fish for bass. Trying to decide what to do where to go. Tim

Phil, I think sometimes less is better and I would limit the forum to a 6 state area. You have to decide what your trying to accomplish, do you want the forum to reflect the Ozark waters or all the waters available in the NE, NW etc. I just think from a "user" standpoint....you aren't going to get much participation from outside a certain area and just because you can cover North America, you may prefer not to? I'd opt for a smaller focus that has always appealed to me, the other major forums seem to cover "everything" but seem kind of diluted when I try to access info related to the Ozarks. IMO, a forum is always only as good as the people that frequent it. Thanks. Tim

Thanks for the help. appreciate it. McManus, you're from Liberty....I grew up there. Here's what Weavers recommends: Marabou jigs: Black & Yellow; White; Pink & White. Mini jigs: "John Deere" or "Bedspread" (tie for 1st place); Black Roach; White Floss. Glo balls: "Easter Egg" 3-color; Chartreuse w/Flame dot; White. Other: Olive woolies; red or hot pink brassies; assorted color Rooster Tails. Dry flies: #12 Crackleback (chartreuse body especially good); #22 Cream Midge; #18 Royal Coachman. Nymphs, etc.: Gray scuds; Copper John; Chamois. I am really just interested in flyfishing, but the mini jigs may be of interest to my son. I am familar and tye most of these patterns except the chamois nymph, any thoughts on this one? Tim

I have a trip planned to fish Roaring River next week, does anyone have any ideas on patterns to use? I'll be tying over the next few days and I haven't fishing at Roaring river for awhile. Thanks. oldschoolcane

KCRiverrat, how long does it take you to get there? I am in KC also. Tim

SamC, actually Dave Whitlock who fishes far more on the tailwaters than either you or I suggested the dollar bill as an indicator of rising water. I do the same. I also plan to buy the CO2 vest just in case. You obviously have your own ideas, I didn't leave my comments as a joke. I've learned by experience to take my safety on the water very seriously. You may want to consider the same? Good luck. Tim

Plan A: To help monitor the rising water, leave a $5 bill under a rock on the shore. If it goes under, most of us would notice it. Plan B: Wear a CO2 life vest. Plan C: Fish with a guide. Tim

Don, how long you lived in Liberty? I grew up and went to school there. Tim

Phil, I am really enjoying the pictures, Thanks. Tim

JS, You live on the Kansas side or Missouri? I'd be interested in knowing what you find out as I'am looking for the same water. Hope you find it. Tim

Phil, I like this forum so much just because you care what happens here. I think if a user/viewer wants to participate they'l go to the extra trouble of an account setup. If thats more trouble for them than they can handle then so be it, if its too easy you'll have more e-issues on your hands than you want. Accountability is good. Tim

So the drought hurt the fish, forgot about that. I always liked fishing the North Fork because it reminds me of some of the western waters. Would like my son to feel like he'd been somewhere unique...since we don't go that much. Greg, Taney is a good idea also - I'll have to makeup my mind what we're going to do. Tim

Brian, has the size of the trout declined over the last 10 years? Used to catch some fairly nice Rainbows but thats been awhile ago. Just curious about the fishery. Tim

Thanks Terry, hope the weather begins to change soon. Could use some cooler weather here in KC. Tim

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Tim

Thank you Steve, appreciate the great feedback! About when do those Arkansas leaves start changing? This is a special trip and I want to make sure were there for the colors. This trip has been a long time coming. Thanks again. Tim

Brownieman & Brian, I appreciate your help and advice...you both are right on the money. Thanks. Brian, those pictures have me looking forward to fall....not sure what could be any better than wading a coldwater river as the leaves & season change? I've been fishing a long time although I don't make many trips but my son has never caught any trout on our trips to Colorado. He's 14 and I'd like to fish the NF but I wonder if I should also plan to take him to DryRun and/or the White @ Bull Shoals? I love the NF and the relative solitude over the weekend plus it saves me some driving time, what do you think? I just want to make sure he catches some fish on our trip. Tim

Steve, My son is 14 and I plan to make a trip to Dry run in either Sept or Oct, can you offer some suggestions for flies we should be tying? Any recommendations on where we should stay or could camp nearby? Thanks, Tim

Brian, I used to fish the North Fork but haven't been down for a long time. I've been telling my son I'd bring him down to fish the river in either September or October, as far as timing for the trip what would you suggest? We'd probably float & wade where appropriate. Always enjoyed being there as the leaves change but is the fishing about over by this time? Thanks. Tim

Terry, If you and your family like where your living, then work like crazy to stay there......I'll pray that the roads much smoother for you all from now on. Tim

2x and 15 turns of lead, you certainly wouldn't want to get hit in the head on a windy day with that one! Thanks. Heres a link to another stonefly pattern that you may enjoy. http://www.fishingwithflies.com/KaufmannStoneflies.html Tim

Brian, I think the flies look great and the pictures are perfect. I like the light blue background as its shows off the fly really well. Thank you. Any thoughts on the size of the hook to be used as we go into the fishing season, would you go with a smaller pattern in spring and then use a larger fly for late summer? Thanks, Tim

Really a great pattern, thanks for sharing that with us Brian. Used to be, I 'd fish stoneflies on the NF. Whats would you consider a good consistent stonefly pattern for these waters? Tim