armyflyfisher

Deep Diver 75 wrote:......"If you plan on being a serious flyfisherman and spending quite a bit of time on the water spend the money now and get a quality large arbor reel, you'll be glad you did later." I'm sorry, it feels like I'm ripping a scab off a healing skinned knee wound, but I feel like I have to respond to this comment. I wasn't aware that the size of the arbor had anything to do with the "seriousness" of the person holding the rod. I know several "serious" fly fisherman that catch fish well over 10 pounds on such classic reels as Beadeuxs, Landexes, JW Youngs and Heddons not to mention old US made Medalists and Martins. They fish this equipment because of the intrinsic worth of the experience to themselves - NOT because they are any more or less serious about this SPORT that's supposed to be about having fun and enjoying the time we get to spend outdoors. I think that's the beauty of fly fishing these days - all of us have the ability to fish with equipment that we value - regardless of what the next guy down-stream thinks. David

Thanks Vic. Your kind words mean alot. I know that everyone in the military today appreciates the support that we feel everyday. It's a far cry from what the guys coming home from Viet Nam felt when they came home and were spit on etc. I miss the Little Piney and wish that we could have met also. I actually have never fly fished with anyone (totally self-taught) and would like to have the opportunity to compare notes and see what I'm doing wrong! Thanks to you and everyone on this board for welcoming me and making my time in Missouri and on this forum enjoyable. David

I've been going to the Mill Dam Hollow Access area (South of Newburg on Hwy T) almost weekly for the past few weeks. I usually start at the middle access point of the three on that road and go upstream from there. Between the middle access point and the upstream access point I usually get lucky with rainbows at any likely looking spot that might hold fish - stream side brush and downed trees in the water. I've been using the ubiquitous black and olive wooly buggers in size 10 and 12. Seems that I have the best luck when I get down to the fish, so bead heads work along with long upstream casts that allow the fly to sink by the time it gets to where you want it seem to be the ticket - for me. Between the middle and the upstream access point there is a right hand 90 degree bend in the river. In that bend is a DEEP hole with a downed tree just past the apex of the bend. Really pretty spot with sheer rock walls on the outside of the bend. I've hooked into rock bass, small mouth and even large mouth bass in this hole along with a 'bow. 2 weeks ago I was twitching a sculpin pattern through (the heaviest fly I had), in an attempt to see what I could dredge up from the bottom of that hole. Something hit that pattern, HARD and ran. I was using a 7'6" 6wt rod with a dt 7wt line and a 5x tippet. I lifted the rod and that tippet snapped like it was gossamer. Didn't even slow that fish down. I've been back once and came up with only a a few rock bass from that place, but I didn't have any sculpins with me. Well, I'm armed wih flies now now and heading back, probably today or tommorrow. I've enjoyed fishing that little river. I'll miss it when I leave Missouri this Wednesday for my new duty assignment at Ft Hood Texas. but I'm sure that there is lots of new water to explore there. If you need more detailed directions, PM me and I can probably help you out. David

I was passing by the FT Worth TX Cabela's a couple of weeks ago on my way back from Killeen TX (relocating there in a week). They have a "Bargain Cave" that is definately worth a visit. I picked up a 7'6" 6WT ST Croix Premier rod for 50% off ($50), and a new Prestige Plus II reel for $14.95 (reg $49.00), along with some lines at huge discounts and some tying materials. Like Thom I like the Cabela's reel. Nicely finished, solid with very little play between the spool and frame. Feels a lot more solid than similiarly priced reels from BPS. BTW, my latest quest is an Amercian made Medalist. Solid, dependable, American made click pawl reel, and can be had for <$20 usually on e-bay. Check out this article on "balance." http://www.flyfishohio.com/a_question_of_balance.htm David

Like others have said already, I think that today's high dollar reels are a good case of over-engineering. Granted, I haven't been fishing quite as long as most on here, but I have NEVER played a fish on the reel (not to say that I won't ever). Sure, if you're fishing in Alaska, salt water or any other place where the chances of catching something that might need to be stopped by a disc drag are great, then those reels make perfect sense. But for the fishing I'm doing in the Ozarks (and soon Central Texas), I think that my BPS Hobbs Creek, Cabela's Prestige Plus (actually nicer IMO than the Bass Pro reel) and a Martin Mohawk fit the bill and do everything I need them to do. Rather than drag design and arbor size, I find myself being more concerned with "balance." When stripping line in, concentrating on getting that Little Piney Rainbow or small mouth, or that pond bass to take my offering, I like to relax my grip on the rod and balance it with just a couple of fingers. I've felt outfits where the reel was obviously too heavy for the rod and the balance just felt all wrong for me and I couldn't get comfortable with it. Like CC I find it interesting how we all are clamoring for light weight rods, yet the weights of the reels keeps on climbing. I am beginning to lean to fiberglass as a rod material of choice. With this retro direction in rods, I find myself also going retro with reels. I'm eyeing a Phillipson Swamp Fox 8' 6/7wt glass rod as we speak. I think a vintage American made Medalist would look (and work) great on it. David

Not only is it "feasable" but it's a hoot to fish for warm water species. I love the look on hardware chuckers' faces, in their zooted up bass boats when they round a bend in the shore and see me waist deep in the water, fly rod dancing with a bluegill or bass tugging on my line. I was on a small lake on FT Leonard Wood tonight, fishing a size 10 attractor (yellow dubbing with a black hackle palmered on - looks like a bee) and managed to catch a half dozen little brute 'gills and a LMB in about an hour of casting. I think it's more than feasable - I think it's fun!!! David

Guys.... Today I noticed a deep cut on a WF fly line that I have. the cut's at least 20 feet in, so I just can't cut the line. I was wondering if there is a way to repair the line? Can I superglue it so something? Thanks, David

Be careful though....not all Wal-Marts carry them. The Wally world in ST Robert, near FT Leonard Wood doesn't carry them. David

On the Little Piney..... Mill Dam Hollow access just South of Newburg on T Highway. I've had the best success here. http://www.2manyhobbys.com/Little%20Piney%20Creek.htm There is a good description here of the Little Piney fishery and maps of the place I mentioned. Have fun! Wish I could join you but I'll be in Texas by then. David

......all this talk of high-end.."cheapie" - (I wonder if that includes my Echo, I'm sure it includes my Featherlight).....high modulus...glass...boo...plastic.....all I want to do is get outside on the water and have a good time...and maybe catch a fish or two. I get out as much as I can...2 or 3 times a week during the Summer if I'm lucky. I'm so new to the sport that my Echo feels (and looks) really nice to me. Can't wait to get my Eagle Claw on the Little Piney...that deep hole in the right bend just down from the Mill Dam Hollow access.....the one with the downed tree....I KNOW there's a big rainbow....maybe even a brown or a small mouth waiting for me there..... David

I just picked up a 7' Featherlight on ebay for $14.25.....can't wait to sling a fly or two with it. David

Maybe the solution is to have different kinds of fly swaps for different levels of tyers? I just started tying with a vise given to me this past Christmas. I am SURE that my flys aren't up to some of your standards (not pointing fingers), but I am learning and enjoying the process of getting better. Sure my flys have caught fish, but they also do not look like the flys in the catalogs. To say that I am intimidated to the point where I won't enter a swap is an understatement - even though I'd love to see the patterns that other guys are tying as well as pick up some valuable tips on how to make my flys better. On the other hand, maybe the "pressure" of trying to tie a perfect fly would be motivation for me to get better faster? David

"......Try to get $300 for a used Temple Fork ;>)!" Try to get $300 for a new one! None of the TFO's cost that much in the store. David

....."Paying the surgeon for extracting said rod would probably be costly, as well." Not to mention the pain and agony! David

Cast a bunch...regardless of price.....then buy what YOU like ...regardless of price. Why limit your selection to only high dollar sticks? There are LOTS of fine casting rods manufactured today that don't cost an arm and a leg that you might like....such as the Echo or TFO's etc etc. I waved around Winstons, Sages, ST Croixs, G. Loomis rods and TFOs before I settled on my sweet little Echo 3wt. It's light, looks good (to me) and fit's MY style perfectly, and only cost me about $150 or so. The money I saved was enough to invest in a nice line and convinced my financial advisor (the better half) that I will need a 7 wt in the near future! Watch what Terry says.......after all....he drives a DODGE!!! David (Drives a FORD!!!)