Brian Wise

I'll be there to check stuff out and throw a little line. Sorry I didn't respond Dano, wasn't sure if you were meaning "me." Matt Tucker and I did the Clinic to benefit Hurricane Relief in November but it wasn't at Roaring River. There may be another Clinic in the works.... Brian

They are also super rods for light tippett. Brian

How about a report.... Brian

Check this out Lilley, it'll tell you a little about last years event. 2005 Bennet Springs Trout Fishing Showcase It's June 10 and 11 this year, that's about all I know except I will be there. Brian

I have never been to the "showcase." Planning on taking the wife and kids up there for the weekend, is anyone else from the board planning on attending?? Brian

Generically I would go, Nymphs 12-18's (excluding Stones which I would go from 8-12's)Dries 14-18 (excluding Stimulators which I tie in mostly 10-12's.) I know that is pretty broad but I truly belive in being prepared...I carry at least 3 different sizes of each pattern that are my go-to's. Usually 4 different sizes on CJ's (depending on the color.) I didn't tie that 20 incher....can't honestly take credit for that unfortunately . But they really are an easy pattern with the exact materials you said. I am messing with the dubbing, and the shell back though. I have mostly been using Stonefly dubbing for the thorax and thin skin for the shell back. I figured out the PT or Turkey just did not hold up at all for a wing case, could have been something I was doing wrong on the vise though. Brian

justfishing55, Unfortunately I wasn't on the river last weekend but... Today (tuesday) is supposed to be in the mid 70's with overnight lows in the 50's, I would expect some bug activity on Wednesday. As to what may or will come off, BWO's, Midges, possibly even a caddis or two. I would start of nymphing or throwing streamers and just keep in touch with what's going on around you. To tell you the truth even if there is a good hatch I wouldn't expect a lot of risers, that is the North Fork for you...HUGE hatch NO risers, BUT swing a crackleback or soft hackle through the riffles and tailouts during a hatch and you should do ok. Let us know how it goes! Brian

Last year we had more goldens in the lower part of the river (lower B.R. Section and upper R.R section)than I ever remember seeing. So the answer would be a definite yes. We have "pure" black, brown, and the goldens, that pattern would catch fish...I have a few woven stones in my fly box right now. They sure are fun to tie but when you need to sit down and bust out a dozen it can take it's toll. Brian

The Kauffman is probably the #1 stonefly for the river. I don't make mine quite as fat as Kauffman's tiers do though. This is a "20 incher" stone that I have been fishing a little and it is keeping up with the Kauffman. I am still in the process of finding THE stonefly that will fill my box. I don't want to spend 15 minutes tying them but I still want them to "look" good. I'm sure it'll be a never-ending process..... Brian

Supposing you are fly fishing right? If so, you have the line pinched between your finger and the handle of the rod during the hookset right? I leave my drag set at a certain level that I am comfortable with and very rarely have to mess with it (that is the last thing I want to do when fighting a fish I have to put on the reel.) I really can't recommend setting the hook without having a good hold of the line with either a hand or pinched between the handle. I may have totally mis-read your post though. Brian

I could see using a 10 footer, I will say that. But the 00 that everyone knows (and the only in mass production) is Sage's and it's only 7'10", I just don't see much more use for that rod than my post above. I agree with you Fox on most of what you said but where does rod action come into play. If I have a seriously slow 5 wt I will easily fish 7x with that rod. Brian

I don't think you could find a better bluegil rod. No honestly though I think their only place on a trout stream is a dink of a creek you can jump across and not catch anything bigger than like 10"....that would be fun. Brian

We'd be happy to have you and the mrs., think about a trip to ROLF this way though.....brownie points, major brownie points! Brian

Since you asked... I will be speaking to the Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers in Springfield for their March meeting, topic; North Fork of the White River. Forgive me I don't have my canlander right in front of me, will post the date asap. Brian

Hey Captain, I have never "slayed" them on a PT. It seems to me a PT is more of a "save the day" fly, at least that is what I usually run in to. Always drifting them either with or without an indicator. Congratulations! I understand what you are talking about when you say see what "momma" says, I have an 8 month old....they are WAY fun man! Brian

Outlook for Spring fishing on the North Fork. Hopefully like most springs we'll have some rain move through the area. Like I have said for a while now the water levels are holding up really well for us having very little rain for several months, the water column is high....for now. As temperatures start to rise and hold fairly well the hatches will start to really develop. BWO's, Caddis, and Mayflies will hatch really well at times. My #1 dry fly is a #14-18 Parachute Adams but an Elk Hair caddis, and Stimulators need to be in every fly box on the river. The #1 fishing method on the river is undoubtably nymphing. The North Fork probably has the biggest Stoneflies in the mid-west (I have seen some in the river that were close to 3 inches long) so they are a staple in all fly boxes on the river. The Prince Nymph is very possibly the #1 all around fly on the river a great all purpose nymph that will catch fish anywhere there is water. Copper Johns are quickly becoming a go-to for me, I didn't believe the hype for a long time but now I need to give credit where credit is due, this fly saved the day several time last year. I mostly use red and green but but I need to try the all black for the stones. Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs are another great fly for the river, I have literally used these great little flies for everything from Nymphing to Streamers, they swing great too. Of course the good 'ol Hare's Ears and Pheasant Tails (also both patterns in a "flash back" model) are great flies for the river. Wet flies are some other good Springtime patterns. Soft Hackle models in Partidge and Orange, Caddis green, Red butt, and some purples can work real well when the fish just will not rise to a hatch. Believe it or not but this can almost be as fun as throwing the dries themselves. Don't forget Cracklebacks, the best Wet\Dry pattern of all time (Feather Craft of St. Louis)Here's to Spring.....BRING IT ON! Brian

I bet it doesn't "breathe" at all in the water either. Awesome fly, and I am really diggin' the craw!! Brian

I'll throw a TFO 7wt TiCRx in the picture. You said stiff, the XP, TiCRx, and the Loomis Max Line Speed are in the top five of the fastest production rods being made right now, and they are all crazy-fun to cast too! Brian

You reminded me I needed some more thread so went to Dale's last night and picked some up....."Rusty Brown" #70 is what it is. Brian

Hey Dano, The rust colored midge is tied just like a regular Zebra....with a tungsten bead and black wire for the rib. Not sure the exact code on the thread but any of "that" rust color will work for you. I think the number 47 is the color, this picture leaves a little to be desire though. I would just look at mine in the thread rack but I'm out. Brian

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words. I will concede that the river isn't the easiest river to fish. At times it can take some pretty keen senses and skill to really "slay" the river, other times you can't do anything wrong. I think it is a "true" fly fishermans river in that you have to be willing to switch things up and figure the fish out......what is more fun than that, figuring out what the fish want and then sticking it to them. Consider this though, most of the trips I take are with very novice fly fisherman. I get several fisherman a year that have never touched a fly rod and with a little talking to them they understand that catching a wild fish is as cool as it gets. Give me the fight of a 14" wild rainbow over the fight of an 18" stocked rainbow any day. Brian

Oh Fox, We haven't even started a distance casting topic yet. But any caster I know that can throw 100 feet, with regular trout gear, will not be throwing that at fish, I guarantee it. I agree to a certain point with you though. I a lot of Missouri fishing a good roll cast is all you need. But the bigger waters(and the smaller waters for that matter) I can't imagine how having a good cast couldn't help you. As far as accuracy....do you ever throw a dry fly, or sight fish, or need to hit a certain seam, eddy, or a certain spot in general?? Brian

The only thing I don't like about Lefty's wording is the "when the rod tip speeds up and stops in a straight path." In good teaching you teach to accelerate the rod in a "straight line path" a straight line path throws the most efficient loops....period. To a newer student what Lefty says may be a little confusing because you need to move the rod in a straight line path to get a good loop but....see where I'm going? Sure if the tip travels without desending on either cast (i.e. a perfect straight rod tip path) it is going to give you problems, but how many people cast with a perfect rod tip path. Am I reading him correctly when I say that I can show you a tailing loop with horrible tracking (swinging the rod tip out or in during the stroke) to prove the rod tip doesn't have to be straight for a tailing loop or am I reading too much into his "straight rod tip path?" Don't you love these conversations, I'm such a nerd. Brian

I live in Gainesville. The guy in the fisherman's room is working at ROLF. Yes, there is access at 354 (Blair Bridge) go over the bridge and then another 1/2 mile is an MDC public access. Park down by the ramp and walk downstream, there is a small trail down to the bottom of that riffle you will see. BEFORE you get to the bridge on H (Patrick Bridge) you will see a parking lot on the left, pull in on that road and go past the parking lot to the end of the campground. There is a big MDC gate there and a real nice trail that will take you to the islands above Patrick Bridge...I really like the islands especially the second island upstream, very Coloradoesque'! Good access at Dawt, fishing lacks most of the time though. Brian

March is pretty much the "opening of the gates" for the season. April can have some crowds but they are usually pretty tame if there is much of them. Are you planning on staying at Rolf? Brian