Buzz

Great looking flies Lancer. I've been getting ready for Winter trout too. I've been playing with some stretch tubing on some #16 & #18's. I have a lot more others to tie before I'm ready. Hawkins' Hat Trick in brown and olive and soon to tie some Barr's Bouface streamers which will double as smallmouth flies.

Welcome to the forum. You'll be able to find a lot of info here.

Great fish!!!

Great post Ronnie. I will be tying some up myself.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be getting some marabou plumes soon. I'll try both of the suggestions for tying it in next time.

Great video Chance!!!

Nice fish indeed!!!! Thanks for the report.

Thanks DaddyO. I'm tying a streamer that has a hackle tail then wrapped marabou and a crosscut rabbit zonker strip for the front of the body. I used some strung blood quill marabou that I had, but I didn't like how short and stiff it was. The fly looks good and I'm sure it will work.

What do guys feel is the best marabou for wrapping/ palmering? I am not too happy with the strung marabou I have. Also do you tie it in by the tips? Thanks in advance.

I vote light wire. I've never straightened a hook on a fish. If flipping in brush I might opt for a bigger jig with a heavier hook, but it's not necessary on the creeks I fish. The only problem with heavy wire hooks is that before the hook straightens out enough to come free from a snag the line will likely break.

Sounds to me like ICE needs to do another sweep of the poultry companies again. Unfortunately it never lasts.

Thanks Chief. You know all smallmouth are wormy. LOL

Thanks laker.

Live bait is the gateway drug of fishing!!!! I'm sure that 99% of all fishermen started off fishing live bait, whether it was night crawlers or minnows. It's how I got my kids and grandkids into fishing. After they were old enough they transitioned over to artificial bait. For catfish and crappie I would go to the effort of catching and using live bait, but that's about it. I don't begrudge anyone for using live bait either.

Thanks Jeremy.

There was at least that many there today too.

Ness, I bought it from Orvis last year. It's a great fly that has always come through for me. Also good for trout. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1X4H

I saw something interesting on Shoal Creek today. A jet boat came up the creek just before I started fishing. I asked the guy how far down he went and he said, " About 2/3 the way to Gateway drive." Also there was probably 9 Kayaks that put in. No one in the kayaks were fishing though.

Thanks Ronnie.

I had a few hours to kill today, but not enough for a float or a drive to different waters so I stayed close to home. I got to Tipton Ford access at about 11:00 and was rigged up and in the water within 15 mins. I started out fishing a bone colored popper and jumped off 1 small bass and caught a couple perch. A mini Clouser caught 3 short smallmouth. An olive Hawkins Hat Trick was the best fly today. It caught smallmouth, Kentuckies, and goggle eye. I caught fish on the swing and slow stripped near the bottom. This smallmouth measured 16 inches. My biggest fly rod smallmouth to date. This fish made 2 huge jumps, leaping well over a foot out of the water each time. I'm glad she kept her fighting colors for the photograph. This fish made the day memorable.

Ouch. I can honestly say that has never happened to me, yet.

Looks like a great trip Yaknar. Nice fish Too. The James looks really good also.

Those look like they will catch a few Ozark brownies.

Lucky dog!!! It's on my bucket list too.

Scott, The reel is an Okuma SLV 5 wt., (I think it's SLV , the writing is pretty worn) I got it at Academy about 5 years ago. It's been a great reel and has a nice drag. The clicker gave out on me after about a year, but I actually prefer the quiet. I can't remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't bad.