trout fanatic

Ah yes, that do look sweet sir. My wife thanks you for the wonderful suggestion. lol

Having sold my old money pit (er I mean bass boat), I have been boatless for the last 3 or so years but miss getting out on the water. So I am waiting for my new kayak to get here. Should be here by the end of the week. At which time it will promptly be launched on its maiden voyage. I can hardly wait. Wife thinks i have lost my mind, runnin around fashioning scupper plugs, looking for milk crates and feverishly goin thru catalogs. Just what I needed, another addiction to go along with my flyroddin. It's gonna be a great year. Hope to see y'all on the water

I'm luvin this. Time to break out the fly gear...woo-hoo

I have, on a few occasions fished zone 3 with a fly rod. Each time I was with my grandson who didn't have waders and would ply the shoreline with salmon eggs and such and I would fish small trout worms on a fly rod. Not my cup of tea actually, but, it was a nice peaceful way to spend a day and I did enjoy it. I even struck up a conversation with a bait chucker and (gasp) he was articulate and friendly. Dang it another myth exploded.

That is awesome!! Thanks Dano

I didn't know that FS. Thanks for that bit of info I may wait just a little bit before making a decision

Nevermind. Just discovered that the Konic comes in small sizes only. Not big enough for my intended purposes. The velocity and litespeed are still under consideration though-only more expensive (naturally).

I have been looking for a reel for gulf coast beaches where sand is a real issue. The Konic is still on my radar screen. Very interested in what everyone else thinks about this reel. Anyone else have one?

You have my permission to laugh at me but...I prefer Altoids boxes. They are waterproof. I glue a piece of foam to the bottom and the lid. Each box holds between 5 and 6 dozen midges and the boxes are small enough where I could easily conceal a dozen or so in my vest if so inclined.

I would be remiss if I didn't add my thanks as well. Thank you very much sir.

I enjoy fishing them (although not as often as I used to-too many flies not enough time). I especially like to swing them but I have had fair success stripping them in inland lakes for bass too. My best fish was a 8 lb flathead caught on a olive wb. Would like to repeat that again (and again and again)

The only opening day tradition I have developed is to stay away from the parks on opening day.

As a general rule, I prefer to fish and wade upstream (alerts fewer fish to my presence) unless I am swinging streamers or wets. Here in missouri however, it is usually the crowds that dictate how and where I fish and not the fish themselves.

Yer right Dano and TB very smooth and forgiving. I need more. Last night, the missus came home from work and gave me the evil eye. I think she;s on to me.

I don't know how to drop the link for you but flytyingworld.com also has a wealth of patterns (alphabetical order too). As far as buying locally, I think there is a major shop in Lawrence (I believe it is called Yagers (sp)

As I type this I am awaiting receipt of a new old rod. A Fenwick 837 fiberglass number that will mostly be used for local bass and bluegills. I fear I may be recklessly sliding down a very steep hill. There is no cure

For a mono to mono connection I use a double surgeon w/lotsa spit. Mono to Floro, triple surgeion w/lotsa spit. Kwik easy tie and no issues, at least for me

I too, live to far away to attend classes but really look forward to the "minutes of the meetings" (i.e. recipes). Thanks in advance Dale

I see-said the blind man. Thanks Phil

Now that I know we have blogs, I went looking for them. Still couldn't find em.

Let see. Started out the fishin season with pneumonia and ended it with a broken wrist but ya know what? Still had a pretty good year. Hope everyone is blessed with good health and surrounded by a loving family. It don't get no better. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

Just ran across this while looking thru flyfishohio.com (sorry, don't know how to drop the link for you) scroll down till u get to "Going grand...On the cheap Lake Erie Steelheading...Information that you may (or maybe not)be interested in. Dale

I fish the Ohio lake erie tribs and highly recommend them. Phil's advice is rock solid and I would pick Michigan for size and Ohio for numbers. Pa stocks ricidulous numbers of fish but the fishermen seem to outnumber the fish-crazy. Food for thought-all of the great lakes tribs that I have experience on will blow out at the drop of a hat which leaves their smaller tributaries still fishable. Despite your wanting a "shoestring" trip, you might want to consider a half day guided trip. It will lower your learning curve by a huge amount and get you on some water to fish the rest of the trip. I have met some great people who can really fish and are eager to share info during my trips. Don't be surprised if you experience the same

I am a Shimano fan and have never experienced the binding factor that Ham talks of. I have heard of the problem from others however. I am also a huge Daiwa fan and agree with ss as a great reel ( I am disappointed that it does not have instant anti-reverse though). For the money, my favorite reel is the Daiwa Capricorn and one will accompany me on my next steelhead trip.

Fly fishermen do quite well (I usually flyfish only but a sore wrist put the dampers on that). Swinging streamers, and drifting prince nymphs, GRHE's and some of the local egg patterns (sucker spawn, crystal meth etc) and a mysis shrimp seem to be the local favorites. Lots a fun. Finding new water was a real hoot and will better prepare me next year. Kin hardly wait