rps

@BilletHeadand I were discussing fly fishing bass for bass in his thread Reel Recovery 2022. He has me interested. NE Oklahoma has a number of streams and small rivers that smallmouth inhabit. With a walking/wading staff I can fish without towing a boat, and learning to flail with a wand intrigues me. So, let us discuss first outfits. Let me premise this the the simple statement, "I hate cheap equipment." After reading reviews, columns and blogs, and other stuff, the sweet spot of beginner, value, and quality seems really hard to find. I looked at any number of possibilities. I want to know what you think of this combo: https://www.orvis.com/encounter-fly-rod-outfit/3AR9.html . What I read seems to say a 6 weight would be good for streamers and small poppers. The combo comes with floating line. Should I buy a second spool with a different line (sink tip, intermediate, sinking)? I know the answer depends on the waters, so think Elk River, Illinois River, 14 mile creek, and Spavinaw Creek. Based upon this start, your opinions and remarks.

OK. Smallmouth waters like Illinois River, Elk River, Big Sugar, 16 mile creek, 6w? 7w? float or sink line? both? 4# or 5# tippet? so many questions, so little time.

After looking at prices rods, reels, waders, nets, paraphernalia - I don't think I can afford it.

Makes me wish I was there to help. Trouble is, I can't fly fish.

I hear a fellow voice in the wilderness.

Only been robbed once. Maybe I've been lucky. The poor, the druggies, the idiot teen males, and the desperate only see the the money without investment. We can't teach morals to those groups. Heaven knows I tried. We can only punish, and that does not change much. More than one of my former students has served time, or is still doing so. If I do not look to the good side, I become very sad.

I wondered the same thing. I looked it up. Largemouth/spotted bass hybrids do happen. Not as often as meanmouths, but once in a while. Regardless, that is a magnificent fish. At that length, with eggs, I would say between 5 and 6. Certainly larger than my PB spotted bass.

This thread is an example of why I haunt this site. Every post here is an intelligent answer to a question. Each answer is a good one with merits. bobby b. I have used and appreciated Finatic #10 braid, Maxima #5 mono, and Yozuri #6 hybrid. Try all and find what suits you. None need leaders. With all, I tie a double polamer knot.

Beef pot pie with a butter crust. I should have egg washed it, but I was being lazy.

When it is ugly like that, Holiday Island ramp is a good bet. Free, plenty of parking, and far enough up river that many people don't use it or fish there.

Thorough report. Great pictures of a good day!

I was raised by a mother who bred and showed dogs. English Setters, English Springer Spaniels, and Otterhounds. She and I exhibited all over the United States, including the big one, Madison Square Garden. Your best source for non shelter dogs will be from a breeder who belongs to a national breed club (show or gun/work). Expect a health guarantee. Expect the breeder to require you to neuter or sign a contract to breed only with the original breeders consent. Mom learned that early when we got a call from a man in NYC who wanted information about the dog he bought at a store. We discovered someone in Kansas had bought one of her dogs at an estate sale, bred the female dog multiple times, and was selling them with Mom's kennel name. As for the "expectations" of others, most of the people in the US have zero knowledge of fishing, hunting, or dogs other the something that looks good. Were Mom still alive, she would be horrified at Labradooles, dappled dachshunds, and peekapoos. Just for pride, the attached link goes to the foundation female dog for mom's breeding program. https://pedigree.englishsetters.at/details.php?id=10380&gens=4 BTW Phil, your dirty word blocker thinks dog terms are dirty.

I have fished every reel named in this thread as well as others. For budget through mid level, find a Lews built for the type of fishing you intend to do. For mid level to modest top end, Lews, Shimano, and Abu Garcia would be my suggestions. At the very top end Daiwa and Shimano cannot be beat. My current baitcaster stock includes two Lews BB1 reels I use for trolling, one Lews Speed Spool I use to vertical jig, two Lews Custom Pros I use to crank, one Lews Tournament Pro set up to worm and jig, a Daiwa Zillion on my Ned rod, and an older (6 years) super tuned Abu Revo MGX I have on my topwater rod. The last two were the most expensive but they are wonderful reels. Maybe not as good as Babler's Steez reels, but impressive. My two cents.

If you hit a big batch of morels, mince a few of the smaller ones, mince some ham, and mince a melting cheese of your choice. Blend the three well and then stuff the larger shrooms with the filling. Now batter them and fry.

I have fished it two seasons. Absolutely worth the price. Their fluorocarbon is equally good. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfinaticbraid.html

Bravo!

Cooked correctly, they are good.

Teres Major comes from the shoulder. Usually it is part of another shoulder cut. I find it very tasty, less money than tenderloin, and easy to cook, if you know how to treat tenderloin. I sous vide it to 128, then sear it. CUT ACROSS THE GRAIN!

Something I have never had! Intriguing.

I took notes on the food recs.

Just booked two days the first week of June (mid week) with Don Cranor. Also booked a VRBO cottage at Cotter. Tied 10 white jigs today and 10 olive. I look forward to this trip. I will post pictures once back.

Teres major steak with tomato lentils and feta side. I did a red leaf lettuce and asparagus salad on the side.

@BilletHead