Chief Grey Bear

KC came down for a little trout fix. Really don't have much to report. We did catch a few fish. I can report that the Brown trout have found their way to Shoal Creek. At least one of them has. I thought that was pretty cool. I have caught rainbows in Shoal but, this was my first brown. I also caught a nice, 11-12 inch, bronze back in Capp's. KC connected with a really nice 12-13 inch rainbow. Just a beauty! We didn't get into a bunch of fish but we had a great time. Little Chief pointed out to us some rainbows and a perch that had been cleaned. I guess someone had a great meal.

You I haven't cut any bail rollers with Fireline. I have cut them with mono but, that seemed to mainly one type of reel that I used to use. As for cutting the guides, I only use ceramic eyes and haven't cut one yet. I would think you should be able to just change out your tip to a ceramic one and be ok. I have never cut any of the other guides. But I have seen the damage that can happen.

WOW! Does one want to use that walnut oil sparingly? I would venture to say that a little would go a long way???

Your friend doesn't have to stop. After trolling for a while, have him take off his Roostertail. Then have him spool off a little more line than what he was trolling with. Troll that for just a few minutes. Dragging the line through the water will untwist it. I used to also do this when I used mono while wade fishing small creeks and even floating. The way to do that is when you get to a riffle, after taking off you plug, spool it out into the current and it will untwist it. But switching to Cystal Fireline has eliminated that for me. I will add that I only use Fireline on my lite rods. I still use mono on my heavy bass rods.

I smoked two chickens and made chicken enchiladas out of one of them. And some home made spanish rice. Delish! The other one we will eat this evening with some greenbean casserole, ranch style mashed taters, and some home made mac n cheese w/bacon.

The type of reel one uses does not bear witness to the caliber of said fisherman. Nor does the price of any of his equipment. I know some very serious and very successful fisherman that use that style of reel. I think they are a lot of fun to use myself. I will admit though, I haven't used one in the last few years, I certainly wouldn't look down my nose at anyone that does.

In my opionion you are right on OTF. Glad you got out this winter and tried it. And like Andy, I will on occasion take Little Chief during during late summer.

I agree 110% with that assesment. I would also add that loop knots that one gets occasionally with spinning reels are much, much easier to fix with braid, than mono. With mono, 9 times out of 10 you will loose a lot of line, generaly the length of your average cast, fixing the problem.

Capt. Phil Harris, dead of a stroke at 53. Thoughts and prayers are with the family and crew.

Oh man! Ollifest is the best fest of all the rest! It happens on the first Sunday following Thanksgiving. I'll let Ollie give you run down of it. But start planing in attending! It is a Ozark must! Great looking fish. Can't hardly believe they came from that crappy little creek. Sure seems like Hickory has been producing a lot of fish lately. Cwazzy!

Thanks again for the brat's and arms Ducky! Oh and thanks for the crawdad fly! That is just an incredible work of art!! I hate to use it but, I am going to have to try it this summer chasing some brownies with the long rod! Laker - You should have seen that rod up close! I swear that when I looked up stream, it was easy to spot Ducky. That rod has a red beacon flashing on top so aircraft wouldn't hit it! The day started out hot for me. I had my first fish on right after getting there even though didn't make it all the way to my hand. I thought oh boy this is gonna be a great day. Boy was I wrong. I went about 2 hours or so before I made another connection. With a fish that is. I then brought in 3 more before I had a nice one break me off. I brought one more in before the fish decided that I had caught all I needed for the day. I wish they would have consulted me on that desision. It was great to meet a couple of relitive forum newbies, Wounded One and Hopper. Anytime you guy's are down around the area, lets do some fishing.

That is pretty neat story about the tournament Phil. I think it would make a great blog story. I am assuming that they are launching out of your place????

I think Dad still has a few of them. When I was a kid the 308's were the top of the line for crappie fishing. We still have a bunch of them. Still use one of them. Great reels.

Not according to the professionals. Unless you snag them as they are dropping out of the honey wagon.

Well, not so fast. If you have a empty seat, I'll take it. But, I'll need to be back by 4:00.

I had a feeling that would be the case. I have been known to sneek off during the week too. I will for sure give you holler at least a week in advance.

I'll be there Saturday. With the weather that is on the way for Sunday, I think I will stick a little closer to home.

WOW, you know me pretty good. I will definetly give you a holler when I head up that way. I would say it will most likely be on a Saturday.

I am thinking it must be something else. I may be wrong, but that just doesn't sound right. The only boat restriction that I know of on Hazel Creek is no gas motors may be used. You must use an electric motor (trolling motor). I just took a look at the reg for Blind Pony and I see there have been some major changes and since it is a source of water for the hatchery as gypsy states, I can agree with that. Let me know if you happen to find something out about Busch. ...privte boats were not allowed, show I checked..... Nice spelling huh? That should be.... private boats were not allowed, so I checked...

Wow! I found it hard to believe that privte boats were not allowed, show I checked. And you guy's were right. That is the only CA that I know of that doesn't you to use your own craft. If you guy's see an agent the next time you are out there, I would be curious to know the reasoning behind this.

What is the deal with not being able to use your own craft, canoe, small jon, or scamp, on the ponds as Busch? My mistake eric, I thought you and OTF went to Bennett a couple of times.

I thought the info was interesting. Though the numbers are technically off just a little. Those eggs would never have hatched. Those hens have never seen a rooster in their life.

I totally here what you are saying! I couldn't agree more! Nothing like chasing them in a more natural habitat. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the fly rod. They can be and are blast to toss. I am thinking of seaking up to Bennett sometime this summer or early fall. Think you and OTF can show me around?

Yeah I read that about Hickory somewhere. I know exactly what you are saying about the parks. But most of that will subside after a few weeks. Plus I won't step into one until late in the year. Like October. Maybe September. But that is not to say I won't hit down below the park a few times during the summer. And I am all for it. I think it is a great program for others in the same situation like yourself. I was really just kinda playing around with eric and gypsy. If I offened you, it was not my intention. I think me and eric went around and around about it earlier this winter but, all is good with me. I see he is enjoying the program by the reports and pics he post. It appears to me that the program is operating as designed for all involved.

See, the MDC is doing us all a big favor. By stocking these ponds with trout, it keeps all of these idiots from fishing the areas that we really like. You know like Hickory! Ahhhh com'on gyspy, ya gotta laugh a little at that!