Don

JJ, I saw your Camel box on New Years and I really liked it. Thanks to all of you other posters on this thread to help out a frugal flyfisherman like myself. Don

Those look good Terry, When I try to tie, I wear contacts, reading glasses, and 3X flipdowns on top of that. My flies are still the ugliest. Don

Yeah Mr Ducky, This is the forecast I discussed with you the other night. No to be pessimistic, but realistic, this one is supposed to be a doozy. I'm getting power flickers several times this evening. Ice is gonna cause some major power outages this weekend for alot of people. I hope everyone has plan B ready to go. Be safe and careful everybody. Power lines and trees were already heavily coated here south of Republic about an hour ago and much more freezing rain is anticipated over the weekend. Take care...Don

I was happy as well. Usually after so many hours missing, abducted individuals are not found alive. Also, in a strange way, the kidnapping was a blessing in disguise of some sort since the other boy was found. Just don't let me get on my soapbox about what I think should happen to the kidnappers. Finally, thanks to Leonard for posting the Amber on this site. Don

Blessings and congratulations to you and your family. Don

Mr. Ducky, You'll pay no doubt for all your materials. You will pay more money up front , but it will cost you less per fly. Kind of like overhead in a business startup. After tying my own, instead of buying, When I lost a fly while fishing, it wouldn't cost much less per fly as one I had bought. On the other hand, the overhed is greater if you tie your own. You need to calculate the satisfaction of tying your own vs. overhead of materials and tying your own. I do both. I tie what I know and what I create and buy those I don't know. Creating your own patterns wiil be key. It's my favorite part of tying. Don

It looks like I'll finally be free to make one of Michaels classes. I regret all the previous that I missed. See ya.....Don

Thanks Leonard, I can't wait to make them. Sounds like a good super bowl snack. Don

LMW, You talk about a second pair of boots. Rule number 1. (By the way I have many rule number ones). Always carry a spare of what you have. The back of my van looks like a mess because I have additional pairs of reels, rods, cheap waders, boots, gloves, headmasks, socks, pants, shirts, undergarments...etc. Something will happen sooner or later. I carry backup of everything and feel I can't lose out on a trip because of gear failure. Don

Leanord, I know it's a secret family recipe, but I'm begging on my knees. Those were the hit food item of New Years gathering and you verbally shared the recipe. It's that I just met too many people at once and couldn't digest and retain all the info I heard that day. Could you please display the seahorse recipe, especially the blend of spices? Thanks....Don

I guess my biggest problem is to realize that jigs are flies too. The only difference is just that the weight is distributed on the hook instead of the line, as opposed to a bead headed nymph or bead headed midge. Same principle. I seem to perceive that the weight on the head on the jig gives a special lifelike movement to the fly. It seems to me that Phil has had alot of success with jigs and that I need to realize that it's not just a spinning ultralite fly and suffices very well on the end of a flyrod. I'll learn one day .....Don As far as tying goes... Get a jig head with bare hook coming out of the jighead, instead of a weithted shoulder. this helps the action of the jig. Now, I know nothing of Taney jigs, but at Roaring River I prefer the smallest olive marabou jig with olibve thread.

MrDucky, Glad to meet you and family on New Years. Regrets that I did't fish with you when I fished visiting that afternoon. Good thing I guess because fishing then was alot slower than it was earlier in the day (or maybe it was just me). Anyhow I have only 2-3 years experience flyflinging and I realize no matter what, I will always consider myself as a beginner. If you don't believe me, ask yourself the same question several years from now. That's what will keep you coming back. Good fishin'.....Don

Dano, I'm intrigued. I saw your Eagle Claw on New Years and I meant to discuss it with you but there was alot of busy conversation. Is it fiberglass? I remember those yellow rods from the seventies and I've used some of the ultralites. Where did you find yours and what are the specs? Thanks.....Don

You might also consider some mylar zonkers. I got mine at Back Country Outfitters in Springfield MO. Don

I agree with Dano, Felt is all you need at Taney. However, I suspect you will eventually expand your horizons of places you wade and fish. Many wader boots have screws bolted up into the bottom of the felt soles. These are for extra "grippage" in extremely slippery situations. I was told by some old pros that this technique was also especially handy acessing a river down a slippery muddy or icy bank and those guys drilled screws into their soles over ten years ago, long before manufactured spiked soles. Caveat Emptor - If your soles are not predrilled and you spike them, you void the warranty, as I did my 55 dollar Chotas. I've had no problems though. For example, it took me everything to walk on those slipperies on the upper San Juan, even with spiked soles. There is also alot od rock snot in some Arkansas rivers. My main pair is spiked and my backup is felt only. Don

I'm planning to fish Taney on 01/14/07 and 01/15/07. If any of you guys plan to be there post or PM and I'll bring your goods. Don

Okay, Caugh it up guys. What the heck is a ten second fuse ? Don

Gary, They were awesome . Nice to visit with you and thanks for the recipe. Don P.S. There is a repipes section down farther on this forum. Take care.....Don

I hung around awhile after I stopped fishing at dark, as i do once in awhile. I take walks and look at the lake, some times a few fishermen left, and I take moments of reflection of what God has offered me for that day and appreciate all of the "little " details and rememberances with all my gratitude involved. Anyhow I was probably the last guy out and I grabbed up all the leftover items from the OAF gathering, Hoping i was doing the right thing at that time. Here is the list: One decent propane table grill. Two emptly one pound each propane spare cannisters. One green and silver top Thermos band coffee thermos with tan carrying case wrapped around it (with cold coffee inside). One White Oak Station silver insulated cup with lid. One tupperware container with corn salsa dip that tasted awesome. Three-fourths a box of Ritz crackers with a picture of my girlfriend - Rachael Ray, on it. One can Pam For grilling No-Stick cooking spray (High Temperature Formula). And last but not least, Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer/Moisturizing with Vitamin E (kills 99% of germs). These precious items are currentldy heldtaken for hostage because the varmints could have had them after I left. Place a post or PM me and I'll do what I can do tho get them back to the owners. Don

Hey Phil and gang, Was a great time. Good people, good eats, good times. Enjoyed visiting with each of you. I fished 1:30-5:00. I watched people from the pavillion all day catch alot of fish. I was finally exced to go but things were slower than expected. A full house allowed me a spot for a short time above chute 2. I picked up two stockers with a tan scud. Then things slowed down more until I finally picked up three more at the end of the stretch after 4:00.I caught them with a small whote wooly bugger with pearl sparkle braid body. I missed alot of strike while stripping that little bugger. Any advise form you stripping experts would be appreciated. Leaonard, those sawhorses were awesome. Thanks everybody.....Don

I've used Priceline only once and I was pleased. I purchased airline tickets. I offered a lowball price request and they would reject it and counter offer at the same time. I kept throwing low offers and finally they accepted. Once they accept your offer, you are stuck with it. Don

After a great Christmas weekend with my children and parents, I took them to their mother's house Monday morning. I immediately beelined south to Taney. I fished last Christmas as well and weather temp was upper 50's. It was the most crowded I've seen Taney. This time it was cold, windy, and overcast. The most people I saw on the water at one time was 10. I fished from 12:30 unti 5:00. Water was slightly high with no generation. I caught at least 20 between chutes 1 and 2 with a ginger GBug and a few with a purple scud. Biggest was 18" rainbow. I also caught a bright and beautiful 16" cutbow. I fought and lost about as many fish that I landed. Many times the fly would fall out of the trout's mouth after I netted them. Most flies that I removed were barely hooked at the edge of the lip. I guess they were just sipping. About 4:00 I fished the strait below rebar. Line tangle caused be to re tie and I used a size 14 white wooly bugger. Drifting, swinging, and stripping brought on a strike almost every cast. Ending up catching 10 more before it got too dark. Merry Christmas....Don

Phil, I hope you and your family are a having a blast. I caught barracuda and yellowtail when I was there. For those who have not met you. You will be the only one at Taney on New Years with a tan. Merry Christmas.....Don

Wildman Beeson, Good to hear you're on the road to recovery. I would have replied earlier but I wanted to wait until the morphine wore off. Hope to see you on 01/01/07 at Taney. If you need a ride, give me a PM. Dano, Your mother is on my prayer list. Hope all goes well. Merry Christmas.....Don

LMW, I'm listed twice. Which one of me should show up? Just plain old boring Don (the clone) or Don with chops (the real dude)? I guess I'll do both and show with chops after I leave once. I'm looking forward to the social and some good cooking. I'll try to fish some in the afternoon. Do you think it will be crowded? Merry Christmas.....Don