JobyKSU

Doug - Don't congratulate me... I just (mostly) sat on the couch and nursed a Boulevard. It may be tough to be a Tiger right now, but in a world where coaches and administration look the other way while some athletes run amok, you should be very, very proud to be a Tiger. It may not feel great come March, but MU became one of the most respected programs over night.

So, what do you think... Tom Brady for an Oscar? I've got a feeling that the 'cast' was a rope-a-dope

Not that I'm trying to ruffle any feathers here... But how about them Wildcats? Maybe KU will be ready for them next time... [Alright, you got me, I am trying to ruffle a few feathers]

In general I am an upstream fisher. When nymphing with an indicator (or large dry) I'll most often switch to downstream. Nymphing downstream allows me to fish all of the water without fear of lining a fish, it allows one to put drag on to the line to bring the nymph up in the water column, and finally it allows for stack mends which gives you some of the extremely long drifts that perform so well on lots of the water I fish.

30% - I would have done better but there answers aren't quite right. I couldn't find "soft hackle" anywhere!

Wow... great response folks. We're officially full Soggyfeet, if that fly won't catch fish then I'm giving up the sport! Now, since you've committed to the swap, you're going to have to find your way to water to test it out. (See how good I am at coming up with excuses?) Kicknbass, let us know what you come up with I'm looking forward to the variety of flies we're producing here. Nice to see that we're getting spoiled by a few of the OAF elders I've actually gotten a decent start on my flies. I need to run to my grandmother's house and pick up some more canary feathers. I'll PM everyone with my address - send 2 flies for everyone plus 1 for pictures: Total 13 flies (triskadekaphobia anyone?) I'll double check with Rolan to see if he is still interested in photographing. Don't forget to tag each fly with the pattern and tier's name. It'll make it much easier to credit you on our fishing reports. Deadline will be Saturday, March 1st, but if we can all get them in sooner, then I'll get them out right away. Include a self addressed/stamped envelope and you should receive a package just in time for the springtime warmup!

I realize that I'm kind of a rookie around here, but would anyone be interested in a swap consisting of flies of your own creation? Type doesn't matter: nymphs, streamers, dries, soft hackles, etc. The only stipulation is that it is something that you came up with yourself and fished. Because we all know that nothing is ever completely new anymore, variants are fine. Looking for a total of 6 participants to tie 12 + 1 for Rolan. This will give us something to do during February, I'll suggest a preliminary due date of March 1st. I'll offer my Bulldog Hackle. I've had some really good luck with it when the fish are just cruising and not hitting a specific hatch. Participants: 1. JobyKSU - Bulldog Hackle: RECEIVED 2. Flyfishmaster - Crystal Scud: RECEIVED 3. Danoinark - Green Dacron caddis nymph: RECEIVED 4. Kicknbass - zonker head marabou tail: RECEIVED 5. DuckyDoty - Green Cadis Pupa: RECEIVED 6. Soggyfeet - the Soggyfoot Sculpin: RECEIVED DUE DATE MARCH 1st

Hey Chief, glad you got to spend some time at Beaver. Gorgeous, isn't it? Of course, spending the weekend there without a rod has got to be a new form of torture The tailwater is fantastic. You can read some of the comments in the BTW forum, but I'll throw my bits in here. It's a fun fishery and you'll find rainbow and brown trout spread through the 8 miles. Later in the spring there will be white bass and walleye coming up to spawn. Also, I haven't seen them in a number of months, but there are some big, fat stripers that cruise around. First, the average fish definitely are smaller than the other tailwaters on the White. There are a few big fish, but they're pretty hard to find. You've already seen one of the big draws of Beaver - it is amazingly beautiful and peaceful. One quirk is the sloooow flow. Drifts can be a chore As far as crowding, if you've fished upper Taneycomo, then Beaver won't be a problem. When there are a lot of people there, anglers tend to crowd into 3 or 4 popular holes because they're the easiest to fish (and fish, and fish, and fish). There really are fish all over, though, so find a comfortable spot and go for it. Some of the best fish come from areas that most anglers ignore.

No honey holes for me, cpriest Stay below Parker and you'll start picking up some browns. Officially you'll get fewer and larger fish there, but I seem to pick up more small fish also. I've started picking up more browns since I left the trophy management area. While I've found them in most of the same water you'd fish for 'bows, I seem to pick up a decent amount (although smaller) in deep, slack water. As for the emergers - no wire ribbing on them at all, though since it is a midge hatch a thin silver wire ribbing could be really good, now that you mention it. I'm using 18s, but given the size of the midges, I'd imagine that a 20 would be a bit better. I just have no subtlety and struggle setting hooks that small If you tie some up, let us know if they work!

I made it out yesterday also. It was a fantastic day to fish, at least a few fish were willing to play. I've had some pretty good luck during that hatch with a box of olive emergers that I got from Orvis (I can't find them now, though I can show you something that looks similar). They're really close to a plain olive klinkhammer. Float it dry, then close to the end of the drift give it a tug to get it just under the water film, then treat it like a soft hackle. On the days they decide to hit it, they nail it. Other than that, I had some pretty good luck on blue poison tung nymphs. The browns in general seem to get really annoyed at it, maybe its because the color is so similar to their blue spots?. I've had some monster hits on those little things, and they seem willing to streak from distance to nail it when the sun is out.

Well, since I primarily fish Beaver my go-to flies are a bit different. 1. - Ruby midge #18 - Been killer this year 2. - Soft hackle #14 - Either a partridge and green or a beaded thorax with green 3. - Parachute emerger #18 (olive) 4. - Griffeth's gnat #16-20 I guess I stick with the flies that worked for me elsewhere, and then tie on a scud

I know that there are at least a few rodbuilders and 'glass fans on here. This Seller on eBay has been selling off large amounts of fly blanks lately. The link will take you to fiberglass blanks made by Hardy: 8'6" 2 piece for 5-7 weight. There are 50 available and it's a dutch auction. Auction ends in just under 3 days.

Ah, but if it were any team other than the Patriots, it wouldn't be perfection! For what its worth - While I do enjoy ribbing about this, I was a Pats fan from before the Parcells era. I still remember the Pat Patriot logo and the annual apathy that set in around week 6.

I've never been a big fan of either Lesnar or UFC, but I think he'll do just fine. You don't get to be two-time All American and the heavyweight NCAA champ by being a wuss. Even if he doesn't win, I'll bet he surprises a few people.

Always trying to be an instigator, Trav. Just because we choose one method doesn't mean others bother us. Of course, 3 feet of line would probably be just about right if one was doing the shuffle I'm still trying to find someone to tutor me in the coke-can method. I've seen a few anglers that could outcast most everyone. Ironically, I've never seen anyone using the "pepsi-can" method. I wonder why?

Doesn't the Launch feel nice? Let us know what you think about it after you spend a day on the water Quick question - do you still have your broken Appalachian laying around? I just spoke to another person that broke the tip section in a beverage-related incident. Lamiglas replaced it for a rather low fee. I'd give them a call and see what they can do. Can't hurt to try.

I agree that fly fishing can be an extremely expensive hobby. From experience, however, I say it can be done (with just as much enjoyment) on the cheap: $70 - Rod/Reel/Line: Very usable SA kit from Walmart $60 - Used or Walmart bootfoot waders (check auction sites!) $5 - Plano fly box $10 - flouro tippet $12 - 3pack leaders $20 - flies $5 - indicators and splitshot $8 - basic Nippers/hemostats $15 - Walmart fly vest You can consider the $20 in flies as a low end and recurring expense. Unless you tie your own be prepared to pay that each time. Leaders, especially when you're beginning, are also a regular cost. After some time on the water, though, you'll be able to average a number of trips on one leader. You may desire a net, but it isn't always necessary. The SA kits from Walmart are very usable. It's what I started out on and actually performs better than some of the low-end "name brand" rods I have borrowed. The reel is the weakest part of the kit and I wouldn't trust the drag for too long. My point is this - For a little over $200 plus the cost of license, you can get on the water and enjoy yourself. After about 1 year, I chose to upgrade a large portion of the items in the list (except the waders). I had enough experience to make decisions based on what I wanted, rather than recommendations from others. I could also upgrade them one piece at a time and still be able to fish in the meantime.

I guess my response would be... "What one-fly tournament?" Did I just miss it, because I would've been there in a heartbeat. It may not have been a "January" problem. To be honest, I'm a bit frustrated I didn't know about it. I'm definitely not saying I would have won, but I sure would have brought some beverages!

So, I now this is the internet, but I have a confession. I want the Pats to win. Not only do I want them to win, but I've liked the franchise since, well... since they acted like a real Boston sports team. I would also love to see Green Bay make it... Actually I would like to see Favre make it. Like many, many other football fans, I can't help but truly get excited watching that "old man" have so much fun doing what he loves. This has actually be a pretty good post season for the NFL - lets hope it stays interesting!

I'll make that three for mending. Also, a spey and skagit casting would be useful, whether it was one-handed or two handed. Two-handed and switch rods are becoming hugely popular elsewhere. I'm finishing up a 3/4/5 wt 12'6" Meiser Trouter that should open a lot of water while wading. The opportunity to see the "something different" might draw a decent bit of interest.

I'm stuck in the office this afternoon, so no football for me. It's really hard for me to get excited about either the Cowboys or the Giants, so I haven't seen of Fox's coverage. On the other hand... Nothing like getting a spark from Sproles (and about 5 other second-teamers) for a Chargers win, eh? Did I mention he's a KSU grad? :

Hahah... leave it to Trav to double check At least this gives us a month to shop for your anniversary gift... first is the "Paper anniversary" right? The funny thing (to me) is that this post made me wonder how long I've been here. So, I clicked on my profile, and looked: it said "January 13th" - how ironic, one year for me! Then, I noticed the "2008" by it and realized I was looking at the "user local time" field. Doh!

I realize I'm still a bit of a new guy, but seems like a bit severe of a comment, especially on a site that is based around fishing which is, for the overwhelming majority of people, a hobby. Not that I feel like I need to defend myself, but this also wasn't my day off. As a semi-professional student, I've been rifling through research and textbooks all day as well as writing papers. Regarding your suggestions of alternative activities, members of this sight are, by far, some of the more giving and generous group of people I have had the pleasure of interacting with. I'm not quite sure what instigated the post, but I hope you aren't too offended by our choice of "free-time" activities.

Well, in all fairness, it is only Fox. Honestly, they should pay Matt Groening to have Homer do the color commentary.

How about that... Seattle scores 14 in the first 4 minutes, 6 the rest of the game. Old man Favre still has magic, and fun!