Micheal Kyle

I think they are trying to tell us to DRINK MORE BEER You in town today stop by the shop

I have had pretty good results with the Meat Whistle I got a couple sample flies 2 years ago from Cary Marcus, my old sage rep who is also the Umpqua rep. I have the best luck with the Olive. They are a very effective pat. for big Browns in the fall. I really fish it more on the White River though. Mr. Barr is a genius and his books are awesome very well illustrated and with the step by step patterns. If you don't have one you should get one. Good Find Leonard! Michael

I found this surfing the web I'm Not sure who has written this but it is very funny and very true at the same time.. Real Men of Genius... Today we salute you, Mr. IGFA Line Class World Record Chaser ... Because you've bought into the notion that the smaller the diameter, the more the fun. (I live for small tippet!) So you'll hook fish by the score, and, after $12,000 in guide fees, a trail of broken leader that could wrap around the Equator, and a stroke of dumb luck, you'll eventually land the big one. (Take that Lefty!) Once the carcass is on ice, you boogie for the dock, and the "certified scale" at Mario's Meat Market. 'Cause from now on, your name will be synonymous with the lesser green spotted, white tiger-striped, shortfin sea bass. (I got the proof!) So crack open a cold Bud Light, oh Master of the Monofilament ... Brett Favre, Wayne Gretzky, and Michael Jordan have nothing on you. You're the "Record Man!" And in a mere 6-8 months, you'll have that coveted wall certificate to prove it.

It has been a while thats for sure but something told me with the construction that was going to happen down at power site that they would want the water down at daylight. That meant they had to shut the water off around midnight. Knowing that I was wanting to go down and try my luck, I told my wife that I would take care of dinner, she was all in for that. As I sat there with the family there was only one thing I was thinking of and that was fishing, sometimes I think there is just bad karma for doing that. When we finished there were a few flies in my boat that I wanted so I went out side with my 2 girls and and was taking the bungees off my oars and thats when it hit me BAM like a ton or bricks oh yes now I'm bleeding. My oldest daughter which by the way is 4 said "Ouch I bet that hurt" and all I could do is laugh. Yes it hurt like you know what, but I couldn't let her see my weak side. She Ran in and got Kristina and all she could say at the top of her lungs is daddy is bleeding over and over. I now am the proud owner of a gash that is about about 3/4 of inch long and needed to be stitched. Kristina was saying lets go I kept saying NO. I knew if we went I would not go fishing. The light came on, yes bring me the Zap-a-Gap, Kristina kept talking to the girls about a crazy man that lives in our house. I sure wish I could find him and get him out. That kind of scares me. It worked and looked just like any ER Doctors work, so now who's the crazy one just saved some money on my monthly ER bill, and yes I mean monthly. So now I'm back on my way with Tim and Laker 67. Tim and I rolled into the parking lot around 11:30 and there was a guy fishing number 2 and that was it, I could not believe that there was no one else down there. He broke off and had to come back up to his car. After talking to him for a little while I found out that he was from St. Louis, and we had a couple of mutual Friends. Malcolm it was nice talking with you. Well Tim and I were waiting for our partner in crime and Mr. Laker 67 showed up, after a brief discussion about the water and solving the world problems we called the power house and yes we were right the water was shut down. Oh boy. I told Laker 67 and Tim that we were not going to catch anything up here he said go on down and he would meet up with us. Tim and I did not hesitate we and our rods needed a fix very badly in fact I believe my rod was shaking just a little or that could have been the operator, not sure but I'm almost positive it was just the rod. The moon was high and bright almost full it was about 99% according to the United States Navy, in fact the had some funny name for it a Waxing Gibbous. As we started our way out the water was dropping and dropping fast it was 705 and believe me I love working my way down to the Big Hole with the water dropping. I made several cast with the first one being very short and very quick on the retrieve so that there were no first cast curse. It actually took about 10 cast then there it was the bend in my rod that I had been longing for. It was a nice Rainbow maybe 17" and very fat, and what a fight he put on I actually told Tim that I thought it felt like a 20". With the first fish out of the way it was on, Tim and I worked our way out to the Gauntlet and then here came Laker 67 hey Tim is that you, yep come on and get out here and help us catch a few of these fish. Laker came down below me and That put Tim above me. We slowly just started to work our way down to the big hole. It was some of the best fishing that I have experienced down there in a long time. I believe the last time it was this good I was with my Dad (stubby) and Jim Murphy, Jason Clark. that night we had several doubles and triples too. But the quality was not there they were all dinks. Where last night I have absolutely no idea how many doubles and triples that we had on, but the quality of the fish last night beat any thing I have experience in a long time. I would say that 90% of the fish that we caught last night would be in the 15-17 inch range, there were a few that would even push the 18" mark. We were fishing floating lines and stripping streamers back and you could pretty much catch one on every cast for about 2 hours straight then it started to taper off. I was casting to the other bank and just letting it swing and as it was swinging I would just strip it in real slow. I am pretty sure that is how the others were fishing as well. I tried just letting it swing or dead drift and nothing would take the fly. It seemed for us they wanted a little action in the fly. I would have to say that we all had our best luck on a black/olive bead head streamer. I'm pretty sure in the 4 hour stretch of fishing that we easily toped 125 fish, between the 3 of us. What a night. Her is a pic from last night Hope they will shut it down like they say they are going tonight. Tight Lines Michael

Fish Pond makes a nice dry bag and it is 29.99 sell quite a few a year.

All of October and November with the peak around the last week of October and the first week of November. As far as the flies go Big sculpins, Egg sucking leeches, eggs, beads, mohair leeches, Kelly Galloups articulated flies like the Sex Dungeon and the T/A Rainbow or the Zoo Cougar. You can also you big nymphs under a lighted indicator at night. That is how a lot of people will fish when the water is off and epessiaclly if it is on, it can be very effective way to fish. I just prefer to strip streamers. That's what I will use at night. During the day I will use big eggs, beads, big Scuds like a size 10 or a 12, or most of the flies I use at night. I like to fish with just about any color, but for me at night the darker the night the darker the fly the lighter the night night the lighter colored flies. (i.e. no moon use black full moon use white) not to say those colors will not work any other night as well. I DO LIKE PURPLE AND RED A LOT! Maybe we can get together if they continue to run this water full tilt during the run and spey fish, I have been taking lessons and would like nothing less than to catch a huge brown out of Taney with my SPEY ROD Oh Boy I cant wait. Michael

Brian I have the 1030SW and I have had it for about 3 months my wife has the 850SW. They are great cameras the only thing that I don't like though is when you want to go from taking a under water shot to above water the camera will fog up on you. Jeremy hunt has had the same thing happen to him . My Pentax Optio did not do that. Still they are great cameras take great photos and great video. I took it to Alaska with me and the video is great what impressed me the most was the sound quality. you can hear everything great. On the video part I had to have Jerry Down at Lawrence Photo Help me you might give them a call. Because he has mine set up perfect. Michael

My youngest daughter Olivia has been ill off and on since she was born 2 years ago. We have been taking her up to Children's Mercy up in Kansas City for the past year and a half. Lots of test and blood be taken all the time, she does not even flinch when she sees the needle. On Tuesday they are going to do several biopsies to maybe determine what is going on. So if you wouldn't mind to say a short prayer for her. Michael & Kristina

I will Sounds like it might be a huge thunderstorm headed our way.

Aint that the truth

Yes it is Trips The bear is about 10 Yards but we are at a veiwing Platform so very safe.

I will assure you that there are a lot of great Taxidermist out there that do an awesome job, but most of them out there that are doing competitions will work for months on the one piece for the competition. Will they do that for the piece that is going to hang on the wall in your house. I feel that there are only a few that will and two of those that come to mind are Gary and Don, John I have never seen any of your work but next time I am down I will stop in and check out your studio. John you seem to be very Passionate about this subject so just as me with fly fishing I'm sure it shows in your work. To say that the shows are not political is an understatement because they all are no matter what you are doing, everything in life is about who you know not what you know. I can assure you if I were to enter the piece that I showed here it would win a blue ribbon and quite possibly the best of show. In fact I have had several people try and buy the piece from me for their office and or their house and I wont sale it because it means too much to me. I have been judged by committees be for at huge national shows and yes they are not supposed to be political but when you score high one day with a committee make the cut. Then you turn around the next day with a another committee and don't make the cut I have to say they are. Plus they know who you are and your work you do so when they get to you or your piece they can score it different than others to help you out or to break you. I have seen it done just not in cattle shows. Duck calling, Turkey calling, cattle shows, art work shows, Movie awards, it happens. and I'm not saying it is a bad thing just don't judge some one with how many awards they have won. Like you said in the previuos post those are the judges that don't stay around for a long time just a year or so: so they must be in some way! People need to take the time to review their work and see which one you like the best and go with that person. I know for a fact the first time Gary entered a competition they won a blue ribbon and best of show, and that is the type of work that will come out of his studio everyday. I am not trying to defend him but you should go and pay him a visit up in Bolivar he does some fine work. In fact you can drive up here to Springfield either my shop or Bass Pro a lot of the fish mounts in the dead animal museum are from him, that should say a lot right there. You can step into his studio and see many mounts being done and they will range everyday from saltwater to fresh water. Plus they are for people all over the world, I just saw a fish he was doing for gentlemen over in Ireland. So to sum this up for everyone don't judge the book by it's cover look into it a little deeper. Michael

Here are a few pics of my last mount that Gary did for me it is 2 Bows one that is 34 inches and one that is 31 inches plus a Grayling. I thought you all might enjoy looking at these. It is a very nice piece. I should have turned my flash off but I think you can see the replicas fine. Michael

Being in the industry I see a lot of fish mounts either be skin or a reproduction, I myself have had several reproductions made from salt water to fresh water. I have seen Don's work up close and personal and I have seen Gary's work up close and personal. I think that they both do an outstanding job and would recommend either one to anyone. I will say this and most of you may not know this about me but I come from a farming background and showing cattle all over the United States and winning several State Fairs ,the American Royal in Kansas City plus even winning the National Show in Denver. A lot of these so called events where you get judged can be a very political event. Plus it is only one guy or some times two guys opinion, or in the best case scenario it is a committee. They say that they are not but I will stand my ground and say that they are. When we would win one week and then turn around at another show the next week and not even make it into the championship drive. So I guess my point here is that people should look at the actual mounts and see which one they like the best and not to take away from any awards that both taxidermist have won. But they both have different styles that will make fish and scenes just look different. As the price goes I do know that Gary charges 13.50/inch and only does reproductions. Michael

Terry, Looks a little disorientated but other than that it looks great.

Congrats, What a fish!!! Like I have said in the past this Fall might be one for the record books oh boy I can't wait Michael

I would have to go Gary Ficher Owner of Great Fish Reproduction Studio out of Bolivar Mo. I have known him since I was a little kid the guy that paints the fish Ronnie Mcginis is the best in this area i will put him up against anyone anytime. I have several fish in the shop that he has done for me. The two huge Rainbows that are mounted together then I have a Striper, several Browns Several Large Mouth a Red fish and a Speckled Trout. He mounts fish for people all over the world. A lot of the fish that you will see in Bass Pro and Cabala's He has done. One day I was up at his shop and there 53 Rainbows on the floor he told me for Bass Pro new Stores. The State recored Brown is a replica Everyone here on this topic has hit the measurements and pics on the nail. Can never have to many photos. Gary is working right now on my new IGFA world record I can't wait to get it back,the thing I like about Gary and Ronnie is that it's more about a work of art then just slamming the fish up on a board and hanging it on the wall. They love to do scenery and will even ask questions about the location where you caught the fish (i.e. Terrain, Banks Water condition.), so that might be able to work up something that might look really look cool and commemorate the time even better. There Phone number is 1-866-424-7834 and the web site is www.4greatfish.com Michael

Well it is a funny story we had no net when we landed both of our big fish, so he went in for mine and I did the same for him, But the guy that took my photo has not made it home yet to send me a copy. He told Duane and myself that he had never seen anything like that. The water is cold and so was the air temperature that day, enough that it would take your breath away.but what else you going to with your BFF's fish just let him break it off. I'm for sure how many people actually would want to go swimming in Alaska, well I might know of one and he did go swimming on purpose and that was James Johnson. Oh to be 15 and 10 feet tall and bullet proof what would we do if we could go back in time. On to the reel Abel will do anything to the reel that you want they are a very cool looking reel. They have about 30 fish patterns and about 20 funky colors that they will do.

It is an Abel Super 2 with the Anodized Cutthroat Pattern

Hello All Well I guess you all know about my encounter with the BEAR, I'm pretty sure he was thinking of a nice fish dinner with me. it was a very intense moment but we all survived. Yes I took the fish because I did not want the BEAR to get used to seeing people fishing in this spot and associate them with food. I have brought some Mase back with me for my allergies it clears the sinus right up. The gang has done a great job re-building the camp when I left on Saturday they were going to try and finish the showers up, so that the guest do not have to travel to take a shower, not bad travel time though it just kind of cuts into the fishing time so I did not shower until we left. I think that might have been the reason the fish were hitting so good we were using stink bait. Onto the fishing Duane and I started out Saturday and fished until it was not safe to see it gets dark around 1 am, I guess that is why Jim had told both of us that our money was no good in July. We showed him and everyone in camp how to survive on PB&J Mt.Dew. We even got asked by Jerry one of the guest that was up there this week if we did not care for the food because he never saw us at dinner, we told him that we were fishing every night until 12 am he thought that we were going to King Salmon every night for dinner. Duane and I were trying to see who would cry uncle first well it never happened so we had to call a truce and we will try again when we go back in September. I can't wait it should be awesome the water will be high because there is still some snow on the mountains according to Jim the snow is all gone by this time of the year. I have a lot of pics and even some video I will posts many as I can plus I will post some of the video too, although I am not sure how I will do it the video when I get it up loaded I will let you now. We caught a lot of Sockeye The biggest of them for both of us was 10.5 pounds. The Sockeye had only been in the river for about a day what a fight .Both of us caught our first Alaskan King Salmon on the fly rod what a blast nothing real big but a very first it was 37 inches, Duane caught was around 42 inches. The weather was supposed to be bad on Friday so we scheldule a fly out so thta Steve and Randy could see Brooke Falls well the weather held so we went ahead and took the fly out then they brought the boat over latter. it was really cool to see all that from the air. I have to go I'll post more pics latter. Michael

Great fish and great story but thats how it goes sometimes but still I am a true believer that just because you did not get the fish in does not constitute any thing bad or make for an embarrassing time. Think of the memories that you have now that they wished they had. Thats just an LDR (LONG DISTANCE RELEASE). Sounds like there may be some big boys that have moved up because of all the water, not that there has not been some big boys up since the flood. I bet this year down below the dam will be one for the record books. I usually will use the month of July as test for the fall if we start catching quite of few browns mostly in the 18-20 inch mark at night the fall is pretty good if not it is usually just so,so. With all this high water I have not been able to get down there at night and try my luck. Most of the the time in July they run until just a little past dark when people are using the most electricity then shut down , not this year. Zsmith Sorry I missed you I have been having to do a lot of paper work be for I leave for Alaska it is tax time for our store Oh boy. I hope you enjoy your new net. Watcher is the finest net ever made Jim owns a cabinet shop in St.Joe Texas and loves to fly fish he decide since he could not get any quality nets he would start making them. He makes nets in all shapes and size plus just about any wood that you can think of that is readily available. Plus he will customize nets for people as well. Enjoy and Thank you Michael

I can't wait only two more day's. I'm glad to see Ray is alive and doing well, and it looks like he has found his calling as camp cook. I would like to find out were I might be able to pick up that new stirring apparatus that Ray has in his hand. Bill I know that the last week in September is full and I think that the first week in October is full as well.. September and October will yield you some fish of your lifetime huge Bows. they do an awesome job at the camp as well food is awesome plus they know where the big boys live. So any body that wants to go to Alaska and it not cost you a fortune should give them a call. I did hear some one say that gas was 6.54 a gallon And Jim told Me Monday that the Sockeye run has been good catch all you want. he also said that on Friday that they caught 12 Kings on fly rods that day, up in big creek. Michael

Those are the best catalogs they have everything that is in the store. I get one every fall and every spring that is hard bound. Enjoy and don't use the special code on the back to much. Michael

That means it is 8'6" and the line class is split so I would opt for the heavier line out of the two it calls for 5wt or 6 wt. I would put a 6 wt on it. It will load the rod a lot better and be easier for you to cast. Most of the rods that are out there that have a split line on them are made to cast the heavier of the two. As far as the Leader goes It really does not matter because the rod will handle just about any thing as to leader, for the lower lake area I would stick to 4-6 x leader systems. in This high water I'm sure you can even get away with using heavier leader and tippet. You will just have to cast the rod and see how it will handle the lighter tippet on theer. If you are breaking the light tippet go heavier. You will see real fast how it will handle 6x and 7x tippet if need be but right now in the high water the heavier tippet will work just fine. Michael

Thank you, yes I have a few I will post one for you guys to enjoy. Plus when I get the replica back I will tell everyone so that you can come see it at the shop. I caught the fish back in march while fishing Beaver Creek It was between all the floods with a couple of buddies of mine Duane (duckydoty) and Jeremy Reece. Beaver Creek Flooded very bad the Second week of March and I told them to get ready when the flood resides, we are going to catch a lot of White Bass. Duane and I fished for about 2 weeks straight every night and we probably caught around 800 White Bass each. They would range from 10" to the beast that I caught 21". A lot of them though were 16"-18" I would say at least 60% of them. We fished until you could not even get the boat in because the water was so high up the road. I hope that others had the same luck and believe me I mean luck. I cant wait until next year Beaver Creek is back. I leave for Alaska on Friday and I'm going to try for some more records up north. I hope and pray that I can get one but if it does not happen no big deal I'll just have to try again. Michael