stinger160

What about using a sink tip line to get the depth needed? Using a short leader, 3 ft tied to a pats nymph with a 18 inch dropper to a second fly? Easier setup and to cast? Effective?

Thanks guys! Any suggestions on casting all that stuff, ended up with a lot of tangles last year.

I get to make one trip a year to NFOW. Kicked my butt every year so far. Am trying again next weekend. Any advice? Will report back on my return.

Steve, lost your number. Could you give me a call, need some cabinets built.

No, I'm out of town tomorrow. How about Monday?

When do you think you will start sewing?

Steve, 4 AM in the morning, really?!

I'm up for some lashing, just let me know when.

If you need an extra set of hands during the build, let me know. Have you decided, skin on frame or full wood?. If wood, are you going to use baltic birch again?

Tim, thanks for the reply. Any thoughts on whether I should get a weight forward or double taper line?

I'm finishing up a 7 1/2 3wt for fishing the parks. What are the pros and cons of weight forward vs double taper line? My main goal is to have more fun with the average size trout I typically catch (been using a 9 ft 5 wt. the last couple of years). Thoughts?

Thanks for the feedback. I've got a medium action, 9 ft 5 weight. Will try the strip set and get some flies tied up with the hot spot. FYI, most of the strikes I got were very hard, even had one break off at the strike. Makes you really want to see what hit that hard!

Love swinging soft hackles through riffles but my hookup percentage is very low, less than 50%. Any suggestions for how to improve?

I second Chief's comment! Love the black hull and white deck.

River was low but only dragged a couple of times. Lots of very shallow water, only a few deeper holes holding fish, at least for me. Floated bennett to near barclay and caught just 6 or 7 smallmouth. Most on plastics of one sort or another, a couple on jerkbait.

Thanks guys. Will let you know how it goes.

Tentatively planning to do a float trip Monday. Is the river in decent shape below Bennett (I thought that might be best with the inflow from the Spring)?

Steve, do you plan to go next week? I'd like to participate, what time do they start?

Can't wait to see how the baltic birch works out!

I finally got a chance at some carp on Monday. Went to a shallow area, saw three or four and was able to make a cast to several. Several were monsters, probably ten plus pounds. No takers, but lots of fun. I think the fly I was using didn't sink quick enough but the water was off color so that may have had an impact too. Will be back at it later this week.

Thanks, I want to get into the backing this year!

Sounds like you are sight fishing. Is this correct? I'm not having much luck seeing carp in shallow water anymore (spawn is over?). Could use some help . . .

Hey Bill, thanks for the rod, Dave brought them back to KC Monday and says they are great. Still haven't seen mine yet, but should go out Sunday with Dave on a local lake and we'll make the exchange. Can't wait to put it in action.

Did our first water test Monday. Was everything I hoped for, tracked well, paddled easy, very comfortable. Tried two seat arrangements, second was by far the best. Seated a little lower, more stable feeling. And the heavily padded seat with strong backrest (extra seat from my bass boat) will make long days on the water much better on the body. It swivels too! We finagled a seat base from 3/4 plywood and maple, made runners so we can adjust the seat six inches or so front to back to adjust for best balance if I have a load. Staining and finishing the seat base, adding a rod holder or two, then it's time for some fish slime.

Woodman and I will probably be working on a float trip soon. Likely to be southwest area of the state, little niangua, maybe elk. I'll let you know when we get closer to putting it together.