Wheatenheimer

As Flysmallie stated, yes I received one for Christmas from my sweetheart a few months ago. I took it out to Springfield Lake in January and quickly realized that I have a hole in the crotch of my waders. When I was a kid, my mother would not let me go swimming until the outside air temperature was above 80. I always thought she was nuts. That day in January made me really appreciate her wisdom. I would love to do a float tube extravaganza sometime with you fellas. And even though a 30 pack won't fit in the backrest, I'm pretty sure plenty of that special coffee creamer will fit in the side pockets! Cheers! Kevin

Tablerock and Beaver is 417.336.5083 Bull Shoals and Norfork is 870.431.5311 Good luck and be sure to give us a report on your April endeavors! Kevin

This is how my world looks to me most of the time........without the fish-eye lens! Thanks for sharing! Kevin

Just got word that John's bus is stuck behind a wreck on I-44 between here and St. Louis and he is cancelling the show. I called the Gilloiz to confirm, they said it was true. Major bummer! So if any of ya'll were planning to come up for your Johnny fix............sorry for the bad news. The dude that answered the phone at the Gilloiz said to contact the MSU box office on Monday for a refund. Some other time, I suppose! Kevin

Thanks Duane! You can keep that sweet flybox they came in, too! Kevin

"Hey Kevin, is this the same dog that I still owe $20 to? I'll let you tell the story!!!" Yes, same dog......he is tacking on interest and he ask's me about "his" money every day!

Good for you Woodchuck! Follow Dano's advise, when it comes time to put the flex-coat to it, you'll want to only apply it to were you have wrapped thread. Apply the first coat rather thin, put the rod on the rotisserie so it dries evenly. Once the first coat has dried, take an exacto knife and clean up all your tag ends that will be sticking out, then put a second coat on. Another useful tip, when you are mixing up the flex-coat, make sure you mix it up really good. If you don't, it will never cure......it will alway's be tacky! I admit to making that mistake on my first rod! Good luck! Don't hesitate to hollar at us, if you have any other questions! Kevin

Hey Woodchuck! What kinda blank are you working with? Graphite, Fiberglass, Bamboo???? Are you building from a new blank or are you refurbishing an old rod? In order to answer your question, we'll need a bit more info. Good luck and I hope we can help! Kevin

Due to some alcohol induced persuasion, I am going to go with the Minnie Mousy Muddler (triple M for short!) Ducky, I'll send you PM when they are finished..........I only have 12 to go! Kevin

I listened to "The Missing Years" last night...looks like I'll have to bite the bullet, buy tickets and go see John Prine. "Lot's of Pretty Italian Chick's" ........What a great tune! His serious songs break your heart and the fun ones make ya laugh your "Happy Enchilada" off! I hope to see ya there! Kevin

At-a-boy, Flysmallie! I knew I could count on you! Are you gonna tie your world famous San Fran Rainbo Bass Bug???? It is a masterpiece!

If there is room left, count me in! I was hesitant on this at first, because I'm lazy and I didn't want to have to sit down and tie a dozen flies (that's double digit's for crying out loud!), but what sealed the deal was the opportunity to have a fly tied by a guy that calls himself Capt. Hook! How cool is that! I have found my motivation! Not sure what pattern to choose just yet, but I'll have something ready soon! Happy Holiday's to all! Kevin

Yep, he might even hold my hand this time!

In the early '90's I was living in Eugene, OR. One day I fished the McKenzie River, wade fishing, none the less and was skunked! Tucking my tail, I went back to my apartment close to the campus (University of Oregon.) The next day, I was bouncing a tennis ball off of my rod tube and realized that either I was feeling really strong that day or my rod tube was really light. Well, the later was more correct! I then remembered that I left my 490-4RPL Sage with an Orvis CFO-III attached leaning up against a tree next to the parking space in the state park in which I parked! In a great panic and more than 24 hours later, I drove back to the State Park (which was now closed) and hopped the fence with a flashlight and combed the area looking for my prized possession! Not a chance...................gone! I posted an ad in the Eugene paper, stating that I'm a complete bonehead and that I would put forth a reward to the good samaritan that found my baby! Well, Karma must have been on my side! I received a call from an elderly gentleman that found my rig, right were I left it. He was donating his time to the park service, patrolling the area for people parking illegally in handicapped spaces, when he noticed my rod and reel! At first he didn't want to accept the reward money and after I insisted, he said that he would pass it on to the park service as a donation! What a great experience! Yes, great fisheries draw great people......whether they are fishermen or volunteers! I'm so happy for you, Don! That's a great story!!!! Kevin

My brother filled me in on my Christmas present........John Prine tickets at the Gilloiz, here in Springtown on Feb 28th! I've never had the privelage of seeing him live, although I've covered some of his songs over the years. What a great songwriter! Can't wait till the end of Feb!

Hello everyone, I am so thrilled to announce the return of the Wheatbros to one of Springfield's Iconic landmarks......Pappy's Place. We will be playing Monday, November 24th from 6 PM to 8 PM. As always, there is no cover at Pappy's, just bring your appetite for Springfield's best Bar-B-Que and a thirst for some ice-cold beer on tap! It has been over a year since Neil and I have played Pappy's, but we are so very excited and honored to slide back in and play a couple of hours worth of tunes at such a hospitable place. Just in case you have never been to Pappy's........shame on you! But, here is a waymarking.com link that tells you all about it and has a copy of their menu. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM32FM I look forward to see you there and jamming at Pappy's once again!!!! Kevin of the Wheatbros AKA Wheatenheimer

A few years back, I was in the Colorado Springs airport, waiting for a flight to Dallas. I noticed quite a few military personnel, in uniform, in the boarding area. About 45 minutes before the scheduled departure, I witnessed the entire group of first class passengers, one by one, approach the gate agent with their boarding pass in hand and say "I want to give my seat to a soldier." The entire first class section of that aircraft was filled with soldiers that were being deployed to Iraq. It doesn't matter how you feel about the war or your political views.......It's nice to know that there are still people out there that can cast aside their material obsessions and show respect and gratefulness to the sons and daughters that are fighting for what so many take for granted. Thanks for the post! Kevin

JJ, you had to open this topic, didn't you? Yes, indeed. I have broke my share of fly rods and all of them, with the exception of one (and the jury is still out on this one), were my own stupid fault. Number One I'm thinking it was around 1986 or '87. My first fly rod. An Eagle Claw 8 foot, 6 weight fiberglass rod. All black. Black blank, black foam grip. Along with my Duran Duran concert T, I was cool!!! I heard that there was wild trout in a place called Crane. These fish had made it on their own for a century or more, so I'm told. "If you hook one greater than 10 inches it will make you run home to Momma and thank her for protecting you from the wild beasts that could have gobbled you up when you were a tender lad.".........so I'm told. Well, as any seventeen year old boy would do, I was determined to tame these wild beasts that my Mother kept at bay during my childhood. Vengence would be mine!?! Well, it wasn't the beast's, per say, that gave me a well deserved kick in the shorts. It was their domain instead. After spending all day, in search of conquering the elusive, wild McCloud's and getting skunked, not to mention losing a good majority of my fly collection.........the final "run home....supper's ready...Momma's boy!" slapped me right upside the nugget! I lost my footing and drove my Eagle Claw, tip first, into the cut bank that I was planning to ascend, hopefully, reclaiming what was left of my dignity from a day of getting spanked. At this point, my dreams.....much like my fly rod, splintered into ruins! Not ashamed to say, I wept for my Mother! Number Two Early to mid 90's. I decided to build a fly rod. I bought a blank from Charlie Reading in Lebanon. Not just any blank, mind you, but a 9 foot, 3 weight Scott. Yes, indeed! I was going to be the envy of all whom has ever dreamed of casting a fly rod! This, my friend was going to be a masterpiece! Nevermind that I have never built a rod before..........it was all in my head how it would turn out! For I am an artist!!!! I was doing it right. I bought the slickest, sweetest guides for the time. I bought burl cork rings that would make a marble-esque handle. I bought an exotic wood reel seat! Michelangelo had nothing on me! I put the cork rings on and attached the butt to my Black and Decker drill. Slapping some 80 grit to it and propping it up between the cushions of my sofa, lathing away, my friends. Just about the time the handle started to take shape, all of the resistance from point "B" on the sofa dissapated. Something bad has happened! The top 3 inches of the butt section stayed in the sofa, while the rest was still connected to the drill! A broken rod before it had a chance to see any water..............tragedy! Not to mention, it was a Scott!!!! Number Three A few years later, I overcame the Scott tragedy and tried my hand at building again. I sent the Scott off to Colorado to have a new butt section built. It arrived and I had Charlie Reading do the handle for me on it. It was gorgeous! But, still I pressed on with my own work. I built a few "cheap" blanks and did quite well. So my confidence was up. The product wasn't bad either. I had a buddy that wanted me to build him a rod from a Powell blank. Cool, why not? I'm on a good streak. I order the blank and all the hardware. I turn the handle out beautifully! The threads on the guides turn out perfect! Next step, epoxy....................epoxy goes on without a hitch. I leave the room and let it spin on the rotisserie. A few hours later I go back into the room and find a good 3/4's of the rod spinning against the baseboard in my bedroom. The other quarter is in about 4 pieces, deeply imbedded in my carpet! Ouch, this one is going to cost me! I was careless enough to not clean up the epoxy around the wraps. The rod gained traction and crawled it's way out of the support brace and across the shag, drying and breaking along the way! Number Four You remember that Scott that I broke the butt on? Well, like I said Mr. Reading did a fine job on the handle and I had a very sweet rod to fish with for many years.....up until one day on the White. I really don't know how this happened. But, I do know that at the time, I had an '86 Isuzu Trooper and somehow the back door got slammed on the tip of my Scott. I may have been the "Slammee" or it may have been my buddy that I was fishing with that day. All I know is that I didn't notice it until I arrived home late that night. RIP......the Scott masterpiece has yet to see another stretch of water. Well, I apologize for being so long winded. I don't post that often, but when I do..... I tend to make up for it. Thanks to all that took the time to read my nonsense! And really, to sum it all up...........if you fish, you are going to break some rods! Let's just hope that if you have invested a descent amount of dough on a rod, the company you bought it from takes into consideration that we are fisherman and therefore we are all a bunch of boneheads at times! So in turn, cut us some slack and treat us well and we will be loyal to your product. Cheers, Kevin

Hello everyone!!! I'd just like to back my brother up! I am the proud owner of the mahogany / walnut handle with walnut / purpleheart / walnut basket net (the last one pictured.) If you are looking for a wonderful piece of american craftsmanship to display proudly off the back of your sweat stained vest (that hasn't been washed in umpteen years), I highly recommend one of Steve's nets. I have been very pleased with not only the net, but dealing with Steve. He has been very prompt, very professional and very pleasant. There ya have the praises for service, now let the lovefest for the product begin! Friends, I am not blowing smoke......the pictures are beautiful, but when you recieve your own net handcrafted by Steve, then you are going to be blown away! I can see what is going to happen......those of us who are privileged enough to own one of Steve's nets are going to catch the fish of a lifetime, land it with the net, take a picture of it with the net, then show all of our buddies the pictures and gleam with excitement because we have proof that we caught that 27" Wild Cutthroat on a size 28 midge with 8x tippet on our zero weight rod and they will respond with nothing else but "whereja get that net?" I'm thanking you ahead of time! All jokes aside, I love the net! Thanks!!! Kevin

Hey Al, What a fantastic day! And a wonderful report! You really can't beat spending time on one of your favorite streams with people you love. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of what it's all about! Kevin

First of all, thanks to all of you that have taken the time to read and reply to this posting........when it comes to Crane Creek, I can talk all day (or type all day!) Zach- It is a matter of preference on whether you want to bring the waders or not. I did not take a water temp reading while I was there Sunday but I will tell you that after about 4 hours of fishing my feet were feeling a little numb. I work outside for a living and I have the same feeling on waders as I do on rain gear. I would rather be wet by the elements than to be wet by my own sweat. Although, keep in mind, Crane is very thorny, very buggy and just down right unaccomodating to people who are bothered by those things. So if you don't mind a few scratches on your legs, a few ticks to pick off and the sudden shock of chilly water hitting your nether regions, leave the waders at home. If you choose to wear your waders, by all means do so.......who am I to judge someone that has a lick of common sense! Kurt- Welcome! Sounds like you had a great day on Crane! By the way, I could not agree with you more on your views about smashing barb's!!! Thank you for adding that. I'll tell you why this is such good advice. Not only is it easier on the fish, but it is easier on the back of your head when you think you are making the perfect cast and you end up driving a size 12 Wooly into your nugget! This has happened to all of us! Keep your expectations low when it comes to catching vass amounts of huge fish, this will just not happen at Crane. Have the mindset that you are going to explore a beautiful, freeflowing, wild spring creek that happens to have some wild trout in it. Cherish every fish that you may catch and with wet hands, gently hold it, gaze at it and quickly turn it loose, no matter how big or small it may be. This is a very, very special stream that we are blessed with! Once again, thanks to all! Cheers, Kevin

Crane is a place that is very near and dear to my heart. It still amazes me that there is a stream in Missouri that has a self-sustaining population of wild trout for more than a hundred years! Dano- fishing in the winter is physically easier due to the fact that you are not dealing with the jungle like conditions, snakes, spiders and such. But, on the other hand, the fish seem to be a little more spooky, we don't have that jungle like canopy to blend in to. You really have to watch your profile any time you fish Crane, but especially when there are no leaves on the trees. Zach- you can find a fantastic map of Crane here on the forum. Fishing can be good just about anywhere on this stream. Upstream from town the creek is very small, there are places that you can stradle the stream. Downstream, more water. It doesn't matter were you fish as long as you follow some basic tips that have worked for me over the years. 1. Always fish in an upstream manner. Either start by wading upstream from where you park or hike a ways downstream and fish your way back to the car. This way you are not kicking up a conveyor of muck that will shut down good runs that you wanted to fish. 2. Always consider your profile. Wear earth-toned clothes, even camo if you want. These fish are very weary of anything out of the ordinary and if you decide to wear your flourescent Spud's MacKenzie shirt and a neon hat, they are going to run and hide! 3. Stop watch and listen. When you aproach a run that you want to fish, stay low off to the side and watch it for a good 10 to 15 minutes. This not only gives you time to read the water, look for bugs, look and listen for rises, but it also gives you time to blend in to the environment. 4. Presentation is everything. Practice short accurate casts that don't crash hard on the water. Flies of choice. Beadheads in 12 to 18 have been successful. Dry's.....Trico's size 18 or 20, Elkhair Caddis size 16. Even woolies in higher water work. The main thing I believe in is how you present it to them. I use a 9 foot 5x leader and I add another 2 foot of 6x tippet. There are many times that I am not casting very much flyline. Crane is a very technical stream to fish, it is not for the light of heart. You are going to get frustrated, you are going to get your feelings hurt. But keep in mind after you have lost your 32nd fly in the canopy above. You are on their turf. This is truely a wild trout stream. Good luck, I hope this helps! Sorry to be so long winded guys, but I definately appreciate your input and comments! Cheers, Kevin

FFM, I think that they were from MSU.......pretty sure I noticed some movement going on in the buckets, so I would say they were alive. Both gents were well equiped with grabbers and other devices. They said they were doing a study on cottonmouths. I am not terribly frightened by snakes, but I look at snakes in the same light as STD's.......I know they exsist, but I want nothing to do with them. So I didn't ask too many questions, sorry. Thanks for the reply! Kevin

Today was a fantastic day, my friends! I took the rare opportunity to fish with an old friend that I hadn't fished with in many years on our "home water" that each of us cut our flyfishing teeth on umpteen years ago, so to speak! My good buddy, Ed, was in town this weekend and we decided that neither one of us had a legitimate excuse not to fish Crane on Sunday. The stars must have been aligned, because not only were we going to get to finally fish together, but our favorite Springfield band was playing in town Saturday night at Cartoons.............none other than Big Smith! Ed and I have been going to Big Smith shows since they started playing downtown at Harlow's and the Bar Next Door over a decade ago, so we had a feeling that it was going to be a good day! Big Smith did not disappoint, great show.....as always! After a quick power nap, we got up, sucked down some coffee and headed to Crane. We arrived at the Dairy Farm a little after daylight, walked down the old railroad bed, trying to be as courtious as possible to the hard night's work of spiders weaving webs across the trail (They must have pulled an overtime shift last night!) When we hit the water, it was up a bit from how I remember it and slightly off color, but in a green way. It was still wadable and quite chilly, I was questioning wether wet wading was a good idea after all. Within the first run we both had fish on. Ed hooked the first fish of the day, but did not land him. Out of the same run I landed a nice 8 inch McCloud. This fish was very healthy, very fat and fought like Mike Tyson on meth! We took turns fishing our way back to the car and between the two of us, we landed 15 or so fish, only two of which were fingerlings, the rest were 8 to 14 inches. Ironically the 14 incher was landed by Ed and was the last fish of the day! What a way to end a day! We also had at least that many fish on, that we did not land. It was a great day! Close to the bridge we ran into a couple of guys carrying buckets of cottonmouths......no joke!!!!! They said they were do a snake study on Crane today! I didn't ask any questions, they seemed like nice enough fellows. I mean really.......who wants to stand around and chit chat with a couple of guys that have buckets of cottonmouths in their hands? So aside from the unionized spiders and the buckets of cottonmouths..........it was.......well.......it was friggin awesome!!!!!! I love this stream! Kevin

Time to give St. Louis' second largest brewery a go! Schlafly...............check out their dry hopped APA! On a hot summer day, this is the nectar!!!!!!