Bill Benson

I was thinking the other day that I after reading George L. Herter's many books, visiting his now closed store in Mitchell SD and using his fly tying gear, I have never actually ever seen a photograph or likeness of him. Well it turns out that he didn't like his readers or customers discovering that he was somewhat less of the Teddy Roosevelt/Paul Bunyan/Jim Bridger archetype that one would imagine him as from reading his books. More to the fact he has been described as being "A slightly-built balding man who wore rather thick glasses." Oh I neglected to mention he also wrote a book... no kidding called : "How to live with a bitch." Wow, like to see him try that today. Maybe Bill Clinton would like a copy .

I live in nearby Lebanon, but grew up fishing the small headwater streams of the Black Hills for brookies and browns. I have never fly fished bigger waters, actually the only reason I used a fly fishing rig was to get some distance from the streams' edge and cutbank. I do know how to cast although. I need some particulars on getting a fly fishing outfit from the ground up including rod, reel, line, etc. etc. Brand names, lengths, weights etc. would be helpful, not looking to spend a great amount at first, looking for some bargains I suppose. Thanks in advance!