On The Fly 6

My grandparents or " Granny and Papa" were the people who got me into fishing when I was a kid. The first trip I really remember was a night trip going after catfish. I was armed with a snoopy fishing pool (which every kid should have) and I remember sitting in the boat alllllll night and us only catching 3 fish. The funny thing was, I loved it and never complained. Not long after that, my family moved to Germany and fishing became nonexistent. I didn't start getting back into it until I was in 6th grade. From 6th-8th I fished as often as I could between soccer tournaments. I also got my dad into fishing at that time. It was something he hadnt done since he was a kid but it helped us bond even more (still does). Once high school rolled around soccer, work, girls, and sleeping just seemed to become priority. I do recall a spring break trip when I was 14 that introduced me to fly fishing though. It was my best friends dad, Don, that got me going in the right direction with that and I haven't been the same since. One of the things I really look forward to is taking my son with me and my dad on his first fishing trip. I started planning it while he was still in the womb.

The NBA, MLB, and of course the NFL are the biggest sporting franchises in the US. No doubt, but there is room for a professional soccer league. If there wasn't support and viewership the league would have folded, just like the NASL did back in the 70's when they had some of the greatest players ever like Pele, Beckenbauer, and George Best playing. The MLS isn't declining in viewers or spectators in the stands it is, in every way shape and form, GROWING. As are the endorsements, promotion, of the sport, and the validity of the league itself. It will probably never make the status of the big leagues in Europe, but those leagues have nothing to compete against except maybe rugby and cricket! As the promotion of the sport, viewership, and expansion of the domestic league increases, as will the popularity. It's simple math. Right now a lot of people look at the MLS as a place to get a paycheck and retire for a lot of big names in Europe. On a side note, good luck to your daughter! If she wants it bad enough, she can go pro in soccer because we have a professional women's league and that's TOTALLY POSSIBLE! (since there's a market for it)

Pretty sure I just posted stats that PROVED that people are into soccer. There are US based fan clubs for nearly every major European team on top of fan clubs and supporters for all 18 of the Major League Soccer clubs that are based in the US and Canada (and the league is still growing). I'm not saying that baseball, basketball, football, and even hockey aren't more popular right now, but to say that soccer has no place or is just an after thought is asinine. That seems to be a big waste of time, money, and airway for a sport that's just an afterthought. Oh, there's even a professional women's league too. Diss soccer all you want, but I'd rather watch 22 in shape women chase a ball around in short shorts than watch golf, NASCAR or the NFL.

Yeah I've seen that. I'm a big "Cowboy" fan, as my avatar shows. It was a good sketch. Ties and no playoffs? Why do you even do this?

Joe must not have payed much attention to the tv since 1996 because that's when the MLS started. Here's some stats that show that we "don't want soccer." Notice the increase in recent years... MLS REGULAR SEASON ATTENDANCE TREND SEASON GMS TOTAL AVG. 12 323 6,074,729 18,807 11 306 5,468,849 17,872 10 240 4,002,053 16,675 09 225 3,609,048 16,040 08 210 3,456,641 16,460 07 195 3,270,210 16,770 06 192 2,976,787 15,504 05 192 2,900,716 15,108 04 150 2,333,797 15,559 03 150 2,234,747 14,898 02 140 2,214,978 15,821 01 158 2,363,889 14,961 00 192 2,641,086 13,756 99 192 2,742,102 14,282 98 192 2,747,897 14,312 97 160 2,336,529 14,603 96 160 2,785,001 17,406 Plus, NBCUniversal just payed 80-85 million dollars for the rights to broadcast all 380 premiere league games in the US in both English and Spanish. Pretty gutsy move for an American company to make that kind of investment on a sport that we "don't want."

What stream were you fishing?

Bull Sharks are the ones that scare me because they CAN thrive in freshwater!

I hope Rutgers comes away with another W over the Hogs. That'd put a smile on my face!

This is a great site for information on catching anything that swims. I too just had a little one come into my life and let me tell you, my number of fishing excursions has gone waaay down. I wouldn't change it though, being a dad is awesome! On that note, welcome to the site!

Nick, OKC ( the whole state actually) is now a huge basketball town. I think it has a lot to do with how successful they are, but anytime I go home to visit I can't go anywhere in the state without seeing at least a dozen people wearing Thunder stuff. I started watching the Nba because of them. St. Louis does have a big soccer atmosphere and it is really surprising that they don't have a team yet. I wonder if they've ever discussed an expansion team there? I think it could work.

Me neither. I get more in to college then I do pro. I love the trash talking that starts on every social media outlet!

Yeah, OKC is getting a team but they haven't picked a name yet. Here's a link about it http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/07/31/nasl-grants-expansion-team-bids-to-oklahoma-city-and-jacksonville/ Klinsman got sent off because during the Honduras game, the ref refused to dish out any cards for foul play and he spoke up about it. The Concacaf refs are terribly biased anyway. I was impressed by Beckerman the whole tournament, and I see him possible making the WC team but he won't get a lot of playing time because Bradley is the starter in that holding mid position. I hope Johnson makes the WC team, but as a backup for Altidore ( if he keeps playing well). I also hope Mexico keeps playing bad.

Well, I ended up fishing Taney today and didn't get squat so I left there and went to Beaver. They starred generating not long after I got there, but I did manage to get 2 fish in the net before the water came up. I still had the itch so I hit the roaring and did pretty well on beetles, and a hopper dropper setup. Great day!

Ok, so the "boss" has given me permission to go fishing tomorrow! Actually she insisted. She said that my daddy duties have earned me time on the water, so I'm not gonna argue. Here's what I'm needing: I live in Fayetteville and I have streams in all directions that take about 1-2hrs to get to. What would you guys suggest for my destination? I'll be wading and I'm really wanting to fish dries and terrestrials. I can do Taney, Beaver, RR, or Lower Illinois. Any reports would be helpful too! Thanks!

I have them in my fly box, but they never get wet.

I've put clear fingernail polish on my bites. Suppose to suffocate them, plus it keeps you from scratching.

Awesome post. I have a niece who I'm gonna try to get into fishing until my son is old enough. The best Part about being an Uncle is, You get to give them back

I'd like to visit arrowhead when they play the Chargers!

Haha, no not yet. We're working up to that part but if he can catch fish before he starts eating solid food, then he'll be out fishing me in no time.

Gotta get him started as early as possible. Took this today at Devils Den.

I'm that way about Texas.

I use micro jigs I tie up under an indicator for sunfish. Bass will take them too.

I need to get an A&M shirt to wear around town when they play the Hogs. I already have an Auburn and Bama shirt. Man I love ticking off Hog fans!

Yeah, Klinsman is doing what shouldve been done a long time ago. I think they'll have no issues making it to the final, and I hope it's against Panama! Well stated Ollie, plus soccer is not promoted as much as the other big 4 sports in the US (baseball, basketball, football, hockey) and its seen more as a "kids game." I don't know how many times I've heard sports analysts speak negatively about it or blow it off altogether. I've been to two MLS games and had an awesome time and plan on going back! I'd love to see the team that OKC is getting develop into a new expansion team. I've been a Galaxy fan ever since the league started because of Cobi Jones, but I'd cheer on a team from my home state!

Speaking of A&M, I'm sooo glad they're in the SEC instead of the Big 12 so that I don't have to constantly hear about "Johnny Football." Gah, that was annoying. Im sure the analysts will be all about him like they were Tebow, except, unlike Tebow...Johnny can actually throw the ball.