Brian K. Shaffer

Predicting the weather is like knowing the exact time when your girlfriend will be ready to leave for the movies.

" It's a foam pattern cut from a foam door hanger from Walmart. " Say that all again for me in slow motion so I can understand it.... I am confused a little. Just explain it a little better for me.. I cannot seem to wrap my mind around it. Maybe pics would help too! Good looking bug too!

Since it will just be rain and not necessarily storms with lots of lightning - I plan on fishing through it !! I am washing and re-proofing my rain gear right now in fact. Sport Wash by Penguin and Bass Pro Water ReProofer spray should do the trick

I'll be glad to take pics and post up each fly for the tyers to then add the recipe. Sure will be interesting to see what everyone tied up!

Just a short note that as of the last 2 days... I have seen an agent in Taney both days. They are out there. by the way Bill - I used to use the payphone out in front of the SOH hatchery to call on idiots trying to bend the rules. It has been long since removed.

Interesting to hear about the smallmouth bass... I have seen both largemouth (very short fish - nothing of any size really) and bluegill at outlet 4 when they are running 2 or more. Sure will hit that spot up in the future and try for some " green trout "!

Spoken from a veteran of fishing the jig in Taneycomo waters... Phil had always surprised me with how many fish he turned .. like he had a hold them for a second and they shook the jig free. Tougher to do from a standing position / not in a boat.. but it can be done.. look at Brad Wrights fish.

I've caught a ton of fish on these as well... same fly... but it was not named.

Funny.. I thought with the delay that I had some extra time.. now I really am the late one. I put 4 flies of the swap flies in my box to so I could re-do them tonight for the swap. Thankfully I only live 40 miles from Lancer. Mine will be in the mail 8/22. sheesh... I am always the late one. But - Lancer will be be extra happy with my fly tying care package for undertaking the swap!~ Big thanks my man... We just all need to agree to get these flies wet within the next two years now.............. My all black 6XL Down and Dirty Mouse, sz 2 : (yes it is ugly - that is the point of this fly - fish it on a floating line off the banks, Alaskan style)

I am the late one... my flies will be in the mail today... UGH!

Should be, in MegaWatts, 50-100-150-200 as in 1, 2, 3, 4, units running. A strong 4 units can bring 225-255MW's. Overloaded. This is the first time ever I have seen them running ' half a unit ' like at 25MW's. I always understood that running a unit at 1/2 load could (read - would) cause cavitation on the unit being ran. ?1?!? Still do not understand that. ( a link to cavitation - http://authors.library.caltech.edu/25019/1/chap6.htm ) and a few pictures : So the 25MW fishes very strange.. perhaps it is due to the low oxygen... but it is new on the fish for this year (as far as I know.) I like it ... but it is very different and the fish are not cooperating in the upper end - meaning above chute 3. Below chute 3 is better for actively feeding fish at low water, in my honest opinion.

Jason - you might PM Phil to bring this to his attention. He is up there on a day to day basis. Good luck - Brian EDIT - just read this in the thread - State Record Rainbow (this is Phil writing this) : " Posted Yesterday, 09:35 AM She's safe from me... going to KC for a couple of days to see the grandkids, then have to really bare down and pack for Alaska. I leave a week from today- be gone a month. Someone else and luck into her. Hopefully it'll be in October when I get back... I'd like to be around for that. "

The largest of all stocker Taney fish die in the hatchery Welcome Center aquarium. Or in the small raceways they get into trying to get back into the hatchery. They get back into the hatchery thru the pipes.. no doubt.. and get lazy and very fat. On my last day of work there - a female brown died, she was 18+lbs. I asked for the fish, but they said no. It was the single fattest shortest fish I have ever seen.

Nice one Phil!!! What do you think she weighed out at ?

Can we push the date back to the 20th of August for the scragglers ?? Also, should we close the swap down on Tuesday July 31'st at midnight ?? no matter - we have what we have, just call it and end it - that's always best I am almost done with mine.. but haven't heard back yet from my buddy tying the ' Detonator '. (note to self-need to send email to bob - must get bob's flies in the swap)

That was very cool. Great video of that flower bloom. Wow. Interesting to say the least! Thanks for posting that!

Jd- If 2 units are running - you just slightly tap the trolling motor to keep your drift straight, as the currents will be pushing the boat in various directions coming off any of a number of shoals or direct river currents. It's almost like a ferrying technique to keep you drifting as intended despite the oncoming shoals and currents pushing against them.. or off of them. I am not one who can do this... but I have seen it done and described me several times. Its trial and error at first, takes a ton of time of the water to learn. But if more than 30 guys I know do it.. then it can't be that hard. 1 unit - much more difficult. 3 units is easier than 2 but the outcome is different as you will be fishing differently and in more water. The drift will be much deeper and less controlled. 4 units to me is long line deep fly rod fishing with 2 flies in blind water that should/will hold fish - and always does! I also got a report today that hoppers are in effect... but they are just 'gumming' some of them. Not really hungry enough to commit fully... but they like the beetles and ants and will bite down hard and not let go on those. Oddly, the hoppers were pink. I've never seen a pink hopper to this day.

Try foam beetle patterns for dry activity in the seams.. too soon for sure-fire hopper hits in my opinion. Indicator fishing from a boat requires some long drifts.. so bring a 9ft'er or longer. Especially out of the boat - a 9ft or longer long will aid in hook setting. learn the use of the trolling motor technique in the water running (2 units is best) and you will have best luck Let us know how you did when the trip is complete! If I see ya - I will hand you an O/A sticker !!! if I had an extra one

That is a copy of the old Hobie boat from the mid '90's. hmm.... perfect in flat water...

Any definite answer on this one yet - I just called it and it is 0 at 12:40am (Thursday)

Tragic and very scary.. the thought of the train just flying off the tracks - for all passengers on cars aboard. Amazing the small number of deceased....

Used to be you had to drive from Branson to ARK. But then my old my fly shop in Ark changed hands.. just haven't visited since. Lilleys is the local shop.... unless you require premiere brands on rods and reels. Best prices on tying materials within 200 miles..not just some stuff, all stuff~!

For me on Taney, its the soft takes from the big fish you want to target. Watch some fish in a good drainage spot for terrestrials... then leave it up to them to cooperate... but Rim has some great hopper action.. I've caught them down there on big bass sized hoppers!

You are quite welcome my friend. I am sure you will put the scissors and such into your rotation of tying materials. Call me anytime you are coming down!

I just called inside.. and the guy was helpful enough to tell me Stan is looking into the excessive amounts of horns that have gone off recently,.