Brian K. Shaffer

So what did you think, past the initial " Hello " at either shop ? just wondering.....

I do not know Facebook .. but I will throw out some recommendations of products pronto.

I believe right now - at 11:27 pm - it is 23:27 pm - military time... asking for 0 MW. That would be hour 24 on their chart. By that rationale, 1 (the actual number 1) is the running 12 o'clock hour of the AM. EDIT - called at 11:33pm and they are running 1 unit, water level is at 704.9. Maybe I am off on this.. I never noticed this quandary before.

At night yes.. during the day... not so much need to head away from your spot. At night that is spooky and can ruin a trip if you are far from the car. During the day - it might mean stay put and see if the water comes up - if at all. I will put another message in to Stan Jones right now to ask what it going on. here is the other post in case you missed it -

That's good looking fishin' water... no doubt. Are all the bugs still coming off as they should in the lower water ?

I met up with a good friend down there I hadn't seen in quite a while.... Nighthawk (Russ). We used to night fish together quite a bit - he had this idea of using 3 English wet flies at once... it worked too without tangling. He was the only one who showed.. and the only one who fished... as somewhere yesterday I pinched a nerve underneath my right side shoulder blade and decided it was going to be too painful to fish. I am sure he will let us know how he fared.

I left a message for Stan Jones, the Superintendent of TRD to call me back about the horn(s).

Actually.. I did mean Sunday night trip... 11:59 PM meet up.

Here is an idea to see how many people really night fish from this site. Taney night trip... Sunday July 15th. Midnight. Pavilion meet 12am sharp. Prizes awarded for just showing up. (prizes won't be very good.. just for funs sake) Anyone in ?

Should be good with a very late rising moon. Might see you down there too!

Can we get to 10 people for this swap ?

Just saw it on HeadLine News...ha ha

Unreal. Didn't you have a huge brown eat a fish off a ladies line once Phil ?

They are everywhere in the upper end... but usually I just see hundreds of them in packs... Up at #1.. down past the Big Hole... above the boat ramp. Imagine the fish tearing them up at night. Better not be something that continues though... they will compete for the trout for food in the long run.

If you try a few places further down river, you might have more success. The upper end has changed quite a bit.... and the better fishing is down a little farther.

Sounds like an overall great trip if you ask me! And a 3 pounder.... icing on the cake! I promise I was neither of those guys - but what were you using ? Just a simple marabou jig on spinning tackle ??

Cool site though - check it out !!

Just keep thinking about how bad you miss casting. That'll get you out there when you're ready. Glad to hear you are on the up and up.

The intimidation factor shouldn't even exist... but it does. It almost did me in at 10 years old walking into skateboard shops asking too many questions. I'll never forget the guy that said " Hey Champ, what can we do you for ?". What a question for a bleary eyed kid looking to get into a sport, or a new interest. ?~?~? Not knowing.. the feeling of being taken advantage of.. it's always there in the back of your mind... until you do your homework on your own and take more in.. If you really feel out what you want by asking and acting (demo'ing a rod, trying out a new to you line.. or tying on a vise you like, even opening a package to see it has what you seek) ... that's when the fly shops really turn the corner - cause they know you are more serious. Nothing used to make me laugh more than a fly shop in CO ... those guys hardly even noticed anyone came in, let alone ask if you needed any help - EVER. They came off snooty... snobbish at first... til I asked some questions. Then they told me - We do not scare off our customers, we let them come to us. Brilliant strategy from here in 1980 in an old Victorian house : To here : Sure wish I get back to see this new shop in the ... next few months. Anyone running a fly shop should read Jack Sayers book, The Fly Tackle Dealers Guide to Success - published by the Fly Fishing Business Foundation. It is a business operations and growth book, highlighting everything from training, merchandising, margins, markdowns and pure fly fishing business economics. It'll sure make you see things from a different angle. A better educated one - from both sides of the counter.

They have little underwater stills and drink moonshine, too. Lock up your daughters!~

Red 8/0 Uni thread Sz 16 Tiemco 100 SP-BL (super point, barbless - take a look at that hook!) Round foam to match size of ants Bind the foam in at the rear.. advance your thread to make the rear section, pull foam over and tie it down. Attach 2 sets of legs using the figure 8 wrap technique. Advance thread to make abdomen, same as rear. Cut off foam leaving a little head portion. Attach another set of legs. Whip finish / head cement / coat legs with good glue. Add dot if you want to see it better. Go get it wet and catch trouts!

Midwest Troutbum wrote : Bottom line, drop 400 dollars or so at any store in the business world and everyone is your best friend. Come in looking to spend 40 dollars, ask about the recommended best fishing places or flies and most places will give you the cold shoulder and tell you to not let the door hit your behind on the way out. That's a very bold statement. I believe you are thoroughly mistaken. Shame too. This thread really goes to show you that you cannot please all the people all the time. Truth. Al Agnew wrote : When Ed Story, the owner, was still alive I frequented Feathercraft, because he was a good friend and really helped me with my casting technique. But these days I only go to Hargroves because they are always helpful, always friendly, and the shop has real atmosphere. I always wish I could spend more time in Hargroves, while I was always in a hurry to get out of Feathercraft. I echo your thoughts completely.. even though I only met Ed 4 times. He had me casting 5 rods with just questions about my speed / style. I didn't buy a rod - but he was just as nice on the way out as on the way in. After meeting Tom I knew it was all over for me... kinda like meeting and getting to know Dale Fulton, if you speak the earnest die-hard language - you do not have to spend any money at all to really pick these guys brains, and glean true information. Shame Dale sold his shop in Arkansas.. but I do call him every once in a while. Would've like to have gotten to know Ed Story better. RIP

Here is my sz 16 foam ant... beetle is tied the same way. Note the super point hook. It is a low riding pattern.. meaning it sits in the film. Not up on top with hackles.

Just make sure your tails are not longer than the body of the fly. Or make them shorter on purpose to prevent short strikes. Also, you might make the fly a bit beefier in the bulk of the body. Or use barbless hooks... I use them at night too. I just re-read that you were talking rabbit... I was thinking pine squirrel.

Nice clean, clear shots. What kind of camera was used ?