Brian K. Shaffer

Trevor - keep in mind the article was more geared up for fishing 1-2 units ... so a longer-ish leader will help you get down to the fish based on the speed of the water coming from below the dam - 2,000-4,000 cfs. But if the water is off.. you can certainly get away with a shorter leader and tippet combination. I do not agree.. I go even longer due to the skinny water and conditions. By the way.. always cut off at least 6inches from the original leader and add tippet one size lighter. I have read that most imperfections from the extrusion process of making leaders sometimes leaves the last few inches not correct. I never tie directly to the leader end with a fly. ever Good luck.. try lots of new to you techniques and lose as many flies as possible - so you can tie more! Beetles and ants and more beetles and ants. best, Brian

You can have plenty of 'not the ordinary' type of fun if check out some of the guide written articles here. A ton of amazing advice is here for the gleaming. edit - here's one of mine in fact, http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156 Brian

Look up Hook and Hackle's fly lines. They should be around $35 and they are just over-runs of current S/A lines. Perhaps the color is a bit off.. but it still has all the expensive atributes of a full priced premium line. Its just not full price. Link = http://store.hookhack.com/Fly-Lines/departments/55/ Sometimes they have closeouts for $25... of which I have bought several and been very pleased. (all DT lines) Brian

Glad to hear you had a good time and caught some fish. (even if you did take dip in the water) One thing you can do is wear wool socks.. or even neoprene booties. It will help when wet wading. Duffy is a one of a kind. What a guy... he'll give a kid a full set-up rig to fish with ... just because he saw the desire to learn from the youngster and the joy he gets in is own heart. And he won't take a dime for his time, teaching, and genuine helpfulness. I admire his fishing style too... he likes the small stuff.. 22-24-26-28 and sometimes 30's. Yep... 30's. Brian

Message to everyone, never ever go to Springfield without hitting the BASS PRO OUTLET store BEFORE you go to the main store. No fooling... you might find what you are needing for 50%. You'll be surprsed. Brian

Got pictures ? What does the cap say.. better yet, what does the shaft have written on it above the cork ? serial number ?

are you for real denjac ??? If you are.. UGH!!! Asian carp ?!?!

I just saw this on ESPN's show SportsNation 130lbs... ugh... thats ginormous! gigantic + enormous where was it caught ? in the MO river i suspect Brian

Simms . You might spend $425 to get one... but you would be the most windproof / most warm and comfortable guy who is out $425. Brian

Hang on to your money and slowly aquire used rods in the 2,4,5, and 7 weight ranges. You can also pick up very good used reels to match all the rods. Fly lines might cost you a bit, but you can always go with Hook and Hackle new WF's for $25. For what you are going to spend on a new Orvis/Orvis rig or a Sage/Ross rig.. you probably should be able to get everything I mentioned above and squeeze out a trip to the White River or here to Taneycomo to stay for a week. Just my 02. Brian

Bumping and old thread. I am going to try this and will report back. Not sure if I want to do it now or wait til winter. By the way Wheatenheimer - what did that rod start out as, do you know ? Manf. ? Grand job... I hope mine turns out anywhere near that good - Brian

Since I am color blind.. indicators mean a lot to me. I can only see the brightest of bright neon yellow Most times I use the round ball style toothpick indicators. I like the round balls better than any other shape. Lots of sizes too. Make sure to score the toothpick in a circle around the top sticking out and break it off clean. That way your leader never wraps around it. Bright yellow work great for me. And they last forever. I also use the Umpqua roll on indicators. They come as a whole bunch of pre-cut squares on a sheet. You pull one off, line it up on your leader exactly where you want it (because you cannot move it - its adhesive backed foam) then just roll it up onto itself. They float high when midging.. ideal for a midge and tiny shot. Not good to suspend a bunch of stuff. These are also cheap... but are only good for one use. I also liked the Orvis moldable indicator putty that came in a little neon yellow block. It could be taken off and reused or repositioned easily. I wish the yarn stuff worked better than it does. I have tried it many ways and only like it for certain situations, no wind. And as it was mentioned before - just experiment until you find the one thats right for you ! have fun 'experimenting' - Brian

Model # is 2 A - 8, 8ft 2piece 6wt Wright McGill Sweetheart fiberglass fly rod. This 2 piece Sweetheart is in absolute stunning condition. I have never had a line on it and I am certain it has never been fished. You would never have to upgrade to another 8ft Sweetheart if you have this in your collection. Nickle / Patended seat has not a mark on it. Comes with plastic tube and plastic sleeve. Rod is marked to be cast with a 6wt DT line. Has 50's era Wright McGill cursive script. A truly exquisite specimen. Even the handle plastic came on the rod, but it was cracked in half. Asking $125 plus $10 to ship, firm. Do not miss this one. Its as cherry as any Seetheart I have ever owned. Thanks for looking - Brian

New old stock S/A Ultra2 Mastery flylines : DT6F - optic orange, $26.00 DT7F - mist green, $26.00 DT8F - optic orange, $26.00 A good new flyline is like Christmas morning everyday when you cast. Brian

Chris... see what happens when you speak up a little... nice job Brian

I have always used L x G x G divided by 800. For trout and salmon it is the same. ( example L25" x G13" x G13" divided by 800 = 5.3lbs ) I have used the 800 method for years and found it to be quite accurate. I believe I learned it from a T/U meeting or working at the hatchery. Brian

Maybe just me, but that looks like out dated stuff not mentioning the brand of the vise makes me think they would be universal cheapies feathers didnt do well when left in tackle boxes too just my .02 - Brian

Justin - take the spool off and show us the insides, please. I am dying to see what makes up the guts. Brian

This thread is a classic. Truly brilliant. Thanks for posting this Phil. FYI - I started out shuffling on Taney myself. Til I learned better. Brian

I used to do real well around that whole area on white bass in the summer... but since they sectioned it off.. I do not even bother trying to fish that spot. Man, some of the days (actually dusky times) I landed 50 or so on fly just casting from the shore. Standing on rocks... occasionally hooking a nice largemouth or two. Now I don't even try sneak in. They are pretty savvy at that front gate. Brian

Phil - I'll take one of the compact walnut benches. I should be by Friday to pick it up if my back will let me. Be careful with eBay, the sales prices lately are way down. Might be better to hold them back til Jan to get better $. Brian

WOW - that's a great looking reel at an even more attractive price! Could you show a backside shot and the guts too ?? Man alive... 70 bucks for that caliber of cut and cad design is unheard of. Very nice.. too nice. Brian

sold - please delete

You might even try a DT5 and really get that rod workin'! have fun with it - but treat her gently Brian

Technique is key here... if you want to know both sides of artificial and bait / check out the book Ozark Trout Tales. Steve Wright compilied a ton of info here - more than a ton - of useful information on both subjects. Just an idea for you to check out. I sure wish I still had my signed copy of the book. I lent it out to a buddy and never got it back. Still-a great read and a fantastic resource for these Ozarks waters. Brian