Brian K. Shaffer

I decided to take a few pics of my reels to realize just how sick I am. I've got the reel disease. I would be glad to answer any questions that might come up. Along with these I took a few other pics.. but they came out real bad. So I'll redo them. ( new pics added ) Brian 1st picture - At the top : first reel, Meisselbach Cattuci Symploreel No.370 click pawl w/ 4wt DTF second reel, Hardy LRH Lightweight click pawl w/ 4wt DTF third reel, Heddon / Daisy No.320 click pawl w/ 6wt DTF Middle row : first reel, Caps Setter Classic I click pawl - unlined second reel, Caps Setter Classic II click pawl w/ 5wt DTF third reel, Cortland CG II Graphite click pawl - unlined Bottom row : first reel, Lamiglas LF34 click pawl - unlined second reel, Scientific Anglers System 2 45L disc drag w/ 4wt WFF third reel, Aaron 45 disc drag w/ 5wt WFF 2nd pic - All Orvis reels in this picture. Top reel is a DXR disc drag 7/8 with spare spool. WF8F on reel, WF7S on spool. Middle reel is an early Battenkill 5/6 click pawl with a 4wt WFF. Bottom two reels, first one is a click pawl Clearwater loaded up with a silk line I refinished. It has an HEH (DT5) that still needs to be cast to get the coils out. The reel next to it is an older Battenkill Mark IV. It has a DT6F S/A Ultra on it - brand new.. from like 1990 or so. 3rd pic - All Pflueger reels - various years of production. Top row : first reel, brass Pflueger Progress No.1183 click pawl (1930's reel) - unlined second reel, Pflueger Gem No.2094 click pawl w/ 6wt DTF (brass foot, pyralin knob, early 1930's reel) third reel, Pflueger Progress No.1774 click pawl - unlined Second row : first reel, Pflueger Medalist 1492 click pawl w/ 3wt WFS (boxed, 1953, sulpted pillars, 6 rivets, F on foot) second reel, Pflueger Medalist 1494 Adj. disc drag w/ 5wt WFF (6 rivets, B on foot) Third Row : first reel, Pflueger Medalist 1494 Adj. disc drag (2click) Special ' Polished ' Reel w/ 5wt WFF (sculpted pillars, 6 rivets, brass foot, chrome line guide, metal latch cover, metal drag adjust, pyralin knob, late 1920's) second reel, Walker No.778 (1496 pflueger knockoff) Made in Japan w/ 7wt Multi Tip line EDIT - new pics added 11/17 7:00pm 4th pic - Top 2, Martin Classic MC45 w/ a 5wt DTF and a Ocean City No.35 w/ a Wulff TT4/5 Middle 2, Velanay Skeleton reel unlined and a Abel X-Stream w/ 5wt WFF Bottom, Oympic 4300 missing its foot and a Bronson Royalist 370, also missing its foot 5th pic - These are all JW Young fly reels. They were down the street from Hardy in England. Top row, 3.5 Beaudex w/ 5wt WFF, Pattern No.5 w/ HEH silk, 3.5 Beaudex w/ 6wt WFF Middle row, 3inch Pridex w/ 4 WFF, Odgen Smith Pattern 1C w/ agate line guard unlined Bottom row, Landex unlined and a Valdex Wide model with a 5wt WFF Man. I just really like fly reels, all kinds. I rarely find a reel I dislike. Its an affliction / addiction.

I have heard from more than 10 people that the Sharkskin line will cut you. I do not like that in a fly line. I even wear a stripping glove with regular fly line. Also, I am going to post a few photos of my reel collection. Not here. Under the Rods/Reels/Lines/Leaders/Waders section. Brian

I used to go as far as to take a yellow paint marker and highlight the main points of the then new regualtion signs. Rain would always wash it off. I did it like 6 times. Wayne SW/MO mentioned that we may not realize the agents are watching when they are. Very true. But it you fish down there more than the agents watch - you are going to run into a ton of violations. I have just decided to accept that as a fact that I can do little about. And believe me - I have called on them quite a bit. Sometimes they are just not available. Brian

Serisously - the Lefty Kreh beginner line is fine stuff. Its got a great coating on it and it lasts... think they still call it the Headstart line. Its also got a good taper designed to help a little on the " load " of todays faster rods.. or get you better distance with a traditional rod that is labeled a 5wt and actually casts a 5wt. The Launch is a great rod. Doesnt Sage have a good warranty on it too ? Reels ??? You don't want me started in on reels. All advice given so far is great. ( though I am partial to you shopping for a Sc-Ang System 2 ) Sometimes less is more. Write that down. Brian

This is the direct quote from the Lake Taneycomo Wikipedia page : ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Taneycomo ) " All methods of trout fishing — fly fishing, artificial bait, and live bait fishing — may be used year-round to pursue trout that inhabit the waters of Lake Taneycomo, however special regulations apply in the upper section. In order to improve the quality of the fishery, the Missouri Department of conservation established lure regulations and slot limits in 1997. From Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek, only artificial flies and lures may be used, soft plastics are specifically prohibited. Rainbow trout must be less than 12" or greater than 20" to be harvested, and brown trout must be greater than 20" to be harvested. A daily limit of 4 trout applies, only one of which may be a brown trout. This upper section is generally regarded as a "trophy area" and catch and release fishing is widely practiced. " That seems pretty clear to me. Is it clear to you ? Wait, read on. I wonder who remembers the days of people going out on a limb and putting up our own signs below the dam -- clearly making it plain as day that Power Bait and corn and worms are illegal and strictly prohibited in the trophy area ? MDC would always take them down because PowerBait is a copyrighted name by Berkley and they didnt want the hot water. BUT - That sure did spell it out rather easily, didnt it ? Also - who has a picture of the exact sign below the dam they can put up? Right now? Of the current regulations. If one doesnt go up - I'll drive up and take a pic and put it up on this thread so we can discuss exactly what is not so easily to understand. Brian

Man.. I missed this altogther... it flew under my radar ?!?! Perhaps I knew to avoid opening day of C&R season like regular season - for naught! Sounds like a really great meeting up and having fun fishing time -- wish I could have been there. Thats a great pic of your fishes Buzz and Chris... and what a perfect early daylight morning shot of fly fishing NechesBobcat! Next year... I'm there! Brian

This thread took a little twist and turn... didnt it ? Bill - regarding your first post, I understand your dismay with the day to day policing of the upper end of Lake Taneycomo. How do we get the word out to anyone who fishes Lake Taneycomo that it has a regulated section of protected trout water in the upper end ? Perhaps print it on all licenses bought with a trout stamp attached ? (the computer could spit it out - but who reads the license anyway?) They don't even read the signs at the waters edge after they buy the license when they go to fish. Brian

Well - not all counties have umpteen hundred miles of lake shoreline either ? And they do a grand job, don't get me wrong. It's just that the job could be done better. Brian

Nervewracking --- positively puke - inducing when you see it over and over and over in a single day. ohmz138 - I know exactly what you mean. Its a shame... especially when you're the one being real nice about explaining it -- and they seem to never accept even the lightest explanation very well. Then you can just tell when they are going to go on the defensive. This is clearly something that needs to be addressed : somehow. 2 agents for 1 county... something needs to be done. Brian

Note to everyone : If you missed Al's 2nd post on page 1... you should read it. Extremely well explained and easily understood " crash course " or introduction to understanding fly fishings basics. Brian

Well written and quite thought provoking post, Cricket. I am sure this kind of comradarie never fades away too. It only compounds on itself with every new day. Brian

Simply delicious. Plenty of sea run browns and nice chrome steelhead. Those reels are sweet too. I would love to hold one. Them reels is of high quality. Brian

Great advice by Al. I guess I will echo his thoughts exactly. 9ft 5wt 2pc, maybe a 3pc. Just a good true all around rod that will handle way more than you think. If you get one that is too stiff - you end up with more of a 6wt.. and there are days you might want to throw really small dries and really light tippets - and the 6 might be too much. If you get one that is under lined.. it might not handle windy conditions or night fishing.. or the occasional bass that will pop up when youre bluegill fishing. * Most importantly - cast any and all rods before you buy. * I say go for broke by the way. Spend as much as you can once you find the rod you like. my .02 - Brian

Thom - if I were you.. I wouldnt have been running away - I would have been racing to be fishing in all that raceway refuge. That dirty water and smell brings em running! Lots of them.... Brian

Anybody, next time your down my way - give me a holler. I could show you 2 carp with moss growing off the scales. 1 within a short drive from Taney. Brian

You guys aged by one whole year.... How's it feel ? ha ha - just kidding - Brian

Another proven point - Twitter'ing.. or Tweeting without thinking is dangerous. Gay slurs about the coach.... what a dumb move on his part. Like he wasnt going to find out ?? .. I mean really... Brian

Wooly Bugger... olive... size 6, the fish was around 5 or so pounds. Caught plenty of little schoolie bass on flies too. Getting bass on dry flies is stellar. Bass are nothing but big stupid bluegill by the way. Brian

Is that a Greg Tatum kit boat ? Very nice. I'll row and you fish... :-) Brian

That guy is nuts! Mako shark in a kayak... jeez louise. Thanks for the tip on the shark show... I'll be watching! Brian

Is that with the gates open a foot or 6 inches ? That water is pouring from the gates.... Brian

What rod did you end up with ?

Clouser rod.. from TFO .. hmm.. I know I cast the Sage one.. a couple years ago ? Rick is one cool dude... his attraction to the Hayden reel's guts gave him away a reel lover, just like me Brian

A canvas boat ? Really? Is it still around to this day ? goodness...

Well done. You didnt even break the rod. Is that a Fenwick ? I've got a few secret spots here in Branson for carps. Brian