Brian K. Shaffer

Where is this even coming from ? Is there proof that AGFC is really gonna do this ? The proof is in the pudding, and I see none thus far. Brian

That's a great shot! Where was it taken at exactly ? I have taken many pictures of eagles.. but none that you can see detail that close. Look at those feet - look at the angle / pose she struck... 'tis breathtaking - Brian

Well.. you got the Finley in Ozark.. you got the upper James in that subdivision area I have only been to twice.. and some other creeks. Someone else here has even even more informatation. best fishes - Brian

Anybody searching for a 3 pound Crappie.. you belong here. Keep us up to date when you catch that lunker! I think my biggest Crappie is just over a pound, and that was at night on the fly by the State Park boat ramp - about 6 years ago. Perhaps look for Crappie in the Roark Creek arm of Taney. best fishes - Brian

Glad to have you watching and posting from Iowa - and I can only imagine where our weather here is going for the remainder of this "so - called" winter. happy fishing - Brian

I would go to thru Bass Pro or Cabelas catalogs.. look for a rear mounted drag.. something like the Shimano Solstice for $50 at Cabelas. Cabelas link to Shimano Reel Brian

Gavin - you are right.. I goofed when I wrote it. Lake run browns... they can get huge! Tony Brown with his 33lb 2ounce New York state record brown trout Brian

Is that Vernille or Chenille J ? Looks more like Vernille. Brian

This is pretty neat : maybe big /slow to load / but cool.

Well - there is a great big wide gate now to enter where I used to go in and fish the Roark Quarry land.. which proves to me that it probably isnt the best place to park and wade away from the truck. Poo! Brian

Everybody needs a trout bench like that one -- sweet! Phil - did you see that on Patricks page from the 2005 OneFly contest ? best fishes - Brian

This fly should be in every fly box nationwide. Nicely tied my man.. could you add a collar to that one if you wished ? How do you guys fish this one ? I use it as a searching pattern in high water... not as my go-to fly.. but I know it certainly provides huge numbers for those who fish religiously as a single fly 1 foot below an indicator. (I do use it in fast water stretches in Arkansas and it work quite well.) happy tying - Brian

Aren't you guys gonna miss the real cold weather opening days of past ? I know I will.. and I wish for the weather to take a horrific twist for snow / sleet to start dumping at the rate of 1 inch per hour. In my heart - the opening day of trout season should be experienced with gloves and fleece.. not shorts and tank tops for the 1st of March. I wanna see pictures of this years opener - Its gonna be a madhouse down there. The high is supposed to 81. best fishes - Brian

These boots would certainly fit better as an 11 than a size 12. These are in decent shape.. given they saw plenty of time on the water. In fact, these boots are on their second set of felts. They shrunk I guess, cause they will not fit me with socks and waders on. New they cost well over a C note.. but I am gonna bite the bullet and get rid of them. Size 11 (marked 12) Orvis Battenkill Brogues - $50 shipped Brian

For fishing the huge Lake Fork bass on fly : Take along a pontoon boat and plenty of heavy tippet, 1X and heavier. Use a shorter / heavier rod for solid hooksets, say something like an 8 foot 6 inch 8 or 9 weight as you will need to really move the fish fast towards you when they struggle. Fish plenty of 2 fly rigs.. BIG deer hair bug or S/W popping skipping bugs on 0X or heavier with a wolly or dragonfly nymph as a dropper on 1X. Try to get into the real serious brush and timber.. hang on tight - take a net. Do not forget the camera. As far as fishing with standard rod and reel - you can find plenty of information here : Up to date reports for Lake Fork best fishes - Brian

Patrick - why not just replace the treble ? I have plenty of good barbless hooks just waiting to end up on the business end of a Rapala. Try this one for instance : That hook is the 3761 SPBL. Super point - barbless. Replaceable many time over. Brian

Was the guy driving a pearl white new Infinity ? 4 dr ? If so - thats the guy I returned some gravel guards once to at the boat ramp. Probably not.. but worth a shot. Brian

You can always check that e place ya know.. but I'll ask around and keep my eyes peeled for you Duckman. Check this place though : http://www.joesoldlures.com/wwwboard/index.html best fishes - Brian

Jeremy - On the wire step.. do you prefer to rib it in using the rotary feature ? Also - ever use crazy colors of wire ? Brian

Tonight would be the night for it.. what is it outside -- like 65 ???? Strange this weather switch.. Brian

Those are sea run browns.. and they got monstrous. One year at the Conclave I was talking to Jim Teeney. H ewas telling me about his past trips to fish for those sea run browns.. he also mentioned that Cutthroat show up too.. and they are shockingly huge too. He told me when he was going again.. and it was right around the time I was going to be in Michigan... so I could have driven up to NY from Michigan and fished sea run browns and cutts with Jim Teeney - but I didnt have the money. Brian

The motor mount option is bizarre. It just doesnt make sense. You cannot steer the boat worth a poop because it is mounted in the back. It would more sense to use it up front - but of course, you would chop your feet up. One time on Taney Chris Henderson has his WaterSkeeter with motor attached. I wanted to make a contest out of who was faster - me rowing and him using the trolling motor. I was lighter, truer (i.e. tracking straighter) and wasnt sitting low in the back due to the weight. It wasnt easy.. but I did go faster than he for a longer distance. So I think the trolling motor idea is for the birds. best fishes - Brian

I totally agree with you Michael.. boats have little reason to go above the boat ramp during low water, especially if they are new to the lake (it's unfortunate - but the newbies are the ones who do it most often). Boaters during low water have no business in the motoring into the rebar hole. The SFD guys know what I mean. What's crazy is to see the guys oblivious to water level.. years ago in 20 degree winter weather I watched some guys flying up the lake by KOA. They didnt know the channel.. one guy was standing up.. they about sheared the transom.. the guy came out of the boat quick and was soaked - it was hilarious. (thats terrible.. it wasnt funny.) best fishes - Brian

What is this BRT Midge that you speak of ? Brian

Can someone just put up a sign that says No Fishing around my dock within 50 feet ? Or is it a Corp deal ? Or is an ehtical deal ? There has been talk lately of this on Thursdays on the Jock 98.7 at 4pm.. the fishing around docks thing. Fishing radio show.. I think it can be heard at the address below.. but I just listen in the car. Radio Springfield Brian