Brian K. Shaffer

We are pretty lucky to have you here, you big lug. ( sniff sniff.. how 'bout a hug ? ) On a serious note - it is us who are glad to have you here. just kidding - Brian

I have fished Roark Creek numerous times, and it has its spots that hold decent smallmouth. Right off Shep Hills Exp where the Canyon Creek Ranch is located there is this quarry. I park near the train trestle bridge and fish right there, I don't even know if its actually legal to fish here or not. I have seen and caught decent sizes in there when the water is dirty. Most of them all really small.. but I've seen fish up to 18 inches. When its crystal clear it fishes good with dries. (i.e. - hoopers, cricket, beetles, small poppers, Humpies etc.. etc..) Also to note is the water directly across from the Rosebud Inn. The creek makes a sharp bend right there at the junction of James Epps Rd and Roark Valley Rd. Epps is the road that goes downhill across from WalMart.The stretch of water there fishes pretty good.. and its real close. Oh - and the water by Stockstill park has some spots that hold fish there too. screaming reels - Brian

" Sinceyou asked about TFO my favorite 4wt is the new finesse 7'9 4wt very sweet. But go and cast them and find your favorite. Cheers Steve " Great advice Steve! I havent see it put that bluntly (correctly) in a while. I want to cast this little gem right now.. the finesse rod.. dadgummit! Just have to waint til the Sowbug. best fishes - Brian

Never forget that a MO state record brown came from down there. OK - so the guys didnt really catch it legally on pole and line.. rather with a jacket.. but still.. there are 20+lb trout down there never without a jacket - Brian

See - its funny.. I would fish a scud / sowbug pattern in solid yellow, not that bead headed thingy. Maybe its time to tie up day-glo wooly buggers. Fox - your knowledge is astounding! Those books are yours too.. aint they ? best fishes - Brian

What is dubbing exactly ? And who makes it ? hmmm... Brian

I get plenty of compliments on this one.. thanks Rolan! best fishes - Brian

Hey J - what you tying up for tomorrow night ? I'll be there. grout on - Brian

I cannot help but laughing a little, as this is a fly. And as beadhead eluded to, this "corn fly" is tough to tie. Sorry guys.. like the zebra midge.. I ruled this one out a while ago. Out of my box - never / ever. Sure I'll fish my SJ worm pattern and an egg (my low water egg) But never a zebra midge and never a y2k bug. call me crazy - Brian

He is so cute - he just screams EAT ME to all fish. I love this pattern for smallies! (thanks Joe from Wapsi) happy tying - Brian

I do like Fox (flatten the bug).. only I flatten the lead before applying the dubbing. Good bug Jeremy, but do you catch grouts on it ? he he - Brian

Joe - Phil's shop would be located at Lilleys Landing Resort and Marina. Its real nice.. and loaded up with all kinds of goodies. Only pic I could find, so here is Jeremy in the shop :

I believe the TFO rods to be quite nice. To say I'm in love with my TiCr 5 weight is an under statement. Every rod in the lineup I have cast has been like buttery smooth. They have a new rod out, the Finesse line. I havent cast that one but will at the Sowbug. As Fox mentioned, Global Dorber makes a fine rod. I have also cast plenty of them that are very easy to throw. I have not tried this Ultra-Weave; but again, I will cast it at the Sowbug. happy casting - Brian

Hey Tippet - what'd ya get ? Renzetti / Griffin / Dyna King / HMH / Thompson ? I am dying to know what you ended up with. happy tying - Brian

I like that flourescent hat idea. How funny would that be.. all of us meeting up in bright dayglo yellow hats. ( I surely wouldnt wear it fishing for actual fish, but for hunting buddies in a parking lot.. i'm ok with that ) best fishes - Brian

Great job on picking quality gear. I myself havent owned a Sage rod for years, but I've liked everyone I have ever cast, especially the XP - and the old LL's. The new Launch and the FLI are both great rods. Which model did you get ? Also - Ross has come a long way since the days of them sounding like a blender full of marbles. They are lighter now and have much better drag systems. If you get the chance, check Phil's shop for flies. He's got everything and anything that works well in any of Missouri or Arkansas waters. They are tied by commercial tyers too.. people that know and fish them. Glad to see you're getting the ball rolling best fishes - Brian

I lifted this from Scotty's.. but at least it is a map. I am sure Phil will have more info.. later.. today. screaming reels - Brian

I bought a Granger for $4.50 at a garage sale in really bad shape. Sent it to Mike Clark to have it restored ($200). John Geriach saw the rod at Mike's shop before shipping it and offered me $500 for it - so I sold it. I sort of wish I would have said no. best fishes - Brian

This fly is killer for bass. Who knows what it is ?

I think they should make Taneycomo a 'Catch and Release Only' water stretch from the dam to the ShepHills boat ramp. The true wadeable water on Taneycomo is in this area. Most people already practice c&r in this area anyway. I just wish MO would pull the trigger. best fishes - Brian

Thanks Mr Statler - as usual, your candor still blows us all away. Great advice.. how about this - whats the best knot when using 2x for steelhead ? best fishes - Brian

I would try this.. it sounds pretty crazy. The idea that you might snag a 5-75lb fish.. thats exciting! Tell us more... best fishes - Brian

Can I send you some tomato's fresh from the garden ? In exchange for some tips or tricks from a man with 40 years of fly tying ? wow Ron - You've seen a lot change in the last 20 years of fly tying. If you could decide on one thing - what has impacted fly tying the most ? Or the 2nd most.. or even the 3rd. Being from MT - how cold it is really ? I like the cold.. and I am like one of those who wishes to populate the state someday. One last thing - have you fished Henry's Fork ? and who is henry anyways ? hope to hear back - Brian

The Shimazaki tool isnt cheap.. I think its $25.. but it works like crazy. I have seen a few articles in FlyFisherman about doing viturally the same thing.. using a simple needle (al calucci). But - I like the ease of this tool.. and making the expensive tool work like its intended is kind of fun for a gearhead type like me. I do use the simple 5 wrap nail knot most often.. but if you do not tie it correctly, sliding the knot tight and clean... you will soak up more water into the core and also run risks of catching it in the tip top. I do use Knot Sense by Loon when I am finished with all nail knots.. just to coat the knot with a glue that will help prevent tip sink in the future. That stuff cures in seconds too. The loop to loop by Orvis was a gimmick at first if you ask me. The old loops were bulky and heavy and sank the tip really quickly - even when new. I do know they have since improved the design by soaking the braided mono section in floatant. The all new design of a loop that is fly line coated by Rio has made me start using them once again. I like those.. but flylines aint cheap. This new S/A L2L connection is a strange affair.. I've used 'em.. I first liked it while rigging but disliked it very much after landing a few fish on a 15ft leader / tippet rig. The little plastic thingie doesnt slip thru the tip top well and it sinks over time. I have heard that they have improved the design and even added strike indicators to the leader itself.. meaning you do not have to add anything extra - just clip on, clip off - tie some extra tippet and fish. But, if you ask me, the tried and true nail knot is the best attachment of leader to fly line. Leader tie kits are out there - and I suggest everyone buy one - but leave it indoors intact at your house. DO NOT take any of the leader spools out and put them in your vest.. or you ruin the idea. DO use the model leader formulas they provide and tweak them as you see fit. Just have fun saving money. There is a ton of money to save on building your own leaders. Vanish to me is just not tippet material. It is intended for another purpose, fishing a spinning or bait casting setup. Therefore it is not being upheld to really high standards like Orvis or S/A or Umpqua quality. I choose real tippet.. made by fly fishing companies. Thats just me though.. I fish a lot and wish to take no chances. Also - make your leaders with the least knots possible. The George Harvey is a great formula to start with.. only 2 knots on your leaders... cause once you start tying knots.. it gets to be noticable as you land fish and get new debris attached to your business end of fishing more often. best fishes - Brian

Yes - there was a lot of confusion.. sorry / thats my fault. I left out a ton. I am speaking of the area above Bull Shoals Dam, Lakewood I believe. The turn is before the Wishes and Fishes bait shop thats on the left.. its a left turn into what I think was the most popular dock area at the dam area, possibly Bull Shoals Marina. If you find the water from here.. you will pass the marina/shop on the left and if you continue to drive - you will find this high spot I am referring to. You really cant miss it. It was summer time when I saw all these fish.. they were just laying there - begging for me to try to get to a fly in front of 'em. I got to them allright.. and I lost 3 different bugs .. making trips back to the car every time thinking maybe I could have been in an area that you werent supposed to be fishing. The sight of the water really is locked into memory. best fishes - Brian