ness

Just got a PM from Phil -- now he's unable to access the site. Asked me to pass along that he's working on it.

Thanks to everybody who participated. I think we got a great return on this swap, even though we only had a few folks. There were a lot of bonus flies that I doled them out among the participants. Hopefully everybody got something extra. Now -- get out and use these! Like I said, I'm going to fish each of these flies BEFORE I fish my own. I really appreciate the participation and the extras. I had to chuckle when one of the extras had a little tag end of tippet on it Obviously some pre-swap testing going on! Thanks again. ps: The little tags are a pain and needed to be taken off for the photo shoot. I ordered tags from Amazon, and got 500 teeny little worthless ones which are now in the trash. Oh, the joys of ordering sight unseen! Need something better for next time.

Alrighty, then. The flies are boxed up and going out today. Here come the photos: fshndoug Flysmallie Whiny John: Garsite Gurgler: Marabou Pig: Bonus 1: Bonus 2: Bonus 3: Bonus 4: Kathy Woolly Bugger: BilletHead Predator X (multiple) Bonus -- French Fry: ness Pencil Popper: Funk #49 Popper:

I don't think he's got anything to figure out. I'm out completely at home -- desktop and mobile -- and on mobile devices on cell signal. Can get here from work. Something's up with the forum part of the site. Hopefully Phil sees this thread and opens a ticket.

The man's suffering down there, cut off from civilization. Wait, this ain't civilization.

Just got a text from BilletHead -- he's not able to get on from phone or laptop.

Hmmm. Not on wifi right now, but I'm pretty sure I was on it at home yesterday and this morning and couldn't get on. I'll try when I get home.

Still happening -- just the forums part, I can get to Ozarkanglers.com

Yeah -- I'm keeping the smashed penny from Six Flags :D. And, I'll keep the $2 bill and especially the old half dollar. Thanks.

Well, Ronnie's flies arrived this morning, so I guess the ball's in my court now. Will get them photographed soon and back in the mail. But first, I've got to run downstairs and use the coin counter to tally up Flysmallie's postage

Haven't been able to view the site from my phone or iPad since yesterday. Desktop is working fine. Anybody else having issues?

I remember thinking it took him a really long time to describe a bus ride (I think—it’s probably been 15 years ago). I don’t mind descriptive writing if it has a positive effect on the story. Sometimes it’s just wasted words. Struggling through a western right now because of that. His book ‘Anatomy of a Murder’ is a good one that was made into a movie that’s worth finding and watching. Fly fishing attorney with a good mix of humor and courtroom drama. James Stewart and George C Scott. Was on TCM a few weeks back.

‘Earth is Enough’ is one of the books I haven’t been able to get through. Got it because a friend highly recommended it. Just a weird feel to it — like the guy trying too hard to make the place wonderful or something. I’ve been hanging on to it, but it may not make the final cut.

Yeah -- there are a few I've just gotten rid of, and a few on the shelf that I haven't been able to finish, but I've kept them hoping I'll get in the mood and get back to them someday. Gierach is entertainment for me. There seems to be better bird hunting literature out there than fly fishing stuff. Missouri's own Joel Vance is excellent.

Been cleaning out the place, prepping for a move in a year or so. One of the biggest pains in the neck is moving books. And, I’ve got a ton of them, and each of the three nesslings have a ton too—especially my daughter. I have a hard time parting with books, and will likely keep most of them. But the kids are gonna get theirs or they’ll go to Goodwill. Unless I like them. As I was looking them over today, I thought maybe I’d share a couple photos of my fishing section (with a little overlap to my bird hunting section) and see if anyone else would share theirs. See any familiar books in there? Kinda hard to see, but I’ve got just about every John Gierach book in here. Deep thinkers will scoff at his stuff, but I enjoy his easy reading style. Mind candy. I’ve got his latest one in the loo right now. When I got into flyfishing there wasn’t much of an Internet or anything on TV. So, I started with books. I kinda feel sorry for younger kids today who won’t understand the pleasure of sitting in a nice chair, in a quiet room, with a good book and just reading. No ads, no tempting links, just you, the book and the warm glow of an incandescent bulb. Been thinking more and more about turning things off and going back to my books. I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite, but besides Gierach I like Robert Travers stuff: there are a couple in there (and also, ‘Anatomy of a Murder’ elsewhere in the stacks). Others I like: ‘Fishing and Thinking’ was quirky and fun. Same with ‘Fish are Such Liars’. I chopped off Chuck Tryon’s ‘Flyfishing for Trout in Missouri’ on the right side of the first picture, but there’s two, and one is signed. Couldn’t find my first copy so I went out and bought the second. Now I’ve got them both. Just a great book. Not my first flyfishing book, but the one that made me realize it was doable. ‘Curtis Creek Manifesto’ is a great one for learning. ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ is a favorite, about the damage man has done to the native trout populations out West. I liked the cover art on Gierach’s ‘Fly Fishing Small Streams’ so much that I tracked down the artist and bought a print. It’s been hanging in my office for many years. Lotsa good stuff in there, and I’ll keep most of it. My next of kin will have to deal with it at some point I guess. So, whatcha got and whatcha like?

Yep -- I spent some time in the cave, but it was mostly south and east of where I am. Tornado in Belton,which is south, but little damage. Some big trees down around town.

Lettuce looks beautiful! Folks is gonna be extra regular at BilletHeadVille!! I started seed for about half my lettuce and radishes last weekend. I need to spread mine out some.

I put my lettuce and tomatoes in the ground last weekend too. Lettuce always looks so unhappy for the first few days after transplanting that I didn't bother to take a picture. Got about a dozen maters in pots to give to others. Pretty bad rain storm last night but no hail and everything looked great this morning. What, without bark? Nope. https://www.lowes.com/pd/3-25-Gallon-Redbud-Flowering-Tree-L11838/3633842

We’ve all learned you just don’t freakin listen 😄

I can relate. Every time I take a pee at the office I wad my paper towel up, walk out the bathroom door, turn the corner and immediately shoot about 15 feet to the little trash can against the wall. 2 weeks ago I was absolutely on fire. I was nailing them straight into the can...with very few bank shots and no bricks. And this was with the new, thinner paper towels we get now. Then, last week I couldn’t make a shot. Musta been Thursday before I found the groove. But, this week I’m on fire again. Off yesterday, but 3 for 3 today with no bank shots. I’m seeing the can again. I coulda had more shots today, but I didn’t get as many attempts because I was tied up in meetings for much of the day. So, don’t give up. Focus. See the trash can/see the fish. Hope this helps.

I've got an appointment with Olan Mills to do the fly portraits. What do you guys think of this library backdrop? Or maybe the bucolic meadow/split rail fence? Will get those done then ship back ASAP.

Can’t really help. I’ve got Apache and Gila on the wish list. Don’t think they’re close to where you’ll be. Good luck and file a report please.

I often have trouble loading a picture from my iPhone until I crop it slightly. Full sized: No problem here I guess.

Well, expect your flies to be returned COD then