ness

That was painful to watch, on a couple different levels. I hope he was able to make it outta there without hurting himself or somebody nearby.

When I was just a pup, I watched a PBS series called "Free to Choose" that was written & hosted by Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman. He went on to write a book of the same name, which I bought and read. It was one of the most eye-opening and influential books I've ever read. Anyhoo -- Stossel's show tonight is gonna be focused on this, and I'd bet it's going to be very interesting. If you don't know, Stossel's a libertarian, and the show is on Fox. The gist will be how free markets do a better job of creating prosperity than the government. I'm not looking to start a political discussion here, talk about Fox or Stossel, or complain about anybody or anything. I'm just sayin' it's gonna be on TV and regardless of your political leanings, you just might find it interesting.

Just joking about Sig Eps, of course. We had 'em where I went, and they were good guys. Sounds like you're on the trail. Those three web sites and a search of posts here will get you a lot more info than what I had back in the day, when I was trying to figger this all out. There are a lot of other opportunities nearby, really most all MO locations are withing easy reach. Interesting site the professor has -- I'm gonna sniff around there a little.

That's just down the road, and been there many times. Unfortunately, I'll be a couple blocks away at 3&2 watching baseball. Mebbe I can do both....

Hey Phil, How do you fizz a fish? I saw that mentioned in another thread too, and it's a new one for me.

Not with a dang Sig Ep!

Good luck to you, Terry.

It's been a bumper crop this year -- for weeds. I spent the bulk of yesterday getting on top of that. But everything's looking pretty good. Great year for lettuce with the cool temps and rain. Tried a new variety of spinach ("America") and it was a bust. Getting some small peppers and maters. Radishes are ready.

It's customary to tip a guide. If you want to be THE guide out there explaining why your fee is higher, then feel free. Trout guides typically work for an outfitter, who takes the bulk of the fee in return for the permits, insurance and marketing costs. It costs money to provide guide services. It's not all gas, flies and sandwiches. As to your earlier comment about having trouble tipping a guy that makes more than you. Well, what the heck's that got do do with anything? Anyway, those guys are working a fraction of the year. Taking the daily fee and extrapolating it to weekly, monthly, or especially annual income doesn't really work. And heaven? Come on, Eric. Untangling leaders, retrieving flies from trees, tying on flies, telling them where to cast, etc. is heaven?

From zero to 25%, depending. But good ol' 15% is the norm in my book. For 3 people, he's probably gonna work pretty hard...

Dayum. Sure seems like a lot of trouble to go to. Can't you just release them right after you catch them? That's what I do.

Buzz: what is that -- a Billy Bass???

That's too bad.

Nice.

I guess this fellow didn't make it? Smokey seems pretty sure of himself there taking pictures...

Big question, but I'll take a stab: 1) Flies -- small (#18) nymphs. Folks will likely jump in with their latest and greatest, but a good ol' pheasant tail, hare's ear or copper John will catch fish, if you do it right; 2) Tippet/leader -- get a 10 foot 6x leader and some 4 and 6x tippet to replace the tip as you lose it; 3) Strike indicators -- foam footballs are fine. I tend to go as small as I can get away with. Adjust the depth often so the fly is ticking along the bottom; 4) Split shot -- leetle tiny ones about 12 inches up from the fly. You want to sink the fly as quick as you can, but still leave a little life in it; 5) Presentation -- it's imperative to get a natural drift. Flip your fly in well above your target area so the fly can sink down and you can get setup for the drift. Lay the line on the water if you must, or if you're close enough raise the tip to keep line off the water. Using your rod tip, flip or 'mend' the line so that it allows the fly and indicator to float along naturally with the current; 6) Location -- target the seam between fast and slow water. That can occur at the head or tail of a pool, inside a bend, or around any obstacle. These types of locations naturally present problems, because of the conflicting currents, so the mends (#5) are critical; It's 90 percent presentation and 10 percent tackle. Get a fly that's approximately the size and color of other stuff he's seen float by recently, and you're in. Now all you've got to do is put a fly in the right place, drift it along naturally, and don't do anything to make the trout go: 'What the hell was that?'. Anything between the fly and your feet can mess it up: a crummy drift, splashing the line, flashing rod tip, shadows, clumsy footing. Good luck.

Go to the park, grab your stuff, give them the keys and turn 'em loose. Everybody's happy.

The Smokies are gorgeous, and if you do get over there and have time to fish there are tons of opportunities -- from lower elevation stockers (rainbows & browns) to higher elevation native brook trout. If I was three hours away I would definitely make the time. If you love beautiful scenery and fishing for trout in medium-sized to tiny streams, give it a serious look.

I liked it pretty well, but....somehow it just didn't hit the spot. I like the western stuff, and want to read more. Any suggestions? I started down through the Sacketts, but the plots just got so contrived I gave up. I like some of L'Amour's other stuff though. I've also read a couple by Ivan Doig -- not westerns, but 1800s. Dancing at the Rascal Fair and The Whistling Season are both excellent.

The white trout was considered sacred by many Native American tribes. If a white trout was caught on the first moon after the Fall equinox, it was said to bring good fortune to the tribe, and many beautiful wives bearing wise and strong braves, to the dude that caught it. Congratulations.

Coincidentally, at the last meeting of the Benevolent Order of ness, of which I'm Grand Wizard and Seer, we voted to never go fishing with eric1978. The meeting was adjourned early because the bonfire got rained out, so we didn't get to vote on you. So technically I guess the answer is yes, until it hits the agenda at our Summer Solstice meeting. Congratulations.

I've read Robert Travers' fishing books, and had seen the movie 'Anatomy of a Murder', so I decided to get the book. Pretty good read so far: his easy-to-read style and wry humor from the fishing books is evident here too. I've also been reminded lately just how crummy my Bible knowledge is, especially with two boys going through confirmation (it's like a Lutheran Bar Mitzvah). So I Googled a little, and I'll be darned -- there's a "The Bible for Dummies" out there. So I picked one up. They've got the whole Old Testament covered in about 4 pages at the front of the book. Of course, they go into a lot more detail in the body of the book, but those four pages offer a great outline with names, places and events that we've all heard but probably couldn't put into context.

A seemingly innocuous thread titled "More Smallie Action in River" goes to five pages.... Last post eric1978.... I smells a fight.... Maybe it's something good.... Nope, it's a rerun. I guess I'll go see what else is on.

I grew up Catholic, and went to Catholic schools. All that kneeling ruined my knees.

Do what Al said. But it you're tempted by the thought of catching a big brown -- throw a big streamer into the deep/slow water and strip it back quickly.