ness

Great idea! Put me down for some kinda popper. I'm feeling creative.

I know the feeling. I used to lose sunglasses all the time. Bought a pair of expensive ones, and they've lasted 5 years. Gotta run -- I'm not sure I put them back in the case.

We're on the same team, man. Have a happy birthday!

I know your not one of them -- I saw the 'Baldwin' over there. I've got JO on my plate, and it comes with it's own set of baggage.

Goodun Ronnie

I got your gift right here, Chief. Your pal, DW

Can't help you on the handle, but I got a lotta ways to shorten the other end.

How do I know it's not a trap?

I saw on another internet bulletin chat forum this thing where people tie flies and then a whole bunch show up in the mail. Not sure exactly how it works, but it sounds a little like an illegal chain letter, but with tackle. Anybody got any knowledge about these things?

I wanna see a strike indicator that'll float a heavy nymph and a pair of BBs, won't come off, easy for me to see, invisible to the trout and helps with casting. Also, it needs to be about $0.25 and last forever. You know -- something with German engineering and Chinese labor.

Seems like we've all come to agreement on religion, politics, guide-shadowing and catch and release. So, what can we get in a tizzy about now?

Andy: When I see DG I don't wonder where they're from, I think flaming Lawrence liberal Cricket: I hope you know I was just pokin' you in the eye. IMO, it's best to take a more direct approach. If some dude comes to my door, I want to know why he's there fairly quickly. If I get a letter full of praise, I wonder if it's sincere. I'm probably jaded, because I get 'sold' to all the time, and have for more than 20 years. To me, the best salesmen are the best listeners, not the best talkers. They listen, learn what's important, and work to get me what I need. They build trust through their actions, not through their words, and that takes a little time. So, getting back to the topic -- I'd most likely go to the door and just be upfront about what I want, and let the conversation go from there. If the guy looked pissed I was even there, and gave a quick no, I'd probably apologize for the intrusion and move on. If the guy was open to discussing it, I'd let him talk and try to learn what he expects or would like from me.

Absolutely right, Chief. I've got MO and KS game thief numbers in my phone, which also has a camera. If I see somebody break the rules, I will tattle. Another thing I have done, and suggest other do too, is call the number when you're seeing evidence of poachers. Worm containers, Powerbait jars, whatever. Call them and let them know there are violations taking place. That doesn't guarantee that something will happen, but it improves the odds.

I'm not opposed to writing a letter -- I've done it too. But, like in a face to face, I'd get right to the point. Gushing over a beautiful property, or offering to clear the culvert are fine, bringing up a disabled friend may all be sincere, but you'd lose a lot of folks by the end of paragraph two. How about: Dear Resident, Can I fish in your pond? I'd pay for the privilege. Cricket.

Honestly? It's too wordy for my tastes. I've got people trying to sell me stuff all the time, and I have a pretty good sniffer for BS. I believe I detected some there :^) I'd just go up to the door most times, look him in the eye and get right to the point. I'd make time for smalltalk or make an offer after that, if the guy seemed like he was in the mood. Otherwise, I'd give him a smile, thank him for his time and walk slowly back to the car, sulking.

Dear Cricket, Your second letter was more than Mr. Jones could take. I found him in the driveway, still clutching the letter in his hand. He despised Dale Carnegie, hated the disabled and was proud of our culvert. Forever in your debt but you still can't fish here, Widow Jones

Dear Cricket, I see you read the Carnegie book. Stay outta my yard, Mr. and Mrs. Jones

I've been getting e-mails about those concerts, and would love to do one but there has always been a conflict. Lots of good bands, as I recall. Nice to see a good report on them

Coldwaterer hit the nail on the head. Enforcement is the issue, not the rules. I don't know what the fines are now, but I'd bet they're enough to be a deterrent if only they'd get imposed occasionally. To those that say the poachers don't care about the rules, you're right. But they would if they got stuck a time or two.

The colder the water, the more dissolved oxygen it's capable of holding. So, shallow, standing water would tend to have less than spring-fed moving water. See? Coldwater -- can you give me an example of a menial ant task?

Geez, you're making this too easy.

Good info Dano has there. I started out with a kit, and I've still got most of the tools and materials. Tools don't get used, materials are down in the bottom of the box somewhere. I do use the rib from the cheap Indian hackle as antennae on a couple patterns. Anyhoo -- the vice, bobbin and scissors are the three tools you have to have. I started out with a Thompson AA, but graduated to a Renzetti Traveler after a couple years. I've only got the cheap brass and wire bobbins -- I've never felt like I needed to upgrade. I tried several scissors but have settled on Wiss Clip. The never leave my hand when tying, thanks to the ring finger rig. They have replaceable blades, but they've gotten fairly cheap so I just pitch them now. Like Danno said, get with a friend or take a class. Pick a fairly easy pattern (like a mohair leech, woolly bugger, Copper John), learn it and go from there. I've got an old book by Eric Leiser that teaches the basics of each style of fly (dry, wet, nymph, streamer). It's dated, but still good material.

Wrench -- thanks for the description. That's certainly creative, and something I wouldn't have come up with. I bought some balsa and foam. That's kinda where I wanted to start. I'm not gonna carve and perfectly-shaped indicators, but both materials float. That's about how far I've gotten. But I like the orthodontic rubber band idea for holding on an indicator. Stay tuned

Flatlander? Not sure what you mean. If a flatlander is someone who's never fished with ... Wait a minute. This is the boat review forum, right?

Wow Cricket -- I was just about to jump on you for misspelling agnostic, when a little birdy told me to Google ignostic first. I never knew that, which is what this thread is about. Glad we went full-circle on this without Chief showing up or anybody getting pissed.