Terry Beeson

Well, 14 years is old for a fly line, but not using it that much it would be worth a couple of attempts at CPR... 1. Wash the line in warm soapy water. Use a mild soap as some will take more than just the dirt off the surface. 2. Wipe it dry with a soft clean cloth. 3. Apply some line conditioner. Scientific Anglers has a kit that includes the pad to apply the conditioner. You don't want to soak the line, just a thin film of it will do. There are other brands as well. See your local fly shop. Of course, I've heard the "big secret" is that Armour-All will work... but I've not tried this. Just make sure when you are done, the surface of the line is dry. And if it is a "dry slick" feel, you probably have a good line again. If cleaning doesn't help, it's time for a new line...

Welcome to the forum, Creek Wader. Looking forward to some smallie action soon myself...

What brand is it? How old is it? How much fishing has it been through? Have you ever cleaned it or conditioned it? Several questions need answering before a definative answer. Many lines can be "salvaged" if not too old and "worn out."... Kind of like old men... (No comments, Mrs Ducky... )

Michael, Looks good. Sampling of links worked fine. Registration was a breeze. Can't comment on ordering since I ain't payin' shipping to Nixa when I can stop by... Now... add my name and cut off the registration for the Winston rod immediately!!

As I understand it, during cold weather, shad tend to "bunch up" more than usual and find their ideal temperature. This means they congregate in deeper water. If they congregate within a certain radius of the dam's "intake", they will be sucked in and spit out into the tailwater. TRD being higher is probably correct, Phil...

What are you doin' lookin' in my truck? Actually, I had to quit carrying the fish tank. The water kept sloshing out on the bumps, and it looked like I didn't make it to the men's room... Now I just take a five gallon bucket and a couple cases of Evian. I want to fish for a higher class of fish...

Wonder what you could get for some GOOD whiskey?... Hey, John... Did you witness or get to do any "Czech nymphing" while over there? "Fly fishing the Black Forest"... Now THAT sounds like a trip of a lifetime...

Naw... they only watch Dolphins' games....

Who's blue van is that parked on the left?

Yeah... Like no mention of anyone fishing afterwards would stop you.... You're probably like me... you carry all your stuff in your truck... JUST in case.... Never know when a piece of water will pop up and just beg to be fished...

And give up my secret honey hole? NEVER! OK... I take Nicholas Road (Inman school) all the way to Republic Rd... I wish MDC would buy a piece of that and make an access there... (Does this mean 50 lashes for me? )

Though I've never been there, very little research would reveal that Germany and the surrounding countries are well known for some of the finest hunting and fishing in the world. I'm not sure about hunting there anymore, but fishing Bavaria and areas in southern Germany would still be very popular. Of course, I lean very much toward fly fishing and that is probably the primary choice of tackle in that part of the world. Tell him to visit the Bavarian Hunting and Fishing Museum in Munich. If I ever get over there, that is one stop on my list for sure.

As one who has raised two girls and has another one in the process, I'll let you in on a little secret... He killed two birds with one stone... He got firewood for the winter and got you too tired to do any "hanky panky" with his little girl.... (Just kiddin'... maybe... ) As for the winter storm and preparation... I don't think we're going to get hit with anything too big this week, but there is always a possibility. You should ALWAYS be prepared to some degree. Flashlights, batteries, canned food, alternate cooking, heat, and other preparation. Just like you are going camping out in the middle of the wilderness in February... It really surprised me how UN-prepared most people were for the ice storm... (city folks... sheesh...)

I would say try both of them then let the MDC enforcement officer know which one worked best up by the dam... (Do they carry Tasers? )

Ducky... tsk tsk tsk What is this "too many places to fish" you speak of? This does not compute!! But, hey... I'll be ready to hit the Finley and James both this spring myself... Dang fine lookin' spot on the James I cross every day on my commute. And the Finley looks good, too. Welcome to the forum, riverdoc. And give a couple of "Nixa Newbies" some hints on the Finley and James...

Nice pheesh Phil... And from one of my favorite places to fish... Along with Taney, Norfork, Little Red, and the Spring....

Your point is well taken.... Ah, but SF... many have never fished a day in their lives. I'd say up to 12 to allow for them. I've watched kids who could out cast, tie, and fish many of the guides on here fishing Dry Run Creek (under 16.) But, you have to put the age limit somewhere... For that matter, talk to Brian Wise or Leonard about how young they can cast a fly rod. They start much much earlier now....

Steve, If I even give a hint that I might be within 50 miles of a fly shop, my wife will demand all cash, checks, credit cards, and other forms of payment, legal tender, and barter be left in her care until I'm out of that radius... I usually just walk into Backcountry Outfitters, hand Michael my wallet, and tell him to let me know when I'm at my limit... One of these days I'm going to be in Wapsi and fall into their dubbing river and get sucked up into the feather dying room. Either that or get flushed from the room where the wooly worms spin the Krystal Flash and am counted as a "bad flash." At that point the Wapsi Oompa Loompas will have to retrieve me and give me back to my wife... But, you and Dano have said it all... (Subliminal advertisment for Steve Dally) Seth... watch the swinging wooly bugger... you're getting sleepy... email Beaver Dam Store... Or Michael Or Phil Or Tim Or any of the other fly shop owners... they will help you I'm sure...

As long as PowerBait is legal, I may make comments about it, but it will not offend me if someone uses it. If legal, you have every right to use it or do it as the case might be... No matter how wrong it is to do so... Just kiddin'... Anyway, Ham... I just think you hit on something there. PB, corn, cheese, marshmallows, etc. are a good way to get kids on trout. Maybe if they would limit PB to those 12 and under or something similar, it would offend some much less... Of course, Berkley would pour mounds of money to lobby against such regulations...

Dano is correct. With unweighted streamers, the hook will naturally ride point down. If you want it point up, you have to add some sort of weight to the "top" of the hook to get it to turn over. Dumbell eyes are typically used for this.

Welcome to the nuthouse, John. When you get that walleye thing conquered, you and Ducky bring a big load of them to Taney and Gary and Don will cook them up and I'll help eat them...

If you are looking for a "schedule" of future generation, not even the guys at the dam know that one... The dam schedules are not that reliable. Best to call the dam number and find out what is running at that time... but then again, THAT dam report is not always correct... Best to go look for yourself... (should I say "your-dam-self?" )

Clidk here to view maps... You will notice in the picture on the left showing Outlets 1, 2, and 3... the hatchery is on the left of the picture...

I knew better than to get a haircut and get a real job... MAYbe Saturday... Why couldn't I be born rich instead of so danged good-lookin'?

That's "Slow Stripper" Leonard... But I think maybe we should alter it just a bit and make it "Slow Strippin' Mink"....