Terry Beeson

In that case.... You ever see those "feather dusters" in like the dollar tree stores with the multi-colored fibers? A buddy of mine used those to make some really awesome looking streamers for saltwater and bass... And you should read my "Obsession" story on my website if you haven't already...

I thought that, too, Steve... but most of what I've seen has had some rubber mixed in... and this doesn't appear to have any... But good guess and likely correct. Yes... nice ties...

Every time I've walked outside today, I've said to myself "Dang I need to be on Taney today..." Well, I musta been right...Weather just looked toooooooo fishy... and with one unit... Nice pheesh Phil... You DID take him up by Outlet 1 and turn him loose so I can catch him tomorrow, didn't you? (uh... which tree did you tie him to?)

Hmmm... you got me on that one, CW... I'm not sure what that is but could be some sort of craft fur?

Welcome to the forum, Pup... Creek Wader... Did you tell the fly tiers you wanted jig heads? Most of us can tie on a jig head with no problem. There are a couple of guys I know who tie only jigs... Don't give up... keep tying and your flies... I mean jigs... will look better with time and practice. You might want to get some tiers to give you some pointers... And who cares if they LOOK lame as long as the fish eat 'em... A lot of my flies that look lame catch the most fish...

No comment... Hey Michael... welcome back! To heck with the big fish pictures... (OK... not really... but... ) How'd the Turkey hunt go?... Please tell this Arkie who got stuck without a chance to go after a gobbler down there that you didn't see any... And Woodchuck (I should have remembered and thought to tell you that myself) YES... Call Michael before you go to BPS...

Politics and the fishing industry make for strange bedfellows... Orvis even recommends lodging at Big Cedar during the school... Orvis is merely renting the property for the school... Next thing you know Cabelas will be holding events at Big Cedar...

Yep... very good posts... all... just keep 'em coming. To me, this is very interesting reading. Seems we just don't talk reels enough. It's "all about the rod." I have a variety. I have two Okumas purchased to go with rods I bought online at a good price, but didn't have the budget at the time to get more reel. They're fine, but would hate to get in a big fish with one of them. I have two Shakespeares - one worn to a frazzle, one picked up at an auction (you're right, CC...) but don't fish it. One Dogwood Canyon that is a good little reel for the bucks. One White River (my first "real" fly rod/reel combo) that is a large arbor. I agree... overkill... I dropped it in a parking lot one time and chipped the spool. I will now do my best to stay away from cast aluminum (pot metal) reels... One of my favorites is a Reddington that I won in a raffle. Next favorite is my Pfleugar Medalist. I haven't played with it much yet, but it is a SWEET LOOKING reel on that fiberglass rod...

I would agree that a 6 wt 8 - 8 1/2 ft rod would be a good all around beginner's rod to cover a variety of fishing situations. Of course you could go for the Eagle Claw Featherlite 6' 6" 6 wt... at $15 a great small creek rod!!! The CV2 line is an OK line in my opinion. I have a DT 3 wt, but would count it as a beginning line to upgrade once you realize you want to continue fly fishing... As soon as Jim catches Michael out of town again and marks down the RIO DT 3 wt line to 75% off, I'll change out my CV2... (Did I just hear Michael faint?) Hey Mrs. Ducky... you's not cheap... you's just frugal... Besides, Mr. Ducky told me no way were you cheap... He spends a LOT of money on you... (You know I'm just kiddin'... Gotta keep John outta trouble...)

Anywhere you can fish with "conventional" rigs, you can fish with a fly rod... period... Now... to add... Fly fishing for bass is some of the best fun you'll ever have. Especially using top water flies such as poppers and hoppers. Even the smaller bass seem to attack the right popper like it is their first meal in a month!! Do you "need" special equipment? Not necessarily. I've fished with floating line and done OK. I've landed a 4 lb LMB on a 3 wt. I've landed 2 1/2 inch bluegill on an 8 wt... Yes you need sinking line or sink tips to get down deeper with streamers in still water OR streams. Depends on what you are after and how they are biting. Fish from the bank, wading, boat, canoe, yak, Brason Belle, float tube, pontoon, helicopter, large piece of driftwood, whatever... just put the fly in the water... One fun thing to do is find a pond with some catfish that are being fed. Throw out some fish food, get them a bit stirred up, then fling a popper in the middle of the frey... WOW... talk about putting a bend in your pole!!! And bluegill on a popper with a dropper is very kewl as well... I was fishing a lake in a park in Jonesboro last summer. There was a family that walked up and set up camp on the bank just over from me. They were chucking worms and crickets and doing OK, but the dad noticed I was hauling in gill after gill on my dropper rig. Well, he asked me about it, so I gave him one of the dropper flies - one I call "Mr. Buell's Bream Getter" after the fellow that taught me to tie it. He had a weighted float so he could cast it with his spin/cast rig OK and he started catching fish... I kinda had a grin on my face as I left... Simple tie: Size 14-10 hook Black thread a few wraps of lead optional Krystal Flash tail medium chenille body - black with flash in the middle if you can find it is good. rubber legs That's IT!

I don't disagree with you at all. After posting, I started to think about "palming" the reel (which I've done, but then set the drag) and wondered if you were hinting to that. So that clarifies more than MY post did for sure... But there are decent reels out there now with decent drags at a decent price. It would be a matter of personal choice to go with a click or disc drag at some of the prices I've seen. Do you need a disc drag? Well, I don't need auto insurance until after I need it... But I do agree totally to put the money in the rod and line, then get a reel...

A topic this morning brought up an interesting discussion in my opinion and I'd like to throw out the subject to get reactions and opinions from you fly flingers out there... We don't think a lot about the reel at the base of our rod until we really need it. Many times it is just a place to put the fly line while we're on the road. But, there are times when the fly reel does become an issue. We could get into saltwater and other "variables" that may affect choice, but let's keep it within the confines of what we would fish in this area - SW MO/NW AR. Trout, smallmouth, goggle-eye, whites, etc.... What is your opinion and choice when it comes to the following: 1. Brand(s) 2. Arbor size 3. Materials (plastic composite, cast, fully milled from 1-piece, etc. 4. Drag systems (and I ain't talkin' when "you know who" dresses up in women's clothes...) I think many of us can learn from a lively stimulating discussion of this issue... (Wow... I sound really profound there, don't I?)

And I just thought it was the Taco Bell I've been eating... Taking your Gibson Les Paul '57 Gold Top or your Taylor acoustic to your first guitar lesson would make the instructor (at least if it were me) a bit jealous... I'd probably advise you to let me hold your guitar while you learn and practice on my Fender Tele or Washburn flat top... I agree with everything CC said except I think I'm just "qualifying" his statement/opinion on reels. Yes, many fly fishermen (in my opinion) buy way more reel than they will ever use. However, this does not mean you should go out and buy a Shakespeare cheapie $5 fly reel. (I've got an old Shakespeare that will hold line, but not much else... ) IF - and chances are you will - you get into a bigger fish (and doesn't have to be a "monster") you will want a "satisfactory" drag system. Even those bronzebacks will give a "El Cheapo" drag a workout. I know CC meant this, but just to clarify, you don't have to purchase the highest price reel. Just a good solid reel with good drag will do for the beginner. Spend your money on a good fly line as CC said. OH... and BCO will without a doubt recommend RIO hands down and it is very good fly line. (After we've spent all your money on fly fishing stuff, then we'll start talking fly tying stuff.... )

NananananananananananI'mnotlisteningnananananananana... They need to dump it all out by Friday morning... Sounds like Roland is having quite a time with his brother....

Welcome to the forum. I live in Nixa as do Don, Duckydoty, and a few others. And welcome to the fly fishing world. Fly fishing can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it. It's like any other sport. TFOs are good rods as are Sage. I can tell you the guys at BCO will not steer you wrong. With that said, I would urge you to do two things before settling on a rod. First, get a casting lesson. I'm sure Michael or Jim at BCO would give you a lesson if you ask nice. BassPro offers free fly casting lessons twice a month. The next one is May 5th if I'm not mistaken. This will give you a good idea how the cast should feel. The second, after you learn the basic cast, try several rods focusing on medium or medium fast action rods. Find one that fits you and you feel comfortable with. There are several fly shops in the area to try these out. After you settle on a rod, the reel you choose can be something just to hold line or something you want to last a long time. There will be a difference when you get into a bigger fish. The Ross is a good choice. Now that you're outfitted, you've already made a good choice to join a forum like this. There are guys on here with a lot of knowledge who can help you get started. Along with that, I would invite you to come to a meeting of the SMFF (Southwest MO Fly Fishers) and MTFA (Missouri Trout Fishers Association.) These clubs meet at the Nature Center in Springfield - MTFA the first Thursday (May 3rd next meeting) and SMFF the 2nd Thursday (May 10th next meeting.) Either or both clubs can help you accelerate your learning curve. I'm a member of both clubs. And if you happen to want a lesson and don't mind wading for trout in Taneycomo, Leonard and I will be there Friday morning fishing up by the hatchery. Just look for a little red Ranger ext cab and a dark blue van with "Taneycomo Nights" in the windows.... Again welcome to the forum and fly fishing.

Sam, That's only because you don't have beer iced down in it... Yep... it's a shame. Nothing is safe anywhere anymore...

Too late.... They are well in abundance in central Arkansas and headed north. I was raised on a cattle farm in central AR and they can be a pest for sure. You drive down that way and look out in a pasture with cattle grazing and there will be 4 or 5 Egrets for every cow... They do feed on the insects and clean up the grain out of the manure, but other than that, they don't do anything but hang out.

I think the AGFC biologists are in agreement that barbless does not save many if any fish. With the trout management plans I've seen, the barbless rule in Arkansas is on its way out... I crimp my hooks anyway for MY benefit now. If I get a hook in my finger, nose, or ear it will be easier to get out. Plus, it helps me release the fish easier. I fished Friday with Leonard who gave me a fly. The first fish I caught, I thought "why can't I get this hook out?" then remembered it was one of Leonard's flies an he doesn't crimp...

"God grant me patience.... AND I WANT IT NOW!!!!" Can't help you with the spool... BCO had some spare spools, but doubt he had that one. BassPro Catalog Outlet has spare spools, but you'd have to be lucky to find one for that particular reel...

Welcome to the forum. There are several folks around Springfield who yak and canoe with a fly rod... I'm sure you'll find a few on this forum and maybe even one or two in the St Louis area who do the same... And welcome to your relatively new passion.... fly fishing... You're now spoiled for life...

Happy birthday ya'll... Hope it's a good one for ya...

If not for prior obligations, I would have tried to attend this myself. Sounds like you guys had a great time for a great cause. Yep, Steve is pretty entertaining anywhere he is... not just at the store. So, whomever will take the lead... We'd like to see pictures and results... especially how much was raised... And Toby... how 'bout an address for those of us who could not attend but would like to contribute...

I guess this guy is a "converted" crappie fisherman and was using - instead of a spider rig - a tarantula rig... "Ignorant ingrate?" I think you're being too kind there, TF... I've used multiple rigs myself but found four to be too many if any distance apart. This guy should have a regulations book sent to his home.......

Hey Ducky... sounds like a good trip even if you didn't haul in a monster... I got a piece of advice last week when I complained about short strikes and was blaming my fly for being too "bushy" when I tied it. A well-known TV vamous guide with excellent hair from Mt Home offered the advice of raising my rod tip when this happens. It puts a bit of slack in the line (even if you are stipping) and allows the fish to "suck in" the fly better. Well, I have to say last Friday that bit of knowledge sure came in handy. Several of those I picked up were short takes that I know I would have probably missed had my rod tip been in the water. And when I would miss a fish, I would notice my tip was low... Try it...

Rabbi, Click here... I think you'll enjoy this...