Terry Beeson

Going pretty good... At least everyone tells me it is. I'm too impatient I guess. I'm ready to get going again, but can't bend my knee far enough and have a hard time standing for very long. I know I'm getting better by the day, but just seems slower than I thought. Cindy and Amanda went to Mammoth today and I chose not to go. Started to let you know and come on over, but since I can't fish, just didn't seem worth the effort. They are getting "coiffed" and I didn't want to hang out at the beauty shop. I'm just hangin' out with the Yorkies and getting housework done so Cindy can be a slug tomorrow... Yep, Lacee told me she waited on you. She's a pretty good kid, but has her moments... She's gonna be a momma around August, so maybe grandpa will have a fishing bud soon... Well, in a few years. Russ is wanting to fish the Spring, so before long he and I will hook up and head that way. I'll let you know when and you can show us where you've got those bigguns tied up. By the way... Any Walleye's coming out?

They were checkin' out the latest baits they need to ignore...

Hey Butts... If you hit Norfork or Bull Shoals in the middle of summer, hold up a cold six pack of Bud, you'll get a few "strippers" come out of the woodwork.... Just like Mardi Gras and beads....

And just in case you have an enemy among us, I'll taste everything before you judge it... Hey... I'll make the sacrafice... Leonard, do you have a "time" or just cook them until the shrimp are pink and the bacon is "done"....?

555-SLOW-STRIP? So THAT'S why there's a policeman's, fireman's, and construction worker's uniforms in the back of that blue van. Taneycomo Nights - Guide service and male exotic dancer... Those "Bachelorette parties" pay well, Leonard?

Guides wrapped with electrical tape would be a no-no... Seriously, CC just about nailed it. Look the rod over very carefully and slowly for any scratches, dents, breaks, cracks, and evidence of repairs. I'd even hold the rod just above the grip and hold the grip and give it a little "twist" to see if there is any looseness there. Also, I'd lawn cast it with a yarn tag for the fly. I've purchased used rods on eBay and through other forums "sight unseen" except for photos, but I don't recommmend it unless it is a real bargain. But be prepared to be skinned at some point doing that. I bought a pair of TFO rods without seeing them first and was very anxious until I got them and found them to be in great shape. And I got both of them for what one of them was worth.

No.... I'M the hillbilly... Welcome SGCQPGHTRJKEHD.... uh... Sir...

I didn't know if I should introduce myself under my real name or my handle...

I'd look at Dorber down in Flippin, AR for a similar blank. I had a friend who did something similar. Took his old fly rod and "converted" it by replacing the guides, mounting a little ultralight spinning reel, and made a great crappie jigger out of it.

I have to agree. You can make your flies "more durable" with SHHAN, copper wire, mono, etc. But when it comes down to "brass tacks," flies will tend to come apart if you are fighting fish with them.

Ham, Ditto on what CC said. My dad and I had some good times fishing, but he was never a big hunter or fisherman, so those times were limited. My grandfather and I fished a lot together and we were much closer. Sometimes I wish my dad and I had learned to fly fish when I was a kid. Might have put us closer. CC, I have a 9 ft 4 WT built by RebRod in Flippin on a Dorber UltraWeave blank. I LOVE that rod "forever!" I picked it up at Conclave '05 at the auction. I "just wanted" a 4 WT and this one looked and felt pretty good on display. Then I fished it.... WHOA! I got a REAL BARGAIN as far as I'm concerned! SAAHH-WWWWWEEEEEET rod. Yep, I'd compare it to casting a bamboo as far as feel. But I LOVE nymphing with this rod as well. If you don't make it down to Dorber before I see you, you can fish mine.... just sign in blood and I'll have to hold your first born for ransom.

Sounds interesting... I may just have to make that one.

Did someone say CRAPPIE!?!?!? Yeah, shotgun starts are scary, but good that nobody got "stupid" and got hurt. I'll be anxious to see the results...

Yep... great forum on there. I use to frequent it a lot. (JD... Keep your eye on SmallieHunter and a couple others... They like to play with your avitar... )

I LOVE my 4 WT rod. I like to fish 5 WT most of the time with trout, but a 4 WT is even more fun. I use mine to nymph with a lot due to the length and the feel. I have a friend who fishes a 1 WT if he's expecting to catch a lot of "stockers." I like using my 3 WT in some similar situations. I know Maddog Mike uses a 3 WT most of the time now, right? 200 bucks for a G Loomis Streamside in great condition? hmmmm... Not a bad price if it is in great shape.

No need, FS... Just go down to the local post office. They have pictures of many of us on their bulletin board...

Whew... thanks for clarifying that for me Leonard... My foot is a lot longer than 12 inches. You know what they say about guys with big feet and big hands................... Yep.... that's right..... Big shoes and big gloves..........

All you need is a living room that is 60 feet long with a 12 foot ceiling... and a 6 foot rod...

I had a spinning rod of the same blank and still have an ultra-light casting rod with a Zebco 33 on it that served as my Crappie jigging rig for several years. Talk about TOUGH! That thing will bend double and still pull a fish! I'm going out on a limb and getting a fly rod... Just gotta decide what I want. Hey Dano... Didn't you tell me that was rated as a 5 wt but cast a 4 wt line better or something to that tune?

Click here for fly line taper explained. Sounds like you have a double tapered (DT) line. Many casters prefer weight forward (WF) to help add some distance, but DT lines work just fine and many fishermen prefer them. It's all a matter of taste and feel. Davy has a somewhat unconventional set-up. Not that it's a BAD set-up, just that it is not what you usually find on the river. It's pure Davy and a good set-up. Talk to him about his set-up from the fly line to the fly... It works for him and I've resolved to try his terminal set-up myself. Many set-ups depend on where you are fishing, what you are fishing for, and what you are fishing with. Nymphing in a small creek for small fish, casting dries across a large river, fishing streamers in fast water, etc. etc. etc. all call for different riggings. Some a matter of personal taste as well. I've seen a few guys who are trying to bring back the "Spey Casting" method back using rods that are from 12-18 feet long. It's a two-handed casting method that is BEAUTIFUL to watch and gets the fly WAY the heck out there. If you are pretty much to yourself in a larger stream it would be good, but again... smaller streams, smaller rigs. As JD said, standard for the White River system and MO trout fishing would be an 8 1/2 ft or 9 ft 4 or 5 WT rod. I bet if you asked 10 fly fishermen (during the day - many use 7-9 WTs at night) what they are casting, at least 8 of them would have one of those set-ups. Then again, what works for you is the best rig... Experiment. So much to learn, so little time, huh? Extra spools save a lot of time.

Hey Steve, I heard there was a sign in front of Tim's store that said, "The boss is away - Buy one and get 4 FREE!" Sort of like a fireworks stand! Yep, Tim... have a great time and provide us with plenty of photos to make us envious of you! Wait a minute You're in NZ fishing and I'm in Nixa watching M*A*S*H reruns... I'm ALREADY envious of you! (Safe travels home, too...)

RR, Depending on the line, be careful how and with what you clean the fly line. You COULD do more harm than good cleaning it that often depending on how you're cleaning it. SIO3's suggestion will give you good advice. I usually don't clean my line that often. Depends on how often I fish, but I can usually tell when I need to give it a good cleaning.

Sounds like a good NYE party! You should have travelled another hour and a half and joined us yesterday morning at Taney... Had a good time and good fishing...

Welcome to your new obsession... You sound like me about six years ago. One piece of advice... either hit the lottery, PCH sweepstakes, or get a second job. You'll need the money to buy all the toys and pay for all the fishing trips, clinics, conclaves, meetings, etc.... Also, plan on a trip to Mountain Home, AR in March to the Sowbug Roundup. Click here for more information. This would be a good venue to learn more, have a good time, and fish some great waters.

Now how do you expect the varmints to be sanitary without their Germ-X, Don? None of those items are mine, but you did a good thing...