Terry Beeson

I can't comment on all the streambed, but from what I saw, Wayne is right... Not a good spawning streambed and not enough mature fish... That and too many fishermen in the way...

Last time I went to vote in Arkansas it went like this... Poll worker: "You got any ID?' Me: "'bout whut?" (You know us hillbillies...) You have to register to vote. These days you have to register, with an ID, for a lot of things. Yes, it is a right and privilege to vote... and I want that soldier who died for that right to have NOT done so so some chicken peddler can go gather up all his illegals and take them to the polls to make sure HIS candidates and issues pass... YES to voter ID....

I would think it is very difficult to keep a fly - even copywritten - from being copied. Your average - or should I say above average - fly tier who sees the pattern can pretty much get the recipe by just looking at it in many cases and go home and tie up a few... give them to buddies... etc. Unethical? Maybe... Illegal? I don't know how it would hold up in court unless you actually tied up a bunch and sold them... Then again, if the original used - say - mallard flank and you used wood duck flank, even if copywritten there may be some problems proving the copyright was infringed. Just ask Al Beatty how many ways there are to tie an Adam's Parachute... What would be very unethical would be for someone to tie something like that KNOWINGLY copying a pattern someone had come up with and making a profit on it. I will say that John was always very forthcoming with the average tier on how to tie Trout Crack. He might hold back a couple of secrets until he knew you better, but still always seemed eager to share. Yes, he got a copyright and sold it to Umpqua... that was the smart thing to do. I just hope they never check my fly box...

Ryan, How many is "many of them"? How long were the "skinny" ones? Did the head look much too big for the fish? There could be several reasons...

I want to know why my college advisor thought I would be better off as an engineer... hell... I STILL can't drive a train.... At one time, I was gonna be either a brain surgeon or a fry cook... or a double naught spy... wish "professional fly fisherman" would have been an option, too... Best of luck to ya, MTB....

Did they have wings? I LOVE buffalo wings... I grew up on a cattle farm and my neighbors had bison at one time. I was feeding our cows one day when I heard something coming up behind me to the feeder... it was one of my neighbor's bull bison... a BIG BIG fella... coming straight for me and the feed... at a trot... some 20 feet away... Time for clean underwear... Good thing you didn't hit one... they can do major damage to a vehicle... all 2,000 plus pounds of 'em...

I think Gene's, Riverside, and Norfork resorts would resist that move with every fiber in their bodies... Not to mention what it would do to the campsites at the dam. Not that making Norfork a totally C&R is a bad idea... I think the answer is a "season" on the Norfork... close it down during mid-October to say... February? January? Closed to all fishing for part of that, then C&R only after the spawn until... well... But then again, I think you have the same problem... NOW you've gotten into someone's pocketbook...

Eh... put a half-pound lead weight on the end of my tippet, and I bet I could cast that far... Hey Brian... Phil took 2nd place adult distance... behind Ray Ramirez... I'd say that's pretty solid... wouldn't you? How long is the fly line these guys are pitching? And what taper?

You forgot to mention all the "lies"... and if you were with Leonard, I KNOW there were a few of them flying around... As a former resident of Claremore, OK once said... "I never met a 22 inch brown trout I didn't like..." or something like that...

I use the Mr Coffee grinder - yes available at WM for under $10. Easy to clean but just make sure it is unplugged before you stick your finger inside!!! I dunno, Steve... possum flavored coffee is not too bad... But the best expresso has just a touch of red fox squirrel tail in it...

There's a test? Dang... Phil didn't say there would be a test... I didn't study!!!

Great pics of a great time....

Yep... release them against a big rock on the bank...

Greg, I went to Cow Shoals several years ago during a week long consulting trip to Heber Springs. It was during a very hot summer and I remember walking down to Cow one afternoon and how cool it was down there with the trees and the cool water flowing through. I spent every afternoon there cooling off and unwinding. I wanted to fish it at that time, but did not have any fishing gear with me (was a bait fisherman then..) This trip, I decided I would definately try Cow out. It was my first time wading that stretch. It is pretty shallow with a lot of riffles in the area. I just seem to do better in deeper water with holes or a big hole just above a fall. Basically, I felt "lost" as to what fly to toss and how to fish it. I'm sure it's good fishing if you use the right techniques. Just didn't have the right technique that day.

Wow... GREAT PHEESH...

That shortcut is pretty good until you get to SDC... I've been doing 160 all the way to 65 and down. I thought live bait was illegal up there.... You know... I wonder if a "bat fly" would work on those bigguns... Surely they've tasted one of those bats that hang out down there...

Welcome to the forum Old Stumbler... (dang... that should have been MY screen name.... ) Oh... and it's Dardanelle... That's near "back home" for me. And home of John Daly for you golf fans... And, if you're a John Wayne fan, you might remember in True Grit that "Baby Sister" Matty was from "Dardanelle in Yell County..."

Does he have a "purty mouf?" (Sung to "The Waiting is The Hardest Part" by Tom Petty "Well, I think I’ll go and rent me a movie right now; Go and get something I ain’t never seen. And on the discount rack, I see Deliverance, And I’m watchin’ it now and they’ve got to that scene Where they meet the hillbillies and they’re big and they’re mean… And who’s that crawlin’ ‘round on his knees? It’s Ned Beatty! (Beatty!) Ned Bea-yay-yay! Ned Beatty had the hardest part ‘Cause redneck love leaves emotional scars. I guess he didn’t read the script too far; Ned Beatty had the hardest part!"

Nothin' like havin' a good outing with your dad, son, or grandson... unless it's with your brother, sister, wife, husband, daughter, mother, uncle, aunt, cousin, friend, or someone you just met... That's what fishing is all about.... good post, Leonard...

Welcome to the forum... I'll probably see you at the next MTFA meeting...

The knee is a result of "Dunlop" disease... my belly "dun lopped" over my belt buckle... Actually, I think it came from a golf injury back in 1998. I twisted it and had some problems until one day some "gremlin" stuck an ice pick through it and I went to the floor. Went to a orthopedic surgeon who had an MRI done. I had a horse shoe shaped tear in the pad that got flapped open causing the pain. Somehow between the MRI and the next appointment, it got turned back and I was walking fine. The OS recommended I wait on the surgery until it happened again. Then, in 2002 it happened again and I had the surgery. I've done fine, except some occasional arthritic pain. That is, until Thursday night. I'm sure after the MRI, I'll go under the knife again... Wading is pretty rough on the knees, but not as much as golf... that's why I traded my golf clubs for a fly rod... Glad you guys enjoyed last night (just kiddin'... I really am glad...)

Dano... you rule the roost!!!!.... But your wife rules the ROOSTER!!! Gotta bug out, ya'll. Dano called and he knows, but I went to bed last night with a blown knee. Went to the Dr today (had an appt for some other stuff) and I go for an MRI next Friday. Can't stand, walk, sit, lie down, or anything without it feeling like someone is sticking an ice pick through my knee. The pain killers are helping though... Hey Leonard... catch up with Dano and clue him in on some night tactics... Gotta get back on the couch now... You guys have a good night fishing and catch some BIGGUNS for me!!... PICTURES... I NEED FISH PORN!!!!

Does she have a sister? Actually, I have a pretty doggone good one myself... She's concerned I've not been in the deer woods yet this year... And she conspired with my MIL to get me a new muzzle loader for Christmas two years ago and always supports my going fishing whenever I want to... Yep... you better be a VERY good boy now, russ....

You guys can count on my for as much support as I can muster... This is something that ALL fishermen and outdoorsmen must concern themselves with... C&R, catch and eat, fly casters, bait casters, boaters, waders, hikers, hunters, bird watchers, swimmers, skiers, mountain bikers, wave runners, 4 wheelers, the list goes on and on...

If nothing happens, I'll be in the parking lot around 6pm or so... Anyone want to meet up?? Dano.. .you gonna try to make it?