Terry Beeson

You are correct in those examples, ness. But you're using three numbers, so to compare to what I'm talking about is not apples to apples. In a population of significant size (like the number of people in the US or the number of anglers in Missouri) the mean and median (and the mode in most cases) will be very similar if not the same. In statistics, it's called the law of central tendency and in graphic form, will resemble a bell (thus called the "bell shaped curve.") This is referred to as the "normal distribution curve" and is the standard by which polls, surveys, and other sample measurements are compared. In this curve, the center of the curve is the mean average, so half the population lies below the average and half above. Furthermore, we can discuss the width or spread of the curve which is measured in "standard deviations" signified with the term and Greek letter "sigma." This would be where your example would be tested if it were two samples taken from the same population. The sigma for #2 would be greater than #1, therefore the probability factors would change to the point that the significance factor would still hold true for the population given the two samples. This would be where the disclaimer given when the news reports the results of a survey/poll about the "plus or minus four percentage points." Then we could discuss where some population factors result in an exponential, bimodal, or other "non-normal" distribution...

Well, I quit checking this thread, but now I see I would have done well to keep up... Why not solicit every angler? Simple ... Statistical data is easily gathered in a random sampling basis to get the facts about the whole population (all anglers.) Gavin has some fine points about this. But it boils down to this - if done properly, the sample will yield just as good results as the population. Take for instance political polls. How often do you see polls "predict" a winner that is not correct. And if it DOES miss, the margin is within that "plus or minus 4 percentage points" they give you. Statistical analysis is used extensively in business and our every day lives whether we realize it or not. Weather predictions are based on statistical data. What larger stores stock on their shelves is based on statistical analysis. Now for the downside - Notice I said before "if done properly..." The old statistician's quote is "tortured statistics will confess anything." Many things from how the sample size is determined to how the questions are phrased can skew statistical data. For instance, if I chose to send the cards to random people all over the world, or even if I just sent them to a number of people living in Missouri vs. sending them only to people with fishing permits. Can you see how the results would be different? I am a Six Sigma Black Belt which is a certification program for statisticians. So, I am always questioning how surveys are done and what results actually tell us. I usually take many statistical reports with a grain of salt until I examine more than just the results as presented by the presenter. Does he have an agenda and skewing the results in his favor? I'll give you an example... Many years ago, there was a report given to congress on a statistical study done about education. Those giving the report were looking to boost funding for education in the US. The report stated that "half the people in America are below average in intelligence." This shocked Congress into passing the bill with the idea that they needed to do this to bring more Americans to a level above average... Well, if you understand what "average" means, then you would know that it is the middle - with half above and half below. So, naturally, half the people are below average... in anything... And no amount of education would change that. Anyway, I'm not convinced MDC is up to anything bad. I'll wait for the results and then make a determination.

Nice flies all!!! Especially that first one after being taught by someone like Dano... I'm sure he shared with you that thing about helping the CIA track down some bomb by reading code in the newspapers and such, right? (Think "A Beautiful Mind")

Comical nonsense is distracting? All ya'll must REALLY be confused when I post... FC... Take up fly fishing... Then you'll be the cuttER instead of the cut-EEE...

Every April, the folks around Nixa start to go in droves to the rivers to snag for suckers. Then the second weekend in May is "Sucker Dayz" here where they take the suckers snagged and fry them up and serve them to unsuspecting yankees... LOL Actually, they do fry them and a lot of folks like to eat them. Sucker grabbing is an art. Try it sometime and you'll see it's not like shooting fish in a barrel... Not sure about the legality where you were, but that's what they were doing...

Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying I approve of this measure... BUT... this brings up a point: For years we have been crying, moaning, yelling, and otherwise asking for a way to 1- reduce our dependence on foreign oil, 2- help farmers (I already know the argument, so don't go there...), 3- find alternatives to fossil fuels replacing them with renewable energy sources. Now comes the ethanol thing. This could help us do all three things I listed. BUT!!!... Using ethanol (now at the E15 stage) could ruin our fuel systems in our cars, contaminate the water system, and cause grocery prices to go up... Interesting how we want it all... I hope we figure out how to do that, but I don't see it coming.

Since I'm new to this, I'll beg off for now, but post your favorite Dutch Oven recipe here. Be sure to include number of briquettes to use on top and bottom and cooking time and any other hints...

OK... that's going to be another thread. Maybe Phil will even make a DO section... Now, who's up for a DOG? Going for an apple cobbler tomorrow...

I just bought my first Dutch Oven and now have it seasoned, but have not cooked anything yet. I do have another older "bean pot" dutch oven (no place for coals on the lid) and have used that for fish fries, beans, etc. Now I want to start using both of them... And I'm sure I'll add more to the collection as I go. So, any of you "obsessed" with dutch oven cooking? Anyone know of any DOGs coming up? Anyone a member of IDOC? Anyone want to get together and have a cookout? Any tips? Any recipes?

This is a shameless plug, but I'll put the Hendrix Outdoors Learn to Fly Fish 5wt kit up against the Ross any day...

GOOD... I have some copies I need to sell. And I need some operating capital...

May be too late, but do go by Reed's Cabins (fly shop) and visit with Darrel there. He fishing the park pretty much daily and will have the latest updates and fix you up right.

Kelly weird? Eccentric, maybe, but I wouldn't say weird. Dude does think outside the box for sure though... Good addition, Phil...

Thanks Al... I needed that this morning... So... How far above the fly should you put your indicator? Oh wait... I forgot... this thread is about elitist fly anglers introducing invasive silver carp into Missouri streams by learning something new at the rest home in a jet boat... ... right? (Don't mind me... the steroids are still talking...)

Got mine... They knew better than to send you one, Ducky... LOL

I think it's just MAR-VEE that you shop at Hobby Lobby for your little fishy-fly thingy-wingies... I found these really super-duper feathers one time there, but just could NOT bring myself to remove any of the pretty pink plumes from the boa after I stood in front of the mirror and ran them across my shaved back and naked chest... OH MY!!! Is it WARM in here or is it just me? TOODLES!!!!

Is that like a drop shot or a carolina rig? (Whatever those mean...)

Dano is right in that you need to adjust your depth to where the fish take the fly. It's just like bobber fishing for Crappie or other species. Sometimes they are feeding on the bottom, sometimes in the middle, etc. The 2-2.5x rule is just a rule of thumb to give you an idea where to start to get the fly to the bottom. The other problem with the indicator used for bottom fishing is that most drifts will vary (duh) in depth so how do you keep the fly on the bottom if the bottom goes from 3 ft to 6 ft to 2 ft to 5 ft in the span of 12-15 ft? Spot on, Ness, about there being a plethora of inputs on indicator depths. Again, just like bobber fishing...

For those of you who were unable to attend the Southern Council FFF Fly Fishing Festival and Conclave, you missed a great one!!! Some of the highlights: I headed out Thursday morning and stopped to get gas. When I got back in the truck, the battery was done for... So had to get a jump. Decided to take the other truck, but THAT battery was out. SO... Made the trip in the first truck and bought a new battery in Mountain Home... Dave and Emily Whitlock were THE BOMB!!!! They are such a great couple and gems in the fly fishing world. Dave's classes were well attended and he had a constant audience watching him draw at his booth. If you don't know these two folks, you are missing something in your life... We changed up a few things that were big hits! The registration is much faster and I saw no lines waiting to get in. Thanks to the two banks and the CofC who sent us a few folks to help out with this. The book that you get is no longer the big 8 1/2" X 11" monster! Chris Jackson came up with a small pocket sized booklet that everyone was talking about!!! Phillip Taylor's artwork adorned the conclave pin and another one adorned the front of the booklet. I had lots of comments on these two... The fly tiers were moved to the center of the big room and this made space for a couple more vendor booths. The tiers seemed to like it and the vendors say the traffic was much better!!! I'll brag a bit and say that Hendrix Outdoors was a big hit! We had a lot of guys casting our rods and looking at some new stuff! I even had a couple of fly shops tell me to come see them... WOO HOO!!! Mark Sedotti was great! I didn't get to see his casting demo, but I kept hearing "MAN that guy can cast a fly!!!" Without a Facilities Chair, a lot of good people stepped up to the plate and did a great job!! The auction numbers were down, but we still had a good time and raised some money. Thursday night welcome party... What can I say... the boys from Texas put together a GREAT meal!!! You should come down just for that!!!! Only had three videos submitted for the video contest, but it was a good bunch of video. I challenge you all to submit next year! It's going to be a good addition to the event! ANOTHER addition was the X-Stream X-Games... The Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. the SOCFFF Board of Directors... and the BOD WON!!! So we challenge all clubs, guides, and just fishermen in general to put together a team for next year and see if you can bring us down!!! Great fun, good food, and lot of friends, old and new!!!! Always a great time! Oh... and some guy we know got the award for the "Tall Tale Teller of the Year..."

I'll post a report in another thread, but it was a good ol' goodurn....

WHOA!!!! NICE PHEESH!!!! I'll be over soon... for sure... Rod ready...

Buff headwear comes in several types - some to protect from the wind and or sun, some to keep you warm. A cotton bandana will not do much other than give you a bit of protection from the sun, but not from the cold wind. There are much better products out there for that.

Maybe we should have a birthday party!

I had it happen in my driveway! Luckily, my Bassett and the killer Yorkies needed to go out at 2am and confronted him. I called the police but he ran before they got there. Not safe ANYwhere... Now I'm paranoid when I'm on the road and hate parking where I can't see my truck.

Hey Ronnie... you and me and Ted need to do that float soon. My pontoon is ready and waitin!!