Terry Beeson

Thanks Greg, but I do admit I'm a bit self promoting here since I'm the sales rep for Hendrix. BUT... I stand by my product. I have to say they are VERY fine waders. Tank tested 4 times before leaving the factory. All seams taped with 3M adhesive. Built in gravel guards. Same material as Simms except for Gore-Tex. Microfleece hand warmer. D-ring on the strap between the shoulder straps. No "cross-over" straps in back that cause you to have problems keeping them on your shoulders. High quality zippers... I could go on... Warranty the same as Simms. OK... enough... Now, go buy a pair!!! I need the commission!!!

Still my favorite place to spend the day on the water... except I like Bayou if the canoe hatch is light, which it's not right now I'm sure... Got to get down there and fish again soon...

Korkers for boots for sure.... By the way... You Korkers fans... Korkers is changing the way the soles fit to the bottom. Now the sole will be completely out to the edge of the boot and will lock in without that nagging last little bit of edge that seems to be tough to get in... But they don't come out until after September. Buy something really cheap and wait on the new Korkers!!!! (Just kidding... kind of...)

Way to go, Don!!!!!!

Just watched our good friend Brian Wise (aka "Soopah Stah") on the Outdoor Channel "Outfitters" program. They were fishing the North Fork of the White with Project Healing Waters at the River of Life Farm in Dora, MO. Great job, Brian!! Also some others you may know including the other ROLF guides, Kyle Kosovich, and Rusty Doughty plus PHW dudes Rick Trowbridge, John Richerson, and Russ Doughty. It will be on again Saturday, August 7 @ 1:30 pm cdt...

Count me in, Phil... I've had a gun held to my head by John Richerson to do this for a few months now... Just let me know what I need to do...

Took the words right out of my mouth, Brian...

OK... Here I go... I've got to recommend you take a look at Hendrix Outdoors waders. These are very well made and a great buy. Walker River waders are around $140 and the Truckee River waders are $200. Truckee Rivers have reinforced knees and seat. Both have built in gravel guards, a D ring on the cross piece of the shoulder straps, pockets, taped seams with 3M adhesive, and have basically the same warranty as Simms. Right now available at: Lilley's Landing Fowkes Backcountry Outfitters Tim's Fly Shop Reed's Cabins Reading's Fly Shop Larry's Sporting Goods With more places to come...

In my opinion you have two choices... RIO Gold or SA GPX. I think you'll find the statistics you are about to receive will agree with my predictions...

Felt sole boots are OK for now, but many companies are considering doing away with them as Simms has already done. Dano is spot on with the advise. One thing I am really liking about my Korkers boots is the fact that the soles are interchangeable and I can go from felt to studded felt to Klingon rubber to studded Klingon to... well, you get the picture. The felt sole on your boots will not last forever, so depending on how often you fish in them, you will have to replace the soles or boots at some point in the future. If there is a ban that comes into effect, it will be a couple of years before it goes into effect anyway. I don't see it happening in AR or MO soon, but could happen.

Great question and I'd like to hear from someone who is something of an expert - biologist or similar - for an answer. I'm certainly no expert, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express... There are many factors that contribute to the success of a trout hatch and when you say trout, you have to be a bit more specific. We know that Browns have a successful spawn in the Little Red and other tail waters and Rainbows have to be stocked. We also know that the very opposite is true in many of the Missouri streams. So why does this occur? What's the difference? JD has only a portion of the answer - water temp and quality. But there are a lot of other factors that come into play.

OK... Opinion only... And that with a dollar might get you a cup of coffee... But here goes... It's not so much the number of people fishing the Norfork tail waters, but the regulations in place that are hurting the fishery plus the lack of respect by some people for the fishery itself. Not to mention the recent events that have hurt the stream - flooding and runoff from a certain development. The Norfork can take some pressure, but there is a need for a wider C&R area to help the trophy fish get bigger. There have been long drawn out discussions on what is best for the Norfork. I fear the almighty dollar is going to eventually ruin this great stretch of water...

No doubt there are 25 lb browns in the Beaver tail waters. I don't think Beaver will ever produce a world record, but it certainly has the potential to produce big trophy trout. Now if the AGFC will just set the regs to protect these big fish so we can get the world record back to the White River system...

No... They are illegal aliens...

What you must keep in mind is that the line weight of a rod is about the size of FLY you are casting as much as the fish you are casting to. In other words, as some have said, you will use a heavier rod to cast a bigger fly. Try casting a big cone head wooly on a 3 wt. Then grab your 8 wt and fling a size 22 dry. So, for bass, if you are casting large heavy flies, you will need something up around a 6 or 7. If you are flinging smaller stuff, a 4 or 5 wt will do just fine. I've landed some good size bass on a 3 wt casting small poppers for bluegill. And you are absolutely correct about the Sage BASS series rods. They are 7' 11" for that very reason - to adhere to the BASS and other pro fishing tournaments. But they are very popular among others seeking bucket mouths and brownies. Now... for the real question... Do you need another rod? Geez... "MAN UP" buddy... OF COURSE you need a new rod... You need MANY new rods... One for every occasion!!!! Having only one rod is like a woman having only one pair of shoes. (Hope that helps if you're having problems justifying things to your SO) (And NEVER tell my wife there is a question about the need for a new rod... )

I hope to gawd his momma taught him to cook and not you...

I kept hearing Roger Miller in the background... Nice article, Phil...

Wow... there are a lot of possibilities here. Crawfish patterns, streamers, poppers, terrestrials like hoppers, junebugs, beetles, ants... Rainy's has some very kewl poppers available at many fly shops. They make a lot of water splashes and get the fish's attention. With a dropper jig of some sort, this makes a killer combo...

My opinion only... The only thing Orvis has going for them at the moment is the Helios rod. I didn't like the rod myself, but it is a great rod for someone who likes that type. Orvis has had some bad reviews among customers I've come across in the past couple of years. I don't think they are the company they once were. I'm not a big fan of the CFO reel either, but that's just me. Sage Z-Axis rods are the bomb... Ross reels are nice as well. But I'm confused... Ross Evolution Vexsis? #5? Evolution LT and Vexsis are two different reels and neither comes in a #5. Also, a #5 reel is for a 8-10 wt rod. Are you talking a #2 reel? You really need a #1.5 for a 4 wt rod. First thing is to verify which reel you are looking at.

I don't think there is such a thing as a "perfect" indicator. Much depends on the style of fishing you are doing and especially the depth you are fishing. Looking at Dave's design, I can see where it could possibly give you a faster indication of a strike, but until I've used one, I can't comment further. Buy a pack and try them out. Best way to determine if they are for you...

OK... shameless plug here... but Hendrix Outdoors just came out with a very sweet C&R net... Burlwood handle, magnetic release system included, 18" hoop and a rubberized net with a flat bottom.

There is head cement thinner available at most fly shops. Naptha is pretty good, but lacquer thinner is the best I've used. Then again, it depends on what kind of head cement you have. There is a water based head cement out there that you would only need some water.

Well, Eric... You forgot to correct Thom in that the Monkees did not debut until '66... I'm sorry, fellas, but you sound exactly like your fathers and grandfathers did back in the 50s and 60s. I don't like Nelly anymore than you guys do, and his lyrics are pretty rough. I refuse to call most of it music, but do have to give some of it the benefit of the doubt in the "art" department. I know... I know... but the word "art" covers a vast area, and I won't get into any arguments about what is "art" and what is not. But, as a wise ol' shot putter once told me years ago... "The name of the game is MONEY!" And the promoters are banking on the fact that the little blue hairs and bald heads that go to see Andy Williams - along with Andy himself - are mere mortals and will not last forever. PLUS the fact that the disposable income of the average vacationer is getting fatter among those who would go to a concert such as this. It's pure business and has nothing to do with wanting to bring on the demise of Branson culture. By the way, Thom. You say you don't see a market for rap and the like in Branson? I think they said the same thing right before the "rock 'n' roll" shows started popping up... Don't see a market? Go to the water parks, SDC, and outlet malls and count the number of young people there. They would flock to a concert like this. Yes sir... The name of the game is money...

That explains the pink indicators he's been using...

Dry flies on a 1 wt... Now that's kewl pheeshin'!!!