Thom

Be thankful for the great men like Dick Winters that risked their lives to assure freedom for you and all of us in the USA. Dick Winters, a Lancaster native, parachuted in with his Easy Company brethren behind enemy lines in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Later in the day, he led a charge against a Nazi artillery unit that was firing on the Allied invasion force at Utah Beach. After gathering 12 men, Winters worked his way into the enemy trenches and destroyed four artillery pieces that had held Allied troops at bay. Winters' force also captured enemy maps during the assault, a major coup for the Allied forces. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest military award, for his actions on D-Day. Just a small start of his great career and others that fought along side him.

Interesting fact: Redwing Blackbirds are a protected species and considered song birds. All others are fair game year around.

WOW. This is the first flyswap I have missed in three years and now I could kick myself after seeing those flies. I just purchased Charlie Cravens "modern techniques for flies that catch fish" and am getting cabin fever really bad when reading it. Seeing the names the contributers to the swap it should be a blast.

Quote: "The weight is 4.80 and dia of reel is 3". Reels fits good, and balances well. Not sure if I am missing something" I believe you acutally answered your own question with the above statement. I just purchased a venture gloomis to replace a reel that was recommended for my orvis by orvis and I like the feel and balance of the venture much better ... it may just be my method however crude but when fishing. What is most important? Is it my comfort and pleasure or meeting a manufactures so called specs? tight lines <--- very important also!!!! Thom

I love the Pecan. I have three large pecan trees in my yard that the squirrells harvest the pecans from before they hit the ground but I get lots of Pecan for smoking all year just from the dead wood dropping from the storms and natural lower limb decay thanks to the woodpeckers. It is close to hickory but has it's own suttle flavor and burns hot and slow after soaking. Never tried bacon but load my smoker with beef, ribs, rabbit, and squirrel often.

Great report Phil. One question though withe the Zebra midges: (Zebras size #14 to #16 in red, black, olive and primrose/pearl.) Are you talking thread midges with red,black,olive bodies? If so what color ribbing do you use on the red and olive. I usually use silver wire on the black but what color on the red and olive. I also do well with a copper tung head rusty thred body with copper wire ribbing. I am trying to clear time in Jauary or February for a trip down.

"Don't ask .... Don't tell"

These are some of the flies from Duckydoty's swap 08:

The Gary Loomis adventure 5 reel sells brand new of 100 dollars. I just purchased an adventure 3 reel for 100 dollars new and I love it. Thom

Fantastic presentation .... thanks for taking all us along on your adventure.

Phil: Nikon has cameras that can be used with a spotting scope which works great. An adapter can be added to the camera and then it can be attached directly to the scope. I use mine often for this purpose but do not have the matching adapter for my Nikon scope. During trips to Port Aransas and Florida birding areas gave ne a chance to see some of the birders using this method. The big advantage is that the spotting scope and camera can also be used independently. Using the camera with the scope attached to the tripod gives some great effects without moving the camera as the shudder is pushed. Multiple sequencial shots can be programmed to get birds in flight and taking off and landing. Thom

Check out what Lilley's has at their shop. I noticed some nice reels on top of the fly case near the counter at very reasonable prices. Just call the shop and see what Phil has and what are the prices. He is usually hard to beat on gear and tieing material etc. I think Phil is still out of the country but you might want to call when he gets back.

Just put a Loomis Venture on my Orvis and took the Battenill off and put in on my loaner rod. The Bateniill has been notning but trouble. I tried the venture out on a recent trip to Taney and then a few times at Busch. LOVE IT. SMOOTH RETRIEVE AND DRAG AND SEALED BRAKE. It is also easy to open and clean. A Barganin at 100 dollars.

Actually we had a nice conversation. I didn't give it to them just asked them to reread the regs and they got the point. They thanked me for calling it to their attention. Last year nearly every time I went to Busch there was someone checking unfortunately with the economy as it is and funds so short I don't expect that this year.

You are right Eric there are no fish at Busch Wildlife. Even thought I observed 2 guys at lake 28 yesterday catch 20+ while I was on the west shore just managing to catch just 5 and losing a couple. I inquired what they were using as I left .... SALOMON EGGS AND POWER BAIT...DUH. LAKE 28 CLEARLY POSTED FLYS ETC ONLY. OH, They replied well on this bottle it says these are artifical eggs so I thought they were legal. I asked them to read the whole large yellow sign and they agreed that they were mistaken and left. I counted 3 nice dead trout floating on the bottom where they were fishing. The one above was the nicest of the lot I landed and she fought well as I landed her and quickly returned to the lake. It swam off and disapeared quickly. Really fat and full must have been full of salmon eggs. Most caught on the weighted grey scud that you can see in the mouth fishing about 3 ft deep.

I agree great scud hook but hard to find at most fly shops. Where are you getting them?

I stopped by the dam around 8 to show my son the outlet fishing at night and saw you down at outlet one. We just stayed at the top of the steps and watched for a while. I couldnt believe that they were running three units and did that even Sunday. Actually 4 units Sunday We then went outlet 2 and talked to Leonard there for a while. He caught several 15+ ers while I was there for about a half hour. He then handed my son his fly rod and showed him how to fish the lighted rig. Tim caught a 15"er in about 5 minutes of trying. Thanks for sharing the pictures and photos. Thom

You are on one of the best spots on the river. That bank is hot all the way from the channel between the island to point royal and down the gravel bank as far as you want to walk. The fish hang there in 2 to 5 foot of water near the bank from point royal. Keep stripping the wollies (black,sculpen,green,black over yellow) water off drift small jigs olive,sculpin,orange, evenings bead head midges black with silver or copper rib9 12 inches under an indicator, multi colored egg flies or peach(dead drifted on bottom). I will be there the next 4 days fishing that area and on down to short creek. Stop by lilleys and see what they recommend to use there or at the dam. BTW forgot to mention grey, brown, olive scuds 16 and smaller fished ticking the bottom. lift the rod every 15 sec or so for action. My son and I will be in a 20' pro crappie boat with orange Lilleys hat. Wave or holler if you see me. We are fishing out of Lilley's marina. Tight lines Thom

I received a call from an 866 prefix phone number ... not the area code but 636 866 XXXX. In searching the web I learned that it is a toll free call from the caller and charged to the called phone #. Does anyone know what the deal is on these calls and is it a scam or possible fraud attempt?

Now if that doesn't sound like a story a car salesman would tell. If you could sell those Caddies like you tell your stories GM would be back at 95 a share.

No places for wading at Fall Creek but you can fish from the fishing dock at Coopers creek. You also can fish at the new fall creek marina for a fee but all access to the stream above and below fall creek is private property access to my knowledge even though folks do walk down the boat ramp and fish there sometimes. Just remember above fall creek is all a restricted slot area. Rainbows under 12" or over 20 are allowed all others c/r only. No browns unless over 20".

Panera's and both Mcdonalds have wi fi in branson that I sometimes use if the resort I am staying in dont have it. fishing at Lilley's along with many other special benefits has WI FI for guests if you are fishing Taney.

You guys think I should tow the boat down just to make sure I'm not stuck without reasonable fishing for the weekend or will I be ok and find some wadable water? My advice: Take the boat. Coopers creek is an easy launch place. Stop off at Lilley's for last minute advice and tackle and then you can head either up or down stream. It will likely be crowded at the outlets on w/e and you can take the boat and just either tie off at lookout island (behind the Island out of fast water) and wade there or anchor off if the water is really fast below the Island. Far side of stream at Fall Creek offers the same option if the water is running 2+ gates. Just fish the seam in both places either from the boat or wading is possible. Just be sure not to anchor in the fast water in the 18 foot boat but out of the fast water is OK. (common sense) You still have the option of fighting the crowds and shufflers at the Dam. Lots more options if you have a boat. I am heading down the following w/e and will take my boat even if I fish the upper area. Tight lines.

How's this? now double click on pic. for 200/150 pictels view. Nice fish K