drew03cmc

Rio or Cortland. You never mentioned what fly rod this is going on as the action of the rod plays a huge role in what fly line you want to use. For example on a medium action graphite rod, I vote Cortland 444 Peach without hesitation. On a fast action rod, I vote Rio Grand or Gold. On a SLOW rod like cane or glass, 444 Peach again, on a superfast rod, Rio Outbound which is essentially a shooting head that is weighted 2wts high to load the faster rod and shoot great distances, or Clouser. I have used two SA lines, and will not use another one. They didn't cast for crap on the rods I like to use (glass and cane), and the tips sank quickly. Right now, on my go-to rod (6'9" 3wt cane, only rod at this moment), I am using a 10m Cortland DT3F and it casts amazingly for about 30' (length of the line). Don't write Cortland off, and don't succumb to marketing hype. Distance isn't everything, but boy do the companies want you to think it is, so you will go buy the Sharkskin (ripoff IMO). Control is more important than distance, so find a line that you can feel all the way through your stroke from load to unload.

The officials gave every possible call to the Steelers and Roethlisberger is nothing without Hines Ward or Holmes. Sorry, Willie Parker is a waste, and they are the dirtiest team in the league. Harrison should have been tossed out.

Definitely cast them all!

She is amazing, and if you listen to their music, some of it has a Faith-based feel to the lyrics. I LOVE that!

I still can't understand why you would find a 7.5' rod a hindrance for bank fishing for panfish. I started on a 7.5' 3wt Three Forks, then bought a Redington Crosswater 8'6" 5wt. I won't own another rod longer than 8'. I currently own my LST 2wt and am eagerly anticipating the arrival of a 6'9" 2/3 Fitch Purist. I don't like how longer rods feel, and personally, if I were teaching someone, or suggesting a starter combo, it would have to be an 8' 4wt St. Croix Triumph combo. I caught two 11" redear sunfish on a 4wt St. Croix Prestige rod two Octobers ago, and if I hadn't sold it, would still be abusing that rod today! Use the Prestige Plus reel, and the included line. It is a sweet little rod and comes in WELL under $200 for the combo. At that length and weight, you will have plenty of guts for casting in wind, yet still having the ability to fish rather stealthily for spooky fish. It will also toss a darn good sized woolly bugger into some structure for bass. That rod size is largely overlooked for the most part, but don't believe that you should start with a 5 or 6wt, regardless of what someone says. Also, don't write off fly fishing for bass and panfish in ponds, creeks and rivers, namely, the Blue and Little Blue in the KC area. You can get into any combination of fish in those streams including channel cat, common carp, drum, bluegill (I caught one about 11.5" from the Little Blue), green sunfish, largemouth, and whatever else is in there. Since I started fishing for gills, I have spent much less money driving to trout water. In my mind, the sunfish species as a whole fight harder than trout, and catching large gills post spawn is just as tough as chasing large trout, if not tougher. This is all my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, but I do know there are a lot of trout snobs in the KC area that refuse to fly fish for warmwater fish. Please don't be one of them.

Think of it this way. The Orvis has an adjustable drag, while the Hardy's tensioner is a SUPER LIGHT click pawl.

Orvis' reel pricing isn't bad, but their rods are awfully high priced.

I would like a Winston WT, however, the $635 price tag is too much. Also, when you break a Winston, Scott or something else along those lines, you have to wait a good while for the rod back anyway, so I would like to see a cheaper price and less warranty. Any idea how to make that work? Dan, I understand how stout glass is. I like that aspect.

Sorry to dredge this thread back up, however, the unconditional lifetime warranties that we all love so much are part of the reason that mid-range to premium fly rods are rising in price EVERY year. I have it figured that at least 1/3 of the price, and probably closer to half is figured in for warranty. I vote for getting rid of UCWs and put in a UCLW, unconditional limited warranty, for something like 3 years. Most of us get new rods yearly or almost yearly. Honestly, the American makers have priced themselves out of the market.

Take the reel to almost any Orvis shop and they will swap your reel, then they will send the reel back to Orvis themselves.

The Orvis is my go to reel! I love it on my LST 2wt, and soon on my 3wt cane. Check into that one, as well as for more reels both modern and vintage, click the link to the UL Forum in my signature.

Nice rod, nice fish...You had a heck of a day!

That water is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing Terry!

Longear are native in the Wakarusa River, and I have caught 2 below Clinton Lake in Lawrence.

6-8 pounds for both is about right. Those are monsters!

If you would not be against a vintage rod, look for a South Bend 290, 291, 323, or 359. The 290 and 291 are 7.5' 5/6 weight rods, but the 291 is a 4pc. The 323 and 359s are 8.5' 5/6wt rods. If you can find a single tip rod, these can be had on ebay for less than $250. Also, look for a Granger 8642. These are an 8.5' 5/6 as well. If you are looking for a shorter rod. You can get a nice H-I Tonka Prince 7' 4-6wt for less than $200 shipped. A Tonka Queen will run you another $50 and it is a 7'9" 5/6. The Phillipsons are cheaper than the Grangers but were made by the same guy (Bill Phillipson) with cheaper accoutrement. I am going to PM you.

This might be fun...I will see if I can escape.

Several people here swear by them. I saw some, and I think they have a plastic ring, but I am not sure. yagersflies.com carries them as well. They are not listed, but you can call them and order some.

Darin, a T130, 4ft leader with 6# tippet, and a 7'6" glass 6wt would set you up fine! For flies, buggers, clousers, cats whiskers, briminators, etc...Have fun, and let me know how you do!

Thanks Leonard! I appreciate it!

Phil, Tim, anyone who can chime in, Terry? Continue to serve your customers as best you can, on the waters you are specialists on, and you will do just fine. Tie the flies that are essential for area waters, and carry the materials for those flies, as well as for other staple flies. I know that a lot of places do not carry Arctic Fox, but darn it, I use it a lot! I have a hard time buying hackles for buggers and things off the web as they vary so much from package to package, but if the locals do not have it, what can you do? Off topic, but if anyone can offer guidance as to what affordable hackles to choose for #8-10 buggers I would appreciate it.

I have to say the darn 13 year old Chinese gymnasts, I feel they should be taken home, spanked, and stripped of their medals. The scoring is so screwy it is not funny....there is no way in hell that Chinese chick, He Kexin is 16. She is so far behind Liukin in development that she has to be at least 4 years younger.

At least the stocker bows are going to good use!

We are actually planning a trip to Branson, and I might have to come fish Taney in roughly early October...

Michael, I think that one can be accomplished!