drew03cmc

Really? You prefer a 10wt? The Sage Largemouth was designed for you then. A 10wt is overkill for bass in MOST lakes where you are throwing anything under a 4/0 weighted streamer. You can overdo a hookset. You can break a fly rod with too aggressive a hookset, I have seen it happen. Also, you can break the tippet even if there is a miniscule scratch in the line. There is no need to Bill Dance the hookset to get a fish on. You can simply sharpen your hooks and utilize the fly rod as it was designed. Jason, you are correct. The flies you wish to cast should make the choice of which weight rod you are going to cast for you. An eight weight fly rod is overkill for most stream smallmouth. You have to realize the quarry you are chasing, the likely fly sizes and the tippet you plan to use and make an educated decision. I don't know anyone that fishes for smallmouth with 12 pound tippet. It is predominantly 6-8# tippet and flies from a 2-10 depending on what you are throwing and doing. I love the fact that you are putting your opinion out there, but do not present it as fact. I prefer to chase bass with a 5/6 weight glass fly rod. Does that mean I catch fewer fish? Nope. Does it mean I catch fewer big fish? Nope, my choice of water does that for me, but it means I will enjoy the smaller fish a little more than I would when fishing a 10wt. Every 10wt that I have cast has had the same amount of feel as a telephone pole. Their use is limited to saltwater in my opinion.

Good, meaning what, $400 Simms? Too bad. No wading boot is worth $400. I will continue to be happy with my $125 Korkers, and continue to wear them happily with my new Hodgman waders. In regards to your slippery surfaces comment, you must not have had studded rubbers.

Catman can part with it, I guarantee it...Just messing with you catman.

Upstream there is south, correct? There isn't a whole lot of water upstream of Bella Vista on Little Sugar, and you did well. That bluegill looks like an absolute pig.

I, too, love mine. They are so comfortable.

My only comment is that brown trout are not due any more management restrictions than we already give them. They are not native to this continent. Someone commented that they can keep 4 browns in the state, that is illegal. The limit is ONE brown, 15" or longer.

Found one.

Tim, you are correct on that one.

Cottonmouths are pretty, but they deserve all the respect we can give.

We have timber rattlers pretty thick around home here, and near the creeks and lakes we see the occasional copperhead to go along with the larger, rat snakes that scare the pants off the girls.

That would be a fun bill to see how it progressed through the legislature in Missouri.

Yep, I am flexible enough to put my head between my knees and kiss my @$$ goodbye...although, my rear is large enough that it might dissipate the voltage to a safe limit where I am just having bm issues later in the day, hmm...might want to find out for sure.

Tim is a good guy isn't he?

Threads like these make me want to purchase a Kahr compact 9mm (for the wife at home anyway) to carry on the stream with me. I realize that if I ever encounter the Taneycomo squid or one of these fictitious cougars, I am screwed anyway, but against a hillbilly meth-head, I will be set.

Darin, that Steffen rod is a sweet stick. Cameron loves his. A 9' 5wt doesn't make your weiner bigger either, that is a myth, just as the 9' 5wt is the all around trout rod As an alternative to getting bent over for waders, may I suggest the Cabela's Guide waders? If they fail at a seam, Cabela's will honor their product without having to pay shipping, and your location in the KC area makes that an easy choice.

The Flystik is a nice rod for the price. What is your definition of all around if an 8wt is your choice? I would think that a six weight, while capable of tossing a good size fly at schoolie redfish and bones, and often available with a saltwater seat, would make a better all around choice than a fast, short 8wt. TFO offers their Professional 9' 6wt for $150 and if you rinse the seat judiciously with fresh water after using it in the salt, isn't going to be an issue. In my opinion, the Professional rods are pretty quick (I fish glass and cane) and would be able to buck SOME winds on the flats.

Bighorn, I don't know if you could find room for a testing tank in and amongst your mess of goodies.

I would think it could be low water levels due to a lack pf precipitation, spawning, or any number of other factors, including otters. Remain optimistic. Is the Upper Wire Road area holding water?

Well done folks!

$60? You can buy new Korkers for $130 at BPS with rubber and studded rubber soles. You can buy Cabela's or BPS new boots for slightly more than $60. Seems the price is a touch high.

Thank you.

A Tonka Queen cane rod and several reels, whether I need them or not.

Dang.

Nice brownie. I saw the pic elsewhere first and had to come here to see if you had posted it.

What are your tackle acquisition goals for this year? Mine are going to be pretty rough, but I'm asking about yours.