drew03cmc

USA Pflueger Medalist. Done and done. They are smooth under pay, darn near bulletproof and a fraction of the cost of the others. I know it's not flashy, large arbor, disc drag, etc. These have a drag design that has been around for 70+ years.

PC, check your PM

Good point Wayne.

I would have a hard time breaking off a hatchery fish because he rolled the fly and got hooked in the back. That fish will be replaced in the morning, or in March at the latest, so no harm done to the fishery, but as a sportsman, I would consider the quarry first and foremost before considering my fly.

They forgot one...brown trout. Not native here, outcompeting native brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout, yet still stocked and managed. How about rainbow trout east of California, Washington and Oregon? Asian carp are fun to chase on a fly rod. Oh well, all things find a way to exist where they are at, and for that, we gain another sporting species. I love how the common carp was an invasive species, and now they are the hottest thing in fly fishing.

Holy crap! That is a lot of lunkers.

I concur. The water was very off color and was very heavy. I learned a lot about fishing the parks on the fly today and PC is a heck of a teacher.

The Ditch?

Brian did not write the blog entry. Tucker did, as is evidenced by Brian's post earlier that he wouldn't have gone so far as to say what Tucker said. Wise was more tactful when he said that he didn't like Hickory either, without dropping obscenities on it. So, Gypsy, some are entitled to their opinions, but others aren't? Honestly? I would think that someone that can consistently catch fish in our white ribbon streams between stocking truck visits is a better fisherman than someone that catches fish in trophy managed waters or waters which are more heavily managed, but that opinion is neither here nor there. Oh well, bicker away if you must. I will watch from the sidelines.

I didn't insinuate it was.

I have contributed to the foolishness, but just to let my feelings known about the blog post. I suppose it has gone too far, so I retract the barbs that came from my side.

You have attacked Chief on at least one occasion, so I don't see how you have a leg to stand on in this dispute, but that is neither here nor there. I know Chief personally and he is one of the most conservation minded individuals I have ever met, and while brash at times, one of the most genuine good guys I know. I feel that calling a stream what it has been called is nothing short of calling those that spend their time doing conservation work to improve the stream in all aspects the same names. These guys spend their free time, time that could be spent fishing, cleaning up Hickory Creek and to hear from someone from St. Louis that the creek is a ____hole, is a slap in the face. I wouldn't expect them to be happy about it, but rather to be a little p'd off by it.

Just saw this, but that is a brass skeleton fly reel, possibly by Pflueger.

In your eyes, that is an honest opinion and being straightforward? Perhaps they should have said, "We have yet to be able to figure Hickory out. The clear water and high pressure could be putting the fish down," or something along those lines. No, they blatantly called it a $#ithole. That is low. How about what you mother used to tell you, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." I guess these old rules of tact have gone out the window, and it is fine and dandy to call something that you have spent less than a day on a $#!thole. Wrench, I cannot believe you are ok with this. There are streams you like to fish and those you don't like to fish. Does that make one better than the other? Does that make one a ____hole? No. The whole situation could have been handled with a little more tact and respect for those who have put their hard earned time, money and energy into improving the stream and fishing.

How does the Lebanon area look?

Wayne, isn't the Adams one of the older Superfine line of rods? If so, add the 7/11 to the list.

I love the video and the work that goes into it, just offering up a bit of criticism. Anywho, nice work Brian.

Ok, well, that seemed to be awful harsh for a creek someone has spent an hour on. Oh well, just my opinion, and I am no expert...

There are holdover fish in Hickory along with some lunkers that can wash in from the upstream park. You can catch fish, just put in the time. Don't expect to learn the secrets of a stream in an hour. It can take days, months or years to truly learn what makes the trout in a particular creek twitch. People may think my homewater creeks are spitholes, but every sunfish I pull out of there is colored up more brightly than the last and it makes the fishing worthwhile.

Some may object to your calling Hickory Creek a $#!t hole. I have never fished there, but if one of my home waters is called that, I am apt to defend it. I really like your videos.

KU crap is going up in their store. darn the luck. MIZ-ZOU!

Until the weather report, I was considering coming down Monday, but will pass on that as I am not that desperate to catch trout.

7'6" Lamiglas Honey Colored fiberglass rod. I like how soft it is and how well it protects a light tippet. It is great for nymphs and wets in smaller flows.

Parr marked rainbows are surpassed in beauty only by parred golden trout...

Even outside of the Ozarks, you can find some creeks and rivers to hit that hold largemouth, sunfish and other desirable riverine species. I have a river close to home here that I chase crappie, white bass, largemouth and other species like drum and carp.