troutfiend1985

Ouch, redbird nation is nasty today. I'm not saying that I like Glass, he's horrible in my opinion. But gosh guys, look at their farm system. It's deep, really deep. I'm surprised no one hear is a NW Arkansas Naturals fan, maybe they could help me fill in the gaps. Moose, Hosmer, Cain, Escobar, Duffy, Lamb, Myers. . . The list could go on if I wasn't so tired/lazy. I'm usually the most negative guy out there, and I think I took honors on being the first guy in KC to boo Hillman(opening day 09 season) but I'm really willing to stick my neck out there and say these guys are real. #1 farm system by baseball america, most top 100 players in a farm system since baseball america has kept stats on it. I hear you loud and clear, especially stoneroller about the ownership, but this might be the start of a cool and interesting program.

Mic I'm really leaning towards a hopper or PMX pattern as a good indicator fly. I think you'll like it. Also the caddis flies should be starting up here in a month or so, and that X Caddis will pay dividends. Also, there are those exteremly small thingamabobbers that guys are using to tie flies with. This might be another route you could take, it would have a hook in it and it would be a fly. Most of the flies I see using this are quite beefy, with a parachute style hackle incorporated. Might want to check that out at feather craft.

As my name indicates I was born in 85, and I must have cursed the Royals something terrible. However, has anyone been watching these young guys this spring? This is honestly the first time that I have been excited about the Royals as a franchise since 2003 when we had that fluke of a year. I'm not saying that the Royals are going to be good this year, or even next year, but I honeslty think that in 2013 that the Royals have a legitimate chance at the playoffs. So, am I crazy or does anyone else in the "red bird" nation of southern Missouri think the Royals have a chance in 2013?

Hey!! You're fishing in my spot Nice report

No one has mentioned bribery here, and bribes are so good for access to golf courses that it's not funny. You want to get on that golf course to fish? (If answer is yes) Then you have three legal options. 1. Work at the golf course as a marshal. Not the coolest of ideas I know, and no there is no bribes involved in this, but it will work. And you get free golf + fishing and the courses are probably hiring right now. Go for the muni courses, and stay away from the overpriced Branson courses that care too much about image, just going to have to trust me on that one. 2. Bribe the Pro shop staff. Yeah, sounds out there, but trust me from experience it works. When I worked at a pro shop in KC I would get guys deals all the time on greens fees, and because I worked at an older course there was plenty in the way of fishing exchanges going on. But, there was a price. I would "discount" green fees to 7 dollars to people that were either my friends or that were my "friends" that gave me favors back. The golf industry is constantly changing services like this, I would call up course A and swap green fees with it. Or I would call up course B and get on their course to fly fish or golf on a Monday. It's not like these people aren't used to it already, but the key is getting in good with the guy behind the counter. People think the GM's have all the power, well when the GM or head pro is there then this is true. However, when I ran the shop by myself, usually 2:30 or 3 until dark, I was constantly bargaining with people. It was good for business, I get a guy on for free a few times and next thing you know that front door which was broken is magically fixed or the gutters cleaned etc. . . My tips, go for the college aged kids that work behind the counter and don't start bribing until you know him/her. I usually accepted a 12 pack of Sam Adams in exchange for 9 holes of golf, or trespass fees. Better yet, if you have private access to a pond then swap. A lot of guys who golf also fly fish. And by the way, I never was once in trouble at any of the courses I worked for because I didn't steal items from the shop or give discounts on tangible items. Keep it to greens fees and fishing and you'll be fine. 3. Get in good with the maintenance staff and greens keeper. Might be a little easier than bribing a kid behind the counter, but also has less privileges than the guy behind the counter because the Greens Keeper, at least at the courses I worked on, had to go through me. But trust me, I was easy going because I knew that the greens keeping staff would repay the favor by getting me on other courses. They are usually up there early in the morning, and I would suggest the same. If you can do either of these three things then you're gold, and I caught plenty of 4-5 lb bass on the fly rod by being connected in the golf world. It's not hard, just try it.

As far as hoppoer go, I think that small ones any time of the year on the sreams you fish would work. It could serve as that perfect indicator that you've been looking for(And BTW, I never did get a darn indicator fly to the specs you wanted even though I tried, I still think foam or spun deer hair could work but couldn't find the right type of foam, and deer hair ain't my thing). As far as beetles, tim has an excellent video on youtube. My favorite dry flies are in this order Adams, preferably small 16-22 X Caddis(good fly that is underrated/posted on this forum). Lt Cahill. Good luck mic, fly tying is expensive, just ask my bank account

And apparently beer makes for good ramblings on forums. . .

I'm thinking about heading out this Saturday barring horrible weather. Any one interested? I'm thinking either James A. Reed or the spillway on Longview. Anyone want to go?

I think Big Creek is that creek flowing into/out of James A Reed.

Wish I could join you but school calls. . . Let me know how you do, especially if you go to the spillway.

I have never understood the opening day thing. It just seems to be one big cluster cruck of a mess. I guess if maybe your dad or grandpa used to take you as a kid and its become a family tradition, then ok. But otherwise that just cannot be fun. Justin seems to have it down right, fishing on a large freestone with no one around. Nic pics and reports.

Think that there might be any walleye running up there now? I'm itching like fiend to get in some fishing and I think this weekend that I could get in two or three hours if I get some reading down now. Drew, good to see you back man, I know I give you a hard time but I like to see you posts. About wading in the little blue, is it mud bottom? Maybe some time this summer we could get together and hit them up.

Never have used one, but don't see why it wouldn't work. Or you could just buy an indicator(fancy talk for small bobber) weight it appropriatley and go with that. Or use a light jig and tie in a fly behind it about 18' or so. As far as flies go, just use scuds and maybe try a zebra midge. I can't imagine it would be too different from the choice of flies that a fly rod would take. Sz 16-20 scuds if you're in the upper end with no generation, gray, olive and tan ones can't be to far off. I would favor the gray ones, but wouldn't be caught down there without either olive or tan. Just my .02

Hah, me too lol. I have never been into heavy drag issues on my three weight, but I'm still hoping for one to pop up.

What about a golf course? If he can drive then he can run a range picker, and it seems that golf courses always need someone to clean carts and that type of stuff. I don't know how close you guys live to one but I know that hiring season is upon them. I would think it would have to be better than working at Wal-Mart as he would be outside a lot, and the work is not physically tough. I know the course that I worked at the cart staff mainly ran carts up and down, cleaned them and charged the batteries. Doesn't pay much and he probably would be out of work during the winter as most jobs are seasonal, but it is a place where he can get to know people. We were always more concerned with making sure the kids showed up, and since we hired teenage brats that was always difficult. Just a thought, and it is an industry that will be hiring right now. Good luck.

Never have found a body while fishing, but I have a similar story. Back a few years ago I was primarily a warm water fishing guy. I had this spot next to longview that I loved so much, bunch of Crappie and bullheads, great fishing, not easy to access and it was where the little blue(?) or one of its tributaries entered into the lake. Anyways, I loved to fish there primarily because of the seclusion. One day, I see that on the TV that the local news has a helicopter flying over and around my spot. I found out that Kelsey Smith's body was found not too far away from that area(within walking distance). Haven't been back sense, it creeps me out to think that guy was around "my" area in order to determine a good spot to dispose of a body. Ruined my ideal fishing spot and I don't think I would return to that area unless I was carrying a handgun.

Someone know if there is a bill about this when the dams were constructed or if there is a contract out there that says the hatcheries are to provide stockings. It would seem that this might be a contracts issue, and if so I would be interested in doing some research on this topic. Just hit me up with a PM.

I'm a dry fly guy first, indicator guy second. You would think that by compromise that I would love a dropper rig, but I never really seem to do that well on it. Give me an adams sz 18 and I'm happy. I also love hoppers. I love dry fly fishing whether for trout, bass or bluegill. I guess it was how I started fly fishing. Something about seeing the trout take it, and then setting the hook. Hard to describe. In all honesty, seeing a trout snub me probably gives me more of a rush, or at least something to complain about, which I like too.

Does it regrow your hair like the Just for Men Club?

First off, bashing on Eric isn't the answer. Whoever posted that they were tired of hearing Eric should just avert their eyes to his posts, Eric's a good guy and has interesting and realistic viewpoints on matters. Not everything on here is a personal attack, but calling someone annoying(among other things) goes beyond taking a different viewpoint of someone. Having said that, posting on the public streams isn't the worst thing on earth. I personally have forgotten how tough Crane was, and Lilley did a good job reminding me. That stream(crane), and those trout are their for a reason, they're tough. Now, does that mean I'm going to post where I saw big trout, no. Why? Because I'm selfish, and I don't want to just put that info out to anyone and someone could always PM me if they so desire. But talking about effective flies and techniques a for a certain stream shouldn't be frowned upon. I think in the future that I will try to start adding a few photos of my trips.

That's pretty awesome about the C&R regs. I think that I'll give them a call @ Bass Pro and post what they say. Josh, I'll have to check into that. Fly rodding for carp sounds really good right now, but of course anything sounds good with the way this winter was.

I would agreee with OB to report it, although it might get the locals stirred up and we might be talking about a third mountain lion shot in the next few weeks But again, that could happen with or without a report to the MDC. I thought the most interesting thing you posted on there was the fact that you have talked to people who have seen mountains with young ones. I've heard of mountain lions in KC, my brother has seen one, I've seen footprints in sand traps at a golf course that I worked at, but I have never heard anyone say they've seen young mountain lions in MO. I thought that was really interesting.

Anyways, I just wanted to put this out there. By no means will I ever find a job for writing sitcoms, its pretty obvious from my post above. But, I will say that I do love our streams. And in all honesty, if they banned felt I would follow the rules and just accept the fact that this is what MDC thinks is best for our streams, I can see the purpose. I just hope that there is an increase in enforcement in the near future. As long as mountain lions don't start tracking this didymo

Ok, and I had to admit that I was smiling while reading that. I think though, if we were really to get down to it, it would be more like this. After having washed my boots with 5% bleach, and letting my boots dry(because I have two pairs ) I come in to your house. You still you tell me to take my boots off, I don't because as of yet I have tracked no mud into your house. Mud is not a new thing, infact it's old as dirt, but you're on the fritz because the HSN has been talking about a "clean house is a happy house" and "men who wear vibram boots don't get mud on their soles." I say, yes but I clean my soles of my boots and let them dry. I then tell you that the house is clean, I've been wearing boots like this for years and there's never been this mud in your house, but you're still unhappy. Because we're fishing buddies(and not the new odd couple TV show) I say fine, no more fights, I'll take off my boots. I sit my butt down on the sofa, and what do you know, I have mud all over my arse. "But HSN never said anything about a dirty arse" and I say that's because HSN wasn't trying to sell you a new type of toilet paper for your arse, they wanted to put new boots on your feet. And then to realize that I have dirt on my socks as well, because (in this hypothetical world we live in) socks track mud to through the boots, but people are only pointing to the boots as being the problem of messing up the house, even though the house you live in isn't messed up. And you could have Act 2, where I come in without having cleaned my boots, muddy as heck, walk all over you brand new white carpet and not leave a mark. This would be basically SIO3 and why I keep saying that something doesn't add up.

Ahhh, makes some sense. I was wondering where he was talking about. Shows you what school does to you. lol