Kansas Fly Fisher

We survived the wind and cold weather and had a great time. My granddaughter caught her personal best; a 14 1/2" rainbow! I ended up with just over 30 fish for the three days. The fishing was tough, but if you stuck it out it paid off. I had to do quite a bit of switching between flys to find what they wanted and just when you figured them out, they changed! The cold weather kept the crowds down to a small roar but very fishable. We stayed mostly in the bait and fly only zones but did venture up to zone 1 for a bit the first day. Overall the top picks were: olive mini jigs, hare's ear, zebra midge, crackleback and griffiths gnat.

Wow, I didn't realize it went that far! I've always stayed between the old broken dam and the bridge just down from that. I'll have to give that some more attention on my next trip down. Thanks Tim. John

Go ahead and rub it in Glad you had a good time though. I've been wanting to go now for two years running and every year something comes up to prevent me! Maybe next year.

There is a small area at the end of the fly only zone that you can use natural baits. I take my granddaughter there when she gets tired of casting and retrieving. Lilly's right about the night crawlers. They can't be beat! Also powerbait works good there as well. John

Leaving for Roaring River in about 15 minutes! Yipeeeee! We're making a long weekend of it since the plans changed for going to the SowBug. Hope everyone attending the bug this year has a great time. Maybe next year! Anyone else is welcome to stop by my campsite and enjoy some coffee and story telling. We'll be in a black Nissian Frontier with a slide-in camper. Should be staying somewhere near the fly only zone. Look us up if your down. John

The biggest pointer I could give: invest in a good vise right from the start. There are many out there so maybe we could get some input from the other members. Me, I like the Dynaking! Also, there are a lot of good books and videos out there. That's the way I started. But you can not beat one on one with another tyer! John

Steve, I'm looking forward to seeing the improvements. The last time we were down was Kid's Day last year. We haven't missed a Kid's Day at Roaring River in the last three years. Look me up if you make it down. If Aspen's fishing (our granddaugheter) we'll be up by the store area. If it's just me, I'll be in the fly only zone. So, I guess to put it easier, we could be anywhere John

So am I! We've stayed there a couple of times. Like you we usually go to Bennett or Taney. Our granddaughter is coming with us and I think Roaring River is a little better for the young ones. At least her age, 6 years old. I agree with Steve . . . make a reservation if at all possible. It can be busy on the weekends. John

Since my plans have changed and I can't go to the Sowbug this weekend we are planning a trip to Roaring River for some camping and fishing. Anyone else going to be there? I'll be staying in the campgrounds next to the fly only zone. We'll be in a slide-in camper on a Nissan Frontier. I'll be wearing an olive green vest with a olive green Tilley Hat. Hope to see some of you there. John

Just curious if any whites are being caught and where they are.

Awesome Pictures!

S.E. Kansas survived! Had a lot of rain and wind with some pretty good size hail. A few tornado's sighted but I don't believe any real damage from them. Some power lines down from the wind and some hail damage. We made it through with no damage here in Erie. Hope everyone else was as lucky. John

I'd be game for a tourney at Roaring River or Bennett. Bennett might be the better choice with more fishable water (at least that's my belief.) John

I would be interested in either format of tourney. The only thing holding me back would be my work schedule (1 day on / 2 days off). John

RRV, I have the Pfluger Trion and I love it. It's my favorite of all my reels and I usually find myself going back to it when I'm using another. The price is good and it holds up well. I've fished with for three seasons now and it's still as good as new. Hope this helps. John

I'm a rookie at Taney. This last year was my first. I think I've found a new home water though! Love it and can't wait for my next trip down. John

Now I'm having the senior moments. How could I forget the Griffiths Gnat, that's one of my favorite go to flys! John

I agree with Dan, but I'd add a few: Cracklebacks Renegades Adams PMD's John

Hey Vince, how far up did you go? Thanks, John

I use a 5 weight at Bennett and it works great. I think you will be happy with that choice. John

Welcome Mike! Erie, Kansas here! Can't beat a good farm pond. I'm already looking at some for a quick get a way. John

What's required to prove you released a lunker in each park? Is there an application process?

I'm going to venture a guess that the 78 refers to the weight of the rod. If I'm right it would be a 7 or 8 weight rod. I'm going to defer to someone that knows more about bass fishing for the question about "is this to heavy." I wouldn't think so, but don't know for sure. As for getting started. I would suggest taking a lesson or two. If your close to Bennet Spring contact Jim Rodgers at the park store. He does a great job. He's the one that started my wife. Good luck and maybe we can meet sometime and do some fishing.

Riverrat, don't know about a fifty something, but a fourty something can! I just started fly fishing four years ago and I can honestly say I haven't picked up a conventional rod since. It's the greatest thing going! My wife just started last year and she's having a blast too. We'll spend hours in the yard just casting. Give it a try, I promise you'll like it.

If I tried that I'd be in traction for months! Very cool video though.