Dam Store Report _ Feb 24

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BEAVER DAM STORE REPORT

Feb 24, 2006

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G'day y'all from the Beaver Dam Store crew! What a week, snow to start and a beautiful weekend for fishing ahead. We had a few punters brave the roads early in the week for a few fish with the banks gleaming white.

It didn't seem to put the fish off at all. They have been hitting as avidly as ever. Now all we need is some rain to top up the lakes and give us some generation to take advantage of the shad kill conditions. And roll on white bass season

In this week's report we unveil some this year's hottest fly fishing accessory, tell you about a great new fly fishing show for the South and of course the fishing report.

A VEST FOR ALL SEASONS

We think this is the best idea in fly fishing since Izaac Walton dipped his pen in ink. If this vest was any smarter it might be running the Dam Store. The sensational breathable vest/jacket that took the Denver Fly Tackle Dealers Show by storm is now on show in the Dam Store. And we are the only fly shop in the south taking orders for Spring delivery of this very desirable item

A joint Australian-US developed jacket the Adventure Fly Fishing Co. All-Season Vest Jacket has just about every good idea you have mused over while struggling with your existing wading jacket and vest _ and a bunch you didn't think of.

Try this on for size:

Soft-touch breathable water-proof/windproof construction _ just like your favorite waders.

Zip-on and off sleeves _ that actually work.

Removable hood and collar

4 waterproof pockets _ two for fly boxes and two inside.

An included mini-dry bag to keep your expensive and delicate cameras, cell phones or stogies dry no matter how bad the swim.

3 included long zingers in their down zip up pocket.

A tippet dispenser pocket that actually works

Hydration bladder compatible.

Fleece lined hand warmer pockets.

Licence holder

Foul weather extension for those seriously ugly fishing trips.

Two drop down pockets with interchangeable slit-foam magnetic base fly trays.

Side pockets for water bottles or rod tubes

The list keeps going on and on _ if you want to check out the full array of features you can click for the Adventure Fly Fishing Co. website. There are even videos here showing how everything works if you have a highspeed connection.

How much you say _ well its not cheap at $387. But when you consider this service as both your wading jacket and vest _ and the extra security for your phone, wallet and digital camera its not unreasonable. The first shipment of these jackets was snapped up by the huge West Coast-Rocky Mountain stores _ a sure sign these are going to be hot item on rivers this season. We have been promised items availab le for delivery in April. If you don't want the weather to end your dream fly fishing adventure you need this jacket.

SERIOUSLY FISHY BUSINESS NEXT WEEKEND

If you are a fly fisher and are anywhere in driving range of Dallas-Forth Worth the Fly Fishing Show is the place to be. Not only will your favorite flyshop and the Spider Creek resort be represented, but there will be a serious who is who of fly fishing greats giving presentations and classes. Want to cast some of the new Sages, or TFO fly rods, play with the finest Ross' Reels or watch A.K. Best tie flies or watch Steve Rajeff cast over 200' with a fly rod? You will have to be at the Arlington Convention Centre, March 4 and 5. For the first time ever Southern fly fishers get to catch up on the latest gear, trends, and techniques

For a full list of the fun and education click The Fly Fishing Show.

HOT OFF THE BACK OF A LARGE TRUCK

The latest, the greatest Hobie fishing Kayaks yet. We have just taken delivery of the the 2006 Hobie fishing kayak models. The headliner is the boat all our customers have been asking for _ a two-seat fishing kayak _ the Mirage Outfitter. We expect these to be hotter than Texas Tarmac in July.

For the fly fisher who wants to cover more, ground and get to the places few visit, or fish offshore try the sleek and sexy Adventure. Plus the new Hobie Mirage Outback _ the original and our most popular boat _ gets a very cool update with a huge gear swallowing storage hatch.

Already a third of our order is sold and we haven't even unwrapped them from the plastic.

A more detailed report coming next week.

FISHING REPORT

Beaver Tailwater: Shh, now don't be telling anyone we mention this but we, and others, have been noticing the odd little fish lying in tailwater eddies and some of the slower pockets. Last weekend's bitter temperatures appear to have prompted a shad kill on Beaver Lake. And some shad have been dribbling through the dam. Now if only we would get a few hours generation things might get really interesting.

But this is a great time to dead drift deep white woolly buggers and shinking shad patterns and the bigger fish move in to feed hard. Some bodies were spotted as far down as Parker Bend.

Otherwise the news has been midges midges and more midges _ and barely a scud in sight. Not that the frenetic midge hatches are a problem, whether you like fishing emergers, dries, nymphs or even soft hackles. All methods have been yielding fish depending on the location. The fish are getting a little pickier though _ think they might be getting a little wise now after weeks of this style of fishing. A good presentation is more critical and fly selection getting a little tougher. Cream midges 20s, Parachute Adams 20 and Razorfoam Midge in 20 are still your best bets onm top. Try WD40s or Biot Emergers for under the film fishing and Zebra midges (black, brown or red); Razorback Midges; Charlotte's Redneck Midge, Bryce's TDM remain favorites for the nymphal stage _ watch your depth closely and as the hatch peaks its often worth shortening your depth.

Of more concern is the apparent shortage of scuds in the river. Steve's been occassionally digging under rocks, and while his sampling has little statistical validity he's been muttering where have the scuds gone. In their place is a superabundance of sow bugs, from teeny weeny 20s up to some 14s. Might be time for Fish and Game to actually start seeing what is going on in their river _ remember we lost the food resource survey to Bull Shoals due to political pressure a couple of years back.

Tight Lines from the Beaver Dam Store staff,

Lisa Steve, Shirley, Tom.

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