Brian K. Shaffer Posted December 22, 2005 Posted December 22, 2005 I am Brian Shaffer. I fished quite a bit over the last decade, having a job that allowed me to be pretty much a trout bum since I moved here to Branson. I had regular jobs, sure.. but I always go back to a job that has something to do with my love for fishing. But I digress... let me start from scratch.... I moved here to Branson in late 1994 and started first into bait fishing. I was pretty good at it too, as I had the guts to pull the guts becuase I didnt have a care for a trout in the world. After a few months of hearing about bigger fish.. I went up to fish the dam. I saw these guys catching tons of fish on a fly rod.. a fly fishing rod.. and I was floored! Floored so much so that I got caught into the throngs of kicking. Yep, you read right.. I was a shuffler.. tried and true from my very beginnings, and I kicked with some of the best of 'em if you ask me. I was even kind of proud of myself a few times.. but then an older feller noticed me - and stopped me dead in my tracks. He asked me, "Son, do you know how to cast your fly rod ?" I said "No"... and about sluffed (or shluffled) it off.. then he said - "Would you like to learn how to fool trout ?". I was all: I fool trout all day! What do I need to learn.. huh.. the nerve of this guy.. trying to tell me how I could catch more (and better) fish by 'casting' my fly rod, MY fly rod... sheeesh. Then he proceeded to show me what makes this sport so much fun. He took me up onto the upper grass at Chute 2 by the pond and taught me the basic fundamentals of the fly rod cast. It truly sparked an interest in me, especially when he said - You could have had a cane pole or a broom stick in your hands and do just as well as you do now.. as there is no sport to what you are doing. - That stardled/caught me.. I was dumbfounded. So after a few weeks of practice, I sort-of learned how to cast. BUT I learned so much from this man in the first ever fly casting how-to session I ever received than I will ever be able to give. I hate to type that, but it's possibly true. Now - 11 years later - I just love to be outdoors and to wave my long fly rod around in the air in the hopes to fool a trout on a drift with a fur or feathered bug that I tied. Thats who I am. best fishes all - Brian Shaffer Daryk Campbell Sr 1 Just once I wish a trout would wink at me! ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now.
Greg Posted December 22, 2005 Posted December 22, 2005 Brian that's really gutsy to admit to being a reformed "shuffler". I'll have to say that when I started out if I had been smart enough to figure out that shuffling was an easy way to catch fish I'd have been doing it as well. As it was I did my share of fishing the outlets doing the same short casts over and over. I never had a mentor like you but I did eventually figure out that this is not the most sporting or even the most fun way to fly fish for trout. Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted December 24, 2005 Root Admin Posted December 24, 2005 Happy Birthday- Brian!! I remember 32... I think.
Sharps4590 Posted December 25, 2005 Posted December 25, 2005 32? As in 32 years old? In addition to children I also have dirty socks that are only 32 years old! Brian, the best is yet to come. Congrats on the BD. Vic tjm 1 I'd rather live my entire life, living as if there is a God and Jesus and to find out at the end that there isn't, than to live my entire life as if there is no God and Jesus and to find out at the end that there is.
Brian K. Shaffer Posted January 23, 2022 Author Posted January 23, 2022 What a difference 17 years makes. Everything is the same. My dog Duke died... oh and I quit the booze. Bought a few new rods and reels. Thanks for peekin in, Brian Flysmallie, nomolites, BilletHead and 1 other 4 Just once I wish a trout would wink at me! ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now.
laker67 Posted January 24, 2022 Posted January 24, 2022 Do you recall the older gentleman's name? I can recall when you used to show up at the parking lot by #2 outlet. It would be around 11 pm or so. You would talk to me and the others and then head out towards the boat ramp, I think.
Brian K. Shaffer Posted January 25, 2022 Author Posted January 25, 2022 Rick - I never saw the man again... I was able to hang onto three soft hackles he gave me for a long time - like 8 years.... He taught me a special lesson - the greatest gift I will ever know. To be more curious. Thanks to all of you for the warm welcome. oh yeah - I was always heading to the Big Hole... fishing Muddlers as dry flies in the moonlight til 5am. laker67 1 Just once I wish a trout would wink at me! ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now.
Members Tima78 Posted February 4, 2022 Members Posted February 4, 2022 Wow, looking at the time difference in these posts makes you feel strange... Time is unstoppable.
Brian K. Shaffer Posted February 4, 2022 Author Posted February 4, 2022 I find myself constantly trying to duplicate those soft hackles. One of them was bright yellow. Starling & Snipe. Just once I wish a trout would wink at me! ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now.
tjm Posted February 4, 2022 Posted February 4, 2022 6 hours ago, Brian Shaffer said: One of them was bright yellow. Starling & Snipe. Image? I like yellow.
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