John Gillio

We had samples of their cherry brandy eggnog. It was exceptional.

Star Union has its first products out. A vodka, a cherry brandy, and I believe a grape brandy. An apple brandy will be out soon.

Lots of good info guys, thanks.

Thanks Jim. All the reviews have looked good. Looks like I'll be owning a pair.

Is anyone familiar with the Terrafin wet wade boot from Soft Science Footwear? And if so does the sole keep your foot comfortable on very rocky terrain? Any info on the boot would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I agree with Mike. A friend of mine says, "It's not so much the fly you fish as it is how you fish the fly." Not to say a fly's build is not also important. It has to be able to do what you want it to do.

Thanks Mark, I always enjoy the light stuff.

My guess is that you will find a way to stay on them for a while 🙄.

Is there a gold tint to that crappie or is it the shading. There was a pond near me that once had a strong population of what appeared to be black crappie but they were black on gold instead of the usual black on silvery white.

Would that be a spotted bass Rob.

Very cool ! Thanks for sharing.

The red and white seducer fly is super easy to tie and work great for large and smallmouth bass. The woolly bugger is also a good bet. Both can be tied in many sizes, and both can look like a mess and still catch fish. Some of the guys tie at the Bloomington fire station on occasion (winter months). Keep an eye open for Rob Grider's posts for dates and times.

Thanks Terry.

After some fenageling all is well. I'll write up an update with some photos for the magazine.

You are correct.

Joe, the southernmost (river) enterance to Matthiessen State Park has marked trails to the river. I don't feel that they are marked well but it is about a 20 minute walk to the river from the lot. Turn West into the park off of Rt 178 then take the 1st left to the last lot. Your car should be facing the trails that will bring you to the river. Pay close attention to what you are doing so you can get back to the same lot. It is a scenic stretch of river with some very nice bluffs. The fall colors should be getting good by then. The river should be very easy to wade unless we have massive rains before then.

The Westclox building is having an open house on Friday Oct 12, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.

Lunch in Utica Bart?

Spin here. Sack lunch or lunch in Utica?

Death to braid even if I can see it?. I do use it on my baitcasters though ?. I also use it for sauger, walleye, and hybrid stripers, just not for smallies.

For smallies 8 pound Trilene Sensa Thin in low vis green was always my favorite. I don't know about the fish, but I don't see it well anymore, so I have been trying lines that I can see better. I always have a snap on the end so I do not have to retie constantly. I have never switched because of water clarity. I try to keep it simple. I cannot say if it makes a dif. I still catch fish.

For smallies I go 8 pound on spin and fly gear.

Rob, you are too kind. Your flies always look great. The mallard feathers look very nice as a tail. The few crease flies I have tied (they do seem to last) all have different tails. The next one I tie will have a mallard feather tail.

I got to try that stealth bomber recently. I really like it's action. Picked up some small bass and sunfish with it while fishing a creek. I think it may become a favorite.

Rob, we truly think alike sometimes. I was nailing large whites on a large half and half when suddenly the water changed from white roils to bronze. The smallies wouldn't touch the streamer so I took out the crease fly and skittered it through the riffles Landed 3 small bronze and lost a good one right before the heavens dumped a bucket of water on me and ended my morning fishing.