Fredmo

I was starting so suffer from what John Barth referred to a "cosmopsis," too many choices to choose from and too many ideas. We braved the weather Friday night for dinner in E. Peoria at Johah's, the stopped by Bass Pro and I bought the Peak. Sure is sturdier than my basic vise. I also ordered the Beatty's book on the rotary vise, it is about 1/2 the list price when I went through Abebooks.

I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find where. I'm finally going to upgrade to a rotary vice and have been thinking about the Peak vise that sells everywhere for $149, but also looked at (only online, not in person) the Griffin Odyssey Spider vice. Reviews seemed pretty good for both, and price for the Griffin is $60 less. Anyone have any experience with these to make a recommendation of one over the other? Got a birthday coming up the end of the month and am thinking about treating myself.

Thanks for the tip, Ryan. I watched the movie last night, too.(must be what lawyers do on Friday nights) It was a great film, but too long of a trip for a guy my age and condition. Wouldn't mind two or three days along the western end of the river. Of course, the film is entirely outside Yellowstone Park, as I gather you can't float inside the park. It's another place to put on the bucket list.

Something wrong here? I only see the Jan. event. Are others listed?

You have to give AC half credit, she gave what seemed to be a serious answer, with a straight face. Sounded good.

I resent the resentment of lawyers (or attorneys) who require safety in the industry. If you can make it safe, why not do it?

Rob- have you got Boston's colors available?

Should we cover all bases, come up with something in blue and white, maybe all it a Mattingley Muddler, or a Gonzalez Gurgler?

a classic!

Heading to the Current R. in Missouri next weekend. Supposed to be a float trip,but thinking of taking my fly rod. Anyone claim to have knowledge of what flies might be good down there this time of year?

With streams so low, wet wading often seems to be the way to go, especially downstate where the water is clean enough. I've used my wading boots, but wonder if there's a lighter boot or shoe, that still would be sturdy enough on the rocks, etc. that anyone might recommend.

George M, a newer member of ISA who has fished the Middle Fork a lot, and I went to a likely looking area, lots of holes, but apparently either our flies were too big or we were too noisy or something. George got a large mouth that I pictured on my iphone. I'd show it if I could figure out how. From Colt's account, my flies may have been too big for the things hitting my hoppers. We each caught a dink, had a few others try, but when I had to get going @ 12:30 not much to show. It was a beautiful day and now I'm better acquainted with the river. I got to the 5-yr old granddaughter's birthday party, very late. I don't think they had missed me much anyway. We need to return to this area next year earlier, when water is higher, assuming it ever rains again. Neat thing about the day was we had folks from Chicago, Kankakee, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana and Danville. Almost everyone had to travel a bit. Ask Rob about the great breakfast at the Pit Stop, or whatever it was called.

I'll plan on being there early, like to get over to the river before the fish wake up. But breakfast is always good. Is this a new or different place? Seems they tore down the place we used to meet. As far as my friends flies, one looks a lot like some we tied. The other is more like what I use on a spinning rod. But I'll bring and probably try them, so i can report to him.

I'll plan to wade. Got a 5-yr olds birthday party early afternoon, so I'm guessing the Middle Fork is quick to get to. Just need someone to point to the area more likely to be productive. A HS classmate was at my 50th reunion this summer, told me he fly fishes in Conn. This week I received a couple of flies he thought might work on Smallies. Anxious to try them out.

Oooo, I want to come. Sundays are tough, other commitments. I'll start working on substitute for me. I'd like to float if it's possible to get there and there's enough water.

My granddaughters have been taught by my wife that Hummingbirds hum, because they can't remember the words.

Still have the 4 Q towers?

did you get it sold?

Haven't figured out Scott's system yet, although I tried to locate it. I did use Terry's instructions, and it worked. Thanks to both! You can see my results on my Indonesia report.

While visiting family in Indonesia last week, I toured the port area of Semarang, located on the Java Sea, in Central Java. While driving along I spotted a man in the water, fly fishing. We got out and watched him for a while. He didn't catch anything while we watched. After a while he came to shore, and with the aid of my daughter-in-law as an interpretor, I spoke to him. He showed me his rod and reel, a 5wt Ross rod with an Orvis reel, and the fly he was using, a small white fly that probably was intended as a shrimp imitation. He pulled out a fly box and showed me the flies he had. They all looked pretty good, made by someone who knew what they were doing. He told us he tied his flies, having learned how to do it on Youtube, and that he bought his rod and reel on eBay. I had an ISA hat with me and showed it to him.(he thought it was trout on the hat, not bass) He was wearing a shirt with the logo of an International fly-fishing organization. Like most fly fishermen, he was open, friendly, and willing to talk about his sport. I think if I'd asked, he probably would have let me have a go at it with his rod. I didn't. He told us, I think, that either he was fishing for, or had caught at this site, barracuda. He also said he fished in the mountains, about 2 hours away, in smaller streams. Small world!

Just in case anyone ever cared and wanted to see it, where is the "leadership page"? But who would?

Where is it there is a tutorial or instruction on how we post photos on this forum? It sure isn't intuitive on my Mac, which means it must be impossible! However, I know some of you know how to do it. I'd like to, but I forgot how, if I ever knew.

I've got an IMac at the office use by my secretary and a MacBook Air that I carry between home and office, and I love both of them. And with FaceTime, you can talk and see folks who also have Macs (at least the newer ones) Can you imagine, you could see and talk live to Terrydodge!

Looking forward to Sunday. I'm relearning to work with a newly shortened left thumb, so it may be an adventure, especially for a southpaw.

Looks like you're really getting into deer hair. I'd do it more if it weren't so messy on my clothes. The white diver looks like it would be good when the white bass are heading back into Lake Shelbyville in the spring, in the river just north of the lake. The one time I've been there they seemed to like anything white.