Paul Chausse

I have for sale one new Sage Bass Smallmouth rod with new Sage 290gr fly line and Sage Smallmouth case, and one new Sage Bass Largemouth rod with new Sage 330gr fly line and Sage Largemouth case. Rods/line have never been out of their case, and the cases are still wrapped in plastic. Retail new on these was $420 each, but I'll take $300 each or I'll sell the pair for $550. PM me or call me at 217-412-8228 if interested.

There is one in the Cabela's Bargain Cave ad that came this week. 8' Clear Creek for $179 if I remember correctly.

Enjoy your new found freedom! Boat sounds awesome. You are gonna make that boat "Scream" once in a while aren't you? Happy "catching". Paul

I didn't see where Kelly Neuman mentioned his specific preferred rod weight for fishing his streamers. I did see that he talks about his custom streamer rods, but he gives a range of 6 to 8 weight rods. I'm still relatively new to fly fishing, but I study something new about it every day. I'd agree with you that there are good casters that have taken the time, I wouldn't say trouble, to learn to double haul, but most casting instructors will tell you that the double haul is one of the last techniques a fly fisherman should learn. I have spent some time with a Master Instructor (he's a good friend of mine). He has no problem picking up his 9# Fenwick HMX with 400 grain line spooled up to throw Kelly Neuman's bigger, heavier flies. If he's throwing Gallup's streamers, he'll still use a heavy, stiff rod to control that line weight even though Gallup's streamers aren't typically as heavy as Neuman's. He preaches that the rod weight and speed must match the approach to fishing more so than the fish themselves. I can cast a heavy 8" fly with floating line in my yard (or stream) all day long on my 6# Z-Axis. But if I'm fishing fast water, and I need to strip that line through a deep hole to get it into the feed zone of a fish, I'll switch line weight and rod weight/speed to manage the fly and line. At this point early in my fly fishing career, my goal is to use whatever gear it takes (and that I can afford) to give myself the best chance to catch fish. As I continue to learn, I'll change my approach (and gear) to continue to give myself the best opportunity to catch fish. I'm sorry I turned John's topic about his interest in Gallup's flies into a discussion of rod/line weight needed to cast them. Great ties John.

Thanks, I'll give that method a try if my traditional cast starts to fail me again. I appreciate any new approach. That's actually part of the reason I joined this association. Thanks, also, for the heads up on the Kelly Gallup presentation. He comes across as a very personable guy that just wants to share and learn from others in his Fly Fish TV program, and he is not a "trout only" snob. I'd enjoy the opportunity to listen to his presentation. Paul

Interesting. I'll have to pick one up and give it a feel the next time I get into a fly shop.

My casting must leave quite a bit to be desired then, because I had a tough time managing these big bugs and 250 grain line with what St. Croix is calling the best streamer rod available in a 6 or 7 weight. I guess I need to get back out in the yard and practice some more.

You like that? They are some pretty amazing BIG bugs. I'm not sure what other fish species would do with them, but the big Browns on The White RIver in Arkansas were pretty intrigued by some of these patterns. I've become a believer, but I did learn that the average 7 or 8 weight will not throw them.

Hey John, Have you looked at any of Kelly Neuman's flies? I think that some of them might be a little too, shall we say, aggressive for smallies, but the big browns like to chase them, and I can't wait to throw them at Largemouth this summer. I don't think that most of them would be that tough to tie up. You'd just have to have the right hooks and materials. Here's a link if you wanna check them out: Michigan Streamside

I'm not interested in the rod you have for sale, but more interested in what you have your eyes on to replace it. I've read that the CPX is a pretty fast rod similar to the Sage TCR and Fenwick HMX. Are you looking for something a little slower?

I'll Look for it. Thanks. I have not fished Michigan waters yet, but it's on the "to do" list.

Got them. Thanks

I'd like to buy a outboard motor in the 5 to 10 horsepower range. I would prefer used and under $600 and as light as possible. This is to be mounted on my Hyde drift boat, so it needs to be a long (20") shaft. Please contact me at 217-412-8228 or you can pm me through this site. Thanks, Paul

I'm gonna have to say that it's not really the type of music I want to hear on my way to or way home from a day or week of fishing if it all sounds like that.

I saw a a clip on "Hunt for Big Fish" of one of the songs from that album, but I thought it was just a spoof. Is it worth buying the disc?