Bart Durham

My first attempt at the SBS smallmouth fly developed by pilecast.net. Hard fly to tie but looks really fishy to me. Got some work to do, but hopefully, I'll get better over time. We need to get this guy to join the ISA or speak at the next Blowout.

I'll try to tie one of Ron's favorite, the olive meatwhistle.

Received mine as well. What a great assembly of smallmouth sub surface flies. Thanks to everyone that participated.

Come one, come all to Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, Illinois on Saturday, May 10, 2014 for a great day of fishing on one of the premier fishing lakes in the area. Three Oaks is a reclaimed quarry (formerly known as Vulcan) with pristine water and excellent fishing. We have reserved the Picnic Grove Pavilion at the lake from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to serve as a base camp and location to eat, rest and seek shelter from the elements. The facility provides rowboats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats for use while fishing. Shore fishing and wading are allowed. Only facility boats can be used and patrons are not allowed to bring their own fishing vessels. The City has agreed to waive the fishing and boat rental fee for ISA members on this day. The only cost is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. The lake is stocked with smallmouth and largemouth bass, musky, yellow bass, rock bass, catfish, northern pike, walleye and pan fish. I understand the fishing is outstanding so it should provide a great opportunity to catch a lot of fish and socialize with other ISA members. The Crystal Lake location provides an easy trip for our Rockford area, Chicago and north side members to come join in the fun. Food and drinks (non alcoholic) may be brought into the facility and cooking grills are available for use at the Pavilion. A Culvers Restaurant is also located on the facility. It should be a lot of fun and a chance for our members to land a big fish. See you there!

These confinement operations have to adhere to some strict state and federal EPA guidelines. I'll see if I can find any helpful information for you.

Very impressive. After talking with you Tom I see there are a lot of advantages to using the tubes. May be the wave of the future in fly fishing.

Colt, looks like a great smallmouth fly. Have to try tying it sometime. Can't wait to get mine as well as the others!

Very nice, lets break it in!

My foxy crawdads and Mark's autumn splendors are complete and ready for delivery.

Apart from watching April Vokley spey cast, my favorite film was "Mending the line" a film about a WWII vet who found solace in fly fishing following his return to the US from the war field atrocities in Normandy, and returned to Normandy at 90 years of age to fly fish in the streams he had fought in.

Lutzy and I worked on ours last night will have to you before deadline.

Attended for first time and really enjoyed the short films relating to fly fishing and conservation. Movie theatre was great with Lounge style seating and having dinner and drink brought to seat while watching movies.

I really enjoyed Austin's presentation yesterday as well the great smallmouth talk and excellent food and drink from Famous Daves. Had a great time. Thanks Ed and Austin.

Ryan and Mike, if you ever need a oarsman (if thats a word) or help in transport let me know. Lets see a picture when you guys get yours.

Given there is a chance for snow on Saturday and ice is still covering a portion of river we will continue this trip for end of month of early April. I'll post a definitive new date shortly. Scott's suggestion for breakfast instead is a great idea for anyone interested. Any suggestions for breakfast location?

With the below freezing temps sticking around a little longer looks like we may have to kick this event back 30 days or so. Spring is less than 25 days away!

Terry, what's the extended forecast say?

Forrest, Mark Lutz told me he is in for Autumn Splendor.

Mark Lutz was interested but didn't know what to tie. How about a Lutzy meatwhistle variation?

Larry Babin of Hogsonthefly Guide Service (Hogsonthefly.com) in Mountain Home, AR, for full day guide trip on the White River-Norfolk River in his drift boat. My brother and I did day trip on White River with him last summer and was great fun with tremendous fishing.

I'm in. I'll tie some of Tom's foxy crawdads since he will be sending the Loomudclouski.

Great news! Hope to make it.

The movie, "Promised Land" really exemplifies the Illinois landscape particularly southern Illinois. In an economically deprived area, people are paid handsomely for their mineral rights and promised high paying jobs. Hard to turn down for them but at what price?

We still need help with next week's show at Tinley Park if anyone can volunteer. Presently have two workers for Saturday and one for Sunday. I can work Sunday afternoon and close. Need help with setting up booth Friday evening. If you've never been to this show you should try to make it. Lots of neat stuff.

I saw the same story. Couldn't believe it. Then it showed they guys after the swim slowly putting on their clothes near the shore in what had to be sub zero weather, and being interviewed by the newsperson, speaking calmly and not shivering a bit. Amazing.