Jonn Graham

I should have the Sexy Shad color up in the next few days.

Craig: I was wondering when I would hear from you on this post. Yes, your seed has germinated and now I am starting my fly fishing odysey. I am the inexperienced Luke Skywalker and you are my yoda master. I sure could use some Hairy Fodders and any other flies you think I should have in my arsenal. Send them my way and I will send you a check (or maybe a trade for my swim jigs) for whatever the damages are................thanks for your generosity.

By the way, please don't tell me I need any other fly rods....................my bank account cannot take it. I still have to buy flies and various other items.

Per Mr. Jordan's suggestion I have decided to purchase a six weight to go along with my 8 weight. As much as I wanted to cast a rod before buying, I also am very excited to try out a six weight. Because of this I went ahead and purchased a six weight sight unseen. Now, Keep in mind that I have done a bunch of research about this rod/reel combo. I have read countless reviews online and have talked to a few anglers about such combo. The reviews were great and the price was better. The most resounding comment that has been said by everyone who has fished this combo is that it is perfect for the beginner and performs much better than an entry level rod/reel. This fly rod evidently won an award sponsored by Field and Stream. After a lot of thought, I figured what the heck. I am not dropping $400. I got the Redington Crosswater 2 outfit. Here is a link to the dealer in Ohio I bought the combo from. http://www.reelflyrod.com/product.sc?categ...p;productId=103 Great guy and very helpful. He had the same great things to say about the Crosswater. He could have tried to sell me a much more expensive outfit, but he didn't. I appreciated that. Plan is for the outfit to be at my door on Friday.

Benedict Arnold

Thanks. Very good information. If I am going to get a rod to compliment my 8 weight, I would much prefer the six weight, rather than a 7 weight. My flows are quite small and I fairly sure the six weight would probably cast the bigger stuff far enough to reach my beloved bronze. I am trying to not get too high tech. Decent rod/reel, good line, simple bass taper leaders, and a few select, proven flies and I will be happy. But, with that said, I am always open to new ideas and tips. Just keep in mind that my time and $$$$ are scarce. I don't want to have to live in my fishing shed.

I would love to go to One More Cast, but I won't have time to go until the middle of October when my guiding season is up. Unless we could head up after work someday????? How late is he open? Does One More Cast deal in combos in my price range???

Here is the newest swim jig pattern I am offering. This pattern is called Q's Mojo. It is named after Quinn Draz, Dan's son. He picked the colors and it does not look half bad. In the next few days I will post a couple of other new patterns....................the Pattonsburg Perch and the Sexy Shad.

I am presently looking to purchase a six weight rod/reel combo. I have a few that I like from Cabela's that are in my price range. A few that I am looking at are: Redington Cross water combo Lefty Kreh Series One combo Cabela's Three Forks combos. Anybody want to comment on these combos, it would be much appreciated.

Anybody looking for a lightweight solo canoe should take advantage of this deal. I have a "pack" and love it. Had it for over 10 years. 33 pounds and stable as can be. Mark's price is unheard of...........if you are in the market, don't hesitate on this deal.

Well, I now have a cheap 8 weight outfit and Rio Clouser line on the way. The line should be here by Tuesday. The line that came on the reel was level wind and it is horrid. I can see what many of you have suggested about the 6 weight. The 8 weight is a bit taxing on the arm and my carpal tunnel wrist. I am already seriously thinking of getting a 6 weight. My flows are so small, I am sure I could still throw the big stuff with the 6 weight. Greg: As soon as I got the fly rod, I thought of you. I sure would like to get a few of your favorite flys............especially the sparkle minnows. When you get time, if you would, box me up some of your favorite selections, and send them to me. Just drop a note in the box and let me know how much I owe you. I would really appreciate some of your fine work. Brendan: I agreed wholeheartedly with what you said. I too have always felt that fly rodders throw way too many small baits. I know I have great luck throwing larger baits on the spin/casting rods over the years. There is no reason why larger offerings on the fly rod would do any different. So far I have thrown larger poppers that I made myself (yes, I have already been on the vise making fly rod poppers), a big deer hair bug, and a few Murray Murauders. In a few days I plan to get some more big bugs, a few Dahlberg Divers, and maybe an extra clouser or two. I have also played a little with the Holschlag Hackle Fly. I can already feel the addiction taking over.

Jim: You crack me up!! You should have known it was only a matter of time before I turned to the "dark side". Don't worry all the spinning and casting rods/reels are not going in the garbage...............yet.

Brian: I would love to fish with your 8 weight especially. Thanks for the offer and I will cya tomorrow morning.

Cannot send PMs from this computer unless somebody sends me one first. Either send me a PM or give me your phone number and I will give you a call. I am interested in hearing what you have.

I had a client today who brought along a few flyrods and a couple of spinning rods. At around 9:00 while switching river locations, he asked if I wanted to try out one of his flyrods. I said, "you bet". He gave me a quick 10 minute fly fishing lesson next to the truck. He liked my casting enough to let me handle the long rod down on the river. Amazingly, I was casting fairly well right off the bat. My client was impressed and gave me lots of encouragment. I was having a ball. Using an 8 weight, I started off using a small deer hair popper. Nothing on that so I switched to a clouser and had one strike. Next, I tried a very small wooly bugger and caught three smallies. Though they were small, it was awesome. Actually, catching the fish was bonus - I was having a great time just getting better and longer casts. I ended the day casting a big deer bug that kinda looked like a frog. Though I did not get any strikes on the deer hair bug, I enjoyed using that big boy the most. I can tell when I get a fly rod (which won't be long now), I am going to favor large poppers and popping bugs. Anybody out there want to sell me a used 8 wt. with a reel, line, and backing............maybe a carrying case as well? I will entertain all offers.

Yah, I have not stopped throwing them since being introduced to the power of the swim jig last fall. I have not had too many trips where at least a few bronzies were caught on the swim jig.

For those of you swim jig junkies, I have been field testing some new color patterns that I will be releasing very soon. These new patterns are: Sexy Shad Pattonsburg Perch Q's Mojo Around the middle of this month I will post pictures of all three new colors. In the meantime, for all of you that have bought my swim jigs, thanks and keep "chucking" them at our friend, the smallmouth. For those of you who have not purchased any, I look forward to talking with you soon. Fall is just around the corner and the swim jig will reign supreme when water temps. cool.

Reel magic is simply silicone in a can. Somebody let me in on that secret a few years ago. I have went to the local hardware store and bought huge can of spray silicone for about half the price. Worked the same as reel magic

17" Brown Trout out of a little tributary of the Rock River.

In my neck of the woods I have found that clear water is the paramount key. If you don't have clear water, fishing will be tough. My theory is that my river's are normally clear, and when they are not, fish feed very poorly or sporadically. Now, when it comes to cloudy vs. sunny, I have had great days in both conditions. I will say for the Vermilion River my records have shown cloudy days have normally equaled great topwater action and high fish numbers. Sunny days cause the topwater bite to cease, but I have had some great numbers days when the sun is shining brightly. A final note concerns the Fox. The Fox River is not really a clear water river. That river seems to fish very well when it is up and dirty. Could it be the fact that the fish are used to the turbid water? Sure seems to be the case.

Ken: I understand totally what you are saying, but you will never convince me that it costs $50 for all the "parts" of shipping and handling you mentioned. Loomis is making a few bucks on that $50. Other rod companies do not charge $50 to ship and handle a rod? Are the costs extra for Loomis but not other rod companies???? C' mon

To answer the initial question: In my opinion, the 6'3" medium power, extra fast action Avid spinning rod is the best I have ever fished with. It can basically do it all for stream fishing.

I have shipped jigs and other stuff across this great country and have never had to pay anything close to $50 for shipping. Sorry, it does not cost $50 for Loomis to ship a rod to your door in three to four days. Don't get me wrong, that is a decent warranty, but don't tell me that Loomis is not getting some of that $50 so called shipping fee.

Ron: I purchased the Featherlights years ago when they first came out. I purchased them due to the cheap price. Well, they did not last long. Matter of fact, I think I went through two pairs in relatively short order. Right now I use the Cabelas waist high breathables. Though I only wear waders when the water and air temp. call for it. I love to wet wade whenever I can.

Two ways that have worked for me when it comes to finding holes in waders: 1. Get in a dark room and shine a flashlight into the waders. The hole will be visible with a small beam of light exiting the hole. 2. Take a leaf blower or any mechanism that blows air and fill your waders up like a balloon and listen for the "hiss" as air exits the hole. Both of these techniqes and are safe for the waders.