Forrest Miller

SWAP IS FULL!!!! Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that the top water fly swap that Rob is hosting has went over quite well here. There was some buzz about doing a sub-surface swap so I wanted to step up and be the one to host. Rich will tell you that I have hosted a number of swaps on other sites in the past. Last year, Rich and I participated in a swap that I hosted where 6 guys committed to swapping flies once per month the entire year. We had different categories each month. I told Rich that I was going to take some time off from doing fly swaps, but I miss getting those little packages of flies in the mail. I like the idea of doing this here because we will all get flies that are proven winners on the rivers in our state! We will keep this one very general. If the fly is meant to be fished below the surface, it is fair game for this swap. As always the general rules apply. I will outline them below in case some of you will be doing your first swap. DUE DATE IS MARCH 31 Rules: 1) Flies must arrive to my house by March 31, 2014. This means you should allow time for the post office to lose your package, find it, and then get it to me. Just kidding, I have only ever had one package lost in the mail in 3 years of doing swaps. But please, do consider the time it takes to get through the mail system. It makes for a much more enjoyable swap when everyone turns their flies in on time! 2) Please toe-tag your flies. You can either write it up or type it up. Since this is an all Illinois only community, I think it would be nice if you put on the toe tag the following: your username, the city in which you live, your "home river" that you fish the most, and the name of the fly. 3) Send your flies in a crush proof box. If you would, please write your name on the box. Included in the package will be another envelope with STAMPS attached to cover the return postage. You should self address your return envelope. Stamps is in all caps because this is important. The post office will not accept packages that have those printed off metered strips because they have a date on them. 4) When finished with your fly, please post the name and recipe here. I would like to take pictures and put them all up in the Bassbugger Member Submissions section of the website. So, I would like to ask 10 tyers, plus myself to be in this swap. Each person will tie 10 flies. You will not get one of your own flies back! If you send 11 flies I will assume you are saying "thanks" for hosting the swap and will use that fly this season until can't be fished anymore! Please let me know the name of the fly you wish to tie, so that we don't end up with 10 Clouser Minnows. I will put the name of your fly next to your name on this list. Send me a PM when you are ready to send your flies and I will send you my address! 1)ForrestM - Swapmeister - TeQueely - FINISHED - Got 'em! 2)Ryan Kral - Holschlag Hackle Fly - RECEIVED 3)Rob G. - Crazy Charlie (variation) - RECEIVED - Got 'em! 4)tgoodmanii - Clouser - RECEIVED - Got 'em! 5)Richmc - Double Stuffed Flash Fly - RECEIVED 6)Tom L - Loomudclouski - RECEIVED - Got 'em! 7)Bart D - Tom' Foxy Crawdad - RECEIVED - Got 'em! ALL FLIES IN ON TIME!!!!!!! 8)Mike G - R/W Prop - RECEIVED - Got 'em! 9)Jim Wright - Screwy Rabbit - RECEIVED 10)Colt Johnson - Slumpbuster - RECEIVED 11)Mark Lutz - Autumn Splendor - RECEIVED

There is plenty of time left to find a replacement so the swap stays full. Who's going to take Terry's place? And, Terry best of luck! That sucks.

Rob, did you get the poppers? They just have short trip to make.... -Forrest

ChiFly just sent out a thing that the Traveler is now $165. I have tied on one since I first started tying about 3 years ago. I have not looked back nor have I said to myself that I need to "upgrade"..... -Forrest

I just put the Kreb's Poppers in the mail. I forgot to take a picture. Perhaps Rob will do that when he gets them. I did a variation of the popper where I used silly legs for the "skirt". It is alot like a Hula Popper. All Chart/Yellow. I hope they work out well for you guys! -Forrest

I will take the last spot if you all will have me. I will tie a Kreb's Popper. -Forrest

What are the times for the leader tying outing in Bloomington? I am an elder at our church so Sundays are usually tied up, but I do go to early service and that is over at 930. So, I could potentially run down there afterwards....

So, I was wondering how many of you tie your own leaders? I am thinking about putting one of the Umpqua leader tying kits on my Christmas list. Do you find that making your own leaders gives you an advantage over buying them aside from the obvious cost savings? Thanks! -Forrest

He called me back yesterday around 1pm. He said fishing in New York was really good yesterday. After we chatted for a while about that we got down to business. He asked exactly what sizes I am looking to tie. Mostly when I fish dry flies I go to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park down in TN because that is where my inlaws are from and it is an easy sell to get my wife to hop on a Southwest plane and head that way. I travel quite a bit for work and so flights are free and boarding is free . Anyways, I told him I usually tie dries from size 12 to 20, with most is the 14, 16, and 18 size range. He suggested I buy his grade 3 capes. He throws in the saddle for free. I believe I am going to order some of his grade 3 capes and see how they turn out. Also, according to his website if you send him a self addressed stamped envelope he will send you some samples of his feathers. -Forrest

Why did they cancel the Woodstock show? Lack of attendance? I felt like the Bob Clouser talk was highly under-attended... That auditorium should have been packed! -Forrest

@Rich, I went back to sleep shortly thereafter! LOL @Rob, I am familiar with that site. I have been swapping flies and hosting swaps there for a couple years. That is where I first ran into Rich. I have a call into Collins... His wife answered the phone this morning and said he was out fishing but would call me back when he got in. Sounds like my kind of guy! I will update you all once I talk to him. -Forrest

I was wondering if any of you have tried alternatives to Whiting for your Trout size dry fly hackles? I was thinking of giving Collins Hackle Farms a chance but was wondering if anyone has used them before? For around 60 bucks you get his top of the line neck and he throws in the saddle! And yes, I woke up at 0330, couldn't sleep, and decided to get on the ISA forum -Forrest

I too am stoked about this news! Although I am in the city for work on a somewhat regular basis, this will be much much handier to have around. I am glad to hear that these guys are doing well. I just stopped at Trout and Grouse the other day and they are closing their doors effective a couple weeks from now. My only hope is that the new shop in Naperville have a coffee pot and a place to sit and tie a few flies if you so choose I live in Oswego but could see myself spending some Saturday mornings there!

I am one of the five. I had a great time at the early show. I look forward to fishing with some of you over the years to come. I live in Oswego, near rt71 and Orchard. I am VERY close to the Fox, so any evening someone would like to meet up give me a shout. I will give out my cell phone by private message. My basement is set up for tying too, and the coffee pot starts brewing early on Saturday mornings, so if anyone would like to come tie and sip a cup of coffee (or a bourbon - I won't judge) then I'd be glad to have you over. -Forrest

Rich recruited me...I'll be there. I am going to the Smokies in December so I am going to be tying some tiny (#18-22) stuff for my trip down there. -Forrest

John, I plan on being there in the morning. -Forrest