jude

Brian: the car insurance commercial that applies here is not the "great news" one, but the "caveman" one. I hate to admit it, but where this 'puter thing is concerned, I'm about as advanced as a caveman. In other words, no links or pictures. If you plan on attending the Blowout, I'll have some there. If you won't be at the Blowout, PM me your address and I'll send you one. That offer goes out to any ISA guys that won't be at the Blowout. Sean: I caught hundreds of smallies on the Kish with it this summer. Thanks in advance for buying some at the show this weekend!

Tim Holschlag will be selling my "Jude Bug"s at his Smallmouth Angler booth at this weekend's Itasca show! Here's the story: I ordered his Smallie flyfishing book. After reading how high he is on topwater I figured, "what the heck, maybe he'd like a few of my poppers." After perfecting the tie, (the ones I gave you guys at the NW meeting were not very consistent) I sent a few to Mr. Holschlag. The other day I got an e-mail from him saying he liked the fly, and asking if I could supply a couple dozen for him to sell at the show this weekend. Not only yes, but h#ll yes! So PLEASE if you're going to the show, stop by his booth and and buy a couple! Or at least rave about how cool they are! As you can tell, I'm pretty pumped about this.

Are you still looking for volunteers? I would be able to cover some on Friday. Not right at 2:30, but maybe 3:30 or 4:00.

John...buddy...you're up at 2:00 a.m. contemplating spinning reels!?! And my wife thinks I'M obsessed.

I'm going to try to resist the urge to spin fish and concentrate on improving my fly casting. If conditions force me to spin fish, the one lure that I have neglected and may try is the spinnerbait. I'm thinkin' white for some reason.

Welcome! As for your recently acquired addiction, you have my condolences. I don't think there's a cure. If there is a cure, I've done a good job of avoiding it.

I'm definitely in for some "Jude Bug" poppers and maybe some articulated clousers.

Oh the pressure!

I use the green Fireline so I CAN see the line. I find it very critical to watch the line on those rare occasions when I use plastic. I doubt you can really judge it's invisibility unless it's under water.

Very cool! Congrats everybody. Especially the officers who put in so much time and effort!

Don, I regret to inform you that indeed there IS a man law regarding cheesy cards and you are in violation. Twice. A ticket is in the mail. Merry Christmas guys......Jude

Cheers to all!

Did you look that up or was it off the top of your head?

Ouch. A polarization story: I took my nine year old niece to the river this summer to catch a tadpole for her aquarium. For some reason, they were few and far between. Finally I saw a big one amongst some underwater debris. Being a hardheaded child, she did not want a tadpole I caught...no, she had to catch her own tadpole. I pointed it out to her and she saw nothing. "Here, try my magic glasses" as I handed her my El Cheapo polarized glasses. The look on her face was priceless. She was freaked out by what she could see that she'd been missing. It was like I gave her a pair of X-ray glasses. Yes, she caught the tadpole, and told everyone back at home about Uncle Jude's Magic Glasses.

Hey Mark, now if you can find the old "Members Only" jacket you will truly be stylin'!

I kinda liked the format last year: post a picture of a critter and challenge us to imitate it.

I'd be too worried about losing or breaking any sunglasses that cost more than thirty bucks. I buy cheap polarized. It seems that the price of a pair of shades is inversely proportionate to their lifespan.

Will I have a chance to defend my title as "Grand Champion Mother of all God's Gifts to Flytiers"? Being the inaugural winner, I was told I got to choose the title. I'm kinda hoping for a topwater/popper contest this year, as I've got a killer pattern up my sleeve. Any thoughts? I heard it went over pretty well last year, and would love to try it again.

Don, if I had one of those little smiley thingies doing the "bow down" I would give you one. You are the man.

It will be a beautiful weekend for a float! I doubt the fish will be biting (I won't even take a rod if I do go), but floating down the river after a recent snow is about as peaceful as it gets. If I don't float, at least a long walk in the woods will be in order. Gotta love the Midwest!

Life is good! ....I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I know the river is going to be lurking in the back of my head all day. 60 degrees and sunny and I'll be home feeding turkey to the family. I guess I should be thankful that they're brave enough to come over and eat my cooking. I hope all you guys have a great day!.......Jude

My confidence flies this year ( my first really fly fishing) were my own foam popper on top and a clouser otherwise. I tie the clouser with bead chain eyes instead of lead. They cast a heck of a lot easier, and my river is fairly shallow so as not to need to get down real fast. I gained confidence in the clouser (and my casting) pretty late this year, so I'm really pumped for next year. I may never use the spinning gear again!

I have never tried it, but it seems like if you are going to use a bob....er... strike indicator, it might as well have a hook in it. I can barely cast with one fly tied on. I can't imagine the mess if tried a double right now. It does seem like a good idea, though, and I plan to be good enough to try it next year.

#24: Complaints about the weather will NOT be tolerated. I just read the best hard core fisherman line ever on another board: "I just hope it's raining hard enough to keep the guides from freezin up."

On road trips, with the duration being more than 45 minutes, but less than two hours, the purchase of breakfast for the driver by the passenger shall be acceptable in lieu of gas money. Said breakfast purchase shall include tip. The role of driver/passenger shall alternate each time the same participants embark on similar length trips. The only exception to this rule shall be when one participant drives a Fiero, LeCar or a Gremlin, in which case that participant, in lieu of EVER driving, shall buy breakfast, lunch, dinner and alcoholic beverages of the driver's choice.