SKollmann

Yup . . . one of 5 smallies caught one day last summer ranging from 18 - 22 inches + sizable girths. The equipment used to catch them deserves a special recap . . . think ISA members would find it interesting and humorous. Later.

After working 7-1/2 hours at the ISA booth today, I inadvertantly left my wooden stool at the booth when leaving for home this evening. Chalk it up to weariness . . . not to age please! I understand that Ted P, Mike C, Tim N and Don R are working the booth on Saturday . . . and Mike C, Don R and Dick G on Sunday. I would greatly appreciate my fellow ISA colleague who lives the nearest to Northbrook bringing my stool home and shooting me a PM of your home address where I can retrieve it. It's quite light in weight, so should be no problem carrying. Thank you . . . most appreciative!

After working 7-1/2 hours at the ISA booth today, I inadvertantly left my wooden stool at the booth when leaving for home this evening. Chalk it up to weariness . . . not to age please! I understand that Ted P, Mike C, Tim N and Don R are working the booth on Saturday . . . and Mike C, Don R and Dick G on Sunday. I would greatly appreciate my fellow ISA colleague who lives the nearest to Northbrook bringing my stool home and shooting me a PM of your home address where I can retrieve it. It's quite light in weight, so should be no problem carrying. Thank you . . . most appreciative! Will also be posting a separate topic in hopes my request is seen before the show.

Was advised that the store will probably resume their late evening hours in March. That said, Stuart, may I presume the Thursday night group will also resume fly tying once again when the store extends hours?

Rain or shine . . . smallmouth bite big time!

I'm working at the show today again . . . so I'll inquire about the hours they are currently open and get back to you.

Today while taking a break from manning the ISA booth at the Rosemont Show, I stopped by the Anglers International Resource booth and inquired about the monthly ISA Bassbuggers fly tying events at their store since I've seen no events scheduled recently on the ISA calendar. The store owner confirmed that the Bassbuggers are tying in the back room of the store on the second Thursday of the month. Please confirm whether or not this response is correct . . . and if not, why not. Thanks.

. . . and my thanks to you, Don, undoubtedly shared by the ISA membership, for a "Star Quality" job you exemplified in lining up volunteers for the 5-day show. Not an easy task for sure!

My pleasure! Now that I'm retired, I have more time to devote to ISA and other worthy associations.

Noted . . . that said, I will plan to work from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm on Thursday and all day on Friday. That would leave Eugene working solo for just one hour until Stan arrives at 5:30 pm.

Will free up my schedule to work the entire shifts on both Thursday and Friday. On Saturday I plan to "attend" the show, but will stop by the ISA booth to help out between seminars.

I'm still available to provide double or triple duty by working on Friday, Saturday or Sunday (pm only) if you still need help. Just let me know . . . and I'm yours for the asking! Happy to serve as needed. Can also work later Thursday evening providing you give me enough advance notice so I can find a sub to replace me on the tennis courts that evening.

My thanks to all of you for providing your insights . . . most appreciative.

Website info helped indeed . . . thanks, Don.

Can someone provide a simple explanation regarding the methodology for determining size and thickness with respect to hooks for tying flies? Have checked various websites associated with fly hook comparisons (i.e, Mustad, Gamakatsu, Tiemco and Diichi, and found the codings in the comparisons to be confusing (1X fine standard dry; nymph 2X short and 2X strong; multi-use 3X strong). To compound the issue further, in Tim Holshlag's book "Smallmouth Fly Fishing", he references various hook sizes differently for his top 20 smallmouth flies by citing hooks by shank dimension and gap dimension. To top it off, in Lefty Kreh's DVD "Handcrafting Effective Flies", he cites yet another approach for hooks . . . namely, 3x long hook; standard hook length; hook with wide gap. Would appreciate a Hooks 101 summary before I commence purchasing hooks on my new vice for smallmouth, largemouth, crappies and panfish. Thanks . . . most appreciative!

Speaking of hooks for tying smallmouth flies, can someone provide a simple explanation regarding the methodology for determining size and thickness of hooks? Have checked various websites associated with fly hook comparisons (i.e, Mustad, Gamakatsu, Tiemco and Diichi, and found the codings in the comparisons to be confusing (1X fine standard dry; nymph 2X short and 2X strong; multi-use 3X strong). To compound the issue further, in Tim Holshlag's book "Smallmouth Fly Fishing", he references various hook sizes differently for his top 20 smallmouth flies by citing hooks by shank dimension and gap dimension. To top it off, in Lefty Kreh's DVD "Handcrafting Effective Flies", he cites yet another approach for hooks . . . namely, 3x long hook; standard hook length; hook with wide gap. Would appreciate a Hooks 101 summary before I commence purchasing hooks on my new vice for smallmouth, largemouth, crappies and panfish. Thanks . . . most appreciative!

Only concern is the distance from Northbrook to Normal. Just to far . . . darn!

Wish I lived closer to the site of the Chicago Region meetings . . . my home community of Northbrook is just too far away. That said, looking forward to seeing you all at the Bronzeback Blowout . . . just don't forget to register.

Waiting to record my services on Friday and Saturday until I know when I'll be needed at the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo.

I am available to work any shifts on Wednesday, Thursday (until 4:00 pm), Friday and Saturday. That said, however, I have also offered my services at the St. Charles Great Waters Fly Expo on Friday and Saturday. Would prefer to work either day at the St. Charles expo and the other day at the Rosemont Show besides Wednesday thru Friday. Go ahead and plug me in wherever I'm needed and advise.

John . . . I just checked and found that the program has not yet been posted online. That said, depending on the topics and speakers being lined up for Friday and Saturday, you can count on me for either the Friday afternoon/evening shift or the Saturday morning/afternoon shift.

Mike . . . along with my new vice, I purchased a copy of Mike Holt's DVD entitled, "Rotary Fly-Tying Techniques." He also has his own website that you may be interested in checking out . . . www.rotaryflytying.com. On a final note, what's the title of the Beatty's rotary fly tying book?

Pleased to report that I received my Renzetti Presentation 4000 Cam Series vice . . . plus a Renzetti Carry Pouch + Tool Caddy. With all the inclement weather lately, I'm now prepared to commence tying flies (rotary style) in preparation for Spring 2010.

Suggest you sell the animals, dig a large pond or lake in your yard, and specialize in smallies.