mlahart

Did any of you catch many fish?

The nitrogen abundance sounds reasonable. We also had less ice, hence more light getting through, especially on the rivers. And no good winter scouring of the rivers by flood waters and ice(remember all the news about not having enough water to float barges on the Mississippi). And an unusually warm December and January; I spent a lot of time cleaning algae off decoys in Kankakee. The algae would normally be out of the river by mid-December.

Used this guide last year. Going there again next week. Excellant guide and teacher. Contact is best by phone. Weblink: www.smokymountainfly.com/index.html

Lots of trout streams not very far north of NYC. Where will you be staying?

Heck, if we expect the fish to catch the line in their teeth, I suppose we ought to be able to do the same!

I'll be there

Browse the hunting clothing sections of Cabela's or Bass Pro or any other of the shops that stock hunting gear and you will find what you need. Most of the new clothing is lightweight, breathable, and synthetic fiber which allows plenty of freedom to move around. Layering with this stuff will allow you to be out in any kind of weather. I hunt ducks and geese from now through January and have no trouble keeping warm. Good luck.

After we broke up at noon (Fishless!). I took Scott and Matt, GBTU guys, up river looking for a spot more out of the wind. Bingo! The fish were on and they picked up smallies, rock bass, and one walleye before I had to leave about 1:30. They stayed on, believers in the 3K.

John, can you contact them to find out how they did after I left?

Was on the 3K this AM. Wind is ferocious. Saturday is first day of Youth Waterfowl Season. Rules are that we stay 250 Yds from an active blind. Park has 20 blinds. Be careful, youths with guns can be exciting!

Hills Discount Flies has what you are looking for size 10 thru 22. Buck apiece or $9/dozen: www.hillsdiscountflies.com

I just bought a pair of script sunglasses. I wear bifocals with a script on both halves, so I got tired of mixing it up while fishing. I've been out with the new glasses twice and love it. The new glasses are bronze(not too dark) polarized and with glare blocking on both sides. I went with titanium frames which I was told would stand up to a beating. They were a bit pricey, but my prescription doesn't change very often so I should be able to get a couple of years out of them. I also find them easy to drive with while I am consulting my Gazeteer to get to those good fishing spots.

I'll help with the South Group. Should I bring any kind of tools?

Hey, this is easy. It was Arkansas. Lots of stills in them there hills.

And as we all know----"the birds that go by get so drunk they can't fly, on that good old mountain dew"!

I think Henny Penny predicted this years ago!

I talked to a friend who was hunting the river in the state park on Tuesday afternoon(last day of duck season). There was open water at least off blinds #7 and #8. He said the water was clear at that time with no apparent contamination. But, he said he would be washing down everything, waders, decoys, etc. when he got home.

Are there any official reports from the EPA or DNR or anyone?

To get back on topic, caught 8 yesterday in the Kank. 18 last Wednesday. No lunkers though. Biggest was 15". But, all on my fly rod. Using a dead drift with a bottom crawling craw imitation. Thanks to an unknown fellow fly rodder who tipped me off on how to fish the low water.

Add in $30 for the extra kling-on sole.

Sounds like a good deal.

Yeah, maybe we can get some rain down south and wash out the crud that is plaguing the Kank just when it was clearing up. Anyone know what causes this stuff?

Same info in the state rifle assn publication about license fees going into the general revenue fund and so forth. Any way that Marc could get to these pubs and straighten this out directly?