Mike G

Nate, Mid-current eMagazine also noted this fad in womwn's hair. I am hoping that the fad will pass as quickly as the Nehru jacket. But it is hard to tell. Maybe the slow economy will be the solution since those feather dews have to cost more than a $10 haircut. I checked my usual sources for hackles-Cabela's, Barlow's, and Feather Craft to find that most items are still in stock including hot pink. But a few of the assortments were on back order. I can't tell if this is just a seasonal thing or not. I will be an optimist and predict that the fad will end soon and be replaced by electronic components braided into hair. About November, expect the hair salons to be holding big sales on shoulder hackles. Stock up!

Yep, it is a good one with Jon Graham carrying the mail delivering 20% of the issue (4/20 pages). When does he get time to fish? BTW I have to plug the E veresion. Thanks to Steve Butler, I got my copy on May 29 and have been enjoying it for close to a week already. I am beginning to keep an archive of Bulletins. It consists of this most current issue and downloads of all the past issues that are in the archive. It is a nice resuource - all in one place.

Rob, Clouser's book on flies has a nice formula for poppers it starts with his E-Z pop but it also works on Lefty's Bug. I built my Lefty Bugs by eye based on what looked right for me. Surprisingly they fit Clouser's formula. Assuming you are using a foam cllinder, the diameter of the cylinder should be equal to the gap of the hook. The foam body should be equal to 1/2 of the shank length of the hook. The hooks I use with 1/2" diameter foam cylinders come from an assortment I got from Herter's about 40-50 Years ago. The shank is long enough that 1/2 of a stock 1.5 inch cylinder (3/4 inches) works. I bought some of those Mustads because they are said to go with Blockheads. In my eye they look small though they would work with Clouser's formula. I will not comment on color. Buck sez, "The priorities in presentation are depth, speed, size, color, action."

High water = dabbling?

I admit this isn't the best photo-fish in one hand, camera in the other. Now I know what they mean about the one armed wallpaper hanger. The Bug is not visible because the bass engulfed it. Rob, What size is that bug you made? I am surprised you are getting so many crappie.

I claim the prize. This morning, June 2, 2011, 5:30 AM CDT, I caught a 17" Largemouth on a 1/0 Chartreuse Lefty's Bug. I got a picture that I will put up once I get it hosted.

Thanks to Steve Butler, I along with several other members got the bulletin at 9:27 last night-the E version.Of course it is a keeper-20 pager. Now I have to settle in to read it.

Nice! What kinda paddle you use on that one?

Finally a humane way. Try the audio version. http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2011/05/14/scripts/wildlife.shtml

How is it working so far? I went ahead and got the 180XL both for price and to see what the composite material was like. Right out of the box, I noticed two sensible things. The large diameter spool always made sense to me. On that spool was the sensible arbor. With that in place I can still put about 50-60 yds of 8# on the spool. It will hold much more without the arbor, but I have been using a combination of 50 yds of good line backed with brand x line to fill the spool for 40-50 years now without mishap and without ever getting close to the backing. I did not realize how much space on the spool was just filler. The mechanism seems mechanically sound, made in China. I have not been able to use it on the water and put a load on it; so I cannot say anything final. As the season progresses I may retire a small Daiwa and give this one a workout.

Terry, Bterrill, a frequent poster here, should be able to steer you to a prime location.

Amen, Gary! You should be writing articles for the FF magazines that feature Chile, Brazil, New Zealand, Austria, and Manchuria in their offerings.

Two ways to post photos: 1. Use the posting facility provided by this web site. Convenient. 2. Host your pictures on a site like Photobucket. This saves storage in the ISA server. And you can stick pictures right into the text so viewers do not have to click through to see your stuff. I like #2.

This adds a picture to the story. Terry Dodge, Your endorsement of the Cortland outfit is right in line with the theme. it is one more reason to like Brad Miller, in a Platonic way of course.

On the money, Eric. I went fishing this morning about a mile from my house. I cudda walked to the lake to save $ for gas but I drove :-(. I used my Martin soup can reel and a level D Wt line on a Wonderod my cousin gave me about 40 years ago. Had some fun with Crappies. I had my casting rod along but never got to it. I guess the point is that the image of fly fishing as an expensive, demanding technique is false. But I still want to go to South America to fish for Peacock Bass. Wanna come? Business class?

All I can say is that I hit the United site twice this afternoon and that was the range for first class round trip to Christchurch.

United airlines first class round trip from ORD to Christ Church New Zealand is Approximately 16,000 to 18,000 USD. So does 20 to 30 K USD sound unreasonable.

Take a deep breath, Ron. What is the right price for a one week New Zealand trout fishing trip first class all the way, plane, accomodations, meals, guide service, and access to prime water in prime season?

A jig with a twister tail would be my selection. Chuck and wind just like a crankbait. That way you will not break the bank if you loose a few. You can get both a sack of jigs and a sack tails for about $4.00 - Wally's.

Ryan, Sorry to hear that they are not going to budge on pontoons though I am not surprised. We lived in Dupage for 20 years and that rule was constant. While living there we read a good number of reports of drownings and rescues in the papers. Your county is playing it safe. Too bad it is too hard to distinguish the glorified air matresses that some people would use from well designed craft used by others. BTW Gander Mtn has a sale on yaks including a $300 9 footer.

We are back to where we started here. Money talks. First, it is claimed that your typical fly fishing magazine presents fly fishing as an exotic art precticed in exotic locations with $2000 rod-reel line outfits. The cost of tackle is no object because the trip will cost $20,000 to $30,000 anyway. Many magazines do that putting the image of fly fishing beyond the economic reach of average Joe angler. On the other hand, I can fish for panfish with my father's Wonderod, a soup can reel, and a level Crystal River fly line. I just did; it's fun. I do not expect to see something like that written up in a fly magazine. So we are back to the bias of magazines which flows to the money across the boards. When was the last time you saw an article on using a Zebco outfit to present red worms for gills. I love tying and tend to spend more than I need to to make flies I do not need. But I hope no-one gets the impression that one needs a lot of exotic exprensive materials to tye flies that catch fish. It does not have to cost a lot.

Yes, absolutely. Since I have 3 pairs, I can do a simple test. If I cross two lenses at 90 degrees, it is lights out black.

Thanks Rob.

Rob, Thanks for the offer. It looks like true polarizing prescription glasses can be had from several soources. But I need the so called progressive glasses. Cost is an issue. Assuming you can turn them out, what would a pair cost?