Rob G

Mike, I know there are those that swear by Sneaky Petes which has long had a reverse popper head design but I didn't see any improvement vs. standard popper designs. I once purchased some foam Dahlberg Diver design heads (as below) which didn't function as I had hoped. They simply didn't dive or break the water surface much at all. The foam is just too buoyant. I am betting that the designs you posted above will behave similarly. Spun deer hair seems to have a more neutral buoyancy for what I like to achieve. On the other hand, your desired action and results might be very different from mine. Rob

Yea, Rich I think this show must have come about quite quickly. I was in Flymasters of Indy in early December and asked if there were to be any shows this season and they didn't know of any. I tried to get the guys over at INSA to put on a booth the last two years but to no avail. They just don't have the motivation and/or the manpower. It's such a shame because there are some really great guys in INSA but as an organization, it seems to be hanging on by a thread.

In case anyone is interested in catching a ride, just let me know, it looks like we have at least 7 going over together from central and east central IL on Saturday. Rob

Lebanon, IN straight down Interstate 65 http://heartlandflyfishingfestival.com/ Should also mention that you have 2 1/2 nice fly fishing shops within about 25 minutes as well (yea, this Orvis is only 1/2 a shop)

Another good video on hollow fleyes with some decent info. Check out the size of this of smallie guide's patterns, WOW 2/0 hook !, Doesn't he know they're called smallmouths because they have a small mouth. ha

Let me guess, Jamie never turned in a paper but got an "A" anyway. Ha

Colin, looking forward to seeing you again and hearing all about your fishing adventures this past season. Hopefully you've got a fly or two up your sleeve that you would like to demo for us. Rob

I should have known, Johnny G. the ole' Chub Master As to the favorite color, two really stood out and I shall take to the grave with me their identities.....errr that is unless you want to go up there with me sometime for a day or two Ha

The idea of a horizontal presentation is interesting. This past November I spent a few days trout fishing with a friend of mine up north. He is an excellent fisherman and kicked my booty in landing numbers of fish. Where I used more standard fare such as scuds and nymphs, he used these small micro jigs that he tied up along with an indicator. He feels the horizontal presentation offered by those size 12, 1/100 oz. micro jigs made all the difference. I finally succumbed and started using a few that he had tied and lo and behold my catch rate increased. Then it became only a challenge to see which color they preferred, and color did seem to make a distinct difference. He swears by that same configuration for crappie as well and believe me, this fine fellow takes more than his share of those slabs. Btw, l like that meat whistle

Are we talking flies for "float and fly" fishing or flies to be cast with a fly rod? Just curious, and I have nothing to add here since I'm a wuss sitting in my warm den with a cup of hot tea and tying flies for next summer.

Please note the time change. Because of the new Fire station policy, the meeting will run from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Again, open to all and more info to come later. Rob

For those that want to view the Photobucket photos that were no longer visible because the user wouldn't pony up the $400 per year to allow for 3rd party hosting, there is a fix that I was recently made aware of by one of the guys over at the Indiana Smallmouth Alliance. Unfortunately I deleted my account at Photobucket so none of my photos can be made visible but for those that weren't that hasty, with this extension, you should now once again be able to view those photos. Let me know if it works for you but it seems like I can see Mike G's photos again. From Goosepond Monster over at INSA: As with most things that get taken away on the internet, there now seems to be a fix for this...Google Chrome:Click on the three dots on the right side of the screen;A drop down should appear;Hover over "More Tools";When the next drop down appears, click on "Extensions";Go to the link towards the bottom that says "Get More Extensions";In the search box, type "Photobucket Fix";Click "Enter";Click the "Photobucket Hotlink Fix"Once the install is complete you should be able to see Photobucket linked photos again.FireFox:Click the three bars at the top right of your screen;Click "Add Ons";Click in the search box and search "photobucket hotlink" ... Photobucket Hotlink should be the first result in the list that's generated;Click install;Reload the forum.

Twice he made it down to our fall outing but regrettably I never had a chance to fish with him either time. While at breakfast beforehand, I was surprised at how well he knew the local waters, including a couple of hidden gems that many of the locals didn't know about. Had a nice discussion on reading water where I picked up a few tidbits as well. I'm sure he will be missed and yet it reminds me just how thankful we should be each and every time we are able to stand within that river as both the current of time and water pass beneath our feet.

So very sad to hear.

Heck, I didn't need to wade through all that since it mostly involves how to handle "larger" bass.

For the 10th year running, come January, we will be holding our award winning central Illinois fly tying events. I know it's a little early but I wanted to get this out there so you can plan your "month of Sundays" with this in mind. Central Illinois Fly Tying Gathering to be held: January 28th Sunday 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM Bloomington, IL at the firehouse 1911 Hamilton Rd. 61704. There is no cost to attend this event. The event runs from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM but afterwards the group will likely adjourn to the nearby Famous Dave's for a little BBQ and beverage. All are welcome, both ISA and Non ISA members alike, as well as beginning fly tiers. More information will be forthcoming in the near future, so stay tuned. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me here at the ISA forums. Rob G

Not sure as to where they were taken but I can tell you where a couple of those are going. ..... My computer desktop. Well done

Obviously you have not spent much time with this group

Let's try this again. Stumbled upon this on one of my last wades this fall. I'm thinkin' Moose here, but I'm open to suggestions ?

Hey Eric, quick question for you. If I post a photo using this new enhanced direct to thread procedure, can someone open up the "inspect" and derive any useful information from it, such as where and/or when photo was taken? Using a 3rd party hosting site prevents that, correct?? Thanks for your input. Rob

+1000

Just wanted to mention that a long standing member of the ISA and a good friend to all down here in central IL passed away yesterday. Dave Franklin, aged 74, will be truly missed. Dave was a long standing regular at all of our central IL ISA fly tying gatherings and fishing events. Six years ago Dave came over to our East Central IL ISA outing that I was hosting and asked if I would accompany him back up the Salt Fork river where he had many years before, landed his first 20" smallie. Only too happy to spend the day fishing with the man, I agreed and so the two of us set off to cover miles of water and yet we were to land very few fish on that occasion. It was just one of those days, but Dave never complained once, he just continued on fishing with that big smile on his face, reassuring me that he was just happy to be able to walk that water again. And that my friends is exactly the type of gentleman that he was. Gonna miss you Dave ! 035c by robow 77

Wow, now 5x often has 5 lbs breaking strength. Thanks for sharing.