Mark K

Donnie,

Man those look awesome!

Not to be dumb, but the purple rides on top right? Hook up, like a Clouser?

Is the purple rabbit too?

I had not noticed the the date or for sure I would have been there. I think if there was a little more discusion on the boards maybe a reminder email, you guys would have drawn a bigger crowd. You need to advertise better.

Based on past draw's there is no reason to believe the contrary.

Perhaps reschedule?

Depending on the date I will help out. Saturday's are best for me but depending on the date I'll be there on Sunday.

I would imagine they would work well in weighting a fly, just as a non-toxic wire wrap would. One of the benefits of using the barbell eyes and their positioning on the hook, is creating a fly that rides hook up, improving its ability to run snag free. Also, some like the effect of the eyes at the end of the barbells.

What he said.

You could also just wrap lead wire around the shank. But why? Without the eyes, a clouser is just another fly.

I'm messing around with Zonkers. Anybody using/tying them. Color preferences? Belly material. I tied a few using mylar tubing and lead tape but I am going to mess around with rattles also.

Any pictures you can post?

Here is what Rock Creek looks like today, standing on the foot bridge in the State Park.

Incredible.

Can't believe I am saying this, but........................LET IT RAIN!!!!

Ummmm...

If it rains anymore, I might be able to fish in my basement.

I am good at losing things.

Not this time though. Mine are in the garage.

Mark,

 

I found a pair of the Simms wrap around gravel guards like I saw you wearing the other day. If you may have forgot to put them back in the car , I have them.

 

Sorry to take a few days to post this but I was trying to remember who I saw wearing them.

thanks Norm. I'll check it out tonight.

It would not suprise me. I am good at losing things.

Mark:

 

 

I have suffix braid on all of my rods/reels. Ten pound on the spinners, and 20 pound on the casting reels...........I love it! Have not had any problems whatsoever. Sorry to hear that you have had some problems. Maybe perhaps you did get a bad spool. You are correct about the notch in the spool...............dumb idea.

 

 

Now, when it comes to Cortland Masterbraid. I tried it on my casting gear and absolutely hated it! It would backlash very easily and when it did backlash, I had the line snap twice costing me two baits. I hated the color of the line even when it was new. I would challenge anyone to compre cortland and Sufix braid and get back to me on what you honestly think. Ken D., can you honestly say you have tried Sufix for any length of time?

I fished my Daiwa SS today spooled up with Suffix from last year. Not a problem all day. Different reel, lures and line from last year.

I'm going to try one more spool.

It would not suprise me if they changed it, with the oil crunch al ot of companies are cutting corners. Of course it's one bad spool or maybe a just the fishing gremlins messing with me or a combination of all the above. That's why I threw the question out.

Anybody tried Cortland's new line of bait? It's called Masterb.....nevermind.

 

 

I fished Whalon the first Sunday it was open....caught 16 bass, largest was exactly 3 lbs. The DuPage River has been very productive lately... I fished it a lot over the holiday weekend... probably caught around 25-30 smallies, largest was approx. 21". Looking forward to some cooler weather & rain.

Were you in a boat? Yeah. it was really hot. It was getting to me. we went and got a few cold drinks, cooled off in BPS, then went to another pond. Did ell there.

Interesting.....

Is that what the OEM claims?

No. Better yet. It's what Mark K. claims. OEMs are usually complete liars. I only exaggerate. So take "totally abrasion resistant" and change it to "extremely abrasion resistant".

A moot point, since I'm cutting most of it off because of the little loops and knots it forms.

The problem is not abrasion resistance. It's the line is too damn limp and has no tolerance to line twist. Fireline does. It is slightly stiffer.

The initial spools I bought last year. Had no problems.

So I filled my Sahara up with 10 lb Suffix. I've been liking, no loving it till now. Not sure if I have a bad spool or they changed it. I went from loving it to, this is the worst line I have ever used.

This latest spool I bought has ZERO tolerance to line twist. It forms little loops and knots CONSTANTLY.

I'm using it on a new reel. From what i can tell. It's functioning fine. I have been using Flukes and Senkos, which can put some twist in your line, but I'm doing nothing different than in the past.

It's pretty expensive at 17 bucks a spool for a measly 150 yds. It has ridiculous, stupid, wasteful packaging that has to add to the cost and the spool it comes on sucks too. It has a big notch in it that catches the line and probably nicks it.

Last year, I started using it and really liked it. It hs some kind of coating that makes it totally impervious to abrasion. The color looks "weedy" to me, even when it fades. Nothing but good things to say about it...till now.

Anyone experiencing problems? Did they change something?

I was way off/just looking to see if ayone went to wahlon lake?Or I may just go to the Kank like I always do.

I took my son there today. Caught a few small bass. Gills around the shore were very small. It looks like it's going to be a very nice park, but I think it's going to get the bee-jesus pounded out of it.

Worth checking out if you are in the neighborhood. I woulsd try it in the evening or early morning.

I would think that some of the parks can still be accessed by parking outside the gate and walking in especially anywith river access.

This was forwarded to me by someone in my bike club Note in bold:

State to lay off 450 and close parks and historic sites

Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:21 PM CDT

By Kurt Erickson

kurt.erickson@pantagraph.com

UPDATED 2:20 p.m. SPRINGFIELD -- The Blagojevich administration is planning to lay off more than 450 workers and close nearly two dozen state parks and historic sites, including the David Davis Mansion and Moraine View State Park, in response to the state’s lingering budget impasse.

One union official described the plan as a "bloodbath" that will have wide-ranging effects on the services provided to state taxpayers.

The Department of Children and Family Services will lose 304 workers, while the Department of Human Services will be cut by 73 employees. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will lose 39 workers and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will be cut by 34 employees.

Parks targeted for closure include Moraine View State Park near LeRoy, Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County and Weldon Springs State Park in DeWitt County.

Historic sites that will close include the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, Lincoln Log Cabin near Charleston, the Bryant Cottage in Bement, the Cahokia Courthouse in Cahokia and Bishop Hill.

The cuts hit tree sites in Randolph County -- Fort Kaskaskia, Fort de Chartres and the Pierre Menard Home.

The historic sites will close Oct. 1 while parks will close Nov. 1.

Blagojevich has said the cuts are necessary because the governor slashed $1.4 billion from the state’s spending plan in July. He says the Democrat-controlled legislature wanted to spend more money than the state will receive in the coming fiscal year.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said the governor is trying to force the General Assembly to return to Springfield to approve new revenue streams.

’’I know he’s trying to make people feel the pain,’’ Luechtefeld said.

Jonathan Goldman, director of the Illinois Environmental Council, called the cuts ’’utterly appalling.’’

’’The governor is off at the Democratic convention in Denver hugging people. When he returns to Illinois there will be many families needing more than hugs,’’ Goldman said.

DNR spokesman Chris McCloud said park entrances will be locked Nov. 1. People who venture into the parks after that date could be charged with trespassing.

"These aren’t decisions we wanted to make," McCloud said.

The cuts come as other state agencies are grappling with the effects of the governor’s actions.

On Wednesday, Comptroller Dan Hynes said his office was poised to lay off workers. Other statewide officers have imposed hiring freezes and are asking whether some workers want to take early retirement in a bid to trim costs.

Secretary of State Jesse White is mulling whether to close some driver’s license facilities.

Blagojevich also has tied his plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center to the budget impasse.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union vowed to fight to keep its workers on the job.

’’Lawmakers should return to Springfield as soon as possible to take whatever action is necessary to fix the budget and stop these cuts,’’ AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Henry Bayer said.

The cuts at the Department of Natural Resources are troubling to some lawmakers because the agency has already lost scores of workers.

’’It’s obviously unfortunate,’’ said state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle.

Granberg, who is retiring as a lawmaker, said it will be a challenge rebuilding the state park system if money is ever restored to reopen them.

’’It’s going to be a hard road,’’ Granberg said.

on one of the talk shows i heard that blago did this while most politicians were at the convention.thereis still some hope when they get back. rich

Yeah. Did hear about them all "hugging". Probably should get used to it when they are all cell mates...maybe in a year or two. What a barrel of !@#$.

I heard a quote from Blago, yesterday. "I think I'm a great governor." What a tool.

Channahon State Park? there were a zillion people ther last time I was there!

Rather amazing that it held together. I bought my son a number of cheap spin cast outfits, what a waste of money. Cheap crap. These were not even "toy" outfits.

I finally bought him a 40 dollar glass tip ugly stick/ shakespear spinning combo. I loaded it with 10lb Suffix, the tail end of a 150 yard spool. Then I can change tippets, appropriate for the situation.

He's caught lots of big fish and we fish a lot.

i think it was Al Lindner that said, "Never hand a kid something you would not fish with"

He did want the Roland Martin Rocket fishing thing-a-ma jig for Xmas. Roland Martin.... snake oil anyone?

Needless to say. Santa brought a Wii instead.

Sounds great, throw the same baits you use for LMB. Keep them large. Finesse and topwater mostly- then a middle water column bait.

 

Read about reading moving water and how it affects fish.

Good advice.

In the kank:

most lures 2-4" will catch fish.

Keel weighted jigs, like keeper hooks and Slider type won't get hung up a lot. Most other jigs will. Big time.

Flukes are great. I use a 3/0 EWG.

Spinnerbaits in low visibility, white on white.

Topwaters. Almost any.

Buzz baits. Don't leave home without them.

I'm looking to set up a tackle box strictly for smallmouths and I was looking for any suggestions on lures to add. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to do mostly river fishing (wading).

What is your skill level? Do you bass fish currently? Have you ever jig fished before? How heavy of a rod are you using? Where are you planning to fish-what stream(s).

I have not fished a Sneaky Pete much, but if you like a little more subtle topwater, Deer hair works real nice.

Mark:

 

thanks for the link, but my computer at school has been blocked from that site due to "hate speech".????????? Is there any other site where I can see their products?

try here. Looks like there are other brands too. They make some bigger sizes for smallies too.

http://www.bluegillbugs.com/

Jonn,

These are 5 bucks apiece, but they are primo bugs:

http://www.booglebug.com/

Very durable, super sharp hook. Really nice.

Mark

Forgot to mention. I stiffened the wing above the eye with flexament. It gives the fly a nicer shad profile and acts a bit as a weed guard.

This is a Dave Whitlock pattern I have been tearing up small to medium sized largemouth with. It looks really awesome in the water. I have not been a good clear water smallie situation to throw it yet and to be honest i think it needs some work as it is a hair too boyant. It's kind of a time consuming fly to tie also. As it stands, though it's a very realistic fly and they hit with recklessness.

It's a 9395 hook, bent at the nose. The body is icelandic sheep hair. Grey, white and yellow. Pearl Krystalflash, Silver Flashabou, the wing at the top is a hackle. The gilcover a flank of mallard. The "eye" dotted on with a Sharpie and painted with Flexament. Finally I used a stripe of easter hay, to give it that irrescent pearly look. The fly is pretty translucent in the water. It has a beautiful action.

This one has been mangled by a LOT of fish. They are even prettier just out of the vise.

Dave Whitlock has a video sold thru Bass Pro. He takes you thru tying it step by step. Also some fantastic, instruction on spinning deer hair, of which he is a master.

I met him he's a cool guy too.

Overline by a weight is best suited to the larger wt. rods or the very fast tip flex rods. A 6 wt. which bends into the middle of the rod ( medium or progressive action) will not handle long casts with a 7 wt line. Also at 6 to 7 wt the gap(# of grains) becomes larger making the effect worse. Add to that many lines such as Rio clouser & outbound are really 6 1/2 wt. Don't be in a hurry to overline & do not buy your only or first line for a rod oversize. Lefty Kreh says that at times underlining a rod will make it perform better. Its complicated by the rod action, skill & needs of the caster & lenght of cast & size of fly.

This is very good advice. Especially regarding the Clouser lines.