Steve S.

Do it, its a beautiful area and awesome for herps. Your camera(s) will get a good workout. Just watch closely for venomous snakes as there are plenty. Use caution, even around the smallest ones. It's tempting to flip a rock or log but you have to be really careful as those baby snakes blend right in, even on the trails. Pretty cool to find green treefrogs there; you feel like you're somewhere other than IL.

What sad news, such a terrible disease. No one should have to suffer like this. Wishing them peace and comfort.

I agree Mark, I would've liked the book in a larger format and in hardcover.

Had a good laugh, thanks

Congrats Terry and thank you

I fished my 8.5' Fenwick Feralite a couple of years ago on the Menominee. While it was fun, I did find my casting stroke was too fast for the slow action and it was hard for me to adjust. I also have an Epic 686, and while its a bit better suited to my casting style, I still find its easier to cast my Sage One. Do you two have trouble adjusting to the fast action rods of today?

no problems for me

I have a friend that has fished it, pretty much reported what Gordon said. Very clear water, lots of bass but mostly +/-14" range. He also reported some musky follows but no takes, if that interests you.

I had a bunch of 60's leftover that I used for tying Fodders and they worked well for the Clousers as I like to tie them in larger sizes. Plus, its about the only fly I can tie!

I fly fish barbless exclusively and I honestly don't sense any difference in lost fish rates. That being said most fly line has a fair amount of stretch and it's possible the shock absorption might help when fish lunge and jump. I'm guessing keeping a tight line is important to keeping fish on the line, barbless or not. Had a trip with my Dad a couple of weeks ago. He fishes 6 lb Trilene XL and small baits. We were floating the Upper Miss for big smallies and he kept missing bass throughout the morning. I finally convinced him to switchover to my rod, which had 10 lb super line and his hookup ratio improved greatly. My feeling is the lack of stretch in the line helped compensate for his hook setting efforts. Good to see boys getting out fishing!

My friend has one, he says its pretty heavy but he'll deal with it as it's pretty awesome so far. I don't think he's gotten it out on a river yet but he's in Door County now, so I expect a more thorough review.

Good luck Mike and thanks for all the years of service and efforts!

How many of the trout survive a typical summer in IL? Not sure if there is enough spring fed water coming into the Rock to provide suitable habitat that would sustain a population of a cold water species like the trout. I don't think they compete with smallmouth for food source or habitat for very long, but I tend to agree with Mike in that I frown upon the voluntary introduction of non-native species. Protecting the genetics of a native species fishery should be a priority. There is something cool about knowing that the genetics of the smallmouth have been passed down for generations in a self-sustaining fishery like the K3 and we should aim to keep it that way.

Haha, once you start fly fishing there is no saving money! Enjoy!

Yeah, saw/heard them in Hillside too

Yup, no trees!

That's cool

My 8 weight Sage X is probably the best smallmouth rod I've owned to date. Newer rod technologies have improved the weight and feel. Plenty of feel and very easy casting all day. I like fishing big flies and big rivers and 7-8 weights have been most efficient for me. One thing for sure is I own way too many rods.

Yup

Refraining from commenting...................

I never have a problem with my stickies around here (Fox, K3, Dupe), but felt is the way to go if you are on a freestone type water. I had several stream dances on my recent trip to NC; felt for sure when i return.

saw them at lunch in Hillside too

The ratchet on the top of the line Simms is the on the ankle, which I thought was odd. There were complaints about discomfort on the ankle but I also thought the location was in a spot that could get damaged easily. I try to buy Made in USA whenever I can. At this point in my life I feel I can afford to support these products. Hopefully there is more movement towards this in the fishing industry. It appears Orvis is slowly transitioning back to making their products here but it's a rough market to compete in.

I just spoke to a salesperson at Orvis about the BOA. He has never had an issue with them nor has he seen a pair come back to the store for replacement. I worry about the mechanism breaking or seizing up with ice. Not sure if that's a reasonable concern but I like the concept of no laces. Been researching Simms and Orvis models online.