rstaight

I no longer have children in school. But as said above someone paid for my public education. Actually, we need more money for schools. I see it everyday in manufacturing. We have some very bright kids coming out of school and are excellent candidates for jobs. But for the most part no. Foriegn educated students do appear to be better prepared. Everyone is not capable of setting behind a desk.

I have a base made out of corian counter top material. A base doesn't have to be heavy. Just large enough to be stable. And you would be surprised how small that may appear.

Welcome, you well find a lot of good folks here. Have a question, you will have an answer. Want constructive criticism, you will get it. Plenty of complements along the way also. Again, welcome.

Even being tone deaf I bet you had a good time. That, is what it's all about. I have seen adequate or less then adequate players make a career out of music. I have also heard some awesome players that never get the opportunity. Keep at it. The biggest mistake I ever made was to not take the opportunity to play country and bluegrass professionally. Had I done that I would have not set the guitar down like it did. I would be a much better player today. It is going to take some time to get back where I was. Just keep playing.

If bluegill got to 10lb they wouldn't as hard. For freshwater I do love the spunk of the panfish family. For saltwater, for me anyway, its redfish.

Used to give lessons years ago. I always tell people you only need to satisfy yourself. Take some lessons and learn to read music. Learning that will help with rhythm enough to be at least adequate and provide the enjoyment.

Welcome from Indiana.

I started playing guitar when I was about 10. Be 60 in a couple of months (dang). All but put them down in the early 80's. Would pick up one once in a blue moon. In 2007 we were on a small music store that sold Indiana guitars. I looked at one and bought it. Was a decent instrument for the price. Still didn't play much. A couple of months ago we were in the same shop and looked at one with a cut out body. Told my wife that would be nice to have because I didn't have one like it. That got me to playing regularly again. Last month I picked up a Takamine 12 string. Always wanted a 12 string but I never picked one up that played like this one. I told my wife that I bought the guitar I was talking about. Now, any of you guys who are married know the look. This was stronger than normal. I thought oh crap. She went into the spare bedroom and pulled a box out from under the bed. Pushed it over and said Merry Christmas. Said I would take the 12 string back and she said keep them both. Pictured are the 3 acoustic guitars I am playing now. The one on the right is an Indiana Scout. The one on the left is an Indiana Madison, the Christmas gift. The one in the middle is the 12 string Takamine. Just need to find some folks to play country or blue grass.

Ditto

I used to work side by side with a young lady that had her own observatory in her back yard. The local arboretum would ask her to give a presentation every now then. To listen to her talk about the heavens was fascinating.

If have worked in union and non union shops. Steeldrifter, I agree with your assessment. As far as the USPS, their business model has always been that of a non profit. It is government ran orginazation that is required to cover its cost. With that being said, I wonder how much longer it will be in existance.

Son of b---h, I be damn. Going to have to try that one.

I had a plant manager who fly fished when was still home in Scotland. His wife took his favorite fly out of his box (silver butcher) and had it made into a resin paperweight.

Nice hopper wr1nkles. Hoppers aren't just for the summer. You can use them in the spring and fall also.

The only way I can seem to remember what river in in or near Philadelphia is to give a goofy name in my mind. So for Wissahickon I think of wash-a-chicken.

What?, cheaper than Mike?. Never thought anyone would admit to it. I to will substitute materials. Not be cause I'm cheap, it's that my tying time is precious to me. I don't get to tie that often and when the time is there I don't want to run all over h*ll's half acre looking for some material. I will use what I have. I will make a note of what I needed and then purchase it when I have the opportunity to get to a fly shop.

Yes to all three. I do find myself tying more variants, established patterns tweaked for the place I am fishing.

Welcome from Indiana.

I like it.

Welcome, I am an old machinist you somehow wangled is butt into an engineering position without a four year degree. I have also thought about building a vise. Have some basic drawings and an idea in the gray matter. Since I work in a union shop now I can't walk up to an empty mill or lathe a start cranking out parts. Some day I will get it done. Anyway, welcome, lots of great folks here.

I didn't get in the swap but I sure would love to see some pictures of the knife.

My buddies and I have talked about the "22" club. A 22 inch fish on a size 22 fly. I have tied down to a size 32 just to do it. I used my desk lamp with magnification, wore 2.75 power reading glasses, and my fishing hat with flip focals. Of course this was before bifocals. I don't believe I have fished with anything smaller than a size 20 dry.

I have had great results with the Whiting bugger packs.

I believe OfficeMax was purchased by Office Depot who in turn was purchased by Viking Office Supplies in Sweden. Or something like that.

Mike, That is one technique I have seen. The other is to use a saddle shackle. Palmer front to back then come back to the front. The "cork" screws will counter each other.