DFoster

Thanks Silver i’m not sure if we have enough time at this point to get one, but I will look into it

Thanks for the good advice. We have been warned about the pickpockets and uncaring police from my brother in law who is a United Captain. We are actually going to use small sling packs worn in front during crowded locations. These have multiple zippered pockets and will force any would be thief to have to guess. In my experience thieves always look for the easiest target. Even at home I always keep my wallet in my front pocket but I also will keep it on the bottom of the main compartment under my water bottles with the pack worn in front. We are travelling with another couple so we will have 4 sets of watchful eyes which is a good thing. As the police are not going to be any help at all so we are doing our best to make sure we don't need them in the first place. It's sad that we need to take these precautions in a 1st world country but when in Rome-

Thanks guys!

Next week I'm off to Italy with my wife for 12 days. Were taking a semi structured tour of the country so I don't expect to squeeze in any fishing. I am hoping to find myself in at least one of the Italian fly shops at some point during the trip to purchase a memento or two. Furs and feathers are out because I don't want to have to deal with customs any longer than necessary after the long flight home. Neither of us are Italian but my wife has a fascination with Italy, it's food and culture and as this is our 20th anniversary year so... I'm excited to go, I know we will eat well and it will be an amazing life experience but I hate leaving New England in the beautiful Autumn. Lately the cool, crisp mornings here constantly draw my thoughts to fishing. At this time of year it is inescapable for me and normally the vacation time I'm using for Italy would be reserved for long, wonderful days on a stream. That will have to wait until October though, this week is about packing and trip preparations. We have a wedding for a friend this weekend followed by the long flight out.

I'm with you George- I often pass right over the new fangled foam hoppers for a 100 year old Catskill pattern. The foam flies work, but there's something about fishing the traditional stuff I just can't resist.

Fat beauties, it’s always great to find a new spot!

A couple that I caught on Saturday morning. I tried to get a better photo of the rainbow but she was having none of it, the brookie was a little more cooperative.

That's a really nice Crappie!

Wow- nice fish!

From the smoker- brisket and meatloaf. Sides- corn, potato salad and tomato/cucumber salad with feta. My only complaint was the terrible low carb beer. 🤢

Well I guess that's me Bryon- personally I'm never disappointed with catching wild trout and their size is truthfully irrelevant. They all beautiful as far as I'm concerned. I fished the stream pictured on this post again on Saturday. In 2 hours of fishing I had what I consider to be a great morning, hooking 4 wild trout with 3 making it to the net. I'm thankful that most anglers don't want to put in the at the time and effort into chasing such small fish. Blue line fly fishing can be frustrating but it also has it's rewards.

Lol- glad I could help!

Nice tying area! I'm a little more specialized in my tying, focused on Trout and Small Mouth flies. My employer told me once that I'm "hyper organized", well maybe. I've posted before that I hate wasting time hunting for things that I know that I have but can't find because they are hidden underneath a pile of things that I didn't know that I had. The "bomb went off" bench works for some, but not for me. I keep my hooks and beads in compartment boxes. The Planko style ones with the really small sections. I dump the beads or hooks into their compartment then cut the label off the package and drop it on top so I know what it is. They stack nicely. Craft stores also offer jewelry bead organizers which are really nice but more expensive. Here are some photos of my tying area and an example of the hook boxes. I'm not a professional tyer but the same concepts regarding organization hold true no matter how much stuff you have. I hope this helps you out.