Jacks Grampa

A.K Best, LaFontaine, Nemes and of course the Wulff's

I use mild dish soap and rinse well,dry and treat with Gink.

18 hours ago, Bill_729 said:

Nice fish!  : )

They get pretty big and healthy in Montana. We were scheduled to spend June there but Covid ruined that. We'll get back though. I married a Montana girl and have to take her home or she gets surly.

This kid's hooked on fly tying and fly fishing.

It is. One of the few older rods that are still going for pretty good money. My guide in Montana was the first to call it a "sniper rod". I may leave it to him in my will.

Lee Wulff said it looked like a piece of strawberry shortcake.

Sage 390RPL from 1991. It's my sniper rod.

16 hours ago, mikemac1 said:

Mark,

I’d add one more category for respect:  Respect regulations and laws.  One of the downsides of living and fishing in SW Montana  is the popularity of our fisheries which attracts a lot of out-of-state anglers during the summer.  Our stream access laws are great but too many non-resident anglers either don’t understand them or think they don’t apply to them.  I am always incensed (and I make my feelings known) when I encounter anglers who have obviously trespassed on private land to access the river.  They usually  express ignorance and are apologetic, but the damage has already been done.  You are not going to find a warden or sheriff patrolling the river and occasionally a ranch hand will confront a trespasser, but the real damage is the attitudes of the landowners.  And when access is discussed, landowners whose gates have been left open, fences damaged or land littered are usually not on the side of the angler.  We cannot tolerate anglers who don’t show respect for regulations and laws.

Well said. I have friends with some land along both sides of Sourdough Creek and they've had to put boulders blocking a trail to the creek to keep people from driving through their property to get to the creek. We had to cancel our June trip to Bozeman for the first time in nearly 40 years. I sure miss the fishing and breakfast at the Western.

1 hour ago, Sandan said:

Dude, get a net. Use it. If you're going to release the fish keep it in the water, don't be handling it so much. 

+1 get a net. You're tiring and handling those fish way more than is good for them.

I've had a number of Sages through the years and every one cast better for me with the next heavier line. Maybe that's because I don't even try to get 90 feet of line in  the air. Anything longer than 50ft. gives a fish a long time to spit the hook before I set it. I need to check out 2/0. The lightest I ever threw was the Orvis 1wt.

3 hours ago, Justin H said:

Thanks all

 

I agree completely Mike, in fact I frequently visit an abandoned quarry pond that few others go to (at least until the virus struck, seems it is a "popular" pond now), but it is crystal clear, and I have been skunked a few times by the bluegill there. It really is something watching a school of 8-12 inch gills examine your fly, turn their nose up at it, and swim off. Granted, there are days when you figure out what they want and you can't pull them out of the water fast enough too. Those days are fun!

That's when I tie on a dropper. Tackiest and gaudiest I have.

Teaching and tying with my daughter and 30 years later the same with my grandson.

I do truly enjoy sight casting to rising fish.

You're right. Don't let them look at it too long.

I think it's time for 23 and me.

Hoping to hear from Dr.Logic. Looks like he lives there but I'll google some places too. Or maybe check with the local Orvis store.

Thanks. I'll check them out.

Going to Charlotte to fish with the grandson but they haven't found a good spot yet. We won't have a boat. Thanks

1 hour ago, skeet3t said:

Have 6 out of 9 grandkids who like to fish. 14 yo grandson is into hunting and fishing. Got him a fly rod outfit for his birthday. Our local TU chapter has a monthly session for fly rod and tackle basics, fly casting, bug sampling to show what trout eat. Grandson had a good time and wants to go back.

Saw this- Get your kids into hunting and fishing! Then they won't have any money for drugs or alcohol!

We need to print that bumper sticker.

There are some salt water swimming pools here with coral Reefs and salt water fish but I don’t have any stainless hooks and don’t care to be shot for trespassing.

Anyone think this is gaudy enough to catch a Texas sunfish?

Well said Mark.

We were in Sitka once. I now understand the term Deep, Dark Forest and why parents told their children not to go in there. Quite an eye opener for this Texas boy.

Since mid march I've been on the water 5-6 days a week for 4-6 hours a day. Getting to know my way around the sweet spots.

I have one from a few years ago but don't remember them being scarce back then.