DrLogik

My Uncle fought in WW1 and brought home is 1911. It's long gone but I vividly remember him showing it to me as a young boy. He also had a 20 ga. Fox-Sterlingworth shotgun that he used on the family farm to put food on the table during the Depression. He gave it to my dad who gave it to me. I wish guns could tell their story....like a Vulcan Mind-Meld type thing. Although it's only a 20 gauge, it kicks like a little bastard, more than my 12 gauge 870. My uncle, his flag and his Fox-Stirlingworth.

That's a nice "feature"! And here I thought it was me.

I started out using a traditional Columbia vest 50 years ago, then a Filson Strap vest, then a Richardson Chest Fly Box (which I still use occasionally) but I now wear a belt that I made from military surplus pouches. I added suspender straps and I'm never going back. You can make a REALLY nice set up with a surplus "war belt" and utility pouches off of eBay. I made mine for under $100 bucks and it will never wear out, ever. The best part is I can fish all day and the back and neck never get tired.

No longer living? Reuben Cross. He was the pinnacle of the Catskill fly tyers in my opinion. The late Dave Brandt, a friend of mine, comes in right with Cross...and Dave was as humble as they come. Living? A.K. Best or Davey McPhail. Both are exceptional in their own way.

Brodin is shutting their doors and retiring. They make excellent nets and they are basically liquidating their current inventory. I picked up a Gallatin and it's beautiful. Better hurry they are running out fast. They have Gallatins and carbon fiber nets left and maybe a few more: https://www.brodin.com/

Silvercreek, brilliant idea! You can make your own and it's easy to do. I made them for my tippet spools and if you use smaller diameter tubing it works better for thread spools.

This doesn't help the current situation but that's why I leave a 3" tag end hanging off of the spool when I put them back into the drawer. The thing is, unless I'm diligent at keeping things straight I'll inevitably pull a 18" length of thread off a spool by accident just getting it out of the drawer.

If you want the originals (Radio Shack), they still sell them. I still have a handful of unopened packages of these as I use them to hold small midges when tying onto my tippet. https://www.radioshack.com/collections/tools-test-equipment/leads-clips

I had my eye on one of those back in the day. I ultimately bought a used Dyna-King Pro off of eBay; however, the design of the vise is utilitarian and it probably holds hooks with a death grip due to the long design of the jaws. Griffin made quality products back then. It's a keeper IMO.

Regal is pretty good about repairs. Call them.

I live in Charlotte and have been fishing that area for over 45 years. The Hunter-Banks Fly Shop is located in Ashville and is a good shop. It gets poopoo'd by some but they have always been cool to me. They can give you the best local fishing info. Most of the streams that are near Asheville will be pretty hard hit by fishermen. If you're willing to drive 45 minutes you can get on some really good water near Cherokee and even better waters in Bryson City. Some of the finest fishing in North Carolina, heck in the Southeast can be found on Hazel Creek, Eagle Creek and Forney Creek all near Bryson City. These are all streams that flow through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My favorite place to fish on this earth is Eagle Creek. Contact the Fontana Marina on Fontana Lake and arrange for them to ferry you over to the creek. Once there you will literally be on your own, pack accordingly. You'll be miles from any help at all; however, when you get about a mile or more up that creek it starts to look primordial. It's some of the best, most pristine Wild Southern Appalachian Brook Trout fishing anywhere. Hazel Creek is great to though and actually gets all of the accolades but also more fishermen. Fontana Marina can drop you off there also. So, if you're in to fishing stocked trout then by all means fish around Ashville, still very picturesque and you'll probably catch some fish too. However, if you want to experience the legendary Smokies, then opt for Eagle Creek. Take a camera, you'll want it.

I've seen one and wasn't impressed enough to buy it. I like simple.

Poopdeck, "Was he checking for undersized fish?" No, drugs and alcohol.

I don't use scissors. I prefer my sharp-napped flint to cut threat and hackle. All kidding aside, oh dang, that's a good idea right there! No more futzing around with nipping that stray barbule.

Years ago when I was solo backpack fishing deep into Nantahala forest in North Carolina for 5 days I handn't seen anyone, not even hikers. I remember a backpacking buddy of mine saying that because the area traverses the NC/TN border that most of the Wildlife Officers are also U.S. Marshall's and have cross-State authority anywhere they go. Anyway, I was fishing on a nice quiet stretch of the stream when I hear a voice behind me say, "Hello, can I see your fishing license?" I nearly jumped out of my wading boots!! He chuckled and said that he didn't mean to startle me. I figured, well, maybe he's gonna be ok. I produced my license, he asked me to empty my pockets (I was a young buck back then...), scrutinized me for a minute, asked a few questions and then said, "You know, a scruffy Hare's Ear nymph is killer on this stream". He told me to be careful since I was backpacking by myself and left. BTW, he was right about the Hare's Ear nymph. I tried one earlier with no luck but it was a freshly tied fly. I scruffed it up some after he left and presto! Cool guy.