[Mike Tolbert]

Let me know what you think of the NAUTILUS CCFX2 reel if you get a chance to look at it.

http://www.nautilusreels.com/estore/details/155510

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Travis,

Thanks for following up. I just ordered a 10wt TFO Mangrove rod for striper and some salt water fishing.

The 4/0 600SP hooks look serious! Do you tie your own flies? I don’t have the equipment so I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations where to purchase decent striper flies. None of the local fly shops seem to have them.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Zach, it’s like taking candy from a baby… I am envious of Mike Cline and all those other fisherman that live within a few hours driving distance of Yellowstone.

Slough Creek was definitely my favorite area because I enjoy being away from everything and the scenery there is amazing. I am hoping to do a 2 or 3 night backpacking trip next time we visit yellowstone. http://www.trailguidesyellowstone.com/yellowstone_backcountry_campsites/slough_pebble_creek_campsites.php

[Mike Tolbert]

Thanks Zach! I updated the post to include the video of the Fox, as well as a video of the cutthroat that got away. Neither are great quality unfortunately and Youtube muted the “Bob Dylan-Subterranean Homesick Blues” song we had playing on the radio which really made the video I think. Oh well :\

[Mike Tolbert]

Haha! You got that right David! Good times….

[Mike Tolbert]

Nice post Travis! May I ask what size rod you used to reel in that beast?

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Son of a Biscuit Basin Mike Cline! You are indeed the man. I’m so excited right now. My wife decided a week or so ago that she was not going to fish with me (she’s as green as a newbie can get) and instead just drive around and take photos while I reel in the big one. However, after reading your post I’m pretty sure I can convince her to fish with me. I certainly have my work cut out for me because she hasn’t been trying to learn so the next two weeks I’m going to do my best to bring her up to speed on the basics (casting, knot tying, etc)… Man I’m excited!

THANK YOU for the VERY detailed recommendation, Mike. I owe you and I’ll definitely post a full report. I hope Holly (wife) will get hooked and we spend a decent amount of the trip fishing.

[Mike Tolbert]

Great post and photos Mike! The wife and I are going to be camping at Madison Campground on July 2nd thru July 6th. The campground isn’t too far from Firehole. I’m not sure where you were fishing exactly but we will be close to Firehole river upstream of Firehole falls.

Do you expect the fishing in this area (Madison/Firehole) to be slow this year during the first week of July? If so, do you have any recommendations for other areas that are nearby?

Regretfully, we don’t have a lot of time (4 days) so I’m looking for places I can get into some fish near the campground for an hour or two in the morning and evening before we go driving around site seeing. However, we do have plans to make the 1hr 30min drive to Slough Creek for a hike and some fishing one day.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

After trying on many different waders, reading a bunch of reviews and listening to all the great advice on this forum, I finally decided to go ahead make the big investment. I tried my best to not just go the Simms route, but in the end I purchased the Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Waders from Blue Ridge Fly Fishing shop. I’m pretty confident I made the right decision given the dense shrubbery / bushes I’ll be getting into here in North Georgia and the Appalachian mountains.

Getting into fly fishing has seriously increased my desire to take more trips back home (Arkansas) where my family and a lot of friends live, because I know I’ll get a chance to fish the white river while I’m there. However, next up I’ll be taking my first trip to Yellowstone in a few weeks with the wife. We’re only going to be there for 4 days so I’m not sure how much fishing we’ll get done, but I’ll at least get a good taste of it.

Thanks again for all the great feedback!
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Jeff, I am surprised I haven’t heard more people mention Patagonia. I tried on the Patagonia Skeena River Wader this week and I was impressed. Patagonia waders feel more comfortable than Simms waders to me.

Right now I’m leaning towards going with the Patagonia Skeena’s, or Orvis Silver Sonic Convertible if I decide to go the cheaper route.

[Mike Tolbert]

Thanks for all the great feedback folks. I’m going to go try some different waders on soon and then make a decision. I may go the eBay route if i can find a good deal. Really appreciate all the feedback.

[Mike Tolbert]

Great feedback Tim! Does anyone know if the Simms lifetime warranty still applies if purchased used on eBay?

[Mike Tolbert]

Zach,

Thanks for the quick reply. I actually tried a white and green clouser but they didn’t go for it. Maybe it was to big.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Zach,

I’ve been fly fishing on the white river (Beaver Dam) this week and seen a lot of what I think may be schools of white bass travelling in groups of 10 or 15. They are all over the place right now. I’m not sure if they are white bass or not, but they look like little sharks.

If they are white bass, what type of flies do you recommend? I had many chase after brown/green/black marabou jigs, but only one hooked up and then got away as I was reeling him in. I also tried woolly buggers. I didn’t have any white marabou jigs or streamers or I would have tried them. I read white bass like white jigs a while back.

On the bright side, I have caught 3 trout. They like the really small midges (22 size). I haven’t had much luck with any bigger flies. I’m guessing it is because the water flow has been so slow. They haven’t been generating much this week from the Beaver.

Thanks,
Mike

[Mike Tolbert]

Hilarious! I love the guy with two thumbs up. 🙂

[Mike Tolbert]

Sounds good to me! I’ve been fishing the white river this week. Caught 3 rainbows. 🙂

[Mike Tolbert]

Just thought I’d follow up. I’ve been able to get out on the river a few times since I put on the GPX line and it feels a lot better. It seems weird, but that little change made a big impact.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[Mike Tolbert]

Thanks for the feedback Teresa! I sort of felt like going the starter kit route would be the wrong direction. It would probably just end up giving me too many options and the tools would probably be cheap. I’m going to start out on the cheap side for sure, but I figured there has to be some cheaper tools that folks on here would recommend over others. I’m not in a huge rush, plus I haven’t successfully convinced the wife the value yet. 🙂

Anyway, I totally agree with your approach. I was thinking I would start out with a few simple flies, like y2k and San Juans for the Amicalola river (nearest river to me), and then some midges for the Toccoa river which is the next closest (big) river to me.

[Mike Tolbert]

For someone that is considering the idea of tying some flies myself, would you guys recommend going with a starter kit or piece it out?

Where do you guys buy your supplies?

I’m thinking I would only need a whip finish tool, a vise, a bobbin, some hooks, beads, wire, and thread to to get started. I’m sure I could find some scissors laying around the house.

I’m thinking I could start off tying midges and then branch out from there if I get hooked.

[Mike Tolbert]

That is awesome Rob!

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