[Mike Anderson]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I’m back in wait and see mode now. This is a purchase I just don’t want to rush into.

[Mike Anderson]

Zach I wish they would give permits to kill those things. Sometimes it seems as if there’s a GBH every 100 yards on most of the rivers around here. I’ve been to one of our spring creeks and caught fish after fish with GBH battle scares. No wonder Trout natural reproduction is so rare!

BD my guess is that since the Caney runs into Cumberland that Muskie were probably already in the Caney, now Centerhill lake naturally. I would love to know the areas that do get stocked if any. Region 4 has a very nice web page with all the stocking plans. Our region does not have a page like this yet. I hope there are plans to have one in the future.

[Mike Anderson]

Muskie are native to Tennessee but the Dams have pretty much wiped them out. I think Pike are an all together different story from what I’ve read. I’ve not read where Muskie have caused the same problems that Pike have. I don’t know what the difference is, maybe spawning success?

I’m not going to say Muskie won’t do any damage but the best Tailwaters in TN and KY are chock full of Striper. I have first hand knowledge that Striper have an ravenous appetite for Rainbows and Browns :-?. Yet despite the predation that takes place we sill have a thriving Trout population in these tailwaters.
I think Blue Heron’s do more damage to our fishery then anything in the natural world but nobody ever indiscriminately kills them. They do have a nice looking set of feathers though.

[Mike Anderson]

You know if they migrate far enough up some of the lakes feeder creeks they will eventually run into stocked waters. However these waters are only stocked during the spring and I wouldn’t expect there to be many holdovers due to the bucket brigades. One other location I have yet to explore is a main feeder to a very large reservoir that is stocked heavily with Trout and Muskie. I expect to find lake run Rainbows, Browns, and a healthy population of Muskie here. Not to mention the Smallmouth. I’m talking about Dale Hollow, home of the world record Smallie.

[Mike Anderson]

Yea I think these fish should be stocked anywhere that can support them.

Yes, that is my biggest to date.

[Mike Anderson]

Drifter I love fly fishing as much as the next guy but sometimes you gotta swallow your pride and go with what works. Sounds like you guys had a fun trip. My dream is to go to AK for a month or more someday.

Carter I don’t think these are Tiger Muskie. TWRA does show that they stock Muskie

[Mike Anderson]

I agree wolfy. I think since you don’t have rattles or the side to side wobble a Rapala has, then you should at least try to move lots of water. The Muskie’s lateral line sense includes rows of pores along each side and scattered over the body and head, even on the underside of the jaw. I read where some Muskie were blinded by cutting the optic nerve and they were still able to catch live baitfish. Another interesting thing I read is that they are almost devoid the capacity to respond to smell.

But, I’ve not caught one on a fly yet so the jury is still out.

[Mike Anderson]

20 pounds and about 43″.

Zach, winter time is the right time.

[Mike Anderson]

All the better fly rods are overpriced. Look at the outdoorbest forum and you can see why. There’s a post about buying a $600 rod with the idea that if I step on it and break it I’ll just get them to send me another one. Well guess what, at $600 you’ve already paid for that rod twice or three times. I mean who in their right mind steps on a $600 rod? Lifetime no questions asked warranties and this kind of thinking are why we are being raked over the coals for fly rods. This is why I just build my own, 1.they’re better, and 2 they’re much cheaper.

I bet if you compare the cost to manufacture and build a high end Sage in the US vs the amount to manufacture and build a TiCR in Asia I bet you would find the profit margin isn’t that much different. For example an Asian Scientific Anglers IM6 graphite rod that has good cork, nice wraps and finish, and casts great, can be sold for profit at Wally World for $19. I’m not knocking TFO just making an observation.

[Mike Anderson]

I have a black Ross Evo and a Lamson LS in silver that plan to use with it. I originally intended to put my blue Ross Evo on it but the colors don’t come close to matching. I really want one of these though…

This is going to be mostly used for casting shooting heads on Trout but since Striper also inhabit the river it is possible. It almost seems a waste to cast shooting heads on this rod now that I think about it.

[Mike Anderson]

1. The difference is more sacrificial anodes on a salty motor and they usually come from the factory with a Flush kit already installed. Beware when buying a used saltwater motor!!!

2. Without getting into the mechanics of it I would just recommend you go with a Four stroke. They have come along way and are much quieter, fuel efficient, and cleaner running then a 2. That’s all that you can buy in a new motor now anyways.

3. Not with a 4 stroke.

4. Yamaha, Honda, Mercury, Johnson, Evinrude

5 A three gives better top end (gets more boat out of the water) and usually is the faster prop. A four is faster out of the hole and usually a more stable ride (more boat in the water). This doesn’t really mean squat on smaller motors.

6. Knowing you Zach I would go either with the Max recommended HP or 5 to 10 over. The ratings vary alot. For a Gheenoe style boat a 25 is a good start. For a Carolina Skiff I think a 40 is about right.

[Mike Anderson]

Thanks!
Hey Steve I’m in the Boro. Zach you might not want to cast this one ;).

Ian if you can tie flies you can build a rod. It isn’t hard at all and the savings will pay for the equipment pretty quickly. I have around 12 hours in this one.

[Mike Anderson]

I really like last year’s clearance line, mainly because it’s cheap. I use alot of the Orvis lines as well and I usually find them for veeery cheap and they seem to last forever.

[Mike Anderson]

It is a fine rig indeed! I don’t remember exactly what that Honda retailed for but it was high. Over $3000 I’m sure. It has very few hours on it and it shows. Starts amazingly easy and is so quiet I could get very close to wildlife without spooking them. It is a gem of a boat Guys.

[Mike Anderson]

Do you guys think any of the Asian made reels will ever become a collectors item?

[Mike Anderson]

I used it and I just don’t have much confidence throwing it. The sinking line and floating fly is a deadly combo.

[Mike Anderson]

It was the Bass Flies VHS. Got both videos for $10. Yea, I still have a VCR….

[Mike Anderson]

Nice Mouse Zach. I don’t use mice but I have a few. I have had Trout hit a Zoo Cougar like a Bass while it was resting on the surface though. That was on the Caney.

Zach I don’t know which is harder, Deer hair flies or complex winged dries that will sit in the water right…. I hope to become efficient at both someday. Whitlock’s diving Frog is what really inspired me to get into Hair flies. That thing looks soooo real. At this time I don’t have a lot of motivation to tie dries.

I’m finding stacking is much harder then just spinning. the problem I run into with the multi colored ones is you don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like till you trim it.
In a way Deer Hair is to fly fishing what hard plastic is to gear fishing. You can sculpt it to look like anything you want. I’ve even seen a fly that looked exactly like a Rainbow colored Rapala jointed minnow that was made from nothing but deer hair and hooks

[Mike Anderson]

“stacking and spinning deer hair is something i definitely would like to learn to do.”

Me too! ;D

[Mike Anderson]

I omitted the weed guard which I think is an essential part of the fly body… I’m just getting the hang of stacking and flaring right now and was in a hurry to see results. I think I’ll keep at this stuff.

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