Recent posts

#71

The Gravel Bar / Re: What a game!

Last post by trout-r-us - April 01, 2024, 19:31:51 PM

Since online betting became a thing in NC recently, I signed up for FanDuel Sportsbook on Sunday. They had NC State +240 vs Duke. I'll always remember my first legal bet in North Carolina. Easy money. Plus they give ya 200 in Bonus Bets, which I turned around and placed right on the Wolfpack +340 vs Purdue. A log shot, but they're hot and it's easy to do when you are using their money. 😁

#72

The Gravel Bar / Re: Cool Tool

Last post by driver - April 01, 2024, 19:20:27 PM

I think Orvis has always been the biggest tool on the stream

#73

The Gravel Bar / Re: Cool Tool

Last post by Big J - April 01, 2024, 12:18:07 PM

I'm no longer the biggest tool on the trout stream. 

#74

The Gravel Bar / Cool Tool

Last post by Mudwall Gatewood 3.0 - April 01, 2024, 10:30:50 AM

https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/introducing-the-new-megatul-the-only-fly-fishing-tool-youll-ever-need?j=946269&sfmc_sub=103664338&l=16_HTML&u=229802993&mid=7236729&jb=7724&cm_mmc=orvisemail-_-spm-_-24_04_01_FullFile-_-2404_Br_AprilFools_Headline_01&adv=628350&e=0035f00000MnV7lAAF&et_cid=946269&src=0&bxid=103664338&SF_SCCID=0035f00000MnV7lAAF&icid=


Big J called to inform me he has ordered 2 of these gems. 

#75

Local Trip Reports / Re: Smith-Continued

Last post by Rhody - April 01, 2024, 09:15:34 AM

Get the 40 count and remember Christmas isn't that far away.....
I need the XXXL size staff both for height and overloaded weight permit needed.....

#76

The Gravel Bar / Re: Take A Hike

Last post by Dee-Vo - March 31, 2024, 19:30:08 PM

Got both of these done this weekend. Mayo River is pretty. I've always wanted to fish it. Salem Lake Trail is great. 7 mile loop. Lots of birds and waterfowl. We also saw a beaver, squirrels, and deer. Lots of firsts on my bird list at this place. Waterfowl are awesome, too.

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#77

Gear Reviews / Re: Gonna try again -- Euro

Last post by Phil - March 31, 2024, 13:53:25 PM

Good advice. I have enough trouble dealing with one fly.   

#78

Gear Reviews / Re: Gonna try again -- Euro

Last post by Woolly Bugger - March 31, 2024, 13:41:56 PM

Ok, I'm gonna try a euro nymph rod again. Figure I can't go too wrong -- ordered a Echo Carbon XL Euro 10' 3 weight for $179. Also ordered 8 lb Maxima and 4x SA sighter material for an ultra thin rig. I already have an Orvis Battenkill II large arbor reel that's not being used, will spool the Maxima to the backing. I'll post a review of the Echo rod later on....
Wish this old dog luck on learning a new trick.

I recommend using just one fly for a while, add the dropper once your confidence and casting (lobbing) improves.

#79

Local Trip Reports / Re: Smith-Continued

Last post by Woolly Bugger - March 30, 2024, 17:38:28 PM

#24 -- 32 Mostly sunny with a few scattered clouds upper 70s. Gas $3.36


I should have know better, its a holiday weekend but I went up to the river anyway with plans to whack a few more trout before I make a deliver to the Raptor Center. I stopped in at a nice little roadside run where I can usually swing up a couple of fish, but with that extra 50 cfs the wading is a little dicy and my knee started to complain so I didn't get to venture too far down. I hooked into a nice little brown that jumped before breaking off as I played it. I thought that it just unbuttoned, but once I inspected the tippet I realized that I had a wind knot and the fly broke off. Alex had his Hooligan with a couple of dudes anchored upstream. I headed out to another ez access spot, didn't even bother looking at the mirror plant.

There were three trailer rigs and several other trout bro vehicles in the lot but the run was empty so I jumped in. I got a few bumps and tugs as I worked my way downstream. A nice NRS Fishing Raft came down behind me, a dude with his pregnant wife and a toddler rounded out the crew. I hooked a pune and let it go before catching one that qualified as food for the birds and I whacked it but somehow it slipped from my grip, and I watch it float away on the swift current. Damn it. 

Back to casting and a few more bumps, then I stuck a low hanging tree branch, I grabbed my wading staff and powered over the knee-deep water to retrieve the fly. As I untangled it from the branch I saw my wading staff float away, awe crap! I was having issues with the clip as it would sometimes slip off the belt loop, and I was getting ready to replace it with a more secure carabiner. Too late for that now, and I was on the far side of the river without a staff to navigate back across the river. I carefully made my way back, that ended the fishing for me.

The couple with the NRS drove off in their Tacoma pulling the raft on a Road King trailer.

I've got a backup staff ready to go and an old metal one too at home, but I'm going to make another DIY staff to have on hand. I'm searching for some rubber handle grips with an inside diameter of 3/4" but google isn't helping me too much other that pointing me to a supplier that will ship 40 of the correct size to me for a price.

#80

Gear Reviews / Gonna try again -- Euro

Last post by Phil - March 30, 2024, 15:58:28 PM

Ok, I'm gonna try a euro nymph rod again. Figure I can't go too wrong -- ordered a Echo Carbon XL Euro 10' 3 weight for $179. Also ordered 8 lb Maxima and 4x SA sighter material for an ultra thin rig. I already have an Orvis Battenkill II large arbor reel that's not being used, will spool the Maxima to the backing. I'll post a review of the Echo rod later on....
Wish this old dog luck on learning a new trick.