Fly Fishing Size Don't Matter

Got up this morning and looked out the bedroom window. Yup, its snowing good in Northern Colorado. Also, supposed to be heavy snow this weekend and cold. Sounds like a perfect time to stay indoors and tie flies, read a good fly fishing book, or watch fly fishing video's if you have nothing else to do and honey-do's can wait. So, I am going to do something here that is sort of out of the normal for me. I came across a video that I liked pertaining to fly fishing warm water and rivers in particular for warm water fish. I thought it was very well done and set the mood for me this morning. Hope you enjoy.
**** A thank you should go to David Frazier for sharing this great video!

Pond Stalker 2015 and Beyond

From the ponds in and around Loveland, Colorado.

I am a retired Fly Fisher & Fly Tyer who has spent most of his fly fishing past chasing Trout in Stillwaters across the Western United States with brief excursions on small streams and warmwater ponds.

I won't make any attempt to mislead anyone here,  I have loved fishing lakes and ponds for years.  My passion has always led me to these waters and the fun they offer to the flyfisher and fly tyer.  Although, most trips out were for chasing the big trout that lakes produce, my secret passion has been the fun of fly fishing for Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish, and other assorted warm water fish.  I am currently taking an interest in getting to know more about fly fishing for Bass.  Perhaps even some Carp in the future.  One step at a time you Ol' Geezer, I remind myself!

Living in Northern Colorado where I do offers plenty of opportunity for me to chase my dreams in warm water fly fishing and fly tying.  What I love most about it is that I can drive less than (15) minutes from my home and be on the water with a chance at a good time.  Economical, time saving, and, that word "FUN" again.  Which in turn means more fishing and tying time for me.   I am also very Grandchildren oriented so I have plenty of other activity to keep me busy so time on the water still needs to be worked around everything else.  

I, also, have to be a very budget oriented Geezer.   Being a Senior Citizen on a fixed budget requires that I spend my money wisely and my time efficiently.
I take great pleasure in keeping my fly fishing time as simple as possible.    From the gear I use to the techniques I use. It works! 

 Please take the time to look around on my blog and enjoy what is here. Your support is greatly appreciated! 

Please ignore this silly box here showed up and won't go away!!!!!

The "After Christmas" Owl......And Cabin Fever......

In my last post, I referred to receiving an after Christmas package of fly tying goodies from
 Owl Jones Art & Design.

It was packed full of a number of different fly tying goodies that Owl thought I could use this winter.  As I said, previously in the other post, he sure went out of his way to make a guy on the other side of the U.S.A. one happy old dude.  While I won't get into what all was sent along too me, I will make note of something here that I hope my readers take a close look at.

Pictured here are a couple of beautifully painted and tied Zazzy Poppers meant to be tossed for some ornery Largemouth Bass hiding under cover of whatever.  I just wanted to say, while I am not a skilled Popper fly rod angler, I certainly plan on giving these a go when the ice comes off the ponds.  Better yet, on through the summer morning and evenings also.  I have checked these two out and they are well tied and appear indestructible as far as the Popper head goes. I will give a review of how the Zazzy's do after they have been used a bit.

Now on to another point about Owl Jones.  Owl is a very active fellow.  Along with his successful Artwork, Owl is back on board the fly fishing blogging scene with his latest efforts.  Owl's new blog is called Fishlicker.  If you have read or tuned into some of Owl's past activities on the blogging scene you know he is a very talented writer, very funny when he wants to be, and, a pretty darn good fly angler to boot.  Do me a favor and get over and visit Owl's blog and say hello and let him the Pond Stalker is saying things about him..................................

Owl has also just began his winter time production line for his Zazzy Poppers.  He does keep it seasonal at this point,  So if you are interested in picking up some of his custom made Poppers check out his Zazzy Popper Facebook page.
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, about that Cabin Fever stuff.  It sets in every year about this time out my way in Colorado.  Just can't wait to get out on some open water and fling a fly.  You know you can only watch so many fly fishing videos or tie up so many Wooly Buggers during the winter.  Anyway, I wanted to share what my BlogBuddy Josh has been up too over at Something's Fishy.
Josh has been trophy trout fishing with a fly.....................................................................
You will enjoy this, I did..........................................................

Comes The Dawn...............................

Every picture tells a story...........................

Bass Pond

(Please double click to see enlarged picture)

10/15/2014:
Spent (2 and a 1/2 hours) on the water this morning.......
I was interested in Stalking some Bass..................
They were not interested in me..................
Research and Development required...............

Featured BlogBuddy - Dave From Fishn' Dave

Well, here it is August, and, July is gone!  Colorado had some definite rains come during the month so fishing was hit and miss for me.  A couple of hours here, a couple more hours there, and so it went. Trying to get out in the best time of day for fishing the ponds is tough enough, but, when you are fighting the thunder storms and lightening strikes, that is whole other thing all together.

Anyway, time for me to give a salute to another of my BlogBuddy friends who make this blog a fun place for me to hang out when I am not fishing.  Say hello to Dave from Fishn' Dave.

I have been an avid reader of Dave's blog for quite awhile now and have really spent some quality time on his site reading and learning more about warm water fly fishing.  I have commented on Dave's blog regularly, and he in return, has been very willing to share information on fly gear, fly patterns, and fish species, or whatever questions I may have.  I have never met Dave personally, but, think I would sure like too.  We have a lot in common as far as our approach to warm water fly fishing.  Dave's blog focuses on the fish and waters/ponds of Iowa that hold Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Catfish etc.

Enough already, right! Dave certainly had had a great season of warm water fly fishing to this point in time.  It is easy to see how Dave's has become one I look to reading as soon as he publishes a new post.  

Dave is also a fine fly tyer also.  I have picked his brain on fly patterns for awhile.  From Streamers for Crappie and Bass, too, Poppers for surface fishing for Bass and Bluegill.
Here are a couple of patterns I have picked Dave's brain about.

               Let me wrap up this post by saying I am proud to feature Dave as my

 Next time that you are checking out other blogs stop on over to Dave's Blog and let him know that the Pond Stalker sent you his way.  If you like warm water fly fishing you won't be disappointed.

Confidence On The "Fly"

STAYNER DUCKTAIL

Many of those of us who tie flies seem to be always tinkering at the vise.  Working on coming up with that "Hot" new pattern that all the fish will just go nuts on this year out on the water.  Be honest now, if you have tied much or for sometime anyway, invariably, this has run through your mind.  Or, perhaps you just want to modify a certain established pattern a little bit.  That will make it a new fly right and all your fly fishing friends will credit you with be the creator of a great new pattern.  Especially, if it catches fish, and, you give them a handful to try!  Well, ya' know, you know the story from here.  There truly is probably not a snowball's chance in Hell that somebody, somewhere hasn't already thought of that or tied that pattern up during a session at the ol' vise.

How many fly patterns does an angler need to carry with him or her for a day of fishing? Well, that is a topic for another post sometime, somewhere else.  The point I would like to make here is that it really is a matter of confidence when you tie and fish a fly that works for you.  Both, at the vise, and, on the water, if you have confidence in that fly you will concentrate more when tying them and fishing them.  Why? Because you know they work and you have been rewarded with many a memory of a day{s} on the water when you caught fish after fish on that fly.  Call it what ever you want, but you know, that "Fly" is going to produce more times than not.  You have confidence on the water and confidence on that "Fly" It has become one of your favorite flies that you know you can always lean on when the weather, or the fish, or both are playing hardball with you!  Now, that is a lot said in order for me to introduce you to one of those "Flies" for me.

The Stayner Ducktail was made popular by Ruel Stayner of Twin Falls, Idaho, back many years ago.  Ruel, designed this fly to imitate Perch in the local stillwaters in Idaho.  Little did he know at the time what he really had on his hands with the creation of this pattern.  This pattern went on to become extremely popular in the stillwater fly fishing circles.  I was a member of the "Float Tube Navy" out of Boise, Idaho area.  The Float Tube Navy spent their time learning the concepts of stillwater fly fishing from a float tube and fishing many of the great lakes of the Rocky Mountains. The Stayner Ducktail became the go to fly for many of us back in the day.  It was fished with a sinking line of some sort and fished very well for Trout, Bluegill, Crappie, Bass etc. etc.  It became legendary! Now, I will add to this, that it not only became a legendary, local pattern, but a pattern whose success goes far beyond that.  The Stayner Ducktail has been fished on the rivers in Russia, on the big ponds of New Zealand and Australia, and, for the the giant Rainbows that reside in the lakes of Argentina.  Sadly, not by me, but I have seen many photos of big fish from these waters from friends who made trips to these magnificent waters.  Please bare with me as I recall a story once told to me by my fly fishing mentor, the late Ken Magee of Boise, Idaho.  Ken and several friends from the Boise area had made the trip to Russia and paid for guides to fish some of the great rivers.  He said that they had a really difficult time understanding what the Russian guides were saying, and, particularly what patterns they should use.  None of them had any of what they needed!  So, the group decided they will just fish with Stayner Ducktails.  A Rainbow Trout is a Rainbow Trout, right?  Long story short, Ken and the group had a terrific trip fishing Stayner Ducktails for big, Russian trout!  

There are more stories I could tell, but, let's refocus on the tying of the Stayner Ducktail.  Now, I might be able to tie Stayner Ducktails with anybody, but, I don't shoot video.  Being the subject just gets me all discombogulated!  So, I have done a You Tube search and found a very good fly tying video for you to watch and learn how tie the Stayner Ducktail.  Hope you enjoy watching and tying this great pattern.  Beware warm water fly fishers of the guy fishing the Stayner Ducktail!

Are Bass Dumber Than Trout?

Really, or is that just propaganda?  Read on BlogBuddies and let me know what you think?  First off,

Let me explain where I am coming from.  Like many others, I am sure throughout our country, I am still waiting for the opportunity to get into some sort of regular fly fishing mode with the 2014 season.  I mean weather, well, has been really weather here on the Front Range of Colorado.  If the wind is not blowing 30 - 40 MPH, then you have weekends like this one.  Wet rain and snow! I hope the weather man is wrong, but, they had predicted 4 - 6 inches of snow in some areas.  Can we just go fishing and get on with the season for crying out loud. 

Anyway, while I wasn't fishing today, I did manage to hit my local fly tying supplier for a few things I needed to tie up some Bluegill nymphs and a few other things from my "Stuff" list.  My wife just smiles and sends me on the way.  She knows better than to debate me about "Stuff".

I better get to the point here that I am trying to make with this post.  While looking through most all of the fly tying goodies, I over heard a conversation between Employee and Customer.  It kind of went something like this:

Customer: I am looking for materials to tie up some various streamers for fishing Bass, mostly Largemouth, but, some Smallmouth, too?

Employee:  Well, you don't have to be very selective when choosing what materials to use when tying Streamers for Bass!  Heck, Bass will eat anything as long as you find them in a feeding mode.  I would not bother with anything but a Wooly Bugger in different colors and a couple of different sizes.

Customer: Really, well that should be easy enough.  I was also thinking about tying up some Marabou Muddlers or trying some of the Articulated Streamers I see in the magazines.

Employee:  I would not even bother with all that extra work and time in tying.  Bass are really stupid fish compared to Trout! With a Trout you have to be more cognizant of how you present the materials and what techniques to use.  Trout are much more keen to what is going on around them than a Bass.  Trout sometimes key on certain materials like the Enrico Puglesi fibers that you can combine certain colors to make more exact imitations than you would need for Bass fishing with Streamers.  Here let me show you some of the material I am talking about and you will see what I mean when I say Trout are much more selective than a Bass.

To make a long story short, I blocked out the rest of the conversation as they moved to another isle in the fly tying materials section.  I had heard enough reality or propaganda.  Whichever, as I paid for my supplies, I just chuckled and shook my head.  Left me wondering what all my BlogBuddies would think of this conversation and what they feel comparable intelligence levels are of a Bass or a Trout.  Chime in if you feel the need too..............................................

Fly Fishing "Damsels"

Thought I would give some time with this post to "Fly Fishing Damsels".

Ok, not this Damsel (although this is The River Damsel, Emily Blankenship)!  She is often who I think of when the words Fly Fishing Damsel are mouthed.  BTW, drop on over and give Emily a pat on the back.  She has taken up fly tying this winter and is doing well enough to have bagged some good trout with her patterns since she started.  I would have expected no less!

But, in the case of this post, what I want to talk about when speaking of fly fishing Damsels is that ever popular sleek swimming, rhythmic, Damsel fly nymph.

Being an avid stillwater fly fisherman for many years has given me plenty of opportunity to see the Damsel fly nymph up close and personal.  I have many great memories of sitting in my float tube during the damsel fly nymphs migration near the surface working their way to shore.  These nymphs, once they make it to shore, climb on vegetation or whatever is available where they go through the beautiful phase of migrating from the nymph to the adult winged Damsel fly.  Many, many beautiful trout have been hooked fishing these Damsel fly nymphs on intermediate or slow sinking fly lines from some of the best trout lakes in the western United States.  Simply put, I love fishing and tying Damsel Fly nymphs!

Recently, I tossed my name in the hat you might say, for a selection of Damsel fly nymphs to be given away over on Facebook from the Dragonfly Angler.  Well, I happened to win the contest and in a few days had a substantial supply of well tied Damsel fly nymphs via John Wood.  Now, John ties some great looking flies.  I would like to share some of John's flies in picture form here on my blog.  John also has his own blog and a website, too!  Please take the time to check out all of his fine work.  He not only ties flies, but, makes some of the most beautiful custom landing nets I have ever seen, among other tidbits on his site.  Keep up the great work, John.   Anyway, here are some pictures of the new Damsel fly booty I now have in my boxes ready for this years Damsel fly nymph migrations.

Bright Eyed Damsel in (4) different colors

Twisted Damsel in (4) different colors

Standard (No Eyes) Damsel Fly Nymph

Yup, John's "Booby" Damsel Fly Nymph

Now, John knew that I have a passion for fly fishing warm waters species.  We talked a little bit prior to him shipping me the Damsel fly nymphs.  Well, what a surprise! When the package came in the mail, along with all the Damsel fly nymphs, John had included some great looking Bass streamers that just plain look exciting to toss for the brutes in the ponds and lakes I fish.  

 Rightfully so, these streamers are called Emotion Detectors!

Look out, big boys I am coming.

Thanks, again, to John Wood of Dragonfly Angler.  Can't wait to start getting these guys on the business end of some fish this summer!

Some Blog Posts Are Self Serving......

Ok, 99.5% of my blog posts are written with an attempt to share some information, knowledge, fun, or, just plain goodness with all my blogging friends (AKA: BlogBuddies).  My hope is that someone will read them and benefit from whatever tidbit they want to take with them.  The post becomes a part of my written memory bank for me to reflect back on.  In that sense, the blog is self serving for me.  However, this particular post is 100% self serving as a reminder too me before I go fishing again.

That is a new Colorado 2014 fishing license for me.  In Colorado, I have to get used to the wrinkle in the fishing season.  While living in Eastern Idaho for (35) years, fishing season ran from January 1st - December 31st of each year.  Licenses were required for all adult residents as long as they monitored and followed the Idaho Fish and Game Regulations.  That being said, once I retired to Northern Colorado, I have had to change my thought process.  In Colorado, fishing season begins on April 1st of the current year and runs through March 31st of the following year.  So with very few days left in March and winter still hanging on, I doubt if I get out before the new season kicks in.  Therefore, this post, will be front and center for me to remember to purchase my license in the next few days before I head out to chase me some Bluegill, Crappie, or Bass.  To all of my fellow Colorado anglers, don't forget to ante up for your new license real soon!

With that out of the way, I would like to share with my readers that more than any other year, this year seems like Winter and adverse weather has had a real grip on my fellow Bloggers around the country.  Everyone appears to be chomping at the bit to get some warm weather and break out the casting arm and have some fun.  There are some that have toughed it out and had a good time with some fun catching.  Like, Bill over at Fishing Through Life.  Great Dry Fly fishing already!  Or, Kevin at The Feather Chucker.  He is on ready, set, go with some new Bombers for Bass!  Then there is Alan at Small Stream Reflections.  He has been getting out in the winter weather more than us and is a great read.  Here he shares some Jack Gartside fly patterns that are Pond Stalker Approved.

I just could not finish this post without directing you over to a great  post I read yesterday from Quill over at Fish In The Barrel Pond.  Oh, boy can I relate to this post!  No, I have not forgotten  Mike's last post over at Mike's Gone Fishin.  Read it for yourself.  Which half of the bottle do you prefer?

A Big Thank You And Something New For The Blog

Just wanted to give all of you who took the time to read my last blog post a bunch of thank you's, and, then followed up with your great comments and insights to my dilemma with what to do with my Blogroll.  Each and every one of them were much appreciated.  That is why you guys and gals are my BlogBuddies.  It is a good sense of community in blogging when a Blogger can reach out and ask for some help and the support comes pouring in!  That particular post is by far the most read post and most commented post since I began my blogging career a number of years ago.  Still get steady reads everyday so that makes me smile and appreciate all who helped even more.

I am also going to try something new on my blog.  I have been tying flies for about (35) years now. I have taught many fly tying classes and have appeared as a guest tyer at past FFF conclaves and Regional Expos.  

Now, I am not trying to offend anyone or toot my own horn.  I am simply attempting to imply that I have had many trials and tribulations at the vise and lots of experience with various tying materials.  That being said, I will assure you that my concept in fly tying is different than a lot of folks.  I don't tie Dry Flies for Trout, but, Foam Spiders and the like for Bluegill and an occasional Largemouth Bass.  I do tie Nymphs and Streamers and Leeches for Warm Water species and also for Trout.  I don't tie "cute" flies, although, my wife disagrees with me.  What I do tie, primarily, are buggy, effective, easy to tie patterns that don't take much time or talent.  They do catch fish!  If I lose one that is no big deal.  I just grab another and get after those fishies!  I don't buy expensive hackle for Dry Flies, and really, not even for the popular Wooly Bugger type flies much anymore.  The price of good hackle just scares me when I look at it now.  I am a senior citizen living on a fixed budget, so maintaining my costs are critical.  Anyway, all of this blabbering to let you know that I have decided to post some of my current work at the vise on my blog.  You will note at the top of the left hand sidebar a picture of a current fly under the title of "FROM MY VISE".

This will be where I will select a certain pattern and have as good a picture as I could get of the pattern when completed.  If you happen to see one that you like leave a comment for me over on my "From My Vise" page.    You can go to the link for the page just under the blog header and see which patterns I have posted there.  If anyone needs further information or is interested in tying instructions let me know and I will see what I can do for you.  I am not a person who shoots video,  but, I can send along a materials list and tying instructions if that would be handy for you.

Thanks for letting me share some fly tying with you all!

Blogging & Fly Fishing: A Sense Of Community

Psst, Pond Stalker, wake up! This is supposed to be a blog about fly fishing for Bluegilll, Bass, the occasional Crappie, or a big bad Carp!  What is that you say, Pond Stalker?  You thought we were closed!

No, Pond Stalker, you big dummy! That's our Federal Government that is closed.  You know they can't figure out how to get out of the way of a disaster, so, they shut the door and are waiting for the Big Bad Wolf to come a knockin'.  

You, Pond Stalker, can go fishing! Forget about the flood.  That is the past.  Presently, the effort being applied by all those who have gave time and money into helping assist with the clean up mess and the do-overs in Northern Colorado is well on its way.  We as Coloradans will rise again! Let there be time and we will see sparkling waters, beautiful trout, ponds filled with Bluegill and Bass.   Those, big ol' Carp, ain't going nowhere we can't find one with a little effort.

You know having lived through the Flood of 2013 in Colorado, and, seeing the relief efforts that are in place brings forth with pride the great Sense of Community that we have here where I live.  It is truly remarkable!  

With that being said, I would like to direct this post to the Sense of Community that we all share in the blogging world with our blogs, and, with our individual fly fishing interests whatever they may be.

I have been a Blog writer for many years now, and while I in no way consider myself to be an expert at anything, I do have lots of experience and thoughts about the concept of Sense of Community via blogging.   Good blogs have to have regular content.  Good blogs must be able to capture the reader with information that they can use and apply in their own life experience.  Good blogs must draw the reader back in the future wanting to read more about what you have to share with them.  

The Sense of Community on a blog begins with the post, acquiring some readers, readers being willing to post a comment in regards to the post, and finally, the blog author taking the time to respond to those comments given by his or her readers.  Pictures, videos, Blogrolls of your favorite blogs etc, all bring about a sense of community to a blog.

As an example, on the Pond Stalker Blog, down the right sidebar you will see Picture Links that take you to just a few of the many blogs I enjoy from other fly fishing or outdoor oriented blogs.  In this case, I have linked up to the most reliable group of folks who have been long term supporters of my blog writing.  They visit often, they comment often, offer wit and advice, and give me the feeling that they enjoy being a part of this community.  This particular group of bloggers have followed me all over the road map of blogging for at least (5) years that I know of, probably more.  I am willing to add others there also as the Pond Stalker blog grows, since this is a newer blog, as supporters come forward to share in the Sense of Community.

Note also that I have decided to go forth with a Facebook page for the Pond Stalker.  Lots of stuff over there that you won't see here,  So make sure you hit the the Facebook "Like" button and see what is going on on the Pond Stalker Facebook page!

I realize I am getting a little long winded here, but, the Sense of Community is just that.  I read dozens and dozens of well written blogs every week and leave comments on those blogs on a majority of the posts I read.  Let me wrap this up by saying how frustrating it is too me to leave a comment on another fishing blog, wanting to be a part of that community, only to "never" have the blog author respond to not only mine, but, any of the comments left by other readers.  It happens way more than you think! There are those that respond to comments on their blog and always make you feel  welcome,  Those are not the ones I am talking about here.  I am just asking that you do a little self evaluation of your blog.  Do you respond to your readers? Do you provide them a Sense of Community?  If not, you might find that the Sense of Community is the very reason your blog is getting less views or maybe just less comments being provided.

Hope you all stayed with me through this ramble!  I like the Sense of Community!

Fly Fishing With Mother Nature

Since Mother Nature intervened with the all the rain and the "so called 1000 year flood", fly fishing any water in Northern Colorado has been put on a serious hold.  It may be quite some time before she releases her hold and all the damages can be assessed to life, home, family, animals, etc.  

That being said, I have already began to wonder what Mother Nature's fly fishing plan has in store for me and my local ponds that I love to fish so much.  Include in The Big Thompson River locally, let alone that which flows through the washed out canyon, and, it does look pretty bleak for those of us who love to fly fish and fish local waters in Northern Colorado.

The picture shown above is an aerial view shot that I came across that shows what used to be an area for several ponds that I like to fish for Bluegill, Bass, Carp, etc.  Note that I said used to be!  The area is now one flooded looking piece of water that more resembles one pretty good sized body of water instead of some home water for the PondStalker.

The Big Thompson River I love to fish in the canyon or down lower near my home looks like this before the flooding. 

The Big Thompson River looked like this a day or so ago.  Where to begin to assess the problems?

Set me to pondering what happens when Mother Nature takes over, and if you will, moves the fish where she wants them to be.  What happens to the fish in the ponds?  Will they be there when the waters recede and the damages are assessed?  Or, will the ponds have different fish in them?  For example, a top notch pond for bigger bass, will those bass now be gone or spread out to who knows where? What about structures and other holding areas for the pond fish?  Are they all gone, or, do they remain? 

Another concern I have is the warm water ponds are in close proximity to the Big Thompson River in the lower stretches.  Will we see Walleye, Catfish, Bass, and other Panfish, now reside in the Big Thompson river as a result of being washed there via the floods?  Having never been through a major catastrophe like this before, I am pretty much clueless as too what we may find when the waters recede and calmer days are brought to us.  I am sure the rest of 2013 near my home is not going to offer much, if any, fly fishing opportunities.  What will 2014 bring?  Any of my readers want to ponder this situation and provide comments?  Sure hope you do.  I have lots of time to read blog comments.

Cicadas, Locusts, Ponds, and, Buyers Remorse!

Some unexpected family health issues has had my wife and I on the road over the past week.  The wife's father has been moved into a Kansas nursing home and is not doing very well at this time.  We have returned home to Happy Valley with him on our mind and realize that another trip back seems to be in the near future perhaps.

Anyway, just wanted to share with my readers here on my blog that, although we had other thoughts, fishing thoughts never leave your mind.  Except we did not plan on 100 degree days and stifling humidity.  That was a bit of environmental shock for us.  I guess the locals get used too it.  I would not be able to handle that at all.

Anyway, thought I would share some insight on our trip that doesn't dwell on medical issues.  First off, ran into some of these guys just outside the nursing home on the street and sidewalks.

Big ol' rotund Magicada Cicadas.  I don't know that I have ever seen anything quite like these in my travels fishing.  This picture doesn't do justice to the size of the ones I saw.  I have to admit that my fishing mind drifted to what it would be like to put ones of these on a hook, or better yet, tie a large Cicada pattern and just toss it out on my local pond and wait for the explosion from a Largemouth Bass!  I imagine that all hell would break loose.

 In addition, not as unexpected, was the evening call of the Kansas Locust.  They were everywhere you went once you ventured outside.  I commented then that if you let your mind wander that it was like hallucinating that you were surrounded by Martians from some strange far away place.

 Now, just outside the nursing home and still on the property lies a pond.  A pond that looks very fishy too me.  But, alas, I wasn't their to fish anyway and had no gear with me.  However, I did talk with a gentleman that said that he fished the pond the morning we ran into each other.  He said fishing was pretty good and that he had landed about (25) or so Largemouth Bass.  He did say that none of them were bigger fish, but, well worth his time.  Oh, and, Wooly Bugger caught.  That served to satisfy my fishing mind for the time.  Those giant Cicadas enter my thought process again.

As we headed back home from our trip to Kansas, my wife mentioned that a trip to Cabela's was in order.  Well, two points that I would like to make here.  First of never disagree with the wife and secondly, you cannot travel through Nebraska without stopping at Cabela's, can you?  I reasoned that it would be a nice break from the driving and that I could handle the stop without spending a lot of what little money Senior Citizens have.  

Wrong, again!  It could have been a lot worse, I suppose.  However, with a blink of an eye and a twitch of my wrist I was handing the clerk $200 or so.  Now, not all was more fishing gear, but, most of it fit that category.  More stuff, I just had to have.  New fly reel, line and backing loaded with a new leader, Cabela's Advanced Angler Fanny Pack, and, two new fly boxes.  

All the way home as I road the white lines of the highway, I had buyers remorse!  Why, oh why, did I let my wife talk me into shopping at Cabelas.  I could have gotten by without the new fly reel and new line, new fanny pack, and, who needs more fly boxes anyhow!

The remorse only lasted until I got home and spread my new goodies out on my tying table.  Immediately, my thoughts went to OH, BOY!