Dan:

JMU But as far as I know, this is the only fishing related course

I just enrolled in a course for college that is "The Science of Fly Fishing" (fulfills my lab science requirement--sweet!) and I know that I'll need a fly fishing outfit. I know some guys here fly fish so I figured I'd ask for some recommendations because I know absolutely NOTHING about fly fishing. I'm looking for a rod and reel hopefully around $100 if possible. I know that isn't much but with having to buy all the rest of my books and everything, I don't want to spend all my extra money. Anyway, I would mainly be using it for trout and smallmouth bass so I was thinking a 5wt maybe? Would that be right? Also, any info on line, leaders, etc would help. Again, I know NOTHING about what I need and how to use it... :-[

yeah, I was very excited when I saw it. Instead of taking something like Chemistry of physics with a lab, I can take a basic high school type science class along with the fly fishing class. Needless to say, that was an easy decision.

Another good suggestion. PC-Cillin also has very good detection rates and reviews.

Hey Ernie, Welcome! I wish I could go but I'm back at school now. If people catch tarpon on fly rods then I'm sure you can catch snakeheads with them. I actually just enrolled in "The Science of Fly Fishing" here at school. The class fulfills my lab science requirement!

yeah, there is a Dick's out in Fair Lakes and one in Bailey's Crossroads. Depending on the time of day and traffic it may be easier to get to the one in Bailey's Crossroads. I know they usually have worms.

Depends which one you buy. I really don't like McAfee or Norton. I use Kaspersky because it scans EVERYTHING and has really good detection rates. For Spyware, I like Webroot Spysweeper. If you MUST get one for free, I would also go with AVG for viruses and Windows Defender for spyware.

I guess I just don't skip as much as other people...but hey, if you have a use for it, GO FOR IT! I am nothing but pleased with my rod and I'm sure you will be also.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails! same here, swimbaits all the way =D! Had a ton of luck with swim senko's last year, maybe try some mattlures this year for another lunker at pocahontas Throw a swim bait for 30 minutes then throw a spinnerbait for 30 minutes. Go back and forth and let me know what catches more fish in the fall. That's not a bad idea, I have new spinners and swimbaits that I can't wait to try once the fish turn the feed on. I've been using both in similar situations but tending to use more swimbaits than spinners just for the reason that they are newer to me.

I just got one of the new split grip LTBS70MF (Tube) and it is freakin' awesome! What would you be using a 5'10" rod for though? If it fits an application that you need or want, then go for it, otherwise I would see if you could get a power/action that fits with a technique you want to use.

I have a couple of friends that go to the University of Loyola New Orleans and they have canceled classes from this past thursday until next thursday. Their campus wasn't damaged from Katrina because they are uptown. I hope the rebuilt levees hold

Check the water levels. The North Fork near Timberville was high and muddy last night due to the recent rain. The USGS says most of the 'Doah watershed has elevated flow levels right now. On a brighter note, a random townie from down here in Harrisonburg showed me a picture of a legitimate 9-10 lb largemouth caught out of the North Fork recently. I was about to call bull until he showed me the pic and he wasn't lying.

Glenn, that is AWESOME. So will they mention BassResource.com on the show if your interview airs? That will probably bring a bunch of new members

Welcome! Good to have more VA anglers. Those are some incredibly cats you have there, and especially from a yak on such light line... I have heard that the James has some of the state's best cat fishing but I have never tried fishing for them there.

No, this is a burger:

Wow, those do look great.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails!

I have fished the Duper Flukes (or at least a bait that I have been told is from the same supplier) and was not very impressed. The action was just not as good as a fluke. I have not tried the Jerk shad

I got mine from Tackle Warehouse

give 'em a try and find out I know that not everyone will like them as much as flukes, but I think some will definitely find a place for them in their tackle box.

...you might want to try the Keitech Shad Impact. I have tried most soft plastic jerkbaits and I have to say these might be my new favorites. They dip, dive, dart, etc... very well and on a quick stop, they sink very uniquely. The best thing about them is that they don't get ripped up very easily, at least not as easily as flukes, IMO. They stay on the hook very well, even when fished in thick grass and slime with braid. They are a little pricey, but if you are a jerkbait fanatic like I am, give them a shot.

YZHUS is one of my favorite lines. I wish I could find the 6# and 8# more frequently... For anyone who cares, I have found Maxima Perfexion to have fairly similar properties and is a little easier to find (at least in my area)

My first day of my Senior year of college starts tomorrow. I only have one class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and it isn't until 12:20pm ;D Looks like I'll have time to do some morning fishing before classes...

what part of the river were you fishing?

The electric shock sampling usually only works in shallow water so I would imagine they could only discover honey holes in shallow water...still, that would be useful knowledge to have. The wardens I saw out there were very friendly, not the typical power-tripping d-bags you hear stories about.