Welcome aboard Mark. You are now part of an interesting bunch of people who have a common goal we all love to fish and fish we do. When we do this thing we love to do we are all the time learning and when we learn we pass on what we learn. Its out there for us to share cause if you read the Blogs and Forums there are tons of information for us to fine tune our skills. In the same token don't be afraid to share information yourself it may be something we can use ourselves to help us in our fishing endeavors. Then in the same token if you have a question don't be afraid to ask. Almost everybody here will answer your question if he or she knows the answer. There is also photo's and even some videos so don't be afraid to explore I know you will enjoy doing so. Where else can you learn and have so much fun doing it. GOOD FISHIN..

Welcome Mark. I'm your neighbor to the South a little  in the "Harbor of Hospitality". Bigbluegill.com is a great site with good information and testimony. I've been a lifelong subscriber to the various fishing magazines and still enjoy them but the nice thing about this site is the photos and information are hot off the press. Great anglers all across the nation with good stuff.

 I see you listed the beautiful location of Northwest River as your favorite. It is a nice destination for freshwater fish. I was a little discouraged by the fish kill after Hurricane Irene but it already appears to be on the road to recovery. Have you been out there much this Fall?

Remember the world record Flier is 1 Pound 4 ounces and Northwest holds some good ones Mark. I've been within 3 ounces the last couple years and I have released all the big ones. Glad to hear the news about the oxygen levels. Several of the rivers in Carolina are still a little low on oxygen, sustaining life but little to no fish activity, especially the Perquimans River. It is minnow time for sure. I'm still working full time for a living but I go as often as I can. Don't need another cold front but it looks like another is on the way. I was going to sneak out a little early tomorrow but the South winds are going to be blowing big time. Good luck to you Mark and welcome again to BBG!

How's things in Chesapeake Mark? I'm currently down in S.C. working but look forward to getting back out when I get home later in December...

Sounds Good to me....I'm a CTE in 246 working the Sub side of the house. I'm down working the Charleston Boats right now....

Absolutely......I did a tour of duty at the missle facility and I fished the freshwater side of Cooper and Foster Creek several times a week.....I caught some beautiful stringers out of there.....I went out there for a couple hours Sunday but water temps are down to 56 so we just caught a few smaller fish. I catch some good fish down here in Spring and Summer, but I try to stay home from April through September because my fishing is so good at home......

I'll be trying to catch some Yellow Perch on Northwest when I get home later this month....

Yes you can buy those clips at basspro.

Inspirational Photo's??????? Well I thank you for that, guess I will have to go and look and see!!!!! Mark you tie a fine fly that peacock sword tailed soft hackle is GREAT!!!! I need to get some yellow ostrich!!!! If I ever leave you wondering what I did, ask and I will be glad to redo it til its Clear!!!!!!

Va. is a Beautiful place been across the Bay Bridge tunnel to the EASTERN SHORE!!! Wide range of fishing out your way!!!!!

Mark, The sparkbug I use a size 8 or 10 2X long!!!! Have tied in 3x long also!!! My favorite color is black with pearl flashabou I just used the black flashabou and chartrues maribou to hel see the steps, but have caught fish on it as well!!!! The pearl flashabou takes on a chatruess color in the water in the sun light!!!!

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/albums/spark-bug-step-x-step

Kelly's version of this was on a 4x long hook!!!! So you can adjust for the size hook you want!!!!

Mark Swanton is in N.W. Ohio next to Toledo. I have fish St Mary's and Indian but mostly since I live on the Ohio Michigan border I mostly fish Michigan the lake are closer to me and they have so many. Keep in touch Mark and GOOD FISHIN..

Hey Mark, Very nice work on the flies and the rod.  Any advise for a new rod builder?  I've made a few spinning rods and rewrapped a few older fly rods and made quite a few ice rods.  I'm just getting a good hold on the processes and I find it very relaxing. I Look forward to talking to you.

Hi Mark, Thanks for the info on the rod building site. I have looked at that before and it's very helpful.

Talk to you later.

Hey Mark I picked up some of your bugs off the cards in Bob's for my dad's birthday......He's an avid fly fisherman down in Louisiana and I liked several of your featured flies......Great work on them!

Thanks i stayed stuck at 8" for a while, so i started off the year pretty good:)

Hey Mark....I heard the water had cleared up on Northwest...Have you been by there this week? Thanks

Thanks Mark.....I hear you on the fever......good luck when you make it out!