Terminology Used in Gary’s Journal

Normal Terminal End –

Spinning Rod:The terminal end consists of a 3 1/8^th inch Thill Mini Shy Bite 4 BB float, with the necessary shot to cock it, on a six foot leader made up of 2 feet of 4x, 1/2 foot of 5x, and 3 1/2 feet of 6x Orvis Mirage fluorocarbon tippet. The float and the shot necessary to “cock” it are placed on the 4x portion of the leader and set at the appropriate depth. My typical starting depth in the waters I fish is about four feet. That depth will vary up to five feet and down to three feet using the 3 1/8 float and down to 18 inches using the 2 ½ inch Thill Mini Shy Bite Bite 2 BB float. Depth adjustments are made by moving the indicator up or down the 4x, cutting off some 6x, or a combination thereof, as conditions dictate.

Fly Rod:The terminal end consists of a small peg on strike indicator on a six foot leader made up of 2 feet of 4x, 1/2 foot of 5x, and 3 1/2 feet of 6x Orvis Mirage fluorocarbon tippet. The smallest indicator necessary to support the fly or jig is “pegged,” using a tooth pick, to the 4x portion of the leader and set at the appropriate depth. My typical starting depth in the waters I fish is about four feet. That depth will vary up to five feet and down to six inches. Depth adjustments are made by moving the indicator up or down the 4x, cutting off some 6x, or a combination thereof, as conditions dictate.

Seagull’sNote:The typical depth normally I fish, from the 21 to the 20 mile marker on Lake Taneycomo is about 4 to 4 ½ feet except for the gravel bars and midge fishing where one foot depths, or less, are sometimes required. About 90 percent of my fishing is with midges, size 16 and 18 or flies and jigs from Gary’s Big Four under water off conditions.