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Gents, I'm sure it's somewhere, but how long is Fish Tales selling tics?

I'd join. But I'd have to cheat and use an indicator. Don't think I could catch a fish otherwise. Edit: Oh, I forgot I went Brent and Caitlin's presentation of a year on the Bow, and by osmosis am now an awesome dry fly fisherman, so I'm in.

Sorta giving away that 45 yd. field goal. You do have the battle of quarterback titans. And the two best offences. Like many of these battles, everyone is focusing on one aspect: Indy offence vs. Saints defence. My point is the opposite is a BAD matchup for Indy. So lets break it all down: Offence- NO has been unstoppable at times. Indy adjusts better than anyone. NO has the most points in the league. Slight advantage NO Defence-NO is a gambling defence that gives up a bunch of yards and counts on turnovers. Indy is a bend but don't break defence. Neither will stop the other's offence, but certainly Indy has the edge here. Special teams: Big advantange New Orleans Kicking game: Is Vinateri (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) going to be ok? If not, ad NO, if so, ad Indy. Intangibles: Indy has more big game experience, though I like New Orleans coaching better. But Indy's best coach also plays! Quarterbacks: Well, hard to not go Indy-But remember this my friends: Manning used to be the quarterback who couldn't win the big one, until he finally did. And when he finally did, if anyone remembers, he played like crap but still won. Brees is a fantastic quarterback who hasn't won the big one yet. It would not surprise me at all if this is his first. My prediction? 38-35 Indy. The team with the ball last wins sorta game.

Last week when the Jets beat San Diego, the cheer coming from Indy could be heard for miles. Why? Indy doesn't fear a team that is all defence, no offense. Who do they have a hard time beating? San Diego. In fact, haven't they lost to them the last two years in the playoffs? Great offense, not much defence. Sound familiar?

The Colts defence can't stop New Orleans either. If it takes them 1 half to figure out the Saints like it did the Jets (and what a complicated offence they have), then they are in deep, deep trouble. This will come down to who can slow the other the most. And turnover battle will be very important. Their defence sucks in total yards, and yet they won 13 games in a row before they took their foot off the gas. One of the reasons is opportunistic defence. I'm just telling you, anyone who thinks this is going to be one sided is likely to be wrong. Just like they were wrong with the Giants two years ago, Arizona (though they ultimately lost) last year. I am a big Colts fan. Probably my third favorite team behind Dallas and NO. I think 18 is the best quarterback I've ever seen. But they can loose this game. Don't just remember how good they looked in the second half yesterday. Remember how bad they looked in the first. They pull that against the Saints and they loose. What happened to Minnesota didn't happen in a vacuum. They are the same team that utterly destroyed a pretty good Dallas team. Indy played a second rate team that has a great defence and got on a roll at the end of the season. Before that, they beat a very good defence (Baltimore) who couldn't score if you gave them the ball on Indy's 10 every possession. They are going up against a different beast in two weeks.

A couple of things to consider: 1. In the Super Bowl, particularly recently, people flock like crazy to the favorite and discount the "underdog", if there really is such a thing in a final game. 2. Do not discount the Saints defence. I don't have the stats in front of me, but they are a takeaway machine. Best in the league, if memory serves. The fact that Minnesota had more turnovers in this game than anytime this season is not an accident. They will most likely win the turnover battle. 3. When rolling, the Saints have the best offense in the league. 4. The Colts defence gave up 17 points in one half to the JETS. If they don't tighten that up, look out. My heart is with New Orleans. All the above said, Peyton Manning is at the pinnacle of his game. Brees is a great quarterback, and his array of weapons is formidable, but I cannot bet against 18. But a rout? No way. It will be a game well into the 4th quarter. And there will be points aplenty. But to counter 126Barnes a bit. If the Colts don't bring their best, they loose as well.

Or wine.

I had said the safest place to loose something would be at a Fly Fishing show. But I think I may have spoke too soon, or without sufficient consideration. Now that I think about it, the safest place to loose something is a Folk Music Festival. Loose your item, wait an hour, go to lost and found, pick it up.

Walker, After meeting Jayhad today, I gotta say that the Pentax may add a few pounds to each subject. He's a bit smaller than his pictures suggest. But now that I think about it, that is probably the greatest quality a fishing camera can have-making it's subjects look bigger.

Steve, Told ya. The safest place in the world to loose anything (except maybe a fly box) would be a fly fishing show.

Nice seeing you again Ray. Let me know what I can do.

Good one!

There was none left over, unfortunately. I certainly wish there was. I'll be contacting Carlos about getting more. Oh, and to Smitty-the kids are devouring the cake. Almost all gone.

Totally my pleasure everyone. I truly enjoy doing it. I was walking around the show today. I bet I shook hands today with at least 30 people I've met through this board. Many (or most) of which I've fished with at one time or another, all of which I proudly call friends. Not to get all mooshy, but hosting a breakfast is the least I can do for this community. Edit: Oh, and I also ended up with some extra food, cake, a fly rod (thanks Jack!!), and some of the best damn stillwater flies in a shiny new box (thanks Tim). So it ain't that much of a hardship!!

I used to live in Clear Lake, Texas (where NASA is). Those guys are a bunch of fruit cakes. Anyone who lives in Texas knows all those engineering types are a bunch of left leaning, tree hugging, granola chomping, eco-terrorists. Most of them are from Michigan. Damn yankees. (sarcasm emoticon here)

I didn't mean the fly staying in. I meant a 28" redfish with a river helping it fight. The strength combined with those wide bodies downstream of you? Now that would be fun. Makes me want to go fight a salmon somewhere so I can compare. Oh, and the drum fight just as good. The little ones actually fight better I think. As they get big they just get STRONG. They don't have the speed of the reds, but they have more power. They have no sport value really because they are butt ugly. We call them Big Uglies. I caught one around 40 lb off my dad's pier years ago. On a short shark rod with 80 lb test, drag cranked all the way down so he couldn't pull me under the pier and cut me off. Basically a tug of war with a 40 lb fish on a 5 ft broomstick and no drag. Fun, fun, fun. My muscles burn just thinking about it. Anyway, looks like you had a great year.

Bonus points to anyone under 30 who can identify the movie.

Last Update: So if I missed anyone, please let me know and I'll send you my address. For anyone who may want to come, just let me know tonite. Everyone is welcome. I think.

I've often wondered what a 28" redfish in moving water would be like on a fly rod. My bet is "tough to land."

Nice. thanks for posting.

Love the redfish, and their under appreciated cousin the black drum!

If there is anyone still in need of my address, please let me know. I think I replied to everyone, but I had to clear my inbox, so I'm not sure.

Courtney, Hope you can make it. As to the recyclable stuff-Anyone who wants to bring their own cutlery and stuff, go ahead. And we can use whatever we have, but other than that I won't worry about it. Too complicated.

Steve, Nice to see you're not ranging far from home!!