kjackson

I toured the place Wednesday on a media preview. It surpasses the Museum of Natural History in New York--at least the wildlife part did. The aquarium side is beyond belief as well. My wife asked me what I thought was the coolest thing--the most impressive-- and I really had to think hard. Zane Grey's day boat? The sister ship to Hemingway's Pilar? The three-story circular aquarium with the bait ball constantly circling? Department of the Interior Secretary Zinke in the shark tank answering questions from the WOO kids? (He was in a full-face breathing mask at the front of the aquarium with two other divers to ward off the sharks. The Goliath Grouper got a bit too close at one point, though.) I also was fond of the piranha tanks where, if you're agile, you can "swim" with the piranhas. I finally settled on the musk ox display: there was a small herd of the animals in a defensive circle with half a dozen wolves trying to get to the calf they were protecting. When I was there, it was dark, and the aurora borealis was in the night sky, constantly changing. I didn't see the rest of the day-to-dark loop, but that sight was pretty impressive. I also liked the pride of lions surrounding the hunter's tent with the sky turning light in the east. I watched that for a while to see the light change, but left before "sunrise". While the price is steep, IMO, it is worth it. When I go back, I'll pick one side or the other and focus. The group I was in did both plus the Zinke presentation, and it was a long day. I ended feeling like I'd done 10 miles with a fairly heavy pack. It's a big place; it really is. And it's incredible. The quality of the exhibits and the effort of all involved is hard to imagine without seeing it yourself. It really is one of those places you have to see at least once.

Still waiting on the trailer axle spindle, supposedly. My patience is wearing thin. But enough of that. Finally started fishing from the new kayak, and did a bit of trolling two days ago. Landed a pair of nice crappie and a pair of decent whites. Lost more, maybe four or so. How can a fish hit a bait with two super-sharp trebles and then get off? I accidentally dropped the bait-- a #5 Storm Smash Shad-- on my shorts and spent maybe five minutes trying to get the hooks out without hooking myself or ripping the shorts to ratfeces. But a fish can hit that same bait, bend the rod in a U and still get off...BTW VMC trebles are as sharp as any out there... And the more I fish it, the more I like the Smash Shad--especially in the purple UV tiger. It's done well for me in Table Rock and LOZ. Didn't see much else except one big blowup that looked like a pig jumped in the river. Never saw a scale of that fish afterwards. Went out yesterday, and it was a big change. No shad on the surface to speak of, and despite Ameren pulling water, the surface of the arm/creek looked like slack tide. No bites, no fish and no pigs jumping in the river. The same area where I caught/lost fish the day before was the Dead Sea. Colder yet this morning and no sign of the schools of small shad on the surface. But the sun is out today, so maybe that will change. Have to work, so it doesn't matter if the bite is on or not.

I tried freshwater drum out of Beaver once and was surprised at how good it was--but then I figured that since I like black drum and red drum (redfish), I couldn't be too far wrong. I won't hesitate to keep and eat them.

I will... first attempt was to a supplier who sent the wrong axle. Now he's ordered two...one from the manufacturer, who, apparently is "backordered". He's suggesting welding a new spindle onto the old axle. This is what I get for having a very slow leak in a tire fixed instead of pumping it up and running then worrying about the leak later.

We moved into the lake place a month ago, and I tried to get he boat to the lake only to have a hub go out on the way. For the last three weeks, the tire shop has been trying to find an axle that would work...the spindle is fried and apparently welded, but that's a different story. In the meantime, I've been restricted to fishing off the dock, catching mostly blue and channel cats on the small side. Today, I decided I'd had enough and grabbed a rod, a few spinners and jumped in the kayak to see if I could at least catch something. The score was one decent fish on for a bit, three small whites/hybrids and a tiny largemouth. It was better than waiting around for sure. I did see a school of whites/hybrids blow up on shad, but it was a long paddle to get to them, and they went down before I could get there. I've been seeing quite a few larger fish on top, but until this morning, they've been scattered. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks, guys! The one that sold for $3300 is incredible! The bait wasn't/isn't, but the fact that someone bought it...

There was some talk the last year or so about a Wiggle Wart on eBay that sold for well over $1500. I've been trying to find the thread but can't. Can anyone help out? I used the thread as an illustration of crazy prices for a piece I'm doing, and the editor wants a bit more. I've tried searching, but I've not had any luck. Thanks.

I'm moving my boat to the lake tomorrow and should be fishing three or four days a week, and some of that will be targeting walleyes. Since the upper end appears river-like, I'm thinking I'll be trying the stuff I learned out West. Start at the downstream end of a bar or shelf or flat and pull crankbaits upstream along the break lines or up on the flats (depending upon the mood of the fish). When you hit the end of whatever you're fishing, then turn around and use the trolling motor to pull spinners back down. My experience tells me that the walleyes will be heading toward their spawning grounds in the fall; they don't spawn until spring but establish themselves in a holding pattern in the right kind of water over winter. When they concentrate, you can fish with a jig or spoon and do well. This works on the Columbia system, but for LOZ, dunno, y'know; it could be different. Of course, it helps if you know you're on fish. I am not going to guarantee I won't get distracted by other opportunities. i'll try to post positive and negative reports.

Saw one at the Walmart in Clinton today for $198.

Don't forget the Ned rig...back when we lived in the area, I fished the Clifties and brought to the boat the largest smallie I hooked in Beaver on a Ned jig with a ZMan scented leech. The hook pulled out as I put the net down, so no good idea of how large she was---but nice. Honey Creek has some nice tapering points that hold fish, and it's not that far away.

Really? Love it! They are a good bait and so deadly that nothing else will do... So, I'm in.

Yellow perch are like a fine-textured walleye...wish we had some around here as they are a blast to fish for and great for kids. But then, we do have bluegills...

I'd start with the weight-forward floater and then see if I needed to go deeper, depending upon where you're fishing and the timing. Once you get a handle on the water/current/depth/fish, I would pick up sink tip or sinking head depending upon the conditions. With most of the fishing I've done with a fly rod for 'gills, I was completely happy with a floating line and, when I needed to get deeper, using a weighted fly.

IMO, the smaller fish are better eating-- 15 to 16 inch walleyes are about ideal if they aren't skinny...Over 20 inches or so, and I'd rather eat yellow perch or bluegill.

Statewide regs apply...