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So, I had a great idea. I’d solo canoe the lower Strawberry River. I’d do a 4.4 mile stretch and walk 2.25 miles back to my truck at the end of the day. I’d start my float about 10 am and come off the water at 4 pm. Walk to the truck and drive back to the boat. Load up and get home about 7 pm. Easy peasy. a lot of stuff for one guy. About to push off. Everything looked so good and had so much promise, but the fish were kinda meh. I love this place, but it ain’t easy. I caught a few small spotted bass. I lost as many as I caught. I needed a trailer hook on my Spinnerbait, but this one ate a streamer. I saw some small bites. I flipped a size 20 over there and got a tiny Mooneye. I also got a couple micros I need to ID and some Mississippi Silversides. I reached a big deep pool and saw a fish feeding in a little pocket where water dropped off a shallow shelf. I could see the fish gulping at the surface. I wasn’t 100 % certain what it was, but I knew I wanted to catch it. I was considering putting on a cicada fly, but it dropped sub surface so I grabbed my 6 weight with a zig jig on it. I was stripping line and I tossed a few feet to the right to check distance before I dropped on my prime spot. I threw the dang thing in the clown’s mouth. It got eaten as soon as it hit the water. I was tight to a sea monster. I tried to pay attention and not snap the rod by high sticking it. I really leaned on That fish. I wanted to see what it was. I got it leadered a bunch, but I could only see it was LARGE. Finally saw it was a grass carp. A big one. I had no net so I had to beach it. First I had to one hand the boat to the beach area and then convince the fish to go that way. toad.36 inchesI was right to be worried about my hook. so, I was looking at a map on my phone, but it was NOT a Satelite image. I thought I was on schedule and I got to my “spot” 10 Minutes ahead of schedule. The only problem is that wasn’t actually the take out. I still had a long way to go. Then I hit a logjam that I had to portage around. It was exhausting and took about 15 minutes. I had quit fishing about 3 pm trying to get to the take out for 4. As it was I didn’t get to the actual takeout until 5 pm. A smooth hour late. Once at the takeout, I got to hump my gear up this hill. It sucked. But no time to feel sorry for myself. I had 2.25 miles to walk. I got my cardio on. 17 minute miles with heart rate about 136 for 40 minutes. Man, I was really Happy to see my truck. I loved my day until 3 pm. I was a little disappointed with numbers of fish I caught, but some memorable fish were caught. I’m dumb enough to do it again.

The portage and the drag up the hill were rough. Solo trip means no help, no excuses, and no whining. Embrace the suck.

Rub it in. Look at all you guys... "I caught my first fish when I was a young'un barely born!" Despite the many frustrations, I haven't given up yet! I'll let you know when I finally catch my first fish! There WILL be yelling and dancing and celebrating! Or at least that's how I imagine it.

Had my buddy Jeb with me this morning. A little on the chilly side early, but not a bad day. We had to work for our fish. I think we got maybe 10 total between us with a couple of nice keepers. Mainly throwing jigs and the c-rig. Best fishing was in the trees in Indian Creek, with the fish being in less than 15 FOW for the most part. We did go out on the main lake and try for smallies on the rocky banks, but we only had one that got off halfway to the boat. There were some scattered stripers blowing up in Indian, we threw top waters at a couple of them, but not bites. Little shad are everywhere in Indian, but other than a few stripers, nothing was chasing them. For whatever reason the bass weren't messing with them, at least not on top. WT 76-77

Can't have Cannabis in there. Got it in its own room under lock and key. oneshot

Thanks for the report. I was thinking about making the run to the creek but I'm waiting for this bluebird sky/harvest moon phase to pass. Ready for some fishing weather!

That's right. Forest Park has a stream that most wouldn't consider capable of being fished. I only caught green sunfish ans a couple times bluegill, but it was a great way to spend the day. The foam fly is one I tied and have had tremendous luck with. The spinner was just a fun creation that has done well. Literally a piece of stainless wire trying to mimic a mini rooster tail. The crick hopper is a temu special. I got a multi pack for less than a single at Walmart. I caught many more, but took pictures of these. I had a ton of snips, that I just coukd not get fast enough reaction time to set the hook. It got almost frustrating. LOL.

Man you are correct about the snakes. We were trying to fish below the dam one day and struggled with all of the snakes and teenage girls our age sunbathing on the back of the dam.

Hey you combined a good work out with fishing, nothing wrong with that. 😃 Those grassies are strong fish. I have accidentally snagged a couple while bass fishing. Hard to get them to quit fighting.

Gosh, Speaking of Arkansas I hope they don't get a taste for @Ham.

Just another reason to avoid Arkansas 🤪

@Daryk Campbell Sr looks like you had some fun😉. Bet it felt good to catch fish on your own creations.

Am I the only one who carries a gun in the wilds? Missouri and Arkansas are free carry states, concealed or open. Bears, dogs, crazy crack heads. Carry a firearm.

10-4-25 Son Steve and I fished the HSD out of Campbell Point it is the longest running Bass Tournament in the country. This was its 57 th. Consecutive year. 39 boats this year. We came in 5 th. Stringer 10.14 and 5th. Big bass 3.9. 15.02 won the derby and 3.14 was big bass. It’s 6 fish so that’s why it didn’t take a kicker. There is absolutely no more fun I could possibly have than fishing with Steven in this event that helps the SK Chamber. Fantastic steak dinner afterwards and thousands of dollars in donated giveaways. I probably blew it for us as far as winning by just watching Steve catch fish. We stayed on our first location for 2.5 hours as I netted 24 fish for Steven and not a single keeper. The channel Swings up the Kings River are simply loaded with fish and I’ve been catching some nice 15” to 17” on them but yesterday they just would not hit the mark on the board. No dad is leaving a location when their kid is catching fish like that no matter what the size. He was having a BLAST. Surface temp when we started was 79 and at 4 when we weighed in it was 83. That’s warm water and there were boats everywhere. The wake boats ran us off the deep bite as we were taking waves over the side, glad it did as we didn’t have a fish in the livewell. At 9:45 Steve put the 3.9 in the boat on a Texas rig worm out of a brush pike and we did that the rest of the day to catch our 5. We each lost 2 keepers so we easily could have had our 6. Steve had a really nice LM jump twice and go back down in a pile and we lost it. Probably just about like his 3.9 and I did not fish clean at all. I back lashed 2 reels spooning deep fish and accidentally hit the release button TWICE. If you say you haven’t done that I don’t believe you. But twice in one day SHEEEE! I also had 2 solid keeps jump off so totally my fault. We caught in excess of 50 fish yesterday and if it had been Father’s Day I could not have had a better present. Homer Sloan Bass Buddy Tournament is always the first Saturday in October. It is FUN. If there is anyway you can come next year with a family member or a good buddy, you will make memories. Please join us for this wonderful Table Rock, Shell Knob event. Good Luck.

Once again moved inside it is a bit crowded. Planning on putting two tables in but I think I only have room for one. Seems plants have a way of getting bigger and producing more. oneshot

If you’re operating a wake boat you should be the most aware of your WAKE.

Saw a recent video of Alton Brown baking potatoes. I am not a huge baked potato fan. But I tried his easy method last night. Best dang baked potato I've ever had. Figured I'd share. -Coat the tater in neutral oil and salt it -Place directly on your oven rack, middle of the oven, at 375-degrees for 45 min. -Take out, coat with a little more oil and salt, and up the oven to 400-degrees. Bake for 10-15 more minutes -Take out and stab it with a fork in the middle. Use your hands to push it open. Add butter, cheese, sour cream, chives (no knife to cut in half) Fluffy, crispy skin, and just beautiful. Will be doing that again tonight!

I fished vicariously through Field and Stream/Outdoor Life as soon as I could read. Asked for and got a spincast outfit for Christmas when I was nine. Rode my bike down to a little creek on the edge of town. Caught two bullheads. Took them back home and my grandmother helped me clean them and cooked them for my lunch. I don't think I have a sweeter fishing memory - and after searching the memory banks I'm sure. Thanks for a good topic Mr. Ness.

Cavender's is great stuff. I always have some on hand.

For starting seeds and doing a full winter grow, grow lights are definitely helpful. Winter sunlight is limited, so supplemental lighting ensures seedlings germinate well and plants grow strong. Full-spectrum LED grow lights work best, providing the right light for all growth stages without excess heat. Keep them 12–24 inches above your plants and use timers to mimic natural light cycles. Reflective walls or materials can help maximize light efficiency.

trollingmotorparts.com is actually the online market for tri state trolling motors that is located about 5 miles from my house. When I bought my steering sensor, he told me there was no returns on electronic parts. But if I paid them $75 to install it, it came with a one year warranty. I could’ve put that thing in in 10 minutes, but I paid the 75 bucks.

Drip irrigation tubing lasts longer and gives a predictable and consistent amount of water. And it's super easy to work with.

That's a really nice looking greenhouse. Wrench ole pard, it's not about saving money at this point. It's a fun hobby and the quality is undoubtedly better than what you find at the grocery store produce aisle.

DANG, that is at least twice as big as I was expecting. Heck i don't want to garden that much. Concrete blocks to get high enough to put the black mineral tubs on. Do the double tub to make watering easy and man the maters, squash, cukes etc. you could grow in there.

My Son thinks I should be able to grow a Tomato or two. oneshot

It's here. oneshot

How long would it take you to eat $1000.00+ worth of vegetables?

Some nut case shot a farmer on a combine, dragged the body home, and killed a cop responding to a missing person this week just south of here.