Crippled Caddis

gf wrote: <It would be nice to get people to boycott. Problem is if they won't boycott the price of gas for even one day there is no chance of getting them to boycott unsafe food, meds and other products. Yup----therein lies the problem. If they're too apathetic to inform themselves and VOTE intelligently how're you gonna get 'em to take such concerted effort as a boycott. That's why I painted such a gloomy picture about the future of our nation-----only massive, unreasoning anger will produce concerted effort and that way lies bloodshed. CC

<Okay, initial and final stability I know about. But I am confused about the flare. You have to explain that, sounds very interesting. I thought the more it was flared the less final stability it would have.> Essentially as a highly flared boat heels over further you are, in effect, 'putting more boat in the water'. In other terms the displacement of the boat is becoming greater as it heels. More boat= more stability and tendency to self correct. Highly oversimplified but I hope it's understandable. <I did purchase the plans for the Pirogue 500. In the plans it said to mount the seats as close to the floor as possible. Won't that increase the stability?> Yes---lowering the CG increases stability. Sitting almost flat on the floor as in a kayak produces the greatest stability. Rule of thumb= the skinnier the boat the lower the seat. <I am planning on using the seats from Uncle Johns, they look really nice.> If you'referring to the slatted seat that sets on the bottom it was designed by Chuck Littleton who owns the 'Southern Paddler' board I've recommended frequently. For a good thread on it see his description at: <http://www.neilbank.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=283> CC

Drew wrote: <how do we get America to stop importing Chinese crap!> Boycott! The power of the purse is greater than the sword. CC

Drew wrote: <What particular accidents have occurred to those opposing the Clintons? > I truly don't wish to get involved in a discussion on that subject since it draws incoming rounds like few others. If you wish to see a highly speculative and more than a bit questionable summary you'll find it at: <http://www.jeremiahproject.com/prophecy/clintbodycnt.html> I neither support nor decry the information presented there and will only note that in the presence of a lot of smoke I tend to suspect the presence of at least a bit of fire. ;o) CC

<I like the looks and the stability of a pirogue in flat water is great.> I guess that guilt finally overcame my natural reticence about giving unsolicited advice, but I just must comment about stability and the perceptions surrounding it. A flat-bottomed craft such as a pirogue will have great 'initial stability'. That is it will be very stable up until such time that it is heeled over too far, at which time it's inherently poor 'final stability' surges to the fore and you find yourself practicing your breast stroke. By contrast a craft with a slightly vee'd or rounded bottom, while suffering in the 'initial stability' category, has far better 'final stability' in that it WANTS to be self-righting. In both instances the flare of the upper gunnel region has a lot to do with the 'final stability' issue. In general terms the greater the flare then the greater the final stability. If that confuses anyone take heart----I've been studying watercraft for many years and I still find myself confused frequently. ;o0 CC

My take: Bureaucrats, (and the MDC is a bureau--make no mistake on THAT score!) like gamblers, play the odds. Trout are the 'boutique fish' of the era so they get the bulk of the attention. The 'trout parks' are money-earners. In that respect the MDC is no different than you or I. In both cases the profitable venture will be nurtured far more than even our favorites---it's human nature at it's pragmatic basics. Unless or until we can convince the 'powers-that-be' that Smallies earn as much $ as trout no change is going to take place. Period! I don't live in Missouri. But I see much the same mindset in operation in Arkansas. This state has produced a significant # of world record trout; a fact that draws anglers from around the nation and even the world. But AGFC surveys has shown in every instance that the bulk of tourism $ spent on trout fishing is by those who just want to catch daily limits and take them home to freezer burn and ultimately be wasted. So the preponderance of the emphasis of the Arkansas trout fisheries program is centered on stocking catchable hatchery idiots to satisfy the average fisherman. There is NO emphasis placed on trophy fishing even tho it is the perception of the possibility of trophies that lures the average tourist fisherman. AGFC depends virtually entirely on the 'luck-of-the-draw' that has historically produced the trophies and records that nurture the fantasies of those who come here to fish. Deteriating water quality has made it transparent to those who can see that those days are far behind us as the lakes that created the tailwater fisheries come more to resemble settling basins or sewage lagoons as the effects of 'Better Living Through Chemistry' accumulates behind the dams in ever greater toxicity. The long-since obvious result is tailwater discharges that not only are detrimental to the health of the fish but to the very basis of the food chain on which all aquatic life depends. While such factual data is readily available and even obvious to even the casual outdoorsman the wheels of bureaucracy grind so slowly that response time is such that the damage will have been done before the 'studies' have been generally accepted at the highest levels where decisions are made. In short, if you want movement then you must raise so much Hell that it's less uncomfortable for bureaucracy to do what you want than it is for them to maintain their own comfortable rut! Just MHO. CC

Fs wrote: <I building the Pirogue. Much better looking boat in my opinion. I'm still going to probably end up with a 16 or 17 foot boat and as wide as possible. It will carry what it can carry and I'll just be happy to float in it.> Are you going to use Matt's (JEM Watercraft) 'Pirogue 500' plans for those who need a higher capacity craft? IIRC he designed that one as a special request from one of more 'heroic' proportions. If you wish I'll ask a friend of 'heroic' proportions who designed the pirogue he built for he and his son to fish from. I recall that he had it designed especially to be more useful for bigger people. I'll ask him for permission to give you his e-mail address too if you wish then you could correspond with him on the subject. In the meantime I'll notify him about this thread in case he wants to chime in. FWIW, Morten Olsen, who designed the DK touring canoe in your 1st post above also has a jonboat plan available. I've corresponded with him a bit (he's in Denmark) concerning the authentic Ozark jon and he sez he hopes to eventually redo his jonboat to more accurately reflect it's Ozark genesis. CC

Drew wrote: <Now, how do we go about abolishing this form of government without being hanged for treason?> That is indeed the question! It COULD be done at the ballot box, but I've about given up on the American electorate ever surrendering their apathy long enough to take carefully considered concerted effort. The vast majority of voters vote their pocketbook, principles seeming to have died along with the Founding Fathers. A few election cycles in which EVERY incumbent was removed from office for non-performance to his constituencie's wishes would make new office seekers far more responsive, even eager to please, so that they might retain their own place at the trough. Once that was accomplished then a national referendum demanding a return to Constitutional principles would be feasible. Oddly, for the current era, we have a strict Constitutionalist, Ron Paul, running for President right now, but Mainstream Media is giving him the cold-shoulder as is to be expected from the leading exponents of Socialist globalism. If his popularity continues to increase (one poll had him at 50% among Republican voters last week) I fully expect to see the same sort of full-court press at character assassination that media did on Joseph McCarthy. I've been half-heartedly following his career for several years since the fact that a strict Constitutionalist even managed to get elected was such a surprise. But I have recently discovered that he is a long-time associate of Ross Perot. I think that leaves a bit of hope that he will prove more than a single voice crying in the wilderness. But I hold little hope that he will be elected even if he doesn't meet with the sort of strange 'accident' that have historically befallen so many who opposed the Clintons. I suspect that ultimately things will just continue to worsen for the 'average joe' until such time as a mass upwelling of anger brings about a bloodbath. That is the normal outcome of repressive forms of government. Sorry for the gloomy picture. CC

<the old wooden canoe we used since i was little had to weigh about 150 lbs. Too much repair over the yrs> Boy am I familiar with the problem! Had an 18' wood & canvas Old Town Guide model for a while. (wish I had it now!) It was just manageable for two people to load on a roof rack when well dried out but getting it back on top after a weekend overnighter when it had taken the opportunity to soak up a load of water would rupture Olympic weightlifters. ;o( Sure was a superior fishing canoe tho. If I still had it it'd be on a trailer these days but it wound up as a display 'antique' for the Bennigans/Steak & Ale chain. CC

<You stand not alone my friend...you're comments are always constructive and well stated.> Thank you Kind Sirrah! I would point out one more thing----slavery takes many forms, taxes being amongst the most insidious and equally as onerous as physical bondage. By that standard we are enslaved, one and all. CC

Fly wrote: <Of course this makes no difference if I decide to paint it. Still not sure what I want to do there. Really wanted a wood finish canoe, but I may paint this one and save the wood finish for the kayak plans I have been looking at. Plus it's a lot cheaper to paint.> True but it lasts a LOT longer if glassed. The difference can range up to decades! Properly applied glass allows the full glory of the woodgrain to show----including any 'oops' by the builder. Web wrote: <You could always paint the bottom and stain the sides. My thing was a white bottom/floor and natural sides and white trim.> For durability a glassed bottom finished out with 2-3 final coats of epoxy resin containing @ 20% graphite powder by volume will make it slide over rocks like the slickest plastic boats. It also makes the bottom black---it is after all graphite! Go to the site I recommended in the post above and look at some of the pirogues finished out with clear glass and graphited bottoms up to the waterline. I think they are very handsome indeed. CC

May I suggest that those interested take a look at 'Uncle Johns' pirogue kit? http://www.unclejohns.com/boat/default.htm For less than $60 you get all of the difficult to make parts and full plans. All that you need to add are a couple of sheets of good exterior plywood, glue and your finishing materials which can range from W-M exterior latex to fully fiberglassing both interior and exterior. (but only if you want it to last ;o)) The Cajun pirogue is neither more nor less than a modernized version of the Southern aboriginal dugout canoe simplified so that it may be built with readily available current materials. Readily available and freely dispensed advice on building a pirogue with a LOT of expertise concerning the Uncle John kit specifically is almost instantly available at http://www.neilbank.com/phpBB2/ I would advise asking serious questions on the 'Serious Boatbuildong Questions' board on that site since the preponderance of BSers that hang out on the site make even this forum seem deadly serious. ;o) CC

<He said if you start from scrach like grain, wood, metal ore things like that. And worked it up from start to finish encluding land fill it was 93%!> My own research indicates that is very near the mark. When one reflects that the reason the American Colonists revolted and tossed the British Empire out was for a VERY minor tax on tea and that the Founding Fathers had the wisdom to reserve the right to bear arms to the citizen for the express purpose of defending himself against oppressive government whether from without or within then the reflective citizen must wonder what has happened to emasculate us one and all. Perhaps it would be instructive to think on the following words from our Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Am I the only one who thinks it time to abolish a system that has became far more oppressive that was that of England and institute a new one that is more 'likely to effect our Safety and Happiness'? CC For an education in how our form of government came about that will also reveal how the current repressionist regimes differ from that envisioned by our forefathers see: http://patriotpost.us/histdocs/

Chief Greybear wrote: <So all you have to go on is rumors? I think that has been the main fuel in this whole thread. I'm just as a proud, gun toting American as anyone, but I also don't believe everything I read in the NRA mag.> Extracted from the 2000 National Democratic Party Platform: <Democrats believe that we should fight gun crime on all fronts - with stronger laws and stronger enforcement. That's why Democrats fought and passed the Brady Law and the Assault Weapons Ban.----Now we must do even more. We need mandatory child safety locks, to protect our children. We should require a photo license I.D., a full background check, and a gun safety test to buy a new handgun in America. We support more federal gun prosecutors, ATF agents and inspectors, and giving states and communities another 10,000 prosecutors to fight gun crime.> Extracted from the Republican National Party Platform of 2000 <We defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and we affirm the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms. Because self-defense is a basic human right, we will promote training in their safe usage, especially in federal programs for women and the elderly. A Republican administration will vigorously enforce current gun laws---especially by prosecuting dangerous offenders identified as felons> I believe even a slight effort at research will reveal that the parties in general abide by their platform statements as evidenced by the hisorical record. CC

jd wrote: <CC, if you read this, this is why I went vintage on the boat. I grew up fishing with a great uncle that had a 14' jon and an old johnson outboard. We watched several other nicer boats at the time go by, but I was happy just getting out to fish the day. My uncle would envy my boat, 2 trolling motors, a livewell, padded seats, and a motor that starts on the first pull. We never had that luxury, but my daughter will not have the bacon and egg sandwichs and fried apple pies that my aunt made for us.> Good work jd! On both boat and daughter! Of the 2 your heart will remain lost to her while you may eventually find a new love in watercraft. Invest as much time as you can in her over the next couple of years---steal it from somewhere else if you must, but the investment you make in her right now will repay you many times over in comparison to where you might steal the time. Every hour the two of you spend together in the outdoors represents a heavy deposit in the 'memory savings account' for both of you and the interest it accrues will get both of you through rough spots in life. Believe it or not but the things she learns out fihing with her Dad will give her guidance in many difficult aspects of her life, lessons she will learn nowhere else. She's a 'cutey'! She reminds me very much of the 3 girls I raised as much as possible outdoors. None of the 3 of them got into any serious troubles and all have had successful careers tho I couldn't afford the higher education they deserved. I think the 'reality training' they got in the woods and on the water stood them in good stead in place of diplomas. As someone has already said, they grow up and are gone seemingly while you're still trying to arrange a couple of days off to spend with them so enjoy her while you can---she'll be a young woman with children of her own before you can figure out what the Heck happened! CC

<I will agree in that a former director (Jerry somebody) got into bed with the timber industry and tried to sell or lease a large amount of forest for clear cutting. Thankfully it didn't happen. And strange enough, he stepped down and retired only to be hired on by a large lumber company doing biz in Missouri.> Geez! Imagine that. While this refers to the state of the incestuous relationships between industry and state bureaucrats it is an excellent condensation of exactly how the U. S. Forestry Service functions. The forestry service may even lead the way among bureaucracies for direct kickbacks from industry to 'civil servants'. It's kept as quiet as possible of course but a bit of research will turn up info that will turn up your blood-pressure. Personally I'd like to know whose pockets were lined for the sale of entire islands of timber in the Kodiak chain off of Alaska to Asian interests. But I've stopped researching such things out of concern for my cardio-vascular health. CC

<Suger cured ham in a pot of beans Pepper sauce covered turnip greens Cornbread smothered in butter and honey And fried peach pies shinin' like new money!> Sure hoping you move back to MS soon! I'll be a regular vistor--------- around dinnertime. ;o)

Terry wrote: <By the way, CC.... Jeet yet?> Nope---but I'm asittin' on dead ready! <Yontew?> Whatchacookin'?

brownieman wrote: <Due to this I always fish upstream.> Bof'us! ;o)

drew wrote: <Seems like you have it figured out> Nah----never been there to my sorrow. Just thinking aloud based on the comments of those who have and past experience with similar waters. The commentary on bright clothing and gear however is a long-time wonderment to me. I dress about the same whether fishing or hunting; in either case I want to be as inconspicuous as possible. All wild predators blend into the background of their habitat and I want to emulate them as much as I can. That doesn't mean I'm one of those who wear camo at all times. (tho it's probably a good practice) Subdued natural earth tones suffice if one practices good tactics. I'm even starting to knock the gloss off of rod blanks before wrapping them and using black or dark colored hardware to prevent excess flashes. Extreme care such as that becomes more important on such difficult waters as Crane creek, but observation when fishing any water will prove to the observant that letting the fish know of your presence lowers your odds and I need every advantage I can eke out. Man has been called the 'supreme predator' and I can't believe we earned the apellation by not thinking about the task at hand. CC

brownieman, Nope---no 'Judge's Jawbreakers', but I can wish. And yes---I'd like to know should your Dad decide to surrender his Lighttwin, but it'd hafta be soon as I'm not getting any younger either. Look for a PM in your message box. CC

Er----Terry, have you ever stopped to think that He wants you to be a trout bum?

jd wrote: <The vintage 73 9.5 Johnson returned to running form today. I rebuilt the carb on Friday and took it out this morning and it run like a champ. The float was all soaked up and sunk and that was my prob. I have a nice old boat now from the days of my youth.> Darn jd, I missed your post while BSing with brownieman. ;o) Congratulations on getting that old warrior running right! You've got a great rig that should provide many, many hours of pleasure. The truth of the matter is that very few outboards indeed are ever truly 'worn out'. They are simply taken for granted until time exerts its' toll and are then consigned to a forgotten corner of garage or barn. Often, down the road a bit, they are sold for scrap or sent to the landfill when only a few hours and dollars would revive them to provide a motive source for adventure. CC brownieman: PM sent. CC

OnTheFly wrote: <I have caught over there don’t really seem to be picky what you throw at them----caught about a half a dozen trout on a hopper in the snow.> Er---yeah, I wouldn't call that too picky! ;o) Crane sounds very much like any heavily pressured, skinny water, extremely clear small stream that puts a heavy premium on woodsmanship and streamcraft. There are fish there but they aren't fools----nor do they surrender to those who are. A site that yields its' treasures to those of a sniper mentality and approach rather than the "Hail fellow, well met" sort. No bumblers or peacocks honored. I can live with that, though as I age I no longer have the muscle control required to ghost through the woods like an aboriginal patience will still yield stealth for a reward. Drab clothing? Always! It never ceases to amaze me when I see fishermen in white tee-shirts or equally bright accouterments along with gear that sparkles like the displays at a custom car show. Do they REALLY think that fish are blind? CC

brownieman wrote: <Hows this for the ramblings of a jon boat man? > Great! I'd much rather read true stories like that than fiction and it's the sort of thing I can well relate to also. Great memories make great stories. <My father and I still have all the motors...if memory serves me right the little 3 horse has no nuetral or reverse...you pull the cord and your off...direct drive I reckon. Sweet little motor, idles down so slow and takes little gas as you said.> Yep----that's the one! Mine is a '68 model, the first year that they came equipped to use only a remote tank and the last year before they boosted them to 4 hp IIRC. If you're using one as a back-up to a big motor or as a troller the remote tank is definitely the hot set-up as you can just unplug the fuel line from the big motor and plug it into the little one, but if you're using it as primary power on a riverboat then the earlier models (from '51 up) with the built-in tank are more convenient IMO. One of these days before I get too old maybe I'll stumble across one still in good enough shape to be reviveable. I'm working on 2 old Johnsons at the moment that were maybe even better for slow trolling that the Lighttwin. One is a 1948 5 horse direct drive model TD-20 and the other is the same thing except a 1950 TN-26 model that had the nuetral/forward clutch but the same powerhead (a great one for running trotlines!). The secret to their slow-running and utter dependability that made them the hands-down favorite of boat rental docks was the dual carburetion system that allowed them to idle down so low and run all day without fouling plugs even with the 16/1 gas/oil mixes of the era. One in good shape will run so slow (and restart at the same setting!) that it sounds like it should die before the next stroke. In parts of the country where trolling was a big deal (as it used to be even here in the early days of the big reservoirs) the 5 horse Johnsons were king, both for private owners and boat liveries. If you are of a technical bent the carburetion sustem is sorta facinating. At start and low speeds it runs entirely off of fuel/air mix thru a 'mixing valve' consisting of nothing more than a venturi about a quarter inch ID and a needle valve. (Exactly like a model airplane engine 'carburetor' and little if any bigger!) Air velocity through that tiny venturi had sufficient velocity to properly atomize the fuel without feeding the engine wet gulps of inproperly atomized mix that would wet plugs as in the case of other makes with a regular carburetor operating off of a butterfly that merely restricted a big throat. The Johnsons would run from a disturbingly low idle all the way to mid-range through that tiny venturi before the standard carb assumed the duty from mid to high speed. They will even run up to about half speed with the fuel shut off completely to the carb. One of the delightful side-effects of the fuel system was that they merely sipped fuel since they were getting it mixed right, a not inconsiderable benefit to liveries and impecunious fishermen. <I have pictures of the boat after the damage...makes me sick to look at them...that boat was like a part of me...memories are all I have now.> But at least you have some great memories! So much better than if you'd never had it (and used it!) at all. Think of all the people who never did much of anything-----what the heck do they have to reminisce about so fondly? No matter their bank balance they are destitute of accrued interest in their 'memory savings account' while you are as rich as Midas in that respect. <sorry for the lengthy post> Er-----surely you can't think I would fault you for it! ;o) CC