Crippled Caddis

brownieman wrote: <had a 22 ft. 32 inch wide square stern river jon...sold it bent in half for scrap...those were the days> That implies it was a aluminum boat. I can't recall ever seeing a metal river jon that long. Do you recall who made it? <had several different motors all the way down to a 3 horse> Musta been one of the Johnnyrude 'Lighttwins'. I've had one for over 20 years that is my go to motor for dependability. One of the sweetest running fishing motors ever built. Few could match it for trolling. And it just sips gas.

Rusty: The phrase, like myself, is somewhat dated. ;o) CC

JD & deerman, Dunno if this will bring the thread back to the top or not, but there must be something in the Ozark air related to the 9.5 Evinrudes. A trip to the hardware store yesterday to ascore some stainless steel hardware for one of the motors I'm working on culminated with a short trip this morning to pick up a couple of vintage motors from the clerk who waited on me. One is a '69 Evinrude 9.5. It has so much compression that I can barely pull the rope, but the huge rubber anti-vibration gasket just above the foot must be about gone because it 'wiggles' there. If the lower unit isn't kaput this one can live again with so much compression. The other motor was a 9 horse McCulloch electric start lo-profile. It appears in better shape but once the cowl was removed it revealed that mice with a taste for wiring insulation had taken up residence some time prior so some rewiring will be required before further analysis can take place. I've sorta been lusting for one of these Mac 9s because of the electric start. I have some physical problems that preclude tossing big, heavy motors around or even pull-starting them, but the smaller vintage motors I 'fool' with and can handle physically won't plane out the 12' alum. semi-vee Monarch I normally use as a fishing boat. If I can get the 9 horse Mac running DEPENDABLY then I think I'll have something very near ideal for an 'olde pharte' who fishes rivers and small lakes. But it'll hafta wait; I have a '48 and '50 Johnson and a '53 Sea King, all 5 horses, torn down and in various states of repair at present. If I don't get them finished before I forget which part goes to each motor I'll be in deep ca-ca. CC

gf wrote: <CC: what was it Thomas Jefferson said about exercise. Something along the lines of in the matter of exercise I recommend the gun it ......> I think you're referring to this one: "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks." --Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. ME 5:85, Papers 8:407 I recommend: <http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/ThomasJefferson/jeffcont.htm>

<The fishing was not spectacular, but fish were caught. I had 9 trout in total over my time there. Not sure what the problem is, but it was much slower than in years past.> What happened was that the spawning run was 'discovered' this past Winter and the slaughter was enough to make a strong man cry in public. It wasn't the catching that was a problem, just the sheer number of big trout killed. Unless a catch and release season during the spawn is declared before the next spawn the river will be decimated. When will fishermen understand that killing the big fish is the equivilent of killing your herd bull for beef or throwing away your clubs and balls after every game of golf?

jc wrote: <DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!> AMEN! But from an informed position! I am a devout Constitutionalist and a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson. Therefore some quotes from the principle author of our Constitution pertinant to the subject, but preceded by a few words from one he admired. CC ######################################################################## The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato "It was by the sober sense of our citizens that we were safely and steadily conducted from monarchy to republicanism, and it is by the same agency alone we can be kept from falling back." --Thomas Jefferson "We are to guard against ourselves; not against ourselves as we are, but as we may be; for who can imagine what we may become under circumstances not now imaginable?" --Thomas Jefferson "Time indeed changes manners and notions, and so far we must expect institutions to bend to them. But time produces also corruption of principles, and against this it is the duty of good citizens to be ever on the watch, and if the gangrene is to prevail at last, let the day be kept off as long as possible." --Thomas Jefferson "The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered." --Thomas Jefferson "[Montesquieu wrote in Spirit of the Laws, VIII,c.12:] 'When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.'" --Thomas Jefferson: copied into his Commonplace Book "I wish... to see maintained that wholesome distribution of powers established by the Constitution for the limitation of both [the State and General governments], and never to see all offices transferred to Washington where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, (where) they may more secretly be bought and sold as at market." --Thomas Jefferson ####################################################################### On this Eve of Independence day I commend to the readers the words of another who loved his nation: "Study the Constitution. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislatures, and enforced in courts of justice." -- Abraham Lincoln

Thanks gf! If I just sit down, shut up and listen I learn something new every day.;o) CC

You are 100% correct about NAFTA Thom! Mea Culpa! Perhaps I was thinking of GATT? Edit: Which grew out of actions by Reagan, Bush 1 and was finalized under Clinton and has now morphed into the World Trade Org.

skeeter wrote: <The environmental concerns and regulations in this Country have made it financially beneficial coupled with the cost of labor to move manufacturing to the Communist dictatorship that is modern day China> And NAFTA made it not only possible but irresistable. That little weasel Ross Perot told us exactly what would happen if NAFTA was adopted but the American electorate preferred to vote for Clinton and have NAFTA (among other Clintonian 'benefits') as a result. <The Chicoms spy on us, steal our technology for national defense and manufacturing and we are truly "sleeping with the enemy".> They didn't have to steal our technology----Clinton sold it to them in exchange for campaign contributions. And their political operatives were sleeping in the White House---for 'further considerations'. Not satisfied with stealing the White House furniture and silverware on exit the less principled of the duo now wants her turn at the trough. Known on campus in her student days at Yale as 'Little Miss Communist' one can only muse on the possible results of such a Presidency.

gf wrote: < As a tax payer it is not only my right it is my civic duty to do so.> If more people understood that statement and acted on it we wouldn't all be scratching our heads and asking "What went wrong with my country"?

Dacvid wrote: <Sounds like three would be a good number to fish with...one to spot fish, one to spot snakes and one to carry the fly rod.> Sounds like a workable plan----so long as everyone tippy-toes.;o)

jc wrote: <I would say your right on track. I just want them to show me the property and buildings that have been bought and built with the 1/8 tax. I don't even want to know about when they built Truman or Stockton. I am not talking about all that. I am talking about after they started getting the 1/8 sales tax> Not to be a cynic jc, but asking for accountability from bureaucracy is the functional equivilent of expecting virginity in widows. ;o) The problem with our political system lies with the electorate rather than with those elected. The realist expects elected officials to be crooks. The problem is that we keep putting the same crooks back in office. That allows them to build a bureaucratic cadre who owe them. Throw out the crooks every election cycle until it gets through the thick heads of those who would seek office that the only way to maintain their own status is to be responsive to those who elect them and you break the entire cycle. If the American electorate ever comes to fully understand the principle of "Throw the Bastards out" the problems from which we collectively suffer can be corrected in only a few election cycles. If you (ALL of you reading this!) have ever cast your vote for someone who has performed in a less than totally satisfactory manner as your representative in his first opportunity to please you then the problem is YOU! So long as the American political system continues to operate by the 'spoils' system then re-electing anyone is a distinct case of getting what you so richly deserve. Above all be suspicious of anyone who seeks office. To do so is tacit admission of criminal intent in the current political climate. In order for our political system to work as intended office holders should be drafted against their will.;o) CC

gonefishin wrote: <And all those bucks in the banks earning interest, don't think for a minute the state or federal governments aren't working hard to figure out a way to grab them up,> You can make safe bets that you're right about that. Somehere around here I have a 1936 Readers Digest that has an article in it decrying that legislators were already raiding Social Security monies. Passed in 1935 with the assurance that Social Security funds would NEVER be accessible for any other purpose legislators had already figured out how to raid the fund. To paraphrase P. J. O'Rourke: "Giving money and power to politicians is like giving liqour and car keys to teenagers." <"The American Republic will fail when politicians realize that they can bribe the people with their own money." Alexis de Tocqueville>

Interesting thread! Someone above was griping about not having oversight of the fish and game dept. Please allow me to present a different viewpoint. Since we live under a Republic of Democratic form of government in the case of our state governments then oversight means that your political representatives would be able to control your fish & game. I can only cite Arkansas where fisheries and game management is controlled by a board of political appointees. Our Arkansas Fish and Game department is a political football as a result. Fish and game laws are predicated on the whims and desires of those who can sway the appointees as a result. That often means they take orders from those who were instrumental in their appointment. As a result the opinions and advice of the biologists are secondary to politics and influence. So count yourself among the fortunate that Missouri has an MDC that is as close to politically independent as you can get. You are the envy of those of us to the South who have watched our 1/8 cent tax used to pander to politics.

I echo Dano's sentiments JD. Don't worry too much about the ungrateful wretch who wouldn't grant access. Everyone gets what they deserve eventually. That's what worries me.;o)

AMEN! #2!

*&^%$# Dano! When I saw the subject line I thought you had finally reached a decision about the watercraft you wanted as was about to pop for it.

Al wrote: <You see, land grants given by the king of England before the United States came into being gave the landowners along these rivers the exclusive fishing rights, and unbelievably, recent court cases have upheld those grants.> As they have in the case of Spanish land grants in the SW that gives ALL rights to the streams to the landowner so long as the property remains in the same family. Not at all unusual as proprety rights are commonly 'grandfathered'.

Terry wrote: <The laws are gray and confusing in many cases, but the stream in question (in the states of Arkansas and Missouri anyway) have to be deemed "navigable" by the courts or government entity. I'm not sure which entity does that, but that is what is indicated.> Gavin wrote: <Navigability really doesnt have much to do with it because most of our float streams have a well documented history of public use> gonefishin wrote: <Anyway the laws were written years ago, I think to keep water from being monopolized.> The law concerning navigability being the criteria for 'public waters' originated at a period of the early history of the nation when the waterways were the routes of commerce since there WAS no road system. Commerce being considered the lifeblood of a society the laws concerning the use of waterways were promulgated to prevent property owners from denying access or charging tolls. Under the principle of 'original intent' in the interpretation of law any waterway that has been used for commercial purposes in the past should pass muster in court as a navigable waterway. Please note the 'should' since original intent is more and more ignored in the current era by jurists pursuing a personal political agenda. In the Ozarks where tie-hacking was a way of life in the off-season for many subsistance farmers as well as others many seasonal streams were used to get their ties to market. Even where there was no stream with a year-round flow sufficient to float the ties they were often stacked on a high bank above a seasonal stream. When late Winter or Spring rains caused the stream to rise the hackers took advantage of it to knock the key log out from under their stacked ties so that they would tumble into the fllooded creek. They then followed them to market. Tie-hacking was so common in many parts of the Ozark Plateau that many marginal streams were used as commercial routes. A bit of research with local historical societies might turn up some interesting information if you find yourself charged with trespass.

Greg wrote: <Our rough plan is to spend a few days in Durango, Denver, and CO Springs. I'm looking for some advice on Fly fishing in CO.> Allow me one moment of scoffing up front: Fer God's sake why would you go to Denver and Co. Sprgs? That's the functional equivilent of a New Yorker 'escaping' the city by visiting LA.( OK thanks---I feel better now! By ALL means take up MoTroutBum on his offer! There are some true jewels in southern CO & northern NM that see NO touristas. But you either have to invest the time to discover them yourself (don't sound like you'll have that freedom with the family along) or have a local take pity on you. One suggestion that the family might enjoy almost as much as yourself----the upper Rio Costilla inside the state park immediately south of the CO state line has some very technical fishing for native Cutts in the open meadow runs in a very scenic area. (I've seen and heard more Elk there than in Jackson Hole) Or picking pockets in the Rio Costilla just above its' confluence with the Rio Grande. Or the UPPER upper Pecos where you can step across it up near where the road dead-ends in the Pecos Wilderness. Or the streams in the White Mts. of the national forest in East central Arizona near Alpine. I've had Bighorn sheep watch me fish the Black river there. Northern NM has a lot of great small fisheries for small native trout but you have to pay your dues to discover them. Maybe MTB can give you a few hints. CC

CMAC wrote: <This happened to me last weekend so just curious what the real law says. I left to avoid any confrontations.> You are far wiser than some. You did EXACTLY the right thing under the circumstances. As Terry said it's not worth getting shot whether you are right or not. Also as he pointed out it is a very moot point in any case. Case law varies by jurisdiction making a definitive answer to your question absolutely impossible. The best advice I can give is to contact your local District Attorney for guidance on local standards. And if you can get a solid answer out of him please contact me immediately! I too would like to see the new star in the East.;o)

Try calling my buddy Mark Crawford who guides on the Spring and ask him. 1-417-280-0102 If you're flyfishing get some of his flies. They are 'different' but work great on the Spring.

jc wrote: <It taught us how to think for our selfs and entertain our selfs.> And there's the key------it taught how to use the power of imagination. Imagination is the requisite forerunner to ALL progress. If it can't be visualized it won't be created-----as simple as that. <I think more kids should have a little bit of this and thay might understand how nice they have it.> Except for a single utterly critical factor you are absolutely right. That factor is that under current societal standards imposed by the 'Love Generation's' KoolAide quaffers & Kumbaya chanters it would be deemed cruelty to a child and those practicing it would be proscecuted by the ACLU controlled judicial system.

Time to get rid of things I no longer use but have to care for. Accordingly I'm offering the following bamboo rods for sale on my local board before doing so nationally. If interested contact me at <of939@centurytel.net> PLEASE put 'Bamboo Rods' in the subject line as I've gotten in the habit of instantly trashcanning mail from any address I don't recognize after losing several computer systems to 'bugs'. Crippled Caddis ################################################################################ #1. This'un is the 'good'un' of the bunch. And the high $ one too! To start with it comes with a story------20 something years ago I was hired by Mel Krieger as one of his local 'experts' (little did he know! ) to help him put on one of his casting clinics. One of the students was an old fellow already in his '70s and a lifelong flyfisher. Being self-taught he had some of the worst casting faults imaginable and they were well and truly ingrained. The other assistants wanted nothing further to do with him after the first rotation, but I figured he'd paid the same $ a everyone else and he sure needed help in eliminating a lot of long practiced casting faults. Besides I rather admired him for pursuing improvement at his advanced age. So I was 'stuck' with him for the remainder of the 2 days. I admit that my attempts weren't exactly 100% successful but at the end of the class he was a little better than when we started and he thought his $ had been well invested. So I was rather surprised to see him walk into the flyshop where I worked the following week with a rodcase in hand. He took me aside after I was finished with my customer and said, "I brought you something if you want it" and handed me the rodcase. I opened it to find a 3/2, 8 1/2' Phillipson 'Powr Pakt' bamboo for a 6 in almost new condition in original bag and case.. Then he told me the story about it. Immediately following WW2 new rods were rather hard to get so when the opportunity came along he ordered a pair of matched new rods----one to use and a spare for a back-up. The one he was offering was the 'spare' and it had seen very little use indeed. I was initially reluctant to accept his largesse but he was earnestly insistant, saying that I'd earned it by "putting up with him" the past weekend. So I accepted it with as much grace as possible and I never saw him again. To my shame I don't even recall his name at this stage. To make a long story just a bit longer that rod and I never reached a compromise. It is a relatively 'fast' Western action that simply doesn't please me. I've lawn-cast it every couple of years or so, even tried to fish it a time or two and kept it preserved with the occasional applications of a hard Carnuba floor wax, but we've never been able to reach an acommadation. So it's now available to the corps of the Phillipson afficienados at the price of $450. #2 This one isn't nearly so well-preserved as the foregoing Phillipson, but it's the one I've preferred to fish over the years. It would profit enormously from being stripped down, re-wrapped and refinished, but I've managed to use it as is for a long time with religious applications of protective floor wax. It is a 3/2, 9' Model 9053 'Grainger Special' in original bag and rodcase. I suspect it's from the era prior to WW2 but have no idea how to establish my opinion as fact. I find it more pleasant TO ME with a 6 wt. DT, but I think it was supposed to be a 7. One of the tip sections is @ 3" short and deserves splicing. Both tips take a 'slight right' but the rod has no big sets or crooks. It is original with all factory wraps, (whoops---just noticed a guide that has been repaired!) guides, ferrules and (crazed) varnish. The cork is good except for a small area at the extreme rear under the heel of the hand that has a bit missing. The rod is hardly perfect but is a good, restorable original example worthy of a good home. I'd like to see it find one at $250. #3 An old Montague 'Flash', 9', 7 wt. Like all Montagues it needs new ferrules as well as a coat of varnish. Just a blue-collar rod that would be a good exercise for someone wanting to try their hand at refinishing. Only $95 to a good home.

gf wrote: <I fish from bank most of the time. I sit back and relax with a cool drink in my hand and watch my bobber. Fishing is supposed to be a relaxing sport and nowadays I find myself amazed at the pace most people set and the dollars worth of equipment they have.> A return to the innocence of youth is often 'just what the doctor ordered' to recenter us in lives fallen out of kilter in a world gone insane. I think your method worthy of pursuit gonefishing. The introspection to be gained from staring at a cork is almost as soothing to societal ills as the mesmerizing flicker of a campfire--------without the smoke in your eyes. Better yet is to take a kid with you the better to see through their eye. CC