Ham

I would like to participate. @BilletHead?

Always a struggle for me to decide where to fish. I want to catch everything and I want to catch Lots of them, but I can’t stand the thought of being a One Trick Pony and fishing the same way or the same place over and over. I’m also trying not to trailer a boat >100 miles each way more than once a week. This time of year I focus on cold water species or places where the water isn’t cold. I’ve had some good trips to Arkansas Nuke One recently, but I just didn’t feel like fishing it again. I’ve been catching trout well in the White River which is Super Close for me, but I wasn’t feeling it. USCOE Little Rock app wasn’t functioning so I didn’t want to run to 11 Pt with Waldo in tow to find the water too low. I had an awesome trip to the Spring River near Hardy, AR but I didn’t want to fish it again so soon. I decided to go to this little spring fed lake and play with my fly rods and get a Chain Pickerel on fly. I’d give McCormack a couple of hours and fish somewhere else on the way home to add numbers. I had a new 8 weight fly rod that needed to be used and to catch a few fish on it, but I also carried a 6 weight, a 7 weight, and a spinning rod with 10 lb braid. I parked in the day use area and dragged the boat down to the water. I made a separate trip down with rods. Got into my Christmas waders (my wife got me some nice new ones that are super Comfy and I actually stay dry wearing) and finally got started. I started with this one the 8 wtand this on the 7 wt I took less than 5 minutes to get my first Chain Pickerel on fly for the year. I caught my second one the next cast and missed a third on the cast after that. I put the 7 weight down and started with the 8 weight. It didn’t take long, but that fly didn’t get enough looks quick enough for me. I switched to an inexpensive conehead bunny something and the chain pickerel snacked on it early and often. I made my way around the lake getting bite after bite. Missed some, lost some, and caught more than a few. I was gonna leave to pound numbers elsewhere, but I was catching them there and having fun so I decided to stay. well, on a backcast with the 8 weight I tangled with the 7 weight and it knocked the fly loose from the 7 weight and the fly settled in the water. The wind was pushing me slowly along and I looked down and saw a fish trailing my 7 weight fly. I grabbed the rod and gave it a twitch and the fish ate the fly!!!I didn’t even know the lake had Black Crappie. The water is super clear and a lot of my eats were very visual. including this surprise Largemouth. I knew there were a few bass in the lake, but I suspected they would too chilly to play. I took a little lunch break. I put the 8 weight away. Got my 6 weight rigged up and grabbed the spinning rod. I wanted to see if I could get more crappie. I could and did. Even some of those bites were visible. I tried slowing the fly down in deeper water and Chain Pickerel still ate it about as often as crappie. I used the spinning rod to see if the fly rod was being inefficient, but I didn’t really catch them a lot faster on spinning, but it was easier to deal with. I even got a chain pickerel on the spinning in deep water. I did pretty well checking my leader for nicks from the toothy demons, but my luck ran out and I lost flys on back to back bites. Bummer. I had a Great Day. I had hoped for A Chain Pickerel and 20 fish total. I ended up catching 22 Chain Pickerel, 8 crappie, and 2 Largemouth Bass. Not bad at all for 4 hours of fishing.

We built a house a few years ago and “somehow” they forgot to I stall the built in ironing board my wife wanted. By the time we were told about that, it was too expense to go back and have it installed. so I have this built in ironing board kit that we paid > $400 for that I have no use for. It’s great if you have a need for it. asking $175. Cash only Please. I am willing to drive to meet the buyer. I will not attempt to ship.

I have a used trailer hitch for bumper pull travel trailer. We used it for our 20 foot camper that we have since sold. It is used, but stored out of the weather all the time unless in use and in perfect shape. It has the load distributing springs and anti sway system. I wanted to have done all I could do to pull that trailer safely. we paid over $500 for it when we bought the camper. I have no idea what they would retail for now. I’m asking $200. I won’t ship of course, but I am willing to travel to meet the buyer. Cash only please. I can take additional photos if needed.

Used but like New Suspenz Yellowfin portable kayak rack. Gets you boat off the floor and up at a more manageable height if you want to work on rigging etc. product can be seen online at suspenz.com Not a thing wrong with it, I just don’t need it anymore. i won’t ship it, but I can meet someone halfway or more. $100 Cash

Fishing is exhausting

I’ll be going back to Louisiana for larger Alligator Gar, more Redfish, and Bull Sharks.

You should definitely fish the canals along I75. Multiple boat launches. Canals are absolutely loaded with Oscars

No Fair! She had a better teacher than me. She is doing so well so quickly.

Oh I love a Good DIY trip. @FishnDave documented our trips to Florida and Louisiana pretty well. And our trip to the Arkansas River. I have some OOT trips in the works as well as my usual weekly adventures. I am planning a multi day trip to Okefenokee Swamp to mess with Ruddy Bowfin, Chain Pickerel, and Fliers. I’ll hit up some Alabama stuff on the way over and some Florida stuff on the way home. I’m flip flopping between hauling canoe vs renting a flat bottom. I’m doing the long term planning. If it is a solo trip, I will tent camp to save cash. I want to go to Havasu and Boundary Waters and Arkansas River in OK. well, everywhere really.

Is there any talk about more egg boxes of browns or Bonnevillie Cutts?

I would go to 10 K instead of Beaver. 100%

Last I heard which was a while ago, Dave was making them in bulk and selling to a vendor, but did not want to sell to individuals any longer.

I’d need more than a shovel for the driveway. What I needed was a more off-road tread and more tread in general. I’ll replace the tires the truck has on it soon and get a more off road capable tread. I shoveled some areas and that’s no big deal. I’m not shoveling a long driveway.

There were a few boats, but a very few. I would bet less that 20 boat between Gaston’s and White Buffalo

I fished Friday. Great to be out. Fishing was ok. I had issues getting the boat up the hill and tucked away, but it all worked out.

Invasive vs Introduced. If Fish and Game Managers from days gone by made Bad choices and dumped Trout into waters that had native trout, it may be real tough to fix that. I sincerely doubt ppl are going to shoot expensive fishing arrows into rocky bottoms in the hope of killing a few rainbows and browns. I am not unaware of Eastern gamefish foolishly introduced into Western waters. I know they are trying to reduce populations of Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. “Bowfishing” isn’t going to fix that either. you’re conflating / expanding the argument about bowfishing. The wanton waste of guys with bows killing fish just for the thrill of killing them is not sustainable. They are robbing other people of opportunities to fish with a hook and line for many species and the fish don’t get to fulfill their role in the environment. Why do they get to damage populations of slow growing / slow maturing fish for their entertainment? Hopefully, other states will follow Minnesota’s example and protect native fish better. We have to change the mindset of game fish vs rough fish (many would say trash fish). I value suckers and Buffalo as much or more than introduced trout.

It’s idiotic that Bowfishing is allowed for any non invasive fish.

I mean, It’s just what I need, another fishing spot 3 1/2 hours away.

Did somebody say Bowfin?

I’m still mad at em

Oooh, I love Thunder Snow

Good deal! I would agree White Crappie. I still haven’t gotten a White Crappie on fly this year.

1) Catch Fish! Lots and Lots of fish on all forms of hook and line fishing. 2) Fish more with friends and family. That’s it. I’ll keep up with numbers and species and stuff for sure. I’ll make trips hoping for this or that. I’ll still want “Benjamins” and “50 Burgers”, but I’m not going to get consumed by any one quest or goal.

2024 is behind us. Here’s how I did on my Goals. 1) Dave and I got Alligator Gar on Fly! Super excited to have gotten some. I want more and bigger. I want a 4 footer at a minimum. 2) Dave and I got Musky on fly! That trip was a blast. The only negative is I was sick and fishing at like 80% 3) I got my Lifelist to over 250. I got a little derailed by the flyrod thing. 4) I didn’t get anywhere close to 50 Bowfin on fly. I fell down the 100 Fish Species on Fly Rabbit Hole. 5) 😳 ehhh Nope 6) after I started chasing everything that swims with a flyrod, I knew the numbers weren’t gonna be there for 3K. I amended my goal to 2000 fish, but handcuffed as I was by intrusive thoughts, I was hard pressed to get to 2K. I got there, but it required me catching almost 800 fish the last quarter. 7) I had a BIG Time with the Fly Rod. The Lifetime Freshwater on fly is well beyond the 100 mark. Dave and I added a few salty fish on fly as well. I am proud that I got to 100 Species on fly again. It is far from easy, but it’s rewarding and “Fun”. Scouts Honor, I will not do this in 2025. I appreciate all the Help and Support I got from friends. It made a critical different on my chances for success. Thank You!