Ham

So much for home ice.

I feel like I've been kicked in the groin.

I wish Jagr was doing that with the Pens, but I understand why they did not invest in him when he started this comeback. The odds were that he would not be able to compete.

Ovi has a bigger body to throw around, but I think he's kinda dirty with it. Not as bad as he used to be. Ovi is most definitely the better goal scorer, but I don't think he is the better player. Crosby spends a lot more time playing a 200 foot game and is always looking to create a play for a line mate to score. Crosby is a much better passer and sees the ice better. Plus, I just think Crosby has been a complete Pro at representing the Pens and the NHL as a whole and he give back to the community in Pittsburgh and in Nova Scotia. That's why I was so aggravated that after he came back from injury and had a great season they gave the Hart Trophy to Ovi (the last time Ovi won it) because he had a few more goals, but no where near as close when it came to being a complete player or a complete teammate. Crosby will likely never win another Hart Trophy because lots of players have caught up to his skill level. Crosby still has good years left in the tank, but though it pains me to say it, he is not far and away the best player in the league any more.

I would love to have used every rod in that series to see how they change thru the lineup. I dearly love the 7 footer and I think the 6'6" would be very close to that. I have seen the actions of rod vary a bunch though. I have used St Croix "L"s in 5'6", 6', 6'6", and 7' and they are all different from each other. The 7' footer is an awesome live bait rod, but the 6' and 6'6" are sensitive enough to fish jigs tight lined. The 5'6" didn't throw as well as the others, but you could still feel with it. So, I recommend the rod I have used the 7 foot one.

I thought the Pens would play the Panthers. I thought the Blues would play the Ducks.

I missed my chance to wear my Maata jersey to work. I floated the Buffalo instead of working on "jersey" day. Letang was injured for so long that I didn't think he would be able to get his game back to this level. Glad I was wrong. He needs to be careful not to cross the line though. He's a marked man now. Bring that physical play, but don't go high and don't go late.

BUT.... there are areas I can wade in the White River at 1400 CFS and areas that I can not wade at that level. 400 CFS is awesome on some places and nearly dry others. I find Al's discussion about 25% and 75% to be a lot more helpful.

It is the best bass fishing technique I have found in my 50 years of fishing. If the river had stayed manageable for us a couple of more days, I would have given you a crash course. I hope we can get together relatively soon and I can get you lined out on a few key points. It's crazy good.

And so it begins. I'm hopeful that the Pens will advance. There are no easy series when you are at the Conference Finals, but the Pens are playing well and working hard. Their PK kept them alive in Game 6 after all those crazy penalties. Their PP started to produce. They have scoring punch on all four lines and have decent Defensive depth. The Pens have home ice and they have played well at home. Bolts have two key guys out. They have gotten it done, but they may struggle with those absences down the stretch. Can Ben Bishop keep the Pens off the score sheet? I know I'll be watching tonight.

Let's Go Blues! I would rather they had met up with the Preds, but Sharks it is. My playoff bracket had Blues vs Pens for the Cup. I sure hope it gets there. full disclosure, my bracket is crap in other areas. I'll start a Pens vs Bolts thread.

it works all year. I have caught fish on it all 12 months of the year. It works everywhere I have tried it (Ar, La, Tx, Mo, and OK so far. Fresh water or salt water. All kinds of fish: Smallmouth Bass, LMB, Spotted Bass, Ozark Bass, Shadow Bass, Rock Bass, Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, White Bass, Drum, Longnosed Gar, Channel Cat, Blue Cat, Flathead Cat, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill, Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Croaker, Walleye, Sauger, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Logpearch are fish I have caught or that have been caught with me in the boat. I know it would catch another dozen species that I can think of, but I haven't seen it happen yet.

Pflueger President 6930 size.

Not all of it is yellow, some of it is white.

Haters gonna hate. WE have immediate access to tackle here in Mountain Home at several good retail outlets. There's only one Tackle Warehouse though.

Being really successful with the Ned will do that to you BUT it is not always the one thing going and it is at time NOT the best thing to be throwing. I struggled to believe that but I have now seen it several times. I do feel a little bad saying it, the Ned is not always your BEST option.

Big pimpin spending cheese.

I would be shocked at that happening and I really doubt that BPS will give you a hard time. I'm several hundred fish in on mine without issue. I hope you have better luck with them going forward.

There is a tremendous amount of truth in this. Buy his jigheads. Cut the Zeros/zinkers, Use the Loc Tite Gel. HIs choice in line is crap but other than that He's the man.

I appreciate your attempts to keep the economy going, but you might save a little money by waiting until you get here to buy things.

I'd much rather have a flat black rod than a white one. I'm not going shorter than 6'", but I'm not sure I want longer than 7 foot. Anyway, I'll let errrbody pick what works best for them. Super Dave has this insane monster hookset. he has a set up that works great for him, but the "just reel into the fish and lift your rod" types would likely struggle with it. The cheapo Lew's 7 foot UL that fishes a little heavier than the Browning Airstream requires a firmer hookset than some of my other rods, but it works just fine and it is inexpensive. I hope Dave will tell the good folks the deets on that rod. Model number etc.

Ohhhhhhh that sucks.

Oh no you didn't !

Al is the man, but for me I like a LITTLE more weight in the rear. It lets me move the nose a lot easier. It might be better if you could get it perfectly balanced, but I really do like it a tad butt heavy.

Baby steps Stein. Get here and get ready to learn and learn and learn.