David Unnerstall

OK, the results are inconclusive. Rick and I fished Wappappello on Saturday. Now he and Billy pulled 56 out of there a week or two before but the water was high and the current would not allow us to control the depth of our bait and boat control was a major factor. We heard that Clearwater was on fire so we went there on Sunday. There were a lot of boats but everyone we spoke to said "you should have been here last week." I caught two and Rick caught four -- decent thick and healthy fish, though. Candy came home from the hospital and until she is able to get around after the hip surgery my fishing is on hold. But I spent some quality time with her chicken-!@#$ little dog. She had no experience with this lifestyle and she did ok and did what I told her.

I always want to dissect these stories. So he got snagged, moved the boat over to the snag and fell overboard?

Oneshot, you did ask a serious question and I feel I must offer a serious reply. Exercise is the equalizer. The human body is not meant to be sedentary. But you do appear to be quite active. It is difficult to say you should accelerate the activity level. I get in an hour of strenuous activity every day. Now, Wrench is right. The human body also has an amazing ability to heal, especially if one is living a healthy lifestyle. But there are things that can be fixed and fixed more easily if caught early. The number of things that can be learned from just a little bit of blood is amazing.

Maybe we can blame the MDC for arthritis.

When my father-in-law gave me his fishing gear I took the reel to Hargrove's and had it reloaded -- good idea. And then I bought a $225 Patagonia fishing vest -- bad idea.

Harbor Freight sells an orbital buffer that is both cheap and good.

I applied for my first land-owners tag. But my wife fell and broke her hip and now we are told the first surgery failed and she needs a hip replacement.

You should not have given us ideas.

I have always thought that if you water from the bottom up you are training the plants to go deep with their roots for water, thus creating hardier plants.

Why are we using flouro these days? I know it is invisible, under water, and sinks faster. But what is the current mindset? I will tie a flouro leader at home, but if I lose it on the water I tie straight to braid. I HATE tying knots.

You can say that again.

Some time back I read a book on using topo maps to select deer hunting spots. Basically you find "funnels" that deer have to use to get from one section to another. I bought several maps of Mark Twain National Forest and spent a lot of time on this.

That is why I hate wearing waders. But if a guy keeps his glasses on, I say he won.

Now I have another question: When to use hooks and when to use jig heads?

Hey, fly that over the topless beach in Pornichet, France.

Wrench, I do not disagree on the excitement factor. But it is a social thing with me and my buddies.

I apologize Old Plug. I knew I was going to get that wrong.

I spend so much time with my nose planted on the grindstone that when I do get a chance to go fishing I just enjoy it so much I do not concentrate enough on catching fish. Last Spring my buddy Rick out-fished me on Wappappello. Well I want to change that this Spring and I have five questions: 1. Wait until you feel a hit, or randomly set the hook when you feel confident a crappie is there? 2. I like the nine-foot pole, at times, and drop straight down in brush and straight up to avoid snags – what is the general opinion on this? 3. Simple: jigs or live bait? 4. And regarding live bait: (now I don’t have a moral problem using live bait if the fish that is caught goes into the fryer – I do have a problem with those who torture live bait ……) how does one place the hook and why? 5. Old Plug says he uses monofilament, I think I recall, because it sinks more slowly. Do others agree?

Most digital meters have a continuity setting that buzzes. I also use a tone/amp for identifying wires. You put the tone on one end and find it on the other with the amp. Most Home Depot stores have them in stock. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fluke-Networks-Pro-3000-Tone-and-Probe-Kit-26000-900/202290922

Well, we spell phonetics with a "ph" -- now how messed up is that!

It is good to know that others have trouble tying all of these wild-posterior knots we now use. I went through my fingers with a saw and tying knots is the thing I dislike the most about what we do. And why do we "tie" a knot (with an 'I") but are "tying" a knot (with a "Y")?

I had a rod cap come loose on a Chrysler 55-horse. It flopped around inside and almost cut the powerhead into two pieces. I was at wide open throttle to make the heavy old Ouachita plane. I replaced it with a 75-horse I rebuilt. I bought the most recent Chrysler bass boat with an identical outboard. It has a sweet spot around 3800 RPM's does 22 MPH and planes just fine. I do not feel the need to go any faster.

I watched the Super Bowl because it is a good time at the local tavern. The last time I remember watching a Super Bowl at home was the second one -- Green Bay vs. Oakland/Bart Starr vs Daryl Lamonica. The old man and I watched it. I admit I rooted against the Patriots. Because of the fact that they were caught cheating twice.

Boats are a lot of maintenance -- especially if you are not handy and resourceful. I have had five boats if you include the cedar-stripper and I am of the opinion it is better to have a good buddy with a boat.

I hope this qualifies as something good. Our old dog Dusty would jump on a stump and leap on the roof of the garage where he had a better view. But I guess this, too, is a display of canine testicles in a figurative way.