Danoinark

Brian, there is an "old" antique outboard show coming to Rockaway Beach Sat. Sept 12. Not sure where though. I am supposed to go pick up a motor for a friend over on the Spring River. Actually I think it starts Friday and goes through the weekend.

Another suggestion....I would presume that the 911 operators would have that number handy, or at least the Sheriff's Dept or Police. Hear Hear Brian, well done. Dano

Good idea Buzz. As for me I fish more in Mo than Ark. I spend money for fuel, food, licenses, etc, so those out of state are just as important weighing in on this issue. Anybody know if there are environmental impact reports being prepared? I do know Phil is waiting on an answer from someone who should be in the know. Michael any thoughts on how the FFF can get involved? Dano

Welcome and look forward to your reports... Dang Zambonis are expensive uh? Dano

Thanks for signing up...Dano

Howdy Dub and welcome.

I'm with you on this. I would like to hear what efforts are being made to oppose these dams and if there is already an organized effort or group beginning a fight. Dano

People need to organize opposition then, especially the towns people of Crane and anyone who loves the stream. Any word on what the conservation groups intend to do?

Glad you signed up....Dano

Hear, Hear Zach. Good advice....Dano

Thought I made myself clear on this thread. Its now closed and certain items or the entire topic will probably be deleted. Phil needs to see this, so I am leaving it for him. Dano

Ok fellers...we have had just about enough fun with this thread. We all must stick to the thread topic, or its the Big D for those posts not within the scope of the discussion. Ok? We are working on posting the Coast Guard Regs and hopefully that is coming up soon. Dano

For that kind of money Chuck just might take you fishing....money well spent if he would. Dano

Will be good to see you both...be careful and have fun.

I am also curious as to why the White below BSD is exempt from this reg.

I think Phil or Bill B and the other guides who have the Lic can fill us in more..its way over my head as to what is required. You make valid points though. Seems AGFC would want some kind of verification that you were legal.

Friend Zach, there was a big discussion about it on Wilson's board a few years back. I don't think there was ever a conclusion to the discussion. From what I understand guides on Taney do need the CG Lic, but I was unaware the guides on the White below BS didn't. Dano

My condolences Andy and JoAnne Father God, let your light shine on this family that has lost a son and brother, that they may have comfort in knowing that he is now with you, safe and comfortable and that you will allow the memory of him to live with them always. Amen

Phil, are CG licenses required below Beaver, Little Red and Norfork?

Here's this week's edition of the The Thursday Morning Art Review. Part 1 of the latest story. www.whitefishstudio.com THURSDAY MORNING ART REVIEW Fire-Scarred (part one) Hope is a waking dream - Aristotle Ten-year-old Jake preferred to sleep on the back porch, which overlooked the South Branch. From his place there he could hear, but not see the river as it wound it's way around the tight bend below the cabin, through the W.A. Hole, and past the Oxbow Club, where it eventually joined the Main Branch just above Connor's Flats. He liked to lay in the dark, listen to the water, and remember the fish he'd caught. Each one was a triumph and it's memory a treasure. He was afraid to forget even one of them because it might be lost forever, and hoarded these memories by reliving each catch; where he had stood, and cast a certain fly. He recalled where the fish had come from, and run to, and in the end, how the trout always seemed like a jewel in his hands. The very first had been a small brook trout, in perfect proportion to the boy, and he knew that he'd never forget how it felt when he let it slip back into the water, or the wonderfully clean and wild scent it left on his hands. Today's image is a little jewel of an oil painting. "Small Fry - Brookie" show's Jakes first fish just seconds before it's release. The first time Jake and his father visited his Uncle Dan at the cabin, they had stayed two weeks, and upon returning home, there was a letter waiting for him from his uncle that asked that he spend the next summer. His father laughed, and pointed out the postmark to the boy; it was dated just a few days after they had arrived at the cabin. By the next August, Jake had fished every day for almost two months, and struggled to recall all of his fish before he drifted away in the twilight. He had counted them all at first, including the chubs, but now felt that only trout should be kept there, in the cigar box of his memory. His decision to disregard chubs allowed him to remember the last of his trout, and he smiled with satisfaction in the moment before sleep. As he drifted off, the sound of the river tumbling over its course sounded like the voices of a distant and secret dialog. He felt sleep coming, curled up under his blankets, and went to it. Even in August, it could be cold in the morning on the screened porch, and the boy lingered in the warmth of his place until he heard his uncle stir. It was Jake's job to build up the morning fire before the last of the embers died. Finally, at the last moment, he threw the blankets off and tossed a few pine knots on the barely glowing coals before going to the shed for an armload of firewood. His uncle Dan said that the old stone fireplace was the best weather gauge they had; the flue was ill designed and the slightest bit of low pressure would send smoke back down the chimney. Dan claimed that he could predict the weather by how smoky the cabin was in the morning. By the time Jake had reached the shed, his bare feet were wet with dew and dusted with the fine Michigan sand. He stood there with an armload of ash, looked out over the South Branch, smelled his uncle's coffee, and smiled at the thin veil of blue smoke rising up from the chimney. It would be a good day. As Jake built up the fire, Dan stood on the back porch, looking out over the river with a tin cup of coffee cupped between his hands. "You need to see some different country," he said. "Lets do a little tramping." "I like it here, uncle Dan." Jake said, unsure of what he meant. "What's tramping?" "We'll go up north," he said, turning around. "Up into country you haven't seen. We'll travel light and we'll catch our dinners." "Wow." "We'll take a tent, bed rolls, some cooking gear, and our fishing rods... we should both carry a bit of spare clothes, a knife, ax, match safe, and a favorite book." "How about, Old Dutch?" The boy said, nodding at the setter that had curled up quite silently in front of the fireplace. "It's best that we leave him at Five Corners with young Chloe," Dan said. "Don't worry about him... If I know Chloe, he'll be ten pounds over weight and not want to come home with us when we get back." They spent the day organizing what was needed, sharpened their knives and axes, and adjusted the pack harnesses around the bundles. When they finished, two tightly bound packs, identical except for their size, lay on the floor in the middle of the room. "Sleep in tomorrow," Dan said as he dried the dishes from dinner. "We'll not need a fire in the morning, and we're in no hurry. We'll hop on the late freight to Mackinaw City and sleep in one of the cars." Dusk seemed to linger longer that evening, and Jake was too excited to drift off quickly; he thought about the new rivers he'd see and the fish he'd catch. "You'll want to wear these," Dan said the next morning, tossing two pieces of stiff canvas and lacing to the boy. "They're called 'puttees'. I've cut these down to fit you. They'll take some getting used to... but there's nothing better for going across country. The train to Mackinaw City was in the freight yard, just a few blocks from where Dan's friend, Swede, lived, and they stopped there to leave the wagon and Fred, their old mule, in his care. "So yoor going up to Seney, den, to do some fish'n," he said. "I ain't seen you in yoor puttees since you got back from France, Sarge. And, you shaved a pair down for young Jake." "They're the best things for going cross country," Jake said. "We'll be back in a couple of weeks." Dan told him. "If we're not, look for us between Seney and the Two-Hearted." "Ya shoor, Sarge. My uncles used to work the camps up dat vay. Dey said dat Seney vas a real hell." "Did they fish the Fox?" Jake asked. "We're going to fish the Fox." "No, but dey floated plenty of saw-logs down it, you betcha!" Dan and the boy found an empty pulp car and tossed their bags on, just as the engine blew it's whistle and the cars lurched once and stopped. "Up you go," Dan said, lifting Jake from the waist and depositing him next to the packs before swinging up himself. Let's camp over here, out of the wind." The moon was up as they headed north, into the night, following the Middle Branch and finally crossing it after they passed through Frederic. "Let's see what the Swede left us in that basket," Dan suggested. "I have a feeling it might be something good." They sat with their backs to the bulkhead, and before rolling out their blankets, ate half the pie. Jake fell asleep next to his uncle, watching coal cinders trail overhead like shooting stars. The train stopped in Mackinaw City at dawn and Dan and the boy finished the pie as they watched the cars loaded onto a ferry for the hour-long trip across the straits to St. Ignace. A new engine was attached there, and they headed further north. The train stopped often as it steamed through the swamps and cutover country, sometimes at small towns and other times at lonely sidings. Jake read the names aloud as they passed each sign: Allenville, Moran, Ozark, Trout Lake, and Hendrik. At Soo Junction the track split and they turned west, passing through Newberry, Dollarville and McMillian before they finally stopped in Seney. Thanks for visiting, Bob White

OTF, The river in question is the Norfork. As you know its less than 5 miles long and receives an abundance of fishing pressure and its share of poaching. Water quality is also an issue on the Norfork, the first of the impounded lakes and subsequent tail waters in the region. Spend time by the dam when the lake turns over and smell the toxic soup flowing from the Norfork Lake. Its hit with periods of low dissolved oxygen more so than the other rivers. I certainly am not against catch and keep fishing; its good for the sport, its fun for the family, it brings dollars to the community. But so does trophy fish. Let me say I am on the fence as to single barbless hooks at this point. That issue can be debated both ways to whether multiple hooks cause more trout mortality. I just think its time the river had a rest until improvements can be made, if they can. Dano

Where were you fishing Ecee?

Glad to have you Tom. Dano

Ham, your right on.