mic

LMAO

That sucks, stuck at work working a twelve to make up for my "non-fishing" trip last weekend in Branson. Who says the man upstairs doesn't have a since of humor. I'm there in spirit.

Put me down for Mic's Wet Brass, size 12. When do I have the have them done by?

I'm in..TBD

Newbie questions. What is a fly swap and how does it work?

I don't think it is the "right" answer, but it is the only one that is realistic, and there is a precedent for it. If you forced my hand, I would have a tiered approached based on how long one had been here, how productive one is, how one entered, and relationships with citizens. I wouldn't make them "go back" as most couldn't afford it.

Economics...most illegal immigrants actual enter legally. They simply don't leave for whatever reason...money, love, fear, stupidity. It cost to much to run all of them down, so they are deported when they break the law and enter the system. The real problem is most of them are living productive law abiding lives and don't get caught. This system is the same in all the developed countries I have lived or visited.

Voting...as I stated the second reason was because of religious values. What happens when ethnic concerns trump religious and the voting block goes down by 20, 30, 50% at the same time the number of Hispanic voters rises. Florida...they may be the exception, but that doesn't reduce their importance. Just think about what happens if the voting block changes and always go to Democrats. That means Florida goes the way of California. That's a lot of votes to overcome every four years. Working as a teen...Me to, but you and I busted hump to establish a work record with the hope (and eventual return) of making a fair wage in the long run. Also, six dollars a hour goes a lot further in Mo (where I assume you lived) then in California. However, especially today, I don't think there are enough numbers willing to sustain the huge farm worker markets of the Southwest and Southeast. I also believe the people who run those farms would agree as there has been story after story of farmers who can't find the American workers required and file for the Visa's from the government. As a social studies test, a set of farms in Arizona raised there pay from $10 to $19 dollars a hour. They could not find enough American workers to fill the positions. The main problem, if I understand it correctly, is this work is temporary and comes and goes with the seasons. The lack of steady work makes a migrate work force a better economic option. My overall point was that migrates, legal or otherwise, are not causing "most of" harm as you stated. Generalized statements like that propagated become (at best) an excuse for US citizens and (at worst) lead to things we have to explain to our grandchildren decades from now (if you know what I mean).

Custom, made to order, rod from our own Mark at RDP Flyrods. I just got mine and love it. You get to pick colors, materials, reel seats. You can't beet it in my opinion. Give Mark a call. He will ask you some questions and help you pick out exactly what you need. http://rdpflyrods.com/flyrods.html

1. I don't know if he will, but I (one whom served for 20 years all over the world before I'm called a marxist) will. PS...I'm an independent. 2. History...simple this started after WWII and our economy and power grew and the socialist government in Mexico lead to stagnation. Additionally, our population moved to the west which opened up commerce near the boarder. Finally, improvements in water usage (dams, irrigation, etc) opened up the vegetable and fruit markets in southern California. Once those scales shifted to the point that "supply and demand" (capitalism) drove people to risk life, limb, and freedom to come here to work so they can support their families back home, the "rabbit hole" was opened. When you add in the drug conflicts now (which killed more people in Mexico then Iraq in 2009), we will not shut that hole for a long time. My point is this...it is a problem that can't be fixed just managed. We as an electorate don't want to face that fact. 3. Republicans and cheap labor...Americans (not Democrats or Republicans), if they want to admit it or not, want the cheap labor. No one wants to see our grocery bills go up the 20 to 30 percent required to get salary up high enough for "American's" to do that back breaking work (that's assuming if there is no union formed to improve conditions). As a whole, we talk a good game but don't really play it well. If we did, Walmart would still have the "Made In America" section. When we actually have to put our money on it, we always go the cheapest route. 4. The "Left"...actually until the turn of century the Hispanic vote was split evenly between parties if not towards republicans. The two driving factors...one the Cuban vote because Republicans where more anti-Castro. Actually when you account for the Cuban vote in Florida, the Electoral college, and the 270 votes (winner take all), there small numbers had a much greater effect on Republicans winning the White House then there actual numbers accounted for. Secondly, many Hispanic voted Republican because of the religious planks in the parties agenda. Before the anti-immigration election of 2004, Bush won 49% of the Hispanic vote but by 2008 that shifted lower to 39% even though McCain was from the southwest. Personal opinion versus data...As in independent, I think it is goofy how Republican are slashing their own throats when it is clear that the Hispanic voting block is only going to get bigger. 5. Vast majority of the American's loose...not really - Because most American's are not willing to do the work at the pay rates most immigrates focus on, they do not directly compete for wages. In fact, most Americans would see a rise in cost if all 11 million left at once, because it would be greatly increase costs of core goods with little or no increase in wages. The only sector that would see a true benefit is under-educated high school drop outs. One estimate I found said a wage increase for the average drop out would be $25 dollars week. - Even in competitive industries like construction, "most" American's would not see a net benefit. Again, if the 11 mil vanished more then thirty percent of them currently live in three major areas: New York, LA, and Chicago. When you consider farm versus construction, that percentage is even higher. Again if they left, there would be a shortage of personnel, wages would rise, and the population would shift...supply and demand would kick in, and wages would fall again. Yes some would benefit, but not "most". - But mic, the illegal immigrants do put a drain on local governments and do not pay income taxes. -- First this isn't really true. The Federal government estimates that 50 to 75 percent of illegal workers pay Federal, Local, and State taxes. They all pay sales tax which is the primary source for local city taxes, and like most low income families, pay property taxes indirectly by paying rent (the property owner pays the taxes). Uncle Sam does not require proof of legal status to get a Individual Tax Number. All Uncle Sam wants is the money. Also like most low income families, most do not make enough money to clear the standard deductions that require taxes to be paid, but they do pay into social security. -- However, they do keep overall costs down for groceries, construction, restaurant meals which allow Americans to spend that money on other items like buying cars and better homes which provide more taxes into the economy. I have seen many numbers, but illegals probably cost us Americans, on average, less then one percent of overall wealth. Mr. P., I see your passionate about your arguments, but don't trust the hype of a politician to tells you who the bad guys are and the reporters looking to make a deadline. History tells us that they normally blame the ones who can't defend themselves and/or are the easiest to alienate.

That all depends... Back home in the Missouri at the big flood in 93 (I think), there were acres of land with 20 plus feet of river sand. Not all "silt" is good.

This is pure art, but as a newbie, I can't image the time and skill it took to make this.

Wow, thanks for the update.

I was in Branson for all the rain this weekend. Has anyone been down to Blue Springs Creek? If so, how is it doing?

Great idea.

What do you think...gold or black bead?

LOL... No, but I should have. The sad part is it did look kind of cool, and I can see why it is a fad. Hope it passes soon.

God speed to you and your staff.

I showed up to a family reunion this weekend in Branson, and my 15 year old niece was there with a beautiful grizzly and red hackle feather in her hair. Believe it.

I received this recipe via email from a fly time forum. I thought it look an awful like a version of a crackleback wetfly. I have a week at Bennett at the end of the month. I'll try them out. Here is the link to the webpage. http://flytyingforum.com/pattern11501.html?utm_source=FTFEmail&utm_medium=web&utm_content=Green%20Caddis%20Larva%20(soft%20hackle)&utm_campaign=4-15#

Thanks to all for the advice. I wish I could report, but I never made it out in four days. When i could go the lighting was out. Didn't make it to Silver Dollar City either. I have two heavy discounted two day passes, one for an adult and one for a child.

Erik, Welcome to the site. I'm from the Kansas City area and live in St. Louis so I can't give you the local spots. As far as the snakes...don't need to look for them...you need to watch where you are stepping and you'll do fine. As far as the canoe...personally, I wouldn't limit myself to a single. I would go with a small double 16 footer. You can always paddle from the middle if you like, but would have room for two when you find you local fishing partner. Depending on your budget, you can go cheap (with weight) and get the Bass Pro special. They always seem to have it on sale memorial day weekend for $400. I have one (for five years) and it works fine. If you have a little more in the way of funds, buy a composite to save weight, but make sure you put kevlar skid on the front because sooner or latter you will pack up on a gravel bank in the Ozarks.

I'm not sure as it wasn't my report. However, I believe this assumes the season referred to starts after the spring spawn. I do remember another post on this forum that showed an estimated growth rate of 2 inches a year. That means an "keeper" would be at least nine more years. Considering the top end of a trout in an exceptional stream is 11 or 12, it seems reasonable to me that 8 - 10 would be the top end for BSC or Mill. Don't get me wrong, I would love for both of them to be C&R, but it not worth putting someone down for keeping. Finally, I think I'm quoting Al, when I say that older fish are going to be tough to catch, only caught by a dedicated fisherman, and most of them are going to release it. I would estimated that three or four trophies pulled out in a given decade isn't going to hurt anything.

I have a family reunion in Branson this weekend. I'm going make it out on one or two mornings. I will be wading and probably drifting, swinging wet flies. Any recommendations for where a first timer should go and what to look for?