Iliketoflyfish

I have a 2001 Hyde 16' High Side Pro Series that I bought a couple of years ago. I've done a lot of mods to it to get it (almost) where I want it. Love the boat because it tracks true, and it's a great boat for 3 people. The only thing I would have done differently is researched how much wind these boats grab before making my purchase. If you can find one for the right price look at a low-side/low-profile boat. My other suggestion is to look for a boat with a walk-thru/around layout. The walk-thru layout makes it much easier to switch out fisher to rower. Other things to consider are upgrading to 10' (and counterbalanced) oars, make sure you have room for a good cooler (I replaced my bow pedestal seat with a Yeti cooler with cushion), check out anchor systems (side or floor) to see which you're more comfortable with, and row as many different brands and models as you can to see which feels best for you. I found out that most people think their boat is the best one made, but found out that there are pros and cons to all of them. Good luck with your search. I love having the drift boat and the fishing opportunities it gives me. I just wish I had more time to use it. Paul

Thanks for the report. I'm heading there Wednesday for a quick day trip. Looking forward to it.

I agree with Tim. If you do a lot of walk-in style fishing, Simms G-3s are hard to beat (except the price). I've not really seen another pair of waders that have as much reinforced tough material from the knees down, and there is a convertible version of them available now if you don't always need chest-highs. I'd add whichever lightweight (but sturdy), comfortable, reasonably priced boots you can find.

I like it!

Was down at the lake last weekend (Labor Day), and Old 86 was still closed for camping.

If you're planning on throwing heavy articulated flies with sink-tip line, look at the Fenwick HMX in a 7 to 9 weight. You can find them on eBay for as low as $115, and they are an extremely fast action rod. The biggest downfall is that they are only available as a 2-piece if you want to pack small, otherwise it is a great streamer rod. As for the Bank Robber, I have the 7 weight, and I'm unimpressed. It just doesn't really handle heavy line or flies well. In fact, I broke the tip section on that rod just practicing in my yard shortly after I bought it. St. Croix shipped me a new tip section within a week, but I'll never cast anything heavier than 200 grain line and unweighted flies with it.

Nobody wants to see that happen. Ever! The system is impressive without the "500 year gates", but if those were to be opened it would be catastrophic for those downstream.

Waders! Ha!

I'd like to buy a outboard motor in the 5 to 10 horsepower range. I would prefer used and under $600 and as light as possible. This is to be mounted on my Hyde drift boat, so it needs to be a long (20") shaft. Please contact me at 217-412-8228 or you can pm me through this site. Thanks, Paul

Man, this isn't about me versus you. I don't take anything that you've said personal (Did you want me to?). I just don't believe in sitting back and waiting for the repercussions, and I don't believe in encouraging others to sit back and wait either. This country didn't get to the powerhouse that it once was with a bunch of men and women sitting around and waiting to see what was going to happen, and it will never get back to where it was if we continue to stay on the course we're on. As I said, you're entitled to your opinion on the issue. You do whatever you want. I guess you and I have different outlooks on things. I'm sorry. I said the previous post was my last, but I guess I wasn't quite done yet. I wish you well. I never intended for this to turn into a personal debate between the two of us, and I'm not looking for the last word. You take your course. I feel the need to take a different course.

Your opinion has been noted, and I think it's great that you have an opinion. If you don't want to make a phone call, send an email or send a letter, that's cool because you have the right to do or not do any of those things. I just have one favor to ask of you, though. Lend me the favor of letting me have my opinion of what may make a difference. You may be right. It may not make a difference if I call, write, and send an email. It may not make a difference if I get my family and friends to do the same. And it may not make any difference that by posting on this forum someone else that I have never met may get inspired to call, write, or send an email and get their family and friends to do the same, but it surely will not make a difference if I sit back and do nothing at all except for sit here and post on this topic. I'm done posting here. Congrats. You have convinced me to redirect my "efforts".

While I agree that the "system" no longer works as it was originally designed, it never will work as it's original design if we all choose to sit back and take a defeated attitude. You sit back and "reap" what they would have you "reap". I'll sleep well knowing that I made an effort.

This is a nice piece to add some clarity to the real weight of this proposal, but what I took away from it is that the dam operators (COE, TVA, etc) are as much at fault as the Appropriations Committees. I stand by my previous post. It's time to remind our lawmakers that we are their bosses, and urge them to work with the Appropriations Committees to revisit the economic and conservation impact that the approval of this proposal would have and to convince the dam operators to assume their financial responsibilities with this issue, also. The more I learn about this proposal, the more it seems to take on a certain odor. This is not a political issue, it is an issue of holding our government and the agencies that ratified the original pacts for these water development projects (and flood control projects) accountable. Ask your congressmen if they know where the funds that are marked to be withdrawn from the Hatchery Funding Project will be redirected. If they don't, ask them to find out, but make them do the job that you hired them to do. When they understand who their bosses are, they will finally start to vote for our interests and not their own special interests.

I've enjoyed reading all of the political and scientific banter from everyone, and I think I learned a couple of things while reading through everyone's comments. My opinion on the matter is this simple: You don't feel the need to sign the petition or don't believe in what it stands for or it doesn't fit your political views, then don't sign it. I signed it. I feel strongly about my justifications for signing it. I appreciate the initial poster for giving people a chance to sign the petition, and I appreciate those of you that chose to voice your lack of support for signing and for the hatchery program in general. It's good to be American so we can all voice our opinion freely without ramifications, but let's take this debate to the next level,though. If you voiced an opinion on this subject, I challenge you to spend the same time and effort that you put into this post toward a phone call, email or letter to your Congressmen to tell them how you feel on this and every other proposal that's on the table. We can all post on this and any other forum that we choose all day long, but unless we take the time and make the effort to let our Congressmen know how we feel and how we believe they should vote, then we have really done ourselves no justice. We gave these "decision makers" their jobs, so they are supposed to work for us. Tell them how you want them to vote. Don't tell me what I should or should not believe on the Ozark Anglers forum. I appreciate that you all have an opinion on this issue, but I urge you to direct your opinions to the people that can make your opinion matter. Okay, let the bashing begin. Honestly, I didn't intend to step on anyone's toes or to come across all "high and mighty". I just think that it's time for us to wake up those in Washington, and remind them that they work for us. Thanks for taking the time to read my opinion.

Are they rod kits, rod building supplies, rod wrapping machine? What all is included?