Muddler4

I stay solo in the hotel rooms in the winter when low temps are going to be in the 20s. They are very basic but all I use it for is a place to put my stuff and sleep. In the winter the days are short and there is time to kill in the evening (so heat and basic cable is nice). Pros: My experience is that they are clean. In the prime months with people in them all the time it might depend on who was in there last, I don’t know, but in the winter when they are seldom used there are clean. Super convenient access to the fishery. Be rigged up in the lot and drive to the spot of your choice in minutes. I don’t fish the park but access to the Current is minutes away. For one or two fishers, they are fine. Very basic but fine for my needs (more on that in the cons). The lodge is right next door so if you want hot cooked meals, limited groceries (including beer), and a pretty darn good tackle store it’s right there. Nice people too. Cons: Price is getting a bit steep. Up to $80 a night in the winter off season might be the tipping point for me. Licking is not that far away (or Salem). They are basically a minimum convenience room. No coffee maker, microwave, nothing in that regard. Two beds, a toilet, sink and shower, and basic cable TV. So I do my cooking outside on the picnic table out back with my single burner propane stove. I always have the back area to myself in the winter but in prime time it is probably different. Two electrical outlets, one for the desk lamp and TV, and one for the night stand lamp and the alarm clock. If you want to plug something in the have to unplug something else.

I used to carry a lot of noncompliant rods on airplanes in the past but after 9/11 they really started cracking down and the consequences can be bad. If the gate agent makes you check it at the gate your rod tube will be thrown (and I mean thrown) in the cargo hold and on top of that the handlers at your destination don't know that a rod tube is in there. They are looking for luggage and your rod tube may end up on it's way to Dallas or wherever the plane goes next.

Do a google search on your airline + “baggage fees”. Southwest has checked bags fly free. Most every other is $25 per checked bag each way. Typically extra fees for bags over 50 lbs or dimensions that exceed L x W x H greater than about 68 inches. So if you have a rod case that is say 54” x 10” x 4” you are ok on United for example, otherwise extra fees apply. I put 4 piece travel rod tubes (20 to 30 inches) inside checked luggage and have not seen evidence that it was messed with. I suspect the x-ray can see through to the rod and guides and it’s obvious.

This. Point being that you don't need to transfer your craft in the shuttle, just you and maybe your high priced rods/reels. Leave the craft at the takeout, go get your vehicle and come back for the craft. As for safety an inflatable pontoon doesn't swamp, doesn't sink (unless barb wire is involved), you can't tip it or fall out of it within reason. Even the smallest and lightest are rated for class II rapids. I'd be more worried about being run over by a boat.

Fluoro to mono connections have been problematic since fluoro came out, especially with blood knots. There have been a lot of theories on why but they all boil down to material characteristic differences. That is why many of the fluoro companies recommend alternative knots. If I’m fishing all mono and hook sunken timber I know 90% of the time I’m breaking off at the hook. If I’m using fluoro tippet on a mono base leader I’m probably breaking off at the fluoro/mono connection about 75% of the time. My conclusion a long time a go was if using fluoro build your base leader from fluoro (I hand tie all my leaders). If using mono tippet go all mono.

Nope no where near a record but with the weather being so nice over the weekend I figured someone would give fishing a look or a try.

There will always be some left over especially this year with all the ice keeping some of the pressure off. I've caught them while bass fishing as late as May. Whether they will play or not......?

According to the USGS gauge this is over double the 13 years of recording for that site for this date. Is it really that high? Any pictures? 250 cfs in the park is pretty high as well.

I think everyone who has looked at this must see that this is not a clarification of laws but a re-definition. Our legislators apparently need help understanding those two terms. And it looks like this is heading a direction that is in conflict with US constitutional law and Supreme Court decisions. There are plenty of resources on this subject. One of the resources on the side of recreational users is: http://www.nationalrivers.org/why-river-rights.html

I can't say I buy the "intentions" part but it doesn't matter. This bill will redraw the boundaries simple as that and then be used to deny access, intent or not. Sounds more like someone is trying to make people complacent while they push it through. This thing is hardly the poster child of clarity so I'm not buying that this resolves current laws being in "dire need of clarification" either. If land owners want to own to the "ribbon" or for that matter the low water mark what would be their intentions for that stream bed? Smells pretty bad.

I think he was referring to this if above, in the Blue Ribbon water. Only artificial lures and flies may be used. Natural, soft plastic and scented baits are prohibited.

Compared to many states Missouri rules and regs are few and pretty easy to comply with. If it were up to me I can think of a couple more that I'd like to see.

I'm in and voting. Thanks for the link.

Gary Loomis collaborated with TFO on the Signature Series and did the design work on those (Lefty Kreh on the Signature fly rods) but has his own company (North Fork Composites) if you’re interested in Gary Loomis designed rods. He sold G.Loomis to Shimano back in the 90s who later tried to sue him for using his knowledge to start his own company again.

Aside from the unfortunately closed Eagle, and Pinecrest, what are the other private campgrounds in the immediate area for tent camping? Especially for early Spring and late Fall. Outside of winter I'm not interested in the park environment, way too crowded for me. Liked Eagle a lot. Wish someone would buy it and re-open.