Gavin

Great process photos Marty. You would save a bunch of time if you dipped them in a can of paint for the primer and base color. Dip, hang, clean eyes.

Good for you! looks like an awesome trip!

We got into quite a few brook trout in Paradise Valley years ago...Forget which float, but it wasn't far from Chico Hot Springs. Need to get back out there.

Fly rodders wee craw....what is not to like?

That looks great! Happy 4th!

I'm sure the Cuda is a great ride, but looks like an asymmetrical hull with quite a bit of weight. Will take some practice to car top. Think I'd look for a lighter 12' model. 12' Sot kayaks usually weigh around 70lbs. My 17' canoe weighs that much. My 14'8" solo canoe is around 45lbs. Would probably go with a Coosa for the Current, Cuda for bigger water.

That looks great! Well done.

Son! Awesome!

Dexter Russell's are great too. High carbon steel.

Jackall yep. Jacked my wallet. Have not had great success with any of their stuff. But the stuff in front of it is great stuff. Might never get used.

I'd get a solo canoe if you intend on camping but the Jackson Coosa is a pretty nice Sit on top day tripper. Could go over night or longer with a Coosa but you would have to economize on space. Current solo canoe is 14' 8" model. Would not want one under 14'. Maybe a 15-17' used tandem canoe if price is a concern. Probably float my 17' tandem canoe more often than my solo. Tons of space for gear and a friend or my two kids wife and a 45lb dog.

Have a couple IMotion hard baits. Have not tried them.

Imotion in Japan?

40 miles in 2.5 days is a ton of work. Can do it but I don't like it much. Baptist to Cedar is a long day float if you want to catch fish. Can take a couple days to figure out the big brown trout bite. Cedar to Akets. Fine day float, but best off season overnight. Akers to Pulltite. Fishing stinks, maybe 10 miles. Usually fish in the cooler for that float. 5-6 hours. Pulltite to Round is about 10ish. bought 7 hours usually.

That can be tough fishing when the crowds are out. Might try the upper Huzz or the Coutois if you prefer to wade.

She sang pretty well in her day. Think Bill Dance won quite a few tournaments with a Thompson doll fly. It's a small polar bear hair jig. Similar to the Ned, but I think Ned & friends have refined it a lot.

If you are using Carr''s I'm assuming take at Round Spring. Best fishing is between Cedar to just above Akers. It declines quickly after that, but the scenery is awesome. Fishing starts to pick up past Pulltite. Always worth a jump into cave sping, worth the short hike up to Putite Spring. And bring some extra flashlights to explore Little gem cave, Have fun .

Looks like a new road with a cleared off spot on top of the mountain on google maps. No big roof, maybe a picnic table, fire ring, and a small shed.

Foschner. Good quality high carbon blade on those.

Chants are up. Cooked a bunch tonight. Bunch more in drying out for later.

Hard to narrow it down, because there is so much to cover. Upper Jacks, Eleven Point, Current, Big Piney, Gasconade above 28, Meremec drainage, Osage Fork.....Get the paddlers guide from MDC...they have a new one and go explore.

Nice...would go 18 w/o a tape...might be a bit bigger...I'll give you 5lbs on a bass our trout at 22"...probably within a couple ounces.

Sounds like a learning experience weekend....Hope all are OK...Not really much story with the Tonka Truck..Our friend has some intestinal issues.....Said he was not feeling good and we figured it was the Makers Mark he drank around camp on New years day.....not Makers Mark...that would have resolved itself quickly. He spent a horrible couple hours puking on a 5 degree evening.....so Coldwater, Slosh, and another Buddy got him to Salem where his wife picked him up. The rest of the trip...uneventful...except for the Blizzard float, and the 6 hour drive back home in the Blizzard...Sunday after New Year.

Not my first choice by any means! Think we have reconfigured for a trip to the Buffalo R. in AR instead....But the Smoky, Rocky, Yellowstone trip has to happen within the next 10....not this year though. Thanks for the advice gents.

You can find it near the river....gotta know where to look......very habitat specific. Have not had luck with the few that I put in the herb garden.