techo

TFW....I am not a walleye fisherman, but it was the same for me regarding Hot Spot maps. I couldn't catch anything with those maps. I managed to trick Babler into taking me out for a half day. He showed me what to look for at that time of the year and changed my fishing forever. I need to go back and tip that man more. The Hot Spot maps didn't help near as much as a good teacher did.

Thanks for the kind words. Much to my supervisors consternation.....I have already put in for vacation for each of the tournaments! Now you have doubled my enthusiasm.

This is an awesome discussion topic. I set goals up each year. This past year I really focused on learning more of the lake, the jig and increasing time on water. 2009 I would like to learn more of the lake, but start working on a few other lakes too. I am not sure of which bait I will focus on. I might try a bit more of the drop shotting. I started experimenting with it in 2008. I would also like to make it to the Championship for AIA. I doubt if we will, but it is a goal. Overall I just want to have fun. I have a goal each time I go out. Sometimes a bunch of little goals turn into some real fun. I appreciate the help and different views shared on this forum. I fish the same area of the lake you do, but would like to start exploring the other arm a bit. The dam doesn't thrill me with the number of fishermen down there. Good fishing I am sure, but the crowd can take a bit of the joy out of it. Best of luck on your goals.

Been there done that. Hope it isn't too expensive. Not picking on you, but heard Dad is the best crappie fisherman in the family.

Nice fish.

Bass Pro has some Falcons. They are two rows to the south of the reel counter. They have a few of the Eakin's jig rods too. I can't remember if they were $104.00 or $114.00. They seemed to have a little stiffer tip than I usually like. They are also a little different color than the other Falcons. Capt Don. The Outlaw rods look nice on their Web site. Waiting to see the other rods on 2nd or 3rd though.

Not Outlaw rods. I don't want to speak poorly of any company. They were extremely nice, just not the rod for me. I have heard of Outlaw rods. Have you ever tried them?

Troutchaser, Not to high-jack the thread.....but it is awesome coffee. A guy named Ed is the roaster. I don't have much to do with the roasting or making. They are my my very generous sponsor. Now back to our regularly scheduled discussion...

You make your own jigs? Would like the patience to do that!

I love the Yamamoto and Kinami soft plastics. They are softer and don't last near as long, but they seem to have a better action. If I am in a tournament...Yammies are on. If I am fishing for fun, have aggressive fish or taking a bud.....we sometimes use the longer lasting and harder BPS stuff. I do love the Chompers drop shot worms though.

Ham, You kind of hit the nail on the head for me, regarding equipment, time on the water and combos. I still have and use the BPS green combos a great deal. I have picked them all up when on sale for $99.99. I also have a couple of Rick Clunn combos. I love using them. Falcom rods are probably my favorite though. I am slowly replacing rods with the Falcons and upgrading as time passes. I did have a sponsor offer from a guy out of Illinois, but the rods didn't feel that good to me and I would rather buy my own. A lot of folks enjoy his creations, but it is a personal preference thing. I am sure everyone knows.......Shimano owns Loomis. Still.....time on the water trumps expensive equipment every time.

"I know this won't be a popular post, but I sincerely wish the powers that be would ban all alcohol from the major floating streams - at least during floating hours. I like to drink...a lot. I love taking overnight camping/floating trips and hitting the scotch before bed-time. I thuroughly enjoy a beer on the bank when I'm done. But the extent of the partying on the big rivers has pushed me to the point that I don't even want to go anymore. Even the stretch of the Elk below the dam at Noel is choked with drunks on the weekends. The Buffalo seems to be getting worse and worse. The Kings isn't as crowded, but it's got its share of partiers too. This is a completely selfish post. I love to fish, and for me, canoeing these rivers is a means to an end. It hurts my heart to have the clarity of rivers like the Elk ruined when all you can see on the streambed are discarded beer cans. It's not feasible to enforce regulations. Missouri and Arkansas have neither the personell nor the resources to effectively deter excessive partying. Why not ban alcohol outright on these rivers? Far fewer injuries, far fewer arrests, less enforcement needed alltogether." I keep telling myslf to stay away from threads like these! However......I concur 100%!

I think guiding is real similar to us other working stiffs. I am always on call and have to ask permission to leave the city. I still fish two or three days a week. I fish more than any other guy I know in my friends circle. Tournament fishing is just plain fun for us. We always hope to win, but don't expect it. We just like hanging out with the guys who fish the tourneys. I know this is a CPA or Heartland thread, but AIA is cheaper for us working stiffs and the service is outstanding. They treat everyone like a Pro. My favorite part is the visiting before take off and during weigh in. You have to have your own boat in this one though. It wouldn't work for guys wanting to learn from Pros and be in the back of the boat. You have to be willing to sacrifice much and have the right situation to be a tournament angler who makes money. Even Snowden does some guiding when he can.

Thanks for the report. A bit chilly out there today? It is funny you mention folks coming in and burning down the bank and leaving. I see that all of the time and always wonder if I am slower than most. They all pull up to the same tree in that hollow.....throw some lure in, snag up and leave. I see an old timer fish off of a pontoon all of the time in the same area and he seems to reel quite a few in. I often wonder what he does and how he does it. One of these times I am going to go ask him.

Best wishes to both your families from me and mine. Makes me appreciate my favorite fishing partner even more. Glad you are coming along Donna G. Sorry you have to go back to work though.

My Grandfather always told me to make sure I wore a hat so my feet didn't get cold. We always laughed, but I can't ever remember him being wrong. I should have paid a whole lot more attention to the wisdom he shared. Wish he was here to teach me more.

Casting for me. Please!

Capt Don, Would you be willing to bring one of the Grandt rods to Hummingbird days......or would that mess with the general theme of other sponsor?

I always enjoy the lack of enforcement issue discussions. I am not aware much of what laws are on the books regarding behavior in public on the rivers. I agree that if we actually have those laws, then a similar law is overkill. Now back to the lack of enforcement issue.....everyone seems to think their problem is the most important. Drugs in the school are running rapid....do something, people speeding on my street, meth labs, sexual assaults, and so on. It is unfortunate that there are so many problems and so few people to solve them. It is also unfortunate that erosion and other issues have ruined the opportunity for JD to enjoy this behaviour he is so in favor of. Bottom line is a little self respect and courtesy to others would help alleviate some of these issues. Of course I was wrong once before....

Hey Gary, I might try to get the 1st off. I will be in Springfield for work this week, but meet ya for coffee next week and learn about this thing on the first. I plan on going to learn about the Hummingbirds too.

I love the line discussion too.

I also wanted to add my congratulations or condolences on the new task! I have nothing but respect for you and your even keeled ways. If you have room for rookies.....Adam and I might pitch in some money to fish with the big boys! The Skeeter Tour sounds extremely interesting.

Any limit on the hotdogs?

Linking with a pro is the best way to go. I didn't mean to rhyme! I originally signed up and paid for the Heartland October opener last year, but was told there wouldn't be enough pros, so I didn't go. I heard from a friend they called my name. Later, I took a vacation day off of work and booked a motel at the very cold LOZ spring tournament, but was sadly one of the few without a boat. I canceled my motel and went back home. Jim Lovan graciously linked with me and I never had another problem gettting a boat. Both are great circuits, but the best bet is to find a pro to link with.

We love float tripping. We have always taken our kids camping and have floated rivers. This is the first time or place where I was concerned about what we were going to float into. I think it has a great more deal to do with time than place. My kids are older now, but we seldom if ever enjoy a weekend trip. We head down to the Buffalo early every year for a trip there. We try to go early so we can be farther up river and it is cooler. My friend's kids are a bit young to be seeing the things you see on the creeks and rivers later in the summer. It would seem that the drunk (sometimes )naked people disrespect the very nature and experience that God created. They also disrespect themselves and people that have to see or be around them. If their purpose is to drunk and stupid......I wish they would just rent a person's land who would appreciate that sort of thing and believe it is okay. If it is okay with you JD....we can post which section of Missouri you own at the colleges and high schools. As long as you are in favor of it we can send them your way. It is actually a problem that I have experienced and has caught the attention of the lawmakers. So what would the answer be? I am not sure we can legislate rudeness and disrespect. I can't go back and teach them to respect themselves and other people. I am not sure if I agree with the particular law, but at least someone is trying to do something. I enjoy discussions such as this on this forum. Most folks are like minded and want what is best for the fish and their habitat. We all enjoy the outdoors and want to pass it on to the next people who come along. I try not to say something is wrong or not working without an alternate solution. So if you think this particular law is a waste of time......how do you suggest we fix the problem? If we have to legislate respect regarding the use of clothes and liquor.....how about dry sections of the river for families? It would take the occasional beer out of the hands of Dad, but it would still give particular sections of the river to drunks and bead throwers. I wouldn't have to tell my wife and sixteen year old daughter to put their shirt back on! Scares the fish. That seems like a silly law too. Somebody do something!!!