Daryk Campbell Sr

As a kid fishing public ponds in St Louis , we caught our fair share of bullhead catfish, or as we called them, yellow belly cats. 99% of the time they would swallow the hook. They were also to small to think about keeping, and gave no fight to mention. I guess they were good for young people such as us. Just became a pain after a while.

Marty, Thank you so much for sharing this/these with all of us. Loved what you did with the title. (yea, I caught it). Congrats on 38 years. Great pictures and commentary to go with them. You are a lucky man, I'm sure you've earned it just the same. I hope you left the cairn.

Wish I had that problem Champ.

This is what life is all about. :-)

I would like to acknowledge this thread, and put in my 2cents. The forum is primarily for giving/receiving information about fishing. Opinions have been strong, and so have words. Ketchup mentioned it is hard to read emotion in text. (paraphrasing). I know eventually the best fruit becomes sour, and at one time OAF was a very ripe fruit and many people participated in the give and take of fishing knowledge, expertise etc. Lately it has become a hangout for a handful of people who compare themselves in a virtual form. There are still many great qualities in the forums, but in the America we live in, negative sells, and that is what is cool in our culture and has worked its way here. I enjoy some of the ribbing, jabbing and such. It is great entertainment. I feel as if I know many of you, but really just know your screen names. If I was a guy who found the forum recently instead of a few years ago, I would not hang around. Just my 2, well 3 cents.

Check out this youtube video. I think it may be what you are looking for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHvyUkTTsLM

Lol. Really loud.

Sorry Amery I am not of any help. But I do sympathize with you and what your going through. I have a 15, 8, and 5 year olds, and thought that I would be able to fish a lot more than they will keep interest. I do hope that you are able to get some time to do what makes you happy, and maybe someone will be able to understand your struggle. We all struggle in different ways, and things are never as they seem.

At his age, it can be WHATEVER he wants it to be. :-) Great catch, great grandfather.

Oooh, now it looks like a treasure map.

Nice catch for both of you.

Had it not been for this site, I would have thought that was the respectful thing to do. I don't get on the water nearly enough to know all of the "Courtesies" that should be practiced. That sure is interesting, wonder what could be done to solve these problems......

I can and do speak from experience on the following. I grew up in the city of St Louis, in one of the less desired neighborhoods on the "state streets " and attended the St Louis public schools. ( explains the bad grammar ) I find it funny, people who feel the need to carry when they visit. If you don't already have a gun drawn, you will not protect your self from someone who is trying to rob you. I have witnessed a couple drive by shootings, seen a handful of bodies before the white sheet was put over them. I have never been shot,none of my vehicles were ever compromised with bullet holes. I have been held up at gunpoint. We need stiffer penalties for people who commit crimes.

Thanks for the report. Helps people like me who can't get out much.

I found them, ones right there, and the other one is over there. Looks like my workshop. I always say i will clean it up, when I start, I play with tools and don't get very far.

Doing what they love, not hurting anyone. I couldn't do it. Them boys have big brass ones.

Everyone else gets picked on, I didn't want you to feel left out Phil. :-) Thanks for all that you do.

I seen messes of them South of Farmington, MO over the last weekend. I don't have anyone in the family who would be interested in eating them, besides myself, so I left them there for someone else. Good luck to you all, and hope you continue to do well with your hunts.

By the title of the post, I thought OA was changing hands. Glad to see it isn't.

Thank You for posting, and being an ethical fisherman.

I was camping at Roaring River State Park in September of 08, when hurricane Ike came through. The lower campground was evacuated, they told us to leave. Being from St Louis, and my 30th birthday, I didn't want to go home. Had no idea how much rain was coming, went to the higher campground. I should have went home. The lower campground lantern holders were under water, could not see the tops. Bad deal. Be safe, listen to those who tell you to leave. Don't drive through water, it can be deadly. We had a couple people die south of St Louis last week due to water quickly rising.

Why not fish from a sea doo? The guy wearing a button down business shirt is what sells me.

Thanks for the report. :-)

I may, especially from what I read about how the crappie taste. Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate all of what everyone posts. :-)

Per recommendations from this site, I purchased a Pflueger President, forget the model. I don't fish very often, and this was a decent amount for me to spend. It is a significant upgrade to the stuff I have used for many years. I am very happy with it. I spooled it with 10lb P-line CXX. It is very smooth to retrieve and it has NO reverse spin when it is locked out of reverse. That was new to me. Every other reel I have used has some play in reverse, the President has none. This may be normal for all reels above a Zebco 33, but that is what I have used.