fishinwrench

Tying up Clousers, Sparkleminnows and such, in preparation for the Spring run of Whites and Walleye. Then I still need to fill a few empty spaces in the Ice-out Bluegill box. Speaking of Bluegill, I got word that my favorite bluegill pond has suffered a winter (freeze) kill. Not sure how bad but that has me a little concerned. Has anyone else's ponds/or small lakes showed any signs of a die off?

After being out the last few days I see quite a few people are still hanging their de-icers either inside the boat wells or on the outside edge. I'm pretty sure that it's better to put the de-icer so that it clears between the dock and shore. If it's not clear THERE and lake drops, the ice pushes out while the dock wants to move in and it can tear things up bigtime. Cables frozen in can also do serious damage when the water beneath the ice begins to drop out. Trying to thaw THE LAKE is pointless. LOL

Looking forward to it! Only downside is that I'll probably infect you heavily with the FFing virus and your wife is gonna bar you from my presence completely.

This is the bread/butter where I come from. Some days, depending on water color, other color patterns excel, but day in and day out chart/wht with some sparse pearly flash always gets the job done.

WTF? LOL

Don't confuse Rainshadow with Rainforest.....easy to do, but pretty significant difference.

The reason.it doesn't make sense is because you have this belief that all the fish in Crane are wild McCloud rainbows. Personally I have had my doubts about that for years, so it makes perfect sense to me.

I'll just have to take your word on THAT one, as I'll never be able to do that. Forcing myself to go to bed when I'm wound up tighter than a fiddle string is pointless for me. I got back into mountain biking after a 20 year hiatus and that alone has made a huge difference in my life, so I'll rate EXCERSIZE and WATER INTAKE above all else. Including diet. I can burn off a pan of brownies in no time pedaling through the woods.

The last build I did was a 8'10" 7wt. for my daughter. I started with a Rainforest II (RF2-906) blank and tuned it down. I am extremely impressed with the way it turned out. Seriously considering selling my fleet of St.Croix Legend ultras and building a full set for myself on the RFII blanks.

Well I can guarantee that Cabala's and Bass pro shop won't be mentioned.

Here's one that'll do Jerkbait duty if you can't wait until Spring... I call it the Grumpy ol'troll Fish it on one of the Rio 5.6ips sinking leaders anywhere you'd ordinarily throw a suspending jerkbait, it will get'em.

No it is a Wapsi item. The craft/sewing store yarn has a white core string and it just doesn't work right. I've tried to find the good stuff in bulk but it is impossible to find. Wapsi has it on cards though, and it's priced reasonably enough. Here's an embarrassing little vid I made awhile back that will at least help you make your first batch of them alot better

Naw, to hell with that. Rio makes 7 and 12' sinking leaders that cast great and do an excellent job. Play with a few of those before going to a seperate sinking line for bass. Buy a few 12'ers and modify to suit your needs.

For green bass I throw pretty big stuff around really thick cover and I like a 9wt. so I can lean on them. But the gold standard is an 8wt.

For Trout: I'll start by dead drifting it (tight line/no bobber), then as it gets below me I'll coax it into a slow swing by feeding a lillte line into the drift, and sometimes they like a few twitches thrown in. Once it is straight below you let it hang in the current for a bit because often a hesitant follower will jump on it then. Depending on the current you may need a split shot above the fly. Smallies: Dead drift it down along boulder banks or let it swing into undercuts or downed trees and then strip it briskly away from snags at the last second. They'll hammer it. Goggle eye: Cast it around wood cover or weeds in slow water, let it sink a bit, then start a slow figure-8 retrieve with your rod tip low. Watch/feel for slight "ticks" like a crappie bite. What I think makes it better than a WB is it has less water resistance, stays deeper easier, and when wet it just looks slimey and delicious.

This one will consistently take everything that swims in the Niangua (and elsewhere) depending on HOW you fish it. And it's ultra-simple. Mohair Leech Mus. 9672 #12-10 1/8 gold bead 7 turns .020 lead wire (pushed up into bead) Tail: barred chickabou feather Body: mohair yarn (twisted around tying thread and wrapped forward) Midges aren't much of a producer on the Ni (for Me), but just about any #14 nymph stands a chance. Actually if you just fish that leech 'like you would a nymph' you'll probably do just as well.

IMO the best and most current info is online, Right Here on OAF I understand the joy of a real book though. Terry and Roxanne Wilson have a book or two out there that cover the basics. And anything Bob Clouser is gonna be worthwhile reading. This vid will get your bass blood boiling...

The old tower of power will probably show 130-145, and a 10-13psi difference is acceptable. Look over all the motor harness wiring and replace any that are loosing the insulation.

Used to work with an old toothless dude that would put a steak on a broiler pan and let it sit in his fridge until it turned half-rancid before he'd finally cook and eat it. I always thought he was crazy. You'd go to get a beer and there that steak would be.....for weeks! That just goes against everything I think I know about food.

^^^^^^ What fisherman worth a piss hasn't ? And making it a criminal activity for the future up and coming.... Well that's just not cool.

For 2k you're not gonna do much better than that. I'd grab it before he changes his mind !

That's what I'm talkin'bout !

Correct, but if you look into it I think you'll find that the TWIC status will not have to be "renewed" when the 6 pak is. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm "pretty sure". FWIW

Well, there hasn't been an "ignorant fisherman" come through and destroy them thus far, and education is even greater now than it was in all the years prior. So I guess I'd be opposed to a closed season on the blue ribbon waters, especially the NFOW.

I "heard" that pb2 area was still clear a few days ago, but I doubt that it is now. Shawnee bend is usually among the last to get locked in, followed by Gale, but I haven't been by either lately. Bagnell tailwater may be the only game in town....but I'd rather go trout fishing somewhere than to spend a day fishing that dead ditch.