kjackson

I'm starting the research for an article on what FFS is doing to the tackle industry...which seems kinda strange, but it is having an effect on lure manufacturers as well as the local tackle shops.

Wow! Great job.

Yeah, it's the fall. If you head south to chase redfish, you want to have that RES in ¾ ounce. It is killer.

I started to think that this might be a fun project to pursue, listing the states I've caught fish in, but after scratching my head for a while, I realized it would be easier to list states were I haven't fished. Basically, I"ve not fished in the northeast, with the exception of New York and Pennsylvania. Add in the Carolinas and Virginias and Hawaii, Arizona and New Mexico, and that's about it. However, I did see a bonefish when I was snorkeling in Hawaii, so I almost want to count it. I did get to fish in Finland, Sweden, Mexico and Canada, but that's it for foreign parts.

I'm open for intel when you decide to make the trip. No. 2 Son currently lives out there about as far west as you can go in the lower 48. While I disparage Washington's Deschutes, I did catch a trout there on the first fly I tied, a "muddler". It wasn't much of a fly-- pheasant quill for wings and some peacock herl trailing as a tail and red chenille wrapped around the head of the fly. I was 10 at the time, so that's the reason for the non-standard pattern. It did catch a trout, and that was important to me.

I'd like to make a correction to your list. For Washington State--there is a Deschutes River, but it is probably not the one you are thinking of--that one is in Oregon and is a fantastic fishery. Washington's Deschutes is a little, low-country river that probably does have searun cutts, but it is not an easy or fun river to fish. Practically every stream on the west side of the state has searun, and some of them are not only fisherman friendly but a beautiful place to fish. I'd look to the Olympic Peninsula streams, or heck, just put on your waders and fish in the salt.

Things have started to settle a bit, and I'm thinking hard about selling my boat and buying one more suited to the way I need to fish. I've been seeing a lot of boats that I like that are out of state, and that means they likely don't have boat, trailer and motor titled. So-- how hard is it to get a Missouri title for a boat/trailer or motor from out of state? When I brought my boat out from Arkansas, the boat and trailer were licensed from our previous home in Washington, but the motor was not. I did get it licensed after I found the original bill of sale. So it looks like relicensing/titling in Missouri is not easy. Is that the case? Thanks for any advice.

I'd offer the Clark Fork above Missoula and Mussigbrod lake for grayling.

I cannot imagine that fight--- and on a 9-weight!

I like the Storm Chug Bug... and the little stretched rattle bait, and the big Bomber.

I just found out that the Expo coincides with the city-wide garage sale. It will be a bit interesting as far as traffic in some of the neighborhoods. You can find a brief description on the paper's website, but it doesn't give addresses.

Can't speak for myself, but an acquaintance said he's been catching crappie all winter and fairly shallow, too.

Thanks, Ness. I have a son who is an avid mushroom hunter but he lives about as far west as you can get in the lower 48. I wish I could tap his expertise, but I have to stay local. I'll look up the morel group.

I made the mistake of telling the editor of the local paper that, yes, I would do an article about mushroom picking/hunting/whatever in the Clinton area. I was really keen about wild mushrooms when I lived back in Washington until I discovered that giant puffballs and wine don't mix for me. Since then, I avoided wild mushrooms like a plague. So I'm looking for advice on where to start digging for info, not to mention help and advice. Thanks in advance!

Been there, done that and am having a dressing changed this afternoon on the third excision. Fortunately, all have been basal cell. I visit the dermatologist every six month, as my father died of bladder cancer, which can be a result of having skin cancer I've read. My first excision was a MOAS procedure, but it wasn't quick. The doc cut, scraped and then sent samples off to be analyzed while I waited. It took three hours and several scrapings before I was released. I realize that I'm going to have to give up the ball caps and wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen.