Wayne SW/MO

It must be the one Jim hangs out at. I wonder if he has one at RR?

And then they bleed. The term tubes baits are deadly is more reality than it should be.

Well I guess everybody needs to find that bench.

Orch a little scouting around the lake accesses should put you on fish. Many of the roads on this map don't actually end at the lake property border, but continue on to the water. The parks all have access of some form. Norfolk lake map here's a link to an organization where you'll find lots of mates. Carp Anglers Group

The store at Bennett use to rent them. If they still do the same vendor is at Roaring River. I'm not sure about Taney. Sunburst wouldn't be a whole lot more than two hours, if that much.

The only single I have is a short one for maneuvering. I can see where an obstruction might warrant a single paddle, but at that point the lower profile of the yak would also be an advantage. There are always reasons for and against, not to mention the accepted, but untested reasoning. The one that comes to mind is the cool weather fishing requires a canoe. I'm just the opposite and by November I'm in the Tarpon, with neoprene's to guard against not only water dripping, but to insulate me in case of an accident. In the case of an accident I would much rather be in my unsinkable Yak, with needed emergency gear safely stored inside. I'm also going upstream looking for wintering holes at that time and again the yak is easier for me. Most of warm weather I'll be in the Mohawk., 13', 39 pounds and quicker than snot.

If it's a true India you can keep it, I have ice available.

I have a 12' Tarpon and a 13' solo and there are differences between them. As far as loading and unloading, the solo is easier to get on top, but not a lot. The yak is easier to get to the water if you go any distance. It can also be easier to portage if I'm prepared. I never carry more then 3 rods ready, so there is little advantage one way or another between the two. If I want to carry a rigged flyrod, the yak gets the edge, but I have to bank to get it. The carrying capacity of the canoe is not necessarily all it seems. You have to be careful to not make it top heavy, but Goggle Eye doesn't plan on camping out of it, so the it's all mute. As far as upstream paddling it's no contest between my craft, the yak takes a lot less effort. There are a couple of reasons for that, one the waterline is longer and two it once to maintain a track while the solo wants to react. overcoming the reaction of the solo takes energy and given the fact I'm the supplier of that energy the kayak is easier. I own both, paddle both, and while your opinions might vary that is mine based on several years of use. I'm not trying to get in the old yak versus canoe debate, but to address Goggle Eye's post.

The Tarpon tracks very well and still has enough maneuverability for our rivers. Ham and I got ours from Appomattox river and they were the cheapest at the time even with shipping. Tarpon 120 I don't know that they still are, but it might be worth checking into.

I'm sure all those old oxbows are in trouble.

There's not a lot of access that I know of, but I'm sure there are some smallies in it. There are said to be a few in the Woods Fork and of course Bull creek has them, which Bear empties into. There's good access to Bull at Walnut Shade, upstream from the bridge.

Isn't St Joes airport across a bridge?

Another option in the canoe department would be to modify a tandem. It would just be removing the original seats and installing one at the proper place. They fact that the beam might be a little wider than a shorter solo wouldn't necessarily be a limiting factor on Missouri streams. The Guide 147 would be a good candidate and the Two Brothers canoes are soloed by many. The bottom line remains that for you, with no need for overnight gear, a kayak would be a good choice. My Mohawk 13 can't hold a candle to my Tarpon 12 for running upriver. The maneuverability that it is so good at works against it when paddling for distance.

Where the best campground in the park use to be.

I would have to vote Oregon. Every part of the state has streams and lakes with healthy trout populations. Redbands, Cutts, Lahontans, Brookies, Atlantics and steelhead. Streams like the McKenzie and the Deschutes are awesome rivers.

We plan on being on the water Sunday also, not sure what stretch yet, hopefully the one with the most Stripers.

So they are still coming up the river? Sounds like a winner to me. I may rethink my flyrod situation and go with a Falcon/Curado and a box of X Raps.

So can a Tarpon, right Ham?

Would you care to explain how that comes about?

Great commercial. You must be lucky at being at the right place at the right time. In the 25 plus years he's been the vendor there I've never seen him at the bench. I know he does casting lessons for a fee, and has for a long time. He also owns a lot of property around there, the contract at Bennett has been good to him.

Dead drifting live bait? How would you classify the population now. Heavy, moderate, a few or very few? Has anyone thrown hard baits successfully?

Another Shallow Shad Rap fan. I do best in shad, probably because there are so many in streams. Come cool weather it the X Rap in ****.

I agree with the former posts. You probably want to stay in the 12' length and 30-31" beam. I might add to what 57 said about throwing the legs over, you can also do this in deep water to reach bags/coolers in the rear, just don't try to stand up.

I had one bad purchase on E-Bay and the seller didn't want to make it good, pay pal put the pressure on and they changed their mind. The Abu's are good reels, but for the lighter stuff they can work you. For the lighter stuff it's hard to beat a Shimano.