Wayne SW/MO

Bass Pro shop. You can check out the information on line at their Springfield site.

I'm a big fan of P-Line, and I like Floroclear. It and CX Premium have been my lines for the last decade or so and I have no complaints. I use bait casters primarily, but CX has worked well on my spinning rods.

I was afraid I would have trouble explaining it. The lines, or line and leader, are coming at one another from opposite directions and laid together. When the loop is made they are treated as one. The loose ends are then wrapped around the loop strands, one from each direction. These are trimmed after the knot is tightened. Hope that helps. I've used this knot seemingly forever to attach leaders. After braid came on the scene I found it seems to work well with it also. On most of my bass rods I'm using 6/20 braid, moving to 8/30 when I change lines, with a leader. So far I like the combination because it very flexible. I can tie on a leader long enough to reach the reel, not through the level wind, of whatever seems appropriate. It gives me something to sacrifice to knots, to fit conditions of abrasion or water clarity, and the braid last an incredible length of time.

I've used a no name knot for decades to join lines, I'll try to describe it. Lay your two lines together going opposite directions. Turn a loop, about 1/2" in diameter, with the lines mated. Take one loose end and make three wraps around the two lines in the loop. Take the other loose end and do the same, only wrap it in the opposite direction. Gently pull all four ends up tight.

One more thought, store your molds where its warm, it will make them easier to heat up.

I've been working at learning the f & f knot also. The palomar is a good knot, but it use a lot of line and seems to break at odd times.

It could be simply that you're not getting the mold warm enough. The mold around the 5/16 heads is thicker and needs more heat.

That was my first thought. It still sounds like a cooling to fast problem. If you have a hot plate you might try sitting the mold on it. You could also let the mold set on the pot for a time, if you haven't already, to make sure its hot.

An Orvis Adams, but I don't know if its around any more. Its not a real powerful rod, but easy casting and comfortable all day.

Will one need reservations?

Aw it can't be that bad, congress is getting a raise.

They're awake, they're just slooow. This storm seems to be a roll of the dice and I don't think the center line has been established yet. It does seem that STL is safely to the north, but somewhere down here is going to get it. Whether its northern AR or us in southern MO is yet to be decided. The weather service is saying that Springfield will get a few hours of sleet and snow, then snow through tomorrow with about 6" expected.

I think 12's were probably the standard. I seem to remember black, brown, olive, yellow dyed grizzly and olive dyed grizzly as popular colors in hackle with a body to match. A chenille body with silver or gold tensile in it worked well at times also. To me the fish seemed just as picky about size and pattern when skipping as they are about drys.

Everytime I don't bring all of mine I regret it. I would tell him to bring anything he might remotely need, he can then buy what else he needs. That's a little tongue in cheek, but not far from the truth.

The unknown is worrisome, I've heard everything from 2" of ice to 12" of snow for some or all of this area. It probably ain't gonna be pretty.

Kay is semiretired as far as I know, but I believe Ed is working at Larry's, in the park. I believe they still rent the cabins and rooms at their place on 64, but I'm not absolutely sure of that. They owned the Springview tackle shop there before closing it.

That's the technique known as skipping that can be deadly at Bennett. The best woolies were tied a little on the sparse side to help them go under. Its a good technique to learn and have available, it can be deadly at times. There is a right way to do it and if you're not right on its not near as deadly. I never could get the retrieve just right, but Kay could do as well as anyone fishing it.

Especially if you don't paint the heads.

Probably the last of April and first of May, which coincidentally is the best time for tornadoes. If I was flexible I would watch weather and water temps.

They are no doubt an old standby in the western trout parks. I caught my first trout at Roaring River, before most on here were probably born, on an ugly red and yellow marabou jig. I've caught hundreds in front of the whistle at Bennett floating one under a float. I assume the subtle action of the 'bou in the current was the killer. Black and yellow was always a popular color at Bennett.

There was a program on PBS last night on gigging. It featured the traditional gig in the middle of the river for suckers and follow it up with a fish fry on the bank. There's nothing wrong with the sport as its been practiced forever, but that doesn't mean the MDC can't make an effort as Fishgypsy said to make those who simply want to gig fish, pay. Word can travel fast in some circles and I think a message could be sent. As gar as a Heron sticking a 15" smallie, I would have to see it believe it. I've observed them all my life and while I've seen them with perch that turned out to be too wide to swallow, I've never seen one hit a long fish that I know of.

Stripping woolies at Bennett is an old traditional method that can be very successful. When you're in the park next check with Ed Elersic at Larry's, his wife Kay is a master at it.

I haven't gigged, but I see fish in daylight all the time on clear streams and I don't see any resemblance between smallies and suckers. Its seem that each species of fish that travel in clear streams have some characteristic that makes them easily identified. AS far as herons go, I've watched them and eagles for hours at the pothole when its low. I've seen the eagles take trout that appear to be 10-12" long at times, but herons seem content with fish 6" or smaller. I can't imagine a heron sticking anything he cant eat, and they aren't pelicans.

Are you planning on fishing the upper? I think your chances would be better in the lower section, more "fish" there.

Looks like they pulled the plug. That will probably keep things unsettled until it has settled for a few days. I would think it would start picking up when TR runs, but I don't do well enough to know.