Wayne SW/MO

I think that would depend on what they teach them Harps. If they can teach them that they can be dangerous and that real life isn't what they see on TV or the movies, it could be helpful. I don't think the school should be teaching gun safety in shooting situations at that age. I would be afraid that it would lead some kids to believe they are qualified when they aren't mentally ready.

Cuts have to be made and the fact the legislators and the administration took the cowards way out doesn't alter that fact. What one can hope for is that this will force those responsible for budgets to become more realistic. As long as people welcome pork in their area, but complain about it in others nothing will change there either. We need to go back to what the forefathers envisioned, a national government primarily focused on defense, diplomacy, and interstate laws. There is no reason that any government official can make at this time in history that will allow a budget to keep increasing, especially in light of many printing. As far as faith based charities, they have been hard at work doing what the government doesn't do because the federal government will never be able to fine tune laws and help like the charities and state and local governments can.

The trout parks shouldn't be criticized for the fishing environment, simply because they are what they are. There is no other way to create a put and take coldwater fishery with virtually unlimited access in Missouri. They crowds have probably just about maxed out and with the loss of good fishing water due to filling in, some days will be frustrating to some. I can criticize the changes done to Bennett, and I have, quite often. The changes to Roaring River have improved it. Removing the lake and adding a C&R area were good for the park. Different superintendents with different goals.

Have they ever finished it, or will they?

I'm sure there is mass confusion and uncertainty in DC. The sequester has put them in pattern that is 180 degrees from normal. Normally they put in a budget, a request for money to run there operation. In order to be sure and have all the bases covered they request a "little" more and then insure that it is spent. Now they are going to have to reverse their thinking and make do with what they have. The question weather they will actually make adjustment that everyone knows they can make, or will they cheat and make sure that any cuts will have a visible and ominous impact, or will they just cut out some pork, and make some legislatures angry, but forced to own up.

You could launch under the bridge. If you're worried about security there is a canoe rental on the SW side of the bridge that would probably let you launch for a fee. Sorry, can't remember the name of it.

Yup the unsinkable Queen Mary. I'm a Tarpon fan, but how you fish will make a big difference also. If you're going to use one for transportation and than wade to fish something like the Riveras that cwc87 has would probably do a fine job.

The rule is anyone can fish the jetty, but they have to give to anyone handicapped. This was always the rule and I doubt it has changed. That doesn't however mean some yahoo won't comply.

A nymph like the PT generally imitates a mayfly nymph that is doing one of two things, swimming up or it has lost its hold and is tumbling. The PT is basically a great nymph imitation in silhouette and color that used very few materials. You'll find that the older the nymph pattern, as a generally rule, the fewer the materials needed. Leaving something out like the wingcase is very unlikely to change the effectiveness because it isn't a contrast.

I've never been to the ROLF either, but it looks good from the river.

I don't think they are necessary, but you could go with swiss straw. If you use straw it's a good idea to coat it with glue to toughen it up also, like turkey, etc.

If you don't get specifics I would look at the Illinois above Tenkiller. If it's open, the public hunting area on Ft Gibson should have a lot of carp. The Arkansas is said to be full of carp. If you're close to R.S. Kerr it's the shallowest big lake I ever fished. I would think with it and the river it would be a good producer once learned.

I'm thinking Ness probably has a lot more company on the road JD. I lived in both areas, OP and Grandview, a long, long time ago. For reference you would fall off the world if you crossed 95th.

Good grief!

I go hot and cold on reading and I generally don't get real excited about fiction that pushes the outer limits, but James Rollins is addictive for me.

I follow Taneycomo most of the way from my place to Forsyth and have the same problems. The real worrisome thing is, I'm not sure what i expect to see besides water1

The wild, native stocked, etc is a bottomless can of worms. I doubt we would have the discussion were it not for the put and take parks. Like Bill said, where do you draw the line? Walleye fit the scenario of native fish that are supplemented from the hatchery. Our weather is different the many other areas when it comes to its effect on water. In many areas winter is pretty much the same every year and not on the edge like this area. Our winters can vary enough to change the effect on the water and its temperatures. Its not too hard to believe that there are times when browns have a successful spawn, at last some if their timing is right. I know the water temps here aren't ideal for spawning, but if they try there's always the chance some could survive. For me, anything that is not replenished on a schedule and there is some spawning is wild enough for me.

Here's one from this year, not much difference. Last year you couldn't see the rockpile.

I use to tie #20 dries, now I can't see the hooks. If you need a challenge they make 32's. I'm kidding of course.

Yes it is and it needed it. I haven't stood lakeside so clarity is not something I can post on, but Bull and Swan were up just a little and clean. Just for your reference, before the rains you could walk to the rockpile from the Empire side.

:lol:

rain? snow? a little, very little. The creeks didn't rise very fast and what I saw were running clear and not very high. We never had snow on the ground really, a little sleet and snow adding up to about a 1/2 inch. I haven't seen the lake since the moisture, but I would be shocked if it wasn't clear. I know it is low. River Run and Shadow Rock ramps are fine.

Nice looking fly, but not what i think of when you said midge, hence my ostrich herl collar remark. That is more in my soft hackle category and they can be deadly at times swung in the current.

Lot of hype here, but yes it is just a tradition. As I said, at one time there was no winter trout fishing period and opening day was a big thing. many can count decades of being on the line at the whistle, which signals the opening of fishing in the parks. For many there is also a linking up of family and friends and the worst the weather the bigger the excitement for many. Gigging and grabbing also have an anticipation for many when they open. We don't have many "Openings" now like there once were.