Wayne SW/MO

strangercreek I'll bet that fish in your avatar showed you some backing.

Well you kept your powder dry.

It's not draft, that is how deep a craft sets in the water. Basically if a craft is built to track, and get the most out of each paddle stroke, it can't be allowed to respond to the stroke on the side of the craft as it would tend too. In a fast water situation where you want it to respond, it can't ignore the paddle strokes direction. My Solo has a bottom that is only slightly rounded and a noticeable rocker. Rocker is a term meaning the hull has lift on both ends, like a rocking chair rocker. This means less bottom in contact with the water and with a roundish bottom it will turn easily and respond to the paddle pressure on one side. When I paddle on flat water or paddle upstream it tends to wander from side to side, almost like it wants to spin on a center axis. Each time it changes direction, even though it's slight, it takes away some of the energy meant to propel it straight ahead. The other side is something like the runnels on the Tarpon and the Coosa which are similar to inverted keels and while not as good as normal keels the do help keep the craft wanting to go forward. The Coosa adds more rocker, but know matter what it will negate some of it's tracking ability and in their video it has a tendency to want to wander.. The longer the waterline the faster the craft and that is why I mentioned the 14' Tarpon. It could get you by on the War Eagle or the Kings which aren't real technical, but would make up for it's lack of maneuverability on the rivers by being faster and more efficient on flat water. If you ever take a notion to hit the salt the 14' would be more comfortable there also.

I don't know why you believe I want to stop fishing on Crane because I don't. I do think too much attention encourages more pressure than it can stand. I would certainly like to see it get less attention then the parks!

Well you'll probably have to buy a license after all.

A kayak that can track well on a lake and run whitewater probably doesn't exist. The ride doesn't like rivers all that well, but would be right at home on a lake. A 14' Tarpon in a bright color would do well on flat water and get you by on an easy river. The water in your lap will come off the paddle, no matter where you sit.

I think the white bass run this year, when compared to past years, is ??????????????????? Read I have experienced many and I don't have a clue?

It is too bad that the MSA could not get a foot hold in SWMO, but it is not because many individuals didn't try.

I'm thinking the run is toast this year, and I hate to say it. I've been pretty regular around the eastern Taney spots and beyond my mediocre abilities it hasn't been that good. I just haven't experinced or seen anyone really having the any day after day luck.

Well of course it is if you promote it, duh! You can't enter the streambed without disturbing it, mush less catch a fish and release it, eh, unharmed. Just don't don't push it, it real C & R fishermen want to experience it it they don't need your reports or encouragement. I fished it the first time over 30 years ago without your help!

You know its not like you won the lottery or something, but until it happens you don't realize how brainwashed you are to buy a license every year.

I won't argue the worth it, IF the hybrids are up along with their cousins the whites. But one never knows. My son and g-kids were there a couple of weeks ago and limited out on crappie in the old channel, and he doesn't keep the barely's.

Who are you hiding from Andy? :lol:

Well we knoiw that the creek and it's fish have survived for at least 122 years and the did so without the help of the internet. So I think going forward those of you that think more fishing along with education will be good for it had best be right. I'm thinking you have a pretty big hill to climb doing it better.

I want to get up there, but the gas prices are killin' me!

Welcome to the "Club"?

I would suggest that, if it is a problem, you get some Knot Sense and streamline your knot. Knot Sense is well known to fly fishermen.

Doesn't look like you're going to get a break.

If I were you I would look at a Guide 147. It would be a good boat for a couple of youngsters. It is heavy, but they should be able to handle it. It shouldn't break you buying a good used one either.

Like it or not, I don't remember having a problem with worm containers in the 70's. The creek was doing just fine and in the few trips I made I caught a lot more fish then I have in the last decade.

Once every thing is put into perspective all of that is meaningless. Crane Creek has been fished for decades and decades and preserved without constant attention on the internet. Everytime a new "Friend of Crane" comes along and makes a report more interest is generated and more pressure is brought to bear. The creek doesn't need more publicity, they need less use.

I have a Mohawk Solo 13. I like it and have no complaints. It's very manueverable, which of course means it's mediocre in the tracking department. It has excellent secondary stability and I've never had a problem keeping the gunwhales up. The two biggest pros, weight and manuervability.

rps I don't think timber has the same perils that flows do. When fishing a river the chances of running across abrasive rocks or roots embedded with sand are common and anything with a #2 diameter doesn't have much to give up. F & F, I'm an old guy and trust me what I posted works.

With all do respect F & F I can walk out 50 yards + or - and reel it back on without any fuss or burning any gas. 4/15 will give you better control and safety Drew. 10/2 is so thin that if it gets scratched it breaks.

You really shouldn't ask. If he should break off into a history from Asia to the Forsyth jail it will take days. Me too. The little trout creeks in Missouri are border line at best and can't stand a lot of pressure. Constant attention will only serve to degrade them, as if the environmental pressure wasn't enough.