ColdWaterFshr

JFK. True. The entitlement mindset has become all too familiar, but I think that erosion started back in the 80s, and the dose of hard knocks is coming to them if it hasn't hit already. Good luck on purchasing a $300K starter home that was $70K 20 years ago. As it stands now, we have a fragmented population and deeply divided country. A FULL 80% of people bumble around, clueless and self-involved not caring about whats going on, maybe by information overload, or just too lazy to try and understand. The other 20% are split equally by 1) facist, cultish goons- "God, Guns, and Tr--p" was I think the t-shirt of the doofus I saw today, and the other half by 2) pragmatic, educated normal folk who don't feel the need to demonstrate phony patriotism by flying a 20-foot american flag off the back of their ugly rusted out pick-up truck, 80 mph down a dirty interstate, ripping it to shreds, little regard or appreciation for respect of the flag. These are your LOZ people, Wrench, are they not? Ugly f'n white trash. Pragmatic-educateds don't feel compelled to display their patriotism so overtly. They live it. They abide by laws, and facts, and truths. Live decently. Have an appreciation for the history of this country and how it was founded. Send me your tired huddled masses, yearning to be free. They may not go to church every Sunday, but they probably have better daily virtues and morals they abide by than the phonies who do, and who regard drownings on the Rio Grande as a success. And they believe in peaceful transfers of power, as every president before has respected and abided by. We are in trouble.

We had hiked Mt. Ida before and knew about the wind, but this time it was worse. And there is some rock-scrambling to get to the summit, but nothing technical or that requires equipment. And Sky Pond had one short section where you climb for 30-40 feet up some rocks right by a waterfall, but its not terribly challenging. The main danger is someone above you dislodging some rocks that would rain down on you. That and afternoon storms that come up quick.

We found an airbnb on Fish Creek Rd, just east of town. Overlooks Estes Golf course.

Cool! You should definitely get out there. We almost did a hike over near McGregor on Lump Ridge trailhead. You know, we've been out there 4 times now and we still have so much of the park left to explore. Was sad to see all the Cascade Cottages boarded up just inside the Fall River entrance.

Let me tell you. Paul Dallas has some angry and weary knees, and mosquito bitten ankles. But he sure is happy looking back on this trip Day 1 - hike to Lake Haiyaha / Chaos Creek (10,240 ft elevation), 4.2 mile roundtrip Day 2 - hike to Deer Mountain (10,013 ft elevation), 6 miles roundtrip - no creeks to fish, just suffering Day 3 - hike to Mount Ida (12,874 ft. elevation), 9.4 miles roundtrip - no creeks to fish, just extreme suffering; 2,414 feet elevation gain, mostly above treeline; did not complete hike as steady winds around 40-50 mph finally blew us back down maybe a half mile from summit. Day 4 - hike to Ouzel Falls, Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, Cony Creek (9,730 ft. elevation), 5.4 miles roundtrip Day 5 - hike to Sky Pond, Loch Vale, Icy Brook (10,900 ft. elevation), 8.6 miles roundtrip; 1,800 feet elevation gain Day 6 - mini golf and tourist stuff in Estes Park Early morning start on our way up Mt. Ida. Started at Milner Pass, well below treeline. This trail follows the Continental Divide. To my left is west coast drainage, and to my right is east coast drainage. Trial up to Ida trail up to Ida Chaos Creek below Lake Haiyaha Greenback from Chaos Creek Lake Haiyaha. Paul Dallas Just below Ouzel Falls Loch Vale Icy Brook above Loch Icy Brook just below Timberline Falls on way up to Sky Pond Sky Pond Daughter standing next to snow block at Sky Pond Icy Brook Cutt Family selfie before we made the correct decision to quit the mountain.

Live shows recent . . . . Jeff Tweedy at the Sheldon. Hard to describe how good it was, and I won't try. He is our current Bob Dylan. Little Feat last week. Still rocking. Fred Tackett hasn't lost a beat. Tight, tight band. And I'm not into jam bands, but they are the original, and they don't overdo it. Joseph and Sawyer at Delmar Hall. All girl groups, Joseph is 3 sisters. Amazing harmonies. Jakes Leg at Venice Cafe, . . .authentic experience. I haven't been there in 20 years, that place is so cool. Rock steady Grateful Dead band going on now 40 years + and still grooves. You Win Again was a highlight. Elvis Costello and the Imposters w/ Nick Lowe the weekend before that in Indiana.

2 words. Climate change.

Ugly. Wish they hadn't done this. Who did this, the NPS? And yeah, their last "improvement" a few years ago was a disaster as soon as that first flood hit it. Also - the carnage at the top of the Baptist hill is pretty ugly. Was that just to run utilities to the new house up there?

Well played, Phil, you got me. 😂

Jigs? Uncle Josh Salmon Eggs or Bubblegum Powerbait?, Or air-injected nightcrawlers with a marshmallow indicator, perhaps, below outlet 3? C'mon. Spill your secrets, Snagged, or we'll soon have to pay subscriptions for the privilege to partake of such kiss and tell, . . . . and we know it ain't casting rooster tails or trolling with Little Cleos or Lazy Ikes. Thats old hat. Although it occurred to me . . . these football triploids haven't been to finishing school, and may like Velveeta on a Ritz cracker with a glass of Blue Nun, if properly presented of course.

Impressive fish! Jerkbaits?

I'm a master lurker, and occasional poster, and . . . . . a long-time trouble maker. Love this site (thanks, Phil), . . .but I would not go to the hassle to sign up and pay. Sorry. Its a forum. Post up your adventures, reveal your fishing spots and techniques as much as you want and feel comfortable doing. Be discreet, be friendly, make friends, share privately. Whats the problem??

Nice report and pictures. Not sure why the fishing wasn't better. Maybe falling river levels combined with storm front coming in? I don't know. I'm not crazy about that stretch, though I've only fished it once.

I've repaired my 12" long crack in my Royalex boat using the G-Flex epoxy. Its held up well for several years and going strong. I would glob that into the hole, let it dry well for a few days, sand it down so it is uniform with the rest of the hull, and then put a kevlar skid plate front and back. Make sure you get the skid plate kit that is specifically for Royalex as it is different epoxy than the ABS/plastic kits. Its probably the G-flex epoxy.

Very tragic and scary, especially for that time of night. My 2 girls at school at SEMO, not far away, were woken by the sirens in their dorm at 4 a.m. They didn't do much other than complain about the piercing noise of the sirens. I can only hope they now understand the seriousness and their random luck for not taking it more serious.

Nice video. Big Sugar, Little Sugar, or Shoal? Or anonymous? Looks like you did some 4-wheel floating there at the end. Done that many times. Not so bad if you're traveling light. Those small streams are well worth it. Chunko bass at the end, Britt!

We are losing access, but don't throw in the towel. Talk to landowners, most in Missouri are good folks. Not all are friendly, and a good many are paranoid. A few will give you access if you do right by them. Pick up trash. Tell them you are with a stream team and there to pick up trash. Even if you're not. Pick up as much trash as you can. I try to do this as a habit anyway, wherever I am. Be respectful and do what you say you're going to do. Leave when you say you will. Lock their gate, say "thanks", give a bottle of wine. Its not complicated.

Yes, for sure. My son is in his final semester there. His roommate was carjacked at knifepoint last night getting off work bartending his first night on the job. His car was found this morning in St. Robert with engine still running, in a ditch, drugs in it, the knife, and the punks cell phone. Police know who it is, just haven't reeled him in yet. Never would've thought this could happen in Rolla. St. Louis, yes. Rolla??

Sorry - just trying to keep it real. Its actually an underrated GEM of a stream. Many, many, good spots. I would go there any day over Cardiac/Suicide on the Meramec.

This time of year, keep an eye on the gauge at Newburg, especially if it has rained recently. It will be murky and tough to fish at anything above 400 cfs. Milldam Hollow gets pounded by locals who all seem to know the stocking schedule. The further you can get away from that access, which, be careful, we have seen sketchy people there every time we go, . . . either upstream or downstream from the access, the better chance of success you will have. Best way to do this by canoe or kayak. The fish aren't too picky. Usual stuff works, mostly nymph rigs. And don't park at Vida Slab bridge (W), you will be ticketed.

7 weight and 3X fluoro tippet off about a 6 foot leader.

Mic, your fly worked well. Good action to it and perfect weight. Though I didn't get to put it to the test on the North Fork, it worked extremely well at Rockbridge. I think we had a 19 lb stringer of 5 fish. The first 3 of which were caught on your fly. I should've re-tied my knot after the 3rd one because I broke off and lost an easy 7 lb'er. Lot of fun watching multiple large fish chase it down at the same time, even if they were prosti-trouts. My younger brother Frank was thrilled. Daryk's Black Ghost brought in a fat brown over on the North Fork. I wasn't even wader-ed up, just putzing around from the bank. Totally shocked that it came out of some fast water. I think the fishery at the North Fork is back! Wish I had spent more time fishing it, but we were in a hurry to get over to the Bryant and do a short float.

There is no such thing as too heavy on the North Fork. It'll be the first fly I try tomorrow morning. I know the perfect spot for it. Will report back on Monday.

Received my flies today. They look great! Might get to try a few of them out this weekend on the North Fork. Thanks for organizing, Mic.