ColdWaterFshr

Generally speaking, yes. Exception being that there are solo canoes that are narrow and super-light enough and can be paddled exceptionally fast with a double bladed paddle that will scoot along just as well as many kayaks . . . but then the distinction between kayak and canoe starts to get blurry. Fast and fishing are two words than can contraindicate in my opinion. One must allow for observance of nature and beer consumption.

You nailed it. You got a paddle john, several canoes, several kayaks . . . but which one do you go to MOST?

ColdWaterFshr - short for cold-water-fisher. Trout and smallmouth . . . DUH! Avatar: mugshot of close friend Bert from Sesame Street caught in a narco-trafficking sting operation in Honduras in 1991. Within a week of his arrest, Me, aka Paul Dallas, arrived via Cessna on airstrip carved into jungle with a duffel full of grease money and a couple of other friends from Leavenworth to help spring him. We succeeded. Bert and I go way back . . . he saved my life in Nam, so I chose this avatar as a symbol of our brotherhood.

A good solo canoe, or even small tandem canoe is far more versatile in my opinion than a kayak -- IF you could only have one boat. Weight, size, cost being equal. Not discounting kayaks entirely, but to re-hash what I said above: 1) Overnight trips to carry more gear, but even day trips . . . to lay out your rods on the thwarts for quick and easy access, and protection of your rods from branches on creeks and rivers. 2) general comfort . . . leg position not limited, and your lower back is better off with the addition of a good and inexpensive adjustable seat back chair; posterior not constantly wet from either cradling a paddle in your lap or due to low proximity to water. 3) higher sitting position for view and better casting. The only advantages I can give to a kayak over a canoe is: 1) wanting to paddle upstream and then back down 2) a very windy day 3) wanting to cover some major distance on a day trip (10+ miles)

I guess I'm the odd man out here, but I have yet to find a kayak that I would prefer fishing out of more than my canoe. Just feels like I don't have enough space to stretch out or to put all my stuff. And they don't sit high enough for casting, or for better view of the water I'm casting to. Just a few inches higher makes a tremendous difference. And I like to be able to move my legs around in more positions than a kayak will allow. And that big double bladed paddle is always in the way. Would like to spend a little more time in a Jackson. Maybe it would grow on me, but I doubt it.

Unbelievably tragic. Just watched a video from Springfield News-Leader that was pretty horrific and should not be published. This happened right in front of many people on the Branson Belle as they dined. As others have said, some poor decisions were made. Probably not the right time to point fingers. Just to pray for everyone affected.

Holy moly. Scariest story I've read on here in a long, long time. Glad you are okay. You were lucky in so many ways. Was it dark? Who pulled you from the water and how long were you in? Great tips on boating safety.

No. But it looks an awful lot like Paul Dallas scat after a heavy session of Busch beer and White Castle burgers.

bummer.

Those are some dandies! Nice and fat. Thanks for sharing. Wonder what happened to all the brookies down there.

Oh, there was plenty of consumption going on. Lots of Murphys, Guinness, Chieftain, and a smidgen of Jameson and Bushmills thrown in here and there. The tiny little pubs out in the country were the best -- such as this one called the Blind Piper.

Back from my trip a couple days ago. Took everyone's advice and hired me a guide. Thomas Ankettell. Found him on a directory of available guides somewhere on the web and his resume of accomplishments looked good enough for ole Paul Dallas. He is a retired electrician and now vice captain of the Irish fly-fishing team or something or other, and has travelled all around with them. So he took me to a private stretch of water on upper 1/3rd of the Munster Blackwater near a very small town of Banteer on the county Cork/Kerry border. Beautiful river about 40 minutes outside of Killarney, but mostly known for its salmon runs. Brown trout get up to decent size, but most fisherman are there for the salmon. 150 Euro seemed like a bargain for picking me up early at a nearby pub and dropping me off, providing fly rods, waders and boots, and all flies, and about 5 hours of fishing. So he unlocked a gate at this farm in the middle of nowhere and drove his beater down a terribly rutted dirt road through a corn field. He rigged me up as I finished my coffee. Walked down to the river and I fished upstream about a half mile with a parachute dry and midge dropper. Caught half a dozen fish like this and smaller all on the midge. Had a nice one break me off, but we were using 7X which I'm not used to. Fishing downstream, he had me on a triple wet-fly rig that I was fishing down and across. Wasn't near as productive, but then again the sun was getting higher by that time too. Wish I had taken more pictures, but I was too busy enjoying the fishing, scenery, the complete solitude -- didn't see another soul, and talking with Thomas. Good dude -- he is vice chair of the local fishing club and fighting the good fight for protecting the areas rivers and streams which are under constant threat of pollution from a couple of repeat offenders (dairy processing plants, and a factory or two). The net for this fish seems like overkill, eh? Couldn't have picked a worst time to fish. Much of Ireland is in the worst drought and heat wave they've had since 1976. Rivers and lochs are at the lowest they have ever been. People complaining about the heat and it was only 70F. The whole week we were there, it didn't rain once and was sunny everyday.

Buddy sent me this picture he took of full-grown rattler swimming by his boat just upstream of Whitten access this past weekend.

"Hand Laid Hull" is a bit suggestive and inappropriate for a family marina, don't you think? And can't they put a chip clip on those chips? They're gonna get stale! Must be my kids out on that boat.

Anyone have any firsthand experience fishing over there? Heading that way in a couple weeks. Will be mostly in SW corner of the country and also around Killarney. Planning on bringing a travel rod. Hopefully can rent some waders from a shop. Would like to catch a few brown trout. Looks like they are well established in most of the waters. Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

The Ballwin bear was about 2 blocks from my house. Its got the whole neighborhood on edge. 😁

We've met? Hells bells. small circles we all run in. Cheers brother. Lets go fish sometime. I know you're a gun lubber, but in the grand scheme of this sandbox we live in, I don't hold it too much against you.

Same. Anything Paul Dallas has to say should not only become an article, but also published and credited to the author, yours truly. Youtube is a bit too low rent and teenagerish. But I do like their rock videos. Allman Brothers, Skynard and such. And watching fighter jet low fly-overs. PD

I will give you the 2 jigs I have to deconstruct. It can't be all that complicated. Having the correct jig head is an important start. The shrink tube and the right amount of feather without too much bulk is key.

Guilty. I've enjoyed poking you a time or two Bill, but whatever was said by whoever, I hope you don't take it wrong. i've enjoyed reading this topic and your perspective and knowledge. The jig is unique and it is a fish catcher, that is for sure. Hope to meet you someday, BB.

Gavin is a great tier, I've seen what he can do. Between him and tjm, I'm sure they could eventually figure it out. Gavin - I will give you one the next time we fish for you to de-construct. As Bill B said, this is extremely durable little jig, like I've never seen. I can't remember ever denting the head, scratching the paint even slightly, or it losing feathers . . . even after catching dozens of fish. The ones I have are in perfect shape, other than the dye in the feathers losing color. The hook is strong. Lost jigs only to the worst of snags, it takes a lot to straighten that tiny little hook. Its the perfect sink rate, size, attention to detail, etc. Very well constructed --- by a PRO. What is Phil willing to sell his remaining white jigs stock to yours truly, Paul Dallas for? Anyway, hats off and cheers to TURNERS - the original inventors, and to Merlin Olsen's endorsement, for many fine days of success at Roaring River, and Taney with this one of a kind jig. I never regretted not having another root beer, only regrets are not having another one of those jigs in my pocket.

A white merlin olsen jig, brand new and still in its original unopened vial, just sold for $ 126.00 on eBay.

Here you go, Ness. These two I've had for probably over 10 years. Colors are faded.

I remember getting this micro jigs at Roaring River lodge back in the early 80's. They worked better than anything else . . . . including cheese worms. Back then they were called Merlin Olsen jigs, or at least they had his mugshot used as an endorsement. And the cost an ungodly sum of $1.50. As a young lad, it was often a difficult decision . . . whether to buy a Merlin Olesen jig or put the money toward a Barq's root beer and a snicker bar. Merlin won most of the time.

Many Dallas awkward family portraits taken at the Olan Mills studios on Glenstone Ave in Springfield, MO. The Meadow/split rail fence looks very familiar. 😀