ColdWaterFshr

The commandos getting out of the school bus freak me out more than the tutu bride, but still . . . . Are you sure you didn't eat some of the wrong kind of mushrooms?

Very jealous. Have fun. Don't forget yer bug dope.

Very cool!

I can't forgive the misspelling of Castor as "Caster".

Very cool pictures. I like the first one of the rainstorm out on the plains. Is that the infamous "Corndog" with you?

15/1 - help me understand what this means. I'm a little slow. Is it a 15 inch, 1-fish, possession limit??

Funniest post of the year . . . . . .

Throw big, or go home gentlemen.

I own exactly 2 WTD lures. A sammy and a zara spook. I've caught several big fish on both, but it just isn't my thing. Main reason --- I hate treble hooks. Oh, and I'm not very good at making it walk right or fast enough. I've seen Al in action with his and it is something to behold. I'm a believer in it . . . but in capable and skilled hands . . . not mine. And I fish almost exclusively topwater for smallmouth. It doesn't get any better than this. Give me a 1 and 3/8 ounce B-2 buzz bait any day of the week. 1) its far more weedless - glides easy over logs, or into logs, tops of weed beds and other crap, 2) It moves fasts, 3) casts a country mile, 4) invokes strikes as explosive as any other big lure, and 5) it has a single sharp hook that usually gets the job done. And its definitely Dink-proof. I've seen it frighten off sunbathing crocs, herds of water buffalo, and even a terrorist or two. Sounds like a German V-2 when you cast it. And its $7 not $23.

Good recall!! I had started to forget those details. Lambeth Bridge and taking Mike's car. Good times.

That would be a frightening experience. I would have done exactly the same thing. As others have said, Lower LP shouldn't be a problem. Its been a long time since I floated below the Grotto Bridge down to I-44 -- how many years ago was that, Gavin? Seems like it was one of the MSA rodeo's that we floated Newburg to 44. As for lower Mill Creek, I believe that whole lower section is private property on both sides. Was that where the gunshot came from or was it further down on land adjacent to LP? BTW - is it legal to access the LP under I-44 bridges there? On east-bound 44 there is well-worn dirt road leading from the shoulder of the highway to underneath the bridge.

Late September the leaves won't be bad at all. All suggestions above are good ones. If you've already done the 11 Point, though, to keep it on that high expectation level for scenery, I would narrow it down to which section of the middle Current I would be doing.

Dang! very nice!

Had a great time up in Door County last week. I didn't get to fish as much as I wanted, but it was better than nothing. Thanks for all the tips and info, guys. Howies Bait and Tackle. Check. Bought some tubes there at the advice of a 15 year old working the counter and they worked great. The Cookery Perch Sandwich. Check. Delicious. The White Gull Inn cherry-stuffed french toast. Check. Outstanding. Fish boil. not this time. lots of other fun times and things we did. Cave and Kayak tour around Cave Point was a lot of fun, but quite a workout in the wind. Fishing notes: kayak rentals don't open until 9 a.m. (that blows) can't fish from bank, have to get out in at least 10-12 feet of water 16-17 inch smallmouth up there are the norm. I have a feeling if I fished for another hour, I would've landed a real pig. must've caught 7 or 8 gobies in the hour and half I got to fish. Nicolet Bay is where I fished, and within sight of the beach. Thanks again for the great tips and advice everyone.

I don't have a million hours logged, but I'm not sure that the stay to the right guideline is entirely practical on a place as unique as Taney, or the White or Norfolk tailwaters. Maybe its a rule of thumb to strive for, when traffic is light, but it seems like many weekends on the upper end, you really just have an obstacle course. Pick a line and weave through the traffic without much choice of where you can go other than what is open and safe. Fisherman drifting in rentals without trolling motors can't always keep their bow in the direction they would like, or stay out of the middle. Not to mention where the channel may be and generation levels, the many natural hazards that dictate where you have to go. And going fast . . . well, I guess that just depends on visibility. Like over-driving your headlights on a winding road at night, or in white-out blizzard or heavy rain conditions. If you can't see in time to stop what you are going to run over, duh, you're going way too fast. Going fast just so your bow sits low on your 250 HP rig as it gets trimmed out and you can see over the top of it . ... seems like a weak argument. Maybe thats not the right boat to be driving for those conditions and that body of water. The trying not to throw I wake, I can get that, but there is no reason to tear by someone at 40-50 mph on upper Taney either.

Now see, I always thought Ginger was the hotter of the two.

Thanks for the tips and the info, guys.

I found the ad comical. And pandering. Gander Mtn. marketing professionals have your segment dialed in to a tee, but its significantly larger than the very very small percentage of law enforcement, military, or firefighters (really, firefighters?) who while reading the newspaper, and spotting such an ad, would feel compelled to shop for such "tactical necessities" above and beyond what their employer might provide. I'm not ever going to quit making fun of these people. TACTICAL NECESSITIES!!!! Honey, I'm going up to Gander to get me some more tactical necessities. Need anything? AA batteries, some Jim Beam?

Okay, thanks for the good info! Will try to stop in at Howies Tackle. My fishing time will be limited too as the family will be in tow. We plan to do some cherry picking as well.

I received a Gander Mtn circular in this mornings Post-Dispatch. For all you concealed carry, nut-job, Batman-wanna-be's . . . make sure to take advantage of the great deals being offered on these "tactical necessities". Man, they make you look cool.

Excellent post. Summarizes my views exactly.

Good stuff.

Shallow water gig is done, as in, too late in to summer? Is it too shallow even in a kayak? What is a goby?

Maybe it would help if they carried these guns with them 24/7 so as to get more familiar with them.

You're right, this isn't fair to Batman. Even Batman didn't need a gun.