Hays

Great advice, especially the pep talk on the speed spool and the discussion of a different Lew's rod. Mine is now a stiff 5'6" model. No harm in having two outfits, a casting and a spinning set up. Thanks for your responses.

Over the past couple of years I've made the transition from tandem to solo canoe (after having lost my canoeing buddy to retirement and a cross-country move) and now that I'm out on my favorite streams again I want to get back to fishing. I was an avid fisherman as a kid through my twenties, but my fishing trips became fewer each year. I haven't put a line in the water for probably 15 years. All the "rod and reel" gear I have now is a Lew's Speed Stick and Speed Spool, which I bought for lake fishing (Table Rock, Lake of the Ozarks etc.). I never got really proficient with the speed spool and don't think it's the right rig for Ozark streams. As a kid I used a variety of spincast reels and, for awhile, a generic spinning reel. I'm interested in advice on a new rod and reel. I'm assuming that everyone on this forum has at least two opinions on what to buy, but there is one caveat: I want to spend less than $100. What do you think I should look at? The range of options at Cabela's is huge compared to what was on the market 30 years ago.

I agree with all of the recommendations for exercise and physical therapy. Having many age related soreness, stiffness and pains, I firmly believe those are the only long term solutions. My wife teaches yoga and I'm a student. It's great for strength, flexibility and balance, but of course won't cure tendonitis. It's something to consider when you're running on all eight cylinders again. Until then, I've found two things, which I don't think have been mentioned, that have helped me with pain and inflammation. The first is Voltaren Gel, a topical NSAID that from what I've read does not have many of the side effects of Aleve, etc. I'm told it's a standard locker room lotion in the NFL. You will need a prescription, but it's only about $10.00 a tube, which will go along way on an elbow. I've used it with good results on a knee and an ankle, and always have a tube around. The other product is a TENS, which provides electrical stimulation to the inflamed area. It runs on a little 9volt battery and has 4 sticky pads that you can position around the area you wanted stimulated and then run a mild electrical current between the paid. You control the area and degree of stimulation, which can be pretty substantial if you want, but is never painful. The TENS comes in variety of models and is pretty pricey - around $100. We've got one and loan it out occasionally to friends. Completely portable - about the size of a cookbook. These are a couple of things that have worked for me in the past.

Just wanted to close the loop and report that my first solo float was great! Took a short float on the upper Big Piney, Sandy Shoals to Boiling Springs. The owner of Boiling Springs Resort says its an 8 mile float but the book says 6.5 miles. Took me about 4.5 hours. I was thinking I would put in at Mineral Springs, which would have made it a 12.5 mile day, but fortunately decided to cut the distance. Assuming Sandy Shoals makes a 6.5 mile float, doubling that would have pushed the limits of daylight in late October for me. Didn't have a bit of trouble, the water was just right for me and my Vagabond canoe, and the Ozarks will be seeing a lot more of me. Can't wait for a multi-day camping float this spring. I would do it now if I had time. Thanks again for all the advice and encouragement. Bill

Thanks for all the responses. I'm definitely going and will put the good advice to use. Health- good, physical condition- 65, canoeing skills- okay, but need that first solo solo trip to cement things. This is a fine forum - thanks again. Hays

No doubt it is safer to canoe with another canoe, especially if you're canoeing solo. But the urge to canoe alone is strong. Any words of wisdom?

Just wanted to finish the thread. Bought a used Vagabond from a guy in Columbia - Alaskan Ivory. Could not be more pleased. As is commonly said, anyone can paddle a Vagabond. Sweet!

I am a lawyer and fully agree with those who see this proposed amendment as a direct threat to the independence of the MDC, an independent Missouri agency that has long been a model for conservation agencies in other states. And the threat isn't limited to the MDC, as Al Agnew points out above. There are already provisions in Missouri law that allow anyone effected by an agency regulation to appeal to the agency for relief and, if necessary, take the agency to court. The proposed amendment effectively gives this power to the legislature. And though the proposed amendment does provide for judicial review, it also provides that the court must uphold the decision of the legislature if the decision has "any rational basis." That is the lowest legal standard there is. This amendment seeks to shift the balance of power in Missouri government to the legislature and away from the executive and judicial branches - something only a constitutional amendment can do. I'm not crazy about a lot of things state legislatures have been doing, in Missouri and elsewhere, and oppose any wholesale change in the checks and balances of government such as this amendment proposes.

I take it back, the MCD responded to my question about fishing when the season is closed today. Catch and release is the rule: Sorry for the delay in my response. Yes, you can fish Missouri streams during the closed black bass season as long as you release any black bass (largemouth, spotted, or smallmouth) that you catch. The fishing seasons that are listed in the "Wildlife Code" pertain to keeping fish. Anyone with a valid fishing permit (or people exempt from a fishing permit) is allowed to do catch-and-release fishing year-round. You can find this listed in section 3 CSR 10-6.505(3)(A) of the "Wildlife Code" here: http://sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-6.pdf#page=7 I hope this helps, Andrew Branson Fisheries Programs Specialist Missouri Department of Conservation 2901 West Truman Blvd P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 tel: 573-522-4115, ext. 3501 fax: 573-526-0990 andrew.branson@mdc.mo.gov

Can anyone identify the canoe he's poling in, other than "a red one?"

This guy can do it. Can't figure out how to get the You Tube video in the link, but paste this into your browser to see some real canoe poling,

Actually, it was the goggle-eye I was most interested in. My cousin, who passed away a few years ago, and who was my constant fishing buddy when we were kids, wanted to take me to a great google-eye hole he knew about on the Osage Fork. Sadly, we never made the trip.

I'm sure there are some crooks, but in my experience Ozark outfitters are quality folks. As far as going down Ozark hills generating enough speed to get you up the next hill: I wish it were true. They give you a pretty good start, but that's about it, imho.

Anyone have experience with this canoe? Looking at one instead of a Vagabond. Deeper, longer - probably better for a bigger guy?

There is a Wenonah Argosy on the Lawrence, Kansas craigslist for $500. Looks like a pretty good deal. Also a Wenonah Vagabond in Ardmore Oklahoma (craigslist). Try searching on Search Tempest, which will search multiple craigslists at one time.