strangercreek

sounds like you will get some good use out of it. I consistently get 20+mpg in my truck (average between city and highway) and have seen 21on highway trips several times

chartingnature.com has the 4th edition for $14.95.

JD, I agree that just draining and refilling does not change all of the fluid but it might help "refresh" things a bit. A full transmission flush will change all of it but I am not sure at 190,000, something might decide to stop working afterwards. I would confirm that it is actual transmission fluid before doing a drain/refill (make sure someone hasn't actually put motor oil in it). Other than that the only answer I have is that even if you have to make transmission repairs you have a great vehicle. I have seen so many Toyotas run forever. I've had several domestics that all needed major repairs at 50-60k. My current 05 Tacoma has 140k and I haven't done anything but maintain it and replace a door lock assembly (I am in and out of the truck alot) and a glitch with the A/C (it has a GM/Delco AC system so go figure). It runs like it did when I bought it.

Bryant's is good, especially the original location down on Brooklyn Ave, it just seems like that location is better. I am also a fan of Gate's, Zarda, Smokin Joes, OK, I guess I'm having BBQ for lunch tomorrow. I work downtown the majority of the time and need a shock collar to stay away from the BBQ BBQ and an ice cold root beer, hard to beat.

It seems that anglers are getting more resourceful after the constant generation at Taney last year. I have spent a lot of time over the past year and a half searching google earth and looking for different spots, with some success, but I have pretty much been sticking to Roaring River and Roaring River park recently. I don't know if anyone on here reads the reports from www.charteredwaters.com but he is posting alot about his "top secret" locations like they are everywhere. I guess the word will get out as more guided trips are taken in those areas. I only see so much water that is close to Branson but the region as a whole must contain alot more trout holding water. I figure they will get enough traffic as it is so I will probably stick to the areas that people already know about but I really enjoy reading about the hidden streams, it's really interesting. Thanks for the info guys.

\ ice?

You are right. At least it is about an interesting place. I would like to read more stories about fishing, adventure, etc, but I think this is a great book. I practically read it in one sitting (short novel). Right after that I read Andy Savage of Roaring River. Here is a little about where the author is coming from. http://www.ozarksmagazine.com/index.html?p=250

This is cool. I just finished reading this book. I like this author. He is from West Plains I think. The movie should be interesting. They are going to do some shooting in Springfield and look to fill the main role with an actress from Missouri for authenticity. http://www.ky3.com/news/local/37632059.html He has a few other novels based in the Ozarks as well (Death of Sweet Mister, Give us a Kiss, Tomato Red). The movie "Ride with the Devil" was based on one of his novels also. I think it is an Ark/Mo border area civil war story (I've haven't see or read it). The Novel is a different name though.

Hilarious

That is the idea per the video. It looks somewhat effective as far as only hooking the outer jaw, but I would thing it could still catch a fin or outside of the gill. The point of the hook is pointed inward though, so that might help. Now that I look at it, there does seem to be a really long distance between the fly and hook.... As far as the dropper rig comment, I don't know because I don't fish them (I can't keep from getting them tangled, not to mention I have only fished nymphs a few times effectively. I just don't have the skill for it I guess). I stick to streamers, dries, and wet flies most of the time (I have been fishing barbless mostly after getting a size 14 barbed hooked buried in the palm of my hand). I would be interested to see first hand wether or not this is something that would help with catch and release handling though. The ketchum release is also effective with an easier release.

I believe the idea behind it is to PURPOSELY hook on the outside of the mouth, reducing injuries to the gill arch, tongue and esophagus. This was in the last issue of Fly Fisherman (where I found it). I hope they wouldn't feature this if it was meant to foul hook fish . I am not sure if it is effective or not as I haven't tried it, but if it reduces catch and release mortality then I think it would be a good thing. Read the "Background" section on the website and it explains this in more detail. I think it is a little expensive, but an interesting idea. Barbless hooks help with a great deal of this in my opinion (used on regular flies). I am sure alot of fish are caught on the dropper when the fish hits the top fly also, so it really isn't that different if you think about it. Also, it lets you use smaller hooks when fishing big flies.

It looks like something that is already used in a lot of cases, kind of like what Phil was describing in AK. http://www.moffittangling.com/ I like the idea though. I might improvise something myself and try it.

I floated the Niangua for years as a kid but have stayed away for 7-8 years. Do some of the campgrounds actually have security guards now? I can't even imagine that. I have seen alot of scumbags on the river, but the campgrounds weren't that bad. I guess things change. On my last float I did notice a few markers that looked like a drowning had taken place (similar to highway crosses, markers ,etc). I guess this doesn't deter idiots, but then again niether do drunk driving deaths. From what I have seen, I can imagine most of the nudity isn't worth seeing, and might even give you nightmares

There is an ebay auction selling TFO Pro 7 1/2 foot, 3 wt for $99, brand new with warranty card etc. I was also at Cabelas today and found a Prestige Plus fly line (3wt) in the bargain cave for $10, brand new, box was ugly (line is actually an SA mastery as they sometimes have a generic package on the rack that speficies the manufacturer of the line). They also have a handful of CSR reels in the fly shop for $25 (originally a hundred bucks or so, has a decent rulon drag, large arbor, albeit a little heavy). Two of the CSR reels are 3/4 wt, not sure what the others were. The ebay auction is from Anglers Habitat, here is the URL http://cgi.ebay.com/Temple-Fork-Outfitters...%3A1%7C294%3A50 They also had some misc fly rods marked way down. I have heard K&K has some good deals going on right now as well. K&K also has some St Croix Legend Elites for $260 (bunch of other rods marked way down also)

This bings something else to mind. I saw Tim post a report that included some water above town. I have wondered how the creek fishes between town and the old wire road access (upstream) and then between the old wire road access and the access on round house road (further upstream). The map includes the entire creek in these stretches. I know I have driven up there in the past and it looked kind of dry, but last time I went all the way up to roundhouse road and the creek looked very healthy. http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/8307map.pdf

agreed, and its an MDC/public place anyway, open to anyone who wants to fish it and follow the rules

I work with alot of Dell stuff on a regular basis. I like their laptops. I have seen several people buy the vostros (a more inexpensive model) and they seem to be decent, and you can a 3 year warranty for a very good price.

Even worse, people were raising hell after they were told the store would close due to the death. They were upset because they had been in line over night and just kept shopping. Other employees were also inured trying to help the 34 year old man that was trampled to death. This is why I don't like crowds. People do act like animals, especially in big metro areas. Someone had to die just because a few self centered, greedy, overindulgent jerks wanted to save a few bucks on an LCD idiot box.

These grown adults that show up for the early store "door busters" are really sad. I understand the first come first served thing, but it seems like they do it (keep only a few of the actual items) to create the frenzy and get the excited crowd to the door. I think it is pathetic. I have heard stories of fist fights, people getting arrested, etc. I wouldn't know because I don't go ANYWHERE near a retail establishment on black friday. I usually go fishing or sit home and tie flies. If this kind of thing did happen with food, I guess we'll have to hope we can catch a fish or shoot something...

I have been listening to Ray Wylie Hubbard alot, also some James McMurtry, big time protester but some pretty good songs. Steve Earle and Shooter Jennings both have Saturday night shows on XM/Sirius Outlaw Country 12. Drive by Truckers and Cross Canadian Ragweed, both cool bands.

Tim, I did some driving around Saturday after C&R ended at 4:00. I went down Prier Road (which I think is marked as FR1162) and went to the bottom of the hill near Muncy cemetery, is this area public access? There is a no trespassing sign near the end of the road. I then went down FR2260 (heads back west from 86 before you get to Eagle Rock), which goes past a campground, then to a low water concrete bridge, is this the Curry bridge? I did see fish in this area. My last question: I am not finding the parking lot to the conservation below the park. Is it the area right off Highway F, up on the hill? I saw some vehicles parked there. Sorry for all the questions but I guess it is best to ask an expert on the area. Thanks Jason

I was in SWMO on business yesterday, stopped through Crane and checked out the creek in the park and the lower WR CA, flowing nicely. I wish I could have stayed but had to get back home....at least I got to walk around and take a look, ran out of daylight anyway I saw one fish holding just above the bridge in the park, (the highway bridge).

Thanks Tim, I was using Google earth and the image isn't that good for the area (it gets me turned around). I will use the maps to see if that helps.

Tim, Do you know of a good map online that I can use to find the areas below the park? I have looked around before and did not have much luck finding access.

Where do you access the Wakarusa, above or below Clinton?