JCreek

Those purple worm rigs caught bass in any pond I ever visited. I pulled one out of the bottom of the tackle box on Pomme back in the 80's and got laughed outta the boat I was in. Those two guys had never seen anything so goofy looking. Jinxed me for life. Still have Dad's Wizard tools, though. Used the big sockets last week.

I remember as a youngster teaching myself to cast a fly rod from Western Auto. Bluegill was about all I ever caught in ponds of that area. Used to gut them and put 'em on a stick to roast over a small fire until the skin pulled off. Tasted great. No grease, salt or anything. Still rather have one in a skillet as a crappie. I didn't stick with the fly rod. Some day need to revisit that. I really need a hobby!

Hope all are well. I haven't been on the lake in some time. Back, knee, attitude, you name it. But, got the boat ready last week! New tires on the trailer, new oil, etc. Found under the cover a broken bottom half of the Minnkota top shell. Shattered like glass from something. Easy enough to fix (shipping was as much as the part). So here we go - flooded. Looks to be about twice coming in as they are letting out. Anybody doing anything on the lake? The forum has certainly been quiet. Everybody go to Facebook or something? J

How clear was the water where you did that? I went up to Masters Monday and it was frightful. About 2 feet visibility. Reminded me of the Missouri river. Cover is back on the boat for now.

If they sold ammo and chainsaw parts, they'd be my favorite store.

Oh my. So guess I had better get the cover off. New braid and other stuff coming from MidwayUSA today. My new go to fishing supplier. 47 at the dam this morning. Guess I was thinking I'd wait until 55F and they'd just jump in the boat

I live on J Creek! I named it. Good luck finding me! That picture is of a rare Johnson Model 44, one of the first spincast reels although they were used by fly fisherman and generally any type of fishing. It's a knuckle buster with no free spooling. Interesting piece of history. I have several versions and models, but the first version of the Century is the oldest one I ever use preferring spinners.

https://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Locations/District-Lakes/Stockton-Lake/Daily-Lake-Info-2/

Is it legal to say that?

Plastic on the bottom. Amazing. Would not have thought of it. Thanks.

At least, what, couple days with lower winds and great temps. I live vicariously through youse guys mostly being unable to catch fish at a trout hatchery personally.... I really wanted to wander down towards Masters, but was down in the back, had sinuses to destroy by the mulching of the leaves project, armadillos to shoot down like, well like armadillos. Just don't seem to have the gumption to hook up the boat lately. Perhaps next week! Where do I start - what do I throw this time of year? I'm after anything edible: Drum, crappie, bass, whites. I'll eat a walleye if I can't find a bluegill but prefer fish that don't bite back.

Ya cain't have too many blue gill as long as they're large enough to clean.

I haven't watched a bobber sink in over - well been a lot of years. What type of bobber are you guys using? Have a web link?

Dow Scubbing Bubbles. Aerosal pump sprayer and easier to use. Spray and wipe calcium away almost instantly. Slight etching of bare aluminum makes it sparkle. Just rinse with water to neutralize. I've used this for years restoring electrical and mechanical antiques with never a problem and makes the Merc shiny black again.

It will go in before it goes back out. Thanks.

Thanks. Postal folks are bouncing it around SW Mo. Still don't have it. Running on the garden hose, output is very warm but not hot after 5 minutes. Could be something else too. It never cut back on power and runs fine under 5 grand without alarming. That horn has to be the Queen of all idiot lights!

Have one of those coming today in the mail. Got an alarm at WOT last week and local shop is backed up. Can anyone suggest a normal water or engine temperature range I should be prepared to see? 2018 Merc 40 ELPT

Took the wife out Wed evening. Night actually by the time we put in. She forgot the boat key.... Had to go back for it.... Had a spot in mind. Taken. Went on in and found a spot but not as deep as would have liked at a little over 20 ft. Threw the green light in and tossed crawlers at cats for an hour or so with no takers. I've been night fishing before. Spent sundown to sunup out there once. Something about this night was different. I stumbled all over the place. Need a bigger boat with a larger payment. Almost fell in twice. Once stumbled over the wife as she sat on the port gunnel of the back platform. 116 pound lady kept this old 200 pound man from going in the drink. Nice bruise on her back from my elbow. At any rate. Nice big active minnows from the 66 station in Stockton netted us 5 really nice white bass.😀 Had one crappie at somewhere proud of 13 inches. She was full of eggs. I'll let you biology types explain that one. I though it a little late in the year myself, but I'm only an expert on non fishing matters. We both lost several whites. I had one in the boat that was easily the largest one I ever caught. He was hooked in the lip and as I went for his lip, he flipped - broke the line, skipped off the gunnel and was gone. I lost 2 or 3 more at least. Wife lost 2 or 3 also. 6 LB Stren. Used that on my ultra light gear for 40 years or more. Guess they improved it and I'll look for something else. I've tried smaller braided and found it too hard to tie especially in the wind. Cleaned the last fish at 0300. I've joked about white bass, but we ate them. Compared to that frozen crap from China they were delightful!

Ok. Thanks. Found the old minner bucket so may give it a try. We went out couple nights ago and had very little luck, but when the sun went down and the bugs subsided, it was bloody wonderful out there!

Bump. I'd like to learn more about nighttime crappie also. Bought the underwater light and the wife loves to watch the bait fish swirl around it. That's about all we've gotten out of it. What's the secret?

Anybody been fishing the Masters area? Haven't seen a word about it and haven't been to check out the ramp this year. I'll try and fix that this coming week. Just hoping it's worth the drive!

Just spoke with a gentleman at the Corps office. They have extended non collection of boat ramp fees through October.

Country living at it's best! Doctor's office is a little less laid back. I couldn't get the app to work so we just visited on the phone and he renewed the prescriptions.

All open in Stockton. Auto parts store (Well, Oreilly), hardware, groceries, gas and drive thru food windows all going strong.

Six feet apart I hope.