stlfishin

Al, Sorry Al, but the hooking explanation was about as clear as the Meramec is now, Ever heard the expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words" (LOL). How about a photo because I too have experienced this phenomena and this may well be the answer. Thanks!

My money tree hasn't bloomed for a long while, but I learned the hard way not to gauge trailer tires solely by tread wear but by years of service. A decent tire can be purchased for about $75.00 and mounting and balancing shouldn't put you over $100.00 each. Since I'm now older & wiser...I never go more than three years; unless I encounter a road hazard you won't see me changing a flat on my Rivercraft. I don't wish to preach here but fishing time is precious and many boaters don't even carry a spare causing them to drive the countryside in search and spoil a day. My suggestion is to open a separate checking account for your boat maintenance and feed it each month. For a mere $10.00 saved monthly, you can change out your single axle set every two years to a new set. Personally, I put about $40--$50 a month in my boat maintenance account and use a debit card to make my preventive maintenance purchases. Over the years, the amount grows to the point you can keep a maintenance fund intact and have surplus to buy what-ever or, put a down payment on that new rig.

I was just wondering about that, thanks for the update.

Thanks, I didn't know its status. It took a while back in 2008 to get the area back open; hopefully we won't have to wait until summer.

Has anyone seen the Jerome access after the flood; wondering if the ramp is still OK, if there's parking and if the road in/ parking lot is littered with logs?

Al, Just pulling your bowline, I'm confident you're Boy Scout prepared. Being a winter fisherman myself I'm obsessive about keeping my old Evinrude up to par. That being said, despite it just coming home from a reputable dealer for service along with a new battery, she recently gave me some issues on the Gasconade. I managed to get her running wide open but starting & idle presented problems. She returned to the shop & hopefully she's OK now. Once the CFS comes down a bit, I'll be back out. I will admit that within the next year or 2 at the most, I'm going to a new or slightly used E-Tec Jet, they're great outboards. I've owned two new Mercury 40 jet 4 strokes and I've had issues with both; I'm going back to an Evinrude and away from the four strokes.

Just paid for Great Plains, it should post to your Paypal account in a few minutes. Thanks,

PM SENT, I'll take the Great Plains.

"Up the Creek without a paddle...er, an E-Tec." Preventive maintenance saves fishing trips and long winter floats back to the ramp.

Guys, I appreciate your performance observations; My 1652 is down at CRM having the TM wiring moved to the front and a larger hatch cut in for the two Group 29 batteries. My best guess is weight distribution should be fairly equalized but then again, I'll see when I get it back on the river. I'm running an older 2 cyl. Evinrude 40 long shaft with a jet foot add- on, mounted to a extended transom; it has a Panther 55 Trim & Tilt unit that gives it some set back. I'll be adding a GPS when she comes home so I'll get a handle on it's speed. The acid test will be a few (bumpy) places on the river that will let me gauge if she's running flat and shallow. I can't wait to get her back for some late fall -early winter fishing; hope to see you both out there. Thanks,

Believe that's your water tube and it may very well be spraying enough to cause water to come out your lower cowling. Take the opportunity to buy a complete water pump kit and replace the water tube, cup, impeller, woodruff key & gaskets. Then run the motor in a tub not on the muffs and and see if the leaking stops. Easy fix and it's something that should be a part of your preventive maintenance on the motor. I suggest you don't run it until you do the water pump kit, your surely getting minimum flow to your water jackets for cooling; overheating is highly probable and happens quickly.

Great info, I'll watch the levels and pilot with due caution. I may hold off until well after waterfowl season probably won't even fish it, just try to get a feel for it. I fish the main lake often and do well but you know the old saying... the grass is always greener on the other side.

Thanks to Slab Slinger & Butthead; great information, I like about 1.5' to get on plane and after that, running shallow 6-8" is not an issue. I'll likely try above the Taylor Bridge as I have a 4X4 to launch with. Of course, I'll do a little more research of the area before I try to launch and fish it; don't want an upriver mishap. I'm not much of a Walleye guy but do like fishing for them in the rivers when they run and really enjoy the Whites. Hope to see you up river; I'm in a 16 foot Blazer jet with blue Blazer logos, blue Evinrude jet and blue/grey seats. I'll probably wearing a blue jacket and my favorite color is green. Thanks Guys!

I regularly fish Stockton Lake but I don't know anything about the upper ends of either the Big or Little Sac Rivers. I recently purchased a Blazer jet and I'm wondering which river I should focus on? My preference is, which has the better Largemouth & hopefully Smallmouth population (if any) and is one better than the other for Walleyes, Crappies or Whites? Also, what ramps are recommended, what level do these rivers need to be to run in a jet and about how far can you run upriver on these streams under normal levels? Lastly, although I have better than average jet handling skills, what are the chief concerns in these upper reaches i.e big rocks, , long riffles, generally impassable areas, downed trees, submerged logs etc. I appreciate any and all information and will report back on trip results. Thanks!