Foghorn

We went into the lodge and they had all of the shelves covered in plastic tarps. Said they were preparing to do a deep cleaning to the lodge. Not sure if you could get anything to eat there.

I was thinking it might be warmer in Alaska than it has been here lately.

Laker, Harv and I fished it pretty well several years ago on a cold day and I finally had to call it a day as I was cold and felt wet. Changed out of my brand new Redington waist high waders and realized they were leaking where the bootie attached to the wader.

Below the old campground bridge is where the signs are posted closed for the winter season. So from the old bridge to the cable is closed. Not sure why.

After watching the local forecast, Susie and I figured a one day quick trip to Montauk would be a good idea. Old college baseball buddy Jerry P. was needing to get out so a plan was made. Water looked good when we got in the park at 920 this morning and noticed 7-8 cars parked in the lot by the old White Oak hole. We figured head to the campground and see how crowded it was. Didn't see any cars and only one camper in the campground host site and figured either there weren't many fish or just weren't that many folks who had made it down that far. We started around the 109 campsite and immediately were into fish. At least Susie and I were as Jerry had gone up around the campground bridge. We fished right at 5 hours and Susie and I totaled somewhere in the neighborhood of 80-85 fish total. Had our share of 14+ inch fish and quite a few smaller in the 10-12" range. Hot fly was any color of salmon, orange or peach fur bug. Was about as good a day as we have had in the parks in the regular season. Jerry figured he had somewhere in the 25-30 fish range so he had a good day too!

A favorite? The affliction hit me years ago so picking out a favorite is tough. The first time I really "sprang" for a big time reel- I bought a Streamline 1 for me and a 0 for Susie. They borrowed the drag setup from the Ari'T Hart design. They even made some good neoprene waders. Their business went under. We have several of the old Orvis Battenkill large arbor reels that have the internal hex nut to adjust the drag for more stopping power if needed. Anymore, they go for as much used as they did brand new.

I enjoyed reading this article and I don't even own a boat. It was well written and very informative.

I say ,I say now that's a hawg!

Sending our prayers.

That was the method we started with but never were satisfied that we had it correct. These were some Winston WT blanks and buddy went along with their idea. After using his new rod the first time out, he said the accuracy was off the charts. He said the rod made him look like a better fly caster than he really was.

Little brother saw that article in the "Stockton Record" online. Guy said he had previously kept a rainbow over 25#.

I had picked some high dollar blanks on closeout several years ago as the company was moving away from 2 piece blanks. The buddy who was building the fly rods(3) and I tried to spline these blanks and never really thought we had them aligned correct enough to mark them and start the building process. He called the manufacturer and they said line the sections up as straight as you can and mark them. Told him if he was good enough to spline their blanks to quit his job and come work for them.

Wife Susie and I were planning to be at RR for the first day but an old friend from Potosi passed away Wednesday and we are headed to the viewing in the morning. We sometimes hit RR,BSSP and Montauk the first opening days.

Enjoyed the photo's, Rick. Winter fishing isn't going to be that interesting after those bow and browns Sandy and you caught!

Al, you should have made it to the alley back when we were in school and played a few games with Dad!

Had a Brodin steelhead that I used to carry a lot until someone stole it out of my car in the Montauk parking lot. My bad for leaving the door unlocked. Had it set up with the magnets and a surgical tubing so they cut the tubing and took the net with the magnet part on the net. Left me with the other half of the magnet attached to my vest. Ordered a new one and unknowingly the Mrs. ordered me a second one. That was early 2000's and don't think they are available anymore. No bigger fish than I've been catching, it's pretty much overkill anyway.

8 year old grandson killed his first- a 4 point buck on his step grandma's farm in Ste. Genevieve county. Sa an 8 pointer but it was on the trail of a coule does.

Family ,fun and big fish . You can't beat that. Nice job !

Sounds like an awesome day for the family.

Munger is the place where the majority of my Gpa and his siblings was born. Don't think any of the family lives there. I stopped across the road from the old home place while the Mrs. and I were dating 41 years ago. It was looking pretty rough and she said " if you get out, I'm driving off and leaving you here". Have a copy of an old family picture from around 1918-20 and 4 of the boys have either baseball uniforms on or have bats and gloves. That same fishing trip, I froze as he path I was walking on had a big snake laying across one of the tree limbs. Grandpa T came along and just reached up and grabbed the snake and threw it in the brush. I stayed pretty close to him the rest of the day. Was down in your neck of the woods getting readyto cross the bridge into Scott City on the train when a buddy called me on the radio to tell me the dam had busted.

My grandpa was raised north of the park entrance so we visited the old home place area quite a bit when we were little. He said we were going fishing one day but I didn't see any fishing rods. We weren't used to gigs and 22 rifles as a way to get fish. Grandpa would hand fish unless it got to cold but didn't think too much of sticking my hands under rock and in holes underwater. Dad said we were lucky that his Dad wasn't the oldest or we might have inherited the home place. It is a beautiful place. There is a family cemetery that I need to visit one day.

Happy Birthday!

Rick and I and probably several others on the "forum" know a guy who does that with the tripod and videoing. Saw this guy with it setup and was also wearing a "GoPro" on his hat. Ke caught a nice fish and then asked if I would take a picture of him and the fish on his cellphone. Stay after the Rick.

Great color on those fish ! More pictures please.

Excellent Rick. Appears your time in Branson is paying off.