rps

Awww stump bumper, you're just no fun. The only time it's really scary is when they run at 60+ on GPS in the fog. And yes, they do that too.

It clouded up for a bit but never came close to thunder and lightning. If it had I would have been off the lake ASAP.

I had not been out because of the heat, but I am running out of days before I report for pre-school year teacher training. That starts Monday and I have kids in the room the Monday after that. I went out shortly before 6:00 and motored down lake to Rock Creek. I spent less than an hour catching dink bass on topwater before I gave up and started walleye fishing. Caught two off the long point there on a worm harness. One measured. Also caught bluegill and tangled with what I am pretty sure was a large cat fish. Had it on for over a minute but never got it close to the boat. The line was abraided above the hook and the hook itself was open. Headed back up lake around 10:00 and stopped to troll at five locations. Caught two more flatlining a crankbait. One measured. Picked up several small bass as well. All walleye hit baits 26 feet down and all were suspended in or near brush. Just after noon the surface temp hit 90 and I ran for cover.

Cooks Illustrated has done comparative testing on a number of knives - both brands and styles. Heinckels, Global, Shun, Mac, Wusthof, etc. The consistent winner or best buy is not one of the high dollar brands. It is Victorinox Forschner (the original Swiss Army knife people). Many professional meat cutters buy and use them. I own one and use it. I prefer it to my black handle Normark and my Sabatier. The man I use to sharpen my knives twice a year sings their praises. Here is a link: http://www.cutleryandmore.com/victorinox-forschner/fillet-knives If you want a sheath try here: http://www.bladetamer.com/html/combos.html

I am a metal man - Alumacraft - but Bill Babler and some others are singing the praises of a Phoenix. Basscat enjoys a well earned good reputation. Check the Phoenix out. Put the Ranger you prefer on the list. Seems to me you will have a very good 3 boat choice that way. I am sure others will chime in on this one.

Beautiful boat. Makes me want to be a two boat family - one for the lake and one for the river. Alas, that will never be. I hope it finds a great home.

Crappie are always welcome in my boat.

Actually, the amount of water used to generate electricity is determined by the SWPA. They have a contract with the Corps that between certain lake levels, they determine discharge through the turbines. The low end is some feet below normal pool (depends on which lake). The corps may override for flood control purposes, for minimum flow requirements, and for emergencies such as a drowning on the river that requires dropping flow to conduct a search. The corps will therefore allow SWPA to discharge during peak usage (that's when they can sell to utilities on the grid for max dollars) all hot season. Only if the draw down is insufficient will the corps dump more water in the winter. This arrangement also means we could have two very low lakes if it stays so hot and dry. That is probably more than you wanted to know, isn't it?

Al: awesome fish. I have never caught one that long. Heavy fish yes. Long like that, no. The rest of you: Chill.

Nice evening fish!

I second the "leave your boat at home." It would be safe if they are running 4 to 6 generators for most of each day, but there is no guarantee that will be the case. 20 hours of water off and the chutes and runs do not average 12 inches deep. Ham's other comments are all solid information. Add Dave Capps to the list of guides in case Hotdawg is booked. I fished with him about 9 years ago and we had an excellent day for browns.

Outstanding fish! Who says July fishing is slow?

This is the place to check out then. There are some wicked good trout fishermen and fisherwomen on this board.

Now Chief, you need to behave.

Oh my. Priceless.

Don, Tell her how many of us want her trial to be brief and successful.

God I love big bass on top!

PD's two walleyes.

Techo, are you never going to let me off the hook? I did one little bitty nice thing - really more of a supporting role - and now you expect me to be some character like Kickass. BTW, I believe that movie deserves guilty pleasure status.

I met Powerdive at the Diamond City ramp at 6:30 this morning. I fished Bull Shoals with my father as a boy and night fished it once in the 80's with a guide. We were staying at Gastons with the in laws, children, et al. and night was when I could get away. So today was basically fishing a new lake. As the lake is 31 feet high, we found the brush began at 28 to 29 feet. We trolled cranks and ran crawler harnesses over the brush. All that did was cost us lures and rigs. We tried the edge of the brush line and while we marked fish we only caught bluegill, white bass, a dink smallmouth and a gar. About noon we started crank trolling flats at more than 30 feet. PD was using leadcore and I was flatlining. He finally scored twice. 19 and a very fat 23.75 inch walleye. I'll post a picture later. I took my boat and went home then. I was dehydrated, sweaty, and really glad I fished with a new person on a new lake. I think I really like a lake without the bozo traffic I see every day here at TR. Of course, once the boat owners can get out to their boats at Bull, traffic there may pick up.

Good stuff Chief!

I have fished Falcons for many years. First discovered them at the Tulsa Boat Show right after they went in business in Broken Arrow. IMO at the top end, they are what you call enthusiast quality without the ridiculous price that goes with that term. In their lower price ranges they deliver better bang for the buck than St. Croix or Loomis.

I snuck out early and came in before noon. In between: I fished my top water for almost an hour. I had one fish on for maybe 10 seconds. I saw the thermocline is really getting more solid at 25 feet. I marked many bait fish at 10 to 15 feet I trolled five locations between Holiday Island and Eagle Rock. I caught three walleye, one each at three of those locations. Two were suspended in tree tops. One was on a flat. Storm Thundercrank with 120 feet of 10/2 braid out (about 18 feet deep) pulled between 1.8 and 2.4 mph. I also towed a Cobalt with five or six people from near Holiday Island to the powerline flats below Fletchers. Busy morning. Nap time.

If you go braid, Ham has a point about the underfill. 20/6 (20# test w/ 6# diameter) is good, but use an Alberto knot to attach your leader.

That is a handsome fish. Thanks for sharing.