Chief Grey Bear

If you roll your wrist more to the left to where it is facing down, instead of rolled up, it would be just fine. Have the back of your hand facing up and your wrist facing down. I know it seems picky and probably pretty anal but it just helps to protect the resource we all cherish. And Laker is right on too. The "pros" could take some lessons from us little people. And don't even get me started on TV personalities!

It really is a nice fish! If I am by myself, I'll lay the fish down with the rod on a gravel bar. I think those make really nice pics. I layed one on a log one time and I really like that shot. I would post it, but I can't find it at this time. Al poses his on his paddle as he is floating. And of course there will be detractors to this method also. They claim it wipes off the protective slime layer and that bacteria will invade the body and cause death. I don't necessarily subscribe to this theory. Fish rub against logs, rocks, and other items under the water all the time. When you lay one on the bank or paddle, you are not wiping them dry.

I think that can be arranged. Thanks for the very kind words.

Is that the sound of his jaw snapping that I hear?

Again I am posting a day early. Corndawg and I will be headed north tomorrow to meet up with my uncle for our annual turkey hunt over the weekend. Our trips have really turned into an annual fishing trip. But this year we decided to concentrate more on the turkey. And with the recent rains, I think it will be the only choice we have. I also hope to see our old friend again this year. I am pretty sure she will still be there. If so, it will be the fourth year that we know of, she has used the same nest.

I kinda figured that. Exactly! Unless you get yourself into some trouble, nobody will be none the wiser.

I know I haven't been to the last few. April is not good for me due to Turkey season and baseball.

Every state has the same law. But I am not aware of any law that says you can't teach others proper ethics. Nobody else was there but, I have a hard time believing that they were yelling and screaming at the boy.

So you are all for the Second Admendment, but you stomp all over the First.

Can't say I like that idea. But I am not a fan of CC either. If you want to carry, then carry. Why should you have to get a permit from the governemnt to carry a weapon? Isn't that an infringment of our right?

Maybe you didn't know that I have been posting on this thread since page 1. It was you that waited until page 3 to jump in and stir the pot. Stirring the pot? I'll go back and check but it appears as if I and others on this thread are on the same page with the keeping of large fish. My assessment is, you are not very good at accessing.

So let me make sure I have this correctly. I am a elitist, self righteous fisherman because I released the resource back into it's home environment for others to attempt to catch again. But if I keep the 10lb largmouth I am just a regular fella because I released it in a pan of crisco for myself because I think it is funny? As far as "tournaments” I was practicing C&R before I even knew what one was. Not many tournaments on rivers around these parts so I fail to see how this is revelent. And on a personal note, I don't belive California should be setting the standard for the rest of the country to follow. Site fishing nest...you bet that is bad practice. And I have no use for those that practice that. AT ALL!!!!

Its all good. I fish C&R but I also stand for ones right to keep too. I have had many a battle on this very forum over just that. I mean some real battles. Many, many members have dog piled me because of it too. Doesn't mean we are not friends though. Heck I still toss bones out there about eating smallmouth. Like a brownie omelette or a big ol' brownie sandwich. Just having a little fun with it. I just cringe when I see a really nice fish headed for the Crisco. I don't mind so much the 12-14 inchers, but any bigger than that I feel I have the same right to condem as they do to keep. We all have both of those rights. And as much as these fellas here hate PETA, they all have a little PETA in them! It just depends on the cause.

So with the Water Patrol it is the Goveners fault. But with the MDC it is the economies fault. Interesting since they are both taxpayer funded.

It is on the verge of being a lost art. It just can't hold up to all the new technology of todays fisherman. I would liken it to taking a covered wagon on your next vacation. Fun, but you are looking at a lot of water you can't work like you are used to.

Kids, cane poles, and creeks. After listening to strories from his grandpa and me about fishing for catfish and bass with cane poles, Corndawg was not going to be left behind. He had spied some cheap cane poles at a local haberdashery and we were inclined to plunk down a whole sawbuck for his new endeavor. My only regret is one day I didn't bring the camera and we went down below the park and got into some nice size trout. I pulled one out of a brush pile that was pushing 15-16 inches. Man what a battle he was on that flimsy little toy pole. And was that sucker wild! He was making fantastic leaps and jumps. It would have made a great video. I think he still has that cane pole around here somewhere. I need to get it out again. It was a lot of fun messing around with it.

Maybe. One of them had to be on the stringer while he was catching the other one.

Thanks guy's. You know, without me even knowing it, by dad taught me catch and release. When we floated the rivers as a kid, that is just what we did. I never questioned it. Never thought to. That is the way dad did it growing up and he just naturally passed it on. Now I know he didn't do it 100% but I would say from stories and pictures very, very, few bass were ever kept in his early days. I know in my time with him, he never strung up any bass. Still hasn't. And so I just naturally passed it on to my son. And like me, he never questioned why we aren't keeping fish. We used to keep some nice bluegill, goggle eye, or trout, but never bass. And now he is getting into doing some river catting, and we rarely even keep them. He is 14 now and likes to have friends come along sometimes on trips. It is great to hear him explain why we don't keep fish. So start them young on the conservation techniques and if questioned, just explain how much more fun it is to catch them again! Plus it ain't near the mess! Ha!

Ahh, just asking. I agree about the pressure. And man does it hurt to see them strung up. A few years ago I was floating a popular stream and ran up on a couple of ol' boys fishing. He was all to proud to hoist up his stringer with about 4-5 brownies all in the 15-16 inch range. He was bragging on his prowess with live bait and had to give me a complete rundown as I drifted by with my son. He was about 9 at the time and after we got by him, he turned to me and just shook his head. I knew at that point, I had trained him right. Your trip just got cancelled!

You seem to be very defensive of him. Is there some connection with you two?

I really like Lunkerville. Great concept and execution. Honest fishing in that show.

I'm with Al, it doesn't take much to make a TV program of hunting or fishing anymore. It is more theatrics than talant. The hunting shows are mostly high fence attractions or shooting from one mountain top to the other. NO real hunting involved. I have never been deer hunting where I had my choice of about 15 bucks all standing around a pile of corn or clover. I am just waiting on the high fence turkey hunting too. I am sure there is already some be done though. And fishing isn't much better. All you have to do is buy 2 or 3 sets of the same clothes to wear for a week so you can get enough footage that makes you look like a fishing God. Or do like others and trade with guides that will put you on the fish for a day and you put their name on tv. And don't forget your scipt! You must blast me with your vast, superior knowledge and explain it all while holding that fish that is all wore out, out of water and pet it like a cat. Now of course, not all programs do this. But there are 10 that do for every one that doesn't.

I've been telling you for years now to toss them cranks! I think I am just about to get through to you. Good job. I know what you mean by your secret hole. Cars are parked there all the time now it seem. Not to mention all those from the other side of the creek beating the hell out it.

How in the hell did these two bafoons get a tv show? Is Crowbar the education level he achieved?

No you can stop right here for now. Where in world did you come of with this? Not opinion, facts. Pffff, everybody saw that one. They were republicans in the first place.