Chief Grey Bear

http://www.sportsmansfactoryoutlet.com/policies/ And it looks like they are still in biz.

Yeah that it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just saw or heard it once and thought the name was something like that. Or it may even have been open for some time and I just heard about it. Anyway thanks.

Ehhh, not really. The crank does the work by way of the lip and its variations as well as the shape of the crank. As we both know there are poorly designed cranks out there that also preform poorly no matter what you do with the rod tip. At any rate, my point is each method has their own set of skills and I wouldn't put one above the other. I don't think he is any less of a fisherman or record holder because it was on a trotline. And no hard feelings to eric either.

I heard some time back that a new fishing store opened up??? Something along the lines of "Sportsman's Warehouse"???? Does that sound right??? Anyone have an address???? I'll be in Springfield tomorrow and thought I might stop by.

Opposed to simply turning the handle on a reel???

You are correct in that the simple action of placing a goldfish on a hook doesn't seem like much of a skill. And niether is tying on a crankbait. You didn't fool those brownies you caught, the crankbait did. I understand where you are comming from. Simply pulling a fish off of a trotline as it is envisioned, doesn't seem like much of a feat. But there is a lot more involved than most think. I started back into last summer. My son after listen to stories from his grampa, wanted to try it. So we did over Labor Day weekend and scored pretty good. It wasn't a long one like my dad used to do but we had about 15 or 20 hooks. I think we averaged about 7 fish a day all round 5 lbs. It really was a lot of fun. I think we will do it some more this year. As close as I live to Grand, which is where I cut my trotline teeth, I should set some over there. At least some jugs. I think dads biggest on a jug was 65lbs. I have also seen some 6/0 hooks bent straight.

That not really fair to say. I think any record by any legal means is an accomplishment. I know when I was younger, dad and would go out after dark during the week, after he worked all day, with a Coleman latern and get leeches. And before it got dark we would work the creeks for black perch. No other perch would do. And they couldn't be too big. We only wanted the one in the 4 - 7 inch range. We would get home about midnight and then have to put the bait away and take a bath. He would then be at work at 6 the next morning. And that was the easy part. The building and setting a trotline is not as easy as just tossing it in the water. Dad made all of his own. Plus he had a certain way of setting them that you would never know they were there. You had to know where they were. Then you have to take the time to run them and bait them. It just a heck of a lot of time and effort to operate a trotline. A lot more than just tossing a crankbait here and there. Not busting your chops. Just don't know if you have spent time messing with trotlines and if you are aware that it is one hell of a lot of work.

I don't really count them. I think all they offer is tube floats and only from the falls to their place. A mile maybe?????

Nice work Duane. Great pics too!!!!!!

Wow that was early!!

You'll get 98% + brownies. But there are some largemouth in there too. Your biggest scores will be brownies and goggle eye. One key to working Big Sugar is to get out and do a little wading at the head of long pools if you want to score some big brownies. You will be amazed at the the ones you float over. It is just like floating in an aquarium! But that is not to say if you just go ahead and float on through you won't score one here and there.

I think you would really like Big Sugar. Here are some float milages for info. Mikes Creek - Cyclone - 7 3/4 Cyclone - Deep Ford - 5 3/4 Deep Ford - Pineville - 4 Both Mikes creek and Cyclone have camp grounds that you could use as a base if you wanted. If not, there are numerous gravel bars to camp on. If you choose to camp on the creek, I can help you with the shuttle if you want. Are you bringing your own canoes and such?? When are you thinking about taking this trip???

I knew you weren't looking for rail, just tossing out some spots that I thought should still have the small stuff. I started out in Carthage Mo. Became a boomer and worked KC, SW OK and finally AR. Spent 12 years at it and pulled the pin to raise my family. Don't regret a minute of it but some days kinda miss it. PM me some info on the old M&I Bismark - St. Gen line. I can't find much history on it. I am interested in the operations of the later years. Like from the 70's to present. I know they don't run in between but work both ends. I have always wondered why it wasn't ripped up in the middle unless it is insurance for Mississippi flooding.

You can add my name to that data base for OAF members.

There is one on Shoal Creek. Waters Edge by the Undercliff. Still not much info on their page but they do float trips. http://www.undercliffcampground.net/ Nothing else on the other waters. And I would like to keep it that way.

Hey Jeff, the old M&I line from Bismark east should have some small stuff. May even find some 85# or even 75# up towards Bonne Terre. Should be some more up around Crystal City.

Are you wanting to spend the night on gravel bars as you go or use a pay campsite as a base?? How far are you planning to float in one day?? I do about 5 miles a day and plan all of my floats accordingly. Some like Al, do 10 or miles a day. Are you looking for trophy fish, regularly catching 15in and bigger, or just wanting to stay busy catching lots of fish with some nice ones sprinkled in here and there??

Oh I am sure there will be a lot of votes against him. How soon will the package arrive???

I had the same thought. But you will have company. There are also plenty of outfitters to help you out if need be. You could also do the James. Are you going by yourself? There are ton of options. Let me know a little more about what your thought are and I'll help you design a trip of a life time.

What are the chances of getting some samples of that to do some field testing???? I will be your exclusive field tester right???? RIGHT!!!!

How the hell did that happen??? You do know we practice C&R here?? Congrats to you both.

My dad caught a walleye years ago in Grand also. They have apparently been stocked in Empire Lake at Riverton. So my guess is over time a few have made their way to Grand. I am not surprised by a brownie being caught in mid lake. I mean I am but with this whole migration thing they are doing now.........

Last I knew, you could about $10-$12 for scrap batteries. POS's!!!!

Keep me posted.