Forsythian

Looks like a good weekend to shake off the cubicle blues... Justin, PM coming your way! Ken

Great topic Jeff. I've been intrigued with this style of float camping myself. I do 2 or 3 multi-day canoe trips a year, always with a tent, and I see where a hammock could have advantages. I can think of several fishing spots on the 11 point that I would love to put to bed in the evening and wake up to the next morning, but there aren't any good places nearby to pitch a tent. It seems a hammock would be the way to go on these solo fishing excursions. Otherwise, a tent on a soft gravel bar is hard to beat.

Good grief you are a wet blanket. "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves. Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyh-JpWdGmQ

Looks like a Paul Dallas notch. Haven't seen one of those in years.

Soon you'll have to back down from the old campground, but the pitch in the road stays pretty good right up to 695' Looks like the Corps in all of their wisdom will keep filling the lake until it's panic time again.

They'll probably require that you beach it at night. Are you renting from Bull Shoals Marina? If so I've got a good spot for you.

Thanks fishinwrench, you explain it well. It's definitely a combiner. I think I will eliminate it. While you're giving out free advice, is there an easy way to use a 12V indicator to check whether the alternator on the outboard is charging? Thanks again

Hey guys, I'm back. A new solenoid did the trick on motor #1. Sticky bendix on motor #2, I've brought it home for clean & lube. In the course of this adventure, I'm thinking the batteries are not wired in the proper series. There are two starter batteries (port & starboard) and one deep cycle. There is a battery combiner, and the previous owner has wired it between the port motor and the deep cycle. I'm guessing this was done to apply an alternator charge to the deep cycle(?). Honestly, It's an older boat and I'm not sure the combiner works. I've a mind to isolate each starter battery to its own outboard, and leave it at that. Any thoughts? thanks

Any recommendations for online mercury marine parts? I've got twin 60hp Bigfoots (1999), need a couple of starters, thanks!

Thanks for sharing CWF, handsome clan you got there! The Corn Palace is on my bucket list.

11 point. October. Heaven on Earth

Agree wholeheartedly. I'm an analytical chemist by trade, and I'm amazed at how often the validity of the measuring tools gets overlooked.

Pretty chilly on Wednesday, wasn't it? I'm planning on fishing several miles of upper Swan Creek tomorrow. I might bring my .357 just in case there's any trouble (like forgetting my bottle opener, or running into Gene Hackman and his starting 5). Gotta be prepared.

Is this an olive branch to Smalliebigs and guest? The only thing missing from this undergrad poly sci screed are references to the evils of Haliburton and the Koch Brothers.

Good lunch time reading! Holy Mackerel, I need to swing by this place more often.

Just picked up a 12 foot Native Ultimate kayak last week. I was really drawn to the canoe/kayak hybrid style of it. I've paddled it a bit on flat water, seems to be stable and it tracks very well for a 12 foot boat. Looking forward to a bunch of day trips with it. The seating is extremely nice. Any other owners out there?

Not surprising... bunch of heathens in Stone County.

Please. For what a new glitter sled costs, you could buy 3 of the houseboats I'm looking at.

Any house-boaters out there? I'm in the market for a starter, hoping to benefit from other's experiences on the subject. Thanks!

No doubt Justin... I've brought some St. Louis friends your way and they are a constant source of embarrassment for me. If my real estate buddy isn't asking you how much you paid for your property, my other friend is trying to sell you a truckload of aluminum foil. Meanwhile, their wives are in your shop looking for Daily's Daiquiri pouches in the freezer section. Now that I think about it, can't wait for Summer!

Nice post, thanks! I gotta get off my lazy rear and get out there.

I fished a bit on Saturday, from 1 - 3. Started with a Griffiths gnat, and they wouldn't leave it alone. Same for blue winged olives. It sure is a good place to work on your dry fly presentation.

I'm with Hank on the battery powered Christmas lights... I've not brought my lantern on an overnighter for a couple of years now. Those little LED strings are really versatile.

Yessir. I learned a lot about my gear on Saturday. Some good (tent), some bad (rain coat). It was warm though, and the fish were ON. Even caught some midging fish just under the film. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Hi Brian, looking forward to the pics. I fished yesterday and today in the Blue Ribbon section. Caught fish both days, but Saturday was gangbusters. Can't wait to go again.