Forsythian

Forecast looks pretty decent this weekend, and I need a day. I'm thinking about putting a full day in around the Patrick / Sunburst area... anybody else gonna be out there Sat or Sun? Maybe work out a shuttle or something? Ken

Sorry I missed you Ness... get back on that horse and I'll catch you next time!

Here's another shot... hope everyone made it out of there okay.

Good post Sam... can't argue with a lick of it.

Looks like they finally opened up the River Run ramp. We're back to normal pool. We need a week or so of steady water over the top of Powersite, then it ought to pick up. Rumor is they're about to pull the plug on Beaver, so we might get our wish.

I fished the upper access today from about 10 - 1. This was my first time, so I explored more than I fished. I had couple of takes on an olive bugger, but nothing to hand. Beautiful creek, no doubt about it.

Hey all, I don't want to divulge too much here, but suffice to say I am exploring some employment options. Via the web I have found that a large pharmaceutical manufacturer has some openings in Mountain Home. Having been employed in the industry, I have seen some (large, international) companies who will often start up a division and hire wholesale, only to lay off a bunch of folks after a new product launch. So, are there any Mtn Home residents that know anything about the history of this particular company? Or, if you know of a member of this board in good standing who lives there? thanks very much for any help you can provide!

Dang Sam, sounds kinda Orwellian to me. I can see it happening though... and this 9-pager is the recipe: Add 1 part bad-apple, then add 3 parts of anecdotal fiction. Throw in a cup of "never tried it", a tablespoon of "unknown", and "assume" to taste. Don't stir. It needs to be stirred, but just assume you can't. Allow the concoction to bask in the self-righteous glow of knowing yours is truly sporting. Apply liberally to all competing sportsmen. You'll know it's done when your preferred fishing method is the sole remaining legal means.

Thanks! Here's to ya!

Hey all, got my vest/ rucksack combo in the mail yesterday. I've not had it out on the stream yet, but some general observations: The zippers and seams and pulls and etc. all seem to be good quality. I am happy with it. The vest & the back pack can be truly worn separately, as advertised. Shoulder straps are nice, and it has a good lumbar feel to it. There are a ton of ways to adjust how this wears, and I'm convinced you could wear this thing over top of a parka. If anything, a small feller may have to worka at it to get it all cinched up. My only negative observation so far is the foam inserts... they're lacking, but I picked up a Fishpond replacement insert at Probass for $7 and it fits perfectly. Anyways, can't wait to get out there and wear this thing for a full day. I've had the same traditional vest for 20 some-odd years, so this new setup will take a little while to get used to.

It's still there, gotta go to the second page. Looks like there's 16 people now. 9am - 5pm, gonna miss some football I guess

Hey KC... that pic was taken maybe 2 miles downstream from Hickory Hollow resort. We were just around the bend from Jakie's cove, across the lake from what the local's call "Deer Bluff". Probably half way between the 86 bridge and Viola (?)

I'd been to Michael's shop on Battlefield in the past, and enjoyed shopping there. I didn't get to Springpatch very often, but when I did and I had the time, I sometimes made the personal choice to shop there rather than Bass Pro. That said, nothing gets my goat more than the "turf" and "entitlement" attitude on display here... if the shop hadn't changed hands, I'd vow today to never step foot in it again. I work for a small business that truly understands (thank goodness) that you don't look over your shoulder and sweat the ankle-biters and you sure as heck don't insult the intelligence of your consumer. We know our customers owe us nothing. We survive with service, price, and/or innovation, not with loyalty. good grief Charlie Brown !

Sorry guys, I've not been down K since before Christmas. 660 feet... I'm thinking the low road will be under, but the ramp ought to be fine.

You might be right Snakem... the last time was 1997 or 1998, I can't remember which year in particular. The ice was a good 4 inches deep the first 10 feet or so out from the bank. We didn't go out much farther than that.

So long as it is legal I'll buy what I want, from whomever I want. You don't have to like it, makes me no matter.

Might need an auger if you want to go fishin' on the Kings arm

Hey all, hope your New Year is off to a good start. I am finally getting around to having my youngun get his boating safety cert, so that he can legally skipper a boat here in Missouri. I understand this can be done with an online quiz, but we're going to go ahead and take the class together. Even though I've piloted boats runabouts and fishing boats for 25 years, I am sure I have things to learn. Anyways, there is a class at the Springfield Bass Pro this Saturday (1/16/2010): http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Education/SafetyClassList.asp I'm hoping at least 2 more sign up, or they may cancel it! I believe there is a boat show this coming weekend as well. Maybe see you there

I couldn't stay away forever, just a quick hit: I'm real happy to see the amount of levelheadedness on this this thread, especially from those associated with the smallmouth alliance. Listen, I haven't put a smallmouth on a stringer in 20 years, and my son has been raised the same. There are giggers who'll blindly deny there is a problem in our ranks, but I'm not one of 'em. If anything, I'm more frustrated than those of you who are haters, because smallmouth fishing is affected AND I have a legion of cannibalistic "sportsmen" who don't want me to eat suckers in January. 'Course there will be those (Wayne et.al.) who are convinced all giggers are scoundrels, and there's no convincing them otherwise. Clearly, a gigger has at one time peed in your Wheaties... and for that I am sorry. I appreciate Taxidermy's honesty, and there's a bunch of you all who could save yourselves some time typing by just cutting and pasting his post. Bottom line- Al this is especially targeted to you- the "argument" that enforcement is impossible is flat wrong. It is flat-out wrong and it is disingenuous for those of you out there to say there's nothing to be done except to take it away from everybody. I'm telling you, if there was a CA rig with a jet boat parked at the slab at Hootentown one night, Delaware access another night, the word would get out all up and down the James River. They wouldn't even have to launch the boat... just be there at dusk. Come talk to the folks setting up, let them know you're there. Maybe you'll be back, maybe not. Maybe you'll launch, maybe you won't. This is all I ask, a token presence. A little outreach. The CA's are more than welcome in our camp... I'll bring an extra chair and we'll feed 'em. Until then, it's dishonest to say the laws can't be enforced... no attempt is being made. On a happier note, I am the proud owner of my first large-arbor fly reel, and I've got a new vest on the way! I'm gonna sit by the fire tonight, watch a movie, and organize some tackle... good times

Mine's on the way fellas... I'll post up after receipt and give a report.

I thought maybe we were getting somewhere until that little gem from Fishinwrench... we've gone from anecdotes to fictional scenarios. We've hit bottom, and we've started digging. Anywho, there's some cool fishing vests for sale in the buy/sell/trade forum. Also shopping for a small chest or shoulder pack to use on short wet-wading trips this coming summer. (Come to think of it, I'm gonna need some new wading shoes as well). I'm just gonna mosey on outa here and leave you all to your tales of woe. I sure hope the planet survives the death and destruction that these last 4 weeks of gigging season will bring! peace

Nice! got your PM, responded with my home email... thanks again

Joe, sorry, but your post had that "how often do you beat your wife?" flavor to it... plus, the image of the deer staying warm by the fire was too humorous to pass up! Thicker skin will keep you warmer in the wintertime. I'm all about reporting poachers... a concerted effort by ethical giggers to close ranks and weed out the bad apples might be the only thing to save the sport.

Yes KC, moonlighting deer is illegal, and it still takes place. If you outlaw deer hunting altogether, then you don't have to worry about it. You can't swing a dead cat in the Upper Taneycomo forum without hitting a topic of people using power bait in the restricted zone, or keeping fish in the slot. Take the fishermen off that stretch of river, and you don't have to patrol it either. I've gigged out of Hootentown for 10 years now, and not once have I seen a game warden. You get wardens out at the major launches for a year or two, and they say more regulation is needed, then you'll turn some ears. You do some legitamite management studies, then you'll turn some ears. Better for me that you all sit here in your echo chamber and trade horror stories about "THEM". Oh, and keep an eye to your left, because there's plenty of busy bodies who don't care much for your "sport" either.

Outlaw deer hunting, that'll solve your wanton waste problem. Or are you seriously saying that giggers killed that deer? Maybe that deer sauntered up to the fire to get warm... or maybe he was a-swimmin' and they gigged him! Heck, I heard that giggers were responsible for kidnapping Lindbergh's baby! And it weren't Lee Harvey what killed Kennedy, it were giggers!! Quite a posse you got here Al... some real critical thinkers.