skeeter

Whenever you can make it down... Still ironing out the deck plans and making time between multiple trips to Spgfld. for Dr.'s and crushtomization repairs. Shhhh !!!

It's Kamp Kanakuk and we call it "Camp Run-Amok" due to the antics of the camp owned jet ski's and ski boats every morning during camping season when you are out trying to fish. Five or six jet ski's running together and about four or five Honda O.B. powered ski-boats. One guy leads the jet-ski's out showing off with cutesy little tricks and turns and the others follow behind him. They enjoy driving in circles around or close to you while you are trying to fish. GRRRRR....! Billfo, Curious how you I.D.'ed the Paddlefish back in the Indians ? On the Lowrance or visually ? Very cool to see those big guys and they sure grow well in this Lake. Thanks for the report.

Great stuff !!! Thanks much for posting. You better believe I printed and am taking out in the boat with me. Keep 'em coming. Much appreciated.

No surface vessels sighted today due to remnants of Hermine bringing needed precip. Can't tell about subs though. They must operate in stealth mode as the side finder has never picked one up.............

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good health. Those kidneys can sure be a sensitive area of the body as my Wife found out the hard way. Take care and get back on the water ASAP.

Has anyone else been lucky enough to see/hear the two A-10's flying over Table Rock this week ? Man, these guys are LOW ! They came up the White River yesterday then flew up Big Indian Creek arm following the main lake and creek turn by turn by making sharp turns of their own banking the two aircraft completely on their side and pullling what must be high "G" turns. Wish I had some advance warning of their fly-bys so I could shoot some video of them. Awesome pilots ! Have no idea where they are based but suspect the Arkansas Air National Guard unit in Ft. Smith may be their base.

Yep, Bear and Cougars are here and well documented. They aren't really sure where the Cougars are coming from yet and DNA testing continues when possible. Bear are from our friends in Arkansas. Buffalo are raised by several private ranchers and I haven't heard of any busting through the fencing yet but it will happen eventually. Just hope that MDC has thoroughly researched the Elk re-introduction a lot better than what happened with the Otters.

No one should fight or remotely object to your statement Sam. You are dead on target. It's going to happen some day, I hope, where MDC outlaws tournaments when the air, water or a combination of both exceed a certain number. That is the only way this foolish abuse of the fishery will end. As you posted, there is no reason these tourneys can't do catch, measure and release and maybe photograph at the boat like one of the local clubs does. That, fellow anglers, is the way to go if you really care. Also, kudos to the guy(s) who successfully fizzed and resuscitated the 6 lb. at the launch ramp. Wish there were more like you.

Based on what the neighbors are telling me, find a dock over deep water and fish as close to it as possible in shaded water. Try tossing a cricket or nighcrawler piece under the shade of the roof, the further under the roof (like in an unoccupied slip) you can get your bait the better for gills. Early morning is always a plus.

There used to be two ramps. One; at the very end of "H" alongside of where the old road orginally went out under the lake ( before TR filled up ) and two; a steeper ramp on your right down a short side road as you drive down "H" towards the Lake that is more typically used by most boaters. The ramp at the end of "H" was removed and the swim beach is now there.

Just a "heads up" for you night fishermen in the Baxter area... the Corps of Engineers has recently moved the Baxter Campground Swim Beach area and the associated corner floats, boundary marker cables/ropes with floats attached etc. about 150 yards North around to the Baxter Marina side of the Campground point. It now sticks out in the Lake about where old Hwy "H" went under the water and where the old, secondary boat launch ramp used to be located that has now been removed. There are three buoys marking the Lake or deep end of the swim area out beyond the boundary floats and one buoy on each side but it's not always easy to see those after dark unless you know they are there and are looking for them. Kind of doubt anyone would be cutting the turn close enough to hit this newly re-located floating stuff but it's easy to mis-judge distance at night.

I have two of them. One heavier than the other. The lighter weight one came from Cabelas and has zippers under the arms you can open for ventilation. Very good quality and almost completely waterproof. Good jacket for boat fishing unless really bitter cold. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21082-cat604566&id=0027166950201a&navCount=4&podId=0027166950201&parentId=cat604566&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true The other one, much heavier fleece and warm like you wouldn't believe came from Duluth Trading Co. http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/clothes-workwear/mens/mens-outerwear/75007.aspx?feature=product_2 Heavier fleece and very good quality as are most of their products.

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/pets/article_3d660eea-91c3-11df-8d12-00127992bc8b.html I think I'd be real careful driving through these Counties in the future. Hitting a deer is bad enough but Elk are BIGGER !

Regarding the fine, we have been told by neighbors it's $10,000.00. Have never confirmed that as I have no intention of trying it out. Personally we didn't want a dock and the constant upkeep hassle but I do miss not being able to sit on one, relax, and listen to the rain on the tin roof or just watch a bobber float on a quiet day.

After searching for a place for a considerable amount of time in the Big Indian area we discovered there is no "hard and fast" rule based on msl elevation nor common sense as to the Corps "take line". It's pretty much where they say it is. For instance, we found two nice lots on top of a 28 foot high bluff (this was a measured 28' above normal pool of 915 msl) and luckily discovered one of the Corps' bronze and steel markers hammered into some exposed shelf rock. This was on TOP of the bluff exactly 175 feet back from the edge of the closest vertical drop. I wrote down the numbers you will find on these things, called the Corps office at the dam and the guy who answered the phone looked up the numbers and told us that in addition to that being (in our opinion) a ridiculous and extraordinary distance back from the edge of the bluff the area had been "re-zoned" by the Corps about five years ago which meant there was no chance of obtaining a vegetation modification permit allowing removal of anything under three inches in diameter. It seems there is a certain proximity to the Baxter Campground involved and they are trying (in their words) "to maintain a natural appearing shoreline for campground visitors". However, directly across Big Indian from the campground there are "mansions" built almost at water's edge. Plus a clear cut to the waterline area at an old resort that was sold off as individual cabins right down the shore from the campground. Some natural shoreline....what a crock ! Plus the Corps just completely re-vamped the Baxter campground ( not open yet ) spending almost a Million dollars and tearing the place up like you wouldn't believe. All in an effort to make it "friendly" for large RV's with hook-ups etc. and the hell with the family trying to save a buck and spend their vacation time in a tent. Also a crock ! You should also be aware that for about two or three shoreline miles either side of the Baxter Marina (on the same side of the lake ) you cannot have a new permit for a private dock. They don't want competition for the Marina owners but it is legal for the Marina to establish and lease "satellite docks" in that area so boat slip availability is very limited depending on space on those satellite docks.

Chanced across a pretty good website about the Asian Carp and control efforts. http://www.asiancarp.org/Wordpress/ If that 20 pound fish from Lake Calumet (scroll down on the map) wasn't a single fish it doesn't look good for the Great Lakes. You can net them in Rivers but not in a body of water the size of the Great Lakes. The obvious reason they are so thick in the Illinois R. is it carries all of Chicagoland's (hopefully treated) sewage down to the Mississippi and the microrganisms these things feed on would do well in that effluent. A buddy of mine from Chicago area called last night and told me about a 60 lb. Asian Carp some guy caught in a local lake up there just very recently. I'm trying to find a published report of this catch. I thought the darn things wouldn't take a hook, guess that's false. Yeah, sell them to China or I've often wondered about using them for fertilizer ? They are one heck of a lot cleaner from our waters than the catfish and tilapia being raised and exported here from SE Asia. This video I was sent explains it graphically plus the remnants of Viet Nam war era Agent Orange spraying are still present in those waters. http://www.vimeo.com/11817894

I hope you enjoy the new equipment. Be sure and register on Humminbird's website with model and serial numbers of new units. They often upgrade (for free !) their unit's software and you download the upgrade onto a SD card and then into your units. Specific directions are on the website and they must be followed to the letter. There is also an excellent newsgroup/forum on Yahoo news. Type in " http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/ to find them and sign up. The technical experts from Johnson Outdoors (owners of Humminbird) answer questions from members and do so quickly.

Assuming you have a 24V setup with two 12V batteries on your troller ? I would say yes, to separate the two pumps one to each battery. However, not sure if they will only draw 12V since your batteries probably have a jumper between them to enable 24V. Wouldn't want you to burn out your pumps with 24V. There are members on here much better qualified than I to answer this.

The Spring(s) in Dogwood are the headwaters of the Baxter area Little Indian arm. Some times the copperheads are so thick back there you can smell them. They stink and remind me of something like hot metal or metal coming out of an acid bath. Very unpleasant and distinct odor.

Stickbaits = color definitely. Topwater = size and action, rarely color IMHO, unless it's a slow fished popper or the old devil's horse.

With a load like twin aerators on constant run the cranking amps you quote really are inconsequential. A starter battery is designed to put out a quick burst of power ( cranking amp rating ) to spin your starter motor which has to overcome the compression in your cylinders when cranking over your engine unlike a deep cycle battery which is designed to provide a more steady supply of current right to the very end of the charge (hopefully). So the answer is yes, suggest you re-wire your aerator pumps (12V only) to your trolling motor battery and assume you have deep-cycle(s) there and not starters. Also agree with previous post that you charge your starter battery with a battery charger just like you do with your trollers and not rely on only your engine alternator to fully re-charge. It's also a very good idea in the heat of Summer to check your water level in your battery's cells more often. If low, add distilled water only.

Based on what I have seen while fishing in the area since '74 I'd say Copperheads are VERY common in the back end of Little Indian. Big Indian is a much more open valley and I haven't seen them as often there. Can't say I've ever seen or identified a Water Moccasin but others tell me they are around. If you are seeing snakes in the water, don't confuse the common brown water snake with a Copperhead. Those water snakes are very curious about you and your boat and will swim right up to you and sometimes try and climb up on your transom. On a more serious subject, there was a local fella' who lives right on Hwy. 13 badly bitten by what we think was a Timber Rattlesnake in Lampe about 10 days ago. The guy is still hospitalized receiving antivenom at $2600.00 per shot. Supposedly the snake had gotten in his living quarters located on the lower level of a building (walk-out basement). Timber Rattler is one snake you don't want to be bitten by due to their size, fang length and quantity of venom they can inject.

Gary, Respectfully, why would you spend more of your hard-earned money with the Company who will not repair your existing units and has pulled this cr#p on thousands of other anglers including myself ? They routinely "obsolete" and refuse to repair units we have spent hundred$ or even thousand$ on in an ill-advised effort to force you to buy new units from them. I do fully recognize and appreciate your need to save some bucks in this economy and understand the dilemma you find yourself in. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Reminds me of the old Charlie Brewer Slider Head "do nothing" rig. Anyone remember him ? Horizontally flat-headed jig with a short, small diameter worm rigged lengthwise on the hook shank. The light, flattened jighead made the worm sorta "sail" down but think the wacky rig would be better as the ends of the worm flutter as it falls imparting that fish-tempting motion ( you hope ) . Thanks for reminding me of this. Looking forward to Tuesday morning to run out and try it. Regarding earlier post about Whites. Seen small school in the Baxter Marina area but they are up and then down so fast you can't even cast to them.. Guess they can't tolerate that 89 degree surface temp. for long. Very limited early morning success with white buzzbait in surprisingly shallow water close to channel banks. The fish are actually warm to the touch as you release them. Almost all have hook holes in them.

Eight or ten years ago we were lucky enough to observe a nesting pair of Roadrunners (largest North American cuckoo) across from Pt. 20 as they were searching for food along the shore and then flying ( which they do quite well ) back to their well hidden nest slightly inland. They were making a lot of noise with very strange sounding calls back and forth between parents and the hungry fledglings in the nest. More of a squawking noise than anything. We, in SW MO, are at the extreme NE corner of their range and their numbers here are unfortunately on the decline due to habitat loss, not because of human activity for once, but because of the intrusion of the Eastern Red Cedar tree which is shading out the glades which are their preferred hunting area. Once the native glades are gone the fauna like lizards that need that open, Sunny space disappear too. Everywhere you look the cedar is taking over.