joeD

Nice! But Illinois doesn't count.

One can walk the dog with a spinning outfit. Don't let anyone tell you different. Same with a baitcaster. Not using or having difficulty using a baitcaster is not a sign of fishing weakness. It is not a requirement for success.

In the future, when fish talk, we will know why they eat our lures that have hooks in them. Until then, ........ Wrench, the only trouble will be that the "hooker" (do we call them that now?) will be disappointed that she landed on the wrong lap and will walk away confused about men....

What happened? One minute a callow youth, now a post spawn malcontent typing opinions to complete strangers on a computer.

I thought I was fast and smart. My wife caught me in 1991, using the less is more approach. I was a lunker that succumbed to a slow and steady retrieve, ensnared before I even knew I was caught. Unfortunately, I was kept, and not released.

1-800- POL-ENTA ABUSE HOTLINE

When one floats an obviously popular stream on a Friday or Saturday in the summer, there will be people. Some will behave in ways one disapproves. It happens. Although, many times, in fact, the majority of the time, floats will conclude without incident. No one says or writes about these floats. So, negative and limited anecdotal "evidence" becomes the narrative. People have been misbehaving on the river for decades. On July 27, 2016, one would think the members of this forum are wise enough to avoid these hot spots and find stream fishing and fun and solitude elsewhere. Plenty of water for everyone. PS: A nuclear family with religion and strict discipline and perceived physical punishment created millions of miserable children.

Why is effiency the apex of kayak camping? Denial of pleasure as a goal to be achieved, then applauded. Good grief, it would be nice to hear from some sybarite who packed everything to get the most out of a trip. Tired of the "less is more" sermons, bordering on moral disapproval of those who choose to "overpack." One cannot overstate the deliciousness of a comfortable chair in front of a gravel bar fire, after a long day on the water.

Person A has a Zebco 33 with a beetle spin and fishes once or twice a week all summer long on a few different streams. Person B has "better equipment" and the latest top water lures. Fishes the same streams as person A, but only a few times all summer. Who would you rather be, person A or person B?

Two days of the worst wishing on CC I have experienced. There is much to discuss, but I will abbreviate and give broad strokes. Monday: Georges Creek to Kelly slab. Put on about 11am or so. AR game and fish working on new access. Georges creek had water in it, so it was easy to float the canoe down to Crooked. Those of you who have schlepped your equipment up or down the creek when dry will know what I am talking about. Of great importance, look at what happened last week to the gauge at Kelly. No mistake. There was 5 inches of rain that fell just above Yellville that caused a flash flood in Georges Creek. The water apparently came up to the 62 bridge. Trees down everywhere on Georges creek. Gravel pushed across into CC. Water damage across the stream at least 5 feet up the bank. Area unrecognizable. Anyway, we got in the canoe at the mouth of the creek and had to immediately go around a new, large gravel bar, as a large backhoe was in the water, scooping gravel. Once past the construction zone, we were certainly disappointed to find the creek an absolute mudhole. Zero visibility. We had no idea whether we were in 2 inches or 2 feet of water. Which was worrisome, as there are rocks everywhere, which we could not see. As luck would have it, we scored early, when a 10 inch smallmouth jumped out of the Georges Creek riffle onto my lap. I squealed like a girl, it startled me so much. Anyway, we were less than hopeful, convinced the creek would be muddy the whole way. About 2/3rds of the way down, things seemed to be clearing. We figured we had caught up to the slug of muddy silt. Excitement and hope ensued. CC looked like itself, with an added bonus of a slight coloration. Then, nothing. I caught a fish. That's it. Winter and spring floods definitely changed stream. Tuesday: Snow to Georges. Fired up as this section apparently unaffected by rain. Missed a couple nice fish in first fast run that always produces. Then, basically, nothing. Maybe 6 fish. I caught a 17 incher. But, it was not enough to cover up our disappointment in the two days of fishing. In fact, we were quite surprised at how murky the creek was, even as far up as Pyatt. The long holes seemed longer, there seemed to be more channelization and less current, more gravel pushed around, and, there seemed to be no explanation on how murky the water was. I realize there was a super bright full moon, and I am by no means an expert angler. But, I have fished the creek in the summer for years, and it is almost impossible NOT to catch fish, regardless of what you throw, the fish are so aggressive. So. I think the recent floods have changed the creek, more than I have ever seen. I look forward to using a ramp at Georges creek access. Arkansas continues to kick me in the balls and tell me to git.

The Big River in terms of fishing respect is equivalent to Matt Carpenter in national baseball respect

I"m not so sure. I know someone who is faster.

Think about casting (whatever you are using) right above riffles, in the riffles, and the pour offs just below the riffles. Temperature and drinking buddies are irrelevant. Of course, I assume you will have necessary provisions yourself, so as not to rely on your buddies to slake your alcoholic thirst. If you are not drinking, then, .....hmmm......hmmmm..... ....drawing a blank here.......hmmm...... Good luck fishing!

"Let me tell you how much fun I had at this party you weren't invited to..."

I used to poke a 7 for awhile. Have to do it twice now to get 7. 20 seconds of heaven.

Nice Jim. The Big producing. Love it. Have to ask about the stainless steel. What's up with that?

I don't know. Double eagle might be "rarer." Still, not fishing. Talking about golf on a fishing forum. Oy. I suck balls. Good thing it'll be 100 degrees Fathers Day weekend and be,yond.

What parking lot? Where? At George's Creek? Ramp? Please expound and expain.

Hit my first hole in one Friday. After years of golf, one does think about it, if for no other reason that one is "due." Missouri Bluffs #2 with a 7 iron, 168 yards. Tradition says the "lucky" golfer buys a round at the bar after. This was a tournament of 60 golfers. Who were thirsty. Including me. Discover card is ecstatic. Wife, less so: "Don't get another hole in one." Still...great experience. Now, if I could only fish...

I like your boxes Ness. Just wondering, why not one big garden (seems you have room), vs multiple small boxes. I, myself, have not committed to one large garden either, though I have room. Lazy, maybe, just 'rassling with my usual inertia. No big whup, idle musing.

Your picture reminds me:

A sleeping pad, small pillow, and a blanket next to a fire. If you have to urinate in the middle of the night, you just get up and turn, evacuate, and lay back down, all in one semi smooth motion. Try that in a hammock. Really, comfort is worth a couple of extra pounds. It's not as if you are carrying it on your back. There are no extra accolades for being a minimalist martyr. Deprivation without reason seems silly in 2016. Aforementioned baits are all good. Fish will let you know. If not, throw your confidence bait as much as possible.

Jimmy- Hook up your hammock at home in your backyard and spend the night in it. Then you will know to leave it at home. Others are full of you know what. There are no trees on gravel bars. You're camping in the woods. Why is a hammock so important? I would think fishing would be .

At least you were out and about and trying to make things happen. That's what fishermen do. Good on you.

Without knowing the number of scouts going, make sure you have enough adult help. People in front, middle, and back, of your flotilla. Also, bring a shovel, and show it to them, saying its for burying kids in the woods who get out of line.