joeD

A fictional character from a misanthrope author (Willy Wonka, image from a movie) and a comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, are being used as a backbone to prove a point? Awesome! God Bless America! What's next, Donald Trump as President?

Voila! Red Baron pizza! Without sadness or awareness.

Sunday, on Mothers Day, I will tell my wife of 24 years that, yes, she is lucky to have me, because I am both fairly tall and extremely heavy. Obviously a stone cold "trophy." My gift to her will be giving her piece of mind. Her trophy husband agrees to stick around for another year.

George is THE man. Criminally pushed to the side, while wankers like Chris Stapleton eat up accolades from Nashville no nothing's. He's lived it. And sung it. Without pretense or pretentiion. The real deal. Yet, he is ignored. And we wonder why Donald Trump is our lead candidate for president.

Ness- Why make tortillas? Take the burden off your shoulders. Others do it better, and cheaper, so you can enjoy life. Let them. Concentrate on looming your own underwear. It'll give you the authenticity and self satisfaction that will be matchless.

Lukem-I have three kids in college. We don't float or fish or camp anymore. We did, though. I made every mistake one could make. I also did many things correct too. So yes, I do believe I can contribute to the conversation with some level of experience. Judging by your questions, this trip is about you, and not your son. Nor about you and your son together. Also, as someone who apparently knows the Big Piney, mileages, crowds, take outs, terms like "rigged wacky" and "tube" and "random crank or jerk,", I think you know exactly what he should be using, tackle and all. Kids and adults love chocolate milk. Bring his pillow and blanket. He may not want your gourmet cooking over a fire. He will probably disappoint you at some point. Ignore it. Less, not more. Him, not you.

alright alright alright It's all good fellas.

Have you let go of that bottle yet Mitch? You'll need it soon enough. But. And I mean this sincerely. I love what you have on the table. Korean ribs. Nice american corn. Butter. Wine from someplace else. Some mushroom monstrosity side dish. And, most importantly, your family. The meal is YOURS. In other words, the food is AUTHENTIC to you, the Field family.

Two years from now, you will still have that bag of masa Ness.

One game at a time fellas. Once you look forward and believe what people say about you...BANG...you're home and playing golf. One game at a time.

You have a 5 year old son. Don't try to be a hero. Don't overestimate your son's manliness, no matter how much you brag to others. Don't do 15 miles. Or 10 miles. Six Crossings to Wilderness Ridge (about 6 miles) is fine. Plenty of gravel bars, won't be too crowded May 13. End up at your car at a popular site. This trip should be uncomplicated, easy, and fun. Not about you being The Best Dad Ever and pushing the limits of a child. Remember, 5 years old. Fun. Don't stress about making this some sort of "epic" trip that you wish he will "cherish forever." Sandy Shoals to Boiling Springs is about 6 miles. Boiling Springs to Mason Bridge is about the same mileage, but your vehicle will be unattended in a somewhat remote, but locally used, area. Gravel bars can be found easily and camped on. Beware of recent campfires and tire tracks on certain gravel bars. Best to avoid if possible. Be flexible. Be safe. Have fun with your son.

Small sample size admittedly, but the two upper Meramec sections I've done this spring have definitely been affected by the high waters this past winter. The bank erosion in many spots is obvious, and, to me, quite worrisome. The sheer amount of downed trees, many fresh, rootballs intact, plus other downed trees that have been obviously pushed around is enormous. Gravel has also been so displaced, that certain areas are unrecognizable. I understand that streams change over time, but these adjustments seem severe, and outside the norm. I can't say whether this is a bad thing for fish, or fishing (we still caught fish, saw big fish, so..) but I am concerned how abruptly this section of the Meramec has changed, and, looking at many banks, I wonder how much more earth and greenery will fall into the river.

"...mushroom head " ? " ...little guy.." . ? " .. Tenkara rod" ? Hmm. We should discuss this in a discreet bathhouse I know Smalliebigs. I'll reach out.

She will be beautiful. Like mine. Then, well, you're on your own puff daddy. Ok, enough about your daughter. I need some craws Mitch. Yes, it's about me. Absolutely.

Like any reputable 12 step program, I must share my experiences with others. Which means you. I took my first smallmouth trip Thursday with a friend on the upper Meramec, my usual springtime float, and, did OK. Nothing over 16 inches. A lot of fish caught though. End of story (sitting down on a brown metal chair). (Thanks for sharing Joe! Keep working the program!) Fish were caught on flukes, topwater, and bottom bouncing plastic. The fish were in specific spots, behind laydowns that were parallel and close to the bank. Always in slow, nondescript water. For every hookup, there were just as many misses, the fish seeming to attack, but not eat, the lure. Moving it out of the way. This section of the river has definitely changed due to high water. So many trees, so many obstacles, so much gravel moved around, widening and shallowing sections as never before. Yet, the fish were still there. They didn't pack their bags and leave town. The day was sunny and beautiful and a complete success in my book. Even though I had a flat tire when I retrieved my van at the end. Good thing I had a spare. Another note: It is my opinion that the new flukes have a different composition, the plastic is tougher, or more solid, than before, and last a lot longer. The white color seems brighter. Another note: I smoked four cigars. Thanks for letting me talk about my addiction. It certainly isn't easy, but it gets better with each retelling.

The best hitters in baseball, now, and Hall of Famers from the past, only reach base 3 of 10 times. A failure rate of 70%. Baseball isn't fishing, but it does teach us about persistence and living in the present. There is no humble pie in fishing. Every time we go, we win.

Daniel- You need to tell us more. There are so many good values out there, almost as many as opinions on what you should buy. Where do you fish? What do you like to throw? How experienced are you? What is your budget? See where I'm going? I'm surprised no one asked for more details from the get go.

No Tarasenko on that last power play. Hmm. Hurt? Hitchcock lesson? Puzzled about personnel on the ice at a critical 2 minutes.

Alright! Now I'm excited Marcus. Whew! Whatta game!

https://youtu.be/_MtiVbkfUn4

I will be at the game tonight. Should be good.

The polite past you crave also had dead black men hanging from trees.

Al- My advice to you would be to not publicly admit you agree with me. It would only sully your sterling reputation. Yes, it is scary. Then again, a lot of weirdness out in the world today.

If the fish aren't biting what you are throwing on Rod 1, chances are, they aren't gonna bite a different lure on Rod 2. Your Rube Goldberg contraptions, while clever and time consuming, just seem to miss the point in my opinion. Throw topwater all day. Or, mix it with soft plastic. Fluke of course. Carrying a full arsenal to the creek, in general, most times, is no more effective than just sticking with a confidence bait and paying attention and being persistent. I am of the opinion that wade fishing is a time to just relax, walk and cast a lure, without fuss and much equipment anxiety.

Simplify your life and carry one rod. You can tie a new lure on quicker than you can contort your body and pack and go through the rigmarole of switching rods. Plus, it's just more to carry and get in the way. More doesn't necessarily mean better. I believe in the value of subtracting. But, to each his own. I get it. Carry a four piece rod that you can bury somewhere.