joeD

If you boys want to "shake" things up a bit in the cooking department, my advise is to throw the Food Network away, get rid of allrecipes.com,, quit taking pictures of your food, and then have a sexual affair with a 25 year Spanish beauty (gender is irrelevant). Then, and only then, can you talk about your scrambled eggs and Parma ham.

mstbasser: 1, While you're spooling up with "x," ask yourself: "What is my fishing goal?" 2. Is it numbers of fish? 3. Size of fish? 4. How far do you want to drive for your fish? 5. Does the fishing "setting" matter to you? Why? 6. Obviously, where do you fish? 7. How much money can you realistically spend on fishing? 8. How often do you go fishing, realistically? 9. Can you name one human being who actually knows what a fish sees and how it interprets that sight? After you answer those questions, you will come to the obvious conclusions: A. Don't use 2 lb test 7b: It's more important to go fishing often, than it is to use any certain brand of equipment or technique for catching success. There is no consensus among fishermen. III: Then there's fly fishing.

But is the guy fishing? It's the other people who are actually decimating the Fork.

Too small. Needs to be bigger. And more cowbell.

Depends. You can drive to work in a Ford Escort or a Mercedes AMG. Both will get you there, but the rides will different. If you have some money, spend the $185 on the Loomis. Spend about $100 or so on a 6ft St. Croix. Everything else is everything else. Not bad, but not great either. However, if you skimp on the reel, and don't match it with whatever rod you're purchasing, you will certainly be disappointed with the outcome. Look how much money we spend on coffee at QT and Starbucks in a year. Yet, we dither over the cost of valuable tools that we use doing the things that we love and have a passion for. I think most of the pricier rods and reels and other fishing equipment are worth it. It's an investment in quality that helps you perform.

Where is there a low water bridge on the Mineral? A jet boat in July? Hmm. Never seen a jet boat ever on that stream. F? No Hazels? No 47? No Kingston (MDC)? No Puzzled about jet boats on the Mineral.

Yet, yet... the jerkbait still won. In the face of evidence, you still switched to something else. In general, I believe bigger baits catch bigger fish over time. For me, I think the Ned rig is a slump buster. Just a short slider worm. Used in emergencies. When you're panicked about wearing the collar while others enjoy catching success. There's one at almost every bar or tavern. I mean, they work (the Ned rig), but, you wouldn't want to marry, I mean, use her, no, abuse it too much. The Ned rig. Use with caution.

That section isn't bad though for smallies. They like that spring water coming in, which is actually warmer than much of the river this time of year. No chew Mr Outlet. I draw the line at smokeless tobacco (harrumph).

The circle of life, Not to be mean or insensitive, I think there is a certain life affirming example that the passing of a revered, yet rule skirting coach coincides with a Little League baseball team getting stripped of its accomplishments due to rule improprieties. Hey, 9 out of 10 schools cheat. The 10th is in last place. Just saying.

Noooo! Just noticed. Hmm. I always say the secret to my success is a cigar in my yaphole, however,,, Hmm. Truly at a loss... Thanks Terrierman. Now my world is upside down.

Your soul might benefit from bigger fish caught in bigger water. Your purity of method actually stunts your spiritual and fishing growth.

Great fish Clay. I have no knowledge of Buffalo City and might keep my mouth shut. Tierrierman is incorrect. I am definitely not a "sir."

Splendid jack. The most fish pictured in years on this forum on this stretch. Good for you.

The fish fillets looked just about done. Mound of taters did not. MMmm. Fried fish.

Priceless! Hmmm. Maybe I'll switch to little jigs and go downstream. I was wrong. Been using the wrong lure in the wrong area. Who knew?

Ah yes compenero! February. "Tis long. Bragging Alert: Look at the fish I caught as displayed in the White River section of this forum. Orvis and rogue in the same sentence. Funny.

AAARRGH! I thought you wanted something new jd? You are back sliding! C'mon! Put your best Garanimals on, put a big ugly fly on your rod, maybe a yellow bandana peeking ever so much out of your vest for a little savoir faire, and get after it! Fortune favors the bold!

Sorry to offend. Ozark streams change all the time. It's buyer beware planning a trip so far in advance. You might have your heart set on a certain section of a certain stream, only to get slapped in the face with two days to go with isolated thunderstorms dumping a ton of rain on the area you want to float, causing rising and muddy water. So, better be flexible and have plans B and C ready. Also: My previous post is based on this: Forum history reveals to us that new members and new floater/fishermen asking advise in January and February for their multi-day trips in the spring and summer are rarely heard from again. I'm sure you're different, and will ably prove me wrong, which isn't hard to do. Good luck, and don't forget to post closer to your trip. Then tell us about afterword. Trip reports are always welcome.

Stop fly fishing and throw jerkbaits for big browns. The big fish want a meal, not a snack. I get it. You love fly fishing and want to catch them that way. Then tie huge, articulated flies in all white or black and gold. Then commit to fishing them all day. Yes, it is work. You'll probably see others catching dinks on the usual stuff. Be steadfast. Because your patience and persistence will be rewarded with a monstrous strike and a big fish. But you won't catch fish at your bench. Tie something big and ugly and then get on the water and fish the heck out of it. Look, I catch a lot of fish, and big fish, on the Current using a piece of plastic with three treble hooks on it. Don't over think it too much. Look where it got Pete Carroll.

Joan Jett is diminutive and doesn't give a darn about her reputation, so , she would probably choose a (ahem) shorter rod (though it would be a female rod). Charlize, on the other hand, being somewhat on the statuesque side, might be more comfortable with a longer rod, to get the job done, as it were. Regardless, we have absolutely no chance with either of them.

Thank you. Now, back to your regularly scheduled forums, where fishing is written about, but rarely shown.

Yep. And luck. My two friends could have easily been in the picture, as we throw the same things in the same area. However, make no mistake I (we) work very hard to earn our success. We cast and cast and cast. And we always are learning. Been going down there for 15 years now. I may have caught on a lure that I like, but that's not the real reason that fish was caught. Dedication, persistence, adaptability, desire, and, maybe most important, we never, ever give up. Me (to my wife, proud papa): "Check this picture out A... Now that's what we go down to the White for!" Her: "Gross! Why do you always have to be smoking a cigar in your pictures? You shouldn't be smoking anyway." Well, that takes care of that. Back to husband/father Joe. Oy.

No. Graffiti defaces property that is not theirs to display their talent. How would you like graffiti on the side of your house? Done without your permission? I daresay you would be less forgiving, regardless of the image, It's doorbell ditching with aerosol spray cans.

Bingo. Yes, that is tobacco drool.