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Good for you Leonard. I'm sure it was tough. I'm also sure it was(is) worth it. Healthwise and moneywise. Really. Do the arithmetic for 52 weeks of buying cigarettes. Amazing, isn't it? Now, that money is in your pocket. As a non-smoker, you reap other rewards too. Insurance. Taste buds. You smell better. And your clothes smell better. I know we don't know each other, but, I know habits and addiction. You have a right to be proud and announce it to this forum. Congratulations and good luck.

Wishicaughtmore- You are leaving too much critical information out. Like, how old are your daughters? What is your experience level regarding floating? Camping? Floating and camping on gravel bars? Your comment about your wife wanting a hot shower certainly raises issues. While your plans are admirable, you need to be realistic. Have you thought about a cabin? A cabin with beds, air conditioning, and a shower? Then do three separate day floats on the Buffalo? While that scenario might rankle your sense of adventure and outdoorsmanship, it might make for a more harmonious family. Just an idea. When it comes to kids, the fewer the river miles the better. It's not a contest. Also, forget about fishing. Oh, you'll fish alright. But a lot less and a lot less satisfactorly than you would like. Hopefully we'll hear from you a week or so before you go, since the river and the weather, not to mention people, change so much. Generally, new posters on this forum who ask advise in March about multi-day trips in June are never heard from again. No big whup. Good luck.

Pressey, nice pass over your head, blind, underneath your own basket. Oy. Why do I watch?

Our pets are part of our families. That's why we love them. And grieve for them when they pass. It's part of what makes us human. So is crying. It means we are alive, and we care about something other than ourselves. Our ability to love, and to be loved, is one of life's greatest gifts. Nice story. Personal. Heartfelt. A requiem for your beloved feline. Sorry for your loss.

I agree with Trophy. Just get a bigger torpedo in the frog color. I don't think you need various colors in your "prop" selection. However, my prop bait of choice is a Luhr Jensen "Wood Chopper." I use this lure quite often. A few years ago on the Courtois, I had an absolute blast fishing it. I never put it down. Caught some nice (over 15") fish with it. One of those days.

Pressey is 5 for 35 on 3 point shots in SEC play. The LESS Pressey does, the BETTER the team plays. It almost seems as if, instead of playing within himself, he is playing to what he thinks the media and fans expect, and want, of him. That he has to be spectacular and dynamic and a playmaker ALL the time. Especially in close games. He needs to trust his other teammates. Also, water under the bridge, but Mizzou, and Phil Pressey, is not the same without Michael Dixon. Unfortunately, Dixon is the missing link. His absence is a killer. (what a waste) The Mizzou emotional rollercoaster continues into March!

If VCU loses, and LaSalle beats SLU, there will be a three way tie for first place. And a critical bye in the first round of the conference tournament. So, you bet LaSalle will come out smoking. A meaningful Saturday afternoon game at Chaifetz, with the MVC tournament down the street. Might be a good time to head to midtown St. Louis and spend a decadent Saturday watching hoops and maybe, just maybe, do a little drinking. This March Madness thing only comes once a year.

Is nothing sacred? Someone decided it was a good idea to hone in on the Girl Scout cookie market. Grant you, I'm not surprised. Still. What's next? Professional door to door salesmen hawking GS cookies, having pushed aside neighborhood girls? Just kidding (I think). Fortunately, I picked up 3 more boxes today. Supporting the "troops."

With so many uncertainties in life, it is a comfort to the soul that one can rely on something. Year in, year out. That gives pleasure to so many. I am talking about Girl Scout Cookies. So, right now, I am all about the Lemonades. Shortbread cookie with a sweet, slightly tart, lemony coating on half the cookie. Two words: Yum-mee.

Lasalle is 4th in the league. Did not know that. It'll be tough Saturday. Upon further review, Al, you are correct. Xavier gave SLU a taste of their own medicine. Getting to overtime on the road was, OK, at best. They didn't finish, though. Then tonight, look at the way Butler manhandled UMass. We have always had trouble at UMass. Go figure. Really, though, I am very proud of my Bills. They are a good team who are a pleasure to watch, both defensively and offensively. A TEAM in the best sense of the word. Side note: Am very dismayed at the dismissal of Bob McCormack at CBC high school. Over 400 wins. State Champ. Illustrious player at his school. Teacher. Another example of meddling alumni with money dissatisfied with a loss to DeSmet. ESPN culture scores another victory.

Agree. Noted. Been called worse. "Blatherdouche" is good though. I will inform my "friends" of this word. They will no doubt love it. And will no doubt be unsurprised.

With a few exceptions, I think seeding will be a non-factor this year. Too many good teams. And I mean GOOD. There really isn't a GREAT team this year, so I would not be surprised at all that a couple of high seeds go down early. There are so many tough teams that can beat anybody in the country on any given day... so..buyer beware. Should be an incredible tournament, for the teams that win, otherwise, wow, extreme frustration for the losers. March Madness. Love it.

Cody Ellis- 0 for Cincinnati. Ouch. Tough loss. Xavier is a decent team, but.. SLU just wasn't that good tonight. Why were they chucking up threes tonight as if if they were 30 points down? You notice when Evans kicked it out, they tended to score. Just cause it goes in the paint, doesn't mean it always has to go up. Rob Loe continues to vex me. He is almost useless inside. Almost. No panic though. SLU is tough, and they lost in overtime, on the road, on senior night, in a tough place to play... so. Come home. Regroup. Beat LaSalle.

1. Not a must win. Remember, you could be 0-25, then win your conference tournament, and go to the NCAA Tournament. 2. Mizzou Arena will not be sold out. Guarantee you will see many empty seats in the lower bowl. 3. Arkansas is not a rival. Kansas is. 4. The reality of Missouri basketball defies analysis. They could easily dispatch Arkansas and Tennessee and mow through their conference tournament. Likely? No. Within the realm of probability? Yes. 5. Will we watch with both enthusiastic support and muttering negativity? 6. Of course.

Our governor caught a trout at Montauk State Park opening day on a fly rod with a black woolly bugger. I think there is a lot of information to be gleaned from that fact. Also, I think there is a fine line between having fun, and mocking others. Especially at our age. Unfortunately, I know of what I speak (write). The idea of dressing up in a costume to show the ridiculousness of an event that many others love, without irony, shames you. The joke will be on you. Please don't do it to belittle other fishermen. It's not Halloween. Then again, there is always something pathetic about a grown man dressing up in a costume in order to get laughs and "have a good time." Party the right way. PS: Thanks for the video Idylwilde.

I think America would be better off with more lawyers. We need more laws to keep people in line, to keep America "lawful." To do the "right" thing. Therefore, the need for more attorneys is of utmost importance. Who will legislate, if not lawyers? Who will decide societal issues, if not the Supreme Court (lawyers)? Who will govern our towns, our cities (lawyers)? Who will monitor our professional sports leagues (lawyers)? Who will decide where we want to buried, and where our hard earned money will go (lawyers)? Surely, and luckily, the welfare of our children will be decided by, you guessed it, lawyers. In sum, the answers to most societal and governmental issues can be solved with...lawyers. We're in good hands my brothers. No gloom and doom in America. As long as we have our army of lawyers to fight fights, right wrongs, legislate and administrate, and generally, make work for themselves, and get paid, we should be happy. It's the American way.

I better shut up.

Where was the good lord this past summer, during the drought and high temperatures? Taking time off? Concentrating on other stuff, like helping baseball players hit home runs? That Lord is funny.

Mitch- You're barking up the wrong tree. The rod you choose is immaterial, almost. The ability to throw lightweight lures with a baitcaster, accurately, consistently, and with minimal fuss depends on your REEL. Think about it. You could throw an 1/8 jig on 6 or 8 pound test line with the right reel using a surfcasting or catfish rod. The weight of the lure determines your cast, and the weight of your line and the ability of your reel to dispense line properly is far more important than your rod weight, modulus, length, brand, etc. Yes, I know it is best to match everything correctly and in proportion. Right tool for the right job. I believe your thinking is incorrect, though. You should focus your efforts on a reel. I have a Loomis Bronzeback Series Rod that is 6'3." Is rated to throw light weights. But the kicker is my reel, a Shimano that I bought from japantackle.com that can handle light lines and light tackle. Simple as that. It is a Scorpion model (left-handed). I use it for twin spins, 1/8 oz buzzers, and the like. You need to be looking for a reel, not a rod.

Not anymore. Their guard play is terrific. Hinkson Fieldhouse is an extremely tough place for visitors to play. Free throws could be an issue. The team is peaking at the right time too. On one hand, I think it's a shame they are largely unrecognized and underappreciated, on the other hand, I think it's actually good for them to be unrecognized and underappreciated. The job Coach Crews has done with this team, under difficult circumstances, is just fantastic. He is the difference maker.

Life is good brothers. Wow! Beating VCU and then Butler, on their home court, no less, in the same week. Who'd a thunk it? Not me. But I tell you what fellas, I guarantee you this, there is no team in the country that wants to play SLU right now. Their defensive ability to take a team (and any player) out of their offensive scheme and comfort level is just a pleasure to watch. Defense is not glamorous, it doesn't get you on ESPN. And I'm not talking about blocked shots that a defensive player swats the leather into the stands. No, SLU plays a hard nosed, consistent defense, always pressure on the dribbler, always pressure on the shooter, denying passing lanes, and crashing the boards. Their defense is what propels their offense. That is why SLU is so tough. You cannot key on any one player, because the other four on the court are just as capable of scoring, inside or out. Winning at Butler without Cody Ellis scoring a point? That is team play deluxe my friends. Mizzou. Good luck. You're on the road and 2 point underdogs to a vulnerable Kentucky team. A feature ESPN game. Which Pressey will show up? Apropos of nothing, I will add a fatherly brag about one of my daughters, a junior in high school, who is among the leaders in 3 point shooting in the St.Louis area. My wife always talks about her on Facebook, so, I thought I'd mention it on, um, my "fishing" site. Oh well. Proud papa bragging.

Great day for college BB in Missouri. So let me complain....Nah, just kidding. LOVE IT! Let me make a cocktail, which will be a: Fox River Cocktail 1 sugar cube peach bitters 2 oz boubon 2 bar spoons Creme de Cacao lemon peel Stir: Drink. Luxuriate. Ahh. Life is better already.

I love college basketball. March Madness this year will be superior. I just don't think there is a lot of separation between, say, a 3 seed and a 12 seed. I really don't. So many good and worthy teams. Which means that there will be a LOT of disappointed teams come selection Sunday. Hopefully SLU and Mizzou will be in. there is no lock.

I dislike the word "spoiler." In terms of sports, it infers that, in this case, a team is "inferior" to their opponent. I get what you mean, but I think SLU is tougher than a lot of fans and media give them credit. Tough and relentless D, good guard play, pretty resilient offense, underrated coach. SLU is good. Period.

Bass? trout? catfish? drum? crappie? walleye? meth ? loose women? What is your quarry? Both rivers have water. Both are good. One is not better than the other. After 1100 posts, you should know that.