DADAKOTA

Figured at least Wrench might know.

Feb 8 in Camdenton. Anyone ever been? Was it worthwhile? Trying to decide if I want to make the drive.

Both. Too much time piping loud music through a pair of headphones. Way too many rounds run through a shotgun and rifle as well.

Those are some dandies. Making me want to wet a line. -8 here this morning so I'll just work.

Sorry to hear this Ryan. Thoughts and prayers to you and the family.

Be wary of the rising water. I always had the best fishing on rising water, then the peak was not bad. Falling water was no bueno. Amazing how many crappie can be caught there. Hybrids as well. Never bothered with minnows. A roadrunner, rattle trap, and a shad rap were all I needed.

Hard to get legal access to be above the millpond. I've floated from Hwy 32 to Blackjack.

Got a link?

I have the old Rapala knife and it is functional but dulls quickly. The Buck fillet knives are awesome and hold an edge for a long time.

Been years since I went to Caplinger. Heard the bridge was closed off as they are trying to determine ownership. The place has gone downhill due to the riffraff that hang out down there. Used to be a nice free campground on the eastern upstream side of the dam, but saw that it is a cabled off as private now. I'd imagine the ground at the highway bridge is private as well. Caught plenty of big crappie and some nice walleye down there over the years. Sure ne nice if MDC would put in an access somewhere in the millpond.

SAc river at Caplinger

I'd imagine the crappie guides put a major hurt on the population with FFS. Multiple limits taken daily for hundreds of days/year. Far different than the angler with FFS taking a few to eat for dinner.

I'm all for catch and release immediately tournaments, but they have their own difficulties including cheating. Catch and weigh derbies still have cheaters, rule benders, and ethical problems. I could care less about FFS unless I have to compete against them. Heck, I wish the A-rig was illegal. On the winter river derbies, I wonder about the mortality of fish taken from a wintering hole and let go miles away at the put in. Sure seems that the anti-FFS bandwagon has no issues with technological advances in SI/DI graphs, 360, boats, motors, trolling motors, rods, reels, and baits. All of which make it easier to find and catch fish. FFS has made quite a few folks more efficient fishermen than they were before FFS. The amount of crappie stockpiled by some dock owners at LOZ would boggle one's mind.

Can't wait to read it. My wife's Grandparents owned the Drug Store in Galena for many years. Her Grandpa used to organize and guide trips on James River.

Thanks for all the suggestions