et84

I'm a big fan of Interstate batteries. They're the best I've found for the $$$, long lasting too.

The yellow strap in the pic is a huge ratcheting tie-down. It runs under the bed, comes up between the bed and cab. Not the prettiest, but no holes were drilled and the rack can be removed fairly easily. The rack has to be "dropped" in at an angle, and the feet wedge very tightly against the inside of the bed, the strap is just for extra security. There's another frame around the bottom of the rack similar to the top, not just four legs.

Just echoing others, but a rack is the way to go. We built our wooden rack last year, this thing is a TANK, will easily hold 4 boats. Holes were drilled for aerodynamic purposes- it caught a lot of wind the first trip out. *Watch out for drive thru's, though.

I just picked up some Korkers Redside boots, they're great. They have interchangeable soles, and they come with both felt and rubber ones. I used the felts last week in AR, got the rubber "kling-on" soles for back home. They also sell metal studded versions of both, I believe. They are a bit cheaper than the SIMMS at $110, and after you wear out the soles you can buy new ones for $25-$30. I tried on some of the Korkers with the boa laces, and all I could think about was one of those small steel cables wearing through the loop in the boot itself, in which case you'd be screwed. I also felt like the Redsides (with traditional laces) felt more pliable and less stiff than the Metalheads or Chromes (with boa laces), just a better fit all-around. I suggest trying some on, as I was all about the boa system until I tried them. Not trying to discredit the boa laces, I have heard nothing but good things about them and have never heard of them breaking or wearing through as I described, they just weren't for me. Tip- If you do order online, Korkers run REALLY small- I wear a 10-11 in shoes/ boots respectively and had to get my Korkers in a 12.

I typically use spinning tackle for smallies on the riv, but lately I've had fly fishing fever. A foxee red tore 'em up on my favorite float last Sunday. Spinning- Lew's Tournament Series 6'6" med action (1-piece), Lew's Tournament Speed Spin reel Fly- Sage DS 8' 5wt (2-piece), Lamson Guru 2.0 reel

Did this float over 5 days with a few buddies when I was in high school over spring break- It was definitely floatable then, but that was 10 or 11 years ago. You probably already know this, but if you go during the spawn like we did be sure to immediately release the males if you catch 'em (we caught a LOT!!).

Great job, guys! I'm going to try to make it down there soon.

Great phish, man. Crane is really puttin' 'em out!!

All the mods look great, guys. This has got me thinking about some springtime projects....

Thanks for the info, Ducky, it's good to know. I'm mainly a bass fisherman and the only place I fish for trout is Crane, so I haven't done a lot of research on the subject.

I think we had the 1/12 oz. size, but in general I just stick with the lightest weight I can get away with.

I will try my best to make it out there. I'm in my last semester at MSU, and I will be VERY busy with my senior thesis project over spring break (next week), so we'll see how much homework I put off 'til that Sunday.

That was my guess too, since males are usually more flashy. Just glad to confirm it. What about the mouth? Do the males typically have the longer, more pointed jaw or is color the only difference?

Well, kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision, but my brother and I decided to fish Crane last Saturday. It was a great day to be outside, with temps in the mid 30's to mid 40's throughout the morning, although it was overcast. The water was a little lower than normal, but clear. We got to lower Wire Road about 8:30, started throwing our standards (in-line spinners). I was actually trying out a new recipe I tied the night before, kind of a sculpin-like marabou jig. Got a decent sized goggle eye after the second big bend at the lower access, lost my jig shortly after that and tied on a red Mepp's XD (we thought the creek would be a lot higher than it was, so we came with some weight). We started working our way back to the truck, pitching to holes we'd already fished when I hooked up with my personal best McCloud- went about 18". (We don't measure or weigh the McClouds, we just snap a quick pic and get them back in the water A.S.A.P.) After that catch, we got a bit of a second wind, and decied to hit the park. It was about 10:30, and I decided to let my brother hit all the sweet spots first. He got a little guy right off the bat, maybe 7-8" or so, then he landed his personal best, went about 15-16". He was also using a Mepp's XD, black. We headed home about 11:30 after a great day. In my experience on this beautiful creek, the key to catching the big ones is pretty straight forward- stay quiet, use light line (we only use 2lb. fluoro), and most importantly, STAY ON THE BOTTOM!!! We don't really fly fish so I can't comment on any good flies, but for in line spinners we usually stick to black, greens, and browns, although I might try some more red in the future. The park is a great place to cast into a run with your bail open, let the current take the bait down past any kind of break (exposed tree roots are the best), close the bail and wait for it. Crane is a great place to fish, and we all need to remember to preserve this wonderful area. Buzz off your barbs, and be gentle with these trout- they've hung out here for 120 years without our help and they sure don't need it now. Maybe even fill a Wal-Mart bag with some trash, every little bit helps. Good fishing!!! BTW, I have wondered about the fluctuation in shape and color of the McClouds. I've seen pics of some that look like mine, with the sharp, pointed mouth and deep red color, and some like my brother's with the more stubby mouth, and kind of washed out color. Are these differences in gender, age, or something else? Just curious. Thanks in advance for any info.

yak- sent you a pm.

It's a tough one, but we float 125 to just before the "old iron bridge"- basically turners. It's only 2.9 miles, but we've gotten our best smallies out of there. RS & SMJ- we floated this stretch 2 weeks ago, heat index was 104, but we managed three or four good ones each all on bitsy bugs with 3.5" craw trailers. I ALWAYS use green/orange on this float. Addressing the transportation issues, it can be difficult. We drop our boats off at 125 (and yeah, it's a hike down to the water now that the bridge is all torn up), and a few of us wait with the boats and gear. Then my brother drives to our take out, parks, and takes a taxi (yes, a taxi) back to 125- runs about $10. We know the landowner at our takeout right before the old railroad bridge, and he's very friendly. Even lets us drive on his property to take out the boats. He just doesn't want anyone down there after dark, hence the ridiculous amount of NO TRESPASSING signs, and cameras. You'll drag a lot, but it's one of my favorite floats simply because of it's proximity to Springfield and its good smallies. The one in the pic was my best for the day, but considering it was high noon and 100 degrees I'd call it good. Maybe I'll see one of you all out there sometime!!

IMO, go with a Citica. It's my only baitcaster- great all purpose reel. I've had no trouble with it whatsoever, and have used it for 2 years.

I was not aware that one had to possess a trout stamp only for keeping trout. I am a C&R fisherman only, except for crappie at Fellows, and the only regular place I fish for trout is Crane. I know Crane is a blue ribbon area so the rules might be different, but I would NEVER keep a McCloud even if it were keeper size. I figure it's better to be safe than sorry, so I always pay the extra $7 for the stamp when I get my yearly license- I'm sure it's cheaper than whatever fine you might get slapped with for not having one.

Yeah, the 3.25 lbs. is an estimate. We didn't have a scale or a measuring tape at the time, but we took another photo of it by a rod to get the length so it's at least somewhat accurate. The fish was kinda skinny but I suppose it could have been heavier than we thought. There's no way it was a five pounder, although we might be able to get away with calling it one by looking at the pic. I think we'll be packin' a scale next time!

Hello, all. My brother and I went fishing at a friend's private pond last Saturday evening, just to waste some time. We usually catch several LM in the 12-14" range, but nothing huge. My bro was ripping a buzzbait HARD right at dusk when he caught this 3 1/4 lb. 22" LM. Biggest fish I've seen in this particular pond, but I have heard stories of 4 pounders being caught there.He's pretty happy about it, to say the least.

Moore's Market sells minnows ($1.50/ dozen, I'm pretty sure). I don't know how early they're open, though.

Put in about 8:00 a.m., motored upriver a bit from southwood access. The big one is my personal best LM at Springfield Lake, caught on a bone white Zara Spook- 2lb. 14oz. The smaller guy was caught on a pumpkinseed senko, wacky. The fish quit biting by 10:00, we fished til noon, but it was nice just to get out.

Nice fish, guys. I'm hoping to make it down there this weekend or next.

Barnes Hospital in STL is where I go (on the Washington University Campus). My primary doctor is the head of the stem cell/ bone marrow transplant unit- Amanda Cashen. Are you going to be using your own stem cells (autologous), or a donor's (allogeneic)? I used mine at first, but it didn't work, as my stem cells were too messed up from all the chemo. The second time I used my brother's cells. I was lucky he was a 99% match- the doctors said the only way to get a 100% match is from an identical twin. His cells were strong- they worked, but since they're not my own stem cells my immune system treats them like an infection, and tries to fight them off. It's called GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host Disease). It's something everyone who receives an allogeneic transplant has to deal with, and it effects everyone differently, but usually involves dry skin/ eyes. No doubt the transplants are not fun- if you have one you'll be in the hospital for about a month, and won't be able to go out in public w/o a mask for about 3 months after that, but it's well worth it. I hope everything works out for you- you are in good hands in STL. I met people who came from all over the country just to get a transplant there. Best wishes!!

Hodgkin's Lymphoma- Just like really rough chemo.